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[47]
THIS Amon imitated those works of his father which he insolently
did when he was young: so he had a conspiracy made against him by his own
servants, and was slain in his own house, when he had lived twenty-four
years, and of them had reigned two. But the multitude punished those that
slew Amon, and buried him with his father, and gave the kingdom to his
son Josiah, who was eight years old. His mother was of the city of Boscath,
and her name was Jedidah. He was of a most excellent disposition, and naturally
virtuous, and followed the actions of king David, as a pattern and a rule
to him in the whole conduct of his life. And when he was twelve years old,
he gave demonstrations of his religious and righteous behavior; for he
brought the people to a sober way of living, and exhorted them to leave
off the opinion they had of their idols, because they were not gods, but
to worship their own God. And by repeating on the actions of his progenitors,
he prudently corrected what they did wrong, like a very elderly man, and
like one abundantly able to understand what was fit to be done; and what
he found they had well done, he observed all the country over, and imitated
the same. And thus he acted in following the wisdom and sagacity of his
own nature, and in compliance with the advice and instruction of the elders;
for by following the laws it was that he succeeded so well in the order
of his government, and in piety with regard to the Divine worship. And
this happened because the transgressions of the former kings were seen
no more, but quite vanished away; for the king went about the city, and
the whole country, and cut down the groves which were devoted to strange
gods, and overthrew their altars; and if there were any gifts dedicated
to them by his forefathers, he made them ignominious, and plucked them
down; and by this means he brought the people back from their opinion about
them to the worship of God. He also offered his accustomed sacrifices and
burnt-offerings upon the altar. Moreover, he ordained certain judges and
overseers, that they might order the matters to them severally belonging,
and have regard to justice above all things, and distribute it with the
same concern they would have about their own soul. He also sent over all
the country, and desired such as pleased to bring gold and silver for the
repairs of the temple, according to every one's inclinations and abilities.
And when the money was brought in, he made one Maaseiah the governor of
the city, and Shaphan the scribe, and Joab the recorder, and Eliakim the
high priest, curators of the temple, and of the charges contributed thereto;
who made no delay, nor put the work off at all, but prepared architects,
and whatsoever was proper for those repairs, and set closely about the
work. So the temple was repaired by this means, and became a public demonstration
of the king's piety.
Flavius Josephus. The Works of Flavius Josephus. Translated by. William Whiston, A.M. Auburn and Buffalo. John E. Beardsley. 1895.
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