Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ben-Hadad, King Of Syria, And Ahab, King Of Israel.
BEN-HADAD , KING OF SYRIA , AND AHAB , KING OF ISRAEL .
( A MASONIC INFERENCE . )
THAT the sacred writings abound with the strongest proofs of a Masonic character may not easily be questioned by the most sceptical , neither will it he difficult for him who shall so interest himself in then examination , ' to bring before the intelligent reader the most probable evidence of Masonic types and figures , as developed by incidents . In the hook of Kings , for example , there is a very marked chapter , strikingly corroborative of the hypothesis * , and offering to the
Freemason a most interesting subject of reflection . Ben-hadad , the King of Syria , with no less than thirty-two other monarchs , lay siege to Samaria , wherein dwelt Ahab , King of Israel . Ben-hadad insults the Israelitish king by his message , and menaces to pillage the city . The elders , however , advise Ahab not to succumb , and a refusal in very mild terms is returned . Ben-hadad , enraged in consequence , determines upon revenge , and , indeed , so great was his host , that the seven thousand Israelites seemed to him an easy prey ; but the prophet came to Ahab and encouraged him in the name of the
LORD . The first intimation that we have that Ben-hadad must have been early acquainted ivith Masonic principles , however he may afterwards have defaulted , is in ver . 17 and 18 , when , on being told that " There are men come out of Samaria , " and he said , " whether they be come out for peace , take them alive , or whether they be come out for war , take them alive . "
One of the ablest commentators on the sacred law , Dr . Adam Clarke , thus observes on this verse : " He was confident of victory—do not slay them ; bring them to me—they may give us some useful information . " This is certainl y a politic mode of reasoning , but not in accordance with the character of Ben-hadad , who was enraged , and vowed vengeance , and therefore , as will be soon proved , it may be more truly inferred , that the King of Syria was withheld by a secret motiveand became
con-, scious of some important duty . The battle was not with the strong—Ahab prevailed—carnage ensued —Ben-hadad fled , and escaped . In a year , however , he again attacked Ahab , and was again defeated , with an immense slaughter . In the 30 th verse it is thus written : —
"And Ben-hadad fled , and came into the city , into an inner chamber '' This verse emphatically alludes to those secret places where the initiated only could assemble , and here in Masonic council did the fallen king deliberate with his followers , and they came to the determination so painfull y expressed in the next verses . " And his serv & nts said unto him , ' behold , now we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings—let ns , I pray thee , put sackcloth on our loins and ropes upon our heads , and go out to the King of Israel , peradventure HE WILL SAVE THY LIFE !"
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ben-Hadad, King Of Syria, And Ahab, King Of Israel.
BEN-HADAD , KING OF SYRIA , AND AHAB , KING OF ISRAEL .
( A MASONIC INFERENCE . )
THAT the sacred writings abound with the strongest proofs of a Masonic character may not easily be questioned by the most sceptical , neither will it he difficult for him who shall so interest himself in then examination , ' to bring before the intelligent reader the most probable evidence of Masonic types and figures , as developed by incidents . In the hook of Kings , for example , there is a very marked chapter , strikingly corroborative of the hypothesis * , and offering to the
Freemason a most interesting subject of reflection . Ben-hadad , the King of Syria , with no less than thirty-two other monarchs , lay siege to Samaria , wherein dwelt Ahab , King of Israel . Ben-hadad insults the Israelitish king by his message , and menaces to pillage the city . The elders , however , advise Ahab not to succumb , and a refusal in very mild terms is returned . Ben-hadad , enraged in consequence , determines upon revenge , and , indeed , so great was his host , that the seven thousand Israelites seemed to him an easy prey ; but the prophet came to Ahab and encouraged him in the name of the
LORD . The first intimation that we have that Ben-hadad must have been early acquainted ivith Masonic principles , however he may afterwards have defaulted , is in ver . 17 and 18 , when , on being told that " There are men come out of Samaria , " and he said , " whether they be come out for peace , take them alive , or whether they be come out for war , take them alive . "
One of the ablest commentators on the sacred law , Dr . Adam Clarke , thus observes on this verse : " He was confident of victory—do not slay them ; bring them to me—they may give us some useful information . " This is certainl y a politic mode of reasoning , but not in accordance with the character of Ben-hadad , who was enraged , and vowed vengeance , and therefore , as will be soon proved , it may be more truly inferred , that the King of Syria was withheld by a secret motiveand became
con-, scious of some important duty . The battle was not with the strong—Ahab prevailed—carnage ensued —Ben-hadad fled , and escaped . In a year , however , he again attacked Ahab , and was again defeated , with an immense slaughter . In the 30 th verse it is thus written : —
"And Ben-hadad fled , and came into the city , into an inner chamber '' This verse emphatically alludes to those secret places where the initiated only could assemble , and here in Masonic council did the fallen king deliberate with his followers , and they came to the determination so painfull y expressed in the next verses . " And his serv & nts said unto him , ' behold , now we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings—let ns , I pray thee , put sackcloth on our loins and ropes upon our heads , and go out to the King of Israel , peradventure HE WILL SAVE THY LIFE !"