solomon

And He hath directed us what we should teach, and how we should fashion the faith. [The Narrative of Solomon and the Queen of Sheba Continued] And King Solomon sent a message unto the Queen, saying, "Now that thou hast come here why wilt thou go away without seeing the administration of the kingdom, and how the meal[s] for the chosen ones of the kingdom are eaten after the manner of the righteous, and how the people are driven away after the manner of sinners?

And He hath directed us what we should teach, and how we should fashion the faith. [The Narrative of Solomon and the Queen of Sheba Continued] And King Solomon sent a message unto the Queen, saying, "Now that thou hast come here why wilt thou go away without seeing the administration of the kingdom, and how the meal[s] for the chosen ones of the kingdom are eaten after the manner of the righteous, and how the people are driven away after the manner of sinners?

And Solomon rejoiced because of this [message], and he arrayed his chosen ones [in splendid apparel], and he added a double supply to his table, and he had all the arrangements concerning the management of his house carefully ordered, and the house of King Solomon was made ready [for guests] daily.

And Solomon rejoiced because of this [message], and he arrayed his chosen ones [in splendid apparel], and he added a double supply to his table, and he had all the arrangements concerning the management of his house carefully ordered, and the house of King Solomon was made ready [for guests] daily.

For she could see, though no one could see her, even as Solomon had arranged in wisdom for her.

And with wise intent Solomon sent to her meats which would make her thirsty, and drinks that were mingled with vinegar, and fish and dishes made with pepper.

And Solomon answered and said unto her, "I swear unto thee that I will not take thee by force, but thou must swear unto me that thou wilt not take by force anything that is in my house."

And Solomon said unto a young manservant, "Wash out the bowl and set in it a vessel of water whilst the Queen is looking on, and shut the doors and go and sleep."

And Solomon spake to the servant in another tongue which the Queen did not understand, and he did as the King commanded, and went and slept.

Now the house of Solomon the King was illumined as by day, for in his wisdom he had made shining pearls which were like unto the sun, and moon, and stars [and had set them] in the roof of his house.

And when she woke up her mouth was dry with thirst, for the food which Solomon had given her in his wisdom had made her thirsty, and she was very thirsty indeed, and her mouth was dry; and she moved her lips and sucked with her mouth and found no moisture.

And she determined to drink the water which she had seen, and she looked at King Solomon and watched him carefully, and she thought that he was sleeping a sound sleep.

And Solomon seized her hand before she could drink the water, and said unto her, "Why hast thou broken the oath that thou hast sworn that thou wouldst not take by force anything that is in my house?"

Then Solomon said unto her, "Am I perchance free from the oath which thou hast made me swear?"

And after he slept there appeared unto King Solomon [in a dream] a brilliant sun, and it came down from heaven and shed exceedingly great splendour over Israel.

And when Solomon the King saw this vision in his sleep, his soul became disturbed, and his understanding was snatched away as by [a flash of] lightning, and he woke up with an agitated mind.

And moreover, Solomon marvelled concerning the Queen, for she was vigorous in strength, and beautiful of form, and she was undefiled in her virginity; and she had reigned for six years in her own country, and, notwithstanding her gracious attraction and her splendid form, had preserved her body pure.

And the Queen said unto Solomon, "Dismiss me, and let me depart to my own country."

And he went into his house and gave unto her whatsoever she wished for of splendid things and riches, and beautiful apparel which bewitched the eyes, and everything on which great store was set in the country of Ethiopia, and camels and wagons, six thousand in number, which were laden with beautiful things of the most desirable kind, and wagons wherein loads were carried over the desert, and a vessel wherein one could travel over the sea, and a vessel wherein one could traverse the air (or winds), which Solomon had made by the wisdom that God had given unto him.

And Solomon took her aside so that they might be alone together, and he took off the ring that was upon his little finger, and he gave it to the Queen, and said unto her, "Take [this] so that thou mayest not forget me.

And the Queen departed and came into the country of Bala Zadisareya nine months and five days after she had separated from King Solomon.

And they said unto him, "Solomon the King."

And the youth Bayna-Lekem was handsome, and his whole body and his members, and the bearing of his shoulders resembled those of King Solomon his father, and his eyes, and his legs, and his whole gait resembled those of Solomon the King.

And the youth Bayna-Lekem was handsome, and his whole body and his members, and the bearing of his shoulders resembled those of King Solomon his father, and his eyes, and his legs, and his whole gait resembled those of Solomon the King.

Now there was a law in the country of Ethiopia that [only] a woman should reign, and that she must be a virgin who had never known man, but the Queen said [unto Solomon], "Henceforward a man who is of thy seed shall reign, and a woman shall nevermore reign; only seed of thine shall reign and his seed after him from generation to generation.

And the Queen took the young man aside and when he was alone with her she gave him that symbol which Solomon had given her, that is to say, the ring on his finger, so that he might know his son, and might remember her word and her covenant which she had made [with him], that she would worship God all the days of her life, she and those who were under her dominion, with all [the power] which God had given her.

Now this is the Gaza which Solomon the King gave to the Queen of Ethiopia.

And when the people saw him they thought him to be the perfect likeness of Solomon the King.

And [the people of] the whole country of Gaza, as far as the border of Judah, were stirred up and they said, "This is King Solomon."

And there were some who said, "The King is in Jerusalem building his house"--now he had finished building the House of God--and others said, "This is Solomon the King, the son of David."

And they were perplexed, and they disputed with one another, and they sent off spies mounted on horses, who were to seek out King Solomon and to find out if he were actually in Jerusalem, or if he were with them [in Gaza].

And the spies came to the watchmen of the city of Jerusalem, and they found King Solomon there, and they made obeisance to him, and they said unto him, "Hail, may the royal father live! [Our] country is disturbed because there hath come into it a merchant who resembleth thee in form and appearance, without the smallest alteration or variation.

And King Solomon answered and said unto them, "Where is it then that he wisheth to go?"

But his own people, when we asked them, `Whence have ye come and whither do ye go?' said, `We have come from the dominions of Hendake (Candace) and Ethiopia, and we are going to the country of Judah to King Solomon.'" And when King Solomon heard this his heart was perturbed and he was glad in his soul, for in those days he had no children, except a boy who was seven years old and whose name was Iyorbe'am (Rehoboam).

But his own people, when we asked them, `Whence have ye come and whither do ye go?' said, `We have come from the dominions of Hendake (Candace) and Ethiopia, and we are going to the country of Judah to King Solomon.'" And when King Solomon heard this his heart was perturbed and he was glad in his soul, for in those days he had no children, except a boy who was seven years old and whose name was Iyorbe'am (Rehoboam).

It happened to Solomon even as Paul stateth, saying, "God hath made foolishness the wisdom of this world," for Solomon had made a plan in his wisdom and said, "By one thousand women I shall beget one thousand men children, and I shall inherit the countries of the enemy, and I will overthrow [their] idols."

It happened to Solomon even as Paul stateth, saying, "God hath made foolishness the wisdom of this world," for Solomon had made a plan in his wisdom and said, "By one thousand women I shall beget one thousand men children, and I shall inherit the countries of the enemy, and I will overthrow [their] idols."

And Solomon the King sent the commander of his army, on whose hand he was wont to lean, with gifts and meat and drink to entertain that traveller.

And the commander set out with a great number of wagons, and he came to Bayna-Lekem, and embraced him, and gave him everything that Solomon the King had sent unto him.

And Joas , the son of Yodae, the commander of the army of King Solomon, answered and said unto Bayna-Lekem, "My lord, this is a very small matter, and thou wilt find far greater joy and pleasure with my lord the King.

And as concerning what thou sayest, `my mother' and `my country,' Solomon the King is better than thy mother, and this our country is better than thy country.

And Joas (read Benaiah), the commander of the army of King Solomon, answered [saying], "What is better than wisdom?

And the son of the Queen rose up, and arrayed Joas (Benaiah), the son of Yodae, and the fifty men who were in his retinue, in gorgeous raiment, and they rose up to go to Jerusalem to Solomon the King.

And when they came nigh unto the place where the horses were exercised and trained, Joas (Benaiah), the son of Yodae, went on in front, and came to the place where Solomon was, and he told him that [the son of the Queen] was well- favoured in his appearance, and that his voice was pleasant, and that he resembled him in form, and that his whole bearing was exceedingly noble.

And when all the soldiers saw him they made obeisance unto him, and they said, "Behold, King Solomon hath gone forth from his abode."

And when King Solomon saw him he rose up, and moved forward to welcome him, and he loosed the band of his apparel from his shoulder, and he embraced him, with his hands [resting] on his breast, and he kissed his mouth, and forehead, and eyes, and he said unto him, "Behold, my father David hath renewed his youth and hath risen from the dead."

And Solomon the King turned round to those who had announced the arrival of the young man, and he said unto them, "Ye said unto me, `He resembleth thee,' but this is not my stature, but the stature of David my father in the days of his early manhood, and he is handsomer than I am."

And Solomon the King rose up straightway, and he went into his chamber, and he arrayed the young man in apparel made of cloth embroidered with gold, and a belt of gold, and he set a crown upon his head, and a ring upon his finger.

And the merchant Tamrin spake again unto King Solomon, saying, "Hearken, O King, unto the message which thy handmaiden, the Queen my mistress, sent by me: `Take this young man, anoint him, consecrate him, and bless him, and make him king over our country, and give him the command that a woman shall never again reign [in this country], and send him back in peace.

For thy nobles cannot return to their houses and look upon their children, by reason of the abundance of wisdom and food which thou givest them, according to their desire, and they say, "The table of Solomon is better for us than enjoying and gratifying ourselves in our own houses."

And then Solomon sent unto the young man evening and morning dainty meats, and apparel of honour, and gold and silver.

And again Solomon held converse with his son when he was alone, and he said unto him, "Why dost thou wish to depart from me?

And then Solomon the King went back into his house, and he caused to be gathered together his councillors, and his officers, and the elders of his kingdom, and he said unto them, "I am not able to make this young man consent [to dwell here].

For thus saith the prophecy of David my father `The seed of Solomon shall become three heads of kingdoms upon the earth.'

And they brought the young man into the Holy of Holies, and he laid hold upon the horns of the altar, and sovereignty was given unto him by the mouth of Zadok the priest, and by the mouth of Joas (Benaiah) the priest, the commander of the army of King Solomon, and he anointed him with the holy oil of the ointment of kingship.

And they made him to ride upon the mule of King Solomon, and they led him round about the city, and said, "We have appointed thee from this moment"; and then they cried out to him, "Bah. [Long] live the royal father!"

And those who were on the right hand should sit in the same way as their fathers sat with King Solomon, even so should they sit at the right hand of his son David, the King of Ethiopia; and those who were on the left hand should sit as their fathers sat with King Solomon, even so should they sit on the left hand of his son David, the King of Ethiopia; and their rank should be like that of their fathers, and their names should be like those of their fathers.

And those who were on the right hand should sit in the same way as their fathers sat with King Solomon, even so should they sit at the right hand of his son David, the King of Ethiopia; and those who were on the left hand should sit as their fathers sat with King Solomon, even so should they sit on the left hand of his son David, the King of Ethiopia; and their rank should be like that of their fathers, and their names should be like those of their fathers.

As Solomon did to his nobles so shall David do to his nobles; and as Solomon ordained for his governors so shall David order the direction of his house.

As Solomon did to his nobles so shall David do to his nobles; and as Solomon ordained for his governors so shall David order the direction of his house.

These are all those who were given to David, king of Ethiopia, the son of Solomon, King of Israel.

And Solomon also gave him horses, and chariots, and riding-camels, and mules, and wagons for carrying loads, and gold, and silver, and splendid apparel, and byssus, and purple, and gems, and pearls and precious stones; and he gave his son everything that would be wished for in the country of Ethiopia.

And then they made ready to set out, and [though] there was great joy with the nobles of the King of Ethiopia, there was sadness with the nobles of the King of Israel, because through the firstborn son of Solomon, King of Israel, that is to say, the King of Ethiopia, the firstborn sons of the nobles of Israel were given to rule over the country of Ethiopia with the son of Solomon the King.

And then they made ready to set out, and [though] there was great joy with the nobles of the King of Ethiopia, there was sadness with the nobles of the King of Israel, because through the firstborn son of Solomon, King of Israel, that is to say, the King of Ethiopia, the firstborn sons of the nobles of Israel were given to rule over the country of Ethiopia with the son of Solomon the King.

Thou knowest the hidden openings (or, windows) which King Solomon made; but none of the priests may enter therein except thy father once each year in order to offer up sacrifice in the Holy of Holies on behalf of himself and on behalf of the people.

And your Lord David shall speak to Solomon the King and shall say unto him, `One thing I ask from thee, O father, I would offer up a sacrifice to the holy city Jerusalem, and to my Lady Zion, the holy and heavenly Tabernacle of the Law of God.'

And Solomon shall say unto him, `Do so.'

And he went to his brethren, and when they were gathered together he told them everything that the Angel of God had shown him: how the Tabernacle of the Law of God had been given to them, and how God had made blind His eye in respect of the kingdom of Israel, and how its glory had been given to others, and they themselves were to take away the Tabernacle of the Law of God, and how the kingdom of Solomon was to be seized by them--with the exception of two "rods," and how it was not to be left to Iyorbe'am (Rehoboam) his son, and how the kingdom of Israel was to be divided.

And now come ye, and let us go and tell David our Lord so that he may say to his father, `I will offer up a sacrifice.'" And they went and told [David, the son of Solomon] and he rejoiced, and he sent to Yo'as (Benaiah), the son of Yodae, to come to him, that he might send him to his father, and he came.

And David sent him to his father Solomon, and he said unto him, "Send me away, for I will depart to my own country, together with everything that thy goodness hath given me; and may thy prayers accompany me always whithersoever I shall go.

And Yoas (Benaiah), the son of Yodae, went and told King Solomon, and the King rejoiced over it and commanded them to make ready the altar of offering so that his son might sacrifice.

All these things did Solomon the King give unto his son David.

And again David sent a message saying, "Let Azaryas the priest offer up sacrifice on my behalf"; and Solomon said unto him, "Do that which thou wishest."

And King Solomon was dismayed at the weeping and outcry of the city, and he looked out from the roof of the palace, the fort of the king's house, and saw the whole city weeping and following them.

And when Solomon saw the majesty of those who had departed, he was deeply moved and he trembled, and his bowels quaked, and his tears fell drop by drop upon his apparel, and he said, "Woe is me! for my glory hath departed, and the crown of my splendour hath fallen, and my belly is burned up because this my son hath departed, and the majesty of my city and the freemen, the children of my might, are removed.

And Zadok the priest went and gave David the covering of Zion, and he delivered unto him all the commands which Solomon had spoken.

And David, the son of Solomon, rejoiced because of this, and he marvelled and held himself to be blessed exceedingly, and said, when the covering of the Tabernacle of the Law of God was committed to his charge, "This shall be to me my Lady."

And they halted by Gaza, the city of the mother of the king, which Solomon the king had given to the Queen of Ethiopia when she came to him.

Thus spake David the King, the son of Solomon, King of Israel.

And when Zadok the priest returned to Solomon the King he found him sorrowful.

And when he tarried in coming out Solomon sent to him Iyoas (Benaiah), the son of Yodae, and he found Zadok like one dead.

Thus spake King Solomon.

And the soldiers of King Solomon questioned the people, and the men of the country of Egypt said unto them, "Some days ago certain men of Ethiopia passed here; and they travelled swiftly in wagons, like the angels, and they were swifter than the eagles of the heavens."

And some of the King's horsemen who returned said unto King Solomon, "Nine days have passed since they left Egypt.

And Solomon left that place, and he met a noble of the nobles of Egypt, whom King Pharaoh had sent unto him with a gift; and there was an abundance of treasures with him, and he came and made obeisance to the King.

And Solomon the King made haste to question him, even before he had presented his gift and embassy, and said unto him, "Hast thou seen men of Ethiopia fleeing by this road?"

Who then is wiser than Solomon the King of Judah?

And Solomon answered in wisdom and said, "How was he (i.e. David) able to carry away our Lady, for she is with us?"

And Solomon entered into his tent, and wept bitterly, and said, "O God, willest Thou to take away the Tabernacle of Thy Covenant from us in my days?

And whilst Solomon was saying these things he ceased not to weep, and the tears ran down his cheeks continually.

And then Solomon came back to the city of Jerusalem, and he wept there with the elders of Jerusalem a great weeping in the house of God.

And Solomon the King answered and said unto them, "Hearken ye unto me and to what I shall say unto you.

And Solomon wept in the habitation of the heavenly Zion, the Tabernacle of the Law of God, and they all wept with him, and after a little while they held their peace.

And Solomon answered and said unto them, "Cease ye, so that the uncircumcised people may not boast themselves over us, and may not say unto us, `Their glory is taken away, and God hath forsaken them.'

And they established this covenant in the House of God--the elders of Israel with their King Solomon unto this day.

And Solomon lived [thus] for eleven years after the taking away of Zion from him, and then his heart turned aside from the love of God, and he forgot his wisdom, through his excessive love of women.

Now the queen possessed certain idols which her father had given her to bow down before, and because, when Solomon saw her sacrificing to them and worshipping them, he did not rebuke her or forsake her, God was wroth with him, and made him to forget his wisdom.

And Solomon himself found pleasure in hearing their foolish service and folly.

And as the deep sea draweth down into its depths the man who cannot swim, until the water overwhelmeth him and destroyeth his life, even so did that woman wish to submerge Solomon the King.

And then the daughter of Pharaoh appeared before Solomon, and said unto him, "It is good to worship the gods like my father and all the kings of Egypt who were before my father."