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should be called by that name; over whom he hath promised to take
the like care as a father takes over his son; and that he would
make the country of the Hebrews happy under him; and that; not
only in other respects; but by giving it peace and freedom from
wars; and from internal seditions; which are the greatest of all
blessings。 Since; therefore;〃 says he; 〃thou wast ordained king
by God himself before thou wast born; endeavor to render thyself
worthy of this his providence; as in other instances; so
particularly in being religious; and righteous; and courageous。
Keep thou also his commands and his laws; which he hath given us
by Moses; and do not permit others to break them。 Be zealous also
to dedicate to God a temple; which he hath chosen to be built
under thy reign; nor be thou aftrighted by the vastness of the
work; nor set about it timorously; for I will make all things
ready before I die: and take notice; that there are already ten
thousand talents of gold; and a hundred thousand talents of
silver (25) collected together。 I have also laid together brass
and iron without number; and an immense quantity of timber and of
stones。 Moreover; thou hast many ten thousand stone…cutters and
carpenters; and if thou shalt want any thing further; do thou add
somewhat of thine own。 Wherefore; if thou performest this work;
thou wilt be acceptable to God; and have him for thy patron。〃
David also further exhorted the rulers of the people to assist
his son in this building; and to attend to the Divine service;
when they should be free from all their misfortunes; for that
they by this means should enjoy; instead of them; peace and a
happy settlement; with which blessings God rewards such men as
are religious and righteous。 He also gave orders; that when the
temple should be once built; they should put the ark therein;
with the holy vessels; and he assured them that they ought to
have had a temple long ago; if their fathers had not been
negligent of God's commands; who had given it in charge; that
when they had got the possession of this land; they should build
him a temple。 Thus did David discourse to the governors; and to
his son。

3。 David was now in years; and his body; by length of time; was
become cold; and benumbed; insomuch that he could get no heat by
covering himself with many clothes; and when the physicians came
together; they agreed to this advice; that a beautiful virgin;
chosen out of the whole country; should sleep by the king's side;
and that this damsel would communicate heat to him; and be a
remedy against his numbness。 Now there was found in the city one
woman; of a superior beauty to all other women; (her name was
Abishag;) who; sleeping with the king; did no more than
communicate warmth to him; for he was so old that he could not
know her as a husband knows his wife。 But of this woman we shall
speak more presently。

4。 Now the fourth son of David was a beautiful young man; and
tall; born to him of Haggith his wife。 He was named Adonijah; and
was in his disposition like to Absalom; and exalted himself as
hoping to be king; and told his friends that he ought to take the
government upon him。 He also prepared many chariots and horses;
and fifty men to run before him。 When his father saw this; he did
not reprove him; nor restrain him from his purpose; nor did he go
so far as to ask wherefore he did so。 Now Adonijah had for his
assistants Joab the captain of the army; and Abiathar the high
priest; and the only persons that opposed him were Zadok the high
priest; and the prophet Nathan; and Benaiah; who was captain of
the guards; and Shimei; David's friend; with all the other most
mighty men。 Now Adonijah had prepared a supper out of the city;
near the fountain that was in the king's paradise; and had
invited all his brethren except Solomon; and had taken with him
Joab the captain of the army; and: Abiathar; and the rulers of
the tribe of Judah; but had not invited to this feast either
Zadok the high priest; or Nathan the prophet; or Benaiah the
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

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