Corah
Corah led a rebellion against Moses. He stands for Titus Oates, who devised the Popish Plot and led the persecution of Catholics.
Barzillai
Barzillai lived beyond the Jordan River and sustained David during Absalom's rebellion. He stands for the Duke of Ormonde, a patron of Dryden and one of the most devoted servants of Charles. He accompanied Charles II during his exile and served him faithfully during his misfortunes.
Zadoc
David's friend who carried the Ark of the Covenant into the wilderness; he was then sent back to Jerusalem for God's judgment. He represents William Sancroft, Archbishop of Canterbury.
The Sagan of Jerusalem
The Sagan of Jerusalem represents the Bishop of London.
Adriel
Adriel was the son of Barzillai. Here he stands for John Sheffield, 3rd Earl of Mulgrave. He supported Dryden and opposed Monmouth.
Jotham
Jotham stands for George Savile, Marquis of Halifax, and nephew of Shaftesbury. The Marquis of Halifax had once supported Shaftsbury but, alarmed at his excess, became a supporter of the Court. It was entirely by his eloquence that the Exclusion Bill was defeated in the Lords in 1680.
Hushai
Hushai, David's friend, represents Lawrence Hyde, Earl of Rochester, Charles II's First Lord of the Treasury. He fought against the Exclusion Bill.
Amiel
Amiel traveled through the wilderness to bring David supplies. He represents Edward Seymour, speaker of the House of Commons and treasurer of the Navy.
Bathsheba
David committed adultery with Bathsheba and sent her husband Uriah into battle, where he was killed. David later married her. Here she stands for Louise de Keroualle, Duchess of Portsmouth, one of Charles's mistresses.
Michal
She was the daughter of Saul and the wife of King David. She stands for Catherine of Braganza, the daughter of John IV of Portugal and wife of Charles II.
Saul
Saul was the first king of Israel; he defeated the Philistines in their first battle. He represents Oliver Cromwell, who ruled England after Charles's execution as Lord Protector.
David
The king of Israel, representing Charles II of England.
Absalom
David's beloved son who rebelled against him; stands for James, the Duke of Monmouth, who sided with the Exclusionists against his father Charles II. He was executed for treason.
Annabel
She represents Monmouth's wife Anne.
Amnon
Absalom's half-brother. Absalom had him killed for raping his sister.
Achitophel
David's counselor who betrayed him and encouraged Absalom to rebel against his father. He hanged himself when he saw that the rebellion would not succeed. He represents Anthony Ashley Cooper, the first Earl of Shaftesbury.
Pharoah
Represents Louis XIV of France.
Zimri
Two biblical figures represent Zimri: a murderer in Numbers, and a usurping murderer in 1 Kings. He is an allegory of George Villiers, the second Duke of Buckingham.
Balaam
A prophet who ignored God. He represents Theophilus Hastings.
Caleb
Moses's servant who entered the Promised Land with Joshua. He represents Arthur Capel, Earl of Essex.
Nadab
Aaron's eldest son; he was an idolater. He represents William, Lord Howard of Esrick, a Puritan preacher.
Jonas
Or, Jonah; he represents Sir William Jones, the attorney general. He prosecuted Catholics in the early stages of the Popish plot, became a member of Parliament, and supported the Exclusion Bill.
Shimei
A man who curses David. He represents Slingsby Bethel, a sheriff of London and Middlesex.
Agag
King of the Amalekites. God wanted Saul to kill him, but when Saul took Agag prisoner, he warned him God was angry with him. He represents Lord Stafford, a Catholic whom Oates accused of treason.
Issachar
One of Jacob's sons; he is greedy and very rich. He stands for Thomas Thynne, a friend of Monmouth's.
