II. ARETAS, called before Æneas, King of Arabia, Son or Grandson to him, of whom we have been speaking, succeeded Obodas in the Kingdom of Arabia1. One Syllæus having prejudiced Augustus against him, by accusing him with having assumed the Crown of Arabia without waiting for the Emperor’s consent; he was for some time very much perplexed, not being within distance to be heard, and confute the calumnies of his Enemy. But the Emperor having at length discovered the impostures of Syllæus2, confirmed Aretas in possession of the Kingdom. Herod-Antipas married Aretas’s Daughter. But some In the Year of the World 3998, before J. C. 2, and 5 years before the vulgar Æra. In the Year of the World 5040, of J. C. 40. of the vulgar Æra 37.time after Antipas divorced her, and took Herodias his Sister-in-law, his Brother Philip’s Wife3. The Princess, Aretas’s Daughter, retiring to her Father’s, he declared war against Antipas, under pretence of some difficulties concerning the limits of Gamala. Aretas’s Army was successful, and Antipas’s was intirely defeated. All the world thought this a just punishment for the murder of John-Baptist, whom Herod had beheaded for the liberty he took in reproving him for his Incest.
Antipas wrote to Tiberius an account of what happened, and of the war which Aretas had carried on against him; which so provoked the Emperor, that he sent a letter to Vitellius, who was then Governor of Syria, commanding him to make war against Aretas, and if he could take him alive, to bring him to him; if not, to send his head to him. Vitellius took the field, and advanced with his Army as far as Ptolemais, and the Jews intreating him not to pass through their country with his Troops, by reason of the images, which they bore in their Standards, he marched his Army through the great plain with a design in all probability to pass the Jordan at Scythopolis. As to himself, he went with his friends to Jerusalem, where he continued three days. During his stay here news was brought of Tiberius’s death, and Caïus’s elevation to the Empire. Whereupon Vitellius commanded his Army to return, being unwilling to begin this war, without orders from the new Emperor.
In the Year of the World 4041. of J. C. 41. of the vulgar Æra 38.The year following, the Apostle S. Paul, who had been for some time at Damascus, and had preached the Gospel with much zeal there, was persecuted by the Jews of that City, which was then under Aretas’s obedience. They prevailed with the Governor to keep the gates shut day and night, to prevent Paul from making his escape. But he being informed of their design, consented to the request of the Brethren, and by them was let down in a basket from the City walls: and so Acts ix. 23, 24, &c. 1 Sam. xii. 5. 2 Cor. xi. 13.happily escaped the snares which they had laid for him.
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