that dwelt in Jerusalem to give the
portion of the priests and the Levites, that they might give
themselves to the law of the Lord. And as soon as the commandment came
abroad, the children of Israel gave in abundance the first fruits of
corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field;
and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly. And the
children of Israel and Judah, that dwelt in the cities of Judah, they
also brought in the tithe of oxen and sheep, and the tithe of
dedicated things which were consecrated unto the Lord their God, and
laid them by heaps. In the third month they began to lay the
foundation of the heaps, and finished them in the seventh month. And
when Hezekiah and the princes came and saw the heaps, they blessed the
Lord, and his people Israel. Then Hezekiah questioned with the priests
and the Levites concerning the heaps.

{309}{310}

[Illustration]
DIGGING IN THE MOUND WHICH COVERS THE ANCIENT CITY OF LACHISH.

From a photograph of the Palestine Exploration Fund and used by
special permission.

Lachish, a very ancient city, was captured by the Hebrews when they
first came into Palestine. It was an important military post,
guarding the passes into southern Judea. It was captured by
Sennacherib in the great raid when he took "all the fenced cities of
Judah." Assyrian sculpture has been found depicting this siege of
Lachish. About 120 years later, the city was again captured by
Nebuchadnezzar when he carried the people into captivity. When the
people returned it was again occupied. The pictures show the
excavation in the mound which covers the site of this very ancient
city. In this mound there are 14 layers of ruins one above the
other. Important tablets dating before the first occupation of the
Hebrews have been found.
[End illustration]

{311}

And Azariah the chief priest, of the house of Zadok, answered him and
said, "Since the people began to bring the oblations into the house of
the Lord, we have eaten and had enough, and have left plenty: for the
Lord hath blessed his people; and that which is left is this great
store." Then Hezekiah commanded to prepare chambers in the house of
the Lord; and they prepared them.

After these things, and this faithfulness, Sennacherib king of Assyria
came, and entered into Judah, and encamped against the fenced cities,
and thought to win them for himself. And when Hezekiah saw that
Sennacheri