CHAPTER IV.

GENERAL ANALYSIS OF THE

INSCRIPTION.

HE inscription as regards its subject matter may be divided into five sections. Section I., including the first four verses, refers to the erection of the monument, and the dedication of this high place to Chemosh, the national god of the Moabites. Having given his own name and that of his father, Mesha states, perhaps as something to be proud of, the long duration of his father's reign, and then proceeds to speak of the erection of this monument at Karchah, probably the Acropolis of Dibon, as a thank-offering to Chemosh, a token of gratitude for deliverance from oppression, and triumph over all his enemies.

Section II., including verses 5, 6, 7, 8, is a retrospect, wherein Mesha states the oppression to which his kingdom was subjected by Omri, king of Israel, and that this oppression was permitted

by Chemosh, because he was angry with his people. Ahab, the son and successor of Omri, resolved not to relax his iron grasp upon the land, but set his heart upon the utter discomfiture and complete humiliation of the country of Moab. Omri commenced the subjugation of the land by occupying the stronghold of Medeba, and this subjugation continued during the whole reign of Omri, as well as that of his son Ahab, for the period of forty years.

Section III., including verses from 9 to 21, relates the campaign of Mesha against Israel, including an account of the capture, restoration, and fortification of several cities. Chemosh at length has mercy on his land, and Mesha, under the guidance and protection of his god, took Medeba; then marching forward he seized and fortified Baalmeon. From this place Mesha proceeds to the stronghold of Kiriathaim, which he also captures; next he besieges, assaults, and captures Ataroth, possessed from of old by men of Gad. Having mercilessly destroyed the warriors, he brought the spoil and the inhabitants to the temple of Chemosh at Kirjath, and in accordance with ancient custom consecrated them to destruction, as the first fruits of his conquest.

Having destroyed "the men of Gad who dwelt in Ataroth from time of yore," Mesha repeopled the dismantled and desolate city by men from Siran and Mochrath. In obedience to the command of Chemosh, Mesha proceeds against Nebo;

and by stealing a march at night under cover of the darkness, he surprises the garrison at daybreak, and after a severe struggle, prolonged till noon, he captured the city, slew 7000 men, but devoted the women and maidens to Ashtar-Chemosh. From a sanctuary of Jehovah, in Nebo, Mesha took away the sacred vessels and consecrated them to Chemosh. The fortress of Jahaz next fell before the assaults of this warrior-king, and was annexed to Dibon.

Section IV., including ten verses, from 21 to 31, records the public works undertaken by king Mesha after he had driven out the invaders, and restored liberty to the land of Moab.

His first great undertaking is stated to have. been the restoration of Karchah, the citadel or palace-hill of Dibon, and the construction of its pleasure grounds, bulwarks, towers, gateways, royal residence, waterworks, prison, and the cutting of a moat around the stronghold. Mesha next devoted his energies to the restoration of Aroer, and the construction of a road across the vast chasm of the Arnon valley, after which he rebuilt Beth-Bamoth, destroyed by the enemy, and Bezer, despoiled by rebels of Dibon, now loyal to their king. He added Bikran to his dominions, and having repaired Beth-Diblathaim, Beth-Baal-Meon, &c., he repeopled these cities with faithful subjects.

During the forty years' occupation of the kingdom of Moab, the Jewish invaders either permitted

many places to go to decay, or they destroyed them during the protracted warfare. Hence the reparation and restoration of those cities undertaken by king Mesha.

Section V., including four verses, from verse 31 to the end of the inscription, records an expedition of Mesha, undertaken by the express command of Chemosh, against Horonaim, a city south of the Arnon, occupied by men of Edom; and the successful campaign of the king against the Edomites.

Mesha, the victorious king of Moab, who erected this tablet, is evidently identical with Mesha, the warriorking, whose bloody campaign is recorded in 2 Kings. This appears manifest from the fact that he was a vassal king of the king of Israel, that he waged a terrible warfare against the successors of Ahab, that he was contemporary with Ahab, and exhibited great military prowess in the liberation of his country from the oppression of Jewish invaders.

Mesha, king of Moab, was a contemporary of Ahab, Ahaziah, and Jehoram, kings of Israel. He was a man of great military prowess, and the desperate struggle made by him for the liberation of his country is vividly recorded in the third chapter of 2 Kings.

King David conquered Moab, which thus became