Did the men of the city commit this great crime?

They did; and sent to Jezabel, saying: "Naboth is stoned, and is dead."

What did Jezabel say when she received this news?

She immediately went to Achab, and said: Arise and take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezrahelite, who would not agree with thee, and give it thee for money; for Naboth is not alive, but dead."-3 Kings, xxi.

15.

Did Achab take possession?

"When Achab heard this, to wit that Naboth was dead, he arose and went down into the vineyard of Naboth the Jezrahelite, to take possession of it."

Did Almighty God allow him to go unpunished?

He sent the prophet Elias to reprove him, in these words: "Thus saith the Lord: Thou hast slain, moreover thou hast taken possession. Thus saith the Lord: In this place wherein the dogs have licked the blood of Naboth, they shall lick thy blood also."

What other judgments did Elias denounce against Achab?

"Achab said to Elias: Hast thou found me, thy enemy ? He said: I have found thee because thou art sold to do evil in the sight of the Lord. Behold I will bring evil upon thee, and I will cut down thy posterity, and I will make thy house as the house of Jeroboam the son of Nabat, and like the house of Baasa the

son of Ahias, for what thou hast done to provoke Me to anger, and for making Israel to sin."

He pronounced a special judgment against Jezabel?

"The dogs shall eat Jezabel in the field of Jezrahel." "If Achab die in the city, the dogs shall eat him; but if he die in the field, the birds of the air shall eat him."

What effect had these words upon Achab?

For the moment he was humbled and penitent. "He rent his garments and put sackcloth upon his flesh, and fasted and slept in sackcloth, and walked with his head cast down."

Did God acknowledge his repentance?

"The Word of the Lord came to Elias the Thesbite, saying:

"Hast thou not seen Achab humbled before Me? Therefore, because he hath humbled himself for My sake, I will not bring the evil in his days, but in his son's days will I bring the evil upon his house."-3 Kings, xxi. 29.

But, notwithstanding this momentary repentance, what was the judgment of Holy Scripture about Achab's life and character?

"Now there was none such another as Achab, who was sold to do evil in the sight of the Lord, for his wife Jezabel set him on.". 3 Kings, xxi. 25.

CHAPTER LXXXIV.

THE DEATH OF ACHAB AND OF JEZABEL.

During the course of these events, how many years passed without war between Syria and Israel?

Three years.

What was the occasion of the renewal of war?

Achab wished to get possession of the city of Ramoth Galaad, which he said was his. Who went with him as his ally? Josaphat, King of Juda.

Before they went to war, whom did Achab consult?

Four hundred (false) prophets, all of whom told him that God would give him the victory. Was he satisfied with their advice?

Achab probably suspected that they were deceiving him. But Josaphat was not satisfied, and asked if there was a prophet of God whom he might consult?

Was there one ?

Yes. Micheas, the son of Jemla, a man whom Achab hated, because he did not prophesy good to him, but evil.

And what advice did Micheas give?

He told him that the other prophets were speaking with a lying spirit, and he told him that he should die if he went to this war. 66

saw all Israel," he said, "scattered upon the hills like sheep that have no shepherd; and the Lord said: These have no master: let every man of them return to his house in peace."

How did Achab treat Micheas for telling him the truth?

He shut him up in prison, and commanded him to be fed with "the bread of affliction, and with the water of distress."

Did Achab go to the war?

Yes. But he disguised himself, so as not to be known.

What command had the King of Syria given to his soldiers?

"Not to fight with any one, small or great, but against the King of Israel only."

Whom did they mistake for the King of Israel?

They mistook Josaphat, King of Juda, but when he cried out, they ceased to fight against

him.

Then how did Achab meet with his death?

An archer bent his bow, and, shooting at a venture, chanced to strike Achab between the lungs and the stomach. "But he said to the driver of the chariot: Turn thy hand and carry me out, for I am grievously wounded."

Did he die immediately?

The battle raged fiercely all day, and Achab remained in his chariot, and died in the evening; and the blood ran out of the wound into the midst of the chariot.

Where was he buried?

In Samaria. "And they washed his chariot

in the pool of Samaria, and the dogs licked up his blood, and they washed the reins according to the word of the Lord, which He had spoken.' -3 Kings, xxii. 38.

What became of Jezabel?

She lived some years after the death of Achab, but when Jehu became king, and entered into Jezrahel, Jezabel painted her face and adorned her head, and looked out of a window.

What did Jehu command to be done?

Looking up, he commanded her servants to throw her down. They did so, and she was killed.

Did he not order her to be buried?

First, he went into the palace and sat down to eat and drink. Afterwards he said to his servants, "Go and see after that cursed woman, and bury her, because she is a king's daughter." Did they bury her?

When they went to bury her, they found nothing but the skull and the feet, and the extremities of her hands. And coming back they told him. And Jehu said, "It is the word of the Lord, which He spoke by His servant Elias, the Thesbite, saying, In the field of Jezrahel, the dogs shall eat the flesh of Jezabel. And the flesh of Jezabel shall be as dung upon the face of the earth, in the field of Jezrahel, so that they who pass by shall say, Is this that same Jezabel?"-4 Kings, ix. 31, 37.