3C

3C

And Pekahiah said to them, "Behold, Menachem who sinned against God Most High has been dead these two years, and I have not walked in his ways, neither have I set up idols that the children of Israel may be led into sin. Give to me the blessing of Yahweh, therefore, that the people may prosper in the face of our foes the Aramites and the armies of Damascus."

But Jashen said, "As I have already said to King Menachem, God Most High has vowed to have nought to do with the kings in Samaria, and the Lord's vows are without repentance."

Then Pekahiah waxed greatly in wrath, and taking a spear he thought to smite Jashen, but even as his arm drew back with the spear he fell in a faint, for it was given unto Elin that che could smite a man with something akin to lightning. And after that Elin and Jashen departed from the presence of the king.

Then Pekah of Gilead, the son of Remaliah and the king's chief lieutenant in the army, slew Pekiahiah as he lay before the throne of Samaria. And Pekah took the throne and became king.

But Elin and Jashen went among the people of the tribe of Gad to find five righteous men who never prostituted themselves with the idols of the Edomites. And the names of these righteous men were Jeush and Manahath and Bedad and Shebna and Shimei.

Jeush knew his wife and begat Jedaiah and Anathoth and Joatham. And Managhath knew his wife and begat Shillem and Haggith and Ludim. And Bedad knew his wife and begat Mehetabeel and Ishbak and Zaccur. And Shebni knew his wife and begat Jehudi and Zeruiah and Chelal. And Shimei knew his wife and begat Amasa and Jephunneh and Elisham.

The same Gadites built the city of Kabark on a plain in Kemen that lacked for water. They built a mighty work of stone to dam the river Armak and dug many canals and ditches to water their farms from the lake that formed behind the dam. And their fields and orchards became the envy of Haaretz.

King Pekah made alliance with King Rezin of Aram, and marched on Jerusalem to levy troops of King Ahaz of Judah to turn against Tiglat of Syria, but they did not prevail.

Then Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglat king of Syria begging for succor, and with them sent he also in tribute much silver and gold from the temple, and from the king's own treasury. Then the Assyrians sacked Damascus and added the lands of Aram to their own territory, and King Rezin was executed.