Synopsis of Jewish History

conduct of the posterity and s

the king, and removing the fortifications of Jerusalem. A few years after, Antiochus died, which occasioned great confusion among the surrounding nations; Hyrcanus took advantage of this to enlarge his territories, by seizing some neighboring towns round about Judea, and renounced all furthe

mbrace Judaism or leave the country. The Edomites readily acquiesced, and became Jews. They ultimately became so incorporat

with his army and took Shechem, which was then the chief seat of the Samaritan sect; he destroyed their Temple which Sanballat

wer of their enemies, throughout a long and tedious government. He was so highly esteemed among the people, that they believed him to be a prophet, from the fact that he had predicted one or two things which eventually came to pass. He buil

was questioned by a bold and daring man, one of the Pharisees, of whom we shall speak hereafte

y lessened that love and esteem in which the people had previously held him. The Pharisees felt indignant at the conduct of Hyrcanus in this instance; and forgetting all former favors received at his hands, proved very ungrateful toward him. They becam

d, marked his reign one of glory and happiness. The commonwealth recovered more of its glory during his government, than at any other

er as high priest and governor in Judea. He then took upon himself the ti

aving been reported that she laid claim to the government. Three of his brothers he put into close confinement, and the fourth,

on the north-east of the land of Galilee. Having the people thus in his power, he compelled them to embrace the Jewish religion, which they did out of fear, and thus became

ing apparent to the king's courtiers, who were jealous of Antigonus, they endeavored to persuade th

the king that his brother was attempting to usurp the government, which the king too readily received as truth, from the statements previously made to him, and gave orders for his brother to appear in the sick chambe

uniform, having been told of the beauty of his armour. Antigonus accordingly repaired in full dress to the palace, and on his way to the king's chamber, he was slain by the guard. This assassination of Antigonus, caused th

of notice how God punishes the wicked. He who had shed so much innocent blood, that his own blood was made to flow from him until he breathed his last;

use of some attempt to supplant him in the government. Alexander immediately set about arranging all matters

caused much enmity and ill feeling to exist on both sides; and the result was, a very severe battle between them,

children of the vanquished army. He gave orders to kill all of them, without any distinction; their bodies to be cut in pieces and boiled in cauldrons. It is supposed that he did this with a view of creating terror among all the surrounding nation

Cleopatra, fearing lest Lathyrus, her eldest son, should become possessed of Judea, and might

the loss of ten thousand men. Yet being a man of courage and diligence, Alexander assembled his men and succeeded in taking the city of Gaza from the Philistines, who were entirely defeated by his army. He took possession of the chief cities, and made them part of his own dominions. T

e Pharisees, who were very numerous and influential, and were supported by a large body of their class, who were excited

would reasonably desire. But so embittered were the people against him, that they declared nothing would satisfy them but his life. This reply on their part, aggravated the cause, and the war was continued still more rigorously on both sides. As all mundane affairs must have an end, Alexander after having encountered many severe conflicts, at last gained one great battle, which concluded this protracted war. Numbers of his enemies fell victims to his fury, while others were driven to the city of Bethome, and there were besieged. Alexander having taken the

asenes beyond Jordan. Alexander reigned twenty-seven years; he left two sons, Hyrcanus and Aristobulus; he bequeathed the government to his wife Alexandra, during her life time, and to be disposed of at her death to which of her sons she pleased. Alexandra in a flood of tears, expressed to her dying husband her j

ph to Jerusalem; carry my body with you, and as soon as you arrive assemble the heads and the leaders of that party, and lay it before them; tell them you submit it wholly to them, after the injuries it had done them, to give it burial, or cast it ignominiously on the highway; as for your part, you are devoted to them, they s

body of her deceased husband to the Pharisees, to act with it as they pleased, at the same time declared herself ready to be guided by them in the management of all the

fice of high priest. Alexandra, at the request of a party of the Pharisees, gave her consent to punish all the persons who had counselled her late husband to behave so cruelly to the mass of the people; these men were in their tur

f the government to her eldest son, Hyrcanus, who was then the high priest. He is known in history by Hyrcanus t

rmy against his brother Hyrcanus, and marched them on to the plains of Jericho. A desperate battle was fought, Hyrcanus was put to flight, and the remainder of his forces joined th

to him, which having been done, Hyrcanus was expelled the capital, and compelled to retire into private life. Hyrca

he court of Alexander with Hyrcanus, advised him to seek assistance at the hands of Aretas, the king of Arabia, and not quietly suffer himself to be so easily vanquished. Hyrcanus, acting on the advice of Antipate

his good man's prayers, the Almighty had sent rain from heaven in a season of great drought. The people imagining that he possessed a similar power in cursing as well as blessing, prayed to him to curse Aris

and they that are besieged in the Temple are thy priests, I pray that

t the good man's prayer, crue

ty between both parties, and provoked a warfa

availed himself of this opportunity, and prepared himself for a fresh war. Pompey hearing this, immediately seized Aristobulus in one of his castles, and confined him in prison. He then marched his army in front of Jerusalem; a division within weakened its power, the two opposite parties contending. At length Hyrcanus's party prevailed and threw open the gates of the city. The adherents to Aristo

victory on the part of the Romans was, in consequence of the Jews having suffered the enemy to prepare their war machines on the Sabbath day un

mpt to touch about two thousand talents of gold, which were laid up for the service of God's Holy Temple. On the contrary, Pompey ordered the Temple to be p

of Gabinius, plundered the Temple, and carried off the solid beams of gold, magnificent vessels, utensils and golden tables, and all the beautiful hangings, which adorned the Holy of Holies. This wicked man's sacrilege did not pass unpunished, for when he was i

upporters of Aristobulus, and restored Hyrcanus to the office of high

whence they escaped after a time, and made several atte

ately produced the total ruin of both Jerusalem and the whole of Judea. At this time the regal power was arrested, and enjoyed by the Romans. The sovereign authority had

hem still more, by even preventing them from attending and praying to the God of their fathers. This infliction appears to have be

n an expedition. He took upon himself to reduce the power of Hyrcanus

listened to the petition of Hyrcanus, and granted him permission to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. This enabled Hy

nment and the priesthood. The eldest son of Antipater was made Governor of Jerusalem, while his second son Herod, was made Governor of Judea. This Herod became after a time, great in power, as we shall hereafter read of him. He was called Herod the Great, a

and Antigonus appointed Ruler in Judea. Hyrcanus and his son were delivered over to him in chains and made prisoners. Herod, however, had made his escape. Phasael, weary of his existence in pri

that had happened. Herod was well received by Mark Antony and Octavius, who governed Rome a

ited, he was immediately appointed King of