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which was a building much inferior in dignity to the temple; both
on account that its materials had not been so long beforehand
gotten ready; nor had been so zealously prepared; and on account
that this was only a habitation for kings; and not for God; it
was longer in finishing。 However; this building was raised so
magnificently; as suited the happy state of the Hebrews; and of
the king thereof。 But it is necessary that I describe the entire
structure and disposition of the parts; that so those that light
upon this book may thereby make a conjecture; and; as it were;
have a prospect of its magnitude。

2。 This house was a large and curious building; and was supported
by many pillars; which Solomon built to contain a multitnde for
hearing causes; and taking cognizance of suits。 It was
sufficiently capacious to contain a great body of men; who would
come together to have their causes determined。 It was a hundred
cubits long; and fifty broad; and thirty high; supported by
quadrangular pillars; which were all of cedar; but its roof was
according to the Corinthian order; (14) with folding doors; and
their adjoining pillars of equal magnitude; each fluted with
three cavities; which building as at once firm; and very
ornamental。 There was also another house so ordered; that its
entire breadth was placed in the middle; it was quadrangular; and
its breadth was thirty cubits; having a temple over against it;
raised upon massy pillars; in which temple there was a large and
very glorious room; wherein the king sat in judgment。 To this was
joined another house that was built for his queen。 There were
other smaller edifices for diet; and for sleep; after public
matters were over; and these were all floored with boards of
cedar。 Some of these Solomon built with stones of ten cubits; and
wainscoted the walls with other stones that were sawed; and were
of great value; such as are dug out of the earth for the
ornaments of temples; and to make fine prospects in royal
palaces; and which make the mines whence they are dug famous。 Now
the contexture of the curious workmanship of these stones was in
three rows; but the fourth row would make one admire its
sculptures; whereby were represented trees; and all sorts of
plants; with the shades that arose from their branches; and
leaves that hung down from them。 Those trees anti plants covered
the stone that was beneath them; and their leaves were wrought so
prodigious thin and subtile; that you would think they were in
motion; but the other part up to the roof; was plastered over;
and; as it were; embroidered with colors and pictures。 He;
moreover; built other edifices for pleasure; as also very long
cloisters; and those situate in an agreeable place of the palace;
and among them a most glorious dining room; for feastings and
compotations; and full of gold; and such other furniture as so
fine a room ought to have for the conveniency of the guests; and
where all the vessels were made of gold。 Now it is very hard to
reckon up the magnitude and the variety of the royal apartments;
how many rooms there were of the largest sort; how many of a
bigness inferior to those; and how many that were subterraneous
and invisible; the curiosity of those that enjoyed the fresh air;
and the groves for the most delightful prospect; for the avoiding
the heat; and covering of their bodies。 And; to say all in brief;
Solomon made the whole building entirely of white stone; and
cedar wood; and gold; and silver。 He also adorned the roofs and
walls with stones set in gold; and beautified them thereby in the
same manner as he had beautified the temple of God with the like
stones。 He also made himself a throne of prodigious bigness; of
ivory; constructed as a seat of justice; and having six steps to
it; on every one of which stood; on each end of the step two
lions; two other lions standing above also; but at the sitting
place of the throne hands came out and received the king; and
when he sat backward; he rested on half a bullock; that looked
towards his back; but still all was fastened together with gold。

3。 When Solomon had completed all this in twenty years' time;
because Hiram king of Tyre had contributed a great deal of gold;
and more silver to these buildings; as also cedar wood and pine
wood; he also rewarded Hiram with rich presents; corn he sent him
also year by year; and wine and oil; which were the principal
things that he stood in need of; because he inhabited an island;
as we have already said。 And besides these; he granted him
certain cities of Galilee; twenty in number; that lay not far
from Tyre; which; when Hiram went to; and viewed; and did not
like the gift; he sent word to Solomon that he did not want such
cities as they were; and after that time these cities were called
the land of Cabul; which name; if it be interpreted according to
the language of the Phoenicians; denotes what does not please。
Moreover; the king of Tyre sent sophisms and enigmatical sayings
to Solomon; and desired he would solve them; and free them from
the ambiguity that was in them。 Now so sagacious and
understanding was Solomon; that none of these problems were too
hard for him; but he conquered them all by his reasonings; and
discovered their hidden meaning; and brought it to light。
Menander also; one who translated the Tyrian archives out of the
dialect of the Phoenicians into the Greek language; makes mention
of these two kings; where he says thus: 〃When Abibalus was dead;。
his son Hiram received the kingdom from him; who; when he had
lived fifty…three years; reigned thirty…four。 He raised a bank in
the large place; and dedicated the golden pillar which is in
Jupiter's temple。 He also went and cut down materials of timber
out of the mountain called Libanus; for the roof of temples; and
when he had pulled down the ancient temples; he both built the
temple of Hercules and that of Astarte; and he first set up the
temple of Hercules in the month Peritius; he also made an
expedition against the Euchii; or Titii; who did not pay their
tribute; and when he had subdued them to himself he returned。
Under this king there was Abdemon; a very youth in age; who
always conquered the difficult problems which Solomon; king of
Jerusalem; commanded him to explain。 Dius also makes mention of
him; where he says thus: 〃When Abibalus was dead; his son Hiram
reigned。 He raised the eastern parts of the city higher; and made
the city itself larger。 He also joined the temple of Jupiter;
which before stood by itself; to the city; by raising a bank in
the middle between them; and he adorned it with donations of
gold。 Moreover; he went up to Mount Libanus; and cut down
materials of wood for the building of the temples。〃 He says also;
that Solomon; who was then king of Jerusalem; sent riddles to
Hiram; and desired to receive the like from him; but that he who
could not solve them should pay money to them that did solve
them; and that Hiram accepted the conditions; and when he was not
able to solve the riddles proposed by Solomon; he paid a great
deal of money for his fine; but that he afterward did solve the
proposed riddles by means of Abdemon; a man of Tyre; and that
Hiram proposed other riddles; which; when Solomon could not
solve; he paid back a great deal of money to Hiram。〃 This it is
which Dius wrote。

CHAPTER 6。

How Solomon Fortified The City Of Jerusalem; And Built Great
Cities; And How He Brought Some Of The Canaanites Into
Subjection; And Entertained The Queen Of Egypt And Of Ethiopia。

1。 Now when the king saw that the walls of Jerusalem stood in
need of being better secured; and made stronger; (for he thought
the wails that encompassed Jerusalem ought to correspond to the
dignity of the city;) he both repaired them; and made them
higher; with great towers upon them; he also built cities which
might be counted among the strongest; Hazor and Megiddo; and the
third Gezer; which had indeed belonged to the Philistines; but
Pharaoh; the king of Egypt; had made an expedition against it;
and besieged it; and taken it by force; and when he had slain all
its inhabitants; he utterly overthrew it; and gave it as a
present to his daughter; who had been married to Solomon; for
which reason the king rebuilt it; as a city that was naturally
strong; and might be useful in wars; and the mutations of affairs
that sometimes happen。 Moreover; he built two other cities not
far from it; Beth…horon was the name of one of them; and Baalath
of the other。 He also built other cities that lay conveniently
for these; in order to the enjoyment of pleasures and delicacies
in them; such as were naturally of a good temperature of the air;
and agreeable for fruits ripe in their proper seasons; and well
watered with springs。 Nay; Solomon went as far as the desert
above Syria; and possessed himself of it; and built there a very
great city; which was distant two days' journey from Upper Syria;
and one day's journey from Euphrates; and six long days' journey
from Babylon the Great。 Now the reason why this city lay so
remote from the parts of Syria that are inhabited is this; that
below there is no water to be had; and that it is in that place
only tha

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