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the antiquities of the jews-1-第104章

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5。 But as to Shimei; Solomon commanded that he should build him a
house; and stay at Jerusalem; and attend upon him; and should not
have authority to go over the brook Cedron; and that if he
disobeyed that command; death should be his punishment。 He also
threatened him so terribly; that he compelled him to take all
oath that he would obey。 Accordingly Shimei said that he had
reason to thank Solomon for giving him such an injunction; and
added an oath; that he would do as he bade him; and leaving his
own country; he made his abode in Jerusalem。 But three years
afterwards; when he heard that two of his servants were run away
from him; and were in Gath; he went for his servants in haste;
and when he was come back with them; the king perceived it; and
was much displeased that he had contemned his commands; and; what
was more; had no regard to the oaths he had sworn to God; so he
called him; and said to him; 〃Didst not thou swear never to leave
me; nor to go out of this city to another? Thou shalt not
therefore escape punishment for thy perjury; but I will punish
thee; thou wicked wretch; both for this crime; and for those
wherewith thou didst abuse my father when he was in his flight;
that thou mayst know that wicked men gain nothing at last;
although they be not punished immediately upon their unjust
practices; but that in all the time wherein they think themselves
secure; because they have yet suffered nothing; their punishment
increases; and is heavier upon them; and that to a greater degree
than if they had been punished immediately upon the commission of
their crimes。〃 So Benaiah; on the king's command; slew Shimei。

CHAPTER 2。

Concerning The Wife Of Solomon; Concerning His Wisdom And Riches;
And Concerning What He Obtained Of Hiram For The Building Of The
Temple。

1。 Solomon having already settled himself firmly in his kingdom;
and having brought his enemies to punishment; he married the
daughter of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and built the walls of
Jerusalem much larger and stronger than those that had been
before; (2) and thenceforward he managed public affairs very
peaceably。 Nor was his youth any hinderance in the exercise of
justice; or in the observation of the laws; or in the remembrance
of what charges his father had given him at his death; but he
discharged every duty with great accuracy; that might have been
expected from such as are aged; and of the greatest prudence。 He
now resolved to go to Hebron; and sacrifice to God upon the
brazen altar that was built by Moses。 Accordingly he offered
there burnt…offerings; in number a thousand; and when he had done
this; he thought he had paid great honor to God; for as he was
asleep that very night God appeared to him; and commanded him to
ask of him some gifts which he was ready to give him as a reward
for his piety。 So Solomon asked of God what was most excellent;
and of the greatest worth in itself; what God would bestow with
the greatest。 joy; and what it was most profitable for man to
receive; for he did not desire to have bestowed upon him either
gold or silver; or any other riches; as a man and a youth might
naturally have done; for these are the things that generally are
esteemed by most men; as alone of the greatest worth; and the
best gifts of God; but; said he; 〃Give me; O Lord; a sound mind;
and a good understanding; whereby I may speak and judge the
people according to truth and righteousness。〃 With these
petitions God was well pleased; and promised to give him all
those things that he had not mentioned in his option; riches;
glory; victory over his enemies; and; in the first place;
understanding and wisdom; and this in such a degree as no other
mortal man; neither kings nor ordinary persons; ever had。 He also
promised to preserve the kingdom to his posterity for a very long
time; if he continued righteous and obedient to him; and imitated
his father in those things wherein he excelled。 When Solomon
heard this from God; he presently leaped out of his bed; and when
he had worshipped him; he returned to Jerusalem; and after he had
offered great sacrifices before the tabernacle; he feasted all
his own family。

2。 In these days a hard cause came before him in judgment; which
it was very difficult to find any end of; and I think it
necessary to explain the fact about which the contest was; that
such as light upon my writings may know what a difficult cause
Solomon was to determine; and those that are concerned in such
matters may take this sagacity of the king for a pattern; that
they may the more easily give sentence about such questions。
There were two women; who were harlots in the course of their
lives; that came to him; of whom she that seemed to be injured
began to speak first; and said; 〃O king; I and this other woman
dwell together in one room。 Now it came to pass that we both bore
a son at the same hour of the same day; and on the third day this
woman overlaid her son; and killed it; and then took my son out
of my bosom; and removed him to herself; and as I was asleep she
laid her dead son in my arms。 Now; when in the morning I was
desirous to give the breast to the child; I did not find my own;
but saw the woman's dead child lying by me; for I considered it
exactly; and found it so to be。 Hence it was that I demanded my
son; and when I could not obtain him; I have recourse; my lord;
to thy assistance; for since we were alone; and there was nobody
there that could convict her; she cares for nothing; but
perseveres in the stout denial of the fact。〃 When this woman had
told this her story; the king asked the other woman what she had
to say in contradiction to that story。 But when she denied that
she had done what was charged upon her; and said that it was her
child that was living; and that it was her antagonist's child
that was dead; and when no one could devise what judgment could
be given; and the whole court were blind in their understanding;
and could not tell how to find out this riddle; the king alone
invented the following way how to discover it。 He bade them bring
in both the dead child and the living child; and sent one of his
guards; and commanded him to fetch a sword; and draw it; and to
cut both the children into two pieces; that each of the women
might have half the living and half the dead child。 Hereupon all
the people privately laughed at the king; as no more than a
youth。 But; in the mean time; she that was the real mother of the
living child cried out that he should not do so; but deliver that
child to the other woman as her own; for she would be satisfied
with the life of the child; and with the sight of it; although it
were esteemed the other's child; but the other woman was ready to
see the child divided; and was desirous; moreover; that the first
woman should be tormented。 When the king understood that both
their words proceeded from the truth of their passions; he
adjudged the child to her that cried out to save it; for that she
was the real mother of it; and he condemned the other as a wicked
woman; who had not only killed her own child; but was endeavoring
to see her friend's child destroyed also。 Now the multitude
looked on this determination as a great sign and demonstration of
the king's sagacity and wisdom; and after that day attended to
him as to one that had a divine mind。

3。 Now the captains of his armies; and officers appointed over
the whole country; were these: over the lot of Ephraim was Ures;
over the toparchy of Bethlehem was Dioclerus; Abinadab; who
married Solomon's daughter; had the region of Dora and the
sea…coast under him; the Great Plain was under Benaiah; the son
of Achilus; he also governed all the country as far as Jordan;
Gabaris ruled over Gilead and Gaulanitis; and had under him the
sixty great and fenced cities 'of Og'; Achinadab managed the
affairs of all Galilee as far as Sidon; and had himself also
married a daughter of Solomon's; whose name was Basima; Banacates
had the seacoast about Arce; as had Shaphat Mount Tabor; and
Carmel; and 'the Lower' Galilee; as far as the river Jordan; one
man was appointed over all this country; Shimei was intrusted
with the lot of Benjamin; and Gabares had the country beyond
Jordan; over whom there was again one governor appointed。 Now the
people of the Hebrews; and particularly the tribe of Judah;
received a wonderful increase when they betook themselves to
husbandry; and the cultivation of their grounds; for as they
enjoyed peace; and were not distracted with wars and troubles;
and having; besides; an abundant fruition of the most desirable
liberty; every one was busy in augmenting the product of their
own lands; and making them worth more than they had formerly
been。

4。 The king had also other rulers; who were over the land of
Syria and of the Philistines; which reached from the river
Euphrates to Egypt; and these collected his tributes of the
nations。 Now these contributed to the king's table; and to his
supper every day (3) thirty cori of fine flour; and sixty of
meal; as also ten fat oxen; and twenty oxen out of the pastures;
and a hundred fat lambs; all these were besides what were taken
by hunting harts and buffaloes; and bi
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