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History of the Franks
St Gregory of Tours, tr. Dalton, 1927
Book 1, 15. Of the Captivity in Babylon
Until the Lord was wroth, and raised up against them Nabuchodonosor, who carried them away captive to Babylon with all the ornaments of the Temple. Into this captivity went Daniel, the great prophet, unharmed among the hungry lions, and the Three Children, whom the dew covered in the midst of the flames. In this captivity also Ezekiel prophesied, and Esdras the prophet was born.
From David to the laying waste of the Temple and the passing over into Babylon are fourteen generations, namely: David, Solomon, Roboam, Abia, Asa, Josaphat, Joram, Ozia, Joatham, Achaz, Ezechia, Manasses, Amon, Josias; these fourteen generations comprise three hundred and ninety years. From this captivity the people were delivered by Zorobabel, who afterwards restored both the Temple and the city. Now I deem that this captivity typifies that into which the sinful soul is carried away; and except it be delivered by Zorobabel, which is Christ, it shall undergo misery of exile. For the Lord Himself says in the Gospel: ‘If therefore the Son shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.’1 May He therefore build Himself a temple within us in which He may dwell; in which faith may shine as gold and the word of preaching gleam like silver, in which all the ornaments of that visible temple are bright in the integrity of our hearts. May He grant our goodwill prosperous fulfilment, for: ‘Except the Lord build the house their labour is in vain that build it.’2 This captivity is said to have lasted seventy-six years.
Notes
- John viii. 36.
- Ps. cxxvi. 1.