United States or United Arab Emirates ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
We can follow out the history of the kingdom of Israel through its years of prosperity under David and Solomon; we can read how the Jews again became a conquered people, and fell under the rule of the Assyrians, the Babylonians, the Persians, and how under the leadership of Maccabeus they once more became a nation, only to fall into the hands of the Romans.
But the destined slaves were coming to the market sooner than their expectant masters dreamed or desired, and the price for each Hebrew would be exacted, not in gold, but in blood. Suddenly the gamesters at their play, the revellers at the board, the slumberers on their couches, were startled by the blare of trumpets and a ringing war-cry, "The sword of the Lord and Maccabeus!"
"We shall soon have an opportunity of settling all such doubts," said Maccabeus; "we shall attack the enemy at noon, and then shall this Greek prove in the battle whether he be false man or true." The prospect of so soon closing with the enemy was sufficient to turn the attention of every Hebrew warrior present to something of more stirring interest than the fate of a solitary stranger.
"To Judas Maccabeus, our hero," cried Zarah; "his camp is the rallying-place for all fugitives from oppression." "Maccabeus!" exclaimed Pollux; "he would loathe would spurn an apostate!"
"It is said," observed Abishai, "that from the initial letters of this inscription the word MACCABEUS is formed, and that by this new title Judas is commonly called; it is a name which the Syrians will soon have cause to dread." "It is a well-chosen name!" cried Hadassah.
Since the departure of Antiochus, no worshipper indeed had bowed down before the idolatrous shrine: the edifice had been deserted and left to neglect. The place had now an appearance of wildness and desolation, as if the curse of God were upon it, and presented such a contrast to what it had been in former days as struck sadness into the hearts of Maccabeus and his warriors.
She did not dare to answer his question directly. "Lycidas is not a Gentile," she said; "he is, as you are, a servant of God, a true believer; he has been fully admitted into all the privileges held by our race." "Even the privilege of wedding a Hebrew maiden?" inquired Maccabeus with slow deliberation.
Shall we charge down upon them, and sweep them from the face of the earth?" Giorgias glanced again northward at Emmaus and the smoking ruins of the Syrian camp; then southward, where the little compact force in the valley was clustering round the standard of Maccabeus.
"No, it is more than six months since that Mother in Israel departed to Abraham's bosom," replied Joab, lowering his tone. An exclamation of regret burst from more than one of those who surrounded the litter, and he who had first spoken observed, "These will be sorry tidings for Maccabeus and his brethren." Lycidas now addressed a Hebrew who appeared to be of superior condition to the others.
"When we next see Maccabeus, we must come to closer quarters with him," observed the noble. "Here, my brave men," he drew forth a purse heavy with gold "share this among you, and drink success to the brave." The soldiers could scarcely repress a shout at the unexpected liberality of Pollux. Not one of them so much as looked at Zarah as she glided forth into the open air.
Word Of The Day