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by whom he threatened the very same calamities to them which
their brethren the Israelites； upon the like affronts offered to
God； were now under。 But these men would not believe their words；
by which belief they might have reaped the advantage of escaping
all those miseries； yet did they in earnest learn that what the
prophets had told them was true。
2。 And when they persevered in the same course of life； God
raised up war against them from the king of Babylon and Chaldea；
who sent an army against Judea； and laid waste the country； and
caught king Manasseh by treachery； and ordered him to be brought
to him； and had him under his power to inflict what punishment he
pleased upon him。 But then it was that Manasseh perceived what a
miserable condition he was in； and esteeming himself the cause of
all； he besought God to render his enemy humane and merciful to
him。 Accordingly； God heard his prayer； and granted him what he
prayed for。 So Manasseh was released by the king of Babylon； and
escaped the danger he was in； and when he was come to Jerusalem；
he endeavored； if it were possible； to cast out of his memory
those his former sins against God； of which he now repented； and
to apply himself to a very religious life。 He sanctified the
temple； and purged the city； and for the remainder of his days he
was intent on nothing but to return his thanks to God for his
deliverance； and to preserve him propitious to him all his life
long。 He also instructed the multitude to do the same； as having
very nearly experienced what a calamity he was fallen into by a
contrary conduct。 He also rebuilt the altar； and offered the
legal sacrifices； as Moses commanded。 And when he had
re…established what concerned the Divine worship； as it ought to
be； he took care of the security of Jerusalem： he did not only
repair the old walls with great diligence； but added another wall
to the former。 He also built very lofty towers； and the
garrisoned places before the city he strengthened； not only in
other respects； but with provisions of all sorts that they
wanted。 And indeed； when he had changed his former course； he so
led his life for the time to come； that from the time of his
return to piety towards God he was deemed a happy man； and a
pattern for imitation。 When therefore he had lived sixty…seven
years； he departed this life； having reigned fifty…five years；
and was buried in his own garden； and the kingdom came to his son
Amon； whose mother's name was Meshulemeth； of the city of
Jotbath。
CHAPTER 4。
How Amon Reigned Instead Of Manasseh； And After Amon Reigned
Josiah； He Was Both Righteous And Religious。 As Also Concerning
Huldah The Prophetess。
1。 This Amon imitated those works of his father which he
insolently did when he was young： so he had a conspiracy made
against him by his own servants； and was slain in his own house；
when he had lived twenty…four years； and of them had reigned two。
But the multitude punished those that slew Amon； and buried him
with his father； and gave the kingdom to his son Josiah； who was
eight years old。 His mother was of the city of Boscath； and her
name was Jedidah。 He was of a most excellent disposition； and
naturally virtuous； and followed the actions of king David； as a
pattern and a rule to him in the whole conduct of his life。 And
when he was twelve years old； he gave demonstrations of his
religious and righteous behavior； for he brought the people to a
sober way of living； and exhorted them to leave off the opinion
they had of their idols； because they were not gods； but to
worship their own God。 And by repeating on the actions of his
progenitors； he prudently corrected what they did wrong； like a
very elderly man； and like one abundantly able to understand what
was fit to be done； and what he found they had well done； he
observed all the country over； and imitated the same。 And thus he
acted in following the wisdom and sagacity of his own nature； and
in compliance with the advice and instruction of the elders； for
by following the laws it was that he succeeded so well in the
order of his government； and in piety with regard to the Divine
worship。 And this happened because the transgressions of the
former kings were seen no more； but quite vanished away； for the
king went about the city； and the whole country； and cut down the
groves which were devoted to strange gods； and overthrew their
altars； and if there were any gifts dedicated to them by his
forefathers； he made them ignominious； and plucked them down； and
by this means he brought the people back from their opinion about
them to the worship of God。 He also offered his accustomed
sacrifices and burnt…offerings upon the altar。 Moreover； he
ordained certain judges and overseers； that they might order the
matters to them severally belonging； and have regard to justice
above all things； and distribute it with the same concern they
would have about their own soul。 He also sent over all the
country； and desired such as pleased to bring gold and silver for
the repairs of the temple； according to every one's inclinations
and abilities。 And when the money was brought in； he made one
Maaseiah the governor of the city； and Shaphan the scribe； and
Joab the recorder； and Eliakim the high priest； curators of the
temple； and of the charges contributed thereto； who made no
delay； nor put the work off at all； but prepared architects； and
whatsoever was proper for those repairs； and set closely about
the work。 So the temple was repaired by this means； and became a
public demonstration of the king's piety。
2。 But when he was now in the eighteenth year of his reign； he
sent to Eliakim the high priest； and gave order； that out of what
money was overplus； he should cast cups； and dishes； and vials；
for ministration ＇in the temple＇； and besides； that they should
bring all the gold or silver which was among the treasures； and
expend that also in making cups and the like vessels。 But as the
high priest was bringing out the gold； he lighted upon the holy
books of Moses that were laid up in the temple； and when he had
brought them out； he gave them to Shaphan the scribe； who； when
he had read them； came to the king； and informed him that all was
finished which he had ordered to be done。 He also read over the
books to him； who； when he had heard them read； rent his garment；
and called for Eliakim the high priest； and for ＇Shaphan＇ the
scribe； and for certain ＇other＇ of his most particular friends；
and sent them to Huldah the prophetess； the wife of Shallum；
（which Shallum was a man of dignity； and of an eminent family；）
and bid them go to her； and say that ＇he desired＇ she would
appease God； and endeavor to render him propitious to them； for
that there was cause to fear； lest； upon the transgression of the
laws of Moses by their forefathers； they should be in peril of
going into captivity； and of being cast out of their own country；
lest they should be in want of all things； and so end their days
miserably。 When the prophetess had heard this from the messengers
that were sent to her by the king； she bid them go back to the
king； and say that 〃God had already given sentenc