- ZABDIEL, King of Arabia: He killed Alexander Balas, King of Syria, who had fled to him for Refuge, and sent his Head to Ptolemy Philometor King of Egypt,1 who was then in Syria, and in Pursuit of Alexander Balas. Diodorus Siculus2 gives the Name of Diocles to this Zabdiel. Profane Historians3 tell this Story with some Variation. They say that the Generals of Alexander Balas, providing for their own Security and Interest, when their Master retired into Cilicia, they treated privately with Demetrius Nicator, the Son-in-law of Ptolemy Philometor, and treacherously slew Alexander, sending his Head to Ptolemy by Zabdiel, whom we have now mentioned.
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