Ozias

OZIAS, Son of Micha, of the Tribe of Simeon. He was the chief of the City of Bethulia, when it was besieged by Holofernes¹. He vigorously supported the Siege against this General, and received Achior into his House, who had been driven from the Camp of the Assyrians. Ozias finding that Bethulia was reduced to great Necessity for want of Water, and that the People mutiny’d against him, and accused him of the Miseries to which they were reduced; he promised to surrender the City in five Days, if God did not send them Relief within that Time. Judith being informed of this Resolution, sent to speak with Ozias and the principal Men of the City, made them a prudent Remonstrance upon their seeming to prescribe a Time to the Lord, in which he must succour them, encouraged them to Patience, and without discovering her Design, she told them she would go out in the Night, and that they should suffer her to go out without inquiring into her Design. Ozias therefore being at the Gate of the City, he open’d it to Judith, and waiting for her Return, and the Success of her Undertaking, he continued in the City, praying with the People, that it would please the Lord to deliver them. Their Prayers were heard; Holofernes was put to Death by Judith, Bethulia delivered, and the Assyrian Army routed. See HOLOFERNES and JUDITH.

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