CHAPTER XIV

THE WARS OF KINGS AND THE PEOPLE'S SORROWS


The Hebrews did not greatly better themselves by the division of the
kingdom and by the revolt of the northern tribes from Solomon's son.
There were still kings both in the north and in the south. And all
they cared about was glory and luxury for themselves.


AN ERA OF PERPETUAL WAR

In order to get glory and wealth these kings made war on neighboring
countries. For a long time there was war between the northern and
southern Hebrews. There were long and very bloody wars between the
Hebrews and the Arameans, whose kings ruled in Damascus. There were
many wars between rival candidates for the throne among the Hebrews
themselves. Especially was this true in the northern kingdom where,
during the two hundred years of its separate existence, there was a
revolution on an average every thirty or forty years. In such cases
all the members of the existing royal family would be assassinated and
all persons who defended them or were suspected of sympathizing with
them were put to death. After the murder of hundreds and sometimes
thousands the new upstart conqueror would proclaim himself king.

=Famine and pestilence.=--These constant wars not only brought wounds