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From the Death of Saul to the Death of David - Flavius Josephus

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Damascus, and, <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r parts <strong>of</strong> Syria, excepting Phoenicia. He made war<br />

against <strong>David</strong>, <strong>the</strong> king <strong>of</strong> Judea, and tried his fortune in many battles, and<br />

particularly in <strong>the</strong> last battle at Euphrates, wherein he was beaten. He seemed<br />

<strong>to</strong> have been <strong>the</strong> most excellent <strong>of</strong> all <strong>the</strong>ir kings in strength and manhood,"<br />

Nay, besides this, he says <strong>of</strong> his posterity, that "<strong>the</strong>y succeeded one ano<strong>the</strong>r<br />

in his kingdom, and in his name;" where he thus speaks: "When Hadad was<br />

dead, his posterity reigned for ten generations, each <strong>of</strong> his successors<br />

receiving from his fa<strong>the</strong>r that his dominion, and this his name; as did <strong>the</strong><br />

P<strong>to</strong>lemies in Egypt. But <strong>the</strong> third was <strong>the</strong> most powerful <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m all, and was<br />

willing <strong>to</strong> avenge <strong>the</strong> defeat his forefa<strong>the</strong>r had received; so he made an<br />

expedition against <strong>the</strong> Jews, and laid waste <strong>the</strong> city which is now called<br />

Samaria." Nor did he err from <strong>the</strong> truth; for this is that Hadad who made <strong>the</strong><br />

expedition against Samaria, in <strong>the</strong> reign <strong>of</strong> Ahab, king <strong>of</strong> Israel, concerning<br />

whom we shall speak in due place hereafter.<br />

3. Now when <strong>David</strong> had made an expedition against Damascus, and <strong>the</strong><br />

o<strong>the</strong>r parts <strong>of</strong> Syria, and had brought it all in<strong>to</strong> subjection, and had placed<br />

garrisons in <strong>the</strong> country, and appointed that <strong>the</strong>y should pay tribute, he<br />

returned home. He also dedicated <strong>to</strong> God at Jerusalem <strong>the</strong> golden quivers, <strong>the</strong><br />

entire armor which <strong>the</strong> guards <strong>of</strong> Hadad used <strong>to</strong> wear; which Shishak, <strong>the</strong><br />

king <strong>of</strong> Egypt, <strong>to</strong>ok away when he fought with <strong>David</strong>'s grandson, Rehoboam,<br />

with a great deal <strong>of</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r wealth which he carried out <strong>of</strong> Jerusalem.<br />

However, <strong>the</strong>se things will come <strong>to</strong> be explained in <strong>the</strong>ir proper places<br />

hereafter. Now as for <strong>the</strong> king <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Hebrews, he was assisted by God, who<br />

gave him great success in his wars, and he made all expedition against <strong>the</strong><br />

best cities <strong>of</strong> Hadadezer, Betah and Machen; so he <strong>to</strong>ok <strong>the</strong>m by force, and<br />

laid <strong>the</strong>m waste. Therein was found a very great quantity <strong>of</strong> gold and silver,<br />

besides that sort <strong>of</strong> brass which is said <strong>to</strong> be more valuable than gold; <strong>of</strong><br />

which brass Solomon made that large vessel which was called The [Brazen]<br />

Sea, and those most curious lavers, when he built <strong>the</strong> temple for God.<br />

4. But when <strong>the</strong> king <strong>of</strong> Hamath was informed <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ill success <strong>of</strong><br />

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