Третья книга Царств

Solomon took the life of Adonijah because he asked Abishag for himself, and deprived Abiathar of the priesthood. This is how God’s threat to Eli was fulfilled: Abiathar came from his family. Solomon also took the life of Joab, and installed Zadok as priest instead of Abiathar. Solomon gave orders to Shimei that he should remain in the city constantly; if he ever gets out, he will not go unpunished and will be subject to the death penalty. But his slaves ran away; forgetting about the order, he went out to look for them; Solomon found out about this and took his life. What follows is a story about the wisdom of Solomon, about the peace that was with him, about the splendor of his table, about chariots, horses and all kinds of wealth. Solomon asks God for wisdom. Then he brings to justice the women who came to him to sue because of the baby. Again the wisdom of Solomon is spoken of, the splendor of his table, and the one who served him. He sends to Hiram, king of Tyre, to ask for carpenters to hire; he delivered them. The work and quantity of materials prepared for the church are listed here. Then they talk about building a church. Solomon prays in the church, makes sacrifices, and renovates the house. God promises him good things if he keeps His commandments, and threatens the contrary if he breaks them. He had a ship that brought gold. It speaks of the Queen of the South who came to listen to his wisdom; about his great wealth, about the golden weapons that he made, about his kingdom, from what extent it extended. Further about his idolatry and the insult with which he angered God. For this, God threatens him with the destruction of the kingdom and the end of the world. Ader the Edomite and Razon 9 rebel against him; His servant Jeroboam also rebels against him. The prophet Ahijah comes to Jeroboam and tells him to tear his clothes into ten pieces, predicting to him that he will reign over ten tribes. Since Solomon wanted to kill him, he fled to Egypt; he returned from Egypt after the death of Solomon. The people, having come to Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, asked that his rule be easier than Solomon's; but he, at the suggestion of some of his young peers, threatened that it would be even more difficult for them. Therefore, the ten tribes separated and made Jeroboam their king. When Rehoboam wanted to fight against Jeroboam, God did not allow it. When Jeroboam's child fell ill, he sent his wife to the prophet Ahijah to find out about the outcome of the illness. He said that the child would die, and it died. Jeroboam puts two bulls, one in Bethel and the other in Dan, so that the people would not go to Jerusalem. While he was sacrificing there, a man of God came and prophesied about Josiah. Then the king's hand withered and the altar crumbled; but through the prayer of the prophet of God, the king was healed. He invited the prophet to his table, but he refused, keeping the commandment of God, which he later violated, for which he was killed by a lion. Jeroboam remained in his wickedness; and Rehoboam indulged in idolatry throughout all the years of his reign. Susakim came and took the treasures. After Rehoboam, Abijah his son reigned, and after that Abijah’s son, Asa. After Jeroboam, his son Nebat 10 reigned; he was killed by Baasha, who, having reigned, waged war with Asa; the latter, with the help of (son) Ader the Syrian, defeated him. Since Baasha was wicked, God threatened him with great disasters. After his death, Ila (Ela), his son, who was killed by Zamri, one of the leaders, reigned; Having reigned, Zamri destroyed the house of Vaasha. When he died, having burned himself, Omri reigned. When this one also died, Achaab his son reigned. Asa's son Jehoshaphat reigns. The prophet Elijah threatens Ahaav with no rain for three years and six months. The prophet is fed by ravens. Here we speak about the widow of Sarepta, about the vessel of oil, about the measure of torment, about the death of the boy and his resurrection. Elijah is sent to Achaav, prepares a sacrifice and brings down fire from heaven, which burns the sacrifice. Then he took the priests of Baal and killed them. Then he predicts rain to Ahaav. Having ascended Carmel, Elijah prayed and made a sacrifice; and it started to rain. Achaab's wife, Jezebel, threatens Elijah with death; he went into the desert and fell asleep; awakened by the Angel of God, he found unleavened barley bread, ate it and became strong. Having had his fill of this food, he walked for forty days to Horeb. There he said: “Your altars have been destroyed” (1 Kings 19:10). Elisha, leaving the harnessed oxen, follows Elijah. Next is the story of Naboth's vineyard; threat to Jezebel and Achaab; Ahaav's sadness. The Israelites were attacked by Ader's son of Syria with thirty-two kings, but Achaab defeated them. Having attacked for the second time, (the son of) Adera again suffered a great defeat. When he saw himself in danger, then, dressed in poor clothes, he came to Achaav, calling himself his slave and earnestly begging for mercy. Ahab put him on his chariot, showed him honors and sent him back to his land. The prophet comes, reproaches the king for this and threatens him with death. Achaab consults whether he should fight with the Syrians and, on the advice of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, calls on the prophet Micah; when asked, he predicts disaster if war breaks out. Ahaav is angry. The false prophet Zedekiah beats Micah. Ahab orders Micaiah to be detained as a false prophet until the war is over. Going out to battle, Ahab said to Jehoshaphat: Let us change our clothes; I will take yours and give you mine (1 Kings 22:30). So they did. Meanwhile, the soldiers received orders from their king, leaving everyone behind, to attack one king of Israel; Seeing Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, and mistaking him for the king of Israel, because his clothes deceived them, they surrounded him, intending to kill him. But he screamed and got rid of the danger. One warrior shot an arrow at Ahaav, and he began to bleed. She was washed in the fountain, and harlots washed in its blood, and dogs licked her. After Achaab, Ahaziah his son reigned. And Jehoshaphat, for being a friend of Achaab, was punished by frustration in his affairs. The paragraphs in the text were arranged by us – Editorial staff of “ABC of Faith” At St. I. Chrysostom: Ezra You might be interested in: