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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 commanded that my son; who was to succeed me in
the kingdom; should build a temple for him。 Now therefore; since
you know that of the twelve sons whom Jacob our forefather had
Judah was appointed to be king; and that I was preferred before
my six brethren; and received the government from God; and that
none of them were uneasy at it; so do I also desire that my sons
be not seditious one against another; now Solomon has received
the kingdom; but to bear him cheerfully for their lord; as
knowing that God hath chosen him; for it is not a grievous thing
to obey even a foreigner as a ruler; if it be God's will; but it
is fit to rejoice when a brother hath obtained that dignity;
since the rest partake of it with him。 And I pray that the
promises of God may be fulfilled; and that this happiness which
he hath promised to bestow upon king Solomon; over all the
country; may continue therein for all time to come。 And these
promises O son; will be firm; and come to a happy end; if thou
showest thyself to be a religious and a righteous man; and an
observer of the laws of thy country; but if not; expect adversity
upon thy disobedience to them。〃

9。 Now when the king had said this; he left off; but gave the
description and pattern of the building of the temple in the
sight of them all to Solomon: of the foundations and of the
chambers; inferior and superior; how many they were to be; and
how large in height and in breadth; as also he determined the
weight of the golden and silver vessels: moreover; he earnestly
excited them with his words to use the utmost alacrity about the
work; he exhorted the rulers also; and particularly the tribe of
Levi; to assist him; both because of his youth; and because God
had chosen him to take care of the building of the temple; and of
the government of the kingdom。 He also declared to them that the
work would be easy; and not very laborious to them; because he
had prepared for it many talents of gold; and more of silver;
with timber; and a great many carpenters and stone…cutters; and a
large quantity of emeralds; and all sorts of precious stones; and
he said; that even now he would give of the proper goods of his
own dominion two hundred talents; and three hundred other talents
of pure gold; for the most holy place; and for the chariot of
God; the cherubim; which are to stand over and cover the ark。 Now
when David had done speaking; there appeared great alacrity among
the rulers; and the priests; and the Levites; who now contributed
and made great and splendid promises for a future Contribution;
for they undertook to bring of gold five thousand talents; and
ten thousand drams; and of silver ten thousand talents; and many
ten thousand talents of iron; and if any one had a precious stone
he brought it; and bequeathed it to be put among the treasures;
of which Jachiel; one of the posterity of Moses; had the care。

10。 Upon this occasion all the people rejoiced; as in particular
did David; when he saw the zeal and forward ambition of the
rulers; and the priests; and of all the rest; and he began to
bless God with a loud voice; calling him the Father and Parent of
the universe; and the Author of human and divine things; with
which he had adorned Solomon; the patron and guardian of the
Hebrew nation; and of its happiness; and of that kingdom which he
hath given his son。 Besides this; he prayed for happiness to all
the people; and to Solomon his son; a sound and a righteous mind;
and confirmed in all sorts of virtue; and then he commanded the
multitude to bless God; upon which they all fell down upon the
ground and worshipped him。 They also gave thanks to David; on
account of all the blessings which they had received ever since
he had taken the kingdom。 On the next day he presented sacrifices
to God; a thousand bullocks; and as many lambs; which they
offered for burnt…offerings。 They also offered peace…offerings;
and slew many ten thousand sacrifices; and the king feasted all
day; together with all the people; and they anointed Solomon a
second time with the oil; and appointed him to be king; and Zadok
to be the high priest of the whole multitude。 And when they had
brought Solomon to the royal palace; and had set him upon his
father's throne; they were obedient to him from that day。

CHAPTER 15。

What Charge David Gave Tohis Son Solomon At The Approach Of His
Death; And How Many Things He Left Him For The Building Of The
Temple。

1。 A Little afterward David also fell into a distemper; by reason
of his age; and perceiving that he was near to death; he called
his son Solomon; and discoursed to him thus: 〃I am now; O my son;
going to my grave; and to my fathers; which is the common way
which all men that now are; or shall be hereafter; must go; from
which way it is no longer possible to return; and to know any
thing that is done in this world。 On which account I exhort thee;
while I am still alive; though already very near to death; in the
same manner as I have formerly said in my advice to thee; to be
righteous towards thy subjects; and religious towards God; that
hath given thee thy kingdom; to observe his commands and his
laws; which he hath sent us by Moses; and neither do thou out of
favor nor flattery allow any lust or other passion to weigh with
thee to disregard them; for if thou transgressest his laws; thou
wilt lose the favor of God; and thou wilt turn away his
providence from thee in all things; but if thou behave thyself so
as it behooves thee; and as I exhort thee; thou wilt preserve our
kingdom to our family; and no other house will bear rule over the
Hebrews but we ourselves for all ages。 Be thou also mindful of
the transgressions of Joab; (26) the captain of the host; who
hath slain two generals out of envy; and those righteous and good
men; Abner the son of Ner; and Amasa the son of Jether; whose
death do thou avenge as shall seem good to thee; since Joab hath
been too hard for me; and more potent than myself; and so hath
escaped punishment hitherto。 I also commit to thee the son of
Barzillai the Gileadite; whom; in order to gratify

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