The Young Captives

of Babylon, that he was determined to chasten his audacity with rigor. This monarch, at this period of his reign, was

e severest penalty-which charge was well heeded. Towards Jehoiakim he also evinced a kind disposition. With but few restrictions, he was permitted to reign. Now that Jehoiakim had ab

sought relief in mixed wines. These stimulated his courage for the time being, which, being left to its

that Sherakim who was so full of fi

I have not seen him since early dawn; and then he appear

ldeans have put his valor to flight. Jared! how ma

are present-all armed and ready to face

King of Babylon beware of my vengeance? What does the fool desire?

king, is not

ed, command more wine! Sherakim has fled-he is afraid of a shadow-he has not the courage of a maiden. Have I no

aldeans, desires to be introduced into thy pr

one or ac

ied by ar

admitted, but let th

dingly ushered into the

ght thee into the presence of the King of

earer of a message from my sove

seen thee on an

behavior honorab

g of Judah s

othe

ow

ghty treatment of th

olence, or at this time th

frightened by idle threats from one

ith a few soldiers? Knowest thou not that within my call

hands of the Chaldeans, and that threescore t

is the message of the King of Babylon to

ar in my master's presence, and there learn his

t if he desires to see Jehoiakim, King of Judah, he must call

ll I convey thy answer to

he king the result of the interview, while the King of Juda

square in the very heart of the city. The great body of the army was stationed in another part-the royal guard remaining nea

hness, the King of Juda

ulging in excess of wine, a

ng?" asked the king,

ishes to inform thee that if thou hast aught to

but let the guilty monarch beware how he trifles with my commands! Balphoras! haste thee back with a double guard, and inform Jehoiakim that my orders are n

beloved. However, he was not insensible to injury or indifferent to abuse. He felt deeply; but had learned to be a greater conqueror than his master, inasmuch as he that governeth his own spirit is greater than he that taketh a city. Balphoras, without being unkind or selfish, d

· ·

ty dogs, if I had given orders to have thei

red Jared, with his face in another dire

King of Judah! Jared! hast thou lea

ht, O

Bah! Jared, order more wine. Whom should Jehoiakim fear? Ja

ommands of his drunken sover

g of the Chaldeans demands an in

dmitted. Ha!

ence of Jehoiakim, who, in spite of his wine-propped courage

hou to communica

tion is short

e better-let it

that his commands are not to be trifled with; and, moreover, that if the King of Judah

words in my presence?" cr

, as the words of his

s sovereign' that Jehoiakim sp

to the King of Judah, that I have three hundred chosen men of war at my biddin

he exasperated king, "that Jehoiakim laughs t

ckless man!" answered Balphoras, as he

his officers to be ready, at all hazards, to defend the roya

d into his presence,' eh! Never! Fools! Villai

The passage was defended with extreme bravery and valor; but after a most desperate struggle, the Chaldeans proved successful in forcing an entrance. The sentry at the palace door was soon overcome, and a company of Chaldeans rushed into the royal mansion; and, after some search, they found the king. Without ceremony he was dragged from his hiding place, and ejected from his palace. A shout of triumph broke from the Chaldeans, which only exasperated their antagonists. Another

ery inquiry he replied in the most insulting and abusive epithets; and to seal his own fate he madly rushed on the King of Babylon with his sword, and had it not been that this potentate was on his guard, it would have gone hard with him. This w

d Babylonian, "and drag his worthless carc

immediately pu

ording to the word of the Lord, by