The queen of Sheba's visit. II. CHRONICLES, IX. cir. 992. a 1 Kings 10. 1, &c. Luke 11.31. CHAPTER IX. 1 The queen of Sheba admireth the wisdom of 17 The throne of ivory. 20 His vessels. 23 a The grandeur of fore made he thee king over them, 9 And she gave the king an hun- с BEFORE CHRIST cir. 992. • 1 Kings 10. 11, almug trees. 10 And the servants also of Huram, and the servants of Solomon, b which brought gold from Ophir, ch. 8. 18. brought algum trees and precious stones. 11 And the king made of the algum trees 23 terraces to the house 2 Or, stairs. of the LORD, and to the king's palace, and harps and psalteries for singers: and there were none such seen before in the land of Judah. 12 And king Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all her desire, whatsoever she asked, beside that which she had brought unto the king. So AND when the queen of Sheba she turned, and went away to her heard of the fame of Solomon, Matt. 12.42. she came to prove Solomon with hard questions at Jerusalem, with a very great company, and camels that bare spices, and gold in abundance, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart. 2 And Solomon told her all her questions: and there was nothing hid from Solomon which he told her not. 3 And when the queen of Sheba had seen the wisdom of Solomon, and the house that he had built, 4 And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their 3 Or,butlers. apparel; his 3 cupbearers also, and their apparel; and his ascent by which he went up into the house of the LORD; there was no more spirit in her. 4 Heb. word. 5 Or, sayings. 5 And she said to the king, It was a true report which I heard in mine own land of thine acts, and of thy wisdom: 6 Howbeit I believed not their words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it and, behold, the one half of the greatness of thy wisdom was not told me: for thou exceedest the fame that I heard. 7 Happy are thy men, and happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and hear thy wisdom. 8 Blessed be the LORD thy God, which delighted in thee to set thee on his throne, to be king for the LORD thy God: because thy God loved Israel, to establish them for ever, there | own land, she and her servants. 13 ¶ Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred and threescore and six talents of gold; 3 Heb. highways. 14 Beside that which chapmen and merchants brought. And all the kings of Arabia and governors of 20 the country brought gold and silver to Solomon. 15 T And king Solomon made two hundred targets of beaten gold: six hundred shekels of beaten gold went to one target. 16 And three hundred shields made he of beaten gold: three hundred shekels of gold went to one shield. And the king put them in the house of the forest of Lebanon. 17 Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with pure gold. captains. 18 And there were six steps to the throne, with a footstool of gold, which were fastened to the throne, and stays on each side of the sitting 5 Heb. place, and two lions standing by the stays: 19 And twelve lions stood there 20 And all the drinking vessels 21 For the king's ships went to hands. Heb. 7 Or, there was no shut up. silver in them. Solomon's kingdom. BEFORE CHRIST cir. 992. 2 Or, elephants' teeth. d1 Kings 4. ch. L. 14. II. CHRONICLES, X. Tarshish with the servants of Huram: every three years once came the ships of Tarshish bringing gold, and silver, 2ivory, and apes, and peacocks. 22 And king Solomon passed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom. 23 ¶ And all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom, that God had put in his heart. 24 And they brought every man his present, vessels of silver, and Ivessels of gold, and raiment, harness, and spices, horses, and mules, a rate year by year. 25 ¶ And Solomon had four thou26. & 10. 26. sand stalls for horses and chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen; whom he bestowed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem. 26 And he reigned over all the kings from the 'river even unto the land of the Philistines, and to the border of Egypt. 27 And the king 'made silver in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar trees Heb.gave. made he as the sycomore trees that are in the low plains in abundance. 28 h And they brought unto Solomon horses out of Egypt, and out of all lands. 29 'Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, first and last, are they not written in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite, and in the visions of 'Iddo the seer against Jeroboam the son of Nebat? 30 m And Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel forty years. 31 And Solomon slept with his fathers, and he was buried in the city of David his father: and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead. CHAPTER X. 1 The Israelites, assembled at Shechem to crown Rehoboam, by Jeroboam make a suit of relaxation unto him. 6 Rehoboam, refusing the old men's counsel, by the advice of young men answereth them roughly. 16 Ten tribes revolting kill Hadoram, and make Rehoboam to flee. AND Rehoboam went to She chem: for to Shechem were all Israel come to make him king. 2 And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who was in Egypt, whither he had fled from the presence of Solomon the king, heard it, that Jeroboam returned out of Egypt. 3 And they sent and called him. So Jeroboam and all Israel came and spake to Rehoboam, saying, | Rehoboam succeedeth him. 4 Thy father made our yoke grievous now therefore ease thou somewhat the grievous servitude of thy father, and his heavy yoke that he put upon us, and we will serve thee. 5 And he said unto them, Come again unto me after three days. And the people departed. 6 And king Rehoboam 'took counsel with the old men that had stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, saying, What counsel give ye me to return answer to this people? 7 And they spake unto him, saying, If thou be kind to this people, and please them, and speak good words to them, they will be thy servants for ever. 8 But he forsook the counsel which the old men gave him, and took counsel with the young men that were brought up with him, that stood before him. 9 And he said unto them, What advice give ye that we may return answer to this people, which have spoken to me, saying, Ease somewhat the yoke that thy father did put upon us? 10 And the young men that were brought up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou answer the people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it somewhat lighter for us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father's loins. 11 For whereas my father 2put a heavy yoke upon you, I will put more to your yoke: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions. 12 So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam on the third day, as the king bade, saying, Come again to me on the third day. 13 And the king answered them roughly; and king Rehoboam forsook the counsel of the old men, 14 And answered them after the advice of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add thereto : my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions. 15 So the king hearkened not unto the people: for the cause was of God, that the LORD might perform his word, which he spake by the hand of Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat. 16 And when all Israel saw BEFORE CHRIST cir. 975. 2 Heb. laded. 25. 1 1 Sam. 2. Kings 12. 15, 24. 41 Kings 11. 29. Rehoboam strengtheneth BEFORE CHRIST cir. 975. 2 Heb. strengthened himself. e 1 Kings 12.19. a1 Kings 12. 21, &c. b ch. 12. 15. II. CHRONICLES, XI. that the king would not hearken unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? and we have none inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to your tents, O Israel: and now, David, see to thine own house. So all Israel went to their tents. 17 But as for the children of Israel that dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them. 18 Then king Rehoboam sent Hadoram that was over the tribute.; and the children of Israel stoned him with stones, that he died. But king Rehoboam made speed to get him up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem. 19 And Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day. CHAPTER XI. 1 Rehoboam raising an army to subdue Israel, is forbidden by Shemaiah. 5 He strengtheneth his kingdom with forts and provision. 13 The priests and Levites, and such as feared God, forsaken by Jeroboam, strengthen the kingdom of Judah. 18 The wives and children of Rehoboam. AND when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he gathered of the house of Judah and Benjamin an hundred and fourscore thousand chosen men, which were warriors, to fight against Israel, that he might bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam. 2 But the word of the LORD came bto Shemaiah the man of God, saying, 3 Speak unto Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, saying, 4 Thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren: return every man to his house: for this thing is done of me. And they obeyed the words of the LORD, and returned from going against Jeroboam. 5 ¶ And Rehoboam dwelt in Jerusalem, and built cities for defence in Judah. 6 He built even Beth-lehem, and Etam, and Tekoa, 7 And Beth-zur, and Shoco, and Adullam, 8 And Gath, and Mareshah, and Ziph, 9 And Adoraim, and Lachish, and Azekah, 10 And Zorah, and Aijalon, and Hebron, which are in Judah and in Benjamin fenced cities. 11 And he fortified the strong holds, and put captains in them, and store of victual, and of oil and wine. his kingdom. 17 So they 'strengthened the king-1 ch. 12. 1. dom of Judah, and made Rehoboam the son of Solomon strong, three years: : for three years they walked in the way of David and Solomon. 18 T And Rehoboam took him Mahalath the daughter of Jerimoth the son of David to wife, and Abihail the daughter of Eliab the son of Jesse; 19 Which bare him children; Jeush, and Shamariah, and Zaham. 20 And after her he took Maachah the daughter of Absalom; which bare him Abijah, and Attai, and Ziza, and Shelomith. 21 And Rehoboam loved Maachah the daughter of Absalom above all his wives and his concubines: (for he took eighteen wives, and threescore concubines; and begat twenty and eight sons, and threescore daughters.) 22 And Rehoboam 'made Abijah the son of Maachah the chief, to be ruler among his brethren: for he thought to make him king. 23 And he dealt wisely, and dispersed of all his children throughout all the countries of Judah and Benjamin, unto every fenced city: and he gave them victual in abundance. And he desired many wives. CHAPTER XII. 1 Rehoboam, forsaking the Lord, is punished by Shishak. 5 He and the princes, repenting at the preaching of Shemaiah, are delivered from destruction, but not from spoil. 13 The reign and death of Rehoboam. AND ait came to pass, when 2. 1 Kings 15. she is called the dangh Michaiah ter of Uriel, ch. 13. 2. See Deut 21.15,16,17. 8 Heb. a multitude of wives. 972. Rehoboam had established the ch. 11.17. kingdom, and had strengthened himself, "he forsook the law of the 22, 23, 24. LORD, and all Israel with him. 12 And in every several city he 2 And it came to pass, that in b1 Kings 14. •1 Kings 14. 24, 25. 971. He is punished by Shishak. II. CHRONICLES, XIII. Abijah succeedeth Rehoboam. BEFORE CHRIST 971. d ch. 16. 8. e ch. 11. 2. fch. 15. 2. the fifth year of king Rehoboam Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, because they had transgressed against the LORD, 3 With twelve hundred chariots, and threescore thousand horsemen : and the people were without number that came with him out of Egypt; the Lubims, the Sukkiims, and the Ethiopians. 4 And he took the fenced cities which pertained to Judah, and came to Jerusalem. 5 Then came Shemaiah the prophet to Rehoboam, and to the princes of Judah, that were gather ed together to Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said unto them, Thus saith the LORD, Ye have forsaken me, and therefore have I also left you in the hand of Shishak. 6 Whereupon the princes of Israel Jam. 4.10. and the king humbled themselves; Ex. 9. 27. 11 Kings 21. 23, 29. and they said, The LORD is righteous. 7 when the LORD saw that they humbled themselves, 'the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah, saying, They have humbled themselves; therefore I will not destroy them, but 2 Or, a little I will grant them some deliverance; and my wrath shall not be poured out upon Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak. while. k See Is. 26. 13. 1 Deut. 28. 47, 48. m 1 Kings 14. 25, 26. a1 Kings 10. 16, 17. ch. 9. 15, 16. 10 Instead of which king Rehoboam made shields of brass, and com02 Sam.8.18. mitted them to the hands of the chief of the guard, that kept the entrance of the king's house. 11 And when the king entered into the house of the LORD, the guard came and fetched them, and brought them again into the guard chamber. 12 And when he humbled himself, the wrath of the LORD turned from him, that he would not destroy him Or, and yet altogether: and also in Judah things went well. in Judah there were good things: See Gen. 18. 24. & 1 Kings 14. 13. 13 ¶ So king Rehoboam strengthened himself in Jerusalem, and reigned: for P Rehoboam was one and forty P1 Kings 14. years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the LORD had ch. 19.3. 21. a ch. 6. 6. 3 And Abijah set the battle in Heb.bound array with an army of valiant men of war, even four hundred thousand chosen men: Jeroboam also set the battle in array against him with eight hundred thousand chosen men, being mighty men of valour. с 4 And Abijah stood up upon mount Zemaraim, which is in mount Josh.18.22. Ephraim, and said, Hear me, thou Jeroboam, and all Ísrael; 5 Ought ye not to know that the LORD God of Israel agave the kingdom over Israel to David for ever, even to him and to his sons by a covenant of salt? d2 Sam.7.12, 13, 16. • Num. 18. 19. Abijah overcometh Jeroboam. II. CHRONICLES, XIV. BEFORE CHRIST 957. 1ch. 11. 14, Ex. 29.35. Heb. to fill See Ex.29.1. his hand: Lev. 8. 2. 1 ch. 2. 4. 9 'Have ye not cast out the priests of the LORD, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites, and have made you priests after the manner of the nations of other lands? so that whosoever cometh 2 to consecrate himself with a young bullock and seven rams, the same may be a priest of them that are no gods. 10 But as for us, the LORD is our God, and we have not forsaken him; and the priests, which minister unto the LORD, are the sons of Aaron, and the Levites wait upon their business: 11 'And they burn unto the LORD every morning and every evening burnt sacrifices and sweet incense: mLev. 24.6. them shewbread also set they in order upon the pure table; and the candlestick of gold with the lamps thereof, to burn every evening: for we keep the charge of the LORD our God; but ye have forsaken him. 21. Ex. 27. 20, Lev. 24.2,3. 12 And, behold, God himself is Num. 10.8. with us for our captain, and his priests with sounding trumpets to cry alarm against you. O children P Acts 5.39. of Israel, Pfight ye not against the LORD God of your fathers; for ye shall not prosper. q ch. 14. 12. Ps. 22. 5. 957. 13 ¶ But Jeroboam caused an ambushment to come about behind them so they were before Judah, and the ambushment was behind them. 14 And when Judah looked back, behold, the battle was before and behind: and they cried unto the LORD, and the priests sounded with the trumpets. 15 Then the men of Judah gave a shout and as the men of Judah shouted, it came to pass, that God smote Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah. 16 And the children of Israel fled before Judah: and God delivered them into their hand. 17 And Abijah and his people slew them with a great slaughter: so there fell down slain of Israel five hundred thousand chosen men. Asa destroyeth idolatry. and the LORD struck him, and "he died. 21 ¶ But Abijah waxed mighty, and married fourteen wives, and begat twenty and two sons, and sixteen daughters. BEFORE CHRIST 957. +1 Sam. 25. 38. 1 Kings 14. 20. 4 And commanded Judah to seek the LORD God of their fathers, and to do the law and the commandment. 5 Also he took away out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the images: and the kingdom was quiet before him. : 6 And he built fenced cities in Judah for the land had rest, and he had no war in those years; because the LORD had given him rest. 7 Therefore he said unto Judah, Let us build these cities, and make about them walls, and towers, gates, and bars, while the land is yet before us; because we have sought the LORD our God, we have sought him, and he hath given us rest on every side. So they built and prospered. 8 And Asa had an army of men that bare targets and spears, out of Judah three hundred thousand; and out of Benjamin, that bare shields and drew bows, two hundred and fourscore thousand: all these were mighty men of valour. 9q And there came out against them Zerah the Ethiopian with an host of a thousand thousand, and three hundred chariots; and came unto 18 Thus the children of Israel were brought under at that time, and the children of Judah pre1 Chr. 5.20. vailed, because they relied upon the LORD God of their fathers. 19 And Abijah pursued after Je-Mareshah. roboam, and took cities from him, Beth-el with the towns thereof, and Jeshanah with the towns thereof, Josh. 15. 9. and Ephrain with the towns thereof. 20 Neither did Jeroboam recover strength again in the days of Abijah: cir. 951. bSeelKings ch. 16. 17. 15. 14. • Ex. 34. 13. Heb. a1 Kings 11.7. statues. 4 Heb. sun images. 941. • ch. 16. 8. fJosh.15.44. 10 Then Asa went out against him, and they set the battle in array in the valley of Zephathah at Mareshah. 11 And Asa & cried unto the LORD & Ex. 14.10. his God, and said, LORD, it is 1 nothing with thee to help, whether with ch. 13. 14. Ps. 22. 5. h1 Sam. 14. 6. |