hich gave them the same exhortations, and
foretold what they would suffer if they did not return to the worship
of God, insomuch that at length they caught them, and slew them; nor
did this degree of transgressing suffice them, but they had more wicked
contrivances than what have been described: nor did they leave off,
before God, as a punishment for their impiety, brought them under their
enemies: but of that more hereafter. However, many there were of the
tribe of Manasseh, and of Zebulon, and of Issachar, who were obedient
to what the prophets exhorted them to do, and returned to the worship
of God. Now all these came running to Jerusalem, to Hezekiah, that they
might worship God [there].

3. When these men were come, king Hezekiah went up into the temple, with
the rulers and all the people, and offered for himself seven bulls, and
as many rams, with seven lambs, and as many kids of the goats. The
king also himself, and the rulers, laid their hands on the heads of the
sacrifices, and permitted the priests to complete the sacred
offices about them. So they both slew the sacrifices, and burnt the
burnt-offerings, while the Levites stood round about them, with
their musical instruments, and sang hymns to God, and played on their
psalteries, as they were instructed by David to do, and this while the
rest of the priests returned the music, and sounded the trumpets which
they had in their hands; and when this was done, the king and the
multitude threw themselves down upon their face, and worshipped God. He
also sacrificed seventy bulls, one hundred rams, and two hundred lambs.
He also granted the multitude sacrifices to feast upon, six hundred
oxen, and three thousand other cattle; and the priests performed all
things according to the law. Now the king was so pleased herewith, that
he feasted with the people, and returned thanks to God; but as the feast
of unleavened bread was now come, when they had offered that sacrifice
which is called the passover, they after that offered other sacrifices
for seven days. When the king had bestowed on the multitude, besides
what they sanctified of themselves, two thousand bulls, and seven
thousand other cattle, the same thing was done by the rulers; for they
gave them a thousand bulls, and a thousand and forty other cattle. Nor
had this festival been so well observed from the days of king Solomon,
as it was now first observed with great splendor and magnificence; and
when the festival w