18 gold; three pound of gold went to one shield: and the king put them in the house of the forest of Lebanon. Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with the 19 best gold. The throne had six steps, and the top of the throne was round 1 behind: and there were 2 stays on either side on the place of the seat, and two 20 lions stood beside the stays. And twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other upon the six steps: there was not 9 the like made in any kingdom. 21 And all king Solomon's drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold; none were of silver: 22 it was nothing accounted of in the days of Solomon. For the king had at sea a navy of Tharshish with the navy of Hiram: once in three years came the navy of Tharshish, bringing gold, and silver, 5 ivory, and apes, and peacocks. exceeded all the kings of the earth for riches and for wisearth sought to Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God And they brought every man his present, vessels of silver, and garments, and armour, and spices, horses, and mules, a 23 6 So king Solomon 24 dom. And all the 25 had put in his heart. and vessels of gold, rate year by year. And Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, whom he bestowed in the cities for chariots, and with the king at Jerusalem. 26 27 : And the king 7 made silver to be in Jerusalem as stones, and cedars made he 28 to be as the sycomore trees that are in the vale, for abundance. 8 And Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt, and linen yarn: the king's merchants received 29 the linen yarn at a price. And a chariot came up and went out of Egypt for six hundred shekels of silver, and an horse for an hundred and fifty: and so for all the kings of the Hittites, and for the kings of Syria, did they bring them out 9 by their means. 11 BUT king Solomon loved many strange women, 10 together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and 2 Hittites; of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto 3 these in love. And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred 4 concubines: and his wives turned away his heart. For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his 5 father. For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and 6 after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. And Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and 12 went not fully after the LORD, as did David his 7 father. Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination 8 of the children of Ammon. And likewise did he for all his strange wives, which burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods. 9 And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from 10 the LORD God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice, and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods: but 11 he kept not that which the LORD commanded. Wherefore the LORD said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this 13 is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the 12 kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant. Notwithstanding in thy days I will not do it for David thy father's sake: but I will rend it out of the 13 hand of thy son. Howbeit I will not rend away all the kingdom; but will give one tribe to thy son for David my servant's sake, and for Jerusalem's sake which I have chosen. 14 And the LORD stirred up an adversary unto Solomon, Hadad the Edomite: 15 he was of the king's seed in Edom. For it came to pass, when David was in Edom, and Joab the captain of the host was gone up to bury the slain, after he 16 had smitten every male in Edom; (for six months did Joab remain there with 17 all Israel, until he had cut off every male in Edom :) that Hadad fled, he and certain Edomites of his father's servants with him, to go into Egypt; Hadad 18 being yet a little child. And they arose out of Midian, and came to Paran: and they took men with them out of Paran, and they came to Egypt, unto Pharaoh king of Egypt; which gave him an house, and appointed him victuals, 19 and gave him land. And Hadad found great favour in the sight of Pharaoh, so that he gave him to wife the sister of his own wife, the sister of Tahpenes the 20 queen. And the sister of Tahpenes bare him Genubath his son, whom Tahpenes weaned in Pharaoh's house: and Genubath was in Pharaoh's household ainong the sons of Pharaoh. 21 And when Hadad heard in Egypt that David slept with his fathers, and that Joab the captain of the host was dead, Hadad said to Pharaoh, Let 22 me depart, that I may go to mine own country. Then Pharaoh said unto him, But what hast thou lacked with me, that, behold, thou seekest to go to thine own country? And he answered, 2 Nothing: howbeit let me go in any wise. 23 And God stirred him up another adversary, Rezon the son of Eliadah, 24 which fled from his lord Hadadezer king of Zobah: and he gathered men unto him, and became captain over a band, when David slew them of Zobah: 25 and they went to Damascus, and dwelt therein, and reigned in Damascus. And he was an adversary to Israel all the days of Solomon, beside the mischief that Hadad did: and he abhorred Israel, and reigned over Syria. 26 And Jeroboam the son of Nebat, an Ephrathite of Zereda, Solomon's servant, whose mother's name was Zeruah, a widow woman, even he lifted up his 27 hand against the king. And this was the cause that he lifted up his hand against the king: Solomon built Millo, and $ repaired the breaches of the city of David 28 his father. And the man Jeroboam was a mighty man of valour: and Solomon seeing the young man that he was industrious, he made him ruler over all the 5 charge of the house of Joseph. 29 And it came to pass at that time when Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem, that the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite found him in the way; and he had clad him30 self with a new garment; and they two were alone in the field: and Ahijah 31 caught the new garment that was on him, and rent it in twelve pieces: and he said to Jeroboam, Take thee ten pieces: for thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, Behold, I will rend the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and will 32 give ten tribes to thee: (but he shall have one tribe for my servant David's sake, and for Jerusalem's sake, the city which I have chosen out of all the tribes 33 of Israel:) because that they have forsaken me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon, and have not walked in my ways, to do that which is right in mine eyes, and to keep my statutes and my judgments, as 34 did David his father. Howbeit I will not take the whole kingdom out of his hand: but I will make him prince all the days of his life for David my servant's sake, whom I chose, because he kept my commandments and my statutes : 35 but I will take the kingdom out of his son's hand, and will give it unto thee, 36 even ten tribes. And unto his son will I give one tribe, that David my servant may have a light alway before me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen 37 me to put my name there. And I will take thee, and thou shalt reign accord33 ing to all that thy soul desireth, and shalt be king over Israel. And it shall be. if thou wilt hearken unto all that I command thee, and wilt walk in my ways, and do that is right in my sight, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as David my servant did; that I will be with thee, and build thee a sure house, 39 as I built for David, and will give Israel unto thee. And I will for this afflict 40 the seed of David, but not for ever. Solomon sought therefore to kill Jeroboam. And Jeroboam arose, and fled into Egypt, unto Shishak king of Egypt, and was in Egypt until the death of Solomon. 41 And the rest of the 7 acts of Solomon, and all that he did, and his wisdom, 42 are they not written in the book of the acts of Solomon? And the time that 1 Heb. Send me away. 2 Heb. Not. 3 Heb. closed. 4 Heb. did work. 5 Heb. burden. 6 Heb. lamp, or, candle. 43 Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years. And Solomon slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David his father: and 1 Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead. AND REHOBOAM went Shechem to make him king. 12 2 to Shechem: for all Israel were come to And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who was yet in Egypt, heard of it, (for he was fled from the presence of king Solomon, and 3 Jeroboam dwelt in Egypt;) that they sent and called him. And Jeroboam and 4 all the congregation of Israel came, and spake unto Rehoboam, saying, Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon us, lighter, and we will 5 serve thee. And he said unto them, Depart yet for three days, then come again to me. And the people departed. 6 And king Rehoboam consulted with the old men, that stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, and said, How do ye advise that I may answer this 7 people? And they spake unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever. 8 But he forsook the counsel of the old men, which they had given him, and consulted with the young men that were grown up with him, and which stood 9 before him and he said unto them, What counsel give ye that we may answer this people, who have spoken to me, saying, Make the yoke which thy father 10 did put upon us lighter? And the young men that were grown up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou speak unto this people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it lighter unto us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father's 11 loins. And now whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke my father hath chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions. 12 2 : So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king 13 had appointed, saying, Come to me again the third day. And the king answered the people roughly, and forsook the old men's counsel that they gave him; 14 and spake to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke: my father also chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions. 15 Wherefore the king hearkened not unto the people; for the cause was from the LORD, that he might perform his saying, which the LORD spake by Ahijah 16 the Shilonite unto Jeroboam the son of Nebat. So when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: to your tents, O Israel: now see to thine own house, David. So Israel departed 17 unto their tents. But as for the children of Israel which dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them. 18 Then king Rehoboam sent Adoram, who was over the tribute; and all Israel stoned him with stones, that he died. Therefore king Rehoboam made speed 19 to get him up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem. So Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day. 20 172 21 And it came to pass, when all Israel heard that Jeroboam was come again, that they sent and called him unto the congregation, and made him king over all Israel: there was none that followed the house of David, but the tribe of Judah only. And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he assembled all the house of Judah, with the tribe of Benjamin, an hundred and fourscore thousand chosen men, which were warriors, to fight against the house of Israel, to bring the 22 kingdom again to Rehoboam the son of Solomon. But the word of God came 23 unto Shemaiah the man of God, saying, Speak unto Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and unto all the house of Judah and Benjamin, and 24 to the remnant of the people, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren the children of Israel; return every man to his 1 Matt. i. 7, called Roboam. 3 Heb. strengthened himself. 4 Or, fell away. 25 B. C. 975. 1 KINGS XIII. house; for this thing is from me. They hearkened therefore to the word of 13, And, behold, there came a man of God out of Judah by the word of the And it came to pass, when king Jeroboam heard the saying of the man of God, which had cried against the altar in Beth-el, that he put forth his hand from the altar, saying, Lay hold on him. And his hand, which he put forth 5 against him, dried up, so that he could not pull it in again to him. also was rent, and the ashes poured out from the altar, according to the sign 6 which the man of God had given by the word of the LORD. And the king Ranswered and said unto the man of God, Intreat now the face of the LORD thy God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored me again. And the man of God besought 6 the LORD, and the king's hand was restored him again, and 7 became as it was before. And the king said unto the man of God, Come home 8 with me, and refresh thyself, and I will give thee a reward. And the man of God said unto the king, If thou wilt give me half thine house, I will not go in So he went another way, 9 with thee, neither will I eat bread nor drink water in this place: for so was it charged me by the word of the LORD, saying, Eat no bread, nor drink water, 10 nor turn again by the same way that thou camest. and returned not by the way that he came to Beth-el. Now there dwelt an old prophet in Beth-el; and his 7 sons came and told him all the works that the man of God had done that day in Beth-el: the words 12 which he had spoken unto the king, them they told also to their father. And their father said unto them, What way went he? For his sons had seen what way 13 the man of God went, which came from Judah. And he said unto his sons, Saddle So they saddled him the ass: and he rode thereon, and went after 14 me the ass. the man of God, and found him sitting under an oak: and he said unto him, 15 Art thou the man of God that camest from Judah? And he said, I am. Then 16 he said unto him, Come home with me, and eat bread. And he said, I may not return with thee, nor go in with thee: neither will I eat bread nor drink water 17 with thee in this place: for 8 it was said to me by the word of the LORD, Thou 1 Or, went up to the altar, &c. 2 Or, to sacrifice. 3 Or, went up to the altar, &c. 4 Heb. to burn incense. 7 Heb. son. 8 Heb. a word was. P 3 shalt eat no bread nor drink water there, nor turn again to go by the way that 18 thou camest. He said unto him, I am a prophet also as thou art; and an angel spake unto me by the word of the LORD, saying, Bring him back with thee into thine house, that he may eat bread and drink water. But he lied unto So he went back with him, and did eat bread in his house, and drank 19 him. 20 water. And it came to pass, as they sat at the table, that the word of the LORD 21 came unto the prophet that brought him back and he cried unto the man of God that came from Judah, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Forasmuch as thou hast disobeyed the mouth of the LORD, and hast not kept the commandment 22 which the LORD thy God commanded thee, but camest back, and hast eaten bread and drunk water in the place, of the which the LORD did say to thee, Eat no bread, and drink no water; thy carcase shall not come unto the sepulchre of thy fathers. 23 And it came to pass, after he had eaten bread, and after he had drunk, that he saddled for him the ass,, to wit, for the prophet whom he had brought back. 24 And when he was gone, a lion met him by the way, and slew him and his carcase was cast in the way, and the ass stood by it, the lion also stood by the 25 carcase. And, behold, men passed by, and saw the carcase cast in the way, and the lion standing by the carcase: and they came and told it in the city 26 where the old prophet dwelt. And when the prophet that brought him back from the way heard thereof, he said, It is the man of God, who was disobedient unto the word of the LORD: therefore the LORD hath delivered him unto the lion, which hath torn him, and slain him, according to the word of the LORD, 27 which he spake unto him. And he spake to his sons, saying, Saddle me the ass. 28 And they saddled him. And he went and found his carcase cast in the way, and the ass and the lion standing by the carcase: the lion had not eaten the 29 carcase, nor 2 torn the ass. And the prophet took up the carcase of the man of God, and laid it upon the ass, and brought it back: and the old prophet came to 30 the city, to mourn and to bury him. And he laid his carcase in his own grave; 31 and they mourned over him, saying, Alas, my brother! And it came to pass, after he had buried him, that he spake to his sons, saying, When I am dead, then bury me in the sepulchre wherein the man of God is buried; lay my bones 32 beside his bones: for the saying which he cried by the word of the LORD "against the altar in Beth-el, and against all the houses of the high places which are in the cities of Samaria, shall surely come to pass. 33 After this thing Jeroboam returned not from his evil way, but made again of the lowest of the people priests of the high places: whosoever would, he 34 + consecrated him, and he became one of the priests of the high places. And this thing became sin unto the house of Jeroboam, even to cut it off, and to destroy it from off the face of the earth. 14 At that time Abijah the son of Jeroboam fell sick. And Jeroboam said to his wife, Arise, I pray thee, and disguise thyself, that thou be not known to be 2 the wife of Jeroboam; and get thee to Shiloh: behold, there is Ahijah the 3 prophet, which told me that I should be king over this people. And take with thee ten loaves, and 6 cracknels, and a 7 cruse of honey, and go to him: he shall 4 tell thee what shall become of the child. And Jeroboam's wife did so, and arose, and went to Shiloh, and came to the house of Ahijah. But Ahijah could 5 not see; for his 8 eyes were set by reason of his age. And the LORD said unto Ahijah, Behold, the wife of Jeroboam cometh to ask a thing of thee for her son; for he is sick: thus and thus shalt thou say unto her: for it shall be, when she cometh in, that she shall feign herself to be another woman. 6 And it was so, when Ahijah heard the sound of her feet, as she came in at the door, that he said, Come in, thou wife of Jeroboam; why feignest thou thy7 self to be another? for I am sent to thee with heavy tidings. Go, tell Jeroboam, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Forasmuch as I exalted thee from among 8 the people, and made thee prince over my people Israel, and rent the kingdom away from the house of David, and gave it thee: and yet thou hast not been as my servant David, who kept my commandments, and who followed me with all 1 Heb. broken. 2 Heb. broken. 3 Heb. returned and made. 4 Heb. filled his hand. 5 Heb. in thine hand. 7 Or, bottle. 8 Heb. stood for his hoariness. 9 Heb. hard. |