Ched heathens under Constantine, &c. and of the of her servants, loaded several asses with proviAntichristians and Mahometans, about the hesions, and went to meet David. In the most poginuing of the millennium, are an abhorring to all lite and prudent manner, she tendered him her flesh vast numbers of slain did or shall pollute present. Her prudent address not only disarmed the very air. Such Jews as remain, since the his rage, but procured his highest esteem for her destruction of their city and temple, are hated and virtue. Returning to her husband, she told him contemned by all nations. Under and after Con- the danger they had been in by his folly; and stantine, the heathens and their dols were detest- how she had prevented his ruin. He quickly died ed by multitudes; and such shall, in a little, be of a stupid melancholly; and she, not long after, the case of Papists and Mahometans. Is. Ixvi. 24. was married by David. She bare him two sons, ABIATHAR, the tenth high-priest of the Jews, Daniel and Chileab; if these two names do not and fourth in descent from ELI. When Saul mur-rather denote the same person. She was taken dered AHIMELECH, his father, and the other captive by the Amalekites when Ziglag was burnt; priests at Nob, Abiathar escaped to David in the but in a few days was recovered by David her ilderness, and joined his party; and by him Da-husband, 1 Sam. xxv. XXX. 2 Sam. iii. 3. 1 vid consulted the Lord at Keilah and Ziglag, Chron. iii. 1.

Sam. xxii. and xxiii. 9. and xxx. 7. Saul had placed To ABIDE, (1.) To stay; tarry, Gen. xxii. 5. Zadok, a descendant of Eleazar, in the high-priest-2.) To dwell, or live in a place, Gen. xxix. 19. hood, instead of Abiathar; but when David came 3.) To endure; suffer, Jer. x. 10. (4.) To conto the throne, he made Abiathar, and Zadok next tinue, Eccl. viii. 15. (5.) To wait for, Acts xx. to him, the chief priests; and thus matters con-23. (6.) To stand firm, Psal. cxix. 90. Christ and tinued while David reigned, 2 Sam. xx. 25. Abi-tis Father make their abode with one, when they athar and Zadok designed to have attended Da-bestow frequent and familiar influences of power, vid with the ark, as he fled from Absalom; but kindness, and inward comfort, on his soul, John he advised them to return with it, and procure xiv. 23. Men abide in Christ and his love, when, him proper information, 2 Sam. xv. 24,-29. Just being united to him by faith, they continue cleav before the death of king David, Abiathar treasoning to his person, believing his love, and walking ably conspired to render Adonijah his father's in his way, John xv. 6. 10. Christ's word or docsuccessor; and was forbidden the execution of trine abides in men, and they in it, when the his office by Solomon, on that account, and con-knowledge and faith of its truth and excellence, fined to his city of Anathoth; and Zadok was the experience of its power, and an open profesput in his room, 1 Kings i. and ii. Thus was the sion and careful observance of it, are continued in family of Eli for ever put from the high-priest-a fixed and constant manner.

hood, 1 Sam. ii. 29, 36. It is not Abiathar, but ABIHU, the son of AARON, was consumed, tohis son, that is called AHIMELECH, or Abimelech gether with his brother NADAB, by fire from God, Nor is it Abiathar's father, but himself, that is because they offered incense with strange fire.mentioned, Mark ii. 26.; for it is certain he then From the priests being prohibited the use of wine lived, and might have a great hand in procuring during the time of their service, immediately af the shew-bread for David: Nor does that text inter the account of this catastrophe, it has been ainuate, that Abiathar then executed the office of supposed that they were intoxicated. high-priest. ABIJAH, ABIJAM, or ABIA, was the son of REABIB, or NISAN, the name of the first sacred, HOBOAM, by his wife MAACHAI. He succeeded and seventh civil month of the Jewish year. It his father in the throne of Judah, A. M. 3046. contained thirty days, and answered to our moon He married fourteen wives, by whom he had of March. This word signifies green ears, or twenty sons, and sixteen daughters. He reigned vipe fruit; and was given to this month, because, but three years; and imitated the impiety of his inthe middle thereof, the Jews began their har father. He was almost constantly at war with west. On the 10th day of this month, the Pas Jeroboam King of Israel. Once he took the field chal lamb was taken on the evening of the four-with 400,000, against Jeroboam and 800,000. teenth day, they did eat the passover; and on the The armies being drawn up, very near one to anven days following, they kept the feast of un- other, Abijah got him up to the top of mount Icavened bread, the last of which was held as a Zemaraim, and harangued the troops of the enesolemu convocation, Exod. xii. xiii. On the 15th my, to persuade them to return to their wonted day, they gathered their sheaf of the barley first-subjection to the house of David, and to the true uits, and on the 16th they offered it; after worship of God. Mean while, Jeroboam detachwhich they might begin their harvest, Lev. xxvied a part of his army around the hill, to attack 4,-14. On the first day of it the modern Jews the rear of Abijah's. Abijah and his forces, seeobserve a fast for the death of Nadab and Abihuing themselves surrounded, cried to the Lord for on the 10th, a fast for the death of Miriam; on the help, and the priests sounded the silver trumpets. 27th, a fast for the death of Joshua: on the 29th, Such a sudden panic seized the host of Jeroboam, they prayed for the latter rain. Their Megillath that Abijah's army cut off 500,000 of them on the Taanith, however, takes no notice of any of these spot; and pursuing the victory, took Bethel, Jesuperadded solemnities; which to me is an evi-shanah, Ephraim, and a multitude of other places, dence that they never universally obtained. from the ten tribes. 1 Kings xv. 1—7. 2 Chron. ABIGAIL, (1.) The sister of King David, wife xi. 20. and xiii.

of Jether, and mother of AMASA, i Chron. ii. 17.|| 2. ABIJAH, the only gracious son of JEROBOAM. (2.) The wife of NABAL. She was a woman of When he fell sick, the prophet AJAH toid great prudence and wisdom; but, perhaps, by thehis mother, that he should certainly die; and be Covetousness of her parents, was married to a the only one of Jeroboam's family who should die rich sot. When his rude behaviour to David's a natural death, and he dignified with funeral messengers had brought him and his family into honours. He died the very moment of his mo the utmost danger, Abigail hearing of it by somefther's return to her house, and was greatly

18.

lamented by the people. 1. Kings xiv. 1.-him to leave his territories, because he was become mightier than they; or much increased at 3 ABIJAH, the wife of Ahaz, and mother of their expense. Some time after, Abimelech, King Hezekiah. Some suppose her the daughter mindful of the league his father had made with of Zechariah the high-priest, who was slain by Abraham, and dreading danger from the increase King Joash. Nothing is more groundless. If she of Isaac's power and wealth, took with him Ahuzhad been so, she behoved to have been about 90 zath his friend, and Phichol his chief captain; years of age, when Ahaz, a boy of ten years, mar-and, repairing to Isaac, solemnly renewed the ried her, and had by her a child. 2 Chron.covenant with him at Beersheba, and were there entertained by him with a splendid feast. Gen.

іх. 1.

ABJECTS, most despicable persons, Psal. xxvi.

xxxv. 15.

3. ABIMELECH, king of Israel, was the bastard ABILENE, a small canton in Hollow Syria, son of Gideon, by his concubine at Shechem. He between Lebanon and Antilibanus. It appears was a most wicked, aspiring, and bloody wretch. to have lain westward of Damascus; and took its To procure the government for himself, he intame from Abila, which probably was the same sinuated to the people of Shechem, how much beiwith Abel-maim. Lysanias was governor here in ter it would be for them to have him, their ow the 15th year of Tiberius, Luke iii. 1. citizen and blood-relation, to be their governor, ABIMELECH, king of the Philistines, who than to have all the threescore and ten sons of dwelt in Gerar. Captivated with the beauty of his father to rule over them. His Shechemite SARAH, and informed by Abraham that she was friends took, for him, out of the temple of their his sister, he took her into his palace, intending to idol Baalberith, seventy shekels of silver, or a make her his wife. God permitted him not to little more than eight pounds Sterling. With take her to his bed; but appeared to him in a these he hired a band of vagabonds, who assisted dream, and threatened him with a sudden death, him to murder, on one spot at Ophrah, all his seif he did not immediately restore her to her hus-venty brethren, Jotham, the youngest, only escap band: nay, already he had smitten him, and the ing. The Shechemites then made him king. It women of his family, with a distemper, that ren-was on the occasion of the coronation, or soon afdered them incapable of procreation or child-ter, that Jotham, from the top of mount Gerizim, birth. Abimelech excused himself to his Maker, an adjacent hill, pronounced his parable to the from Abraham's pretence that Sarah was but his men of Shechem, importing, that their bestowal of sister. He nevertheless restored her next day, the government on the only naughty person in severely chiding the patriarch for imposing on Gideon's family, and the ungrateful murderer of him. Abraham confessed she was indeed his the rest, should issue in the speedy ruin of all conwife; but was likewise his sister, begotten of a difcerned. The event quickly verified his predicferent mother. Abimelech gave Abraham a num-tion. Abimelech had not reigned above three ber of valuable presents, and offered him a so-years, when there happened a variance between journing place in any part of his kingdom. He, him and the men of Shechem. While, it seems, too, begged his prayers for the healing of his fa- Abimelech removed his residence to Rumah, 2 mily; and cautioned him to beware of like dis-place near Shechem, and left Zebul to inspect the simulation for the future. He also gave Sarah a city; Gaal, the son of Ebed, and his friends, exthousand pieces of silver, or about 1151. Sterling, cited and headed the conspiracy. At one of to purchase a veil for covering her face, which their idolatrous feasts, they, in the most outragestill, at 90 years of age, was comely and spark-ous manner, contemned and cursed Abimelech. fing: thus she was publicly instructed and reprov-Informed of this by Zebul his officer, he marched ed. Abraham prayed for Abimelech's family, his troops by night, in four bodies, against the and they were cured of their distemper. About Shechemites; Gaal and his friends, having no fourteen years after, Abimelech dreading danger time to prepare themselves, were easily routed. to himself or posterity from the increase of Abra-On the morrow after, when the men of Shechem ham's power, came, with Phichol his chief cap-came out to the field, perhaps to the reaping, Abitain, and begged he would enter into a covenant melech and his troops fell upon and murdered of friendship, which was readily granted. Gen. them. He next took the city by assault, and xx. and xxi. 22.-32. murdered the inhabitants, and demolished the 2. ABIMELECH, the son and successor of the buildings. A thousand of the Shechemites fled former, was like to be imposed on by Isaac, in the to the temple of Baalberith, hoping to defend game manner as his father had been by Abraham: themselves, or expecting the sanctity of the placebut happening, from his window, to espy some would protect them: Abimelech and his troops sportive familiarity between Isaac and Rebekah, carried fuel from an adjacent wood, set fire to the he immediately concluded she was his wife, not temple, and consumed it, and all that were in it. bis sister, as both Isaac and herself had pretend-He next marched to Thebez, a place about nine ed. He immediately sent for Isaac, and reprov-miles to the eastward. The inhabitants fled to a ed him, as guilty of what tended to involve him strong tower built in the midst of their city: Abiand his subjects in guilt and punishment. Fear melech assaulted the tower with the utmost fury, of losing his life, for the sake of his beautiful con-and was just going to set fire to it, when a woman. sort, was the only thing which Isaac pled in his from the top of it struck him with a piece of a own excuse. Abimelech, therefore, immediate-millstone, and brake his skull. He ordered his ly issued orders, that none of his subjects, under armour-bearer to thrust him through with his pain of death, should, in the least, injure Isaac or sword, that it might not be said he had been killRebekah. Abimelech, finding that his subjectsed by a woman. His orders were executed, and were terrified at, and mightily envied the great he died, 4. M. 2708; and his troops were dispers prosperity and power of Isaac, politely requiredjed. Judg. ix.

4. ABIMELECH. See ACHISH, and AHIMELECH.ed it, when he commenced a correspondence with ABIRAM. (1.) The son of Eliab the Reu-David, and had an interview with him at Hebron benite. He, with his brother Dathan, and Ko-for that effect. Abner had just left the splendid RAH, conspired to divest Moses and Aaron of the feast werewith David had entertained him, when powers conferred on them by God; and, on ac-Joab, informed of the matter, warmly remonstratcount hereof, was, with his whole family and sub-ed to his uncle, that Abner had come as a spy. stance, swallowed up alive by the earth. (2.) At his own hand, he sent a messenger to invite The eldest son of HIEL the Bethelite: he lost his him back, to have some further communication life, as his father founded the walls of Jericho. with the king. Abner was just come into Joab's presence, when he, partly from jealousy that AbKings xvi. 34. ABISHAI, the son of Zeruiah, the sister of Daner might become his superior, and partly to reInformvid. He was a noted warrior; an early assistant, venge his brother Asahel's death, mortally staband steady friend to his uncle. Entering Saul's bed him, as he pretended to salute him. tent along with him, he insisted for leave toed hereof, David heartily detested the fact, exdispatch that tyrant, but was not allowed, claimed against Joab; and honoured Abner with a Sam. xxvi. 7-11. He served in David's wars splendid funeral, and a mournful elegy, 2 Sam. iii. ABOARD, into the ship, Acts xxi. 2. with Ishbosheth, and vigorously pursued the flying ABOLISH: (1.) To do away; make void; enemy. In the war with the Edomites he cut

off 18,000 of them in the valley of Salt. In the annul the obligation of, 2 Cor. iii. 13. Eph. ii. 15. war with the Syrians and Ammonites, he com-(2.) To destroy; make to cease, Is. ii. 18. 2 Tim. manded the troops which engaged with, and rout-i. 10.

ed the latter. In the war with the Philistines, ABOMINABLE, ABOMINATION; a thing very he killed Ishbibenob, a noted giant, who was just hateful and loathsome, as unclean flesh, and things going to murder his uncle and king. At another offered to idols, Lev. vii. 21. 18. Is. lxvi. 17. time, he alone attacked a body of three hundred,Sin is called abominable, or abomination; it is the and killed them to a man. Highly provoked with reverse of the divine perfections and law; it deSHIMEI'S raillery, he begged his uncle's leave to files persons in God's sight; and ought to be hatcut off the insolent wretch; but was not permit-ed, detested, avoided, and opposed by us, Jer. ted. He commanded a third part of the army xliv. 4. Is. lxvi. 3. False doctrines, and horrid which defeated Absalom, and headed the house-or indecent practices, contrary to the very light hold troops who pursued Sheba, the son of Bichri. of nature, are called abominations: they are hated 2 Sam. ii. 18.-24. x. 10.-14. xvi. 9.-11. xviii. and loathed by God and his saints, Rev. xvii. 1 Chron. Idols, and their worship, are called abominations. 2. xx. 6. 7. xxi. 15.-17. xxiii. 18. 19. Not only is the worship of idols hateful in itself, ii. 16. xi. 20. 21. xviii. 12. ABLE; of great or sufficient power, wisdom, rendering men odious to God, but is often attendor wealth, Heb. vii. 25. Num. xiii. 30 Exod.ed with a variety of base and indecent ceremoxviii. 21. Lev. xiv. 22. ABILITY; (1.) Mea-nies, 1 Kings xi. 7. Deut. vii. 26. xii. 31. Idols sure of wealth, Ezra ii. 69. (2.) Sufficiency of are called abominations of the eyes, because the eyes of their worshippers are often amused with, wisdom and prudence, Dan. i. 11. ABNER, the son of Ner. He was the uncle and, in adoration, lifted up to them, Ezek. xx. 7. of King Saul, and the general of his army. Be-8. Idolaters and proud persons are an abominaing mostly in the camp, and in high station, it is tion, being detestable to God, and to all good not surprising that he knew not David at Ephes-men, Isa. xli. 24. Prov. xvi. 5. Incense is an Dammim; but it was more culpable, that he abomination to God, and the solemn meeting is guarded his master so ill in the camp at Hachilah, iniquity. The observance of the Jewish ceremo when David and Abishai entered it, and went off, nies, without dependence on Christ by faith, and without being perceived, 1 Sam. xiv. 50. xvii. 55.an universal endeavour after conformity to his --58. xxvi. 5.-14. After Saul's death, he made moral law; or the mere observance of these ceshbosheth king; and for seven years supported remonies after their abolishment by the gospel, the family of Saul, in opposition to David; but was in God's account highly detestable and crimiin the most of his skirmishes came off with loss.nal, Isa. i. 13. lxvi. 3. The sacrifices and prayWhile Ishbosheth and David's troops rested nearers of the wicked are an abomination, because one another, hard by Gibeon, Abner barbarous their principles, manner, and ends are sinful, Ay challenged Joab, to advance twelve of David's Prov. xv. 8. xxviii. 9. xxi. 27.-Probably shepwarriors, to fight with an equal number of his.herds were an abomination to the Egyptians, beJoab consented the twenty-four engaged; and, cause a band of foreigners, called shepherds, had taking each his fellow by the beard, and thrusting just before, from Ethiopia or Arabia, invaded and his sword into his side, they together fell down tyrannized over the country; or because the land dead on the spot. A fierce battle ensued: Abwas sore plagued on the account of Abraham and ner and his troops were routed: Abner himself Sarah his wife, Gen. xlvi. 34. or rather, because was hotly pursued by Asahel: he begged him to they used for food the flesh of those animals the stop his pursuit; on his refusal, he killed him by Egyptians worshipped. The Hebrews sacrificed a back-stroke of his spear. He was, however, the abomination of the Egyptians, i. e. their sacred still pursued by Joab and Abishai, till he, who, animals, oxen, goats, lambs, rams, which the in the morning, sported with murder, was obliged, Egyptians adored, and thought utterly unlawful at even, to beg that Joab would stop his troops to offer, Exod. viii. 26. The abomination that maketh desolate, may denote, (1.) The image of a from their hostile pursuit. 2 Sam. ii. Not long after, Abner, taking it highly amisswine on the brazen altar; and that of Jupiter for Ishbosheth to charge him of lewd beha-Olympius in the Jewish temple, which Antiochus viour with Rizpah, Saul's concubine, vowed Epiphanes erected to stop the worship of God, that he would quickly betray the whole kingdom Dan. xi. 31. (2.) The Roman armies, composed into the hands of David. He had scarce threaten of Heathenish idolaters, who had the images of

:

idols and emperors painted on their banners; and a place so called, perhaps, to commemorate his who, highly detested of the Jews, entered, and deceased brother. After about five years conbarat their temple, and spread ravage and deso-tinuance here, Terah died; and God appeared lation through their country, Dan. ix. 27. Mat.again to Abram: he assured him of a numerous xxiv. 15. (3.) Antichrist, who horridly defiles and seed, who should be a blessing to the nations wastes the church of God, Dan. xii. 11. around: he ordered him to leave his father's faABOVE; (1) High; overhead, Gen. vi. 16.mily, and travel to a land to which he would di(2) Upwards, Exod. xxx. 14. Lev. xxvii. 7. (3.)rect him. All obedient, Abram took with him Beyond, 2 Cor. i. 8. (4.) More than, Gen. iii. 14.||Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother Haran's son, (5.) Higher than, Neh. viii. 5. It is used meta-and all their substance, and went toward Canaan, phorically, to denote the dignity or excellency of neither knowing the country, nor the way whither persons or things, Psal. cxiii. 4. Matth. x. 24. he went, Gen. xi. 26,-32. xii. 1,-5. Deut. xxvi. or rank, authority, and rule, Numb. xvi. 3. Deut. 5. Josh. xxiv. 2, 3. Is. xli. 2. Acts vii. 2,-4. xxviii. 13. It also denotes what is spiritual and Heb. xi. 8. heavenly, Gal. iv. 26. Col. iii. 1.; nay, heaven, A. M. 2083, he entered Canaan, crossing the or God himself, who is above all in dignity and Jordan, south of the Galilean sea: he pitched his authority, James i. 17. tent at Shechem, and there erected an altar to the To ABOUND; (1.) To grow great or numer-Lord. Here God again appeared to him, conous, 2 Pet. i. 8. Matth. xxiv. 12. (2.) To in-firmed his former promises, and assured him that crease, and have plenty of temporal or spiritual Canaan should one day be the property of his benefits, Prov. xxviii. 20. 2 Cor. ix. 8. God seed. He had scarce received this promise, when abounds in grace towards us, in all wisdom and a famine obliged him to leave the country: withprudence; in graciously choosing a fit person to out consulting his Maker, he went southward to be our Mediator; in appointing him his proper Egypt. Sarai was now sixty-five years of age, work, in its whole form and periods; in ordering but retained beauty enough to endanger the man's the circumstances of his incarnation, debasement, life who passed for her husband, especially in and glory; and of all the mercies, afflictions, and Egypt, where the women were none of the lovedeliverances of his people to the best advantage. liest. Abram, therefore, and Sarai agreed, that In forming and publishing the gospel of our salva-both should pretend she was his sister, wherever tion, and thereby rendering men, naturally foolish they should come. They had not been long here, and rebellious, wise, circumspect, and prudent, he when her beauty charmed the Egyptians, and at eminently displays and exerts his infinite mercy last captivated Pharaoh himself. Abram receiv and grace, wisdom and prudence, Eph. i. 7, 8.ed vast numbers of sheep, oxen, camels, asses, Men abound in the work of the Lord, when, with men-servants, and maid-servants, besides gold, sil noted and increasing pleasure and activity, they ver, and other precious things, in presents, for the perform a multitude of good works, 1 Cor. xv. 58. sake of his pretended sister and Sarai was in Men abound in transgression, when, with increas-imminent danger of being taken into Pharaoh's ing activity, they proceed from one evil way to bed. To prevent this, God inflicted on him and another or worse, Prov. xxix. 22. Sin abounds his family such plagues as clearly manifested the inwardly, when it renders our rational powers cause. Pharaoh sent for Abram; sharply rebukmore vigorous, active in, and delighted with sined him for his dangerous imposition; returned it abounds outwardly, when the number of sinners, him his wife undefiled; and gave orders for their or of sinful acts, and the number and degrees of safe departure from his dominions, Gen. xii. Psal. their aggravations, do increase: it abounds rela-cv. 14, 15.

tively, when its facts, criminal nature, power, and The famine in Canaan being ceased, Abram repollution, are more fully and convincingly mani-turned thither, exceedingly enriched by Pharaoh's lested, Matth. xxiv. 12. Rom. v. 20. Grace in presents, and by the silver and gold he had got God much more abounds, in saving the chief of by the sale of his cattle, and, on the altar which sinners, and forgiving, conquering, and destroying he had built near Bethel and Hai, offered a sacrithe greatest sins, in them that believe: grace in usfice of thanksgiving for his safe return. Contenmuch more abounds, in resisting and mortifying tions between his herdmen and those of his nephew the strongest corruptions, and taking full posses-Lot, obliged them to separate. Abram made the sion of these inward powers, where sin had been peaceful proposal, and gave his nephew the choice superlatively strong and active, Rom. v. 20 The what place he would turn to. Lot had scarce detruth of God abounds, when his revelations are parted for the plain of Sodom, when God re-assurclearly and widely displayed; when his promisesed Abram, that his seed should possess the whole are eminently fulfilled; and his word rendered country in view. Ahram removed southward effectual, for the conversion of vast inultitudes; from the environs of Bethel, and pitched his tent and is boldly professed by them, Rom. iii. 7. in the plain of Mamre, which is in Hebron.ABRAM, the son of Terah. Though men-There he erected an altar to God, and contracttioned before his brethren, Nahor and Haran, heed a friendship with Mamre, Aner, and Esheol, appears to have been the youngest, born in the the chief men of that place. Before he had long 130th year of his father's life, and 4. M. 2008.enjoyed this agreeable situation, news were The first seventy years of his life, he resided in brought him that Chedorlaomer and his allies his father's family, in Ur of the Chaldees; and no had ravaged the country of Sodom and Gomorral, doubt concurred with them in their idolatrous and carried Lot prisoner. Abram armed 318 of worship. After the death of his brother Haran, his own servants; and with these, and a few allies God appeared to him; doubtless hinted the de- headed by his friends, Mamre, Aner, and Eshcol, testable nature of idolatry; and, it is certain, or he pursued the conquering potentates; surprised dered him to leave his native abode. He and his them by night at the springs of Jordan; routed father's household removed to the north-west of and pursued them as far as HORA, northward of Mesopotamia, and settled at Haran or Charran, Damascus; recovered Lot, with all his family

and substance, with the rest of the captives, and intention to destroy these wicked cities. Movca the plunder of Sodom. In his return, MELCHIZE-with compassion, chiefly to Lot, Abraham interDEK met him at Salem, entertained him with pro- ceded for their preservation. God granted him visions, blessed him, and received from his hand whatever he asked. He offered to save them, if the tythes of his spoil. The young king of Sodom fifty, if forty, if twenty, or even ten gracious pergenerously offered him all that he had recovered, sons should be found therein: but as there was except the men and women: Abram more gener-none save Lot, only he and his daughters were ously refused the least share of it, Gen. xiii. xiv.preserved, Gen. xviii. xix. Scarce had Sarah conGraciously to reward Abram's generosity and ceived, when her own and her husband's dissimudependence on God, the Lord, immediately after, lation at Gerar, issued in her being forced from assured him, that he was his shield and his ex-him by ABIMELECH the king. She was, however, eceding great reward; and repeated to him the quickly restored, without receiving any stain of promise of a numerous seed, and of Canaan for disloyalty to her marriage-bed, Gen. xx. their inheritance. By an horrible darkness, and In A. M. 2108, Isaac was born, to the no small by a fiery meteor passing between the pieces of joy of Abraham and Sarah. The first circumcisthe heifer, the she-goat, the ram, turtle, and pi-ed, and the other suckled him. When Isaac was geon, he confirmed the covenant, prefigured their weaned, Abraham made a splendid feast for his affliction, and hinted, that at last their salvation household. On that occasion, Ishmael marked should go forth as a lamp that burneth At the his contempt of Isaac. Sarah observing it, begged same time he assured him, that his seed should her husband to expel Hagar and her son from the sojourn four hundred years in a land not family; as she would never allow him to inherit their own, and part of that time be terribly op-Canaan along with Isaac. This request was expressed: and that, in the fourth generation, they tremely disagreeable to Abraham; but being adshould be brought with great wealth from the monished by God, he readily complied therewith. land of their bondage, and take possession of Ca-Abraham now dwelt at Beersheba: thither Abinaan, from the Euphrates on the north-east, to melech king of Gerar came to make a covenant the border of Egypt on the south-west, Gen. xv. of friendship with him, moved perhaps with the Hearing that a child of Abram's own body report of the promise of Canaan to his seed. Abrashould be heir of Canaan, Sarai, imagining it im-ham reproved the king concerning a well, which possible for one of her age and circumstances to his servants had taken by force that being rebe the joyful mother, advised her husband to make stored, a covenant was made between them, and Hagar her maid his concubine, and procure chil-fratified by oath. Abraham too built an altar dren by her. Without consulting his God, Abram here to the Lord. Gen. xxi. too rashly complied. Hagar no sooner found her- Isaac was now twenty-five, or perhaps thirtyself pregnant, than she behaved to her mistress three years of age, when God ordered his father in a haughty and surly manner. This occasioned to offer him a burnt sacrifice, on a distant hill. All bitter, but unjust reproaches to Abram, from hisobedient, he rose early next morning, set off with wife, as if he had encouraged his maid in her pride. Isaac and some servants, and a knife, fire, and Hard treatment from her mistress provoked Ha-wood, for the offering. After travelling three gar to flee the family; but being advised by God, days, he came to Moriah, the destined mount. she returned and submitted herself. She brought The servants and asses being left behind, Isaac forth a son, whose name was ISHMAEL. For bore the wood, and his father the knife and fire. thirteen years after his folly with Hagar, God apBy the way, Isaac asked where the sacrifice was? pears to have denied Abram the more noted to-Abraham replied, that God would provide it. kens of his favour and presence. They came to the appointed spot: an altar was

A. M. 2107, he repeated the promise of a nu-reared: Isaac was bound and stretched thereon. merous seed, and of the land of Canaan for their Abraham had just stretched his hand with the possession. To confirm this covenant, to separate knife, to plunge it into the throat of his son; the Abram and his family from the rest of the world, Lord himself stopt the blow, and told Abraham, and seal to them the blessings of grace, he order that he had now sufficiently discovered his fixed ed himself, and all the males of his family and faith in his promise, and regard to his precepts: seed, to have their foreskin cut off. He changed meanwhile the patriarch looked behind him, obhis name to ABRAHAM, which signifies the father of served a ram caught by the horns in a thick bush : a multitude. Sarai's he changed to SARAH, which him he caught, and offered instead of his son, and signifies the lady or mistress. He assured him, called the place JEHOVAH-JIREH, importing, that that Ishmael should live, and have a numerous is God chiefly manifested his favours in perplexing sue; and Sarah, now ninety years of age, should straits, and would provide for his people whatever bear a son, in whose seed all the nations of the they needed. After God had renewed his promiearth should be blessed. Immediately after thisses, and confirmed them by oath, he rejoined vision, Abraham and all his males were circum his servants, and returned home to Beersheba; cised. Gen. xvi. xvii. and was there informed, that his brother Nahor

Not long after, the Son of God, attended by two had a numerous issue. Gen. xxii. angels in human shape, passed by Abraham's tent, Abraham's next work was the burial of his bein their way to destroy Sodom and the cities ad loved Sarah. She died at Hebron, where her jacent. Upon Abraham's kind entreaty, they husband, it seems, then dwelt. He requested of entered his tent, and were entertained by him as the Hittites of that place, to sell him a buryingtravellers. The angel JEHOVAH asking for Sarah place; they offered him room in any of their seassured her husband, that after nine months she pulchres; he desired the cave of Machpelah: Ephshould bring forth a son, called ISAAC. Abraham ron, the proprietor, begged he would take it in a accompanied his guests part of their way toward present; but Abraham insisted to give full value, Sodom. To reward him for his religious educa-and paid for it 400 shekels, which amounted to 46 tion of his family, the Lord disclosed to him their pounds 5 shillings, or, according to Prideaux, to