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第114章

the antiquities of the jews-1-第114章

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captain of the guards; nor any of those of the contrary party。
This matter was told by Nathan the prophet to Bathsheba;
Solomon's mother; that Adonijah was king; and that David knew
nothing of it; and he advised her to save herself and her son
Solomon; and to go by herself to David; and say to him; that he
had indeed sworn that Solomon should reign after him; but that in
the mean time Adonijah had already taken the kingdom。 He said
that he; the prophet himself; would come after her; and when she
had spoken thus to the king; would confirm what she had said。
Accordingly Bathsheba agreed with Nathan; and went in to the king
and worshipped him; and when she had desired leave to speak with
him; she told him all things in the manner that Nathan had
suggested to her; and related what a supper Adonijah had made;
and who they were whom he had invited; Abiathar the and Joab the
general; and David's sons; excepting Solomon and his intimate
friends。 She also said that all the people had their eyes upon
him; to know whom he would choose for their king。 She desired him
also to consider how; after his departure; Adonijah; if he were
king; would slay her and her son Solomon。

5。 Now; as Bathsheba was speaking; the keeper of the king's
chambers told him that Nathan desired to see him。 And when the
king had commanded that he should be admitted; he came in; and
asked him whether he had ordained Adonijah to be king; and
delivered the government to him; or not; for that he had made a
splendid supper; and invited all his sons; except Solomon; as
also that he had invited Joab; the captain of his host; 'and
Abiathar the high priest;' who are feasting with applauses; and
many joyful sounds of instruments; and wish that his kingdom may
last for ever; but he hath not invited me; nor Zadok the high
priest; nor Benaiah the captain of the guards; and it is but fit
that all should know whether this be done by thy approbation or
not。 When Nathan had said thus; the king commanded that they
should call Bathsheba to him; for she had gone out of the room
when the prophet came。 And when Bathsheba was come; David said;
〃I swear by Almighty God; that thy son Solomon shall certainly he
king; as I formerly swore; and that he shall sit upon my throne;
and that this very day also。〃 So Bathsheba worshipped him; and
wished him a long life; and the king sent for Zadok the high
priest; and Benaiah the captain of the guards; and when they were
come; he ordered them to take with them Nathan the prophet; and
all the armed men about the palace; and to set his son Solomon
upon the king's mule; and to carry him out of the city to the
fountain called Gihon; and to anoint him there with the holy oil;
and to make him king。 This he charged Zadok the high priest; and
Nathan the prophet; to do; and commanded them to follow Solomon
through the midst of the city; and to sound the trumpets; and
wish aloud that Solomon the king may sit upon the royal throne
for ever; that so all the people may know that he is ordained
king by his father。 He also gave Solomon a charge concerning his
government; to rule the whole nation of the Hebrews; and
particularly the tribe of Judah; religiously and righteously。 And
when Benaiah had prayed to God to be favorable to Solomon;
without any delay they set Solomon upon the mule; and brought him
out of the city to the fountain; and anointed him with oil; and
brought him into the city again; with acclamations and wishes
that his kingdom might continue a long time: and when they had
introduced him into the king's house; they set him upon the
throne; whereupon all the people betook themselves to make merry;
and to celebrate a festival; dancing and delighting themselves
with musical pipes; till both the earth and the air echoed with
the multitude of the instruments of music。

6。 Now when Adonijah and his guests perceived this noise; they
were in disorder; and Joab the captain of the host said he was
not pleased with these echoes; and the sound of these trumpets。
And when supper was set before them; nobody tasted of it; but
they were all very thoughtful what would be the matter。 Then
Jonathan; the son of Abiathar the high priest; came running to
them; and when Adonijah saw the young man gladly; and said to him
that he was a good messenger; he declared to them the whole
matter about Solomon; and the determination of king David:
hereupon both Adonijah and all the guests rose hastily from the
feast; and every one fled to their own homes。 Adonijah also; as
afraid of the king for what he had done; became a supplicant to
God; and took hold of the horns of the altar; which were
prominent。 It was also told Solomon that he had so done; and that
he desired to receive assurances from him that he would not
remember the injury he had done; and not inflict any severe
punishment for it。 Solomon answered very mildly and prudently;
that he forgave him this his offense; but said withal; that if he
were found out in any attempt for new innovations; that he would
be the author of his own punishment。 So he sent to him; and
raised him up from the place of his supplication。 And when he was
come to the king; and had worshipped him; the king bid him go
away to his own house; and have no suspicion of any harm; and
desired him to show himself a worthy man; as what would tend to
his own advantage。

7。 But David; being desirous of ordaining his son king of all the
people; called together their rulers to Jerusalem; with the
priests and the Levites; and having first numbered the Levites;
he found them to be thirty…eight thousand; from thirty years old
to fifty; out of which he appointed twenty…three thousand to take
care of the building of the temple; and out of the same; six
thousand to be judges of the people and scribes; four thousand
for porters to the house of God; and as many for singers; to sing
to the instruments which David had prepared; as we have said
already。 He divided them also into courses: and when he had
separated the priests from them; he found of these priests
twenty…four courses; sixteen of the house of Eleazar; and eight
of that of Ithamar; and he ordained that one course should
minister to God eight days; from sabbath to sabbath。 And thus
were the courses distributed by lot; in the presence of David;
and Zadok and Abiathar the high priests; and of all the rulers;
and that course which came up first was written down as the
first; and accordingly the second; and so on to the
twenty…fourth; and this partition hath remained to this day。 He
also made twenty…four parts of the tribe of Levi; and when they
cast lots; they came up in the same manner for their courses of
eight days。 He also honored the posterity of Moses; and made them
the keepers of the treasures of God; and of the donations which
the kings dedicated。 He also ordained that all the tribe of Levi;
as well as the priests; should serve God night and day; as Moses
had enjoined them。

8。 After this he parted the entire army into twelve parts; with
their leaders 'and captains of hundreds' and commanders。 Now
every part had twenty…four thousand; which were ordered to wait
on Solomon; by thirty days at a time; from the first day till the
last; with the captains of thousands and captains of hundreds。 He
also set rulers over every part; such as he knew to be good and
righteous men。 He set others also to take charge of the
treasures; and of the villages; and of the fields; and of the
beasts; whose names I do not think it necessary to mention。 When
David had ordered all these officers after the manner before
mentioned; he called the rulers of the Hebrews; and their heads
of tribes; and the officers over the several divisions; and those
that were appointed over every work; and every possession; and
standing upon a high pulpit; he said to the multitude as follows:
〃My brethren and my people; I would have you know that I intended
to build a house for God; and prepared a large quantity of gold;
and a hundred thousand talents of silver; but God prohibited me
by the prophet Nathan; because of the wars I had on your account;
and because my right hand was polluted with the slaughter of our
enemies; but he comma

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