Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/334

 The religion of  the  Samaritans  was  a mixture  of  Judaism and Paganism;  hence  they  hated  the  two  tribes  of  Juda  and Benjamin, who  had  remained  true  to  the  old  religion.

Those who  were  taken  captive  to  Assyria  never  returned  to their  own  country. Still God  did  not  fail  to  give  numerous  proofs of His  watchful  care  over  those  unhappy  exiles. One of  the  most remarkable of  these  instances  is  found  in  the  history  of  the  good Tobias. When he  was  in  his  own  country  and  in  his  earliest years, Tobias  never  associated  with  the  wicked;  never  went  to adore  the  golden  calf,  but  kept  the  law  of  the  Lord  exactly.

Hence God  protected  him  in  the  land  of captivity,  and  caused  him  to  find  favour  in  the sight of  Salmanazar,  who  allowed  him  to  go wherever  he  wished. He went  accordingly  to all  his  fellow-captives,  consoling  and  encouraging them. He shared  with  them  all  he  possessed, fed them  when  they  were  hungry,  and  clothed them when  naked. His life  was  spent  in  such works of  charity.

King Salmanazar  being  dead,  Sennacherib (Fig. 52),  his  son,  who  succeeded  him  on  the throne, was  not  so  favourable  to  Tobias  and put many  of  the  Israelites  to  death. But Tobias, fearing God  more  than  the  king,  hid  the  bodies of his  brethren  in  his  house,  and  buried  them by night. The king,  having  heard  this,  sentenced Tobias to  death,  and  took  away  all  his  property.

Tobias fled  with  his  wife  and  son,  and  remained  concealed in a place  of  safety,  till  the  death  of  the  wicked  king,  who  forty