ot
far from the city of Sodom, which was then a fine city, but is now
destroyed, by the will and wrath of God, the cause of which I shall show
in its proper place hereafter.

CHAPTER 9. The Destruction Of The Sodomites By The Assyrian Wall.

At this time, when the Assyrians had the dominion over Asia, the people
of Sodom were in a flourishing condition, both as to riches and the
number of their youth. There were five kings that managed the affairs
of this county: Ballas, Barsas, Senabar, and Sumobor, with the king of
Bela; and each king led on his own troops: and the Assyrians made war
upon them; and, dividing their army into four parts, fought against
them. Now every part of the army had its own commander; and when the
battle was joined, the Assyrians were conquerors, and imposed a tribute
on the kings of the Sodomites, who submitted to this slavery twelve
years; and so long they continued to pay their tribute: but on the
thirteenth year they rebelled, and then the army of the Assyrians came
upon them, under their commanders Amraphel, Arioch, Chodorlaomer,
and Tidal. These kings had laid waste all Syria, and overthrown the
offspring of the giants. And when they were come over against Sodom,
they pitched their camp at the vale called the Slime Pits, for at that
time there were pits in that place; but now, upon the destruction of the
city of Sodom, that vale became the Lake Asphaltites, as it is called.
However, concerning this lake we shall speak more presently. Now when
the Sodomites joined battle with the Assyrians, and the fight was very
obstinate, many of them were killed, and the rest were carried captive;
among which captives was Lot, who had come to assist the Sodomites.

CHAPTER 10. How Abram Fought With The Assyrians, And Overcame Them, And
Saved The Sodomite Prisoners, And Took From The Assyrians The Prey They
Had Gotten.

1. When, Abram heard of their calamity, he was at once afraid for Lot
his kinsman, and pitied the Sodomites, his friends and neighbors; and
thinking it proper to afford them assistance, he did not delay it, but
marched hastily, and the fifth night fell upon the Assyrians, near Dan,
for that is the name of the other spring of Jordan; and before they
could arm themselves, he slew some as they were in their beds, before
they could suspect any harm; and others, who were not yet gone to sleep,
but were so drunk they could not fight, ran away. Abram pursued after
them, till, on