וְהַמֶּ֤לֶךְ דָּוִד֙ זָקֵ֔ן בָּ֖א בַּיָּמִ֑ים וַיְכַסֻּ֙הוּ֙ בַּבְּגָדִ֔ים וְלֹ֥א יִחַ֖ם לֽוֹ׃ King David was now old, advanced in years; and though they covered him with bedclothes, he never felt warm.

וַיֹּ֧אמְרוּ ל֣וֹ עֲבָדָ֗יו יְבַקְשׁ֞וּ לַאדֹנִ֤י הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ נַעֲרָ֣ה בְתוּלָ֔ה וְעָֽמְדָה֙ לִפְנֵ֣י הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ וּתְהִי־ל֖וֹ סֹכֶ֑נֶת וְשָׁכְבָ֣ה בְחֵיקֶ֔ךָ וְחַ֖ם לַאדֹנִ֥י הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ His courtiers said to him, “Let a young virgin be sought for my lord the king, to wait upon Your Majesty and be his attendant;^aattendant Meaning of Heb. uncertain. and let her lie in your bosom, and my lord the king will be warm.”

וַיְבַקְשׁוּ֙ נַעֲרָ֣ה יָפָ֔ה בְּכֹ֖ל גְּב֣וּל יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַֽיִּמְצְא֗וּ אֶת־אֲבִישַׁג֙ הַשּׁ֣וּנַמִּ֔ית וַיָּבִ֥אוּ אֹתָ֖הּ לַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ So they looked for a beautiful young woman throughout the territory of Israel. They found Abishag the Shunammite and brought her to the king.

וְהַֽנַּעֲרָ֖ה יָפָ֣ה עַד־מְאֹ֑ד וַתְּהִ֨י לַמֶּ֤לֶךְ סֹכֶ֙נֶת֙ וַתְּשָׁ֣רְתֵ֔הוּ וְהַמֶּ֖לֶךְ לֹ֥א יְדָעָֽהּ׃ This young woman was exceedingly beautiful. She became the king’s attendant^battendant Meaning of Heb. uncertain. and waited upon him; but the king was not intimate with her.

וַאֲדֹנִיָּ֧ה בֶן־חַגִּ֛ית מִתְנַשֵּׂ֥א לֵאמֹ֖ר אֲנִ֣י אֶמְלֹ֑ךְ וַיַּ֣עַשׂ ל֗וֹ רֶ֚כֶב וּפָ֣רָשִׁ֔ים וַחֲמִשִּׁ֥ים אִ֖ישׁ רָצִ֥ים לְפָנָֽיו׃ Now Adonijah son of Haggith went about boasting,^cwent about boasting Or “presumed to think.” “I will be king!” He provided himself with chariots and horses,^dhorses Or “riders”; force of Heb. parash(im) uncertain. and an escort of fifty outrunners.

וְלֹֽא־עֲצָב֨וֹ אָבִ֤יו מִיָּמָיו֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר מַדּ֖וּעַ כָּ֣כָה עָשִׂ֑יתָ וְגַם־ה֤וּא טֽוֹב־תֹּ֙אַר֙ מְאֹ֔ד וְאֹת֥וֹ יָלְדָ֖ה אַחֲרֵ֥י אַבְשָׁלֽוֹם׃ His father had never scolded him: “Why did you do that?” He was the one born after Absalom^ethe one born after Absalom Thus, Absalom having died, Adonijah was David’s oldest living son. and, like him, was very handsome.

וַיִּהְי֣וּ דְבָרָ֔יו עִ֚ם יוֹאָ֣ב בֶּן־צְרוּיָ֔ה וְעִ֖ם אֶבְיָתָ֣ר הַכֹּהֵ֑ן וַֽיַּעְזְר֔וּ אַחֲרֵ֖י אֲדֹנִיָּֽה׃ He conferred with Joab son of Zeruiah and with the priest Abiathar, and they supported Adonijah;

וְצָד֣וֹק הַ֠כֹּהֵ֠ן וּבְנָיָ֨הוּ בֶן־יְהוֹיָדָ֜ע וְנָתָ֤ן הַנָּבִיא֙ וְשִׁמְעִ֣י וְרֵעִ֔י וְהַגִּבּוֹרִ֖ים אֲשֶׁ֣ר לְדָוִ֑ד לֹ֥א הָי֖וּ עִם־אֲדֹנִיָּֽהוּ׃ but the priest Zadok, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, the prophet Nathan, Shimei and Rei, and David’s own warriors did not side with Adonijah.

וַיִּזְבַּ֣ח אֲדֹנִיָּ֗הוּ צֹ֤אן וּבָקָר֙ וּמְרִ֔יא עִ֚ם אֶ֣בֶן הַזֹּחֶ֔לֶת אֲשֶׁר־אֵ֖צֶל עֵ֣ין רֹגֵ֑ל וַיִּקְרָ֗א אֶת־כׇּל־אֶחָיו֙ בְּנֵ֣י הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ וּלְכׇל־אַנְשֵׁ֥י יְהוּדָ֖ה עַבְדֵ֥י הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ Adonijah made a sacrificial feast of sheep, oxen, and fatlings at the Zoheleth stone that is near En-rogel; he invited all his brother princes^fall his brother princes Lit. “all his brothers sons of the king.” and all the king’s courtiers of the tribe of Judah;

וְֽאֶת־נָתָן֩ הַנָּבִ֨יא וּבְנָיָ֜הוּ וְֽאֶת־הַגִּבּוֹרִ֛ים וְאֶת־שְׁלֹמֹ֥ה אָחִ֖יו לֹ֥א קָרָֽא׃ but he did not invite the prophet Nathan, or Benaiah, or the warriors, or his brother Solomon.

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר נָתָ֗ן אֶל־בַּת־שֶׁ֤בַע אֵם־שְׁלֹמֹה֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר הֲל֣וֹא שָׁמַ֔עַתְּ כִּ֥י מָלַ֖ךְ אֲדֹנִיָּ֣הוּ בֶן־חַגִּ֑ית וַאֲדֹנֵ֥ינוּ דָוִ֖ד לֹ֥א יָדָֽע׃ Then Nathan said to Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother, “You must have heard that Adonijah son of Haggith has assumed the kingship without the knowledge of our lord David.

וְעַתָּ֕ה לְכִ֛י אִיעָצֵ֥ךְ נָ֖א עֵצָ֑ה וּמַלְּטִי֙ אֶת־נַפְשֵׁ֔ךְ וְאֶת־נֶ֥פֶשׁ בְּנֵ֖ךְ שְׁלֹמֹֽה׃ Now take my advice, so that you may save your life and the life of your son Solomon.

לְכִ֞י וּבֹ֣אִי ׀ אֶל־הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ דָּוִ֗ד וְאָמַ֤רְתְּ אֵלָיו֙ הֲלֹֽא־אַתָּ֞ה אֲדֹנִ֣י הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ נִשְׁבַּ֤עְתָּ לַאֲמָֽתְךָ֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר כִּֽי־שְׁלֹמֹ֤ה בְנֵךְ֙ יִמְלֹ֣ךְ אַחֲרַ֔י וְה֖וּא יֵשֵׁ֣ב עַל־כִּסְאִ֑י וּמַדּ֖וּעַ מָלַ֥ךְ אֲדֹנִיָּֽהוּ׃ Go immediately to King David and say to him, ‘Did not you, O lord king, swear to your maidservant: “Your son Solomon shall succeed me as king, and he shall sit upon my throne”? Then why has Adonijah become king?’

הִנֵּ֗ה עוֹדָ֛ךְ מְדַבֶּ֥רֶת שָׁ֖ם עִם־הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ וַֽאֲנִי֙ אָב֣וֹא אַחֲרַ֔יִךְ וּמִלֵּאתִ֖י אֶת־דְּבָרָֽיִךְ׃ While you are still there talking with the king, I will come in after you and confirm your words.”

וַתָּבֹ֨א בַת־שֶׁ֤בַע אֶל־הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ הַחַ֔דְרָה וְהַמֶּ֖לֶךְ זָקֵ֣ן מְאֹ֑ד וַאֲבִישַׁג֙ הַשּׁ֣וּנַמִּ֔ית מְשָׁרַ֖ת אֶת־הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ So Bathsheba went to the king in his chamber.—The king was very old, and Abishag the Shunammite was waiting on the king.—

וַתִּקֹּ֣ד בַּת־שֶׁ֔בַע וַתִּשְׁתַּ֖חוּ לַמֶּ֑לֶךְ וַיֹּ֥אמֶר הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ מַה־לָּֽךְ׃ Bathsheba bowed low in homage to the king; and the king asked, “What troubles you?”

וַתֹּ֣אמֶר ל֗וֹ אֲדֹנִי֙ אַתָּ֨ה נִשְׁבַּ֜עְתָּ בַּיהֹוָ֤ה אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙ לַאֲמָתֶ֔ךָ כִּֽי־שְׁלֹמֹ֥ה בְנֵ֖ךְ יִמְלֹ֣ךְ אַחֲרָ֑י וְה֖וּא יֵשֵׁ֥ב עַל־כִּסְאִֽי׃ She answered him, “My lord, you yourself swore to your maidservant by the ETERNAL your God: ‘Your son Solomon shall succeed me as king, and he shall sit upon my throne.’

וְעַתָּ֕ה הִנֵּ֥ה אֲדֹנִיָּ֖ה מָלָ֑ךְ וְעַתָּ֛ה אֲדֹנִ֥י הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ לֹ֥א יָדָֽעְתָּ׃ Yet now Adonijah has become king, and you,^gyou So many mss. and ancient versions; usual editions “now.” my lord the king, know nothing about it.

וַ֠יִּזְבַּ֠ח שׁ֥וֹר וּֽמְרִיא־וְצֹאן֮ לָרֹב֒ {פ}
וַיִּקְרָא֙ לְכׇל־בְּנֵ֣י הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ וּלְאֶבְיָתָר֙ הַכֹּהֵ֔ן וּלְיֹאָ֖ב שַׂ֣ר הַצָּבָ֑א וְלִשְׁלֹמֹ֥ה עַבְדְּךָ֖ לֹ֥א קָרָֽא׃ He has prepared a sacrificial feast of a great many oxen, fatlings, and sheep, and he has invited all the king’s sons and Abiathar the priest and Joab commander of the army; but he has not invited your servant Solomon.

וְאַתָּה֙ אֲדֹנִ֣י הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ עֵינֵ֥י כׇל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל עָלֶ֑יךָ לְהַגִּ֣יד לָהֶ֔ם מִ֗י יֵשֵׁ֛ב עַל־כִּסֵּ֥א אֲדֹנִֽי־הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ אַחֲרָֽיו׃ And so the eyes of all Israel are upon you, O lord king, to tell them who shall succeed my lord the king on the throne.

וְהָיָ֕ה כִּשְׁכַ֥ב אֲדֹנִֽי־הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ עִם־אֲבֹתָ֑יו וְהָיִ֗יתִי אֲנִ֛י וּבְנִ֥י שְׁלֹמֹ֖ה חַטָּאִֽים׃ Otherwise, when my lord the king rests with his ancestors, my son Solomon and I will be regarded as traitors.”

וְהִנֵּ֛ה עוֹדֶ֥נָּה מְדַבֶּ֖רֶת עִם־הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ וְנָתָ֥ן הַנָּבִ֖יא בָּֽא׃ She was still talking to the king when the prophet Nathan arrived.

וַיַּגִּ֤ידוּ לַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר הִנֵּ֖ה נָתָ֣ן הַנָּבִ֑יא וַיָּבֹא֙ לִפְנֵ֣י הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ וַיִּשְׁתַּ֧חוּ לַמֶּ֛לֶךְ עַל־אַפָּ֖יו אָֽרְצָה׃ They announced to the king, “The prophet Nathan is here,” and he entered the king’s presence. Bowing low to the king with his face to the ground,

וַיֹּ֘אמֶר֮ נָתָן֒ אֲדֹנִ֣י הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ אַתָּ֣ה אָמַ֔רְתָּ אֲדֹנִיָּ֖הוּ יִמְלֹ֣ךְ אַחֲרָ֑י וְה֖וּא יֵשֵׁ֥ב עַל־כִּסְאִֽי׃ Nathan said, “O lord king, you must have said,^hyou must have said Or (cf. Rashi, Ralbag, Radak) “have you said…?” ‘Adonijah shall succeed me as king and he shall sit upon my throne.’

כִּ֣י ׀ יָרַ֣ד הַיּ֗וֹם וַ֠יִּזְבַּ֠ח שׁ֥וֹר וּֽמְרִיא־וְצֹאן֮ לָרֹב֒ וַיִּקְרָא֩ לְכׇל־בְּנֵ֨י הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ וּלְשָׂרֵ֤י הַצָּבָא֙ וּלְאֶבְיָתָ֣ר הַכֹּהֵ֔ן וְהִנָּ֛ם אֹכְלִ֥ים וְשֹׁתִ֖ים לְפָנָ֑יו וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ יְחִ֖י הַמֶּ֥לֶךְ אֲדֹנִיָּֽהוּ׃ For he has gone down today and prepared a sacrificial feast of a great many oxen, fatlings, and sheep. He invited all the king’s sons and the army officers and Abiathar the priest. At this very moment they are eating and drinking with him, and they are shouting, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’

וְלִ֣י אֲנִֽי־עַ֠בְדֶּ֠ךָ וּלְצָדֹ֨ק הַכֹּהֵ֜ן וְלִבְנָיָ֧הוּ בֶן־יְהוֹיָדָ֛ע וְלִשְׁלֹמֹ֥ה עַבְדְּךָ֖ לֹ֥א קָרָֽא׃ But he did not invite me your servant, or the priest Zadok, or Benaiah son of Jehoiada, or your servant Solomon.

אִ֗ם מֵאֵת֙ אֲדֹנִ֣י הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ נִֽהְיָ֖ה הַדָּבָ֣ר הַזֶּ֑ה וְלֹ֤א הוֹדַ֙עְתָּ֙ אֶֽת־[עַבְדְּךָ֔] (עבדיך) מִ֗י יֵשֵׁ֛ב עַל־כִּסֵּ֥א אֲדֹנִֽי־הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ אַחֲרָֽיו׃ {ס}         Can this decision have come from my lord the king, without your telling your servant who is to succeed to the throne of my lord the king?”

וַיַּ֨עַן הַמֶּ֤לֶךְ דָּוִד֙ וַיֹּ֔אמֶר קִרְאוּ־לִ֖י לְבַת־שָׁ֑בַע וַתָּבֹא֙ לִפְנֵ֣י הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ וַֽתַּעֲמֹ֖ד לִפְנֵ֥י הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ King David’s response was: “Summon Bathsheba!” She entered the king’s presence and stood before the king.

וַיִּשָּׁבַ֥ע הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ וַיֹּאמַ֑ר חַי־יְהֹוָ֕ה אֲשֶׁר־פָּדָ֥ה אֶת־נַפְשִׁ֖י מִכׇּל־צָרָֽה׃ And the king took an oath, saying, “As GOD lives, who has rescued me from every trouble:

כִּ֡י כַּאֲשֶׁר֩ נִשְׁבַּ֨עְתִּי לָ֜ךְ בַּיהֹוָ֨ה אֱלֹהֵ֤י יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר כִּֽי־שְׁלֹמֹ֤ה בְנֵךְ֙ יִמְלֹ֣ךְ אַחֲרַ֔י וְה֛וּא יֵשֵׁ֥ב עַל־כִּסְאִ֖י תַּחְתָּ֑י כִּ֛י כֵּ֥ן אֶעֱשֶׂ֖ה הַיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה׃ The oath I swore to you by the ETERNAL, the God of Israel, that your son Solomon should succeed me as king and that he should sit upon my throne in my stead, I will fulfill this very day!”

וַתִּקֹּ֨ד בַּת־שֶׁ֤בַע אַפַּ֙יִם֙ אֶ֔רֶץ וַתִּשְׁתַּ֖חוּ לַמֶּ֑לֶךְ וַתֹּ֕אמֶר יְחִ֗י אֲדֹנִ֛י הַמֶּ֥לֶךְ דָּוִ֖ד לְעֹלָֽם׃ {פ}
Bathsheba bowed low in homage to the king with her face to the ground, and she said, “May my lord King David live forever!”

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר ׀ הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ דָּוִ֗ד קִרְאוּ־לִ֞י לְצָד֤וֹק הַכֹּהֵן֙ וּלְנָתָ֣ן הַנָּבִ֔יא וְלִבְנָיָ֖הוּ בֶּן־יְהוֹיָדָ֑ע וַיָּבֹ֖אוּ לִפְנֵ֥י הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ Then King David said, “Summon to me the priest Zadok, the prophet Nathan, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada.” When they came before the king,

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ לָהֶ֗ם קְח֤וּ עִמָּכֶם֙ אֶת־עַבְדֵ֣י אֲדֹנֵיכֶ֔ם וְהִרְכַּבְתֶּם֙ אֶת־שְׁלֹמֹ֣ה בְנִ֔י עַל־הַפִּרְדָּ֖ה אֲשֶׁר־לִ֑י וְהוֹרַדְתֶּ֥ם אֹת֖וֹ אֶל־גִּחֽוֹן׃ the king said to them, “Take my loyal soldiers,ⁱmy loyal soldiers Lit. “your lord’s men.” and have my son Solomon ride on my mule and bring him down to Gihon.

וּמָשַׁ֣ח אֹת֣וֹ שָׁ֠ם צָד֨וֹק הַכֹּהֵ֜ן וְנָתָ֧ן הַנָּבִ֛יא לְמֶ֖לֶךְ עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וּתְקַעְתֶּם֙ בַּשּׁוֹפָ֔ר וַאֲמַרְתֶּ֕ם יְחִ֖י הַמֶּ֥לֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹֽה׃ Let the priest Zadok and the prophet Nathan anoint him there king over Israel, whereupon you shall sound the horn and shout, ‘Long live King Solomon!’

וַעֲלִיתֶ֣ם אַחֲרָ֗יו וּבָא֙ וְיָשַׁ֣ב עַל־כִּסְאִ֔י וְה֥וּא יִמְלֹ֖ךְ תַּחְתָּ֑י וְאֹת֤וֹ צִוִּ֙יתִי֙ לִֽהְי֣וֹת נָגִ֔יד עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל וְעַל־יְהוּדָֽה׃ Then march up after him, and let him come in and sit on my throne. For he shall succeed me as king; him I designate to be ruler of Israel and Judah.”

וַיַּ֨עַן בְּנָיָ֧הוּ בֶן־יְהוֹיָדָ֛ע אֶת־הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ וַיֹּ֣אמֶר ׀ אָמֵ֑ן כֵּ֚ן יֹאמַ֣ר יְהֹוָ֔ה אֱלֹהֵ֖י אֲדֹנִ֥י הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ Benaiah son of Jehoiada spoke up and said to the king, “Amen! And may the ETERNAL, the God of my lord the king, so ordain.

כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר הָיָ֤ה יְהֹוָה֙ עִם־אֲדֹנִ֣י הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ כֵּ֖ן (יהי) [יִהְיֶ֣ה] עִם־שְׁלֹמֹ֑ה וִֽיגַדֵּל֙ אֶת־כִּסְא֔וֹ מִ֨כִּסֵּ֔א אֲדֹנִ֖י הַמֶּ֥לֶךְ דָּוִֽד׃ As GOD was with my lord the king, so may it be with Solomon; and may his throne be exalted even higher than the throne of my lord King David.”

וַיֵּ֣רֶד צָד֣וֹק הַ֠כֹּהֵ֠ן וְנָתָ֨ן הַנָּבִ֜יא וּבְנָיָ֣הוּ בֶן־יְהוֹיָדָ֗ע וְהַכְּרֵתִי֙ וְהַפְּלֵתִ֔י וַיַּרְכִּ֙בוּ֙ אֶת־שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה עַל־פִּרְדַּ֖ת הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ דָּוִ֑ד וַיֹּלִ֥כוּ אֹת֖וֹ עַל־גִּחֽוֹן׃ Then the priest Zadok, and the prophet Nathan, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada went down with the Cherethites and the Pelethites. They had Solomon ride on King David’s mule and they led him to Gihon.

וַיִּקַּח֩ צָד֨וֹק הַכֹּהֵ֜ן אֶת־קֶ֤רֶן הַשֶּׁ֙מֶן֙ מִן־הָאֹ֔הֶל וַיִּמְשַׁ֖ח אֶת־שְׁלֹמֹ֑ה וַֽיִּתְקְעוּ֙ בַּשּׁוֹפָ֔ר וַיֹּֽאמְרוּ֙ כׇּל־הָעָ֔ם יְחִ֖י הַמֶּ֥לֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹֽה׃ The priest Zadok took the horn of oil from the Tent and anointed Solomon. They sounded the horn and all the people shouted, “Long live King Solomon!”

וַיַּעֲל֤וּ כׇל־הָעָם֙ אַחֲרָ֔יו וְהָעָם֙ מְחַלְּלִ֣ים בַּחֲלִלִ֔ים וּשְׂמֵחִ֖ים שִׂמְחָ֣ה גְדוֹלָ֑ה וַתִּבָּקַ֥ע הָאָ֖רֶץ בְּקוֹלָֽם׃ All the people then marched up behind him, playing on flutes and making merry till the earth was split open by the uproar.

וַיִּשְׁמַ֣ע אֲדֹנִיָּ֗הוּ וְכׇל־הַקְּרֻאִים֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אִתּ֔וֹ וְהֵ֖ם כִּלּ֣וּ לֶאֱכֹ֑ל וַיִּשְׁמַ֤ע יוֹאָב֙ אֶת־ק֣וֹל הַשּׁוֹפָ֔ר וַיֹּ֕אמֶר מַדּ֥וּעַ קֽוֹל־הַקִּרְיָ֖ה הוֹמָֽה׃ Adonijah and all the guests who were with him, who had just finished eating, heard it. When Joab heard the sound of the horn, he said, “Why is the city in such an uproar?”

עוֹדֶ֣נּוּ מְדַבֵּ֔ר וְהִנֵּ֧ה יוֹנָתָ֛ן בֶּן־אֶבְיָתָ֥ר הַכֹּהֵ֖ן בָּ֑א וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֲדֹנִיָּ֙הוּ֙ בֹּ֔א כִּ֣י אִ֥ישׁ חַ֛יִל אַ֖תָּה וְט֥וֹב תְּבַשֵּֽׂר׃ He was still speaking when the priest Jonathan son of Abiathar arrived. “Come in,” said Adonijah. “You are a worthy man, and you surely bring good news.”

וַיַּ֙עַן֙ יֽוֹנָתָ֔ן וַיֹּ֖אמֶר לַאֲדֹנִיָּ֑הוּ אֲבָ֕ל אֲדֹנֵ֥ינוּ הַמֶּֽלֶךְ־דָּוִ֖ד הִמְלִ֥יךְ אֶת־שְׁלֹמֹֽה׃ But Jonathan replied to Adonijah, “Alas, our lord King David has made Solomon king!

וַיִּשְׁלַ֣ח אִתּֽוֹ־הַ֠מֶּ֠לֶךְ אֶת־צָד֨וֹק הַכֹּהֵ֜ן וְאֶת־נָתָ֣ן הַנָּבִ֗יא וּבְנָיָ֙הוּ֙ בֶּן־יְה֣וֹיָדָ֔ע וְהַכְּרֵתִ֖י וְהַפְּלֵתִ֑י וַיַּרְכִּ֣בוּ אֹת֔וֹ עַ֖ל פִּרְדַּ֥ת הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ The king sent with him the priest Zadok and the prophet Nathan and Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites and Pelethites. They had him ride on the king’s mule,

וַיִּמְשְׁח֣וּ אֹת֡וֹ צָד֣וֹק הַכֹּהֵ֣ן וְנָתָן֩ הַנָּבִ֨יא ׀ לְמֶ֜לֶךְ בְּגִח֗וֹן וַיַּעֲל֤וּ מִשָּׁם֙ שְׂמֵחִ֔ים וַתֵּהֹ֖ם הַקִּרְיָ֑ה ה֥וּא הַקּ֖וֹל אֲשֶׁ֥ר שְׁמַעְתֶּֽם׃ and the priest Zadok and the prophet Nathan anointed him king at Gihon. Then they came up from there making merry, and the city went into an uproar. That’s the noise you heard.

וְגַם֙ יָשַׁ֣ב שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה עַ֖ל כִּסֵּ֥א הַמְּלוּכָֽה׃ Further, Solomon seated himself on the royal throne;

וְגַם־בָּ֜אוּ עַבְדֵ֣י הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ לְ֠בָרֵ֠ךְ אֶת־אֲדֹנֵ֜ינוּ הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ דָּוִד֮ לֵאמֹר֒ יֵיטֵ֨ב (אלהיך) [אֱלֹהִ֜ים] אֶת־שֵׁ֤ם שְׁלֹמֹה֙ מִשְּׁמֶ֔ךָ וִיגַדֵּ֥ל אֶת־כִּסְא֖וֹ מִכִּסְאֶ֑ךָ וַיִּשְׁתַּ֥חוּ הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ עַל־הַמִּשְׁכָּֽב׃ further, the king’s courtiers came to congratulate our lord King David, saying, ‘May God make the renown of Solomon even greater than yours, and may his throne be exalted even higher than yours!’ And the king bowed low on his couch.

וְגַם־כָּ֖כָה אָמַ֣ר הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ בָּר֨וּךְ יְהֹוָ֜ה אֱלֹהֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל אֲשֶׁ֨ר נָתַ֥ן הַיּ֛וֹם יֹשֵׁ֥ב עַל־כִּסְאִ֖י וְעֵינַ֥י רֹאֽוֹת׃ And further, this is what the king said, ‘Praised be the ETERNAL, the God of Israel who has this day provided a successor to my throne, while my own eyes can see it.’”

וַיֶּֽחֶרְדוּ֙ וַיָּקֻ֔מוּ כׇּ֨ל־הַקְּרֻאִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֖ר לַאֲדֹנִיָּ֑הוּ וַיֵּלְכ֖וּ אִ֥ישׁ לְדַרְכּֽוֹ׃ Thereupon, all of Adonijah’s guests rose in alarm and went off in every direction.

וַאֲדֹ֣נִיָּ֔הוּ יָרֵ֖א מִפְּנֵ֣י שְׁלֹמֹ֑ה וַיָּ֣קׇם וַיֵּ֔לֶךְ וַֽיַּחֲזֵ֖ק בְּקַרְנ֥וֹת הַמִּזְבֵּֽחַ׃ Adonijah, in fear of Solomon, went at once [to the Tent] and grasped the horns of the altar.

וַיֻּגַּ֤ד לִשְׁלֹמֹה֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר הִנֵּה֙ אֲדֹ֣נִיָּ֔הוּ יָרֵ֖א אֶת־הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹ֑ה וְ֠הִנֵּ֠ה אָחַ֞ז בְּקַרְנ֤וֹת הַמִּזְבֵּ֙חַ֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר יִשָּׁבַֽע־לִ֤י כַיּוֹם֙ הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה אִם־יָמִ֥ית אֶת־עַבְדּ֖וֹ בֶּחָֽרֶב׃ It was reported to Solomon: “Adonijah is in fear of King Solomon and has grasped the horns of the altar, saying, ‘Let King Solomon first swear to me that he will not put his servant to the sword.’”

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה אִ֚ם יִהְיֶ֣ה לְבֶן־חַ֔יִל לֹא־יִפֹּ֥ל מִשַּׂעֲרָת֖וֹ אָ֑רְצָה וְאִם־רָעָ֥ה תִמָּֽצֵא־ב֖וֹ וָמֵֽת׃ Solomon said, “If he behaves worthily, not a hair of his head shall fall to the ground; but if he is caught in any offense, he shall die.”

וַיִּשְׁלַ֞ח הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹ֗ה וַיּֽוֹרִדֻ֙הוּ֙ מֵעַ֣ל הַמִּזְבֵּ֔חַ וַיָּבֹ֕א וַיִּשְׁתַּ֖חוּ לַמֶּ֣לֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹ֑ה וַיֹּאמֶר־ל֥וֹ שְׁלֹמֹ֖ה לֵ֥ךְ לְבֵיתֶֽךָ׃ {פ}
So King Solomon sent and had him taken down from the altar. He came and bowed before King Solomon, and Solomon said to him, “Go home.”

וַיִּקְרְב֥וּ יְמֵֽי־דָוִ֖ד לָמ֑וּת וַיְצַ֛ו אֶת־שְׁלֹמֹ֥ה בְנ֖וֹ לֵאמֹֽר׃ When David’s life was drawing to a close, he instructed his son Solomon as follows:

אָנֹכִ֣י הֹלֵ֔ךְ בְּדֶ֖רֶךְ כׇּל־הָאָ֑רֶץ וְחָזַקְתָּ֖ וְהָיִ֥יתָֽ לְאִֽישׁ׃ “I am going the way of all the earth; be strong and show yourself a man.^aand show yourself a man Or “so that you become [my] successor”; cf. v. 4.

וְשָׁמַרְתָּ֞ אֶת־מִשְׁמֶ֣רֶת ׀ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֗יךָ לָלֶ֤כֶת בִּדְרָכָיו֙ לִשְׁמֹ֨ר חֻקֹּתָ֤יו מִצְוֺתָיו֙ וּמִשְׁפָּטָ֣יו וְעֵדְוֺתָ֔יו כַּכָּת֖וּב בְּתוֹרַ֣ת מֹשֶׁ֑ה לְמַ֣עַן תַּשְׂכִּ֗יל אֵ֚ת כׇּל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר תַּעֲשֶׂ֔ה וְאֵ֛ת כׇּל־אֲשֶׁ֥ר תִּפְנֶ֖ה שָֽׁם׃ Keep the charge of the ETERNAL your God, walking in God’s ways and following God’s laws, commandments, rules, and admonitions as recorded in the Teaching of Moses, in order that you may succeed in whatever you undertake and wherever you turn.

לְמַ֩עַן֩ יָקִ֨ים יְהֹוָ֜ה אֶת־דְּבָר֗וֹ אֲשֶׁ֨ר דִּבֶּ֣ר עָלַי֮ לֵאמֹר֒ אִם־יִשְׁמְר֨וּ בָנֶ֜יךָ אֶת־דַּרְכָּ֗ם לָלֶ֤כֶת לְפָנַי֙ בֶּאֱמֶ֔ת בְּכׇל־לְבָבָ֖ם וּבְכׇל־נַפְשָׁ֑ם לֵאמֹ֕ר לֹֽא־יִכָּרֵ֤ת לְךָ֙ אִ֔ישׁ מֵעַ֖ל כִּסֵּ֥א יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ Then GOD will fulfill the promise that was made concerning me: ‘If your descendants are scrupulous in their conduct, and walk before Me faithfully, with all their heart and soul, your line on the throne of Israel shall never end!’^byour line on the throne…shall never end Lit. “there shall never cease to be a man of yours on the throne,” i.e., ruling on your behalf. Cf. 2 Sam. 7.12–16.

וְגַ֣ם אַתָּ֣ה יָדַ֡עְתָּ אֵת֩ אֲשֶׁר־עָ֨שָׂה לִ֜י יוֹאָ֣ב בֶּן־צְרוּיָ֗ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשָׂ֣ה לִשְׁנֵֽי־שָׂרֵ֣י צִבְא֣וֹת יִ֠שְׂרָאֵ֠ל לְאַבְנֵ֨ר בֶּן־נֵ֜ר וְלַעֲמָשָׂ֤א בֶן־יֶ֙תֶר֙ וַיַּ֣הַרְגֵ֔ם וַיָּ֥שֶׂם דְּמֵֽי־מִלְחָמָ֖ה בְּשָׁלֹ֑ם וַיִּתֵּ֞ן דְּמֵ֣י מִלְחָמָ֗ה בַּחֲגֹֽרָתוֹ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בְּמׇתְנָ֔יו וּֽבְנַעֲל֖וֹ אֲשֶׁ֥ר בְּרַגְלָֽיו׃ “Further, you know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me, what he did to the two commanders of Israel’s forces, Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether: he killed them, shedding^cshedding Meaning of Heb. uncertain. blood of war in peacetime, staining the girdle of his loins and the sandals on his feet with blood of war.^dstaining … with blood of war I.e., Joab had thus brought bloodguilt on David’s house; see 2 Sam. 3.27; 20.10.

וְעָשִׂ֖יתָ כְּחׇכְמָתֶ֑ךָ וְלֹֽא־תוֹרֵ֧ד שֵׂיבָת֛וֹ בְּשָׁלֹ֖ם שְׁאֹֽל׃ So act in accordance with your wisdom, and see that his white hair does not go down to Sheol in peace.

וְלִבְנֵ֨י בַרְזִלַּ֤י הַגִּלְעָדִי֙ תַּֽעֲשֶׂה־חֶ֔סֶד וְהָי֖וּ בְּאֹכְלֵ֣י שֻׁלְחָנֶ֑ךָ כִּי־כֵן֙ קָרְב֣וּ אֵלַ֔י בְּבׇרְחִ֕י מִפְּנֵ֖י אַבְשָׁל֥וֹם אָחִֽיךָ׃ “But deal graciously with the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, for they befriended me when I fled from your brother Absalom; let them be among those that eat at your table.^ethat eat at your table I.e., for whose maintenance you provide; see 2 Sam. 19.32ff.

וְהִנֵּ֣ה עִ֠מְּךָ֠ שִֽׁמְעִ֨י בֶן־גֵּרָ֥א בֶן־הַיְמִינִי֮ מִבַּחֻרִים֒ וְה֤וּא קִֽלְלַ֙נִי֙ קְלָלָ֣ה נִמְרֶ֔צֶת בְּי֖וֹם לֶכְתִּ֣י מַחֲנָ֑יִם וְהֽוּא־יָרַ֤ד לִקְרָאתִי֙ הַיַּרְדֵּ֔ן וָאֶשָּׁ֨בַֽע ל֤וֹ בַֽיהֹוָה֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר אִם־אֲמִֽיתְךָ֖ בֶּחָֽרֶב׃ “You must also deal with Shimei son of Gera, the Benjaminite from Bahurim. He insulted me outrageously when I was on my way to Mahanaim; but he came down to meet me at the Jordan,^fhe came down to meet me at the Jordan See 2 Sam. 16.5ff.; 19.17ff. and I swore to him by GOD: ‘I will not put you to the sword.’

וְעַתָּה֙ אַל־תְּנַקֵּ֔הוּ כִּ֛י אִ֥ישׁ חָכָ֖ם אָ֑תָּה וְיָֽדַעְתָּ֙ אֵ֣ת אֲשֶׁ֣ר תַּֽעֲשֶׂה־לּ֔וֹ וְהֽוֹרַדְתָּ֧ אֶת־שֵׂיבָת֛וֹ בְּדָ֖ם שְׁאֽוֹל׃ So do not let him go unpunished; for you are a shrewd man and you will know how to deal with him and send his gray hair down to Sheol in blood.”

וַיִּשְׁכַּ֥ב דָּוִ֖ד עִם־אֲבֹתָ֑יו וַיִּקָּבֵ֖ר בְּעִ֥יר דָּוִֽד׃ {פ}
So David rested with his ancestors, and he was buried in the City of David.

וְהַיָּמִ֗ים אֲשֶׁ֨ר מָלַ֤ךְ דָּוִד֙ עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אַרְבָּעִ֖ים שָׁנָ֑ה בְּחֶבְר֤וֹן מָלַךְ֙ שֶׁ֣בַע שָׁנִ֔ים וּבִירֽוּשָׁלַ֣͏ִם מָלַ֔ךְ שְׁלֹשִׁ֥ים וְשָׁלֹ֖שׁ שָׁנִֽים׃ The length of David’s reign over Israel was forty years: he reigned seven years in Hebron, and he reigned thirty-three years in Jerusalem.

וּשְׁלֹמֹ֕ה יָשַׁ֕ב עַל־כִּסֵּ֖א דָּוִ֣ד אָבִ֑יו וַתִּכֹּ֥ן מַלְכֻת֖וֹ מְאֹֽד׃ {ס}         And Solomon sat upon the throne of his father David, and his rule was firmly established.

וַיָּבֹ֞א אֲדֹנִיָּ֣הוּ בֶן־חַגִּ֗ית אֶל־בַּת־שֶׁ֙בַע֙ אֵם־שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה וַתֹּ֖אמֶר הֲשָׁל֣וֹם בֹּאֶ֑ךָ וַיֹּ֖אמֶר שָׁלֽוֹם׃ Adonijah son of Haggith came to see Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother. She said, “Do you come with friendly intent?” “Yes,” he replied;

וַיֹּ֕אמֶר דָּבָ֥ר לִ֖י אֵלָ֑יִךְ וַתֹּ֖אמֶר דַּבֵּֽר׃ and he continued, “I would like to have a word with you.” “Speak up,” she said.

וַיֹּ֗אמֶר אַ֤תְּ יָדַ֙עַתְּ֙ כִּי־לִי֙ הָיְתָ֣ה הַמְּלוּכָ֔ה וְעָלַ֞י שָׂ֧מוּ כׇֽל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל פְּנֵיהֶ֖ם לִמְלֹ֑ךְ וַתִּסֹּ֤ב הַמְּלוּכָה֙ וַתְּהִ֣י לְאָחִ֔י כִּ֥י מֵיְהֹוָ֖ה הָ֥יְתָה לּֽוֹ׃ Then he said, “You know that the kingship was rightly mine and that all Israel wanted me to reign. But the kingship passed on to my brother; it came to him by GOD’s will.

וְעַתָּ֗ה שְׁאֵלָ֤ה אַחַת֙ אָֽנֹכִי֙ שֹׁאֵ֣ל מֵֽאִתָּ֔ךְ אַל־תָּשִׁ֖בִי אֶת־פָּנָ֑י וַתֹּ֥אמֶר אֵלָ֖יו דַּבֵּֽר׃ And now I have one request to make of you; do not refuse me.” She said, “Speak up.”

וַיֹּ֗אמֶר אִמְרִי־נָא֙ לִשְׁלֹמֹ֣ה הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ כִּ֥י לֹֽא־יָשִׁ֖יב אֶת־פָּנָ֑יִךְ וְיִתֶּן־לִ֛י אֶת־אֲבִישַׁ֥ג הַשּׁוּנַמִּ֖ית לְאִשָּֽׁה׃ He replied, “Please ask King Solomon—for he won’t refuse you—to give me Abishag the Shunammite as wife.”

וַתֹּ֥אמֶר בַּת־שֶׁ֖בַע ט֑וֹב אָנֹכִ֕י אֲדַבֵּ֥ר עָלֶ֖יךָ אֶל־הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ “Very well,” said Bathsheba, “I will speak to the king in your behalf.”

וַתָּבֹ֤א בַת־שֶׁ֙בַע֙ אֶל־הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה לְדַבֶּר־ל֖וֹ עַל־אֲדֹנִיָּ֑הוּ וַיָּ֩קׇם֩ הַמֶּ֨לֶךְ לִקְרָאתָ֜הּ וַיִּשְׁתַּ֣חוּ לָ֗הּ וַיֵּ֙שֶׁב֙ עַל־כִּסְא֔וֹ וַיָּ֤שֶׂם כִּסֵּא֙ לְאֵ֣ם הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ וַתֵּ֖שֶׁב לִימִינֽוֹ׃ So Bathsheba went to King Solomon to speak to him about Adonijah. The king rose to greet her and bowed down to her. He sat on his throne; and he had a throne placed for the queen mother, and she sat on his right.

וַתֹּ֗אמֶר שְׁאֵלָ֨ה אַחַ֤ת קְטַנָּה֙ אָֽנֹכִי֙ שֹׁאֶ֣לֶת מֵֽאִתָּ֔ךְ אַל־תָּ֖שֶׁב אֶת־פָּנָ֑י וַיֹּֽאמֶר־לָ֤הּ הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ שַׁאֲלִ֣י אִמִּ֔י כִּ֥י לֹא־אָשִׁ֖יב אֶת־פָּנָֽיִךְ׃ She said, “I have one small request to make of you, do not refuse me.” He responded, “Ask, Mother; I shall not refuse you.”

וַתֹּ֕אמֶר יֻתַּ֖ן אֶת־אֲבִישַׁ֣ג הַשֻּׁנַמִּ֑ית לַאֲדֹנִיָּ֥הוּ אָחִ֖יךָ לְאִשָּֽׁה׃ Then she said, “Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to your brother Adonijah as wife.”

וַיַּ֩עַן֩ הַמֶּ֨לֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹ֜ה וַיֹּ֣אמֶר לְאִמּ֗וֹ וְלָמָה֩ אַ֨תְּ שֹׁאֶ֜לֶת אֶת־אֲבִישַׁ֤ג הַשֻּׁנַמִּית֙ לַאֲדֹ֣נִיָּ֔הוּ וְשַֽׁאֲלִי־לוֹ֙ אֶת־הַמְּלוּכָ֔ה כִּ֛י ה֥וּא אָחִ֖י הַגָּד֣וֹל מִמֶּ֑נִּי וְלוֹ֙ וּלְאֶבְיָתָ֣ר הַכֹּהֵ֔ן וּלְיוֹאָ֖ב בֶּן־צְרוּיָֽה׃ {פ}
The king replied to his mother, “Why request Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? Request the kingship for him! For he is my older brother, and the priest Abiathar and Joab son of Zeruiah are on his side.”^gand the priest Abiathar and Joab son of Zeruiah are on his side Lit. “And for him and for Abiathar and for Joab son of Zeruiah.” Meaning of Heb. uncertain.

וַיִּשָּׁבַע֙ הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה בַּיהֹוָ֖ה לֵאמֹ֑ר כֹּ֣ה יַֽעֲשֶׂה־לִּ֤י אֱלֹהִים֙ וְכֹ֣ה יוֹסִ֔יף כִּ֣י בְנַפְשׁ֔וֹ דִּבֶּר֙ אֲדֹ֣נִיָּ֔הוּ אֶת־הַדָּבָ֖ר הַזֶּֽה׃ Thereupon, King Solomon swore by GOD, saying, “So may God do to me and even more, if broaching this matter does not cost Adonijah his life!

וְעַתָּ֗ה חַי־יְהֹוָה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר הֱכִינַ֗נִי (ויושיביני) [וַיּֽוֹשִׁיבַ֙נִי֙] עַל־כִּסֵּא֙ דָּוִ֣ד אָבִ֔י וַאֲשֶׁ֧ר עָשָׂה־לִ֛י בַּ֖יִת כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר דִּבֵּ֑ר כִּ֣י הַיּ֔וֹם יוּמַ֖ת אֲדֹנִיָּֽהוּ׃ Now, as GOD lives, who has established me and set me on the throne of my father David and who has provided him^hhim Heb. “me.” with a house, as he promised, Adonijah shall be put to death this very day!”

וַיִּשְׁלַח֙ הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה בְּיַ֖ד בְּנָיָ֣הוּ בֶן־יְהוֹיָדָ֑ע וַיִּפְגַּע־בּ֖וֹ וַיָּמֹֽת׃ {ס}         And Solomon instructed Benaiah son of Jehoiada, who struck AdonijahⁱAdonijah Heb. “him.” down; and so he died.

וּלְאֶבְיָתָ֨ר הַכֹּהֵ֜ן אָמַ֣ר הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ עֲנָתֹת֙ לֵ֣ךְ עַל־שָׂדֶ֔יךָ כִּ֛י אִ֥ישׁ מָ֖וֶת אָ֑תָּה וּבַיּ֨וֹם הַזֶּ֜ה לֹ֣א אֲמִיתֶ֗ךָ כִּֽי־נָשָׂ֜אתָ אֶת־אֲר֨וֹן אֲדֹנָ֤י יֱהֹוִה֙ לִפְנֵי֙ דָּוִ֣ד אָבִ֔י וְכִ֣י הִתְעַנִּ֔יתָ בְּכֹ֥ל אֲשֶֽׁר־הִתְעַנָּ֖ה אָבִֽי׃ To the priest Abiathar, the king said, “Go to your estate at Anathoth! You deserve to die, but I shall not put you to death at this time, because you carried the Ark of my Sovereign GOD before my father David and because you shared all the hardships that my father endured.”

וַיְגָ֤רֶשׁ שְׁלֹמֹה֙ אֶת־אֶבְיָתָ֔ר מִֽהְי֥וֹת כֹּהֵ֖ן לַיהֹוָ֑ה לְמַלֵּא֙ אֶת־דְּבַ֣ר יְהֹוָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר דִּבֶּ֛ר עַל־בֵּ֥ית עֵלִ֖י בְּשִׁלֹֽה׃ {פ}
So Solomon dismissed Abiathar from his office of priest of GOD —thus fulfilling what GOD had spoken at Shiloh^jwhat GOD had spoken at Shiloh Cf. 1 Sam. 3.14. regarding the house of Eli.

וְהַשְּׁמֻעָה֙ בָּ֣אָה עַד־יוֹאָ֔ב כִּ֣י יוֹאָ֗ב נָטָה֙ אַחֲרֵ֣י אֲדֹנִיָּ֔ה וְאַחֲרֵ֥י אַבְשָׁל֖וֹם לֹ֣א נָטָ֑ה וַיָּ֤נׇס יוֹאָב֙ אֶל־אֹ֣הֶל יְהֹוָ֔ה וַֽיַּחֲזֵ֖ק בְּקַרְנ֥וֹת הַמִּזְבֵּֽחַ׃ When the news reached Joab, he fled to the Tent of GOD and grasped the horns of the altar—for Joab had sided with Adonijah, though he had not sided with Absalom.

וַיֻּגַּ֞ד לַמֶּ֣לֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹ֗ה כִּ֣י נָ֤ס יוֹאָב֙ אֶל־אֹ֣הֶל יְהֹוָ֔ה וְהִנֵּ֖ה אֵ֣צֶל הַמִּזְבֵּ֑חַ וַיִּשְׁלַ֨ח שְׁלֹמֹ֜ה אֶת־בְּנָיָ֧הוּ בֶן־יְהוֹיָדָ֛ע לֵאמֹ֖ר לֵ֥ךְ פְּגַע־בּֽוֹ׃ King Solomon was told that Joab had fled to the Tent of GOD and that he was there by the altar; so Solomon sent Benaiah son of Jehoiada, saying, “Go and strike him down.”

וַיָּבֹ֨א בְנָיָ֜הוּ אֶל־אֹ֣הֶל יְהֹוָ֗ה וַיֹּ֨אמֶר אֵלָ֜יו כֹּֽה־אָמַ֤ר הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ צֵ֔א וַיֹּ֥אמֶֽר ׀ לֹ֖א כִּ֣י פֹ֣ה אָמ֑וּת וַיָּ֨שֶׁב בְּנָיָ֤הוּ אֶת־הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ דָּבָ֣ר לֵאמֹ֔ר כֹּֽה־דִבֶּ֥ר יוֹאָ֖ב וְכֹ֥ה עָנָֽנִי׃ Benaiah went to the Tent of GOD and said to him, “Thus said the king: Come out!” “No!” he replied; “I will die here.” Benaiah reported back to the king that Joab had answered thus and thus,

וַיֹּ֧אמֶר ל֣וֹ הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ עֲשֵׂה֙ כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר דִּבֶּ֔ר וּפְגַע־בּ֖וֹ וּקְבַרְתּ֑וֹ וַהֲסִירֹ֣תָ ׀ דְּמֵ֣י חִנָּ֗ם אֲשֶׁר֙ שָׁפַ֣ךְ יוֹאָ֔ב מֵעָלַ֕י וּמֵעַ֖ל בֵּ֥ית אָבִֽי׃ and the king said, “Do just as he said; strike him down and bury him, and remove guilt from me and my father’s house for the blood of the innocent that Joab has shed.

וְהֵשִׁיב֩ יְהֹוָ֨ה אֶת־דָּמ֜וֹ עַל־רֹאשׁ֗וֹ אֲשֶׁ֣ר פָּגַ֣ע בִּשְׁנֵֽי־אֲ֠נָשִׁ֠ים צַדִּקִ֨ים וְטֹבִ֤ים מִמֶּ֙נּוּ֙ וַיַּהַרְגֵ֣ם בַּחֶ֔רֶב וְאָבִ֥י דָוִ֖ד לֹ֣א יָדָ֑ע אֶת־אַבְנֵ֤ר בֶּן־נֵר֙ שַׂר־צְבָ֣א יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וְאֶת־עֲמָשָׂ֥א בֶן־יֶ֖תֶר שַׂר־צְבָ֥א יְהוּדָֽה׃ Thus GOD will bring his blood guilt down upon his own head, because, unbeknown to my father, he struck down with the sword two men more righteous and honorable than he—Abner son of Ner, the army commander of Israel, and Amasa son of Jether, the army commander of Judah.

וְשָׁ֤בוּ דְמֵיהֶם֙ בְּרֹ֣אשׁ יוֹאָ֔ב וּבְרֹ֥אשׁ זַרְע֖וֹ לְעֹלָ֑ם וּלְדָוִ֡ד וּ֠לְזַרְע֠וֹ וּלְבֵית֨וֹ וּלְכִסְא֜וֹ יִהְיֶ֥ה שָׁל֛וֹם עַד־עוֹלָ֖ם מֵעִ֥ם יְהֹוָֽה׃ May the guilt for their blood come down upon the head of Joab and his descendants forever, and may good fortune from GOD be granted forever to David and his descendants, his house and his throne.”

וַיַּ֗עַל בְּנָיָ֙הוּ֙ בֶּן־יְה֣וֹיָדָ֔ע וַיִּפְגַּע־בּ֖וֹ וַיְמִתֵ֑הוּ וַיִּקָּבֵ֥ר בְּבֵית֖וֹ בַּמִּדְבָּֽר׃ So Benaiah son of Jehoiada went up and struck him down. And he was buried at his home in the wilderness.

וַיִּתֵּ֨ן הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ אֶת־בְּנָיָ֧הוּ בֶן־יְהוֹיָדָ֛ע תַּחְתָּ֖יו עַל־הַצָּבָ֑א וְאֶת־צָד֤וֹק הַכֹּהֵן֙ נָתַ֣ן הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ תַּ֖חַת אֶבְיָתָֽר׃ In his place, the king appointed Benaiah son of Jehoiada over the army, and in place of Abiathar, the king appointed the priest Zadok.

וַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ וַיִּקְרָ֣א לְשִׁמְעִ֔י וַיֹּ֣אמֶר ל֗וֹ בְּֽנֵה־לְךָ֥ בַ֙יִת֙ בִּיר֣וּשָׁלַ֔͏ִם וְיָשַׁבְתָּ֖ שָׁ֑ם וְלֹא־תֵצֵ֥א מִשָּׁ֖ם אָ֥נֶה וָאָֽנָה׃ Then the king summoned Shimei and said to him, “Build yourself a house in Jerusalem and stay there—do not ever go out from there anywhere else.

וְהָיָ֣ה ׀ בְּי֣וֹם צֵאתְךָ֗ וְעָֽבַרְתָּ֙ אֶת־נַ֣חַל קִדְר֔וֹן יָדֹ֥עַ תֵּדַ֖ע כִּ֣י מ֣וֹת תָּמ֑וּת דָּמְךָ֖ יִהְיֶ֥ה בְרֹאשֶֽׁךָ׃ On the very day that you go out and cross the Wadi Kidron, you can be sure that you will die; your blood shall be on your own head.”

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר שִׁמְעִ֤י לַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ ט֣וֹב הַדָּבָ֔ר כַּאֲשֶׁ֤ר דִּבֶּר֙ אֲדֹנִ֣י הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ כֵּ֖ן יַעֲשֶׂ֣ה עַבְדֶּ֑ךָ וַיֵּ֧שֶׁב שִׁמְעִ֛י בִּירוּשָׁלַ֖͏ִם יָמִ֥ים רַבִּֽים׃ {ס}         “That is fair,” said Shimei to the king, “your servant will do just as my lord the king has spoken.” And for a long time, Shimei remained in Jerusalem.

וַיְהִ֗י מִקֵּץ֙ שָׁלֹ֣שׁ שָׁנִ֔ים וַיִּבְרְח֤וּ שְׁנֵֽי־עֲבָדִים֙ לְשִׁמְעִ֔י אֶל־אָכִ֥ישׁ בֶּֽן־מַעֲכָ֖ה מֶ֣לֶךְ גַּ֑ת וַיַּגִּ֤ידוּ לְשִׁמְעִי֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר הִנֵּ֥ה עֲבָדֶ֖יךָ בְּגַֽת׃ Three years later, two slaves of Shimei ran away to King Achish son of Maacah of Gath. Shimei was told, “Your slaves are in Gath.”

וַיָּ֣קׇם שִׁמְעִ֗י וַֽיַּחֲבֹשׁ֙ אֶת־חֲמֹר֔וֹ וַיֵּ֤לֶךְ גַּ֙תָה֙ אֶל־אָכִ֔ישׁ לְבַקֵּ֖שׁ אֶת־עֲבָדָ֑יו וַיֵּ֣לֶךְ שִׁמְעִ֔י וַיָּבֵ֥א אֶת־עֲבָדָ֖יו מִגַּֽת׃ {ס}         Shimei thereupon saddled his donkey and went to Achish in Gath to claim his slaves; and Shimei returned from Gath with his slaves.

וַיֻּגַּ֖ד לִשְׁלֹמֹ֑ה כִּי־הָלַ֨ךְ שִׁמְעִ֧י מִירוּשָׁלַ֛͏ִם גַּ֖ת וַיָּשֹֽׁב׃ Solomon was told that Shimei had gone from Jerusalem to Gath and back,

וַיִּשְׁלַ֨ח הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ וַיִּקְרָ֣א לְשִׁמְעִ֗י וַיֹּ֨אמֶר אֵלָ֜יו הֲל֧וֹא הִשְׁבַּעְתִּ֣יךָ בַיהֹוָ֗ה וָאָעִ֤ד בְּךָ֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר בְּי֣וֹם צֵאתְךָ֗ וְהָֽלַכְתָּ֙ אָ֣נֶה וָאָ֔נָה יָדֹ֥עַ תֵּדַ֖ע כִּ֣י מ֣וֹת תָּמ֑וּת וַתֹּ֧אמֶר אֵלַ֛י ט֥וֹב הַדָּבָ֖ר שָׁמָֽעְתִּי׃ and the king summoned Shimei and said to him, “Did I not adjure you by GOD and warn you, ‘On the very day that you leave and go anywhere else, you can be sure that you will die,’ and did you not say to me, ‘It is fair; I accept’?

וּמַדּ֕וּעַ לֹ֣א שָׁמַ֔רְתָּ אֵ֖ת שְׁבֻעַ֣ת יְהֹוָ֑ה וְאֶת־הַמִּצְוָ֖ה אֲשֶׁר־צִוִּ֥יתִי עָלֶֽיךָ׃ Why did you not abide by the oath before GOD and by the orders that I gave you?”

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ אֶל־שִׁמְעִ֗י אַתָּ֤ה יָדַ֙עְתָּ֙ אֵ֣ת כׇּל־הָרָעָ֗ה אֲשֶׁ֤ר יָדַע֙ לְבָ֣בְךָ֔ אֲשֶׁ֥ר עָשִׂ֖יתָ לְדָוִ֣ד אָבִ֑י וְהֵשִׁ֧יב יְהֹוָ֛ה אֶת־רָעָתְךָ֖ בְּרֹאשֶֽׁךָ׃ The king said further to Shimei, “You know all the wrong, which you remember very well, that you did to my father David. Now GOD brings down your wrongdoing upon your own head.

וְהַמֶּ֥לֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹ֖ה בָּר֑וּךְ וְכִסֵּ֣א דָוִ֗ד יִהְיֶ֥ה נָכ֛וֹן לִפְנֵ֥י יְהֹוָ֖ה עַד־עוֹלָֽם׃ But King Solomon shall be blessed, and the throne of David shall be established before GOD forever.”

וַיְצַ֣ו הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ אֶת־בְּנָיָ֙הוּ֙ בֶּן־יְה֣וֹיָדָ֔ע וַיֵּצֵ֕א וַיִּפְגַּע־בּ֖וֹ וַיָּמֹ֑ת וְהַמַּמְלָכָ֥ה נָכ֖וֹנָה בְּיַד־שְׁלֹמֹֽה׃ The king gave orders to Benaiah son of Jehoiada and he went out and struck Shimei^kShimei Heb. “him.” down; and so he died.
Thus the kingdom was secured in Solomon’s hands.

וַיִּתְחַתֵּ֣ן שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה אֶת־פַּרְעֹ֖ה מֶ֣לֶךְ מִצְרָ֑יִם וַיִּקַּ֣ח אֶת־בַּת־פַּרְעֹ֗ה וַיְבִיאֶ֙הָ֙ אֶל־עִ֣יר דָּוִ֔ד עַ֣ד כַּלֹּת֗וֹ לִבְנ֤וֹת אֶת־בֵּיתוֹ֙ וְאֶת־בֵּ֣ית יְהֹוָ֔ה וְאֶת־חוֹמַ֥ת יְרוּשָׁלַ֖͏ִם סָבִֽיב׃ Solomon allied himself by marriage with Pharaoh king of Egypt. He married Pharaoh’s daughter and brought her to the City of David [to live there] until he had finished building his palace, and the House of GOD, and the walls around Jerusalem.

רַ֣ק הָעָ֔ם מְזַבְּחִ֖ים בַּבָּמ֑וֹת כִּ֠י לֹֽא־נִבְנָ֥ה בַ֙יִת֙ לְשֵׁ֣ם יְהֹוָ֔ה עַ֖ד הַיָּמִ֥ים הָהֵֽם׃ {פ}
The people, however, continued to offer sacrifices at the open shrines, because up to that time no house had been built for GOD’s name.

וַיֶּֽאֱהַ֤ב שְׁלֹמֹה֙ אֶת־יְהֹוָ֔ה לָלֶ֕כֶת בְּחֻקּ֖וֹת דָּוִ֣ד אָבִ֑יו רַ֚ק בַּבָּמ֔וֹת ה֥וּא מְזַבֵּ֖חַ וּמַקְטִֽיר׃ And Solomon, though he loved GOD and followed the practices of his father David, also sacrificed and offered at the shrines.

וַיֵּ֨לֶךְ הַמֶּ֤לֶךְ גִּבְעֹ֙נָה֙ לִזְבֹּ֣חַ שָׁ֔ם כִּי־הִ֖יא הַבָּמָ֣ה הַגְּדוֹלָ֑ה אֶ֤לֶף עֹלוֹת֙ יַעֲלֶ֣ה שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה עַ֖ל הַמִּזְבֵּ֥חַ הַהֽוּא׃ The king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the largest shrine; on that altar Solomon presented a thousand burnt offerings.

בְּגִבְע֗וֹן נִרְאָ֧ה יְהֹוָ֛ה אֶל־שְׁלֹמֹ֖ה בַּחֲל֣וֹם הַלָּ֑יְלָה וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֱלֹהִ֔ים שְׁאַ֖ל מָ֥ה אֶתֶּן־לָֽךְ׃ At Gibeon GOD appeared to^aappeared to Or “made contact with.” Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask, what shall I grant you?”

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר שְׁלֹמֹ֗ה אַתָּ֨ה עָשִׂ֜יתָ עִם־עַבְדְּךָ֨ דָוִ֣ד אָבִי֮ חֶ֣סֶד גָּדוֹל֒ כַּאֲשֶׁר֩ הָלַ֨ךְ לְפָנֶ֜יךָ בֶּאֱמֶ֧ת וּבִצְדָקָ֛ה וּבְיִשְׁרַ֥ת לֵבָ֖ב עִמָּ֑ךְ וַתִּשְׁמׇר־ל֗וֹ אֶת־הַחֶ֤סֶד הַגָּדוֹל֙ הַזֶּ֔ה וַתִּתֶּן־ל֥וֹ בֵ֛ן יֹשֵׁ֥ב עַל־כִּסְא֖וֹ כַּיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה׃ Solomon said, “You dealt most graciously with Your servant my father David, because he walked before You in faithfulness and righteousness and in integrity of heart. You have continued this great kindness to him by giving him a son to occupy his throne, as is now the case.

וְעַתָּה֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהָ֔י אַתָּה֙ הִמְלַ֣כְתָּ אֶֽת־עַבְדְּךָ֔ תַּ֖חַת דָּוִ֣ד אָבִ֑י וְאָֽנֹכִי֙ נַ֣עַר קָטֹ֔ן לֹ֥א אֵדַ֖ע צֵ֥את וָבֹֽא׃ And now, my ETERNAL God, You have made Your servant king in place of my father David; but I am a young lad, with no experience in leadership.^bwith no experience in leadership Lit. “do not know going out and coming in”; cf. Num. 27.17.

וְעַ֨בְדְּךָ֔ בְּת֥וֹךְ עַמְּךָ֖ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בָּחָ֑רְתָּ עַם־רָ֕ב אֲשֶׁ֧ר לֹֽא־יִמָּנֶ֛ה וְלֹ֥א יִסָּפֵ֖ר מֵרֹֽב׃ Your servant finds himself in the midst of the people You have chosen, a people too numerous to be numbered or counted.

וְנָתַתָּ֨ לְעַבְדְּךָ֜ לֵ֤ב שֹׁמֵ֙עַ֙ לִשְׁפֹּ֣ט אֶֽת־עַמְּךָ֔ לְהָבִ֖ין בֵּֽין־ט֣וֹב לְרָ֑ע כִּ֣י מִ֤י יוּכַל֙ לִשְׁפֹּ֔ט אֶת־עַמְּךָ֥ הַכָּבֵ֖ד הַזֶּֽה׃ Grant, then, Your servant an understanding mind^cunderstanding mind Lit. “listening heart.” to judge Your people, to distinguish between good and bad; for who can judge this vast people of Yours?”

וַיִּיטַ֥ב הַדָּבָ֖ר בְּעֵינֵ֣י אֲדֹנָ֑י כִּ֚י שָׁאַ֣ל שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה אֶת־הַדָּבָ֖ר הַזֶּֽה׃ Pleased that Solomon had asked for this,

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר אֱלֹהִ֜ים אֵלָ֗יו יַ֩עַן֩ אֲשֶׁ֨ר שָׁאַ֜לְתָּ אֶת־הַדָּבָ֣ר הַזֶּ֗ה וְלֹא־שָׁאַ֨לְתָּ לְּךָ֜ יָמִ֣ים רַבִּ֗ים וְלֹֽא־שָׁאַ֤לְתָּ לְּךָ֙ עֹ֔שֶׁר וְלֹ֥א שָׁאַ֖לְתָּ נֶ֣פֶשׁ אֹיְבֶ֑יךָ וְשָׁאַ֧לְתָּ לְּךָ֛ הָבִ֖ין לִשְׁמֹ֥עַ מִשְׁפָּֽט׃ God said to him, “Because you asked for this—you did not ask for long life, you did not ask for riches, you did not ask for the life of your enemies, but you asked for discernment in dispensing justice—

הִנֵּ֥ה עָשִׂ֖יתִי כִּדְבָרֶ֑יךָ הִנֵּ֣ה ׀ נָתַ֣תִּֽי לְךָ֗ לֵ֚ב חָכָ֣ם וְנָב֔וֹן אֲשֶׁ֤ר כָּמ֙וֹךָ֙ לֹא־הָיָ֣ה לְפָנֶ֔יךָ וְאַחֲרֶ֖יךָ לֹא־יָק֥וּם כָּמֽוֹךָ׃ I now do as you have spoken. I grant you a wise and discerning mind; there has never been anyone like you before, nor will anyone like you arise again.

וְגַ֨ם אֲשֶׁ֤ר לֹֽא־שָׁאַ֙לְתָּ֙ נָתַ֣תִּי לָ֔ךְ גַּם־עֹ֖שֶׁר גַּם־כָּב֑וֹד אֲ֠שֶׁ֠ר לֹֽא־הָיָ֨ה כָמ֥וֹךָֽ אִ֛ישׁ בַּמְּלָכִ֖ים כׇּל־יָמֶֽיךָ׃ And I also grant you what you did not ask for—both riches and glory all your life—the like of which no king has ever had.

וְאִ֣ם ׀ תֵּלֵ֣ךְ בִּדְרָכַ֗י לִשְׁמֹ֤ר חֻקַּי֙ וּמִצְוֺתַ֔י כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר הָלַ֖ךְ דָּוִ֣יד אָבִ֑יךָ וְהַאֲרַכְתִּ֖י אֶת־יָמֶֽיךָ׃ {ס}         And I will further grant you long life, if you will walk in My ways and observe My laws and commandments, as did your father David.”

וַיִּקַ֥ץ שְׁלֹמֹ֖ה וְהִנֵּ֣ה חֲל֑וֹם וַיָּב֨וֹא יְרֽוּשָׁלַ֜͏ִם וַֽיַּעֲמֹ֣ד ׀ לִפְנֵ֣י ׀ אֲר֣וֹן בְּרִית־אֲדֹנָ֗י וַיַּ֤עַל עֹלוֹת֙ וַיַּ֣עַשׂ שְׁלָמִ֔ים וַיַּ֥עַשׂ מִשְׁתֶּ֖ה לְכׇל־עֲבָדָֽיו׃ {פ}
Then Solomon awoke: it was a dream! He went to Jerusalem, stood before the Ark of the Covenant of the Sovereign One, and sacrificed burnt offerings and presented offerings of well-being; and he made a banquet for all his courtiers.

אָ֣ז תָּבֹ֗אנָה שְׁתַּ֛יִם נָשִׁ֥ים זֹנ֖וֹת אֶל־הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ וַֽתַּעֲמֹ֖דְנָה לְפָנָֽיו׃ Later two prostitutes came to the king and stood before him.

וַתֹּ֜אמֶר הָאִשָּׁ֤ה הָאַחַת֙ בִּ֣י אֲדֹנִ֔י אֲנִי֙ וְהָאִשָּׁ֣ה הַזֹּ֔את יֹשְׁבֹ֖ת בְּבַ֣יִת אֶחָ֑ד וָאֵלֵ֥ד עִמָּ֖הּ בַּבָּֽיִת׃ The first woman said, “Please, my lord! This woman and I live in the same house; and I gave birth to a child while she was in the house.

וַיְהִ֞י בַּיּ֤וֹם הַשְּׁלִישִׁי֙ לְלִדְתִּ֔י וַתֵּ֖לֶד גַּם־הָאִשָּׁ֣ה הַזֹּ֑את וַאֲנַ֣חְנוּ יַחְדָּ֗ו אֵֽין־זָ֤ר אִתָּ֙נוּ֙ בַּבַּ֔יִת זוּלָתִ֥י שְׁתַּֽיִם־אֲנַ֖חְנוּ בַּבָּֽיִת׃ On the third day after I was delivered, this woman also gave birth to a child. We were alone; there was no one else with us in the house, just the two of us in the house.

וַיָּ֛מׇת בֶּן־הָאִשָּׁ֥ה הַזֹּ֖את לָ֑יְלָה אֲשֶׁ֥ר שָׁכְבָ֖ה עָלָֽיו׃ During the night this woman’s child died, because she lay on it.

וַתָּ֩קׇם֩ בְּת֨וֹךְ הַלַּ֜יְלָה וַתִּקַּ֧ח אֶת־בְּנִ֣י מֵאֶצְלִ֗י וַאֲמָֽתְךָ֙ יְשֵׁנָ֔ה וַתַּשְׁכִּיבֵ֖הוּ בְּחֵיקָ֑הּ וְאֶת־בְּנָ֥הּ הַמֵּ֖ת הִשְׁכִּ֥יבָה בְחֵיקִֽי׃ She arose in the night and took my son from my side while your maidservant was asleep, and laid him in her bosom; and she laid her dead son in my bosom.

וָאָקֻ֥ם בַּבֹּ֛קֶר לְהֵינִ֥יק אֶת־בְּנִ֖י וְהִנֵּה־מֵ֑ת וָאֶתְבּוֹנֵ֤ן אֵלָיו֙ בַּבֹּ֔קֶר וְהִנֵּ֛ה לֹא־הָיָ֥ה בְנִ֖י אֲשֶׁ֥ר יָלָֽדְתִּי׃ When I arose in the morning to nurse my son, there he was, dead; but when I looked at him closely in the morning, it was not the son I had borne.”

וַתֹּ֩אמֶר֩ הָאִשָּׁ֨ה הָאַחֶ֜רֶת לֹ֣א כִ֗י בְּנִ֤י הַחַי֙ וּבְנֵ֣ךְ הַמֵּ֔ת וְזֹ֤את אֹמֶ֙רֶת֙ לֹ֣א כִ֔י בְּנֵ֥ךְ הַמֵּ֖ת וּבְנִ֣י הֶחָ֑י וַתְּדַבֵּ֖רְנָה לִפְנֵ֥י הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ The other woman spoke up, “No, the live one is my son, and the dead one is yours!” But the first insisted, “No, the dead boy is yours; mine is the live one!” And they went on arguing before the king.

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ זֹ֣את אֹמֶ֔רֶת זֶה־בְּנִ֥י הַחַ֖י וּבְנֵ֣ךְ הַמֵּ֑ת וְזֹ֤את אֹמֶ֙רֶת֙ לֹ֣א כִ֔י בְּנֵ֥ךְ הַמֵּ֖ת וּבְנִ֥י הֶחָֽי׃ {פ}
The king said, “One says, ‘This is my son, the live one, and the dead one is yours’; and the other says, ‘No, the dead boy is yours, mine is the live one.’”

וַיֹּ֥אמֶר הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ קְח֣וּ לִי־חָ֑רֶב וַיָּבִ֥אוּ הַחֶ֖רֶב לִפְנֵ֥י הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ So the king gave the order, “Fetch me a sword.” A sword was brought before the king,

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ גִּזְר֛וּ אֶת־הַיֶּ֥לֶד הַחַ֖י לִשְׁנָ֑יִם וּתְנ֤וּ אֶֽת־הַחֲצִי֙ לְאַחַ֔ת וְאֶֽת־הַחֲצִ֖י לְאֶחָֽת׃ and the king said, “Cut the live child in two, and give half to one and half to the other.”

וַתֹּ֣אמֶר הָאִשָּׁה֩ אֲשֶׁר־בְּנָ֨הּ הַחַ֜י אֶל־הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ כִּֽי־נִכְמְר֣וּ רַֽחֲמֶ֘יהָ֮ עַל־בְּנָהּ֒ וַתֹּ֣אמֶר ׀ בִּ֣י אֲדֹנִ֗י תְּנוּ־לָהּ֙ אֶת־הַיָּל֣וּד הַחַ֔י וְהָמֵ֖ת אַל־תְּמִיתֻ֑הוּ וְזֹ֣את אֹמֶ֗רֶת גַּם־לִ֥י גַם־לָ֛ךְ לֹ֥א יִהְיֶ֖ה גְּזֹֽרוּ׃ But the woman whose son was the live one pleaded with the king, for she was overcome with compassion for her son. “Please, my lord,” she cried, “give her the live child; only don’t kill it!” The other insisted, “It shall be neither yours nor mine; cut it in two!”

וַיַּ֨עַן הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ וַיֹּ֗אמֶר תְּנוּ־לָהּ֙ אֶת־הַיָּל֣וּד הַחַ֔י וְהָמֵ֖ת לֹ֣א תְמִיתֻ֑הוּ הִ֖יא אִמּֽוֹ׃ {ס}         Then the king spoke up. “Give the live child to her,” he said, “and do not put it to death; she is its mother.”

וַיִּשְׁמְע֣וּ כׇל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל אֶת־הַמִּשְׁפָּט֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר שָׁפַ֣ט הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ וַיִּֽרְא֖וּ מִפְּנֵ֣י הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ כִּ֣י רָא֔וּ כִּֽי־חׇכְמַ֧ת אֱלֹהִ֛ים בְּקִרְבּ֖וֹ לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת מִשְׁפָּֽט׃ {ס}         When all Israel heard the decision that the king had rendered, they stood in awe of the king; for they saw that he possessed divine wisdom to execute justice.

וּשְׁלֹמֹ֗ה הָיָ֤ה מוֹשֵׁל֙ בְּכׇל־הַמַּמְלָכ֔וֹת מִן־הַנָּהָר֙ אֶ֣רֶץ פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים וְעַ֖ד גְּב֣וּל מִצְרָ֑יִם מַגִּשִׁ֥ים מִנְחָ֛ה וְעֹבְדִ֥ים אֶת־שְׁלֹמֹ֖ה כׇּל־יְמֵ֥י חַיָּֽיו׃ {פ}
Solomon’s rule extended over all the kingdoms from the Euphrates to the land of the Philistines and the boundary of Egypt. They brought Solomon tribute and were subject to him all his life.

וַיְהִ֥י לֶֽחֶם־שְׁלֹמֹ֖ה לְי֣וֹם אֶחָ֑ד שְׁלֹשִׁ֥ים כֹּר֙ סֹ֔לֶת וְשִׁשִּׁ֥ים כֹּ֖ר קָֽמַח׃ Solomon’s daily provisions consisted of 30 kors of semolina, and 60 kors of [ordinary] flour,

עֲשָׂרָ֨ה בָקָ֜ר בְּרִאִ֗ים וְעֶשְׂרִ֥ים בָּקָ֛ר רְעִ֖י וּמֵ֣אָה צֹ֑אן לְ֠בַ֠ד מֵאַיָּ֤ל וּצְבִי֙ וְיַחְמ֔וּר וּבַרְבֻּרִ֖ים אֲבוּסִֽים׃ 10 fattened oxen, 20 pasture-fed oxen, and 100 sheep and goats, besides deer and gazelles, roebucks and fatted geese.^afatted geese Exact meaning of Heb. uncertain.

כִּי־ה֞וּא רֹדֶ֣ה ׀ בְּכׇל־עֵ֣בֶר הַנָּהָ֗ר מִתִּפְסַח֙ וְעַד־עַזָּ֔ה בְּכׇל־מַלְכֵ֖י עֵ֣בֶר הַנָּהָ֑ר וְשָׁל֗וֹם הָ֥יָה ל֛וֹ מִכׇּל־עֲבָרָ֖יו מִסָּבִֽיב׃ For he controlled the whole region west of the Euphrates—all the kings west of the Euphrates, from Tiphsah to Gaza—and he had peace on all his borders round about.

וַיֵּ֩שֶׁב֩ יְהוּדָ֨ה וְיִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל לָבֶ֗טַח אִ֣ישׁ תַּ֤חַת גַּפְנוֹ֙ וְתַ֣חַת תְּאֵנָת֔וֹ מִדָּ֖ן וְעַד־בְּאֵ֣ר שָׁ֑בַע כֹּ֖ל יְמֵ֥י שְׁלֹמֹֽה׃ {ס}         All the days of Solomon, Judah and Israel from Dan to Beer-sheba dwelt in safety, every family under its own vine and fig tree.

וַיְהִ֣י לִשְׁלֹמֹ֗ה אַרְבָּעִ֥ים אֶ֛לֶף אֻֽרְוֺ֥ת סוּסִ֖ים לְמֶרְכָּב֑וֹ וּשְׁנֵים־עָשָׂ֥ר אֶ֖לֶף פָּרָשִֽׁים׃ Solomon had 40,000 stalls of horses for his chariotry and 12,000 riders.

וְכִלְכְּלוּ֩ הַנִּצָּבִ֨ים הָאֵ֜לֶּה אֶת־הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹ֗ה וְאֵ֧ת כׇּל־הַקָּרֵ֛ב אֶל־שֻׁלְחַ֥ן הַמֶּלֶךְ־שְׁלֹמֹ֖ה אִ֣ישׁ חׇדְשׁ֑וֹ לֹ֥א יְעַדְּר֖וּ דָּבָֽר׃ ^bResuming the account begun in 4.2. All those prefects, each during his month, would furnish provisions for King Solomon and for all who were admitted to King Solomon’s table; they did not fall short in anything.

וְהַשְּׂעֹרִ֣ים וְהַתֶּ֔בֶן לַסּוּסִ֖ים וְלָרָ֑כֶשׁ יָבִ֗אוּ אֶל־הַמָּקוֹם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר יִֽהְיֶה־שָּׁ֔ם אִ֖ישׁ כְּמִשְׁפָּטֽוֹ׃ {ס}         They would also, each in his turn, deliver barley and straw for the horses and the swift steeds to the places where they were stationed.

וַיִּתֵּן֩ אֱלֹהִ֨ים חׇכְמָ֧ה לִשְׁלֹמֹ֛ה וּתְבוּנָ֖ה הַרְבֵּ֣ה מְאֹ֑ד וְרֹ֣חַב לֵ֔ב כַּח֕וֹל אֲשֶׁ֖ר עַל־שְׂפַ֥ת הַיָּֽם׃ God endowed Solomon with wisdom and discernment in great measure, with understanding as vast as the sands on the seashore.

וַתֵּ֙רֶב֙ חׇכְמַ֣ת שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה מֵחׇכְמַ֖ת כׇּל־בְּנֵי־קֶ֑דֶם וּמִכֹּ֖ל חׇכְמַ֥ת מִצְרָֽיִם׃ Solomon’s wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the Kedemites and than all the wisdom of the Egyptians.

וַיֶּחְכַּם֮ מִכׇּל־הָאָדָם֒ מֵאֵיתָ֣ן הָאֶזְרָחִ֗י וְהֵימָ֧ן וְכַלְכֹּ֛ל וְדַרְדַּ֖ע בְּנֵ֣י מָח֑וֹל וַיְהִֽי־שְׁמ֥וֹ בְכׇֽל־הַגּוֹיִ֖ם סָבִֽיב׃ He was wiser than anybody else—including Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, Chalkol, and Darda the sons of Mahol. His fame spread among all the surrounding nations.

וַיְדַבֵּ֕ר שְׁלֹ֥שֶׁת אֲלָפִ֖ים מָשָׁ֑ל וַיְהִ֥י שִׁיר֖וֹ חֲמִשָּׁ֥ה וָאָֽלֶף׃ He composed three thousand proverbs, and his songs numbered one thousand and five.

וַיְדַבֵּר֮ עַל־הָעֵצִים֒ מִן־הָאֶ֙רֶז֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בַּלְּבָנ֔וֹן וְעַד֙ הָאֵז֔וֹב אֲשֶׁ֥ר יֹצֵ֖א בַּקִּ֑יר וַיְדַבֵּר֙ עַל־הַבְּהֵמָ֣ה וְעַל־הָע֔וֹף וְעַל־הָרֶ֖מֶשׂ וְעַל־הַדָּגִֽים׃ He discoursed about trees, from the cedar in Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of the wall; and he discoursed about beasts, birds, creeping things, and fishes.

וַיָּבֹ֙אוּ֙ מִכׇּל־הָ֣עַמִּ֔ים לִשְׁמֹ֕עַ אֵ֖ת חׇכְמַ֣ת שְׁלֹמֹ֑ה מֵאֵת֙ כׇּל־מַלְכֵ֣י הָאָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֥ר שָֽׁמְע֖וּ אֶת־חׇכְמָתֽוֹ׃ {ס}         Envoys^cEnvoys Heb. “They.” came from all peoples to hear Solomon’s wisdom, [sent] by all the monarchs of the earth who had heard of his wisdom.

וַ֠יִּשְׁלַ֠ח חִירָ֨ם מֶלֶךְ־צ֤וֹר אֶת־עֲבָדָיו֙ אֶל־שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה כִּ֣י שָׁמַ֔ע כִּ֥י אֹת֛וֹ מָשְׁח֥וּ לְמֶ֖לֶךְ תַּ֣חַת אָבִ֑יהוּ כִּ֣י אֹהֵ֗ב הָיָ֥ה חִירָ֛ם לְדָוִ֖ד כׇּל־הַיָּמִֽים׃ {ס}         King Hiram of Tyre sent his officials to Solomon when he heard that he had been anointed king in place of his father; for Hiram had always been a friend of David.

וַיִּשְׁלַ֣ח שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה אֶל־חִירָ֖ם לֵאמֹֽר׃ Solomon sent this message to Hiram:

אַתָּ֨ה יָדַ֜עְתָּ אֶת־דָּוִ֣ד אָבִ֗י כִּ֣י לֹ֤א יָכֹל֙ לִבְנ֣וֹת בַּ֗יִת לְשֵׁם֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהָ֔יו מִפְּנֵ֥י הַמִּלְחָמָ֖ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר סְבָבֻ֑הוּ עַ֤ד תֵּת־יְהֹוָה֙ אֹתָ֔ם תַּ֖חַת כַּפּ֥וֹת (רגלו) [רַגְלָֽי]׃ “You know that my father David could not build a house for the name of the ETERNAL his God because of the enemies^denemies Heb. “war”; cf. Targum. that encompassed him, until GOD had placed them under the soles of his feet.

וְעַתָּ֕ה הֵנִ֨יחַ יְהֹוָ֧ה אֱלֹהַ֛י לִ֖י מִסָּבִ֑יב אֵ֣ין שָׂטָ֔ן וְאֵ֖ין פֶּ֥גַע רָֽע׃ But now the ETERNAL my God has given me respite all around; there is no adversary and no mischance.

וְהִנְנִ֣י אֹמֵ֔ר לִבְנ֣וֹת בַּ֔יִת לְשֵׁ֖ם יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהָ֑י כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר ׀ דִּבֶּ֣ר יְהֹוָ֗ה אֶל־דָּוִ֤ד אָבִי֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר בִּנְךָ֗ אֲשֶׁ֨ר אֶתֵּ֤ן תַּחְתֶּ֙יךָ֙ עַל־כִּסְאֶ֔ךָ הֽוּא־יִבְנֶ֥ה הַבַּ֖יִת לִשְׁמִֽי׃ And so I propose to build a house for the name of the ETERNAL my God, as the ETERNAL promised my father David, saying, ‘Your son, whom I will set on your throne in your place, shall build the house for My name.’

וְעַתָּ֡ה צַוֵּה֩ וְיִכְרְתוּ־לִ֨י אֲרָזִ֜ים מִן־הַלְּבָנ֗וֹן וַעֲבָדַי֙ יִֽהְי֣וּ עִם־עֲבָדֶ֔יךָ וּשְׂכַ֤ר עֲבָדֶ֙יךָ֙ אֶתֵּ֣ן לְךָ֔ כְּכֹ֖ל אֲשֶׁ֣ר תֹּאמֵ֑ר כִּ֣י ׀ אַתָּ֣ה יָדַ֗עְתָּ כִּ֣י אֵ֥ין בָּ֛נוּ אִ֛ישׁ יֹדֵ֥עַ לִכְרׇת־עֵצִ֖ים כַּצִּדֹנִֽים׃ Please, then, give orders for cedars to be cut for me in the Lebanon. My servants will work with yours, and I will pay you any wages you may ask for your servants; for as you know, there is none among us who knows how to cut timber like the Sidonians.”

וַיְהִ֞י כִּשְׁמֹ֧עַ חִירָ֛ם אֶת־דִּבְרֵ֥י שְׁלֹמֹ֖ה וַיִּשְׂמַ֣ח מְאֹ֑ד וַיֹּ֗אמֶר בָּר֤וּךְ יְהֹוָה֙ הַיּ֔וֹם אֲשֶׁ֨ר נָתַ֤ן לְדָוִד֙ בֵּ֣ן חָכָ֔ם עַל־הָעָ֥ם הָרָ֖ב הַזֶּֽה׃ When Hiram heard Solomon’s message, he was overjoyed. “Praised be GOD this day,” he said, “for granting David a wise son to govern this great people.”

וַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח חִירָם֙ אֶל־שְׁלֹמֹ֣ה לֵאמֹ֔ר שָׁמַ֕עְתִּי אֵ֥ת אֲשֶׁר־שָׁלַ֖חְתָּ אֵלָ֑י אֲנִ֤י אֶֽעֱשֶׂה֙ אֶת־כׇּל־חֶפְצְךָ֔ בַּעֲצֵ֥י אֲרָזִ֖ים וּבַעֲצֵ֥י בְרוֹשִֽׁים׃ So Hiram sent word to Solomon: “I have your message; I will supply all the cedar and cypress logs you require.

עֲ֠בָדַ֠י יֹרִ֨דוּ מִן־הַלְּבָנ֜וֹן יָ֗מָּה וַ֠אֲנִ֠י אֲשִׂימֵ֨ם דֹּבְר֤וֹת בַּיָּם֙ עַֽד־הַמָּק֞וֹם אֲשֶׁר־תִּשְׁלַ֥ח אֵלַ֛י וְנִפַּצְתִּ֥ים שָׁ֖ם וְאַתָּ֣ה תִשָּׂ֑א וְאַתָּה֙ תַּעֲשֶׂ֣ה אֶת־חֶפְצִ֔י לָתֵ֖ת לֶ֥חֶם בֵּיתִֽי׃ My servants will bring them down to the sea from the Lebanon; and at the sea I will make them into floats and [deliver them] to any place that you designate to me. There I shall break them up for you to carry away. You, in turn, will supply the food I require for my household.”

וַיְהִ֨י חִיר֜וֹם נֹתֵ֣ן לִשְׁלֹמֹ֗ה עֲצֵ֧י אֲרָזִ֛ים וַעֲצֵ֥י בְרוֹשִׁ֖ים כׇּל־חֶפְצֽוֹ׃ So Hiram kept Solomon provided with all the cedar and cypress wood he required,

וּשְׁלֹמֹה֩ נָתַ֨ן לְחִירָ֜ם עֶשְׂרִים֩ אֶ֨לֶף כֹּ֤ר חִטִּים֙ מַכֹּ֣לֶת לְבֵית֔וֹ וְעֶשְׂרִ֥ים כֹּ֖ר שֶׁ֣מֶן כָּתִ֑ית כֹּֽה־יִתֵּ֧ן שְׁלֹמֹ֛ה לְחִירָ֖ם שָׁנָ֥ה בְשָׁנָֽה׃ {פ}
and Solomon delivered to Hiram 20,000 kors of wheat as provisions for his household and 20 kors^e20 kors Septuagint reads, “20,000 baths.” of beaten oil. Such was Solomon’s annual payment to Hiram.

וַֽיהֹוָ֗ה נָתַ֤ן חׇכְמָה֙ לִשְׁלֹמֹ֔ה כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר דִּבֶּר־ל֑וֹ וַיְהִ֣י שָׁלֹ֗ם בֵּ֤ין חִירָם֙ וּבֵ֣ין שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה וַיִּכְרְת֥וּ בְרִ֖ית שְׁנֵיהֶֽם׃ GOD had given Solomon wisdom, just as promised. There was friendship between Hiram and Solomon, and the two of them made a treaty.

וַיַּ֨עַל הַמֶּ֧לֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹ֛ה מַ֖ס מִכׇּל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַיְהִ֣י הַמַּ֔ס שְׁלֹשִׁ֥ים אֶ֖לֶף אִֽישׁ׃ King Solomon imposed forced labor on all Israel; the levy came to 30,000 men.

וַיִּשְׁלָחֵ֣ם לְבָנ֗וֹנָה עֲשֶׂ֨רֶת אֲלָפִ֤ים בַּחֹ֙דֶשׁ֙ חֲלִיפ֔וֹת חֹ֚דֶשׁ יִהְי֣וּ בַלְּבָנ֔וֹן שְׁנַ֥יִם חֳדָשִׁ֖ים בְּבֵית֑וֹ וַאֲדֹנִירָ֖ם עַל־הַמַּֽס׃ {ס}         He sent them to the Lebanon in shifts of 10,000 a month: they would spend one month in the Lebanon and two months at home. Adoniram was in charge of the forced labor.

וַיְהִ֧י לִשְׁלֹמֹ֛ה שִׁבְעִ֥ים אֶ֖לֶף נֹשֵׂ֣א סַבָּ֑ל וּשְׁמֹנִ֥ים אֶ֖לֶף חֹצֵ֥ב בָּהָֽר׃ Solomon also had 70,000 porters and 80,000 quarriers in the hills,

לְ֠בַ֠ד מִשָּׂרֵ֨י הַנִּצָּבִ֤ים לִשְׁלֹמֹה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר עַל־הַמְּלָאכָ֔ה שְׁלֹ֥שֶׁת אֲלָפִ֖ים וּשְׁלֹ֣שׁ מֵא֑וֹת הָרֹדִ֣ים בָּעָ֔ם הָעֹשִׂ֖ים בַּמְּלָאכָֽה׃ {ס}         apart from Solomon’s 3,300 officials who were in charge of the work and supervised the gangs doing the work.

וַיְצַ֣ו הַמֶּ֡לֶךְ וַיַּסִּ֩עוּ֩ אֲבָנִ֨ים גְּדֹל֜וֹת אֲבָנִ֧ים יְקָר֛וֹת לְיַסֵּ֥ד הַבָּ֖יִת אַבְנֵ֥י גָזִֽית׃ The king ordered huge blocks of choice stone to be quarried, so that the foundations of the house might be laid with hewn stones.

וַֽיִּפְסְל֞וּ בֹּנֵ֧י שְׁלֹמֹ֛ה וּבֹנֵ֥י חִיר֖וֹם וְהַגִּבְלִ֑ים וַיָּכִ֛ינוּ הָעֵצִ֥ים וְהָאֲבָנִ֖ים לִבְנ֥וֹת הַבָּֽיִת׃ {פ}
Solomon’s masons, Hiram’s masons, and those from Gebal shaped them. Thus the timber and the stones for building the house were made ready.

וַיְהִ֣י בִשְׁמוֹנִ֣ים שָׁנָ֣ה וְאַרְבַּ֣ע מֵא֣וֹת שָׁנָ֡ה לְצֵ֣את בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל מֵאֶֽרֶץ־מִצְרַ֩יִם֩ בַּשָּׁנָ֨ה הָרְבִיעִ֜ית בְּחֹ֣דֶשׁ זִ֗ו ה֚וּא הַחֹ֣דֶשׁ הַשֵּׁנִ֔י לִמְלֹ֥ךְ שְׁלֹמֹ֖ה עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַיִּ֥בֶן הַבַּ֖יִת לַיהֹוָֽה׃ In the four hundred and eightieth year after the Israelites left the land of Egypt, in the month of Ziv—that is, the second month—in the fourth year of his reign over Israel, Solomon began to build the House of GOD.

וְהַבַּ֗יִת אֲשֶׁ֨ר בָּנָ֜ה הַמֶּ֤לֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹה֙ לַיהֹוָ֔ה שִׁשִּׁים־אַמָּ֥ה אׇרְכּ֖וֹ וְעֶשְׂרִ֣ים רׇחְבּ֑וֹ וּשְׁלֹשִׁ֥ים אַמָּ֖ה קוֹמָתֽוֹ׃ The House that King Solomon built for GOD was 60 cubits long, 20 cubits wide, and 30 cubits high.

וְהָאוּלָ֗ם עַל־פְּנֵי֙ הֵיכַ֣ל הַבַּ֔יִת עֶשְׂרִ֤ים אַמָּה֙ אׇרְכּ֔וֹ עַל־פְּנֵ֖י רֹ֣חַב הַבָּ֑יִת עֶ֧שֶׂר בָּאַמָּ֛ה רׇחְבּ֖וֹ עַל־פְּנֵ֥י הַבָּֽיִת׃ The portico in front of the Great Hall of the House was 20 cubits long—along the width of the House—and 10 cubits deep to the front of the House.

וַיַּ֣עַשׂ לַבָּ֔יִת חַלּוֹנֵ֖י שְׁקֻפִ֥ים אֲטוּמִֽים׃ ^aMeaning of parts of vv. 4–6 is uncertain. He made windows for the House, recessed and latticed.

וַיִּ֩בֶן֩ עַל־קִ֨יר הַבַּ֤יִת (יצוע) [יָצִ֙יעַ֙] סָבִ֔יב אֶת־קִיר֤וֹת הַבַּ֙יִת֙ סָבִ֔יב לַהֵיכָ֖ל וְלַדְּבִ֑יר וַיַּ֥עַשׂ צְלָע֖וֹת סָבִֽיב׃ Against the outside wall of the House—the outside walls of the House enclosing the Great Hall and the Shrine^bthe Shrine I.e., the inner sanctuary, designated in v. 16 and elsewhere as the “Holy of Holies.” —he built a storied structure; and he made side chambers all around.

(היצוע) [הַיָּצִ֨יעַ] הַתַּחְתֹּנָ֜ה חָמֵ֧שׁ בָּאַמָּ֣ה רׇחְבָּ֗הּ וְהַתִּֽיכֹנָה֙ שֵׁ֤שׁ בָּאַמָּה֙ רׇחְבָּ֔הּ וְהַ֨שְּׁלִישִׁ֔ית שֶׁ֥בַע בָּאַמָּ֖ה רׇחְבָּ֑הּ כִּ֡י מִגְרָעוֹת֩ נָתַ֨ן לַבַּ֤יִת סָבִיב֙ ח֔וּצָה לְבִלְתִּ֖י אֲחֹ֥ז בְּקִירוֹת־הַבָּֽיִת׃ The lowest story was 5 cubits wide, the middle one 6 cubits wide, and the third 7 cubits wide; for he had provided recesses around the outside of the House so as not to penetrate the walls of the House.

וְהַבַּ֙יִת֙ בְּהִבָּ֣נֹת֔וֹ אֶבֶן־שְׁלֵמָ֥ה מַסָּ֖ע נִבְנָ֑ה וּמַקָּב֤וֹת וְהַגַּרְזֶן֙ כׇּל־כְּלִ֣י בַרְזֶ֔ל לֹֽא־נִשְׁמַ֥ע בַּבַּ֖יִת בְּהִבָּנֹתֽוֹ׃ When the House was built, only finished stones cut at the quarry were used, so that no hammer or ax or any iron tool was heard in the House while it was being built.

פֶּ֗תַח הַצֵּלָע֙ הַתִּ֣יכֹנָ֔ה אֶל־כֶּ֥תֶף הַבַּ֖יִת הַיְמָנִ֑ית וּבְלוּלִּ֗ים יַֽעֲלוּ֙ עַל־הַתִּ֣יכֹנָ֔ה וּמִן־הַתִּיכֹנָ֖ה אֶל־הַשְּׁלִשִֽׁים׃ The entrance to the middle^cmiddle Septuagint and Targum read “lowest.” [story of] the side chambers was on the right side of the House; and winding stairs led up to the middle chambers, and from the middle chambers to the third story.

וַיִּ֥בֶן אֶת־הַבַּ֖יִת וַיְכַלֵּ֑הוּ וַיִּסְפֹּ֤ן אֶת־הַבַּ֙יִת֙ גֵּבִ֔ים וּשְׂדֵרֹ֖ת בָּאֲרָזִֽים׃ When he finished building the House, he paneled the House with beams and planks of cedar.^dhe paneled the House with beams and planks of cedar Meaning of Heb. uncertain.

וַיִּ֤בֶן אֶת־[הַיָּצִ֙יעַ֙] (היצוע) עַל־כׇּל־הַבַּ֔יִת חָמֵ֥שׁ אַמּ֖וֹת קוֹמָת֑וֹ וַיֶּאֱחֹ֥ז אֶת־הַבַּ֖יִת בַּעֲצֵ֥י אֲרָזִֽים׃ {פ}
He built the storied structure against the entire House—each story 5 cubits high, so that it encased the House with timbers of cedar.

וַֽיְהִי֙ דְּבַר־יְהֹוָ֔ה אֶל־שְׁלֹמֹ֖ה לֵאמֹֽר׃ Then the word of GOD came to Solomon,

הַבַּ֨יִת הַזֶּ֜ה אֲשֶׁר־אַתָּ֣ה בֹנֶ֗ה אִם־תֵּלֵ֤ךְ בְּחֻקֹּתַי֙ וְאֶת־מִשְׁפָּטַ֣י תַּֽעֲשֶׂ֔ה וְשָֽׁמַרְתָּ֥ אֶת־כׇּל־מִצְוֺתַ֖י לָלֶ֣כֶת בָּהֶ֑ם וַהֲקִמֹתִ֤י אֶת־דְּבָרִי֙ אִתָּ֔ךְ אֲשֶׁ֥ר דִּבַּ֖רְתִּי אֶל־דָּוִ֥ד אָבִֽיךָ׃ “With regard to this House you are building—if you follow My laws and observe My rules and faithfully keep My commandments, I will fulfill for you the promise that I gave to your father David:

וְשָׁ֣כַנְתִּ֔י בְּת֖וֹךְ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וְלֹ֥א אֶעֱזֹ֖ב אֶת־עַמִּ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ {פ}
I will abide among the children of Israel, and I will never forsake My people Israel.”

וַיִּ֧בֶן שְׁלֹמֹ֛ה אֶת־הַבַּ֖יִת וַיְכַלֵּֽהוּ׃ When Solomon had completed the construction of the House,

וַיִּ֩בֶן֩ אֶת־קִיר֨וֹת הַבַּ֤יִת מִבַּ֙יְתָה֙ בְּצַלְע֣וֹת אֲרָזִ֔ים מִקַּרְקַ֤ע הַבַּ֙יִת֙ עַד־קִיר֣וֹת הַסִּפֻּ֔ן צִפָּ֥ה עֵ֖ץ מִבָּ֑יִת וַיְצַ֛ף אֶת־קַרְקַ֥ע הַבַּ֖יִת בְּצַלְע֥וֹת בְּרוֹשִֽׁים׃ he paneled the walls of the House on the inside with planks of cedar. He also overlaid the walls on the inside with wood, from the floor of the House to the ceiling. And he overlaid the floor of the House with planks of cypress.

וַיִּ֩בֶן֩ אֶת־עֶשְׂרִ֨ים אַמָּ֜ה (מירכותי) [מִֽיַּרְכְּתֵ֤י] הַבַּ֙יִת֙ בְּצַלְע֣וֹת אֲרָזִ֔ים מִן־הַקַּרְקַ֖ע עַד־הַקִּיר֑וֹת וַיִּ֤בֶן לוֹ֙ מִבַּ֣יִת לִדְבִ֔יר לְקֹ֖דֶשׁ הַקֳּדָשִֽׁים׃ Twenty cubits from the rear of the House, he built [a partition] of cedar planks from the floor to the walls;^ewalls Septuagint reads “rafters.” he furnished its interior to serve as a shrine, as the Holy of Holies.

וְאַרְבָּעִ֥ים בָּאַמָּ֖ה הָיָ֣ה הַבָּ֑יִת ה֖וּא הַהֵיכָ֥ל לִפְנָֽי׃ ^fMeaning of vv. 17–22 is unclear in part. The front part of the House, that is, the Great Hall, measured 40 cubits.

וְאֶ֤רֶז אֶל־הַבַּ֙יִת֙ פְּנִ֔ימָה מִקְלַ֣עַת פְּקָעִ֔ים וּפְטוּרֵ֖י צִצִּ֑ים הַכֹּ֣ל אֶ֔רֶז אֵ֥ין אֶ֖בֶן נִרְאָֽה׃ The cedar of the interior of the House had carvings of gourds and calyxes; it was all cedar, no stone was exposed.

וּדְבִ֧יר בְּתוֹךְ־הַבַּ֛יִת מִפְּנִ֖ימָה הֵכִ֑ין לְתִתֵּ֣ן שָׁ֔ם אֶת־אֲר֖וֹן בְּרִ֥ית יְהֹוָֽה׃ In the innermost part of the House, he fixed a Shrine in which to place the Ark of GOD’s Covenant.

וְלִפְנֵ֣י הַדְּבִ֡יר עֶשְׂרִים֩ אַמָּ֨ה אֹ֜רֶךְ וְעֶשְׂרִ֧ים אַמָּ֣ה רֹ֗חַב וְעֶשְׂרִ֤ים אַמָּה֙ קוֹמָת֔וֹ וַיְצַפֵּ֖הוּ זָהָ֣ב סָג֑וּר וַיְצַ֥ף מִזְבֵּ֖חַ אָֽרֶז׃ The interior of the^gThe interior of the Meaning of Heb. uncertain. Shrine was 20 cubits long, 20 cubits wide, and 20 cubits high. He overlaid it with solid gold; he similarly overlaid [its] cedar altar.

וַיְצַ֨ף שְׁלֹמֹ֧ה אֶת־הַבַּ֛יִת מִפְּנִ֖ימָה זָהָ֣ב סָג֑וּר וַיְעַבֵּ֞ר (ברתיקות) [בְּרַתּוּק֤וֹת] זָהָב֙ לִפְנֵ֣י הַדְּבִ֔יר וַיְצַפֵּ֖הוּ זָהָֽב׃ Solomon overlaid the interior of the House with solid gold; and he inserted golden chains into the door of^hinto the door of Heb. “in front of.” the Shrine. He overlaid [the Shrine] with gold,

וְאֶת־כׇּל־הַבַּ֛יִת צִפָּ֥ה זָהָ֖ב עַד־תֹּ֣ם כׇּל־הַבָּ֑יִת וְכׇל־הַמִּזְבֵּ֥חַ אֲֽשֶׁר־לַדְּבִ֖יר צִפָּ֥ה זָהָֽב׃ so that the entire House was overlaid with gold; he even overlaid with gold the entire altar of the Shrine. And so the entire House was completed.

וַיַּ֣עַשׂ בַּדְּבִ֔יר שְׁנֵ֥י כְרוּבִ֖ים עֲצֵי־שָׁ֑מֶן עֶ֥שֶׂר אַמּ֖וֹת קוֹמָתֽוֹ׃ In the Shrine he made two cherubim of olive wood, each 10 cubits high.

וְחָמֵ֣שׁ אַמּ֗וֹת כְּנַ֤ף הַכְּרוּב֙ הָאֶחָ֔ת וְחָמֵ֣שׁ אַמּ֔וֹת כְּנַ֥ף הַכְּר֖וּב הַשֵּׁנִ֑ית עֶ֣שֶׂר אַמּ֔וֹת מִקְצ֥וֹת כְּנָפָ֖יו וְעַד־קְצ֥וֹת כְּנָפָֽיו׃ [One] had a wing measuring 5 cubits and another wing measuring 5 cubits, so that the spread from wingtip to wingtip was 10 cubits;

וְעֶ֙שֶׂר֙ בָּֽאַמָּ֔ה הַכְּר֖וּב הַשֵּׁנִ֑י מִדָּ֥ה אַחַ֛ת וְקֶ֥צֶב אֶחָ֖ד לִשְׁנֵ֥י הַכְּרֻבִֽים׃ and the wingspread of the other cherub was also 10 cubits. The two cherubim had the same measurements and proportions:

קוֹמַת֙ הַכְּר֣וּב הָאֶחָ֔ד עֶ֖שֶׂר בָּאַמָּ֑ה וְכֵ֖ן הַכְּר֥וּב הַשֵּׁנִֽי׃ the height of the one cherub was 10 cubits, and so was that of the other cherub.

וַיִּתֵּ֨ן אֶת־הַכְּרוּבִ֜ים בְּת֣וֹךְ ׀ הַבַּ֣יִת הַפְּנִימִ֗י וַֽיִּפְרְשׂוּ֮ אֶת־כַּנְפֵ֣י הַכְּרֻבִים֒ וַתִּגַּ֤ע כְּנַף־הָאֶחָד֙ בַּקִּ֔יר וּכְנַף֙ הַכְּר֣וּב הַשֵּׁנִ֔י נֹגַ֖עַת בַּקִּ֣יר הַשֵּׁנִ֑י וְכַנְפֵיהֶם֙ אֶל־תּ֣וֹךְ הַבַּ֔יִת נֹגְעֹ֖ת כָּנָ֥ף אֶל־כָּנָֽף׃ He placed the cherubim inside the inner chamber.ⁱinner chamber I.e., the Shrine. Since the wings of the cherubim were extended, a wing of the one touched one wall and a wing of the other touched the other wall, while their wings in the center of the chamber touched each other.

וַיְצַ֥ף אֶת־הַכְּרוּבִ֖ים זָהָֽב׃ He overlaid the cherubim with gold.

וְאֵת֩ כׇּל־קִיר֨וֹת הַבַּ֜יִת מֵסַ֣ב ׀ קָלַ֗ע פִּתּוּחֵי֙ מִקְלְעוֹת֙ כְּרוּבִ֣ים וְתִמֹרֹ֔ת וּפְטוּרֵ֖י צִצִּ֑ים מִלִּפְנִ֖ים וְלַחִיצֽוֹן׃ All over the walls of the House, of both the inner area and the outer area, he carved reliefs of cherubim, palms, and calyxes,

וְאֶת־קַרְקַ֥ע הַבַּ֖יִת צִפָּ֣ה זָהָ֑ב לִפְנִ֖ימָה וְלַחִיצֽוֹן׃ and he overlaid the floor of the House with gold, both the inner and the outer areas.

וְאֵת֙ פֶּ֣תַח הַדְּבִ֔יר עָשָׂ֖ה דַּלְת֣וֹת עֲצֵי־שָׁ֑מֶן הָאַ֥יִל מְזוּז֖וֹת חֲמִשִֽׁית׃ For the entrance of the Shrine he made doors of olive wood, the pilasters and the doorposts having five sides.^jthe pilasters and the doorposts having five sides Meaning of Heb. uncertain.

וּשְׁתֵּי֮ דַּלְת֣וֹת עֲצֵי־שֶׁ֒מֶן֒ וְקָלַ֣ע עֲ֠לֵיהֶ֠ם מִקְלְע֞וֹת כְּרוּבִ֧ים וְתִמֹרֹ֛ת וּפְטוּרֵ֥י צִצִּ֖ים וְצִפָּ֣ה זָהָ֑ב וַיָּ֛רֶד עַל־הַכְּרוּבִ֥ים וְעַל־הַתִּמֹר֖וֹת אֶת־הַזָּהָֽב׃ The double doors were of olive wood, and on them he carved reliefs of cherubim, palms, and calyxes. He overlaid them with gold, hammering the gold onto the cherubim and the palms.

וְכֵ֥ן עָשָׂ֛ה לְפֶ֥תַח הַהֵיכָ֖ל מְזוּז֣וֹת עֲצֵי־שָׁ֑מֶן מֵאֵ֖ת רְבִעִֽית׃ For the entrance of the Great Hall, too, he made doorposts of oleaster wood, having four sides,^khaving four sides Meaning of Heb. uncertain.

וּשְׁתֵּ֥י דַלְת֖וֹת עֲצֵ֣י בְרוֹשִׁ֑ים שְׁנֵ֨י צְלָעִ֜ים הַדֶּ֤לֶת הָאַחַת֙ גְּלִילִ֔ים וּשְׁנֵ֧י קְלָעִ֛ים הַדֶּ֥לֶת הַשֵּׁנִ֖ית גְּלִילִֽים׃ and the double doors of cypress wood, each door consisting of two rounded planks.

וְקָלַ֤ע כְּרוּבִים֙ וְתִ֣מֹר֔וֹת וּפְטֻרֵ֖י צִצִּ֑ים וְצִפָּ֣ה זָהָ֔ב מְיֻשָּׁ֖ר עַל־הַמְּחֻקֶּֽה׃ On them he carved cherubim, palms, and calyxes, overlaying them with gold applied evenly over the carvings.

וַיִּ֙בֶן֙ אֶת־הֶחָצֵ֣ר הַפְּנִימִ֔ית שְׁלֹשָׁ֖ה טוּרֵ֣י גָזִ֑ית וְט֖וּר כְּרֻתֹ֥ת אֲרָזִֽים׃ He built the inner enclosure of three courses of hewn stones and one course of cedar beams.

בַּשָּׁנָה֙ הָרְבִיעִ֔ית יֻסַּ֖ד בֵּ֣ית יְהֹוָ֑ה בְּיֶ֖רַח זִֽו׃ In the fourth year, in the month of Ziv, the foundations of the House of GOD were laid;

וּבַשָּׁנָה֩ הָאַחַ֨ת עֶשְׂרֵ֜ה בְּיֶ֣רַח בּ֗וּל ה֚וּא הַחֹ֣דֶשׁ הַשְּׁמִינִ֔י כָּלָ֣ה הַבַּ֔יִת לְכׇל־דְּבָרָ֖יו וּלְכׇל־מִשְׁפָּטָ֑ו וַיִּבְנֵ֖הוּ שֶׁ֥בַע שָׁנִֽים׃ and in the eleventh year, in the month of Bul—that is, the eighth month—the House was completed according to all its details and all its specifications. It took him seven years to build it.

וְאֶת־בֵּיתוֹ֙ בָּנָ֣ה שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה שְׁלֹ֥שׁ עֶשְׂרֵ֖ה שָׁנָ֑ה וַיְכַ֖ל אֶת־כׇּל־בֵּיתֽוֹ׃ And it took Solomon thirteen years to build his palace, until his whole palace was completed.

וַיִּ֜בֶן אֶת־בֵּ֣ית ׀ יַ֣עַר הַלְּבָנ֗וֹן מֵאָ֨ה אַמָּ֤ה אׇרְכּוֹ֙ וַחֲמִשִּׁ֤ים אַמָּה֙ רׇחְבּ֔וֹ וּשְׁלֹשִׁ֥ים אַמָּ֖ה קוֹמָת֑וֹ עַ֗ל אַרְבָּעָה֙ טוּרֵי֙ עַמּוּדֵ֣י אֲרָזִ֔ים וּכְרֻת֥וֹת אֲרָזִ֖ים עַל־הָעַמּוּדִֽים׃ He built the Lebanon Forest House with four rows^aLebanon Forest House with four rows So called because of the rows of cedar columns. Septuagint reads “three rows” instead of “four rows”; cf. v. 3. of cedar columns, and with hewn cedar beams above the columns. Its length was 100 cubits, its breadth 50 cubits, and its height 30 cubits.

וְסָפֻ֣ן בָּאֶ֗רֶז מִמַּ֙עַל֙ עַל־הַצְּלָעוֹת֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר עַל־הָעַמּוּדִ֔ים אַרְבָּעִ֖ים וַחֲמִשָּׁ֑ה חֲמִשָּׁ֥ה עָשָׂ֖ר הַטּֽוּר׃ It was paneled above with cedar, with the planks^bplanks Apparently the “planks” connected the columns longitudinally, and the “beams” (v. 2) connected the planks transversely. that were above on the 45 columns—15 in each row.

וּשְׁקֻפִ֖ים שְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה טוּרִ֑ים וּמֶחֱזָ֥ה אֶל־מֶחֱזָ֖ה שָׁלֹ֥שׁ פְּעָמִֽים׃ And there were three rows of window frames, with three tiers of windows facing each other.

וְכׇל־הַפְּתָחִ֥ים וְהַמְּזוּז֖וֹת רְבֻעִ֣ים שָׁ֑קֶף וּמ֧וּל מֶחֱזָ֛ה אֶל־מֶחֱזָ֖ה שָׁלֹ֥שׁ פְּעָמִֽים׃ All the doorways and doorposts^cdoorposts Septuagint reads “windows.” had square frames—with three tiers of windows facing each other.

וְאֵ֨ת אוּלָ֤ם הָֽעַמּוּדִים֙ עָשָׂ֔ה חֲמִשִּׁ֤ים אַמָּה֙ אׇרְכּ֔וֹ וּשְׁלֹשִׁ֥ים אַמָּ֖ה רׇחְבּ֑וֹ וְאוּלָם֙ עַל־פְּנֵיהֶ֔ם וְעַמֻּדִ֥ים וְעָ֖ב עַל־פְּנֵיהֶֽם׃ He made the portico of columns 50 cubits long and 30 cubits wide; the portico was in front of [the columns], and there were columns with a canopy in front of them.^dthe portico was in front … a canopy in front of them Meaning of Heb. uncertain.

וְאוּלָ֤ם הַכִּסֵּא֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר יִשְׁפׇּט־שָׁ֔ם אֻלָ֥ם הַמִּשְׁפָּ֖ט עָשָׂ֑ה וְסָפ֣וּן בָּאֶ֔רֶז מֵהַקַּרְקַ֖ע עַד־הַקַּרְקָֽע׃ He made the throne portico, where he was to pronounce judgment—the Hall of Judgment. It was paneled with cedar from floor to floor.^efloor Syriac reads “rafters.”

וּבֵיתוֹ֩ אֲשֶׁר־יֵ֨שֶׁב שָׁ֜ם חָצֵ֣ר הָאַחֶ֗רֶת מִבֵּית֙ לָאוּלָ֔ם כַּמַּעֲשֶׂ֥ה הַזֶּ֖ה הָיָ֑ה וּבַ֜יִת יַעֲשֶׂ֤ה לְבַת־פַּרְעֹה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר לָקַ֣ח שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה כָּאוּלָ֖ם הַזֶּֽה׃ The house that he used as a residence, in the rear courtyard, back of the portico, was of the same construction. Solomon also constructed a palace like that portico for the daughter of Pharaoh, whom he had married.

כׇּל־אֵ֜לֶּה אֲבָנִ֤ים יְקָרֹת֙ כְּמִדּ֣וֹת גָּזִ֔ית מְגֹרָר֥וֹת בַּמְּגֵרָ֖ה מִבַּ֣יִת וּמִח֑וּץ וּמִמַּסָּד֙ עַד־הַטְּפָח֔וֹת וּמִח֖וּץ עַד־הֶחָצֵ֥ר הַגְּדוֹלָֽה׃ All these buildings, from foundation to coping and all the way out to the great courtyard, were of choice stones, hewn according to measure, smooth on all sides.^fsmooth on all sides Lit. “sawed with a saw in the inside and outside.”

וּמְיֻסָּ֕ד אֲבָנִ֥ים יְקָר֖וֹת אֲבָנִ֣ים גְּדֹל֑וֹת אַבְנֵי֙ עֶ֣שֶׂר אַמּ֔וֹת וְאַבְנֵ֖י שְׁמֹנֶ֥ה אַמּֽוֹת׃ The foundations were huge blocks of choice stone, stones of 10 cubits and stones of 8 cubits;

וּמִלְמַ֗עְלָה אֲבָנִ֧ים יְקָר֛וֹת כְּמִדּ֥וֹת גָּזִ֖ית וָאָֽרֶז׃ and above were choice stones, hewn according to measure, and cedar wood.

וְחָצֵ֨ר הַגְּדוֹלָ֜ה סָבִ֗יב שְׁלֹשָׁה֙ טוּרִ֣ים גָּזִ֔ית וְט֖וּר כְּרֻתֹ֣ת אֲרָזִ֑ים וְלַחֲצַ֧ר בֵּית־יְהֹוָ֛ה הַפְּנִימִ֖ית וּלְאֻלָ֥ם הַבָּֽיִת׃ {פ}
The large surrounding courtyard had three tiers of hewn stone and a row of cedar beams, the same as for the inner court of the House of GOD, and for the portico of the House.

וַיִּשְׁלַח֙ הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה וַיִּקַּ֥ח אֶת־חִירָ֖ם מִצֹּֽר׃ King Solomon sent for Hiram and brought him down from Tyre.

בֶּן־אִשָּׁה֩ אַלְמָנָ֨ה ה֜וּא מִמַּטֵּ֣ה נַפְתָּלִ֗י וְאָבִ֣יו אִישׁ־צֹרִי֮ חֹרֵ֣שׁ נְחֹ֒שֶׁת֒ וַ֠יִּמָּלֵ֠א אֶת־הַחׇכְמָ֤ה וְאֶת־הַתְּבוּנָה֙ וְאֶת־הַדַּ֔עַת לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת כׇּל־מְלָאכָ֖ה בַּנְּחֹ֑שֶׁת וַיָּבוֹא֙ אֶל־הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה וַיַּ֖עַשׂ אֶת־כׇּל־מְלַאכְתּֽוֹ׃ He was the son of a widow from the tribe of Naphtali, and his father had been a Tyrian, a coppersmith. He was endowed with skill, ability, and talent for executing all work in bronze.^gbronze Heb. neḥosheth denotes both copper and bronze. In the translation “copper” is ordinarily used for the natural product and “bronze” for the artifacts. He came to King Solomon and executed all his work.

וַיָּ֛צַר אֶת־שְׁנֵ֥י הָעַמּוּדִ֖ים נְחֹ֑שֶׁת שְׁמֹנֶ֨ה עֶשְׂרֵ֜ה אַמָּ֗ה קוֹמַת֙ הָעַמּ֣וּד הָאֶחָ֔ד וְחוּט֙ שְׁתֵּים־עֶשְׂרֵ֣ה אַמָּ֔ה יָסֹ֖ב אֶת־הָעַמּ֥וּד הַשֵּׁנִֽי׃ He cast two columns of bronze; one column was 18 cubits high and measured 12 cubits in circumference, [and similarly] the other column.

וּשְׁתֵּ֨י כֹתָרֹ֜ת עָשָׂ֗ה לָתֵ֛ת עַל־רָאשֵׁ֥י הָעַמּוּדִ֖ים מֻצַ֣ק נְחֹ֑שֶׁת חָמֵ֣שׁ אַמּ֗וֹת קוֹמַת֙ הַכֹּתֶ֣רֶת הָאֶחָ֔ת וְחָמֵ֣שׁ אַמּ֔וֹת קוֹמַ֖ת הַכֹּתֶ֥רֶת הַשֵּׁנִֽית׃ He made two capitals, cast in bronze, to be set upon the two columns, the height of each of the two capitals being 5 cubits;

שְׂבָכִ֞ים מַעֲשֵׂ֣ה שְׂבָכָ֗ה גְּדִלִים֙ מַעֲשֵׂ֣ה שַׁרְשְׁר֔וֹת לַכֹּ֣תָרֹ֔ת אֲשֶׁ֖ר עַל־רֹ֣אשׁ הָעַמּוּדִ֑ים שִׁבְעָה֙ לַכֹּתֶ֣רֶת הָאֶחָ֔ת וְשִׁבְעָ֖ה לַכֹּתֶ֥רֶת הַשֵּׁנִֽית׃ also nets of meshwork with festoons of chainwork for the capitals that were on the top of the columns, seven for each of the two capitals.

וַיַּ֖עַשׂ אֶת־הָעַמּוּדִ֑ים וּשְׁנֵי֩ טוּרִ֨ים סָבִ֜יב עַל־הַשְּׂבָכָ֣ה הָאֶחָ֗ת לְכַסּ֤וֹת אֶת־הַכֹּֽתָרֹת֙ אֲשֶׁר֙ עַל־רֹ֣אשׁ הָרִמֹּנִ֔ים וְכֵ֣ן עָשָׂ֔ה לַכֹּתֶ֖רֶת הַשֵּׁנִֽית׃ He made the columns^hcolumns Two Heb. mss. read “pomegranates.” so that there were two rows [of pomegranates] encircling the top of the one network, to cover the capitals that were on the top of the pomegranates;ⁱpomegranates About fifty Heb. mss. read “columns.” and he did the same for [the network on] the second capital.

וְכֹתָרֹ֗ת אֲשֶׁר֙ עַל־רֹ֣אשׁ הָעַמּוּדִ֔ים מַעֲשֵׂ֖ה שׁוּשַׁ֣ן בָּאוּלָ֑ם אַרְבַּ֖ע אַמּֽוֹת׃ The capitals upon the columns of the portico were of lily design, 4 cubits high;

וְכֹתָרֹ֗ת עַל־שְׁנֵי֙ הָעַמּוּדִ֔ים גַּם־מִמַּ֙עַל֙ מִלְּעֻמַּ֣ת הַבֶּ֔טֶן אֲשֶׁ֖ר לְעֵ֣בֶר (שבכה) [הַשְּׂבָכָ֑ה] וְהָרִמּוֹנִ֤ים מָאתַ֙יִם֙ טֻרִ֣ים סָבִ֔יב עַ֖ל הַכֹּתֶ֥רֶת הַשֵּׁנִֽית׃ so also the capitals upon the two columns extended above and next to the bulge^jbulge Lit. “belly”; exact force of Heb. uncertain. that was beside the network. There were 200 pomegranates in rows around the top of the second capital.^kthe second capital I.e., each of the two capitals.

וַיָּ֙קֶם֙ אֶת־הָֽעַמֻּדִ֔ים לְאֻלָ֖ם הַהֵיכָ֑ל וַיָּ֜קֶם אֶת־הָעַמּ֣וּד הַיְמָנִ֗י וַיִּקְרָ֤א אֶת־שְׁמוֹ֙ יָכִ֔ין וַיָּ֙קֶם֙ אֶת־הָעַמּ֣וּד הַשְּׂמָאלִ֔י וַיִּקְרָ֥א אֶת־שְׁמ֖וֹ בֹּֽעַז׃ He set up the columns at the portico of the Great Hall; he set up one column on the right and named it Jachin, and he set up the other column on the left and named it Boaz.

וְעַ֛ל רֹ֥אשׁ הָעַמּוּדִ֖ים מַעֲשֵׂ֣ה שׁוֹשָׁ֑ן וַתִּתֹּ֖ם מְלֶ֥אכֶת הָעַמּוּדִֽים׃ Upon the top of the columns there was a lily design. Thus the work of the columns was completed.

וַיַּ֥עַשׂ אֶת־הַיָּ֖ם מוּצָ֑ק עֶ֣שֶׂר בָּ֠אַמָּ֠ה מִשְּׂפָת֨וֹ עַד־שְׂפָת֜וֹ עָגֹ֣ל ׀ סָבִ֗יב וְחָמֵ֤שׁ בָּֽאַמָּה֙ קוֹמָת֔וֹ (וקוה) [וְקָו֙] שְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים בָּאַמָּ֔ה יָסֹ֥ב אֹת֖וֹ סָבִֽיב׃ Then he made the tank^ltank Lit. “sea.” of cast metal, 10 cubits across from brim to brim, completely round; it was 5 cubits high, and it measured 30 cubits in circumference.

וּפְקָעִים֩ מִתַּ֨חַת לִשְׂפָת֤וֹ ׀ סָבִיב֙ סֹבְבִ֣ים אֹת֔וֹ עֶ֚שֶׂר בָּאַמָּ֔ה מַקִּפִ֥ים אֶת־הַיָּ֖ם סָבִ֑יב שְׁנֵ֤י טוּרִים֙ הַפְּקָעִ֔ים יְצֻקִ֖ים בִּיצֻֽקָתֽוֹ׃ There were gourds below the brim completely encircling it—ten to a cubit, encircling the tank; the gourds were in two rows, cast in one piece with it.

עֹמֵ֞ד עַל־שְׁנֵ֧י עָשָׂ֣ר בָּקָ֗ר שְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה פֹנִ֣ים ׀ צָפ֡וֹנָה וּשְׁלֹשָׁה֩ פֹנִ֨ים ׀ יָ֜מָּה וּשְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה ׀ פֹּנִ֣ים נֶ֗גְבָּה וּשְׁלֹשָׁה֙ פֹּנִ֣ים מִזְרָ֔חָה וְהַיָּ֥ם עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם מִלְמָ֑עְלָה וְכׇל־אֲחֹרֵיהֶ֖ם בָּֽיְתָה׃ It stood upon twelve oxen: three facing north, three facing west, three facing south, and three facing east, with the tank resting upon them; their haunches were all turned inward.

וְעׇבְי֣וֹ טֶ֔פַח וּשְׂפָת֛וֹ כְּמַעֲשֵׂ֥ה שְׂפַת־כּ֖וֹס פֶּ֣רַח שׁוֹשָׁ֑ן אַלְפַּ֥יִם בַּ֖ת יָכִֽיל׃ {פ}
It was a handbreadth thick, and its brim was made like that of a cup, like the petals of a lily. Its capacity was 2,000 baths.

וַיַּ֧עַשׂ אֶת־הַמְּכֹנ֛וֹת עֶ֖שֶׂר נְחֹ֑שֶׁת אַרְבַּ֣ע בָּֽאַמָּ֗ה אֹ֚רֶךְ הַמְּכוֹנָ֣ה הָאֶחָ֔ת וְאַרְבַּ֤ע בָּֽאַמָּה֙ רׇחְבָּ֔הּ וְשָׁלֹ֥שׁ בָּאַמָּ֖ה קוֹמָתָֽהּ׃ He made the ten laver stands of bronze. The length of each laver stand was 4 cubits and the width 4 cubits, and the height was 3 cubits.

וְזֶ֛ה מַעֲשֵׂ֥ה הַמְּכוֹנָ֖ה מִסְגְּרֹ֣ת לָהֶ֑ם וּמִסְגְּרֹ֖ת בֵּ֥ין הַשְׁלַבִּֽים׃ The structure of the laver stands was as follows: They had insets,^minsets Emendation yields “frames.” and there were insets within the frames;

וְעַֽל־הַמִּסְגְּר֞וֹת אֲשֶׁ֣ר ׀ בֵּ֣ין הַשְׁלַבִּ֗ים אֲרָי֤וֹת ׀ בָּקָר֙ וּכְרוּבִ֔ים וְעַל־הַשְׁלַבִּ֖ים כֵּ֣ן מִמָּ֑עַל וּמִתַּ֙חַת֙ לַאֲרָי֣וֹת וְלַבָּקָ֔ר לֹי֖וֹת מַעֲשֵׂ֥ה מוֹרָֽד׃ and on the insets within the frames were lions, oxen, and cherubim. Above the frames was a stand; and both above and below the lions and the oxen were spirals of hammered metal.

וְאַרְבָּעָה֩ אוֹפַנֵּ֨י נְחֹ֜שֶׁת לַמְּכוֹנָ֤ה הָאַחַת֙ וְסַרְנֵ֣י נְחֹ֔שֶׁת וְאַרְבָּעָ֥ה פַעֲמֹתָ֖יו כְּתֵפֹ֣ת לָהֶ֑ם מִתַּ֤חַת לַכִּיֹּר֙ הַכְּתֵפ֣וֹת יְצֻק֔וֹת מֵעֵ֥בֶר אִ֖ישׁ לֹיֽוֹת׃ Each laver stand had four bronze wheels and [two] bronze axletrees. Its four legs had brackets; the brackets were under the laver, cast with spirals beyond each.ⁿwith spirals beyond each Meaning of Heb. uncertain.

וּ֠פִ֠יהוּ מִבֵּ֨ית לַכֹּתֶ֤רֶת וָמַ֙עְלָה֙ בָּֽאַמָּ֔ה וּפִ֙יהָ֙ עָגֹ֣ל מַעֲשֵׂה־כֵ֔ן אַמָּ֖ה וַחֲצִ֣י הָאַמָּ֑ה וְגַם־עַל־פִּ֙יהָ֙ מִקְלָע֔וֹת וּמִסְגְּרֹתֵיהֶ֥ם מְרֻבָּע֖וֹת לֹ֥א עֲגֻלּֽוֹת׃ Its funnel, within the crown, rose a cubit above it; this funnel was round, in the fashion of a stand, a cubit and a half in diameter. On the funnel too there were carvings.
But the insets were square, not round.

וְאַרְבַּ֣עַת הָאוֹפַנִּ֗ים לְמִתַּ֙חַת֙ לַֽמִּסְגְּר֔וֹת וִיד֥וֹת הָאוֹפַנִּ֖ים בַּמְּכוֹנָ֑ה וְקוֹמַת֙ הָאוֹפַ֣ן הָאֶחָ֔ד אַמָּ֖ה וַחֲצִ֥י הָאַמָּֽה׃ And below the insets were the four wheels. The axletrees of the wheels were [fixed] in the laver stand, and the height of each wheel was a cubit and a half.

וּמַֽעֲשֵׂה֙ הָא֣וֹפַנִּ֔ים כְּמַעֲשֵׂ֖ה אוֹפַ֣ן הַמֶּרְכָּבָ֑ה יְדוֹתָ֣ם וְגַבֵּיהֶ֗ם וְחִשֻּׁקֵיהֶ֛ם וְחִשֻּׁרֵיהֶ֖ם הַכֹּ֥ל מוּצָֽק׃ The structure of the wheels was like the structure of chariot wheels; and their axletrees, their rims, their spokes, and their hubs were all of cast metal.

וְאַרְבַּ֣ע כְּתֵפ֔וֹת אֶ֚ל אַרְבַּ֣ע פִּנּ֔וֹת הַמְּכֹנָ֖ה הָאֶחָ֑ת מִן־הַמְּכֹנָ֖ה כְּתֵפֶֽיהָ׃ Four brackets ran to the four corners of each laver stand; the brackets were of a piece with the laver stand.

וּבְרֹ֣אשׁ הַמְּכוֹנָ֗ה חֲצִ֧י הָאַמָּ֛ה קוֹמָ֖ה עָגֹ֣ל ׀ סָבִ֑יב וְעַ֨ל רֹ֤אשׁ הַמְּכֹנָה֙ יְדֹתֶ֔יהָ וּמִסְגְּרֹתֶ֖יהָ מִמֶּֽנָּה׃ At the top of the laver stand was a round band half a cubit high, and together with the top of the laver stand; its sides and its insets were of one piece with it.

וַיְפַתַּ֤ח עַל־הַלֻּחֹת֙ יְדֹתֶ֔יהָ וְעַל֙ (ומסגרתיה) [מִסְגְּרֹתֶ֔יהָ] כְּרוּבִ֖ים אֲרָי֣וֹת וְתִמֹרֹ֑ת כְּמַעַר־אִ֥ישׁ וְלֹי֖וֹת סָבִֽיב׃ On its surface—on its sides—and on its insets [Hiram] engraved cherubim, lions, and palms, as the clear space on each allowed,^oOn its surface … allowed Meaning of Heb. uncertain. with spirals round about.

כָּזֹ֣את עָשָׂ֔ה אֵ֖ת עֶ֣שֶׂר הַמְּכֹנ֑וֹת מוּצָ֨ק אֶחָ֜ד מִדָּ֥ה אַחַ֛ת קֶ֥צֶב אֶחָ֖ד לְכֻלָּֽהְנָֽה׃ {ס}         It was after this manner that he made the ten laver stands, all of them cast alike, of the same measure and the same form.

וַיַּ֛עַשׂ עֲשָׂרָ֥ה כִיֹּר֖וֹת נְחֹ֑שֶׁת אַרְבָּעִ֨ים בַּ֜ת יָכִ֣יל ׀ הַכִּיּ֣וֹר הָאֶחָ֗ד אַרְבַּ֤ע בָּֽאַמָּה֙ הַכִּיּ֣וֹר הָאֶחָ֔ד כִּיּ֤וֹר אֶחָד֙ עַל־הַמְּכוֹנָ֣ה הָאַחַ֔ת לְעֶ֖שֶׂר הַמְּכֹנֽוֹת׃ Then he made ten bronze lavers, one laver on each of the ten laver stands, each laver measuring 4 cubits and each laver containing forty baths.

וַיִּתֵּן֙ אֶת־הַמְּכֹנ֔וֹת חָמֵ֞שׁ עַל־כֶּ֤תֶף הַבַּ֙יִת֙ מִיָּמִ֔ין וְחָמֵ֛שׁ עַל־כֶּ֥תֶף הַבַּ֖יִת מִשְּׂמֹאל֑וֹ וְאֶת־הַיָּ֗ם נָתַ֞ן מִכֶּ֨תֶף הַבַּ֧יִת הַיְמָנִ֛ית קֵ֖דְמָה מִמּ֥וּל נֶֽגֶב׃ {ס}         He disposed the laver stands, five at the right side of the House and five at its left side; and the tank he placed on the right side of the House, at the southeast [corner].

וַיַּ֣עַשׂ חִיר֔וֹם אֶ֨ת־הַכִּיֹּר֔וֹת וְאֶת־הַיָּעִ֖ים וְאֶת־הַמִּזְרָק֑וֹת וַיְכַ֣ל חִירָ֗ם לַֽעֲשׂוֹת֙ אֶת־כׇּל־הַמְּלָאכָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר עָשָׂ֛ה לַמֶּ֥לֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹ֖ה בֵּ֥ית יְהֹוָֽה׃ Hiram also made the lavers, the scrapers, and the sprinkling bowls.
So Hiram finished all the work that he had been doing for King Solomon on the House of GOD:

עַמֻּדִ֣ים שְׁנַ֔יִם וְגֻלֹּ֧ת הַכֹּתָרֹ֛ת אֲשֶׁר־עַל־רֹ֥אשׁ הָעַמּוּדִ֖ים שְׁתָּ֑יִם וְהַשְּׂבָכ֣וֹת שְׁתַּ֔יִם לְכַסּ֗וֹת אֶת־שְׁתֵּי֙ גֻּלּ֣וֹת הַכֹּתָרֹ֔ת אֲשֶׁ֖ר עַל־רֹ֥אשׁ הָעַמּוּדִֽים׃ the two columns, the two globes of the capitals upon the columns; and the two pieces of network to cover the two globes of the capitals upon the columns;

וְאֶת־הָרִמֹּנִ֛ים אַרְבַּ֥ע מֵא֖וֹת לִשְׁתֵּ֣י הַשְּׂבָכ֑וֹת שְׁנֵֽי־טוּרִ֤ים רִמֹּנִים֙ לַשְּׂבָכָ֣ה הָאֶחָ֔ת לְכַסּ֗וֹת אֶת־שְׁתֵּי֙ גֻּלּ֣וֹת הַכֹּתָרֹ֔ת אֲשֶׁ֖ר עַל־פְּנֵ֥י הָעַמּוּדִֽים׃ the four hundred pomegranates for the two pieces of network, two rows of pomegranates for each network, to cover the two globes of the capitals upon the columns;

וְאֶת־הַמְּכֹנ֖וֹת עָ֑שֶׂר וְאֶת־הַכִּיֹּרֹ֥ת עֲשָׂרָ֖ה עַל־הַמְּכֹנֽוֹת׃ the ten stands and the ten lavers upon the stands;

וְאֶת־הַיָּ֖ם הָאֶחָ֑ד וְאֶת־הַבָּקָ֥ר שְׁנֵים־עָשָׂ֖ר תַּ֥חַת הַיָּֽם׃ the one tank with the twelve oxen underneath the tank;

וְאֶת־הַסִּיר֨וֹת וְאֶת־הַיָּעִ֜ים וְאֶת־הַמִּזְרָק֗וֹת וְאֵת֙ כׇּל־הַכֵּלִ֣ים (האהל) [הָאֵ֔לֶּה] אֲשֶׁ֨ר עָשָׂ֥ה חִירָ֛ם לַמֶּ֥לֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹ֖ה בֵּ֣ית יְהֹוָ֑ה נְחֹ֖שֶׁת מְמֹרָֽט׃ the pails, the scrapers, and the sprinkling bowls. All those vessels in the House of GOD that Hiram made for King Solomon were of burnished bronze.

בְּכִכַּ֤ר הַיַּרְדֵּן֙ יְצָקָ֣ם הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ בְּמַעֲבֵ֖ה הָאֲדָמָ֑ה בֵּ֥ין סֻכּ֖וֹת וּבֵ֥ין צָרְתָֽן׃ The king had them cast in earthen molds,^pin earthen molds Lit. “in the thick of the earth.” in the plain of the Jordan between Succoth and Zarethan.

וַיַּנַּ֤ח שְׁלֹמֹה֙ אֶת־כׇּל־הַכֵּלִ֔ים מֵרֹ֖ב מְאֹ֣ד מְאֹ֑ד לֹ֥א נֶחְקַ֖ר מִשְׁקַ֥ל הַנְּחֹֽשֶׁת׃ Solomon left all the vessels [unweighed] because of their very great quantity; the weight of the bronze was not reckoned.

וַיַּ֣עַשׂ שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה אֵ֚ת כׇּל־הַכֵּלִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֖ר בֵּ֣ית יְהֹוָ֑ה אֵ֚ת מִזְבַּ֣ח הַזָּהָ֔ב וְאֶת־הַשֻּׁלְחָ֗ן אֲשֶׁ֥ר עָלָ֛יו לֶ֥חֶם הַפָּנִ֖ים זָהָֽב׃ And Solomon made all the furnishings that were in the House of GOD: the altar, of gold; the table for the bread of display, of gold;

וְאֶת־הַ֠מְּנֹר֠וֹת חָמֵ֨שׁ מִיָּמִ֜ין וְחָמֵ֧שׁ מִשְּׂמֹ֛אול לִפְנֵ֥י הַדְּבִ֖יר זָהָ֣ב סָג֑וּר וְהַפֶּ֧רַח וְהַנֵּרֹ֛ת וְהַמֶּלְקַחַ֖יִם זָהָֽב׃ the lampstands—five on the right side and five on the left—in front of the Shrine, of solid gold; and the petals, lamps, and tongs, of gold;

וְ֠הַסִּפּ֠וֹת וְהַֽמְזַמְּר֧וֹת וְהַמִּזְרָק֛וֹת וְהַכַּפּ֥וֹת וְהַמַּחְתּ֖וֹת זָהָ֣ב סָג֑וּר וְהַפֹּת֡וֹת לְדַלְתוֹת֩ הַבַּ֨יִת הַפְּנִימִ֜י לְקֹ֣דֶשׁ הַקֳּדָשִׁ֗ים לְדַלְתֵ֥י הַבַּ֛יִת לַהֵיכָ֖ל זָהָֽב׃ {פ}
the basins, snuffers, sprinkling bowls, ladles, and fire pans, of solid gold; and the hinge sockets for the doors of the innermost part of the House, the Holy of Holies, and for the doors of the Great Hall of the House, of gold.

וַתִּשְׁלַם֙ כׇּל־הַמְּלָאכָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר עָשָׂ֛ה הַמֶּ֥לֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹ֖ה בֵּ֣ית יְהֹוָ֑ה וַיָּבֵ֨א שְׁלֹמֹ֜ה אֶת־קׇדְשֵׁ֣י ׀ דָּוִ֣ד אָבִ֗יו אֶת־הַכֶּ֤סֶף וְאֶת־הַזָּהָב֙ וְאֶת־הַכֵּלִ֔ים נָתַ֕ן בְּאֹצְר֖וֹת בֵּ֥ית יְהֹוָֽה׃ {פ}
When all the work that King Solomon had done in the House of GOD was completed, Solomon brought in the sacred donations of his father David—the silver, the gold, and the vessels—and deposited them in the treasury of the House of GOD.

אָ֣ז יַקְהֵ֣ל שְׁלֹמֹ֣ה אֶת־זִקְנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֡ל אֶת־כׇּל־רָאשֵׁ֣י הַמַּטּוֹת֩ נְשִׂיאֵ֨י הָאָב֜וֹת לִבְנֵ֧י יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל אֶל־הַמֶּ֥לֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹ֖ה יְרוּשָׁלָ֑͏ִם לְֽהַעֲל֞וֹת אֶת־אֲר֧וֹן בְּרִית־יְהֹוָ֛ה מֵעִ֥יר דָּוִ֖ד הִ֥יא צִיּֽוֹן׃ Then Solomon convoked the elders of Israel—all the heads of the tribes and the ancestral chieftains of the Israelites—before King Solomon in Jerusalem, to bring up the Ark of the Covenant of GOD from the City of David, that is, Zion.

וַיִּקָּ֨הֲל֜וּ אֶל־הַמֶּ֤לֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹה֙ כׇּל־אִ֣ישׁ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל בְּיֶ֥רַח הָאֵתָנִ֖ים בֶּחָ֑ג ה֖וּא הַחֹ֥דֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִֽי׃ The entire body of Israel^aThe entire body of Israel I.e., the elders of vv. 1 and 3, representing the nation. gathered before King Solomon at the Feast [of Booths],^bthe Feast [of Booths] Cf. Lev. 23.34. in the month of Ethanim—that is, the seventh month.

וַיָּבֹ֕אוּ כֹּ֖ל זִקְנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַיִּשְׂא֥וּ הַכֹּהֲנִ֖ים אֶת־הָאָרֽוֹן׃ When all the elders of Israel had come, the priests lifted the Ark

וַֽיַּעֲל֞וּ אֶת־אֲר֤וֹן יְהֹוָה֙ וְאֶת־אֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵ֔ד וְאֶת־כׇּל־כְּלֵ֥י הַקֹּ֖דֶשׁ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בָּאֹ֑הֶל וַיַּעֲל֣וּ אֹתָ֔ם הַכֹּהֲנִ֖ים וְהַלְוִיִּֽם׃ and carried up the Ark of GOD. Then the priests and the Levites brought the Tent of Meeting and all the holy vessels that were in the Tent.

וְהַמֶּ֣לֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹ֗ה וְכׇל־עֲדַ֤ת יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ הַנּוֹעָדִ֣ים עָלָ֔יו אִתּ֖וֹ לִפְנֵ֣י הָאָר֑וֹן מְזַבְּחִים֙ צֹ֣אן וּבָקָ֔ר אֲשֶׁ֧ר לֹֽא־יִסָּפְר֛וּ וְלֹ֥א יִמָּנ֖וּ מֵרֹֽב׃ Meanwhile, King Solomon and the whole community of Israel,^cwhole community of Israel I.e., the elders, on the community’s behalf. who were assembled with him before the Ark, were sacrificing sheep and oxen in such abundance that they could not be numbered or counted.

וַיָּבִ֣אוּ הַ֠כֹּהֲנִ֠ים אֶת־אֲר֨וֹן בְּרִית־יְהֹוָ֧ה אֶל־מְקוֹמ֛וֹ אֶל־דְּבִ֥יר הַבַּ֖יִת אֶל־קֹ֣דֶשׁ הַקֳּדָשִׁ֑ים אֶל־תַּ֖חַת כַּנְפֵ֥י הַכְּרוּבִֽים׃ The priests brought the Ark of GOD’s Covenant to its place underneath the wings of the cherubim, in the Shrine of the House, in the Holy of Holies;

כִּ֤י הַכְּרוּבִים֙ פֹּרְשִׂ֣ים כְּנָפַ֔יִם אֶל־מְק֖וֹם הָאָר֑וֹן וַיָּסֹ֧כּוּ הַכְּרֻבִ֛ים עַל־הָאָר֥וֹן וְעַל־בַּדָּ֖יו מִלְמָֽעְלָה׃ for the cherubim had their wings spread out over the place of the Ark, so that the cherubim shielded the Ark and its poles from above.

וַֽיַּאֲרִ֘כוּ֮ הַבַּדִּים֒ וַיֵּֽרָאוּ֩ רָאשֵׁ֨י הַבַּדִּ֤ים מִן־הַקֹּ֙דֶשׁ֙ עַל־פְּנֵ֣י הַדְּבִ֔יר וְלֹ֥א יֵרָא֖וּ הַח֑וּצָה וַיִּ֣הְיוּ שָׁ֔ם עַ֖ד הַיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה׃ The poles projected so that the ends of the poles were visible in the sanctuary in front of the Shrine, but they could not be seen outside; and there they remain to this day.

אֵ֚ין בָּֽאָר֔וֹן רַ֗ק שְׁנֵי֙ לֻח֣וֹת הָאֲבָנִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֨ר הִנִּ֥חַ שָׁ֛ם מֹשֶׁ֖ה בְּחֹרֵ֑ב אֲשֶׁ֨ר כָּרַ֤ת יְהֹוָה֙ עִם־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל בְּצֵאתָ֖ם מֵאֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם׃ There was nothing inside the Ark but the two tablets of stone that Moses placed there at Horeb, when GOD made [a covenant] with the Israelites after their departure from the land of Egypt.

וַיְהִ֕י בְּצֵ֥את הַכֹּהֲנִ֖ים מִן־הַקֹּ֑דֶשׁ וְהֶעָנָ֥ן מָלֵ֖א אֶת־בֵּ֥ית יְהֹוָֽה׃ When the priests came out of the sanctuary—for the cloud had filled the House of GOD

וְלֹא־יָכְל֧וּ הַכֹּהֲנִ֛ים לַֽעֲמֹ֥ד לְשָׁרֵ֖ת מִפְּנֵ֣י הֶעָנָ֑ן כִּֽי־מָלֵ֥א כְבוֹד־יְהֹוָ֖ה אֶת־בֵּ֥ית יְהֹוָֽה׃ {פ}
and the priests were not able to remain and perform the service because of the cloud, for the Presence of the ETERNAL filled the House of GOD —

אָ֖ז אָמַ֣ר שְׁלֹמֹ֑ה יְהֹוָ֣ה אָמַ֔ר לִשְׁכֹּ֖ן בָּעֲרָפֶֽל׃ then Solomon declared:
“ GOD has chosen
To abide in a thick cloud:

בָּנֹ֥ה בָנִ֛יתִי בֵּ֥ית זְבֻ֖ל לָ֑ךְ מָכ֥וֹן לְשִׁבְתְּךָ֖ עוֹלָמִֽים׃ I have now built for You
A stately House,
A place where You
May dwell forever.”

וַיַּסֵּ֤ב הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ אֶת־פָּנָ֔יו וַיְבָ֕רֶךְ אֵ֖ת כׇּל־קְהַ֣ל יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וְכׇל־קְהַ֥ל יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל עֹמֵֽד׃ Then, with the whole congregation of Israel standing, the king faced about and blessed the whole congregation of Israel.

וַיֹּ֗אמֶר בָּר֤וּךְ יְהֹוָה֙ אֱלֹהֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אֲשֶׁר֙ דִּבֶּ֣ר בְּפִ֔יו אֵ֖ת דָּוִ֣ד אָבִ֑י וּבְיָד֥וֹ מִלֵּ֖א לֵאמֹֽר׃ He said:
“Praised be the ETERNAL, the God of Israel, who has fulfilled with deeds the promise made^dwho has fulfilled with deeds the promise made Lit. “who spoke with His own mouth…and has fulfilled with His own hand.” to my father David. For [God] said,

מִן־הַיּ֗וֹם אֲשֶׁ֨ר הוֹצֵ֜אתִי אֶת־עַמִּ֣י אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵל֮ מִמִּצְרַ֒יִם֒ לֹֽא־בָחַ֣רְתִּֽי בְעִ֗יר מִכֹּל֙ שִׁבְטֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל לִבְנ֣וֹת בַּ֔יִת לִהְי֥וֹת שְׁמִ֖י שָׁ֑ם וָאֶבְחַ֣ר בְּדָוִ֔ד לִהְי֖וֹת עַל־עַמִּ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ ‘Ever since I brought My people Israel out of Egypt, I have not chosen a city among all the tribes of Israel for building a House where My name might abide; but I have chosen David to rule My people Israel.’

וַיְהִ֕י עִם־לְבַ֖ב דָּוִ֣ד אָבִ֑י לִבְנ֣וֹת בַּ֔יִת לְשֵׁ֥ם יְהֹוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ “Now my father David had intended to build a House for the name of the ETERNAL One, the God of Israel.

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהֹוָה֙ אֶל־דָּוִ֣ד אָבִ֔י יַ֗עַן אֲשֶׁ֤ר הָיָה֙ עִם־לְבָ֣בְךָ֔ לִבְנ֥וֹת בַּ֖יִת לִשְׁמִ֑י הֱֽטִיבֹ֔תָ כִּ֥י הָיָ֖ה עִם־לְבָבֶֽךָ׃ But GOD said to my father David, ‘As regards your intention to build a House for My name, you did right to have that intention.

רַ֣ק אַתָּ֔ה לֹ֥א תִבְנֶ֖ה הַבָּ֑יִת כִּ֤י אִם־בִּנְךָ֙ הַיֹּצֵ֣א מֵחֲלָצֶ֔יךָ הֽוּא־יִבְנֶ֥ה הַבַּ֖יִת לִשְׁמִֽי׃ However, you shall not build the House yourself; instead, your son, the issue of your loins, shall build the House for My name.’

וַיָּ֣קֶם יְהֹוָ֔ה אֶת־דְּבָר֖וֹ אֲשֶׁ֣ר דִּבֵּ֑ר וָאָקֻ֡ם תַּ֩חַת֩ דָּוִ֨ד אָבִ֜י וָאֵשֵׁ֣ב ׀ עַל־כִּסֵּ֣א יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל כַּֽאֲשֶׁר֙ דִּבֶּ֣ר יְהֹוָ֔ה וָאֶבְנֶ֣ה הַבַּ֔יִת לְשֵׁ֥ם יְהֹוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ “And GOD has fulfilled the promise that was made: I have succeeded^esucceeded Lit. “risen in place of.” my father David and have ascended the throne of Israel, as GOD promised. I have built the House for the name of the ETERNAL One, the God of Israel;

וָאָשִׂ֨ם שָׁ֤ם מָקוֹם֙ לָאָר֔וֹן אֲשֶׁר־שָׁ֖ם בְּרִ֣ית יְהֹוָ֑ה אֲשֶׁ֤ר כָּרַת֙ עִם־אֲבֹתֵ֔ינוּ בְּהוֹצִיא֥וֹ אֹתָ֖ם מֵאֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם׃ {ס}         and I have set a place there for the Ark, containing the covenant that GOD made with our ancestors upon bringing them out from the land of Egypt.”

וַיַּעֲמֹ֣ד שְׁלֹמֹ֗ה לִפְנֵי֙ מִזְבַּ֣ח יְהֹוָ֔ה נֶ֖גֶד כׇּל־קְהַ֣ל יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַיִּפְרֹ֥שׂ כַּפָּ֖יו הַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃ Then Solomon stood before the altar of GOD in the presence of the whole community of Israel; he spread the palms of his hands toward heaven

וַיֹּאמַ֗ר יְהֹוָ֞ה אֱלֹהֵ֤י יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ אֵין־כָּמ֣וֹךָ אֱלֹהִ֔ים בַּשָּׁמַ֣יִם מִמַּ֔עַל וְעַל־הָאָ֖רֶץ מִתָּ֑חַת שֹׁמֵ֤ר הַבְּרִית֙ וְֽהַחֶ֔סֶד לַעֲבָדֶ֕יךָ הַהֹלְכִ֥ים לְפָנֶ֖יךָ בְּכׇל־לִבָּֽם׃ and said, “O ETERNAL God of Israel, in the heavens above and on the earth below there is no god like You, who keep Your gracious covenant with Your servants when they walk before You in wholehearted devotion;

אֲשֶׁ֣ר שָׁמַ֗רְתָּ לְעַבְדְּךָ֙ דָּוִ֣ד אָבִ֔י אֵ֥ת אֲשֶׁר־דִּבַּ֖רְתָּ ל֑וֹ וַתְּדַבֵּ֥ר בְּפִ֛יךָ וּבְיָדְךָ֥ מִלֵּ֖אתָ כַּיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה׃ You who have kept the promises You made to Your servant, my father David, fulfilling with deeds the promise You made—as is now the case.

וְעַתָּ֞ה יְהֹוָ֣ה ׀ אֱלֹהֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל שְׁ֠מֹ֠ר לְעַבְדְּךָ֨ דָוִ֤ד אָבִי֙ אֵת֩ אֲשֶׁ֨ר דִּבַּ֤רְתָּ לּוֹ֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר לֹא־יִכָּרֵ֨ת לְךָ֥ אִישׁ֙ מִלְּפָנַ֔י יֹשֵׁ֖ב עַל־כִּסֵּ֣א יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל רַ֠ק אִם־יִשְׁמְר֨וּ בָנֶ֤יךָ אֶת־דַּרְכָּם֙ לָלֶ֣כֶת לְפָנַ֔י כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר הָלַ֖כְתָּ לְפָנָֽי׃ And now, O ETERNAL God of Israel, keep the further promise that You made to Your servant, my father David: ‘Your line on the throne of Israel shall never end,^fYour line on the throne of Israel shall never end See note at 2.4. if only your descendants will look to their way and walk before Me as you have walked before Me.’

וְעַתָּ֖ה אֱלֹהֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל יֵאָ֤מֶן נָא֙ (דבריך) [דְּבָ֣רְךָ֔] אֲשֶׁ֣ר דִּבַּ֔רְתָּ לְעַבְדְּךָ֖ דָּוִ֥ד אָבִֽי׃ Now, therefore, O God of Israel, let the promise that You made to Your servant my father David be fulfilled.

כִּ֚י הַֽאֻמְנָ֔ם יֵשֵׁ֥ב אֱלֹהִ֖ים עַל־הָאָ֑רֶץ הִ֠נֵּ֠ה הַשָּׁמַ֜יִם וּשְׁמֵ֤י הַשָּׁמַ֙יִם֙ לֹ֣א יְכַלְכְּל֔וּךָ אַ֕ף כִּֽי־הַבַּ֥יִת הַזֶּ֖ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר בָּנִֽיתִי׃ “But will God really dwell^gdwell Cf. 2 Chron. 6.18, which adds “with humankind.” on earth? Even the heavens to their uttermost reaches cannot contain You, how much less this House that I have built!

וּפָנִ֜יתָ אֶל־תְּפִלַּ֧ת עַבְדְּךָ֛ וְאֶל־תְּחִנָּת֖וֹ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהָ֑י לִשְׁמֹ֤עַ אֶל־הָֽרִנָּה֙ וְאֶל־הַתְּפִלָּ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֧ר עַבְדְּךָ֛ מִתְפַּלֵּ֥ל לְפָנֶ֖יךָ הַיּֽוֹם׃ Yet turn, my ETERNAL God, to the prayer and supplication of Your servant, and hear the cry and prayer that Your servant offers before You this day.

לִהְיוֹת֩ עֵינֶ֨ךָ פְתֻחֹ֜ת אֶל־הַבַּ֤יִת הַזֶּה֙ לַ֣יְלָה וָי֔וֹם אֶ֨ל־הַמָּק֔וֹם אֲשֶׁ֣ר אָמַ֔רְתָּ יִֽהְיֶ֥ה שְׁמִ֖י שָׁ֑ם לִשְׁמֹ֙עַ֙ אֶל־הַתְּפִלָּ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר יִתְפַּלֵּ֣ל עַבְדְּךָ֔ אֶל־הַמָּק֖וֹם הַזֶּֽה׃ May Your eyes be open day and night toward this House, toward the place of which You have said, ‘My name shall abide there’; may You heed the prayers that Your servant will offer toward this place.

וְשָׁ֨מַעְתָּ֜ אֶל־תְּחִנַּ֤ת עַבְדְּךָ֙ וְעַמְּךָ֣ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר יִֽתְפַּלְל֖וּ אֶל־הַמָּק֣וֹם הַזֶּ֑ה וְ֠אַתָּ֠ה תִּשְׁמַ֞ע אֶל־מְק֤וֹם שִׁבְתְּךָ֙ אֶל־הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם וְשָׁמַעְתָּ֖ וְסָלָֽחְתָּ׃ And when You hear the supplications that Your servant and Your people Israel offer toward this place, give heed in Your heavenly abode—give heed and pardon.

אֵת֩ אֲשֶׁ֨ר יֶחֱטָ֥א אִישׁ֙ לְרֵעֵ֔הוּ וְנָשָׁא־ב֥וֹ אָלָ֖ה לְהַאֲלֹת֑וֹ וּבָ֗א אָלָ֛ה לִפְנֵ֥י מִֽזְבַּחֲךָ֖ בַּבַּ֥יִת הַזֶּֽה׃ “Whenever one person commits an offense against another, and the latter utters an imprecation to bring a curse upon the former,^hand the latter utters an imprecation to bring a curse upon the former Or “and is made to take an oath and utter a self-imprecation.” and comes with that imprecation before Your altar in this House,

וְאַתָּ֣ה ׀ תִּשְׁמַ֣ע הַשָּׁמַ֗יִם וְעָשִׂ֙יתָ֙ וְשָֽׁפַטְתָּ֣ אֶת־עֲבָדֶ֔יךָ לְהַרְשִׁ֣יעַ רָשָׁ֔ע לָתֵ֥ת דַּרְכּ֖וֹ בְּרֹאשׁ֑וֹ וּלְהַצְדִּ֣יק צַדִּ֔יק לָ֥תֶת ל֖וֹ כְּצִדְקָתֽוֹ׃ oh, hear in heaven and take action to judge Your servants, condemning the one who is in the wrong and bringing down the punishment of their conduct on their head—while vindicating the other, who is in the right, by rewarding them according to their righteousness.

בְּֽהִנָּגֵ֞ף עַמְּךָ֧ יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל לִפְנֵ֥י אוֹיֵ֖ב אֲשֶׁ֣ר יֶחֶטְאוּ־לָ֑ךְ וְשָׁ֤בוּ אֵלֶ֙יךָ֙ וְהוֹד֣וּ אֶת־שְׁמֶ֔ךָ וְהִתְפַּלְל֧וּ וְהִֽתְחַנְּנ֛וּ אֵלֶ֖יךָ בַּבַּ֥יִת הַזֶּֽה׃ “Should Your people Israel be routed by an enemy because they have sinned against You, and then turn back to You and acknowledge Your name, and they offer prayer and supplication to You in this House,

וְאַתָּה֙ תִּשְׁמַ֣ע הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם וְסָ֣לַחְתָּ֔ לְחַטַּ֖את עַמְּךָ֣ יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַהֲשֵֽׁבֹתָם֙ אֶל־הָ֣אֲדָמָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר נָתַ֖תָּ לַאֲבוֹתָֽם׃ {ס}         oh, hear in heaven and pardon the sin of Your people Israel, and restore them to the land that You gave to their ancestors.

בְּהֵעָצֵ֥ר שָׁמַ֛יִם וְלֹֽא־יִֽהְיֶ֥ה מָטָ֖ר כִּ֣י יֶחֶטְאוּ־לָ֑ךְ וְהִֽתְפַּלְל֞וּ אֶל־הַמָּק֤וֹם הַזֶּה֙ וְהוֹד֣וּ אֶת־שְׁמֶ֔ךָ וּמֵחַטָּאתָ֥ם יְשׁוּב֖וּן כִּ֥י תַעֲנֵֽם׃ “Should the heavens be shut up and there be no rain, because they have sinned against You, and then they pray toward this place and acknowledge Your name and repent of their sins, when You answerⁱanswer The Septuagint, with a different vocalization, reads “chastise.” them,

וְאַתָּ֣ה ׀ תִּשְׁמַ֣ע הַשָּׁמַ֗יִם וְסָ֨לַחְתָּ֜ לְחַטַּ֤את עֲבָדֶ֙יךָ֙ וְעַמְּךָ֣ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל כִּ֥י תוֹרֵ֛ם אֶת־הַדֶּ֥רֶךְ הַטּוֹבָ֖ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר יֵֽלְכוּ־בָ֑הּ וְנָתַתָּ֤ה מָטָר֙ עַֽל־אַרְצְךָ֔ אֲשֶׁר־נָתַ֥תָּה לְעַמְּךָ֖ לְנַחֲלָֽה׃ {ס}         oh, hear in heaven and pardon the sin of Your servants, Your people Israel, after You have shown them the proper way in which they are to walk; and send down rain upon the land that You gave to Your people as their heritage.

רָעָ֞ב כִּֽי־יִֽהְיֶ֣ה בָאָ֗רֶץ דֶּ֣בֶר כִּֽי־יִֽ֠הְיֶ֠ה שִׁדָּפ֨וֹן יֵרָק֜וֹן אַרְבֶּ֤ה חָסִיל֙ כִּ֣י יִֽהְיֶ֔ה כִּ֧י יָֽצַר־ל֛וֹ אֹיְב֖וֹ בְּאֶ֣רֶץ שְׁעָרָ֑יו כׇּל־נֶ֖גַע כׇּֽל־מַחֲלָֽה׃ So, too, if there is a famine in the land, if there is pestilence, blight, mildew, locusts or caterpillars, or if an enemy oppresses them in any of the settlements of the land.
“In any plague and in any disease,

כׇּל־תְּפִלָּ֣ה כׇל־תְּחִנָּ֗ה אֲשֶׁ֤ר תִּֽהְיֶה֙ לְכׇל־הָ֣אָדָ֔ם לְכֹ֖ל עַמְּךָ֣ יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל אֲשֶׁ֣ר יֵדְע֗וּן אִ֚ישׁ נֶ֣גַע לְבָב֔וֹ וּפָרַ֥שׂ כַּפָּ֖יו אֶל־הַבַּ֥יִת הַזֶּֽה׃ in any prayer or supplication offered by any person among all Your people Israel—each of whom knows their own affliction—when they spread their palms toward this House,

וְ֠אַתָּ֠ה תִּשְׁמַ֨ע הַשָּׁמַ֜יִם מְכ֤וֹן שִׁבְתֶּ֙ךָ֙ וְסָלַחְתָּ֣ וְעָשִׂ֔יתָ וְנָתַתָּ֤ לָאִישׁ֙ כְּכׇל־דְּרָכָ֔יו אֲשֶׁ֥ר תֵּדַ֖ע אֶת־לְבָב֑וֹ כִּֽי־אַתָּ֤ה יָדַ֙עְתָּ֙ לְבַדְּךָ֔ אֶת־לְבַ֖ב כׇּל־בְּנֵ֥י הָאָדָֽם׃ oh, hear in Your heavenly abode, and pardon and take action! Render to that individual according to their ways as You know their heart to be—for You alone know every human heart.

לְמַ֙עַן֙ יִרָא֔וּךָ כׇּ֨ל־הַיָּמִ֔ים אֲשֶׁר־הֵ֥ם חַיִּ֖ים עַל־פְּנֵ֣י הָאֲדָמָ֑ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר נָתַ֖תָּה לַאֲבֹתֵֽינוּ׃ Thus may Your people^jYour people Lit. “they.” revere You all the days that they live on the land that You gave to our ancestors.

וְגַם֙ אֶל־הַנׇּכְרִ֔י אֲשֶׁ֛ר לֹא־מֵעַמְּךָ֥ יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל ה֑וּא וּבָ֛א מֵאֶ֥רֶץ רְחוֹקָ֖ה לְמַ֥עַן שְׁמֶֽךָ׃ “Or if a foreigner who is not of Your people Israel comes from a distant land for the sake of Your name—

כִּ֤י יִשְׁמְעוּן֙ אֶת־שִׁמְךָ֣ הַגָּד֔וֹל וְאֶת־יָֽדְךָ֙ הַחֲזָקָ֔ה וּֽזְרֹעֲךָ֖ הַנְּטוּיָ֑ה וּבָ֥א וְהִתְפַּלֵּ֖ל אֶל־הַבַּ֥יִת הַזֶּֽה׃ for they shall hear about Your great name and Your mighty hand and Your outstretched arm—and thus comes to pray toward this House,

אַתָּ֞ה תִּשְׁמַ֤ע הַשָּׁמַ֙יִם֙ מְכ֣וֹן שִׁבְתֶּ֔ךָ וְעָשִׂ֕יתָ כְּכֹ֛ל אֲשֶׁר־יִקְרָ֥א אֵלֶ֖יךָ הַנׇּכְרִ֑י לְמַ֣עַן יֵדְעוּן֩ כׇּל־עַמֵּ֨י הָאָ֜רֶץ אֶת־שְׁמֶ֗ךָ לְיִרְאָ֤ה אֹֽתְךָ֙ כְּעַמְּךָ֣ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וְלָדַ֕עַת כִּֽי־שִׁמְךָ֣ נִקְרָ֔א עַל־הַבַּ֥יִת הַזֶּ֖ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר בָּנִֽיתִי׃ oh, hear in Your heavenly abode and grant all that the foreigner asks You for. Thus all the peoples of the earth will know Your name and revere You, as does Your people Israel; and they will recognize that Your name is attached to this House that I have built.

כִּֽי־יֵצֵ֨א עַמְּךָ֤ לַמִּלְחָמָה֙ עַל־אֹ֣יְב֔וֹ בַּדֶּ֖רֶךְ אֲשֶׁ֣ר תִּשְׁלָחֵ֑ם וְהִתְפַּלְל֣וּ אֶל־יְהֹוָ֗ה דֶּ֤רֶךְ הָעִיר֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בָּחַ֣רְתָּ בָּ֔הּ וְהַבַּ֖יִת אֲשֶׁר־בָּנִ֥תִי לִשְׁמֶֽךָ׃ “When Your people take the field against their enemy by whatever way You send them, and they pray to GOD in the direction of the city that You have chosen, and of the House that I have built to Your name,

וְשָֽׁמַעְתָּ֙ הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם אֶת־תְּפִלָּתָ֖ם וְאֶת־תְּחִנָּתָ֑ם וְעָשִׂ֖יתָ מִשְׁפָּטָֽם׃ oh, hear in heaven their prayer and supplication and uphold their cause.

כִּ֣י יֶחֶטְאוּ־לָ֗ךְ כִּ֣י אֵ֤ין אָדָם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר לֹֽא־יֶחֱטָ֔א וְאָנַפְתָּ֣ בָ֔ם וּנְתַתָּ֖ם לִפְנֵ֣י אוֹיֵ֑ב וְשָׁב֤וּם שֹֽׁבֵיהֶם֙ אֶל־אֶ֣רֶץ הָאוֹיֵ֔ב רְחוֹקָ֖ה א֥וֹ קְרוֹבָֽה׃ “When they sin against You—for there is no mortal who does not sin—and You are angry with them and deliver them to the enemy, and their captors carry them off to an enemy land, near or far;

וְהֵשִׁ֙יבוּ֙ אֶל־לִבָּ֔ם בָּאָ֖רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֣ר נִשְׁבּוּ־שָׁ֑ם וְשָׁ֣בוּ ׀ וְהִֽתְחַנְּנ֣וּ אֵלֶ֗יךָ בְּאֶ֤רֶץ שֹֽׁבֵיהֶם֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר חָטָ֥אנוּ וְהֶעֱוִ֖ינוּ רָשָֽׁעְנוּ׃ and then they take it to heart in the land to which they have been carried off, and they repent and make supplication to You in the land of their captors, saying: ‘We have sinned, we have acted perversely, we have acted wickedly,’

וְשָׁ֣בוּ אֵלֶ֗יךָ בְּכׇל־לְבָבָם֙ וּבְכׇל־נַפְשָׁ֔ם בְּאֶ֥רֶץ אֹיְבֵיהֶ֖ם אֲשֶׁר־שָׁב֣וּ אֹתָ֑ם וְהִתְפַּלְל֣וּ אֵלֶ֗יךָ דֶּ֤רֶךְ אַרְצָם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר נָתַ֣תָּה לַאֲבוֹתָ֔ם הָעִיר֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בָּחַ֔רְתָּ וְהַבַּ֖יִת אֲשֶׁר־[בָּנִ֥יתִי] (בנית) לִשְׁמֶֽךָ׃ and they turn back to You with all their heart and soul, in the land of the enemies who have carried them off, and they pray to You in the direction of their land that You gave to their ancestors, of the city that You have chosen, and of the House that I have built to Your name—

וְשָׁמַעְתָּ֤ הַשָּׁמַ֙יִם֙ מְכ֣וֹן שִׁבְתְּךָ֔ אֶת־תְּפִלָּתָ֖ם וְאֶת־תְּחִנָּתָ֑ם וְעָשִׂ֖יתָ מִשְׁפָּטָֽם׃ oh, give heed in Your heavenly abode to their prayer and supplication, uphold their cause,

וְסָלַחְתָּ֤ לְעַמְּךָ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר חָטְאוּ־לָ֔ךְ וּלְכׇל־פִּשְׁעֵיהֶ֖ם אֲשֶׁ֣ר פָּשְׁעוּ־בָ֑ךְ וּנְתַתָּ֧ם לְרַחֲמִ֛ים לִפְנֵ֥י שֹׁבֵיהֶ֖ם וְרִחֲמֽוּם׃ and pardon Your people who have sinned against You for all the transgressions that they have committed against You. Grant them mercy in the sight of their captors that they may be merciful to them.

כִּֽי־עַמְּךָ֥ וְנַחֲלָתְךָ֖ הֵ֑ם אֲשֶׁ֤ר הוֹצֵ֙אתָ֙ מִמִּצְרַ֔יִם מִתּ֖וֹךְ כּ֥וּר הַבַּרְזֶֽל׃ For they are Your very own people that You freed from Egypt, from the midst of the iron furnace.

לִהְי֨וֹת עֵינֶ֤יךָ פְתֻחֹת֙ אֶל־תְּחִנַּ֣ת עַבְדְּךָ֔ וְאֶל־תְּחִנַּ֖ת עַמְּךָ֣ יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל לִשְׁמֹ֣עַ אֲלֵיהֶ֔ם בְּכֹ֖ל קׇרְאָ֥ם אֵלֶֽיךָ׃ May Your eyes be open to the supplication of Your servant and the supplication of Your people Israel, and may You heed them whenever they call upon You.

כִּֽי־אַתָּ֞ה הִבְדַּלְתָּ֤ם לְךָ֙ לְֽנַחֲלָ֔ה מִכֹּ֖ל עַמֵּ֣י הָאָ֑רֶץ כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר דִּבַּ֜רְתָּ בְּיַ֣ד ׀ מֹשֶׁ֣ה עַבְדֶּ֗ךָ בְּהוֹצִיאֲךָ֧ אֶת־אֲבֹתֵ֛ינוּ מִמִּצְרַ֖יִם אֲדֹנָ֥י יֱהֹוִֽה׃ {פ}
For You, O Sovereign GOD, have set them apart for Yourself from all the peoples of the earth as Your very own, as You promised through Moses Your servant when You freed our ancestors from Egypt.”

וַיְהִ֣י ׀ כְּכַלּ֣וֹת שְׁלֹמֹ֗ה לְהִתְפַּלֵּל֙ אֶל־יְהֹוָ֔ה אֵ֛ת כׇּל־הַתְּפִלָּ֥ה וְהַתְּחִנָּ֖ה הַזֹּ֑את קָ֞ם מִלִּפְנֵ֨י מִזְבַּ֤ח יְהֹוָה֙ מִכְּרֹ֣עַ עַל־בִּרְכָּ֔יו וְכַפָּ֖יו פְּרֻשׂ֥וֹת הַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃ When Solomon finished offering to GOD all this prayer and supplication, he rose from where he had been kneeling, in front of the altar of GOD, his hands spread out toward heaven.

וַיַּעֲמֹ֕ד וַיְבָ֕רֶךְ אֵ֖ת כׇּל־קְהַ֣ל יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל ק֥וֹל גָּד֖וֹל לֵאמֹֽר׃ He stood, and in a loud voice blessed the whole congregation of Israel:

בָּר֣וּךְ יְהֹוָ֗ה אֲשֶׁ֨ר נָתַ֤ן מְנוּחָה֙ לְעַמּ֣וֹ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל כְּכֹ֖ל אֲשֶׁ֣ר דִּבֵּ֑ר לֹֽא־נָפַ֞ל דָּבָ֣ר אֶחָ֗ד מִכֹּל֙ דְּבָר֣וֹ הַטּ֔וֹב אֲשֶׁ֣ר דִּבֶּ֔ר בְּיַ֖ד מֹשֶׁ֥ה עַבְדּֽוֹ׃ “Praised be GOD who has granted a haven to Israel—God’s people—just as promised; not a single word has failed of all the gracious promises that were made through God’s servant Moses.

יְהִ֨י יְהֹוָ֤ה אֱלֹהֵ֙ינוּ֙ עִמָּ֔נוּ כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר הָיָ֖ה עִם־אֲבֹתֵ֑ינוּ אַל־יַעַזְבֵ֖נוּ וְאַֽל־יִטְּשֵֽׁנוּ׃ May the ETERNAL our God be with us, as was the case with our ancestors. May we never be abandoned or forsaken.

לְהַטּ֥וֹת לְבָבֵ֖נוּ אֵלָ֑יו לָלֶ֣כֶת בְּכׇל־דְּרָכָ֗יו וְלִשְׁמֹ֨ר מִצְוֺתָ֤יו וְחֻקָּיו֙ וּמִשְׁפָּטָ֔יו אֲשֶׁ֥ר צִוָּ֖ה אֶת־אֲבֹתֵֽינוּ׃ May our hearts be inclined to [God], that we may walk in all God’s ways and keep the commandments, the laws, and the rules that were enjoined upon our ancestors.

וְיִֽהְי֨וּ דְבָרַ֜י אֵ֗לֶּה אֲשֶׁ֤ר הִתְחַנַּ֙נְתִּי֙ לִפְנֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֔ה קְרֹבִ֛ים אֶל־יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵ֖ינוּ יוֹמָ֣ם וָלָ֑יְלָה לַעֲשׂ֣וֹת ׀ מִשְׁפַּ֣ט עַבְדּ֗וֹ וּמִשְׁפַּ֛ט עַמּ֥וֹ יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל דְּבַר־י֥וֹם בְּיוֹמֽוֹ׃ And may these words of mine, which I have offered in supplication before GOD, be close to the ETERNAL our God day and night, that God’s servant and this covenanted people Israel may be provided for, according to each day’s needs—

לְמַ֗עַן דַּ֚עַת כׇּל־עַמֵּ֣י הָאָ֔רֶץ כִּ֥י יְהֹוָ֖ה ה֣וּא הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים אֵ֖ין עֽוֹד׃ to the end that all the peoples of the earth may know that the ETERNAL alone is God, there is no other.

וְהָיָ֤ה לְבַבְכֶם֙ שָׁלֵ֔ם עִ֖ם יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵ֑ינוּ לָלֶ֧כֶת בְּחֻקָּ֛יו וְלִשְׁמֹ֥ר מִצְוֺתָ֖יו כַּיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה׃ And may you be wholehearted with the ETERNAL our God, to walk in God’s ways and keep God’s commandments, even as now.”

וְֽהַמֶּ֔לֶךְ וְכׇל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל עִמּ֑וֹ זֹבְחִ֥ים זֶ֖בַח לִפְנֵ֥י יְהֹוָֽה׃ The king and all Israel with him offered sacrifices before GOD.

וַיִּזְבַּ֣ח שְׁלֹמֹ֗ה אֵ֣ת זֶ֣בַח הַשְּׁלָמִים֮ אֲשֶׁ֣ר זָבַ֣ח לַיהֹוָה֒ בָּקָ֗ר עֶשְׂרִ֤ים וּשְׁנַ֙יִם֙ אֶ֔לֶף וְצֹ֕אן מֵאָ֥ה וְעֶשְׂרִ֖ים אָ֑לֶף וַֽיַּחְנְכוּ֙ אֶת־בֵּ֣ית יְהֹוָ֔ה הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ וְכׇל־בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ Solomon offered 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep as sacrifices of well-being to GOD. Thus the king and all the Israelites dedicated the House of GOD.

בַּיּ֣וֹם הַה֗וּא קִדַּ֨שׁ הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ אֶת־תּ֣וֹךְ הֶחָצֵ֗ר אֲשֶׁר֙ לִפְנֵ֣י בֵית־יְהֹוָ֔ה כִּי־עָ֣שָׂה שָׁ֗ם אֶת־הָֽעֹלָה֙ וְאֶת־הַמִּנְחָ֔ה וְאֵ֖ת חֶלְבֵ֣י הַשְּׁלָמִ֑ים כִּֽי־מִזְבַּ֤ח הַנְּחֹ֙שֶׁת֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר לִפְנֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֔ה קָטֹ֗ן מֵֽהָכִיל֙ אֶת־הָעֹלָ֣ה וְאֶת־הַמִּנְחָ֔ה וְאֵ֖ת חֶלְבֵ֥י הַשְּׁלָמִֽים׃ That day the king consecrated the center of the court that was in front of the House of GOD. For it was there that he presented the burnt offerings, the grain offerings, and the fat parts of the offerings of well-being, because the bronze altar that was before GOD was too small to hold the burnt offerings, the grain offerings, and the fat parts of the offerings of well-being.

וַיַּ֣עַשׂ שְׁלֹמֹ֣ה בָעֵת־הַהִ֣יא ׀ אֶת־הֶחָ֡ג וְכׇל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל עִמּוֹ֩ קָהָ֨ל גָּד֜וֹל מִלְּב֥וֹא חֲמָ֣ת ׀ עַד־נַ֣חַל מִצְרַ֗יִם לִפְנֵי֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵ֔ינוּ שִׁבְעַ֥ת יָמִ֖ים וְשִׁבְעַ֣ת יָמִ֑ים אַרְבָּעָ֥ה עָשָׂ֖ר יֽוֹם׃ So Solomon and all Israel with him—a great assemblage, [coming] from Lebo-hamath to the Wadi of Egypt^kfrom Lebo-hamath to … Egypt I.e., from one end of the country to the other. —observed the Feast^lthe Feast See note at v. 2. at that time before the ETERNAL our God, seven days and again seven days, fourteen days in all.

בַּיּ֤וֹם הַשְּׁמִינִי֙ שִׁלַּ֣ח אֶת־הָעָ֔ם וַֽיְבָרְכ֖וּ אֶת־הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ וַיֵּלְכ֣וּ לְאׇהֳלֵיהֶ֗ם שְׂמֵחִים֙ וְט֣וֹבֵי לֵ֔ב עַ֣ל כׇּל־הַטּוֹבָ֗ה אֲשֶׁ֨ר עָשָׂ֤ה יְהֹוָה֙ לְדָוִ֣ד עַבְדּ֔וֹ וּלְיִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל עַמּֽוֹ׃ On the eighth day^mOn the eighth day Of the second seven-day feast; cf. 2 Chron. 7.8–10. he let the people go. They bade the king good-bye and went to their homes, joyful and glad of heart over all the goodness that GOD had shown to God’s servant David and to Israel—God’s people.

וַֽיְהִי֙ כְּכַלּ֣וֹת שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה לִבְנ֥וֹת אֶת־בֵּית־יְהֹוָ֖ה וְאֶת־בֵּ֣ית הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ וְאֵת֙ כׇּל־חֵ֣שֶׁק שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר חָפֵ֖ץ לַעֲשֽׂוֹת׃ {פ}
When Solomon had finished building the House of GOD and the royal palace and everything that Solomon had set his heart on constructing,

וַיֵּרָ֧א יְהֹוָ֛ה אֶל־שְׁלֹמֹ֖ה שֵׁנִ֑ית כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר נִרְאָ֥ה אֵלָ֖יו בְּגִבְעֽוֹן׃ GOD appeared to^aappeared to Or “made contact with.” Solomon a second time, as before, at Gibeon.

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהֹוָ֜ה אֵלָ֗יו שָׁ֠מַ֠עְתִּי אֶת־תְּפִלָּתְךָ֣ וְאֶת־תְּחִנָּתְךָ֮ אֲשֶׁ֣ר הִתְחַנַּ֣נְתָּה לְפָנַי֒ הִקְדַּ֗שְׁתִּי אֶת־הַבַּ֤יִת הַזֶּה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בָּנִ֔תָה לָשׂוּם־שְׁמִ֥י שָׁ֖ם עַד־עוֹלָ֑ם וְהָי֨וּ עֵינַ֧י וְלִבִּ֛י שָׁ֖ם כׇּל־הַיָּמִֽים׃ GOD said to him, “I have heard the prayer and the supplication that you have offered to Me. I consecrate this House that you have built and I set My name there forever. My eyes and My heart shall ever be there.

וְאַתָּ֞ה אִם־תֵּלֵ֣ךְ לְפָנַ֗י כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר הָלַ֜ךְ דָּוִ֤ד אָבִ֙יךָ֙ בְּתׇם־לֵבָ֣ב וּבְיֹ֔שֶׁר לַעֲשׂ֕וֹת כְּכֹ֖ל אֲשֶׁ֣ר צִוִּיתִ֑יךָ חֻקַּ֥י וּמִשְׁפָּטַ֖י תִּשְׁמֹֽר׃ As for you, if you walk before Me as your father David walked before Me, wholeheartedly and with uprightness, doing all that I have commanded you [and] keeping My laws and My rules,

וַהֲקִ֨מֹתִ֜י אֶת־כִּסֵּ֧א מַֽמְלַכְתְּךָ֛ עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לְעֹלָ֑ם כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר דִּבַּ֗רְתִּי עַל־דָּוִ֤ד אָבִ֙יךָ֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר לֹֽא־יִכָּרֵ֤ת לְךָ֙ אִ֔ישׁ מֵעַ֖ל כִּסֵּ֥א יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ then I will establish your throne of kingship over Israel forever, as I promised your father David, saying, ‘Your line on the throne of Israel shall never end.’^bYour line on the throne of Israel shall never end See note at 2.4.

אִם־שׁ֨וֹב תְּשֻׁב֜וּן אַתֶּ֤ם וּבְנֵיכֶם֙ מֵֽאַחֲרַ֔י וְלֹ֤א תִשְׁמְרוּ֙ מִצְוֺתַ֣י חֻקֹּתַ֔י אֲשֶׁ֥ר נָתַ֖תִּי לִפְנֵיכֶ֑ם וַהֲלַכְתֶּ֗ם וַֽעֲבַדְתֶּם֙ אֱלֹהִ֣ים אֲחֵרִ֔ים וְהִשְׁתַּחֲוִיתֶ֖ם לָהֶֽם׃ [But] if you and your descendants turn away from Me and do not keep the commandments [and] the laws that I have set before you, and go and serve other gods and worship them,

וְהִכְרַתִּ֣י אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל מֵעַ֨ל פְּנֵ֤י הָאֲדָמָה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר נָתַ֣תִּי לָהֶ֔ם וְאֶת־הַבַּ֙יִת֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר הִקְדַּ֣שְׁתִּי לִשְׁמִ֔י אֲשַׁלַּ֖ח מֵעַ֣ל פָּנָ֑י וְהָיָ֧ה יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל לְמָשָׁ֥ל וְלִשְׁנִינָ֖ה בְּכׇל־הָעַמִּֽים׃ then I will sweep^csweep Lit. “cut.” Israel off the land that I gave them; I will reject^dreject Lit. “dismiss from My presence.” the House that I have consecrated to My name; and Israel shall become a proverb and a byword among all peoples.

וְהַבַּ֤יִת הַזֶּה֙ יִהְיֶ֣ה עֶלְי֔וֹן כׇּל־עֹבֵ֥ר עָלָ֖יו יִשֹּׁ֣ם וְשָׁרָ֑ק וְאָמְר֗וּ עַל־מֶ֨ה עָשָׂ֤ה יְהֹוָה֙ כָּ֔כָה לָאָ֥רֶץ הַזֹּ֖את וְלַבַּ֥יִת הַזֶּֽה׃ And as for this House, once so exalted,^eas for this House, once so exalted Targum and some other ancient versions read “and this House shall become a ruin.” everyone passing by it shall be appalled and shall hiss.^fhiss An action performed at the sight of ruin to ward off a like fate from the observer; cf. note at Jer. 18.16. And when they ask, ‘Why did GOD do thus to the land and to this House?’

וְאָמְר֗וּ עַל֩ אֲשֶׁ֨ר עָזְב֜וּ אֶת־יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵיהֶ֗ם אֲשֶׁ֨ר הוֹצִ֣יא אֶת־אֲבֹתָם֮ מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֒יִם֒ וַֽיַּחֲזִ֙קוּ֙ בֵּאלֹהִ֣ים אֲחֵרִ֔ים (וישתחו) [וַיִּשְׁתַּחֲו֥וּ] לָהֶ֖ם וַיַּעַבְדֻ֑ם עַל־כֵּ֗ן הֵבִ֤יא יְהֹוָה֙ עֲלֵיהֶ֔ם אֵ֥ת כׇּל־הָרָעָ֖ה הַזֹּֽאת׃ {פ}
they shall be told, ‘It is because they forsook the ETERNAL their God who freed them from the land of Egypt, and they embraced other gods and worshiped them and served them; therefore GOD has brought all this calamity upon them.’”

וַיְהִ֗י מִקְצֵה֙ עֶשְׂרִ֣ים שָׁנָ֔ה אֲשֶׁר־בָּנָ֥ה שְׁלֹמֹ֖ה אֶת־שְׁנֵ֣י הַבָּתִּ֑ים אֶת־בֵּ֥ית יְהֹוָ֖ה וְאֶת־בֵּ֥ית הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ At the end of the twenty years^gthe twenty years See 6.38–7.1. during which Solomon constructed the two buildings, GOD’s House and the royal palace—

חִירָ֣ם מֶלֶךְ־צֹ֠ר נִשָּׂ֨א אֶת־שְׁלֹמֹ֜ה בַּעֲצֵי֩ אֲרָזִ֨ים וּבַעֲצֵ֧י בְרוֹשִׁ֛ים וּבַזָּהָ֖ב לְכׇל־חֶפְצ֑וֹ אָ֡ז יִתֵּן֩ הַמֶּ֨לֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹ֤ה לְחִירָם֙ עֶשְׂרִ֣ים עִ֔יר בְּאֶ֖רֶץ הַגָּלִֽיל׃ since King Hiram of Tyre had supplied Solomon with all the cedar and cypress timber and gold that he required—King Solomon in turn gave Hiram twenty towns in the region of Galilee.

וַיֵּצֵ֤א חִירָם֙ מִצֹּ֔ר לִרְאוֹת֙ אֶת־הֶ֣עָרִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר נָתַן־ל֖וֹ שְׁלֹמֹ֑ה וְלֹ֥א יָשְׁר֖וּ בְּעֵינָֽיו׃ But when Hiram came from Tyre to inspect the towns that Solomon had given him, he was not pleased with them.

וַיֹּ֕אמֶר מָ֚ה הֶעָרִ֣ים הָאֵ֔לֶּה אֲשֶׁר־נָתַ֥תָּה לִּ֖י אָחִ֑י וַיִּקְרָ֤א לָהֶם֙ אֶ֣רֶץ כָּב֔וּל עַ֖ד הַיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה׃ {פ}
“My brother,” he said, “what sort of towns are these you have given me?” So they were named the land of Cabul,^hCabul Perhaps taken to mean “as nothing.” as is still the case.

וַיִּשְׁלַ֥ח חִירָ֖ם לַמֶּ֑לֶךְ מֵאָ֥ה וְעֶשְׂרִ֖ים כִּכַּ֥ר זָהָֽב׃ However, Hiram sent the king one hundred and twenty talents of gold.

וְזֶ֨ה דְבַר־הַמַּ֜ס אֲשֶֽׁר־הֶעֱלָ֣ה ׀ הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹ֗ה לִבְנוֹת֩ אֶת־בֵּ֨ית יְהֹוָ֤ה וְאֶת־בֵּיתוֹ֙ וְאֶת־הַמִּלּ֔וֹא וְאֵ֖ת חוֹמַ֣ת יְרוּשָׁלָ֑͏ִם וְאֶת־חָצֹ֥ר וְאֶת־מְגִדּ֖וֹ וְאֶת־גָּֽזֶר׃ This was the purpose of the forced labor that Solomon imposed: It was to build the House of GOD, his own palace, the Millo,ⁱMillo A citadel. and the wall of Jerusalem, and [to fortify] Hazor, Megiddo, and Gezer.

פַּרְעֹ֨ה מֶלֶךְ־מִצְרַ֜יִם עָלָ֗ה וַיִּלְכֹּ֤ד אֶת־גֶּ֙זֶר֙ וַיִּשְׂרְפָ֣הּ בָּאֵ֔שׁ וְאֶת־הַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֛י הַיֹּשֵׁ֥ב בָּעִ֖יר הָרָ֑ג וַֽיִּתְּנָהּ֙ שִׁלֻּחִ֔ים לְבִתּ֖וֹ אֵ֥שֶׁת שְׁלֹמֹֽה׃ (Pharaoh king of Egypt had come up and captured Gezer; he destroyed it by fire, killed the Canaanites who dwelt in the town, and gave it as dowry to his daughter, Solomon’s wife.)

וַיִּ֤בֶן שְׁלֹמֹה֙ אֶת־גָּ֔זֶר וְאֶת־בֵּ֥ית חֹרֹ֖ן תַּחְתּֽוֹן׃ So Solomon fortified Gezer, lower Beth-horon,

וְאֶֽת־בַּעֲלָ֛ת וְאֶת־[תַּדְמֹ֥ר] (תמר) בַּמִּדְבָּ֖ר בָּאָֽרֶץ׃ Baalith, and Tamar^jTamar So kethib, cf. Ezek. 47.19; 48.28; qere Tadmor. in the wilderness, in the land [of Judah],

וְאֵ֨ת כׇּל־עָרֵ֤י הַֽמִּסְכְּנוֹת֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר הָי֣וּ לִשְׁלֹמֹ֔ה וְאֵת֙ עָרֵ֣י הָרֶ֔כֶב וְאֵ֖ת עָרֵ֣י הַפָּרָשִׁ֑ים וְאֵ֣ת ׀ חֵ֣שֶׁק שְׁלֹמֹ֗ה אֲשֶׁ֤ר חָשַׁק֙ לִבְנ֤וֹת בִּירוּשָׁלַ֙͏ִם֙ וּבַלְּבָנ֔וֹן וּבְכֹ֖ל אֶ֥רֶץ מֶמְשַׁלְתּֽוֹ׃ and all of Solomon’s garrison towns, chariot towns, and towns for his riders^kriders Or “horses”; see note at 1.5. —everything that Solomon set his heart on building in Jerusalem and in the Lebanon, and throughout the territory that he ruled.

כׇּל־הָ֠עָ֠ם הַנּוֹתָ֨ר מִן־הָאֱמֹרִ֜י הַחִתִּ֤י הַפְּרִזִּי֙ הַחִוִּ֣י וְהַיְבוּסִ֔י אֲשֶׁ֛ר לֹא־מִבְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל הֵֽמָּה׃ All the people that were left of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites who were not of the Israelite stock—

בְּנֵיהֶ֗ם אֲשֶׁ֨ר נֹתְר֤וּ אַֽחֲרֵיהֶם֙ בָּאָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֧ר לֹא־יָכְל֛וּ בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לְהַחֲרִימָ֑ם וַיַּעֲלֵ֤ם שְׁלֹמֹה֙ לְמַס־עֹבֵ֔ד עַ֖ד הַיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה׃ those of their descendants who remained in the land and whom the Israelites were not able to annihilate—of these Solomon made a slave force, as is still the case.

וּמִבְּנֵי֙ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל לֹא־נָתַ֥ן שְׁלֹמֹ֖ה עָ֑בֶד כִּי־הֵ֞ם אַנְשֵׁ֣י הַמִּלְחָמָ֗ה וַעֲבָדָיו֙ וְשָׂרָ֣יו וְשָׁלִישָׁ֔יו וְשָׂרֵ֥י רִכְבּ֖וֹ וּפָרָשָֽׁיו׃ {ס}         But he did not reduce any Israelites to slavery; they served, rather, as warriors and as his attendants, officials, and officers, and as commanders of his chariots and riders.

אֵ֣לֶּה ׀ שָׂרֵ֣י הַנִּצָּבִ֗ים אֲשֶׁ֤ר עַל־הַמְּלָאכָה֙ לִשְׁלֹמֹ֔ה חֲמִשִּׁ֖ים וַחֲמֵ֣שׁ מֵא֑וֹת הָרֹדִ֣ים בָּעָ֔ם הָעֹשִׂ֖ים בַּמְּלָאכָֽה׃ These were the prefects^lThese were the prefects Their names are not listed in the text. that were in charge of Solomon’s works and were supervising the people engaged in the work, who numbered 550.

אַ֣ךְ בַּת־פַּרְעֹ֗ה עָֽלְתָה֙ מֵעִ֣יר דָּוִ֔ד אֶל־בֵּיתָ֖הּ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בָּֽנָה־לָ֑הּ אָ֖ז בָּנָ֥ה אֶת־הַמִּלּֽוֹא׃ As soon as Pharaoh’s daughter went up from the City of David to the palace that he had built for her, he built the Millo.^mMillo A citadel.

וְהֶעֱלָ֣ה שְׁלֹמֹ֡ה שָׁלֹשׁ֩ פְּעָמִ֨ים בַּשָּׁנָ֜ה עֹל֣וֹת וּשְׁלָמִ֗ים עַל־הַמִּזְבֵּ֙חַ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בָּנָ֣ה לַֽיהֹוָ֔ה וְהַקְטֵ֣יר אִתּ֔וֹ אֲשֶׁ֖ר לִפְנֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֑ה וְשִׁלַּ֖ם אֶת־הַבָּֽיִת׃ Solomon used to offer burnt offerings and sacrifices of well-being three times a year on the altar that he had built for GOD, and he used to offer incense on the one that was before GOD. And he kept the House in repair.ⁿhe used to offer incense … kept the House in repair Meaning of Heb. uncertain.

וׇאֳנִ֡י עָשָׂה֩ הַמֶּ֨לֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹ֜ה בְּעֶצְיֽוֹן־גֶּ֨בֶר אֲשֶׁ֧ר אֶת־אֵל֛וֹת עַל־שְׂפַ֥ת יַם־ס֖וּף בְּאֶ֥רֶץ אֱדֽוֹם׃ King Solomon also built a fleet of ships at Ezion-geber, which is near Eloth^oEloth Elsewhere called Elath. on the shore of the Sea of Reeds in the land of Edom.

וַיִּשְׁלַ֨ח חִירָ֤ם בׇּֽאֳנִי֙ אֶת־עֲבָדָ֔יו אַנְשֵׁ֣י אֳנִיּ֔וֹת יֹדְעֵ֖י הַיָּ֑ם עִ֖ם עַבְדֵ֥י שְׁלֹמֹֽה׃ Hiram sent servants of his with the fleet, mariners who were experienced on the sea, to serve with Solomon’s men.

וַיָּבֹ֣אוּ אוֹפִ֔ירָה וַיִּקְח֤וּ מִשָּׁם֙ זָהָ֔ב אַרְבַּע־מֵא֥וֹת וְעֶשְׂרִ֖ים כִּכָּ֑ר וַיָּבִ֖אוּ אֶל־הַמֶּ֥לֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹֽה׃ {פ}
They came to Ophir; there they obtained gold in the amount of four hundred and twenty talents, which they delivered to King Solomon.

וּמַֽלְכַּת־שְׁבָ֗א שֹׁמַ֛עַת אֶת־שֵׁ֥מַע שְׁלֹמֹ֖ה לְשֵׁ֣ם יְהֹוָ֑ה וַתָּבֹ֥א לְנַסֹּת֖וֹ בְּחִידֽוֹת׃ The queen of Sheba heard of Solomon’s fame, through the name of GOD,^athrough the name of GOD The force of the phrase is uncertain. and she came to test him with hard questions.

וַתָּבֹ֣א יְרוּשָׁלַ֗͏ְמָה בְּחַ֘יִל֮ כָּבֵ֣ד מְאֹד֒ גְּ֠מַלִּ֠ים נֹשְׂאִ֨ים בְּשָׂמִ֧ים וְזָהָ֛ב רַב־מְאֹ֖ד וְאֶ֣בֶן יְקָרָ֑ה וַתָּבֹא֙ אֶל־שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה וַתְּדַבֵּ֣ר אֵלָ֔יו אֵ֛ת כׇּל־אֲשֶׁ֥ר הָיָ֖ה עִם־לְבָבָֽהּ׃ She arrived in Jerusalem with a very large retinue, with camels bearing spices, a great quantity of gold, and precious stones. When she came to Solomon, she asked him all that she had in mind.

וַיַּגֶּד־לָ֥הּ שְׁלֹמֹ֖ה אֶת־כׇּל־דְּבָרֶ֑יהָ לֹֽא־הָיָ֤ה דָבָר֙ נֶעְלָ֣ם מִן־הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ אֲשֶׁ֧ר לֹ֦א הִגִּ֖יד לָֽהּ׃ Solomon had answers for all her questions; there was nothing that the king did not know, [nothing] to which he could not give her an answer.

וַתֵּ֙רֶא֙ מַֽלְכַּת־שְׁבָ֔א אֵ֖ת כׇּל־חׇכְמַ֣ת שְׁלֹמֹ֑ה וְהַבַּ֖יִת אֲשֶׁ֥ר בָּנָֽה׃ When the queen of Sheba observed all of Solomon’s wisdom, and the palace he had built,

וּמַאֲכַ֣ל שֻׁלְחָנ֡וֹ וּמוֹשַׁ֣ב עֲבָדָיו֩ וּמַעֲמַ֨ד מְשָׁרְתָ֜ו וּמַלְבֻּֽשֵׁיהֶם֙ וּמַשְׁקָ֔יו וְעֹ֣לָת֔וֹ אֲשֶׁ֥ר יַעֲלֶ֖ה בֵּ֣ית יְהֹוָ֑ה וְלֹא־הָ֥יָה בָ֛הּ ע֖וֹד רֽוּחַ׃ the fare of his table, the seating of his courtiers, the service and attire of his attendants, and his wine service, and the burnt offerings that he offered at^band the burnt offerings that he offered at Cf. 2 Chron. 9.4 “and the procession with which he went up to.…” the House of GOD, she was left breathless.

וַתֹּ֙אמֶר֙ אֶל־הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ אֱמֶת֙ הָיָ֣ה הַדָּבָ֔ר אֲשֶׁ֥ר שָׁמַ֖עְתִּי בְּאַרְצִ֑י עַל־דְּבָרֶ֖יךָ וְעַל־חׇכְמָתֶֽךָ׃ She said to the king, “The report I heard in my own land about you and your wisdom was true.

וְלֹא־הֶאֱמַ֣נְתִּי לַדְּבָרִ֗ים עַ֤ד אֲשֶׁר־בָּ֙אתִי֙ וַתִּרְאֶ֣ינָה עֵינַ֔י וְהִנֵּ֥ה לֹֽא־הֻגַּד־לִ֖י הַחֵ֑צִי הוֹסַ֤פְתָּ חׇכְמָה֙ וָט֔וֹב אֶל־הַשְּׁמוּעָ֖ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר שָׁמָֽעְתִּי׃ But I did not believe the reports until I came and saw with my own eyes that not even the half had been told me; your wisdom and wealth surpass the reports that I heard.

אַשְׁרֵ֣י אֲנָשֶׁ֔יךָ אַשְׁרֵ֖י עֲבָדֶ֣יךָ אֵ֑לֶּה הָעֹמְדִ֤ים לְפָנֶ֙יךָ֙ תָּמִ֔יד הַשֹּׁמְעִ֖ים אֶת־חׇכְמָתֶֽךָ׃ How fortunate are your people and how fortunate are these your courtiers, who are always in attendance on you and can hear your wisdom!

יְהִ֨י יְהֹוָ֤ה אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙ בָּר֔וּךְ אֲשֶׁר֙ חָפֵ֣ץ בְּךָ֔ לְתִתְּךָ֖ עַל־כִּסֵּ֣א יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל בְּאַהֲבַ֨ת יְהֹוָ֤ה אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ לְעֹלָ֔ם וַיְשִֽׂימְךָ֣ לְמֶ֔לֶךְ לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת מִשְׁפָּ֖ט וּצְדָקָֽה׃ Praised be the ETERNAL your God, who delighted in you and set you on the throne of Israel. It is because of GOD’s everlasting love for Israel that you were made king—to administer justice and righteousness.”

וַתִּתֵּ֨ן לַמֶּ֜לֶךְ מֵאָ֥ה וְעֶשְׂרִ֣ים ׀ כִּכַּ֣ר זָהָ֗ב וּבְשָׂמִ֛ים הַרְבֵּ֥ה מְאֹ֖ד וְאֶ֣בֶן יְקָרָ֑ה לֹ֣א בָא֩ כַבֹּ֨שֶׂם הַה֥וּא עוֹד֙ לָרֹ֔ב אֲשֶׁר־נָתְנָ֥ה מַֽלְכַּת־שְׁבָ֖א לַמֶּ֥לֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹֽה׃ She presented the king with one hundred and twenty talents of gold, and a large quantity of spices, and precious stones. Never again did such a vast quantity of spices arrive as that which the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.—

וְגַם֙ אֳנִ֣י חִירָ֔ם אֲשֶׁר־נָשָׂ֥א זָהָ֖ב מֵאוֹפִ֑יר הֵבִ֨יא מֵאֹפִ֜יר עֲצֵ֧י אַלְמֻגִּ֛ים הַרְבֵּ֥ה מְאֹ֖ד וְאֶ֥בֶן יְקָרָֽה׃ Moreover, Hiram’s fleet, which carried gold from Ophir, brought in from Ophir a huge quantity of almug wood and precious stones.

וַיַּ֣עַשׂ הַ֠מֶּ֠לֶךְ אֶת־עֲצֵ֨י הָאַלְמֻגִּ֜ים מִסְעָ֤ד לְבֵית־יְהֹוָה֙ וּלְבֵ֣ית הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ וְכִנֹּר֥וֹת וּנְבָלִ֖ים לַשָּׁרִ֑ים לֹ֣א בָא־כֵ֞ן עֲצֵ֤י אַלְמֻגִּים֙ וְלֹ֣א נִרְאָ֔ה עַ֖ד הַיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה׃ The king used the almug wood for decorations in the House of GOD and in the royal palace, and for harps and lyres for the musicians. Such a quantity of almug wood has never arrived or been seen to this day.—

וְהַמֶּ֨לֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹ֜ה נָתַ֣ן לְמַֽלְכַּת־שְׁבָ֗א אֶת־כׇּל־חֶפְצָהּ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר שָׁאָ֔לָה מִלְּבַד֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר נָֽתַן־לָ֔הּ כְּיַ֖ד הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹ֑ה וַתֵּ֛פֶן וַתֵּ֥לֶךְ לְאַרְצָ֖הּ הִ֥יא וַעֲבָדֶֽיהָ׃ {פ}
King Solomon, in turn, gave the queen of Sheba everything she wanted and asked for, in addition to what King Solomon gave her out of his royal bounty. Then she and her attendants left and returned to her own land.

וַֽיְהִי֙ מִשְׁקַ֣ל הַזָּהָ֔ב אֲשֶׁר־בָּ֥א לִשְׁלֹמֹ֖ה בְּשָׁנָ֣ה אֶחָ֑ת שֵׁ֥שׁ מֵא֛וֹת שִׁשִּׁ֥ים וָשֵׁ֖שׁ כִּכַּ֥ר זָהָֽב׃ The weight of the gold that Solomon received every year was 666 talents of gold,

לְבַד֙ מֵאַנְשֵׁ֣י הַתָּרִ֔ים וּמִסְחַ֖ר הָרֹֽכְלִ֑ים וְכׇל־מַלְכֵ֥י הָעֶ֖רֶב וּפַח֥וֹת הָאָֽרֶץ׃ besides what came from the traders,^ctraders Or “traders’ agents.” from the traffic of the merchants, and from all the kings of Arabia and the governors of the regions.

וַיַּ֨עַשׂ הַמֶּ֧לֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹ֛ה מָאתַ֥יִם צִנָּ֖ה זָהָ֣ב שָׁח֑וּט שֵֽׁשׁ־מֵא֣וֹת זָהָ֔ב יַעֲלֶ֖ה עַל־הַצִּנָּ֥ה הָאֶחָֽת׃ King Solomon made 200 shields of beaten gold—600 shekels of gold to each shield—

וּשְׁלֹשׁ־מֵא֤וֹת מָֽגִנִּים֙ זָהָ֣ב שָׁח֔וּט שְׁלֹ֤שֶׁת מָנִים֙ זָהָ֔ב יַעֲלֶ֖ה עַל־הַמָּגֵ֣ן הָאֶחָ֑ת וַיִּתְּנֵ֣ם הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ בֵּ֖ית יַ֥עַר הַלְּבָנֽוֹן׃ {פ}
and 300 bucklers of beaten gold—three minas of gold to each buckler. The king placed them in the Lebanon Forest House.

וַיַּ֧עַשׂ הַמֶּ֛לֶךְ כִּסֵּא־שֵׁ֖ן גָּד֑וֹל וַיְצַפֵּ֖הוּ זָהָ֥ב מוּפָֽז׃ The king also made a large throne of ivory, and he overlaid it with refined gold.

שֵׁ֧שׁ מַעֲל֣וֹת לַכִּסֵּ֗ה וְרֹאשׁ־עָגֹ֤ל לַכִּסֵּה֙ מֵֽאַחֲרָ֔יו וְיָדֹ֛ת מִזֶּ֥ה וּמִזֶּ֖ה אֶל־מְק֣וֹם הַשָּׁ֑בֶת וּשְׁנַ֣יִם אֲרָי֔וֹת עֹמְדִ֖ים אֵ֥צֶל הַיָּדֽוֹת׃ Six steps led up to the throne, and the throne had a back with a rounded top, and arms on either side of the seat. Two lions stood beside the arms,

וּשְׁנֵ֧ים עָשָׂ֣ר אֲרָיִ֗ים עֹמְדִ֥ים שָׁ֛ם עַל־שֵׁ֥שׁ הַֽמַּעֲל֖וֹת מִזֶּ֣ה וּמִזֶּ֑ה לֹא־נַעֲשָׂ֥ה כֵ֖ן לְכׇל־מַמְלָכֽוֹת׃ and twelve lions stood on the six steps, six on either side. No such throne was ever made for any other kingdom.^dkingdom Or “prince”; like Phoenician mamlakt.

וְ֠כֹ֠ל כְּלֵ֞י מַשְׁקֵ֨ה הַמֶּ֤לֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹה֙ זָהָ֔ב וְכֹ֗ל כְּלֵ֛י בֵּֽית־יַ֥עַר הַלְּבָנ֖וֹן זָהָ֣ב סָג֑וּר אֵ֣ין כֶּ֗סֶף לֹ֥א נֶחְשָׁ֛ב בִּימֵ֥י שְׁלֹמֹ֖ה לִמְאֽוּמָה׃ All King Solomon’s drinking cups were of gold, and all the utensils of the Lebanon Forest House were of pure gold: silver did not count for anything in Solomon’s days.

כִּי֩ אֳנִ֨י תַרְשִׁ֤ישׁ לַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ בַּיָּ֔ם עִ֖ם אֳנִ֣י חִירָ֑ם אַחַת֩ לְשָׁלֹ֨שׁ שָׁנִ֜ים תָּב֣וֹא ׀ אֳנִ֣י תַרְשִׁ֗ישׁ נֹֽשְׂאֵת֙ זָהָ֣ב וָכֶ֔סֶף שֶׁנְהַבִּ֥ים וְקֹפִ֖ים וְתֻכִּיִּֽים׃ For the king had a Tarshish fleet^eTarshish fleet Probably a fleet of large ships. on the sea, along with Hiram’s fleet. Once every three years, the Tarshish fleet came in, bearing gold and silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks.

וַיִּגְדַּל֙ הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה מִכֹּ֖ל מַלְכֵ֣י הָאָ֑רֶץ לְעֹ֖שֶׁר וּלְחׇכְמָֽה׃ King Solomon surpassed all the monarchs on earth in wealth and in wisdom.

וְכׇ֨ל־הָאָ֔רֶץ מְבַקְשִׁ֖ים אֶת־פְּנֵ֣י שְׁלֹמֹ֑ה לִשְׁמֹ֙עַ֙ אֶת־חׇכְמָת֔וֹ אֲשֶׁר־נָתַ֥ן אֱלֹהִ֖ים בְּלִבּֽוֹ׃ All the world came to pay homage to Solomon and to listen to the wisdom with which God had endowed him;

וְהֵ֣מָּה מְבִאִ֣ים אִ֣ישׁ מִנְחָת֡וֹ כְּלֵ֣י כֶ֩סֶף֩ וּכְלֵ֨י זָהָ֤ב וּשְׂלָמוֹת֙ וְנֵ֣שֶׁק וּבְשָׂמִ֔ים סוּסִ֖ים וּפְרָדִ֑ים דְּבַר־שָׁנָ֖ה בְּשָׁנָֽה׃ {ס}         and each one would bring tribute—silver and gold objects, robes, weapons and spices, horses and mules—in the amount due each year.

וַיֶּאֱסֹ֣ף שְׁלֹמֹה֮ רֶ֣כֶב וּפָרָשִׁים֒ וַֽיְהִי־ל֗וֹ אֶ֤לֶף וְאַרְבַּע־מֵאוֹת֙ רֶ֔כֶב וּשְׁנֵים־עָשָׂ֥ר אֶ֖לֶף פָּרָשִׁ֑ים וַיַּנְחֵם֙ בְּעָרֵ֣י הָרֶ֔כֶב וְעִם־הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ בִּירוּשָׁלָֽ͏ִם׃ Solomon assembled chariots and horses.^fhorses See note at 1.5. He had 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horses, which he stationed^gstationed So 2 Chron. 1.14; 9.25; Heb. here “led.” in the chariot towns and with the king in Jerusalem.

וַיִּתֵּ֨ן הַמֶּ֧לֶךְ אֶת־הַכֶּ֛סֶף בִּירוּשָׁלַ֖͏ִם כָּאֲבָנִ֑ים וְאֵ֣ת הָאֲרָזִ֗ים נָתַ֛ן כַּשִּׁקְמִ֥ים אֲשֶׁר־בַּשְּׁפֵלָ֖ה לָרֹֽב׃ The king made silver as plentiful in Jerusalem as stones, and cedars as plentiful as sycamores in the Shephelah.

וּמוֹצָ֧א הַסּוּסִ֛ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר לִשְׁלֹמֹ֖ה מִמִּצְרָ֑יִם וּמִקְוֵ֕ה סֹחֲרֵ֣י הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ יִקְח֥וּ מִקְוֵ֖ה בִּמְחִֽיר׃ Solomon’s horses were procured from Mizraim^hMizraim Usually Egypt, here perhaps Muṣru, a neighbor of Kue (Cilicia). and Kue. The king’s dealers would buy them from Kue at a fixed price.

וַֽ֠תַּעֲלֶ֠ה וַתֵּצֵ֨א מֶרְכָּבָ֤ה מִמִּצְרַ֙יִם֙ בְּשֵׁ֣שׁ מֵא֣וֹת כֶּ֔סֶף וְס֖וּס בַּחֲמִשִּׁ֣ים וּמֵאָ֑ה וְ֠כֵ֠ן לְכׇל־מַלְכֵ֧י הַחִתִּ֛ים וּלְמַלְכֵ֥י אֲרָ֖ם בְּיָדָ֥ם יֹצִֽאוּ׃ {פ}
A chariot imported from MizraimⁱMizraim See note at v. 28. cost 600 shekels of silver, and a horse 150; these in turn were exported by them^jthem I.e., Solomon’s dealers. to all the kings of the Hittites and the kings of the Arameans.

וְהַמֶּ֣לֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹ֗ה אָהַ֞ב נָשִׁ֧ים נׇכְרִיּ֛וֹת רַבּ֖וֹת וְאֶת־בַּת־פַּרְעֹ֑ה מוֹאֲבִיּ֤וֹת עַמֳּנִיּוֹת֙ אֲדֹ֣מִיֹּ֔ת צֵֽדְנִיֹּ֖ת חִתִּיֹּֽת׃ King Solomon loved many foreign women in addition to Pharaoh’s daughter—Moabite, Ammonite, Edomite, Phoenician, and Hittite women,

מִן־הַגּוֹיִ֗ם אֲשֶׁ֣ר אָֽמַר־יְהֹוָה֩ אֶל־בְּנֵ֨י יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל לֹא־תָבֹ֣אוּ בָהֶ֗ם וְהֵם֙ לֹא־יָבֹ֣אוּ בָכֶ֔ם אָכֵן֙ יַטּ֣וּ אֶת־לְבַבְכֶ֔ם אַחֲרֵ֖י אֱלֹהֵיהֶ֑ם בָּהֶ֛ם דָּבַ֥ק שְׁלֹמֹ֖ה לְאַהֲבָֽה׃ from the nations of which GOD had said to the Israelites, “None of you shall join them and none of them shall join you,^ajoin you In marriage; cf. Deut. 7.3–4; 23.4, 8–9. lest they turn your heart away to follow their gods.” Such Solomon clung to and loved.

וַיְהִי־ל֣וֹ נָשִׁ֗ים שָׂרוֹת֙ שְׁבַ֣ע מֵא֔וֹת וּפִלַגְשִׁ֖ים שְׁלֹ֣שׁ מֵא֑וֹת וַיַּטּ֥וּ נָשָׁ֖יו אֶת־לִבּֽוֹ׃ He had seven hundred royal wives and three hundred concubines; and his wives turned his heart away.

וַיְהִ֗י לְעֵת֙ זִקְנַ֣ת שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה נָשָׁיו֙ הִטּ֣וּ אֶת־לְבָב֔וֹ אַחֲרֵ֖י אֱלֹהִ֣ים אֲחֵרִ֑ים וְלֹא־הָיָ֨ה לְבָב֤וֹ שָׁלֵם֙ עִם־יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהָ֔יו כִּלְבַ֖ב דָּוִ֥יד אָבִֽיו׃ In his old age, his wives turned away Solomon’s heart after other gods, and he was not as wholeheartedly devoted to the ETERNAL his God as his father David had been.

וַיֵּ֣לֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה אַחֲרֵ֣י עַשְׁתֹּ֔רֶת אֱלֹהֵ֖י צִדֹנִ֑ים וְאַחֲרֵ֣י מִלְכֹּ֔ם שִׁקֻּ֖ץ עַמֹּנִֽים׃ Solomon followed Ashtoreth the goddess of the Phoenicians, and Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.

וַיַּ֧עַשׂ שְׁלֹמֹ֛ה הָרַ֖ע בְּעֵינֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֑ה וְלֹ֥א מִלֵּ֛א אַחֲרֵ֥י יְהֹוָ֖ה כְּדָוִ֥ד אָבִֽיו׃ {ס}         Solomon did what was displeasing to GOD and did not remain loyal to GOD like his father David.

אָז֩ יִבְנֶ֨ה שְׁלֹמֹ֜ה בָּמָ֗ה לִכְמוֹשׁ֙ שִׁקֻּ֣ץ מוֹאָ֔ב בָּהָ֕ר אֲשֶׁ֖ר עַל־פְּנֵ֣י יְרֽוּשָׁלָ֑͏ִם וּלְמֹ֕לֶךְ שִׁקֻּ֖ץ בְּנֵ֥י עַמּֽוֹן׃ At that time, Solomon built a shrine for Chemosh the abomination of Moab on the hill near Jerusalem, and one for Molech the abomination of the Ammonites.

וְכֵ֣ן עָשָׂ֔ה לְכׇל־נָשָׁ֖יו הַנׇּכְרִיּ֑וֹת מַקְטִיר֥וֹת וּֽמְזַבְּח֖וֹת לֵאלֹהֵיהֶֽן׃ And he did the same for all his foreign wives who offered and sacrificed to their gods.

וַיִּתְאַנַּ֥ף יְהֹוָ֖ה בִּשְׁלֹמֹ֑ה כִּֽי־נָטָ֣ה לְבָב֗וֹ מֵעִ֤ם יְהֹוָה֙ אֱלֹהֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל הַנִּרְאָ֥ה אֵלָ֖יו פַּעֲמָֽיִם׃ GOD was angry with Solomon, because his heart turned away from the ETERNAL, the God of Israel, who had appeared to^bappeared to See note at 9.2. him twice

וְצִוָּ֤ה אֵלָיו֙ עַל־הַדָּבָ֣ר הַזֶּ֔ה לְבִ֨לְתִּי־לֶ֔כֶת אַחֲרֵ֖י אֱלֹהִ֣ים אֲחֵרִ֑ים וְלֹ֣א שָׁמַ֔ר אֵ֥ת אֲשֶׁר־צִוָּ֖ה יְהֹוָֽה׃ {פ}
and had commanded him about this matter, not to follow other gods; he did not obey what GOD had commanded.

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהֹוָ֜ה לִשְׁלֹמֹ֗ה יַ֚עַן אֲשֶׁ֣ר הָֽיְתָה־זֹּ֣את עִמָּ֔ךְ וְלֹ֤א שָׁמַ֙רְתָּ֙ בְּרִיתִ֣י וְחֻקֹּתַ֔י אֲשֶׁ֥ר צִוִּ֖יתִי עָלֶ֑יךָ קָרֹ֨עַ אֶקְרַ֤ע אֶת־הַמַּמְלָכָה֙ מֵעָלֶ֔יךָ וּנְתַתִּ֖יהָ לְעַבְדֶּֽךָ׃ And GOD said to Solomon, “Because you are guilty of this^cBecause you are guilty of this Lit. “This is with you.” —you have not kept My covenant and the laws that I enjoined upon you—I will tear the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your servants.

אַךְ־בְּיָמֶ֙יךָ֙ לֹ֣א אֶעֱשֶׂ֔נָּה לְמַ֖עַן דָּוִ֣ד אָבִ֑יךָ מִיַּ֥ד בִּנְךָ֖ אֶקְרָעֶֽנָּה׃ But, for the sake of your father David, I will not do it in your lifetime; I will tear it away from your son.

רַ֤ק אֶת־כׇּל־הַמַּמְלָכָה֙ לֹ֣א אֶקְרָ֔ע שֵׁ֥בֶט אֶחָ֖ד אֶתֵּ֣ן לִבְנֶ֑ךָ לְמַ֙עַן֙ דָּוִ֣ד עַבְדִּ֔י וּלְמַ֥עַן יְרֽוּשָׁלַ֖͏ִם אֲשֶׁ֥ר בָּחָֽרְתִּי׃ {ס}         However, I will not tear away the whole kingdom; I will give your son one tribe, for the sake of My servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem that I have chosen.”

וַיָּ֨קֶם יְהֹוָ֤ה שָׂטָן֙ לִשְׁלֹמֹ֔ה אֵ֖ת הֲדַ֣ד הָאֲדֹמִ֑י מִזֶּ֧רַע הַמֶּ֛לֶךְ ה֖וּא בֶּאֱדֽוֹם׃ So GOD raised up an adversary against Solomon, the Edomite Hadad, who was of the royal family of Edom.

וַיְהִ֗י בִּֽהְי֤וֹת דָּוִד֙ אֶת־אֱד֔וֹם בַּעֲל֗וֹת יוֹאָב֙ שַׂ֣ר הַצָּבָ֔א לְקַבֵּ֖ר אֶת־הַחֲלָלִ֑ים וַיַּ֥ךְ כׇּל־זָכָ֖ר בֶּאֱדֽוֹם׃ When David was in^dwas in Emendation yields “defeated”; cf. 2 Sam. 8.13. Edom, Joab the army commander went up to bury the slain, and he killed every male in Edom;

כִּ֣י שֵׁ֧שֶׁת חֳדָשִׁ֛ים יָשַׁב־שָׁ֥ם יוֹאָ֖ב וְכׇל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל עַד־הִכְרִ֥ית כׇּל־זָכָ֖ר בֶּאֱדֽוֹם׃ for Joab and all Israel stayed there for six months until he had killed off every male in Edom.

וַיִּבְרַ֣ח אֲדַ֡ד הוּא֩ וַאֲנָשִׁ֨ים אֲדֹמִיִּ֜ים מֵעַבְדֵ֥י אָבִ֛יו אִתּ֖וֹ לָב֣וֹא מִצְרָ֑יִם וַהֲדַ֖ד נַ֥עַר קָטָֽן׃ But Hadad,^eHadad Heb. “Adad.” together with some Edomites, servants of his father, escaped and headed for Egypt; Hadad was then a young boy.

וַיָּקֻ֙מוּ֙ מִמִּדְיָ֔ן וַיָּבֹ֖אוּ פָּארָ֑ן וַיִּקְחוּ֩ אֲנָשִׁ֨ים עִמָּ֜ם מִפָּארָ֗ן וַיָּבֹ֤אוּ מִצְרַ֙יִם֙ אֶל־פַּרְעֹ֣ה מֶֽלֶךְ־מִצְרַ֔יִם וַיִּתֶּן־ל֣וֹ בַ֗יִת וְלֶ֙חֶם֙ אָ֣מַר ל֔וֹ וְאֶ֖רֶץ נָ֥תַן לֽוֹ׃ Setting out from Midian, they came to Paran and took others^fothers I.e., subordinates, perhaps as guides for traversing the wilderness. from Paran along with them. Thus they came to Egypt, to Pharaoh king of Egypt, who gave him a house, assigned a food allowance to him, and granted him an estate.

וַיִּמְצָ֨א הֲדַ֥ד חֵ֛ן בְּעֵינֵ֥י פַרְעֹ֖ה מְאֹ֑ד וַיִּתֶּן־ל֤וֹ אִשָּׁה֙ אֶת־אֲח֣וֹת אִשְׁתּ֔וֹ אֲח֖וֹת תַּחְפְּנֵ֥יס הַגְּבִירָֽה׃ Pharaoh took a great liking to Hadad and gave him his sister-in-law, the sister of Queen Tahpenes, as wife.

וַתֵּ֨לֶד ל֜וֹ אֲח֣וֹת תַּחְפְּנֵ֗יס אֵ֚ת גְּנֻבַ֣ת בְּנ֔וֹ וַתִּגְמְלֵ֣הוּ תַחְפְּנֵ֔ס בְּת֖וֹךְ בֵּ֣ית פַּרְעֹ֑ה וַיְהִ֤י גְנֻבַת֙ בֵּ֣ית פַּרְעֹ֔ה בְּת֖וֹךְ בְּנֵ֥י פַרְעֹֽה׃ The sister of Tahpenes bore him a son, Genubath. Tahpenes weaned^gweaned Septuagint reads “reared.” him in Pharaoh’s palace, and Genubath remained in Pharaoh’s palace among the sons of Pharaoh.

וַהֲדַ֞ד שָׁמַ֣ע בְּמִצְרַ֗יִם כִּֽי־שָׁכַ֤ב דָּוִד֙ עִם־אֲבֹתָ֔יו וְכִי־מֵ֖ת יוֹאָ֣ב שַׂר־הַצָּבָ֑א וַיֹּ֤אמֶר הֲדַד֙ אֶל־פַּרְעֹ֔ה שַׁלְּחֵ֖נִי וְאֵלֵ֥ךְ אֶל־אַרְצִֽי׃ When Hadad heard in Egypt that David had been laid to rest with his ancestors and that Joab the army commander was dead, Hadad said to Pharaoh, “Give me leave to go to my own country.”

וַיֹּ֧אמֶר ל֣וֹ פַרְעֹ֗ה כִּ֠י מָֽה־אַתָּ֤ה חָסֵר֙ עִמִּ֔י וְהִנְּךָ֥ מְבַקֵּ֖שׁ לָלֶ֣כֶת אֶל־אַרְצֶ֑ךָ וַיֹּ֣אמֶֽר ׀ לֹ֔א כִּ֥י שַׁלֵּ֖חַ תְּשַׁלְּחֵֽנִי׃ Pharaoh replied, “What do you lack with me, that you want to go to your own country?” But he said, “Nevertheless, give me leave to go.”

וַיָּ֨קֶם אֱלֹהִ֥ים לוֹ֙ שָׂטָ֔ן אֶת־רְז֖וֹן בֶּן־אֶלְיָדָ֑ע אֲשֶׁ֣ר בָּרַ֗ח מֵאֵ֛ת הֲדַדְעֶ֥זֶר מֶלֶךְ־צוֹבָ֖ה אֲדֹנָֽיו׃ Another adversary that God raised up against Solomon^hSolomon Heb. “him.” was Rezon son of Eliada, who had fled from his lord, King Hadadezer of Zobah,

וַיִּקְבֹּ֤ץ עָלָיו֙ אֲנָשִׁ֔ים וַיְהִ֣י שַׂר־גְּד֔וּד בַּהֲרֹ֥ג דָּוִ֖ד אֹתָ֑ם וַיֵּלְכ֤וּ דַמֶּ֙שֶׂק֙ וַיֵּ֣שְׁבוּ בָ֔הּ וַֽיִּמְלְכ֖וּ בְּדַמָּֽשֶׂק׃ when David was slaughtering them. He gathered some men and became captain over a troop; they went to Damascus and settled there, and they established a kingdom in Damascus.

וַיְהִ֨י שָׂטָ֤ן לְיִשְׂרָאֵל֙ כׇּל־יְמֵ֣י שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה וְאֶת־הָרָעָ֖ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר הֲדָ֑ד וַיָּ֙קָץ֙ בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וַיִּמְלֹ֖ךְ עַל־אֲרָֽם׃ {פ}
He was an adversary of Israel all the days of Solomon, adding to the trouble [caused by] Hadad; he repudiated [the authority of] Israel and reigned over Aram.

וְיָרׇבְעָם֩ בֶּן־נְבָ֨ט אֶפְרָתִ֜י מִן־הַצְּרֵדָ֗ה וְשֵׁ֤ם אִמּוֹ֙ צְרוּעָה֙ אִשָּׁ֣ה אַלְמָנָ֔ה עֶ֖בֶד לִשְׁלֹמֹ֑ה וַיָּ֥רֶם יָ֖ד בַּמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ Jeroboam son of Nebat, an Ephraimite of Zeredah, the son of a widow whose name was Zeruah, was in Solomon’s service; he raised his hand against the king.

וְזֶ֣ה הַדָּבָ֔ר אֲשֶׁר־הֵרִ֥ים יָ֖ד בַּמֶּ֑לֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹה֙ בָּנָ֣ה אֶת־הַמִּלּ֔וֹא סָגַ֕ר אֶת־פֶּ֕רֶץ עִ֖יר דָּוִ֥ד אָבִֽיו׃ The circumstances under which he raised his hand against the king were as follows: Solomon built the Millo and repaired the breach of the city of his father, David.

וְהָאִ֥ישׁ יָרׇבְעָ֖ם גִּבּ֣וֹר חָ֑יִל וַיַּ֨רְא שְׁלֹמֹ֜ה אֶת־הַנַּ֗עַר כִּֽי־עֹשֵׂ֤ה מְלָאכָה֙ ה֔וּא וַיַּפְקֵ֣ד אֹת֔וֹ לְכׇל־סֵ֖בֶל בֵּ֥ית יוֹסֵֽף׃ {ס}         This man Jeroboam was very capable, and when Solomon saw that the young manⁱthe young man Or “this attendant.” was a productive worker, he appointed him over all the forced labor of the House of Joseph.

וַֽיְהִי֙ בָּעֵ֣ת הַהִ֔יא וְיָרׇבְעָ֖ם יָצָ֣א מִירוּשָׁלָ֑͏ִם וַיִּמְצָ֣א אֹת֡וֹ אֲחִיָּה֩ הַשִּׁילֹנִ֨י הַנָּבִ֜יא בַּדֶּ֗רֶךְ וְה֤וּא מִתְכַּסֶּה֙ בְּשַׂלְמָ֣ה חֲדָשָׁ֔ה וּשְׁנֵיהֶ֥ם לְבַדָּ֖ם בַּשָּׂדֶֽה׃ During that time Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem and the prophet Ahijah of Shiloh met him on the way. He had put on a new robe; and when the two were alone in the open country,

וַיִּתְפֹּ֣שׂ אֲחִיָּ֔ה בַּשַּׂלְמָ֥ה הַחֲדָשָׁ֖ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָלָ֑יו וַיִּ֨קְרָעֶ֔הָ שְׁנֵ֥ים עָשָׂ֖ר קְרָעִֽים׃ Ahijah took hold of the new robe he was wearing and tore it into twelve pieces.

וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ לְיָֽרׇבְעָ֔ם קַח־לְךָ֖ עֲשָׂרָ֣ה קְרָעִ֑ים כִּ֣י כֹה֩ אָמַ֨ר יְהֹוָ֜ה אֱלֹהֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל הִנְנִ֨י קֹרֵ֤עַ אֶת־הַמַּמְלָכָה֙ מִיַּ֣ד שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה וְנָתַתִּ֣י לְךָ֔ אֵ֖ת עֲשָׂרָ֥ה הַשְּׁבָטִֽים׃ “Take ten pieces,” he said to Jeroboam. “For thus said the ETERNAL, the God of Israel: I am about to tear the kingdom out of Solomon’s hands, and I will give you ten tribes.

וְהַשֵּׁ֥בֶט הָאֶחָ֖ד יִֽהְיֶה־לּ֑וֹ לְמַ֣עַן ׀ עַבְדִּ֣י דָוִ֗ד וּלְמַ֙עַן֙ יְר֣וּשָׁלַ֔͏ִם הָעִיר֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בָּחַ֣רְתִּי בָ֔הּ מִכֹּ֖ל שִׁבְטֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ But one tribe shall remain his—for the sake of My servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem, the city that I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel.

יַ֣עַן ׀ אֲשֶׁ֣ר עֲזָב֗וּנִי וַיִּֽשְׁתַּחֲווּ֮ לְעַשְׁתֹּ֘רֶת֮ אֱלֹהֵ֣י צִדֹנִין֒ לִכְמוֹשׁ֙ אֱלֹהֵ֣י מוֹאָ֔ב וּלְמִלְכֹּ֖ם אֱלֹהֵ֣י בְנֵֽי־עַמּ֑וֹן וְלֹֽא־הָלְכ֣וּ בִדְרָכַ֗י לַעֲשׂ֨וֹת הַיָּשָׁ֧ר בְּעֵינַ֛י וְחֻקֹּתַ֥י וּמִשְׁפָּטַ֖י כְּדָוִ֥ד אָבִֽיו׃ For they have forsaken Me; they have worshiped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Phoenicians, Chemosh the god of Moab, and Milcom the god of the Ammonites; they have not walked in My ways, or done what is pleasing to Me, or [kept] My laws and rules, as his father David did.

וְלֹא־אֶקַּ֥ח אֶת־כׇּל־הַמַּמְלָכָ֖ה מִיָּד֑וֹ כִּ֣י ׀ נָשִׂ֣יא אֲשִׁתֶ֗נּוּ כֹּ֚ל יְמֵ֣י חַיָּ֔יו לְמַ֨עַן דָּוִ֤ד עַבְדִּי֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בָּחַ֣רְתִּי אֹת֔וֹ אֲשֶׁ֥ר שָׁמַ֖ר מִצְוֺתַ֥י וְחֻקֹּתָֽי׃ However, I will not take the entire kingdom away from him, but will keep him as ruler as long as he lives for the sake of My servant David whom I chose, and who kept My commandments and My laws.

וְלָקַחְתִּ֥י הַמְּלוּכָ֖ה מִיַּ֣ד בְּנ֑וֹ וּנְתַתִּ֣יהָ לְּךָ֔ אֵ֖ת עֲשֶׂ֥רֶת הַשְּׁבָטִֽים׃ But I will take the kingship out of the hands of his son and give it to you—the ten tribes.

וְלִבְנ֖וֹ אֶתֵּ֣ן שֵֽׁבֶט־אֶחָ֑ד לְמַ֣עַן הֱיֽוֹת־נִ֣יר לְדָֽוִיד־עַ֠בְדִּ֠י כׇּֽל־הַיָּמִ֤ים ׀ לְפָנַי֙ בִּיר֣וּשָׁלַ֔͏ִם הָעִיר֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בָּחַ֣רְתִּי לִ֔י לָשׂ֥וּם שְׁמִ֖י שָֽׁם׃ To his son I will give one tribe, so that there may be a lamp for My servant David forever before Me in Jerusalem—the city where I have chosen to establish My name.

וְאֹתְךָ֣ אֶקַּ֔ח וּמָ֣לַכְתָּ֔ בְּכֹ֥ל אֲשֶׁר־תְּאַוֶּ֖ה נַפְשֶׁ֑ךָ וְהָיִ֥יתָ מֶּ֖לֶךְ עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ But you have been chosen by Me; reign^jreign I.e., establish your residence. wherever you wish, and you shall be king over Israel.

וְהָיָ֗ה אִם־תִּשְׁמַע֮ אֶת־כׇּל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר אֲצַוֶּ֒ךָ֒ וְהָלַכְתָּ֣ בִדְרָכַ֗י וְעָשִׂ֨יתָ הַיָּשָׁ֤ר בְּעֵינַי֙ לִשְׁמ֤וֹר חֻקּוֹתַי֙ וּמִצְוֺתַ֔י כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר עָשָׂ֖ה דָּוִ֣ד עַבְדִּ֑י וְהָיִ֣יתִי עִמָּ֗ךְ וּבָנִ֨יתִֽי לְךָ֤ בַיִת־נֶֽאֱמָן֙ כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר בָּנִ֣יתִי לְדָוִ֔ד וְנָתַתִּ֥י לְךָ֖ אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ If you heed all that I command you, and walk in My ways, and do what is right in My sight, keeping My laws and commandments as My servant David did, then I will be with you and I will build for you a lasting dynasty as I did for David. I hereby give Israel to you;

וַֽאעַנֶּ֛ה אֶת־זֶ֥רַע דָּוִ֖ד לְמַ֣עַן זֹ֑את אַ֖ךְ לֹ֥א כׇל־הַיָּמִֽים׃ {ס}         and I will chastise David’s descendants for that [sin], though not forever.”

וַיְבַקֵּ֥שׁ שְׁלֹמֹ֖ה לְהָמִ֣ית אֶת־יָרׇבְעָ֑ם וַיָּ֣קׇם יָרׇבְעָ֗ם וַיִּבְרַ֤ח מִצְרַ֙יִם֙ אֶל־שִׁישַׁ֣ק מֶֽלֶךְ־מִצְרַ֔יִם וַיְהִ֥י בְמִצְרַ֖יִם עַד־מ֥וֹת שְׁלֹמֹֽה׃ {ס}         Solomon sought to put Jeroboam to death, but Jeroboam promptly fled to King Shishak of Egypt; and he remained in Egypt till the death of Solomon.

וְיֶ֨תֶר דִּבְרֵ֧י שְׁלֹמֹ֛ה וְכׇל־אֲשֶׁ֥ר עָשָׂ֖ה וְחׇכְמָת֑וֹ הֲלוֹא־הֵ֣ם כְּתֻבִ֔ים עַל־סֵ֖פֶר דִּבְרֵ֥י שְׁלֹמֹֽה׃ The other events of Solomon’s reign, and all his actions and his wisdom, are recorded in the book of the Annals of Solomon.

וְהַיָּמִ֗ים אֲשֶׁר֩ מָלַ֨ךְ שְׁלֹמֹ֤ה בִירֽוּשָׁלַ֙͏ִם֙ עַל־כׇּל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אַרְבָּעִ֖ים שָׁנָֽה׃ The length of Solomon’s reign in Jerusalem, over all Israel, was forty years.

וַיִּשְׁכַּ֤ב שְׁלֹמֹה֙ עִם־אֲבֹתָ֔יו וַיִּ֨קָּבֵ֔ר בְּעִ֖יר דָּוִ֣ד אָבִ֑יו וַיִּמְלֹ֛ךְ רְחַבְעָ֥ם בְּנ֖וֹ תַּחְתָּֽיו׃ {ס}         Solomon rested with his ancestors and was buried in the city of his father David; and his son Rehoboam succeeded him as king.

וַיֵּ֥לֶךְ רְחַבְעָ֖ם שְׁכֶ֑ם כִּ֥י שְׁכֶ֛ם בָּ֥א כׇל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לְהַמְלִ֥יךְ אֹתֽוֹ׃ Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had come to Shechem to acclaim him as king.

וַיְהִ֞י כִּשְׁמֹ֣עַ ׀ יָרׇבְעָ֣ם בֶּן־נְבָ֗ט וְהוּא֙ עוֹדֶ֣נּוּ בְמִצְרַ֔יִם אֲשֶׁ֣ר בָּרַ֔ח מִפְּנֵ֖י הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹ֑ה וַיֵּ֥שֶׁב יָרׇבְעָ֖ם בְּמִצְרָֽיִם׃ Jeroboam son of Nebat learned of it while he was still in Egypt; for Jeroboam had fled from King Solomon, and had settled in Egypt.^aand had settled in Egypt Cf. 2 Chron. 10.2 “and Jeroboam returned from Egypt.”

וַֽיִּשְׁלְחוּ֙ וַיִּקְרְאוּ־ל֔וֹ (ויבאו) [וַיָּבֹ֥א] יָרׇבְעָ֖ם וְכׇל־קְהַ֣ל יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַֽיְדַבְּר֔וּ אֶל־רְחַבְעָ֖ם לֵאמֹֽר׃ They sent for him; and Jeroboam and all the assembly of Israel came and spoke to Rehoboam as follows:

אָבִ֖יךָ הִקְשָׁ֣ה אֶת־עֻלֵּ֑נוּ וְאַתָּ֡ה עַתָּ֣ה הָקֵל֩ מֵעֲבֹדַ֨ת אָבִ֜יךָ הַקָּשָׁ֗ה וּמֵעֻלּ֧וֹ הַכָּבֵ֛ד אֲשֶׁר־נָתַ֥ן עָלֵ֖ינוּ וְנַעַבְדֶֽךָּ׃ “Your father made our yoke heavy. Now lighten the harsh labor and the heavy yoke that your father laid on us, and we will serve you.”

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֲלֵיהֶ֗ם לְכוּ־עֹ֛ד שְׁלֹשָׁ֥ה יָמִ֖ים וְשׁ֣וּבוּ אֵלָ֑י וַיֵּלְכ֖וּ הָעָֽם׃ He answered them, “Go away for three days and then come back to me.” So the people went away.

וַיִּוָּעַ֞ץ הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ רְחַבְעָ֗ם אֶת־הַזְּקֵנִים֙ אֲשֶׁר־הָי֣וּ עֹמְדִ֗ים אֶת־פְּנֵי֙ שְׁלֹמֹ֣ה אָבִ֔יו בִּֽהְיֹת֥וֹ חַ֖י לֵאמֹ֑ר אֵ֚יךְ אַתֶּ֣ם נוֹעָצִ֔ים לְהָשִׁ֥יב אֶת־הָעָם־הַזֶּ֖ה דָּבָֽר׃ King Rehoboam took counsel with the elders who had served his father Solomon during his lifetime. He said, “What answer do you advise [me] to give to this people?”

(וידבר) [וַיְדַבְּר֨וּ] אֵלָ֜יו לֵאמֹ֗ר אִם־הַ֠יּ֠וֹם תִּֽהְיֶה־עֶ֜בֶד לָעָ֤ם הַזֶּה֙ וַעֲבַדְתָּ֔ם וַעֲנִיתָ֕ם וְדִבַּרְתָּ֥ אֲלֵיהֶ֖ם דְּבָרִ֣ים טוֹבִ֑ים וְהָי֥וּ לְךָ֛ עֲבָדִ֖ים כׇּל־הַיָּמִֽים׃ They answered him, “If you will be a servant to those people today and serve them, and if you respond to them with kind words, they will be your servants always.”

וַֽיַּעֲזֹ֛ב אֶת־עֲצַ֥ת הַזְּקֵנִ֖ים אֲשֶׁ֣ר יְעָצֻ֑הוּ וַיִּוָּעַ֗ץ אֶת־הַיְלָדִים֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר גָּדְל֣וּ אִתּ֔וֹ אֲשֶׁ֥ר הָעֹמְדִ֖ים לְפָנָֽיו׃ But he ignored the advice that the elders gave him, and took counsel with the young men^bthe young men Lit. “the children.” who had grown up with him and were serving him.

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֲלֵיהֶ֗ם מָ֚ה אַתֶּ֣ם נֽוֹעָצִ֔ים וְנָשִׁ֥יב דָּבָ֖ר אֶת־הָעָ֣ם הַזֶּ֑ה אֲשֶׁ֨ר דִּבְּר֤וּ אֵלַי֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר הָקֵל֙ מִן־הָעֹ֔ל אֲשֶׁר־נָתַ֥ן אָבִ֖יךָ עָלֵֽינוּ׃ “What,” he asked, “do you advise that we reply to the people who said to me, ‘Lighten the yoke that your father placed upon us’?”

וַיְדַבְּר֣וּ אֵלָ֗יו הַיְלָדִים֙ אֲשֶׁ֨ר גָּדְל֣וּ אִתּוֹ֮ לֵאמֹר֒ כֹּה־תֹאמַ֣ר לָעָ֣ם הַזֶּ֡ה אֲשֶׁר֩ דִּבְּר֨וּ אֵלֶ֜יךָ לֵאמֹ֗ר אָבִ֙יךָ֙ הִכְבִּ֣יד אֶת־עֻלֵּ֔נוּ וְאַתָּ֖ה הָקֵ֣ל מֵעָלֵ֑ינוּ כֹּ֚ה תְּדַבֵּ֣ר אֲלֵיהֶ֔ם קׇטׇנִּ֥י עָבָ֖ה מִמׇּתְנֵ֥י אָבִֽי׃ And the young men who had grown up with him answered, “Speak thus to the people who said to you, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, now you make it lighter for us.’ Say to them, ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s loins.

וְעַתָּ֗ה אָבִי֙ הֶעְמִ֤יס עֲלֵיכֶם֙ עֹ֣ל כָּבֵ֔ד וַאֲנִ֖י אוֹסִ֣יף עַֽל־עֻלְּכֶ֑ם אָבִ֗י יִסַּ֤ר אֶתְכֶם֙ בַּשּׁוֹטִ֔ים וַאֲנִ֕י אֲיַסֵּ֥ר אֶתְכֶ֖ם בָּעַקְרַבִּֽים׃ My father imposed a heavy yoke on you, and I will add to your yoke; my father flogged you with whips, but I will flog you with scorpions.’”

וַיָּב֨וֹ יָרׇבְעָ֧ם וְכׇל־הָעָ֛ם אֶל־רְחַבְעָ֖ם בַּיּ֣וֹם הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֑י כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר דִּבֶּ֤ר הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר שׁ֥וּבוּ אֵלַ֖י בַּיּ֥וֹם הַשְּׁלִישִֽׁי׃ Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam on the third day, since the king had told them: “Come back on the third day.”

וַיַּ֧עַן הַמֶּ֛לֶךְ אֶת־הָעָ֖ם קָשָׁ֑ה וַֽיַּעֲזֹ֛ב אֶת־עֲצַ֥ת הַזְּקֵנִ֖ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר יְעָצֻֽהוּ׃ The king answered the people harshly, ignoring the advice that the elders had given him.

וַיְדַבֵּ֣ר אֲלֵיהֶ֗ם כַּעֲצַ֤ת הַיְלָדִים֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר אָבִי֙ הִכְבִּ֣יד אֶֽת־עֻלְּכֶ֔ם וַאֲנִ֖י אֹסִ֣יף עַֽל־עֻלְּכֶ֑ם אָבִ֗י יִסַּ֤ר אֶתְכֶם֙ בַּשּׁוֹטִ֔ים וַאֲנִ֕י אֲיַסֵּ֥ר אֶתְכֶ֖ם בָּעַקְרַבִּֽים׃ He spoke to them in accordance with the advice of the young men, and said, “My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke; my father flogged you with whips, but I will flog you with scorpions.”

וְלֹא־שָׁמַ֥ע הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ אֶל־הָעָ֑ם כִּֽי־הָיְתָ֤ה סִבָּה֙ מֵעִ֣ם יְהֹוָ֔ה לְמַ֜עַן הָקִ֣ים אֶת־דְּבָר֗וֹ אֲשֶׁ֨ר דִּבֶּ֤ר יְהֹוָה֙ בְּיַד֙ אֲחִיָּ֣ה הַשִּֽׁילֹנִ֔י אֶל־יָרׇבְעָ֖ם בֶּן־נְבָֽט׃ (The king did not listen to the people; for GOD had brought it about in order to fulfill the promise that GOD had made through Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam son of Nebat.)

וַיַּ֣רְא כׇּל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל כִּ֠י לֹא־שָׁמַ֣ע הַמֶּ֘לֶךְ֮ אֲלֵהֶם֒ וַיָּשִׁ֣בוּ הָעָ֣ם אֶת־הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ ׀ דָּבָ֣ר ׀ לֵאמֹ֡ר מַה־לָּ֩נוּ֩ חֵ֨לֶק בְּדָוִ֜ד וְלֹא־נַחֲלָ֣ה בְּבֶן־יִשַׁ֗י לְאֹהָלֶ֙יךָ֙ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל עַתָּ֕ה רְאֵ֥ה בֵיתְךָ֖ דָּוִ֑ד וַיֵּ֥לֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לְאֹהָלָֽיו׃ When all Israel saw that the king had not listened to them, the people answered the king:
“We have no portion in David,
No share in Jesse’s son!
To your tents, O Israel!
Now look to your own House, O David.”
So the Israelites returned to their homes.^chomes Lit. “tents.”

וּבְנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל הַיֹּשְׁבִ֖ים בְּעָרֵ֣י יְהוּדָ֑ה וַיִּמְלֹ֥ךְ עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם רְחַבְעָֽם׃ {פ}
But Rehoboam continued to reign over the Israelites who lived in the towns of Judah.

וַיִּשְׁלַ֞ח הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ רְחַבְעָ֗ם אֶת־אֲדֹרָם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר עַל־הַמַּ֔ס וַיִּרְגְּמ֨וּ כׇל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֥ל בּ֛וֹ אֶ֖בֶן וַיָּמֹ֑ת וְהַמֶּ֣לֶךְ רְחַבְעָ֗ם הִתְאַמֵּץ֙ לַעֲל֣וֹת בַּמֶּרְכָּבָ֔ה לָנ֖וּס יְרֽוּשָׁלָֽ͏ִם׃ King Rehoboam sent Adoram,^dAdoram Elsewhere called Adoniram; cf. 2 Sam. 20.24 and note. who was in charge of the forced labor, but all Israel pelted him to death with stones. Thereupon King Rehoboam hurriedly mounted his chariot and fled to Jerusalem.

וַיִּפְשְׁע֤וּ יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ בְּבֵ֣ית דָּוִ֔ד עַ֖ד הַיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה׃ {ס}         Thus Israel revolted against the House of David, as is still the case.

וַיְהִ֞י כִּשְׁמֹ֤עַ כׇּל־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ כִּֽי־שָׁ֣ב יָרׇבְעָ֔ם וַֽיִּשְׁלְח֗וּ וַיִּקְרְא֤וּ אֹתוֹ֙ אֶל־הָ֣עֵדָ֔ה וַיַּמְלִ֥יכוּ אֹת֖וֹ עַל־כׇּל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל לֹ֤א הָיָה֙ אַחֲרֵ֣י בֵית־דָּוִ֔ד זוּלָתִ֥י שֵׁבֶט־יְהוּדָ֖ה לְבַדּֽוֹ׃ When all Israel heard that Jeroboam had returned, they sent messengers and summoned him to the assembly and made him king over all Israel. Only the tribe of Judah remained loyal to the House of David.

(ויבאו) [וַיָּבֹ֣א] רְחַבְעָם֮ יְרוּשָׁלַ֒͏ִם֒ וַיַּקְהֵל֩ אֶת־כׇּל־בֵּ֨ית יְהוּדָ֜ה וְאֶת־שֵׁ֣בֶט בִּנְיָמִ֗ן מֵאָ֨ה וּשְׁמֹנִ֥ים אֶ֛לֶף בָּח֖וּר עֹשֵׂ֣ה מִלְחָמָ֑ה לְהִלָּחֵם֙ עִם־בֵּ֣ית יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל לְהָשִׁיב֙ אֶת־הַמְּלוּכָ֔ה לִרְחַבְעָ֖ם בֶּן־שְׁלֹמֹֽה׃ {פ}
On his return to Jerusalem, Rehoboam mustered all the House of Judah and the tribe of Benjamin, 180,000 of the best warriors, to fight against the House of Israel, in order to restore the kingship to Rehoboam son of Solomon.

וַֽיְהִי֙ דְּבַ֣ר הָאֱלֹהִ֔ים אֶל־שְׁמַעְיָ֥ה אִישׁ־הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים לֵאמֹֽר׃ But the word of God came to Shemaiah, the agent of God:

אֱמֹ֗ר אֶל־רְחַבְעָ֤ם בֶּן־שְׁלֹמֹה֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ יְהוּדָ֔ה וְאֶל־כׇּל־בֵּ֥ית יְהוּדָ֖ה וּבִנְיָמִ֑ין וְיֶ֥תֶר הָעָ֖ם לֵאמֹֽר׃ “Say to King Rehoboam son of Solomon of Judah, and to all the House of Judah and Benjamin and the rest of the people:

כֹּ֣ה אָמַ֣ר יְהֹוָ֡ה לֹא־תַעֲלוּ֩ וְלֹא־תִלָּ֨חֲמ֜וּן עִם־אֲחֵיכֶ֣ם בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל שׁ֚וּבוּ אִ֣ישׁ לְבֵית֔וֹ כִּ֧י מֵאִתִּ֛י נִֽהְיָ֖ה הַדָּבָ֣ר הַזֶּ֑ה וַֽיִּשְׁמְעוּ֙ אֶת־דְּבַ֣ר יְהֹוָ֔ה וַיָּשֻׁ֥בוּ לָלֶ֖כֶת כִּדְבַ֥ר יְהֹוָֽה׃ {ס}         Thus said GOD: You shall not set out to make war on your kindred the Israelites. Return to your homes, for this thing has been brought about by Me.” They heeded the word of GOD and turned back, in accordance with the word of GOD.

וַיִּ֨בֶן יָרׇבְעָ֧ם אֶת־שְׁכֶ֛ם בְּהַ֥ר אֶפְרַ֖יִם וַיֵּ֣שֶׁב בָּ֑הּ וַיֵּצֵ֣א מִשָּׁ֔ם וַיִּ֖בֶן אֶת־פְּנוּאֵֽל׃ Jeroboam fortified Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim and resided there; he moved out from there and fortified Penuel.

וַיֹּ֥אמֶר יָרׇבְעָ֖ם בְּלִבּ֑וֹ עַתָּ֛ה תָּשׁ֥וּב הַמַּמְלָכָ֖ה לְבֵ֥ית דָּוִֽד׃ Jeroboam said to himself, “Now the kingdom may well return to the House of David.

אִֽם־יַעֲלֶ֣ה ׀ הָעָ֣ם הַזֶּ֗ה לַעֲשׂ֨וֹת זְבָחִ֤ים בְּבֵית־יְהֹוָה֙ בִּיר֣וּשָׁלַ֔͏ִם וְ֠שָׁ֠ב לֵ֣ב הָעָ֤ם הַזֶּה֙ אֶל־אֲדֹ֣נֵיהֶ֔ם אֶל־רְחַבְעָ֖ם מֶ֣לֶךְ יְהוּדָ֑ה וַהֲרָגֻ֕נִי וְשָׁ֖בוּ אֶל־רְחַבְעָ֥ם מֶלֶךְ־יְהוּדָֽה׃ If these people still go up to offer sacrifices at the House of GOD in Jerusalem, the heart of these people will turn back to their master, King Rehoboam of Judah; they will kill me and go back to King Rehoboam of Judah.”

וַיִּוָּעַ֣ץ הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ וַיַּ֕עַשׂ שְׁנֵ֖י עֶגְלֵ֣י זָהָ֑ב וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֲלֵהֶ֗ם רַב־לָכֶם֙ מֵעֲל֣וֹת יְרוּשָׁלַ֔͏ִם הִנֵּ֤ה אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר הֶעֱל֖וּךָ מֵאֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם׃ So the king took counsel and made two golden calves. He said to the people,^ethe people Heb. “them.” “You have been going up to Jerusalem long enough. This is your god, O Israel, who brought you up from the land of Egypt!”

וַיָּ֥שֶׂם אֶת־הָאֶחָ֖ד בְּבֵֽית־אֵ֑ל וְאֶת־הָאֶחָ֖ד נָתַ֥ן בְּדָֽן׃ He set up one in Bethel and placed the other in Dan.

וַיְהִ֛י הַדָּבָ֥ר הַזֶּ֖ה לְחַטָּ֑את וַיֵּלְכ֥וּ הָעָ֛ם לִפְנֵ֥י הָאֶחָ֖ד עַד־דָּֽן׃ That proved to be a cause of guilt, for the people went to worship [the calf at Bethel and] the one at Dan.

וַיַּ֖עַשׂ אֶת־בֵּ֣ית בָּמ֑וֹת וַיַּ֤עַשׂ כֹּֽהֲנִים֙ מִקְצ֣וֹת הָעָ֔ם אֲשֶׁ֥ר לֹא־הָי֖וּ מִבְּנֵ֥י לֵוִֽי׃ He also made cult places and appointed priests from the ranks of the people who were not of Levite descent.

וַיַּ֣עַשׂ יָרׇבְעָ֣ם ׀ חָ֡ג בַּחֹ֣דֶשׁ הַשְּׁמִינִ֣י בַחֲמִשָּֽׁה־עָשָׂר֩ י֨וֹם ׀ לַחֹ֜דֶשׁ כֶּחָ֣ג ׀ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בִּיהוּדָ֗ה וַיַּ֙עַל֙ עַל־הַמִּזְבֵּ֔חַ כֵּ֤ן עָשָׂה֙ בְּבֵֽית־אֵ֔ל לְזַבֵּ֖חַ לָעֲגָלִ֣ים אֲשֶׁר־עָשָׂ֑ה וְהֶעֱמִיד֙ בְּבֵ֣ית אֵ֔ל אֶת־כֹּהֲנֵ֥י הַבָּמ֖וֹת אֲשֶׁ֥ר עָשָֽׂה׃ He stationed at Bethel the priests of the shrines that he had appointed to sacrifice to the calves that he had made. And Jeroboam established a festival on the fifteenth day of the eighth month; in imitation of the festival in Judah, he established one at Bethel, and he ascended the altar [there].

וַיַּ֜עַל עַֽל־הַמִּזְבֵּ֣חַ ׀ אֲשֶׁר־עָשָׂ֣ה בְּבֵֽית־אֵ֗ל בַּחֲמִשָּׁ֨ה עָשָׂ֥ר יוֹם֙ בַּחֹ֣דֶשׁ הַשְּׁמִינִ֔י בַּחֹ֖דֶשׁ אֲשֶׁר־בָּדָ֣א (מלבד) [מִלִּבּ֑וֹ] וַיַּ֤עַשׂ חָג֙ לִבְנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וַיַּ֥עַל עַל־הַמִּזְבֵּ֖חַ לְהַקְטִֽיר׃ {פ}
On the fifteenth day of the eighth month—the month in which he had contrived of his own mind to establish a festival for the Israelites—Jeroboam ascended the altar that he had made in Bethel.
As he ascended the altar to present an offering,

וְהִנֵּ֣ה ׀ אִ֣ישׁ אֱלֹהִ֗ים בָּ֧א מִיהוּדָ֛ה בִּדְבַ֥ר יְהֹוָ֖ה אֶל־בֵּֽית־אֵ֑ל וְיָרׇבְעָ֛ם עֹמֵ֥ד עַל־הַמִּזְבֵּ֖חַ לְהַקְטִֽיר׃ an agent of God arrived at Bethel from Judah at the command of GOD. While Jeroboam was standing on the altar^aon the altar I.e., at the top of the steps or ramp. to present the offering,

וַיִּקְרָ֤א עַל־הַמִּזְבֵּ֙חַ֙ בִּדְבַ֣ר יְהֹוָ֔ה וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ מִזְבֵּ֣חַ מִזְבֵּ֔חַ כֹּ֖ה אָמַ֣ר יְהֹוָ֑ה הִנֵּה־בֵ֞ן נוֹלָ֤ד לְבֵית־דָּוִד֙ יֹאשִׁיָּ֣הֽוּ שְׁמ֔וֹ וְזָבַ֣ח עָלֶ֗יךָ אֶת־כֹּהֲנֵ֤י הַבָּמוֹת֙ הַמַּקְטִרִ֣ים עָלֶ֔יךָ וְעַצְמ֥וֹת אָדָ֖ם יִשְׂרְפ֥וּ עָלֶֽיךָ׃ he—the agent of God—at the command of GOD, cried out against the altar: “O altar, altar! Thus said GOD: A son shall be born to the House of David, Josiah by name; and he shall slaughter upon you the priests of the shrines who bring offerings upon you. And human bones shall be burned upon you.”

וְנָתַן֩ בַּיּ֨וֹם הַה֤וּא מוֹפֵת֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר זֶ֣ה הַמּוֹפֵ֔ת אֲשֶׁ֖ר דִּבֶּ֣ר יְהֹוָ֑ה הִנֵּ֤ה הַמִּזְבֵּ֙חַ֙ נִקְרָ֔ע וְנִשְׁפַּ֖ךְ הַדֶּ֥שֶׁן אֲשֶׁר־עָלָֽיו׃ He gave a portent on that day, saying, “Here is the portent that GOD has decreed: This altar shall break apart, and the ashes on it shall be spilled.”

וַיְהִי֩ כִשְׁמֹ֨עַ הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ אֶת־דְּבַ֣ר אִישׁ־הָאֱלֹהִ֗ים אֲשֶׁ֨ר קָרָ֤א עַל־הַמִּזְבֵּ֙חַ֙ בְּבֵֽית־אֵ֔ל וַיִּשְׁלַ֨ח יָרׇבְעָ֧ם אֶת־יָד֛וֹ מֵעַ֥ל הַמִּזְבֵּ֖חַ לֵאמֹ֣ר ׀ תִּפְשֻׂ֑הוּ וַתִּיבַ֤שׁ יָדוֹ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר שָׁלַ֣ח עָלָ֔יו וְלֹ֥א יָכֹ֖ל לַהֲשִׁיבָ֥הּ אֵלָֽיו׃ When the king heard what the agent of God had proclaimed against the altar in Bethel, Jeroboam stretched out his arm above the altar and cried, “Seize him!” But the arm that he stretched out against him became rigid, and he could not draw it back.

וְהַמִּזְבֵּ֣חַ נִקְרָ֔ע וַיִּשָּׁפֵ֥ךְ הַדֶּ֖שֶׁן מִן־הַמִּזְבֵּ֑חַ כַּמּוֹפֵ֗ת אֲשֶׁ֥ר נָתַ֛ן אִ֥ישׁ הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים בִּדְבַ֥ר יְהֹוָֽה׃ The altar broke apart and its ashes were spilled—the very portent that the agent of God had announced at GOD’s command.

וַיַּ֨עַן הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ וַיֹּ֣אמֶר ׀ אֶל־אִ֣ישׁ הָאֱלֹהִ֗ים חַל־נָ֞א אֶת־פְּנֵ֨י יְהֹוָ֤ה אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙ וְהִתְפַּלֵּ֣ל בַּעֲדִ֔י וְתָשֹׁ֥ב יָדִ֖י אֵלָ֑י וַיְחַ֤ל אִישׁ־הָֽאֱלֹהִים֙ אֶת־פְּנֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֔ה וַתָּ֤שׇׁב יַד־הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ אֵלָ֔יו וַתְּהִ֖י כְּבָרִאשֹׁנָֽה׃ Then the king spoke up and said to the agent of God, “Please entreat the ETERNAL your God and pray for me that I may be able to draw back my arm.” The agent of God entreated GOD and the king was able to draw his arm back; it became as it was before.

וַיְדַבֵּ֤ר הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ אֶל־אִ֣ישׁ הָאֱלֹהִ֔ים בֹּֽאָה־אִתִּ֥י הַבַּ֖יְתָה וּֽסְעָ֑דָה וְאֶתְּנָ֥ה לְךָ֖ מַתָּֽת׃ The king said to the agent of God, “Come with me to my house and have some refreshment; and I shall give you a gift.”

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אִישׁ־הָֽאֱלֹהִים֙ אֶל־הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ אִם־תִּתֶּן־לִי֙ אֶת־חֲצִ֣י בֵיתֶ֔ךָ לֹ֥א אָבֹ֖א עִמָּ֑ךְ וְלֹא־אֹ֤כַל לֶ֙חֶם֙ וְלֹ֣א אֶשְׁתֶּה־מַּ֔יִם בַּמָּק֖וֹם הַזֶּֽה׃ But the agent of God replied to the king, “Even if you give me half your wealth, I will not go in with you, nor will I eat bread or drink water in this place;

כִּי־כֵ֣ן ׀ צִוָּ֣ה אֹתִ֗י בִּדְבַ֤ר יְהֹוָה֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר לֹא־תֹ֥אכַל לֶ֖חֶם וְלֹ֣א תִשְׁתֶּה־מָּ֑יִם וְלֹ֣א תָשׁ֔וּב בַּדֶּ֖רֶךְ אֲשֶׁ֥ר הָלָֽכְתָּ׃ for so I was commanded by the word of GOD: You shall eat no bread and drink no water, nor shall you go back by the road by which you came.”

וַיֵּ֖לֶךְ בְּדֶ֣רֶךְ אַחֵ֑ר וְלֹא־שָׁ֣ב בַּדֶּ֔רֶךְ אֲשֶׁ֛ר בָּ֥א בָ֖הּ אֶל־בֵּֽית־אֵֽל׃ {פ}
So he left by another road and did not go back by the road on which he had come to Bethel.

וְנָבִ֤יא אֶחָד֙ זָקֵ֔ן יֹשֵׁ֖ב בְּבֵֽית־אֵ֑ל וַיָּב֣וֹא בְנ֡וֹ וַיְסַפֶּר־ל֣וֹ אֶת־כׇּל־הַמַּעֲשֶׂ֣ה אֲשֶׁר־עָשָׂה֩ אִישׁ־הָאֱלֹהִ֨ים ׀ הַיּ֜וֹם בְּבֵֽית־אֵ֗ל אֶת־הַדְּבָרִים֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר דִּבֶּ֣ר אֶל־הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ וַֽיְסַפְּר֖וּם לַאֲבִיהֶֽם׃ There was an old prophet living in Bethel; and his sons^bsons Heb. “son.” came and told him all the things that the agent of God had done that day in Bethel [and] the words that he had spoken to the king. When they told it to their father,

וַיְדַבֵּ֤ר אֲלֵהֶם֙ אֲבִיהֶ֔ם אֵי־זֶ֥ה הַדֶּ֖רֶךְ הָלָ֑ךְ וַיִּרְא֣וּ בָנָ֗יו אֶת־הַדֶּ֙רֶךְ֙ אֲשֶׁ֤ר הָלַךְ֙ אִ֣ישׁ הָאֱלֹהִ֔ים אֲשֶׁר־בָּ֖א מִיהוּדָֽה׃ their father said to them, “Which road did he leave by?” His sons had seen^cHis sons had seen Septuagint reads “And his sons showed.” the road taken by the agent of God who had come from Judah.

וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ אֶל־בָּנָ֔יו חִבְשׁוּ־לִ֖י הַחֲמ֑וֹר וַיַּחְבְּשׁוּ־ל֣וֹ הַחֲמ֔וֹר וַיִּרְכַּ֖ב עָלָֽיו׃ “Saddle the donkey for me,” he said to his sons. They saddled the donkey for him, and he mounted it

וַיֵּ֗לֶךְ אַֽחֲרֵי֙ אִ֣ישׁ הָאֱלֹהִ֔ים וַיִּ֨מְצָאֵ֔הוּ יֹשֵׁ֖ב תַּ֣חַת הָאֵלָ֑ה וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֵלָ֗יו הַאַתָּ֧ה אִישׁ־הָאֱלֹהִ֛ים אֲשֶׁר־בָּ֥אתָ מִיהוּדָ֖ה וַיֹּ֥אמֶר אָֽנִי׃ and rode after the agent of God. He came upon him sitting under a terebinth and said to him, “Are you the agent of God who came from Judah?” “Yes, I am,” he answered.

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֵלָ֔יו לֵ֥ךְ אִתִּ֖י הַבָּ֑יְתָה וֶאֱכֹ֖ל לָֽחֶם׃ “Come home with me,” he said, “and have something to eat.”

וַיֹּ֗אמֶר לֹ֥א אוּכַ֛ל לָשׁ֥וּב אִתָּ֖ךְ וְלָב֣וֹא אִתָּ֑ךְ וְלֹא־אֹ֣כַל לֶ֗חֶם וְלֹֽא־אֶשְׁתֶּ֤ה אִתְּךָ֙ מַ֔יִם בַּמָּק֖וֹם הַזֶּֽה׃ He replied, “I may not go back with you and enter your home; and I may not eat bread or drink water in this place;

כִּֽי־דָבָ֤ר אֵלַי֙ בִּדְבַ֣ר יְהֹוָ֔ה לֹא־תֹאכַ֣ל לֶ֔חֶם וְלֹא־תִשְׁתֶּ֥ה שָׁ֖ם מָ֑יִם לֹא־תָשׁ֣וּב לָלֶ֔כֶת בַּדֶּ֖רֶךְ אֲשֶׁר־הָלַ֥כְתָּ בָּֽהּ׃ the order I received by the word of GOD was: You shall not eat bread or drink water there; nor shall you return by the road on which you came.”

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר ל֗וֹ גַּם־אֲנִ֣י נָבִיא֮ כָּמ֒וֹךָ֒ וּמַלְאָ֡ךְ דִּבֶּ֣ר אֵלַי֩ בִּדְבַ֨ר יְהֹוָ֜ה לֵאמֹ֗ר הֲשִׁבֵ֤הוּ אִתְּךָ֙ אֶל־בֵּיתֶ֔ךָ וְיֹ֥אכַל לֶ֖חֶם וְיֵ֣שְׁתְּ מָ֑יִם כִּחֵ֖שׁ לֽוֹ׃ “I am a prophet, too,” said the other, “and an angel said to me by command of GOD: Bring him back with you to your house, that he may eat bread and drink water.” He was lying to him.

וַיָּ֣שׇׁב אִתּ֗וֹ וַיֹּ֥אכַל לֶ֛חֶם בְּבֵית֖וֹ וַיֵּ֥שְׁתְּ מָֽיִם׃ So he went back with him, and he ate bread and drank water in his house.

וַיְהִ֕י הֵ֥ם יֹֽשְׁבִ֖ים אֶל־הַשֻּׁלְחָ֑ן {פ}
וַֽיְהִי֙ דְּבַר־יְהֹוָ֔ה אֶל־הַנָּבִ֖יא אֲשֶׁ֥ר הֱשִׁיבֽוֹ׃ While they were sitting at the table, the word of GOD came to the prophet who had brought him back.

וַיִּקְרָ֞א אֶל־אִ֣ישׁ הָאֱלֹהִ֗ים אֲשֶׁר־בָּ֤א מִֽיהוּדָה֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר כֹּ֖ה אָמַ֣ר יְהֹוָ֑ה יַ֗עַן כִּ֤י מָרִ֙יתָ֙ פִּ֣י יְהֹוָ֔ה וְלֹ֤א שָׁמַ֙רְתָּ֙ אֶת־הַמִּצְוָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר צִוְּךָ֖ יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶֽיךָ׃ He cried out to the agent of God who had come from Judah: “Thus said GOD: Because you have flouted the word of GOD and have not observed what the ETERNAL your God commanded you,

וַתָּ֗שׇׁב וַתֹּ֤אכַל לֶ֙חֶם֙ וַתֵּ֣שְׁתְּ מַ֔יִם בַּמָּקוֹם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר דִּבֶּ֣ר אֵלֶ֔יךָ אַל־תֹּ֥אכַל לֶ֖חֶם וְאַל־תֵּ֣שְׁתְּ מָ֑יִם לֹֽא־תָב֥וֹא נִבְלָתְךָ֖ אֶל־קֶ֥בֶר אֲבֹתֶֽיךָ׃ but have gone back and eaten bread and drunk water in the place of which [God] said to you, ‘Do not eat bread or drink water [there],’ your corpse shall not come to the grave of your ancestors.”

וַיְהִ֗י אַחֲרֵ֛י אׇכְל֥וֹ לֶ֖חֶם וְאַחֲרֵ֣י שְׁתוֹת֑וֹ וַיַּחֲבׇשׁ־ל֣וֹ הַחֲמ֔וֹר לַנָּבִ֖יא אֲשֶׁ֥ר הֱשִׁיבֽוֹ׃ After he had eaten bread and had drunk, he saddled the donkey for him—for the prophet whom he had brought back.

וַיֵּ֕לֶךְ וַיִּמְצָאֵ֧הוּ אַרְיֵ֛ה בַּדֶּ֖רֶךְ וַיְמִיתֵ֑הוּ וַתְּהִ֤י נִבְלָתוֹ֙ מֻשְׁלֶ֣כֶת בַּדֶּ֔רֶךְ וְהַֽחֲמוֹר֙ עֹמֵ֣ד אֶצְלָ֔הּ וְהָ֣אַרְיֵ֔ה עֹמֵ֖ד אֵ֥צֶל הַנְּבֵלָֽה׃ He set out, and a lion came upon him on the road and killed him. His corpse lay on the road, with the donkey standing beside it, and the lion also standing beside the corpse.

וְהִנֵּ֧ה אֲנָשִׁ֣ים עֹבְרִ֗ים וַיִּרְא֤וּ אֶת־הַנְּבֵלָה֙ מֻשְׁלֶ֣כֶת בַּדֶּ֔רֶךְ וְאֶת־הָ֣אַרְיֵ֔ה עֹמֵ֖ד אֵ֣צֶל הַנְּבֵלָ֑ה וַיָּבֹ֙אוּ֙ וַיְדַבְּר֣וּ בָעִ֔יר אֲשֶׁ֛ר הַנָּבִ֥יא הַזָּקֵ֖ן יֹשֵׁ֥ב בָּֽהּ׃ Some people who passed by saw the corpse lying on the road and the lion standing beside the corpse; they went and told it in the town where the old prophet lived.

וַיִּשְׁמַ֣ע הַנָּבִיא֮ אֲשֶׁ֣ר הֱשִׁיב֣וֹ מִן־הַדֶּ֒רֶךְ֒ וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ אִ֣ישׁ הָאֱלֹהִ֣ים ה֔וּא אֲשֶׁ֥ר מָרָ֖ה אֶת־פִּ֣י יְהֹוָ֑ה וַיִּתְּנֵ֨הוּ יְהֹוָ֜ה לָאַרְיֵ֗ה וַֽיִּשְׁבְּרֵ֙הוּ֙ וַיְמִתֵ֔הוּ כִּדְבַ֥ר יְהֹוָ֖ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר דִּבֶּר־לֽוֹ׃ And when the prophet who had brought him back from the road heard it, he said, “That is the agent of God who flouted GOD’s command; GOD gave him over to the lion, which mauled him and killed him in accordance with the word that GOD had spoken to him.”

וַיְדַבֵּ֤ר אֶל־בָּנָיו֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר חִבְשׁוּ־לִ֖י אֶֽת־הַחֲמ֑וֹר וַֽיַּחֲבֹֽשׁוּ׃ He said to his sons, “Saddle the donkey for me,” and they did so.

וַיֵּ֗לֶךְ וַיִּמְצָ֤א אֶת־נִבְלָתוֹ֙ מֻשְׁלֶ֣כֶת בַּדֶּ֔רֶךְ וַֽחֲמוֹר֙ וְהָ֣אַרְיֵ֔ה עֹמְדִ֖ים אֵ֣צֶל הַנְּבֵלָ֑ה לֹֽא־אָכַ֤ל הָֽאַרְיֵה֙ אֶת־הַנְּבֵלָ֔ה וְלֹ֥א שָׁבַ֖ר אֶֽת־הַחֲמֽוֹר׃ He set out and found the corpse lying on the road, with the donkey and the lion standing beside the corpse; the lion had not eaten the corpse nor had it mauled the donkey.

וַיִּשָּׂ֨א הַנָּבִ֜יא אֶת־נִבְלַ֧ת אִישׁ־הָאֱלֹהִ֛ים וַיַּנִּחֵ֥הוּ אֶֽל־הַחֲמ֖וֹר וַיְשִׁיבֵ֑הוּ וַיָּבֹ֗א אֶל־עִיר֙ הַנָּבִ֣יא הַזָּקֵ֔ן לִסְפֹּ֖ד וּלְקׇבְרֽוֹ׃ The prophet lifted up the corpse of the agent of God, laid it on the donkey, and brought it back; it was brought^dit was brought Lit. “it came.” to the town of the old prophet for lamentation and burial.

וַיַּנַּ֥ח אֶת־נִבְלָת֖וֹ בְּקִבְר֑וֹ וַיִּסְפְּד֥וּ עָלָ֖יו ה֥וֹי אָחִֽי׃ He laid the corpse in his own burial place; and they lamented over it, “Alas, my brother!”

וַיְהִי֮ אַחֲרֵ֣י קׇבְר֣וֹ אֹתוֹ֒ וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֶל־בָּנָיו֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר בְּמוֹתִי֙ וּקְבַרְתֶּ֣ם אֹתִ֔י בַּקֶּ֕בֶר אֲשֶׁ֛ר אִ֥ישׁ הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים קָב֣וּר בּ֑וֹ אֵ֚צֶל עַצְמֹתָ֔יו הַנִּ֖יחוּ אֶת־עַצְמֹתָֽי׃ After burying him, he said to his sons, “When I die, bury me in the grave where the agent of God lies buried; lay my bones beside his.

כִּי֩ הָיֹ֨ה יִֽהְיֶ֜ה הַדָּבָ֗ר אֲשֶׁ֤ר קָרָא֙ בִּדְבַ֣ר יְהֹוָ֔ה עַל־הַמִּזְבֵּ֖חַ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בְּבֵֽית־אֵ֑ל וְעַל֙ כׇּל־בָּתֵּ֣י הַבָּמ֔וֹת אֲשֶׁ֖ר בְּעָרֵ֥י שֹׁמְרֽוֹן׃ {פ}
For what he announced by the word of GOD against the altar in Bethel, and against all the cult places in the towns of Samaria, shall surely come true.”

אַחַר֙ הַדָּבָ֣ר הַזֶּ֔ה לֹא־שָׁ֥ב יָרׇבְעָ֖ם מִדַּרְכּ֣וֹ הָרָעָ֑ה וַ֠יָּ֠שׇׁב וַיַּ֜עַשׂ מִקְצ֤וֹת הָעָם֙ כֹּהֲנֵ֣י בָמ֔וֹת הֶֽחָפֵץ֙ יְמַלֵּ֣א אֶת־יָד֔וֹ וִיהִ֖י כֹּהֲנֵ֥י בָמֽוֹת׃ Even after this incident, Jeroboam did not turn back from his evil way, but kept on appointing priests for the shrines from the ranks of the people. He ordained as priests of the shrines any who so desired.

וַֽיְהִי֙ בַּדָּבָ֣ר הַזֶּ֔ה לְחַטַּ֖את בֵּ֣ית יָרׇבְעָ֑ם וּלְהַכְחִיד֙ וּלְהַשְׁמִ֔יד מֵעַ֖ל פְּנֵ֥י הָאֲדָמָֽה׃ {פ}
Thereby the House of Jeroboam incurred guilt—to their utter annihilation from the face of the earth.

בָּעֵ֣ת הַהִ֔יא חָלָ֖ה אֲבִיָּ֥ה בֶן־יָרׇבְעָֽם׃ At that time, Abijah, a son of Jeroboam, fell sick.

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יָרׇבְעָ֜ם לְאִשְׁתּ֗וֹ ק֤וּמִי נָא֙ וְהִשְׁתַּנִּ֔ית וְלֹ֣א יֵֽדְע֔וּ כִּי־[אַ֖תְּ] (אתי) אֵ֣שֶׁת יָרׇבְעָ֑ם וְהָלַ֣כְתְּ שִׁלֹ֗ה הִנֵּה־שָׁם֙ אֲחִיָּ֣ה הַנָּבִ֔יא הוּא־דִבֶּ֥ר עָלַ֛י לְמֶ֖לֶךְ עַל־הָעָ֥ם הַזֶּֽה׃ Jeroboam said to his wife, “Go and disguise yourself, so that you will not be recognized as Jeroboam’s wife, and go to Shiloh. The prophet Ahijah lives there, the one who predicted that I would be king over this people.

וְלָקַ֣חַתְּ בְּ֠יָדֵ֠ךְ עֲשָׂרָ֨ה לֶ֧חֶם וְנִקֻּדִ֛ים וּבַקְבֻּ֥ק דְּבַ֖שׁ וּבָ֣את אֵלָ֑יו ה֚וּא יַגִּ֣יד לָ֔ךְ מַה־יִּֽהְיֶ֖ה לַנָּֽעַר׃ Take with you ten loaves, some wafers, and a jug of honey, and go to him; he will tell you what will happen to the boy.”

וַתַּ֤עַשׂ כֵּן֙ אֵ֣שֶׁת יָרׇבְעָ֔ם וַתָּ֙קׇם֙ וַתֵּ֣לֶךְ שִׁלֹ֔ה וַתָּבֹ֖א בֵּ֣ית אֲחִיָּ֑ה וַאֲחִיָּ֙הוּ֙ לֹֽא־יָכֹ֣ל לִרְא֔וֹת כִּ֛י קָ֥מוּ עֵינָ֖יו מִשֵּׂיבֽוֹ׃ {פ}
Jeroboam’s wife did so; she left and went to Shiloh and came to the house of Ahijah. Now Ahijah could not see, for his eyes had become sightless with age;

וַיהֹוָ֞ה אָמַ֣ר אֶל־אֲחִיָּ֗הוּ הִנֵּ֣ה אֵ֣שֶׁת יָרׇבְעָ֡ם בָּאָ֣ה לִדְרֹשׁ֩ דָּבָ֨ר מֵעִמְּךָ֤ אֶל־בְּנָהּ֙ כִּֽי־חֹלֶ֣ה ה֔וּא כָּזֹ֥ה וְכָזֶ֖ה תְּדַבֵּ֣ר אֵלֶ֑יהָ וִיהִ֣י כְבֹאָ֔הּ וְהִ֖יא מִתְנַכֵּרָֽה׃ but GOD had said to Ahijah, “Jeroboam’s wife is coming to inquire of you concerning her son, who is sick. Speak to her thus and thus. When she arrives, she will be in disguise.”

וַיְהִי֩ כִשְׁמֹ֨עַ אֲחִיָּ֜הוּ אֶת־ק֤וֹל רַגְלֶ֙יהָ֙ בָּאָ֣ה בַפֶּ֔תַח וַיֹּ֕אמֶר בֹּ֖אִי אֵ֣שֶׁת יָרׇבְעָ֑ם לָ֣מָּה זֶּ֗ה אַ֚תְּ מִתְנַכֵּרָ֔ה וְאָ֣נֹכִ֔י שָׁל֥וּחַ אֵלַ֖יִךְ קָשָֽׁה׃ Ahijah heard the sound of her feet as she came through the door, and he said, “Come in, wife of Jeroboam. Why are you disguised? I have a harsh message for you.

לְכִ֞י אִמְרִ֣י לְיָרׇבְעָ֗ם כֹּֽה־אָמַ֤ר יְהֹוָה֙ אֱלֹהֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל יַ֛עַן אֲשֶׁ֥ר הֲרִמֹתִ֖יךָ מִתּ֣וֹךְ הָעָ֑ם וָאֶתֶּנְךָ֣ נָגִ֔יד עַ֖ל עַמִּ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ Go tell Jeroboam: Thus said the ETERNAL, the God of Israel: I raised you up from among the people and made you a ruler over My people Israel;

וָאֶקְרַ֤ע אֶת־הַמַּמְלָכָה֙ מִבֵּ֣ית דָּוִ֔ד וָאֶתְּנֶ֖הָ לָ֑ךְ וְלֹֽא־הָיִ֜יתָ כְּעַבְדִּ֣י דָוִ֗ד אֲשֶׁר֩ שָׁמַ֨ר מִצְוֺתַ֜י וַֽאֲשֶׁר־הָלַ֤ךְ אַֽחֲרַי֙ בְּכׇל־לְבָב֔וֹ לַעֲשׂ֕וֹת רַ֖ק הַיָּשָׁ֥ר בְּעֵינָֽי׃ I tore away the kingdom from the House of David and gave it to you. But you have not been like My servant David, who kept My commandments and followed Me with all his heart, doing only what was right in My sight.

וַתָּ֣רַע לַעֲשׂ֔וֹת מִכֹּ֖ל אֲשֶׁר־הָי֣וּ לְפָנֶ֑יךָ וַתֵּ֡לֶךְ וַתַּֽעֲשֶׂה־לְּךָ֩ אֱלֹהִ֨ים אֲחֵרִ֤ים וּמַסֵּכוֹת֙ לְהַכְעִיסֵ֔נִי וְאֹתִ֥י הִשְׁלַ֖כְתָּ אַחֲרֵ֥י גַוֶּֽךָ׃ You have acted worse than all those who preceded you; you have gone and made for yourself other gods and molten images to provoke My anger; and Me you have cast behind your back.

לָכֵ֗ן הִנְנִ֨י מֵבִ֤יא רָעָה֙ אֶל־בֵּ֣ית יָרׇבְעָ֔ם וְהִכְרַתִּ֤י לְיָֽרׇבְעָם֙ מַשְׁתִּ֣ין בְּקִ֔יר עָצ֥וּר וְעָז֖וּב בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וּבִֽעַרְתִּי֙ אַחֲרֵ֣י בֵית־יָרׇבְעָ֔ם כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר יְבַעֵ֥ר הַגָּלָ֖ל עַד־תֻּמּֽוֹ׃ Therefore I will bring disaster upon the House of Jeroboam and will cut off from Jeroboam every male, bond and free,^abond and free Meaning of Heb. uncertain; possibly “kinsman and friend,” cf. 16.11. in Israel. I will sweep away the House of Jeroboam utterly, as dung is swept away.

הַמֵּ֨ת לְיָרׇבְעָ֤ם בָּעִיר֙ יֹאכְל֣וּ הַכְּלָבִ֔ים וְהַמֵּת֙ בַּשָּׂדֶ֔ה יֹאכְל֖וּ ע֣וֹף הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם כִּ֥י יְהֹוָ֖ה דִּבֵּֽר׃ Anyone belonging to Jeroboam who dies in the town shall be devoured by dogs; and anyone who dies in the open country shall be eaten by the birds of the air; for GOD has spoken.

וְאַ֥תְּ ק֖וּמִי לְכִ֣י לְבֵיתֵ֑ךְ בְּבֹאָ֥הֿ רַגְלַ֛יִךְ הָעִ֖ירָה וּמֵ֥ת הַיָּֽלֶד׃ As for you, go back home; as soon as you set foot in the town, the child will die.

וְסָֽפְדוּ־ל֤וֹ כׇל־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ וְקָבְר֣וּ אֹת֔וֹ כִּי־זֶ֣ה לְבַדּ֔וֹ יָבֹ֥א לְיָרׇבְעָ֖ם אֶל־קָ֑בֶר יַ֣עַן נִמְצָא־ב֞וֹ דָּבָ֣ר ט֗וֹב אֶל־יְהֹוָ֛ה אֱלֹהֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בְּבֵ֥ית יָרׇבְעָֽם׃ And all Israel shall lament over him and bury him; he alone of Jeroboam’s family shall be brought to burial, for in him alone of the House of Jeroboam has some devotion been found to the ETERNAL, the God of Israel.

וְהֵקִים֩ יְהֹוָ֨ה ל֥וֹ מֶ֙לֶךְ֙ עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר יַכְרִ֛ית אֶת־בֵּ֥ית יָרׇבְעָ֖ם זֶ֣ה הַיּ֑וֹם וּמֶ֖ה גַּם־עָֽתָּה׃ Moreover, GOD will raise up a king over Israel who will destroy the House of Jeroboam, this day and even now.^bthis day and even now Meaning of Heb. uncertain.

וְהִכָּ֨ה יְהֹוָ֜ה אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר יָנ֣וּד הַקָּנֶה֮ בַּמַּ֒יִם֒ וְנָתַ֣שׁ אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל מֵ֠עַ֠ל הָאֲדָמָ֨ה הַטּוֹבָ֤ה הַזֹּאת֙ אֲשֶׁ֤ר נָתַן֙ לַאֲב֣וֹתֵיהֶ֔ם וְזֵרָ֖ם מֵעֵ֣בֶר לַנָּהָ֑ר יַ֗עַן אֲשֶׁ֤ר עָשׂוּ֙ אֶת־אֲשֵׁ֣רֵיהֶ֔ם מַכְעִיסִ֖ים אֶת־יְהֹוָֽה׃ “GOD will strike Israel until it sways like a reed in water—and uproot Israel from this good land that was given to their ancestors, and will scatter them beyond the Euphrates, because they have provoked GOD by the sacred posts^csacred posts Used in worship of the goddess Asherah. that they have made for themselves.

וְיִתֵּ֖ן אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל בִּגְלַ֞ל חַטֹּ֤אות יָֽרׇבְעָם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר חָטָ֔א וַאֲשֶׁ֥ר הֶחֱטִ֖יא אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ Israel will be forsaken because of the sins that Jeroboam committed and led Israel to commit.”

וַתָּ֙קׇם֙ אֵ֣שֶׁת יָרׇבְעָ֔ם וַתֵּ֖לֶךְ וַתָּבֹ֣א תִרְצָ֑תָה הִ֛יא בָּאָ֥ה בְסַף־הַבַּ֖יִת וְהַנַּ֥עַר מֵֽת׃ Jeroboam’s wife got up and left, and she went to Tirzah. As soon as she stepped over the threshold of her house, the child died.

וַיִּקְבְּר֥וּ אֹת֛וֹ וַיִּסְפְּדוּ־ל֖וֹ כׇּל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל כִּדְבַ֤ר יְהֹוָה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר דִּבֶּ֔ר בְּיַד־עַבְדּ֖וֹ אֲחִיָּ֥הוּ הַנָּבִֽיא׃ They buried him and all Israel lamented over him, in accordance with the word that GOD had spoken through the prophet Ahijah—God’s servant.

וְיֶ֙תֶר֙ דִּבְרֵ֣י יָרׇבְעָ֔ם אֲשֶׁ֥ר נִלְחַ֖ם וַאֲשֶׁ֣ר מָלָ֑ךְ הִנָּ֣ם כְּתוּבִ֗ים עַל־סֵ֛פֶר דִּבְרֵ֥י הַיָּמִ֖ים לְמַלְכֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ The other events of Jeroboam’s reign, how he fought and how he ruled, are recorded in the Annals of the Kings of Israel.

וְהַיָּמִים֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר מָלַ֣ךְ יָרׇבְעָ֔ם עֶשְׂרִ֥ים וּשְׁתַּ֖יִם שָׁנָ֑ה וַיִּשְׁכַּב֙ עִם־אֲבֹתָ֔יו וַיִּמְלֹ֛ךְ נָדָ֥ב בְּנ֖וֹ תַּחְתָּֽיו׃ {פ}
Jeroboam reigned twenty-two years; then he rested with his ancestors, and his son Nadab succeeded him as king.

וּרְחַבְעָם֙ בֶּן־שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה מָלַ֖ךְ בִּיהוּדָ֑ה בֶּן־אַרְבָּעִ֣ים וְאַחַ֣ת שָׁנָה֩ רְחַבְעָ֨ם בְּמׇלְכ֜וֹ וּֽשְׁבַ֨ע עֶשְׂרֵ֥ה שָׁנָ֣ה ׀ מָלַ֣ךְ בִּירֽוּשָׁלַ֗͏ִם הָ֠עִ֠יר אֲשֶׁר־בָּחַ֨ר יְהֹוָ֜ה לָשׂ֨וּם אֶת־שְׁמ֥וֹ שָׁם֙ מִכֹּל֙ שִׁבְטֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וְשֵׁ֣ם אִמּ֔וֹ נַעֲמָ֖ה הָעַמֹּנִֽית׃ Meanwhile, Rehoboam son of Solomon had become king in Judah. Rehoboam was forty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem—the city GOD had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel to establish God’s name there. His mother’s name was Naamah the Ammonitess.

וַיַּ֧עַשׂ יְהוּדָ֛ה הָרַ֖ע בְּעֵינֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֑ה וַיְקַנְא֣וּ אֹת֗וֹ מִכֹּל֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשׂ֣וּ אֲבֹתָ֔ם בְּחַטֹּאתָ֖ם אֲשֶׁ֥ר חָטָֽאוּ׃ Judah did what was displeasing to GOD, provoking more outrage than their ancestors had by the sins that they committed.

וַיִּבְנ֨וּ גַם־הֵ֧מָּה לָהֶ֛ם בָּמ֥וֹת וּמַצֵּב֖וֹת וַאֲשֵׁרִ֑ים עַ֚ל כׇּל־גִּבְעָ֣ה גְבֹהָ֔ה וְתַ֖חַת כׇּל־עֵ֥ץ רַעֲנָֽן׃ They too built for themselves shrines, pillars, and sacred posts^dsacred posts See note at v. 15. on every high hill and under every leafy tree;

וְגַם־קָדֵ֖שׁ הָיָ֣ה בָאָ֑רֶץ עָשׂ֗וּ כְּכֹל֙ הַתּוֹעֲבֹ֣ת הַגּוֹיִ֔ם אֲשֶׁר֙ הוֹרִ֣ישׁ יְהֹוָ֔ה מִפְּנֵ֖י בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ {פ}
there were also consecrated workers^econsecrated workers Or “retainers”; meaning of Heb. qadesh uncertain. in the land. [Judah] imitated all the abhorrent practices of the nations that GOD had dispossessed before the Israelites.

וַיְהִ֛י בַּשָּׁנָ֥ה הַחֲמִישִׁ֖ית לַמֶּ֣לֶךְ רְחַבְעָ֑ם עָלָ֛ה (שושק) [שִׁישַׁ֥ק] מֶלֶךְ־מִצְרַ֖יִם עַל־יְרוּשָׁלָֽ͏ִם׃ In the fifth year of King Rehoboam, King Shishak of Egypt marched against Jerusalem

וַיִּקַּ֞ח אֶת־אֹצְר֣וֹת בֵּית־יְהֹוָ֗ה וְאֶת־אֽוֹצְרוֹת֙ בֵּ֣ית הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ וְאֶת־הַכֹּ֖ל לָקָ֑ח וַיִּקַּח֙ אֶת־כׇּל־מָגִנֵּ֣י הַזָּהָ֔ב אֲשֶׁ֥ר עָשָׂ֖ה שְׁלֹמֹֽה׃ and carried off the treasures of the House of GOD and the treasures of the royal palace. He carried off everything; he even carried off all the golden shields that Solomon had made.

וַיַּ֨עַשׂ הַמֶּ֤לֶךְ רְחַבְעָם֙ תַּחְתָּ֔ם מָגִנֵּ֖י נְחֹ֑שֶׁת וְהִפְקִ֗יד עַל־יַד֙ שָׂרֵ֣י הָרָצִ֔ים הַשֹּׁ֣מְרִ֔ים פֶּ֖תַח בֵּ֥ית הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ King Rehoboam had bronze shields made instead, and he entrusted them to the officers of the guard^fguard Lit. “runners.” who guarded the entrance to the royal palace.

וַיְהִ֛י מִדֵּי־בֹ֥א הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ בֵּ֣ית יְהֹוָ֑ה יִשָּׂאוּם֙ הָרָצִ֔ים וֶהֱשִׁיב֖וּם אֶל־תָּ֥א הָרָצִֽים׃ Whenever the king went into the House of GOD, the guards would carry them and then bring them back to the armory of the guards.

וְיֶ֛תֶר דִּבְרֵ֥י רְחַבְעָ֖ם וְכׇל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשָׂ֑ה הֲלֹא־הֵ֣מָּה כְתוּבִ֗ים עַל־סֵ֛פֶר דִּבְרֵ֥י הַיָּמִ֖ים לְמַלְכֵ֥י יְהוּדָֽה׃ The other events of Rehoboam’s reign, and all his actions, are recorded in the Annals of the Kings of Judah.

וּמִלְחָמָ֨ה הָיְתָ֧ה בֵין־רְחַבְעָ֛ם וּבֵ֥ין יָרׇבְעָ֖ם כׇּל־הַיָּמִֽים׃ There was continual war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam.

וַיִּשְׁכַּ֨ב רְחַבְעָ֜ם עִם־אֲבֹתָ֗יו וַיִּקָּבֵ֤ר עִם־אֲבֹתָיו֙ בְּעִ֣יר דָּוִ֔ד וְשֵׁ֣ם אִמּ֔וֹ נַעֲמָ֖ה הָעַמֹּנִ֑ית וַיִּמְלֹ֛ךְ אֲבִיָּ֥ם בְּנ֖וֹ תַּחְתָּֽיו׃ {פ}
Rehoboam rested with his ancestors and was buried with his ancestors in the City of David; his mother’s name was Naamah the Ammonitess. His son Abijam succeeded him as king.

וּבִשְׁנַת֙ שְׁמֹנֶ֣ה עֶשְׂרֵ֔ה לַמֶּ֖לֶךְ יָרׇבְעָ֣ם בֶּן־נְבָ֑ט מָלַ֥ךְ אֲבִיָּ֖ם עַל־יְהוּדָֽה׃ In the eighteenth year of King Jeroboam son of Nebat, Abijam became king over Judah.

שָׁלֹ֣שׁ שָׁנִ֔ים מָלַ֖ךְ בִּירוּשָׁלָ֑͏ִם וְשֵׁ֣ם אִמּ֔וֹ מַעֲכָ֖ה בַּת־אֲבִישָׁלֽוֹם׃ He reigned three years in Jerusalem; his mother’s name was Maacah daughter of Abishalom.^aMaacah daughter of Abishalom Cf. 2 Chron. 13.2 “Micaiah daughter of Uriel of Gibeah,” and v. 10 below, where Maacah, daughter of Abishalom, appears as mother of Asa.

וַיֵּ֕לֶךְ בְּכׇל־חַטֹּ֥אות אָבִ֖יו אֲשֶׁר־עָשָׂ֣ה לְפָנָ֑יו וְלֹא־הָיָ֨ה לְבָב֤וֹ שָׁלֵם֙ עִם־יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהָ֔יו כִּלְבַ֖ב דָּוִ֥ד אָבִֽיו׃ He continued in all the sins that his father before him had committed; he was not wholehearted with the ETERNAL his God, like his forefather David.

כִּ֚י לְמַ֣עַן דָּוִ֔ד נָתַן֩ יְהֹוָ֨ה אֱלֹהָ֥יו ל֛וֹ נִ֖יר בִּירוּשָׁלָ֑͏ִם לְהָקִ֤ים אֶת־בְּנוֹ֙ אַחֲרָ֔יו וּֽלְהַעֲמִ֖יד אֶת־יְרוּשָׁלָֽ͏ִם׃ Yet, for the sake of David, the ETERNAL his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem, by raising up his descendant after him and by preserving Jerusalem.

אֲשֶׁ֨ר עָשָׂ֥ה דָוִ֛ד אֶת־הַיָּשָׁ֖ר בְּעֵינֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֑ה וְלֹא־סָ֞ר מִכֹּ֣ל אֲשֶׁר־צִוָּ֗הוּ כֹּ֚ל יְמֵ֣י חַיָּ֔יו רַ֕ק בִּדְבַ֖ר אוּרִיָּ֥ה הַֽחִתִּֽי׃ For David had done what was pleasing to GOD and never turned throughout his life from all that had been commanded him, except in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.

וּמִלְחָמָ֨ה הָיְתָ֧ה בֵין־רְחַבְעָ֛ם וּבֵ֥ין יָרׇבְעָ֖ם כׇּל־יְמֵ֥י חַיָּֽיו׃ There was war between Abijam^bAbijam So several mss.; most mss. and the editions read “Rehoboam.” and Jeroboam all the days of his life.

וְיֶ֨תֶר דִּבְרֵ֤י אֲבִיָּם֙ וְכׇל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשָׂ֔ה הֲלוֹא־הֵ֣ם כְּתוּבִ֗ים עַל־סֵ֛פֶר דִּבְרֵ֥י הַיָּמִ֖ים לְמַלְכֵ֣י יְהוּדָ֑ה וּמִלְחָמָ֥ה הָיְתָ֛ה בֵּ֥ין אֲבִיָּ֖ם וּבֵ֥ין יָרׇבְעָֽם׃ The other events of Abijam’s reign and all his actions are recorded in the Annals of the Kings of Judah; there was war between Abijam and Jeroboam.

וַיִּשְׁכַּ֤ב אֲבִיָּם֙ עִם־אֲבֹתָ֔יו וַיִּקְבְּר֥וּ אֹת֖וֹ בְּעִ֣יר דָּוִ֑ד וַיִּמְלֹ֛ךְ אָסָ֥א בְנ֖וֹ תַּחְתָּֽיו׃ {פ}
Abijam rested with his ancestors; he was buried in the City of David, and his son Asa succeeded him as king.

וּבִשְׁנַ֣ת עֶשְׂרִ֔ים לְיָרׇבְעָ֖ם מֶ֣לֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל מָלַ֥ךְ אָסָ֖א מֶ֥לֶךְ יְהוּדָֽה׃ In the twentieth year of King Jeroboam of Israel, Asa became king over Judah.

וְאַרְבָּעִ֤ים וְאַחַת֙ שָׁנָ֔ה מָלַ֖ךְ בִּירֽוּשָׁלָ֑͏ִם וְשֵׁ֣ם אִמּ֔וֹ מַעֲכָ֖ה בַּת־אֲבִישָׁלֽוֹם׃ He reigned forty-one years in Jerusalem; his mother’s name was Maacah daughter of Abishalom.

וַיַּ֧עַשׂ אָסָ֛א הַיָּשָׁ֖ר בְּעֵינֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֑ה כְּדָוִ֖ד אָבִֽיו׃ Asa did what was pleasing to GOD, as his forefather David had done.

וַיַּעֲבֵ֥ר הַקְּדֵשִׁ֖ים מִן־הָאָ֑רֶץ וַיָּ֙סַר֙ אֶת־כׇּל־הַגִּלֻּלִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר עָשׂ֖וּ אֲבֹתָֽיו׃ He expelled the consecrated workers^cconsecrated workers Or “retainers”; meaning of Heb. qedeshim uncertain. from the land, and he removed all the idols that his ancestors had made.

וְגַ֣ם ׀ אֶת־מַעֲכָ֣ה אִמּ֗וֹ וַיְסִרֶ֙הָ֙ מִגְּבִירָ֔ה אֲשֶׁר־עָשְׂתָ֥ה מִפְלֶ֖צֶת לָאֲשֵׁרָ֑ה וַיִּכְרֹ֤ת אָסָא֙ אֶת־מִפְלַצְתָּ֔הּ וַיִּשְׂרֹ֖ף בְּנַ֥חַל קִדְרֽוֹן׃ He also deposed his mother Maacah from the rank of queen mother, because she had made an abominable thing^dan abominable thing Exact meaning of Heb. uncertain. for [the goddess] Asherah. Asa cut down her abominable thing and burnt it in the Wadi Kidron.

וְהַבָּמ֖וֹת לֹא־סָ֑רוּ רַ֣ק לְבַב־אָסָ֗א הָיָ֥ה שָׁלֵ֛ם עִם־יְהֹוָ֖ה כׇּל־יָמָֽיו׃ {ס}         The shrines, indeed, were not abolished; however, Asa was wholehearted with the Eternal his God all his life.

וַיָּבֵא֙ אֶת־קׇדְשֵׁ֣י אָבִ֔יו (וקדשו) [וְקׇדְשֵׁ֖י] בֵּ֣ית יְהֹוָ֑ה כֶּ֥סֶף וְזָהָ֖ב וְכֵלִֽים׃ He brought into the House of GOD all the consecrated things of his father and his own consecrated things^ehis own consecrated things So kethib and 2 Chron. 15.18. —silver, gold, and utensils.

וּמִלְחָמָ֨ה הָיְתָ֜ה בֵּ֣ין אָסָ֗א וּבֵ֛ין בַּעְשָׁ֥א מֶלֶךְ־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל כׇּל־יְמֵיהֶֽם׃ There was war between Asa and King Baasha of Israel all their days.

וַיַּ֨עַל בַּעְשָׁ֤א מֶֽלֶךְ־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ עַל־יְהוּדָ֔ה וַיִּ֖בֶן אֶת־הָרָמָ֑ה לְבִלְתִּ֗י תֵּ֚ת יֹצֵ֣א וָבָ֔א לְאָסָ֖א מֶ֥לֶךְ יְהוּדָֽה׃ King Baasha of Israel advanced against Judah, and he fortified Ramah to prevent anyone belonging to King Asa of Judah from going out or coming in.

וַיִּקַּ֣ח אָ֠סָ֠א אֶת־כׇּל־הַכֶּ֨סֶף וְהַזָּהָ֜ב הַנּֽוֹתָרִ֣ים ׀ בְּאוֹצְר֣וֹת בֵּית־יְהֹוָ֗ה וְאֶת־אֽוֹצְרוֹת֙ בֵּ֣ית (מלך) [הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ] וַֽיִּתְּנֵ֖ם בְּיַד־עֲבָדָ֑יו וַיִּשְׁלָחֵ֞ם הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ אָסָ֗א אֶל־בֶּן־הֲ֠דַ֠ד בֶּן־טַבְרִמֹּ֤ן בֶּן־חֶזְיוֹן֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ אֲרָ֔ם הַיֹּשֵׁ֥ב בְּדַמֶּ֖שֶׂק לֵאמֹֽר׃ So Asa took all the silver and gold that remained in the treasuries of the House of GOD as well as the treasuries of the royal palace, and he entrusted them to his officials. King Asa sent them to King Ben-hadad son of Tabrimmon son of Hezion of Aram, who resided in Damascus, with this message:

בְּרִית֙ בֵּינִ֣י וּבֵינֶ֔ךָ בֵּ֥ין אָבִ֖י וּבֵ֣ין אָבִ֑יךָ הִנֵּה֩ שָׁלַ֨חְתִּי לְךָ֥ שֹׁ֙חַד֙ כֶּ֣סֶף וְזָהָ֔ב לֵ֣ךְ הָפֵ֗רָה אֶת־בְּרִֽיתְךָ֙ אֶת־בַּעְשָׁ֣א מֶלֶךְ־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וְיַעֲלֶ֖ה מֵֽעָלָֽי׃ “There is a pact between you and me, and between your father and my father. I herewith send you a gift of silver and gold: Go and break your pact with King Baasha of Israel, so that he may withdraw from me.”

וַיִּשְׁמַ֨ע בֶּן־הֲדַ֜ד אֶל־הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ אָסָ֗א וַ֠יִּשְׁלַ֠ח אֶת־שָׂרֵ֨י הַחֲיָלִ֤ים אֲשֶׁר־לוֹ֙ עַל־עָרֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וַיַּךְ֙ אֶת־עִיּ֣וֹן וְאֶת־דָּ֔ן וְאֵ֖ת אָבֵ֣ל בֵּֽית־מַעֲכָ֑ה וְאֵת֙ כׇּל־כִּנְר֔וֹת עַ֖ל כׇּל־אֶ֥רֶץ נַפְתָּלִֽי׃ Ben-hadad responded to King Asa’s request; he sent his army officers against the towns of Israel and captured Ijon, Dan, Abel-beth-maacah, and all Chinneroth, as well as all the land of Naphtali.

וַֽיְהִי֙ כִּשְׁמֹ֣עַ בַּעְשָׁ֔א וַיֶּחְדַּ֕ל מִבְּנ֖וֹת אֶת־הָרָמָ֑ה וַיֵּ֖שֶׁב בְּתִרְצָֽה׃ When Baasha heard about it, he stopped fortifying Ramah and remained in Tirzah.

וְהַמֶּ֨לֶךְ אָסָ֜א הִשְׁמִ֤יעַ אֶת־כׇּל־יְהוּדָה֙ אֵ֣ין נָקִ֔י וַיִּשְׂא֞וּ אֶת־אַבְנֵ֤י הָֽרָמָה֙ וְאֶת־עֵצֶ֔יהָ אֲשֶׁ֥ר בָּנָ֖ה בַּעְשָׁ֑א וַיִּ֤בֶן בָּם֙ הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ אָסָ֔א אֶת־גֶּ֥בַע בִּנְיָמִ֖ן וְאֶת־הַמִּצְפָּֽה׃ Then King Asa mustered all Judah, with no exemptions; and they carried away the stones and timber with which Baasha had fortified Ramah. With these King Asa fortified Geba of Benjamin, and Mizpah.

וְיֶ֣תֶר כׇּל־דִּבְרֵֽי־אָ֠סָ֠א וְכׇל־גְּב֨וּרָת֜וֹ וְכׇל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשָׂ֗ה וְהֶֽעָרִים֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בָּנָ֔ה הֲלֹא־הֵ֣מָּה כְתוּבִ֗ים עַל־סֵ֛פֶר דִּבְרֵ֥י הַיָּמִ֖ים לְמַלְכֵ֣י יְהוּדָ֑ה רַ֚ק לְעֵ֣ת זִקְנָת֔וֹ חָלָ֖ה אֶת־רַגְלָֽיו׃ All the other events of Asa’s reign, and all his exploits, and all his actions, and the towns that he fortified, are recorded in the Annals of the Kings of Judah. However, in his old age he suffered from a foot ailment.

וַיִּשְׁכַּ֤ב אָסָא֙ עִם־אֲבֹתָ֔יו וַיִּקָּבֵר֙ עִם־אֲבֹתָ֔יו בְּעִ֖יר דָּוִ֣ד אָבִ֑יו וַיִּמְלֹ֛ךְ יְהוֹשָׁפָ֥ט בְּנ֖וֹ תַּחְתָּֽיו׃ {פ}
Asa rested with his ancestors and was buried with his ancestors in the city of his forefather David. His son Jehoshaphat succeeded him as king.

וְנָדָ֣ב בֶּן־יָרׇבְעָ֗ם מָלַךְ֙ עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל בִּשְׁנַ֣ת שְׁתַּ֔יִם לְאָסָ֖א מֶ֣לֶךְ יְהוּדָ֑ה וַיִּמְלֹ֥ךְ עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל שְׁנָתָֽיִם׃ Nadab son of Jeroboam had become king over Israel in the second year of King Asa of Judah, and he reigned over Israel for two years.

וַיַּ֥עַשׂ הָרַ֖ע בְּעֵינֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֑ה וַיֵּ֙לֶךְ֙ בְּדֶ֣רֶךְ אָבִ֔יו וּ֨בְחַטָּאת֔וֹ אֲשֶׁ֥ר הֶחֱטִ֖יא אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ He did what was displeasing to GOD; he continued in the ways of his father, in the sins that he caused Israel to commit.

וַיִּקְשֹׁ֨ר עָלָ֜יו בַּעְשָׁ֤א בֶן־אֲחִיָּה֙ לְבֵ֣ית יִשָּׂשכָ֔ר וַיַּכֵּ֣הוּ בַעְשָׁ֔א בְּגִבְּת֖וֹן אֲשֶׁ֣ר לַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֑ים וְנָדָב֙ וְכׇל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל צָרִ֖ים עַֽל־גִּבְּתֽוֹן׃ Then Baasha son of Ahijah, of the House of Issachar, conspired against him; and Baasha struck him down at Gibbethon of the Philistines, while Nadab and all Israel were laying siege to Gibbethon.

וַיְמִתֵ֣הוּ בַעְשָׁ֔א בִּשְׁנַ֣ת שָׁלֹ֔שׁ לְאָסָ֖א מֶ֣לֶךְ יְהוּדָ֑ה וַיִּמְלֹ֖ךְ תַּחְתָּֽיו׃ Baasha killed him in the third year of King Asa of Judah and became king in his stead.

וַיְהִ֣י כְמׇלְכ֗וֹ הִכָּה֙ אֶת־כׇּל־בֵּ֣ית יָרׇבְעָ֔ם לֹא־הִשְׁאִ֧יר כׇּל־נְשָׁמָ֛ה לְיָרׇבְעָ֖ם עַד־הִשְׁמִד֑וֹ כִּדְבַ֣ר יְהֹוָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר דִּבֶּ֔ר בְּיַד־עַבְדּ֖וֹ אֲחִיָּ֥ה הַשִּׁילֹנִֽי׃ As soon as he became king, he struck down all the House of Jeroboam; he did not spare a single soul belonging to Jeroboam until he destroyed it—in accordance with the word spoken through GOD’s servant Ahijah the Shilonite—

עַל־חַטֹּ֤אות יָֽרׇבְעָם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר חָטָ֔א וַאֲשֶׁ֥ר הֶחֱטִ֖יא אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל בְּכַעְס֕וֹ אֲשֶׁ֣ר הִכְעִ֔יס אֶת־יְהֹוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ because of the sins that Jeroboam committed and that he caused Israel to commit, thereby provoking the anger of the ETERNAL, the God of Israel.

וְיֶ֛תֶר דִּבְרֵ֥י נָדָ֖ב וְכׇל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשָׂ֑ה הֲלֹא־הֵ֣ם כְּתוּבִ֗ים עַל־סֵ֛פֶר דִּבְרֵ֥י הַיָּמִ֖ים לְמַלְכֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ The other events of Nadab’s reign and all his actions are recorded in the Annals of the Kings of Israel.

וּמִלְחָמָ֨ה הָיְתָ֜ה בֵּ֣ין אָסָ֗א וּבֵ֛ין בַּעְשָׁ֥א מֶֽלֶךְ־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל כׇּל־יְמֵיהֶֽם׃ {פ}
There was war between Asa and King Baasha of Israel all their days.

בִּשְׁנַ֣ת שָׁלֹ֔שׁ לְאָסָ֖א מֶ֣לֶךְ יְהוּדָ֑ה מָ֠לַ֠ךְ בַּעְשָׁ֨א בֶן־אֲחִיָּ֤ה עַל־כׇּל־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ בְּתִרְצָ֔ה עֶשְׂרִ֥ים וְאַרְבַּ֖ע שָׁנָֽה׃ In the third year of King Asa of Judah, Baasha son of Ahijah became king in Tirzah over all Israel—for twenty-four years.

וַיַּ֥עַשׂ הָרַ֖ע בְּעֵינֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֑ה וַיֵּ֙לֶךְ֙ בְּדֶ֣רֶךְ יָרׇבְעָ֔ם וּ֨בְחַטָּאת֔וֹ אֲשֶׁ֥ר הֶחֱטִ֖יא אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ {ס}         He did what was displeasing to GOD; he followed the ways of Jeroboam and the sins that he caused Israel to commit.

וַיְהִ֤י דְבַר־יְהֹוָה֙ אֶל־יֵה֣וּא בֶן־חֲנָ֔נִי עַל־בַּעְשָׁ֖א לֵאמֹֽר׃ The word of GOD came to Jehu son of Hanani against Baasha:

יַ֗עַן אֲשֶׁ֤ר הֲרִימֹתִ֙יךָ֙ מִן־הֶ֣עָפָ֔ר וָאֶתֶּנְךָ֣ נָגִ֔יד עַ֖ל עַמִּ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַתֵּ֣לֶךְ ׀ בְּדֶ֣רֶךְ יָרׇבְעָ֗ם וַֽתַּחֲטִא֙ אֶת־עַמִּ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל לְהַכְעִיסֵ֖נִי בְּחַטֹּאתָֽם׃ “Because I lifted you up from the dust and made you a ruler over My people Israel, but you followed the way of Jeroboam and caused My people Israel to sin, provoking My anger with their sins—

הִנְנִ֥י מַבְעִ֛יר אַחֲרֵ֥י בַעְשָׁ֖א וְאַחֲרֵ֣י בֵית֑וֹ וְנָֽתַתִּי֙ אֶת־בֵּ֣יתְךָ֔ כְּבֵ֖ית יָרׇבְעָ֥ם בֶּן־נְבָֽט׃ I am going to sweep away Baasha and his house. I will make your house like the House of Jeroboam son of Nebat.

הַמֵּ֤ת לְבַעְשָׁא֙ בָּעִ֔יר יֹאכְל֖וּ הַכְּלָבִ֑ים וְהַמֵּ֥ת לוֹ֙ בַּשָּׂדֶ֔ה יֹאכְל֖וּ ע֥וֹף הַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃ Anyone belonging to Baasha who dies in the town shall be devoured by dogs, and anyone belonging to him who dies in the open country shall be devoured by the birds of the sky.”

וְיֶ֨תֶר דִּבְרֵ֥י בַעְשָׁ֛א וַאֲשֶׁ֥ר עָשָׂ֖ה וּגְבוּרָת֑וֹ הֲלֹא־הֵ֣ם כְּתוּבִ֗ים עַל־סֵ֛פֶר דִּבְרֵ֥י הַיָּמִ֖ים לְמַלְכֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ The other events of Baasha’s reign and his actions and his exploits are recorded in the Annals of the Kings of Israel.

וַיִּשְׁכַּ֤ב בַּעְשָׁא֙ עִם־אֲבֹתָ֔יו וַיִּקָּבֵ֖ר בְּתִרְצָ֑ה וַיִּמְלֹ֛ךְ אֵלָ֥ה בְנ֖וֹ תַּחְתָּֽיו׃ Baasha rested with his ancestors and was buried in Tirzah. His son Elah succeeded him as king.

וְגַ֡ם בְּיַד־יֵה֨וּא בֶן־חֲנָ֜נִי הַנָּבִ֗יא דְּבַר־יְהֹוָ֡ה הָיָה֩ אֶל־בַּעְשָׁ֨א וְאֶל־בֵּית֜וֹ וְעַ֥ל כׇּל־הָרָעָ֣ה ׀ אֲשֶׁר־עָשָׂ֣ה ׀ בְּעֵינֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֗ה לְהַכְעִיסוֹ֙ בְּמַעֲשֵׂ֣ה יָדָ֔יו לִֽהְי֖וֹת כְּבֵ֣ית יָרׇבְעָ֑ם וְעַ֥ל אֲשֶׁר־הִכָּ֖ה אֹתֽוֹ׃ {פ}
But the word of GOD had come through the prophet Jehu son of Hanani against Baasha and against his house, that it would fare like the House of Jeroboam, which he himself had struck down,^awhich he himself had struck down Syntax of Heb. unclear. because of all the evil he did that was displeasing to GOD, provoking anger with his deeds.

בִּשְׁנַ֨ת עֶשְׂרִ֤ים וָשֵׁשׁ֙ שָׁנָ֔ה לְאָסָ֖א מֶ֣לֶךְ יְהוּדָ֑ה מָ֠לַ֠ךְ אֵלָ֨ה בֶן־בַּעְשָׁ֧א עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל בְּתִרְצָ֖ה שְׁנָתָֽיִם׃ In the twenty-sixth year of King Asa of Judah, Elah son of Baasha became king over Israel, at Tirzah—for two years.

וַיִּקְשֹׁ֤ר עָלָיו֙ עַבְדּ֣וֹ זִמְרִ֔י שַׂ֖ר מַחֲצִ֣ית הָרָ֑כֶב וְה֤וּא בְתִרְצָה֙ שֹׁתֶ֣ה שִׁכּ֔וֹר בֵּ֣ית אַרְצָ֔א אֲשֶׁ֥ר עַל־הַבַּ֖יִת בְּתִרְצָֽה׃ His officer Zimri, commander of half the chariotry, committed treason against him while he was at Tirzah drinking himself drunk in the house of Arza, who was in charge of the palace at Tirzah.

וַיָּבֹ֤א זִמְרִי֙ וַיַּכֵּ֣הוּ וַיְמִיתֵ֔הוּ בִּשְׁנַת֙ עֶשְׂרִ֣ים וָשֶׁ֔בַע לְאָסָ֖א מֶ֣לֶךְ יְהוּדָ֑ה וַיִּמְלֹ֖ךְ תַּחְתָּֽיו׃ Zimri entered, struck him down, and killed him; he succeeded him as king in the twenty-seventh year of King Asa of Judah.

וַיְהִ֨י בְמׇלְכ֜וֹ כְּשִׁבְתּ֣וֹ עַל־כִּסְא֗וֹ הִכָּה֙ אֶת־כׇּל־בֵּ֣ית בַּעְשָׁ֔א לֹא־הִשְׁאִ֥יר ל֖וֹ מַשְׁתִּ֣ין בְּקִ֑יר וְגֹאֲלָ֖יו וְרֵעֵֽהוּ׃ No sooner had he become king and ascended the throne than he struck down all the House of Baasha; he did not leave a single male of his, nor any kin^bkin Heb. “avenger.” or friend.

וַיַּשְׁמֵ֣ד זִמְרִ֔י אֵ֖ת כׇּל־בֵּ֣ית בַּעְשָׁ֑א כִּדְבַ֤ר יְהֹוָה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר דִּבֶּ֣ר אֶל־בַּעְשָׁ֔א בְּיַ֖ד יֵה֥וּא הַנָּבִֽיא׃ Thus Zimri destroyed all the House of Baasha, in accordance with the word that GOD had spoken through the prophet Jehu—

אֶ֚ל כׇּל־חַטֹּ֣אות בַּעְשָׁ֔א וְחַטֹּ֖אות אֵלָ֣ה בְנ֑וֹ אֲשֶׁ֣ר חָטְא֗וּ וַאֲשֶׁ֤ר הֶחֱטִ֙יאוּ֙ אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל לְהַכְעִ֗יס אֶת־יְהֹוָ֛ה אֱלֹהֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בְּהַבְלֵיהֶֽם׃ because of the sinful acts that Baasha and his son Elah committed, and that they caused Israel to commit, provoking the anger of the ETERNAL, the God of Israel, with their false gods.

וְיֶ֛תֶר דִּבְרֵ֥י אֵלָ֖ה וְכׇל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשָׂ֑ה הֲלוֹא־הֵ֣ם כְּתוּבִ֗ים עַל־סֵ֛פֶר דִּבְרֵ֥י הַיָּמִ֖ים לְמַלְכֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ {פ}
The other events of Elah’s reign and all his actions are recorded in the Annals of the Kings of Israel.

בִּשְׁנַת֩ עֶשְׂרִ֨ים וָשֶׁ֜בַע שָׁנָ֗ה לְאָסָא֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ יְהוּדָ֔ה מָלַ֥ךְ זִמְרִ֛י שִׁבְעַ֥ת יָמִ֖ים בְּתִרְצָ֑ה וְהָעָ֣ם חֹנִ֔ים עַֽל־גִּבְּת֖וֹן אֲשֶׁ֥ר לַפְּלִשְׁתִּֽים׃ During the twenty-seventh year of King Asa of Judah, Zimri reigned in Tirzah for seven days. At the time, the troops were encamped at Gibbethon of the Philistines.

וַיִּשְׁמַ֤ע הָעָם֙ הַחֹנִ֣ים לֵאמֹ֔ר קָשַׁ֣ר זִמְרִ֔י וְגַ֖ם הִכָּ֣ה אֶת־הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ וַיַּמְלִ֣כוּ כׇֽל־יִ֠שְׂרָאֵ֠ל אֶת־עׇמְרִ֨י שַׂר־צָבָ֧א עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל בַּיּ֥וֹם הַה֖וּא בַּֽמַּחֲנֶֽה׃ When the troops who were encamped there learned that Zimri had committed treason and had struck down the king, that very day, in the camp, all Israel acclaimed the army commander Omri king over Israel.

וַיַּעֲלֶ֥ה עׇמְרִ֛י וְכׇל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֥ל עִמּ֖וֹ מִֽגִּבְּת֑וֹן וַיָּצֻ֖רוּ עַל־תִּרְצָֽה׃ Omri and all Israel then withdrew from Gibbethon and laid siege to Tirzah.

וַיְהִ֞י כִּרְא֤וֹת זִמְרִי֙ כִּֽי־נִלְכְּדָ֣ה הָעִ֔יר וַיָּבֹ֖א אֶל־אַרְמ֣וֹן בֵּית־הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ וַיִּשְׂרֹ֨ף עָלָ֧יו אֶת־בֵּֽית־מֶ֛לֶךְ בָּאֵ֖שׁ וַיָּמֹֽת׃ When Zimri saw that the town was taken, he went into the citadel of the royal palace and burned down the royal palace over himself. And so he died—

עַל־חַטֹּאתָיו֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר חָטָ֔א לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת הָרַ֖ע בְּעֵינֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֑ה לָלֶ֙כֶת֙ בְּדֶ֣רֶךְ יָרׇבְעָ֔ם וּבְחַטָּאתוֹ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשָׂ֔ה לְהַחֲטִ֖יא אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ because of the sins that he committed and caused Israel to commit, doing what was displeasing to GOD and following the ways of Jeroboam.

וְיֶ֙תֶר֙ דִּבְרֵ֣י זִמְרִ֔י וְקִשְׁר֖וֹ אֲשֶׁ֣ר קָשָׁ֑ר הֲלֹא־הֵ֣ם כְּתוּבִ֗ים עַל־סֵ֛פֶר דִּבְרֵ֥י הַיָּמִ֖ים לְמַלְכֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ {פ}
The other events of Zimri’s reign, and the treason that he committed, are recorded in the Annals of the Kings of Israel.

אָ֧ז יֵחָלֵ֛ק הָעָ֥ם יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לַחֵ֑צִי חֲצִ֨י הָעָ֜ם הָ֠יָ֠ה אַחֲרֵ֨י תִבְנִ֤י בֶן־גִּינַת֙ לְהַמְלִיכ֔וֹ וְהַחֲצִ֖י אַחֲרֵ֥י עׇמְרִֽי׃ Then the people of Israel split into two factions: a part of the people followed Tibni son of Ginath to make him king, and the other part followed Omri.

וַיֶּחֱזַ֤ק הָעָם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אַחֲרֵ֣י עׇמְרִ֔י אֶת־הָעָ֕ם אֲשֶׁ֥ר אַחֲרֵ֖י תִּבְנִ֣י בֶן־גִּינַ֑ת וַיָּ֣מׇת תִּבְנִ֔י וַיִּמְלֹ֖ךְ עׇמְרִֽי׃ {פ}
Those who followed Omri proved stronger than those who followed Tibni son of Ginath; Tibni died and Omri became king.

בִּשְׁנַת֩ שְׁלֹשִׁ֨ים וְאַחַ֜ת שָׁנָ֗ה לְאָסָא֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ יְהוּדָ֔ה מָלַ֤ךְ עׇמְרִי֙ עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל שְׁתֵּ֥ים עֶשְׂרֵ֖ה שָׁנָ֑ה בְּתִרְצָ֖ה מָלַ֥ךְ שֵׁשׁ־שָׁנִֽים׃ In the thirty-first year of King Asa of Judah, Omri became king over Israel—for twelve years. He reigned in Tirzah six years.

וַיִּ֜קֶן אֶת־הָהָ֥ר שֹׁמְר֛וֹן מֵ֥אֶת שֶׁ֖מֶר בְּכִכְּרַ֣יִם כָּ֑סֶף וַיִּ֙בֶן֙ אֶת־הָהָ֔ר וַיִּקְרָ֗א אֶת־שֵׁ֤ם הָעִיר֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בָּנָ֔ה עַ֣ל שֶׁם־שֶׁ֔מֶר אֲדֹנֵ֖י הָהָ֥ר שֹׁמְרֽוֹן׃ Then he bought the hill of Samaria from Shemer for two talents of silver; he built [a town] on the hill and named the town that he built Samaria, after Shemer, the owner of the hill.

וַיַּעֲשֶׂ֥ה עׇמְרִ֛י הָרַ֖ע בְּעֵינֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֑ה וַיָּ֕רַע מִכֹּ֖ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר לְפָנָֽיו׃ Omri did what was displeasing to GOD; he was worse than all who preceded him.

וַיֵּ֗לֶךְ בְּכׇל־דֶּ֙רֶךְ֙ יָרׇבְעָ֣ם בֶּן־נְבָ֔ט (ובחטאתיו) [וּ֨בְחַטָּאת֔וֹ] אֲשֶׁ֥ר הֶחֱטִ֖יא אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל לְהַכְעִ֗יס אֶת־יְהֹוָ֛ה אֱלֹהֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בְּהַבְלֵיהֶֽם׃ He followed all the ways of Jeroboam son of Nebat and the sins that he committed and caused Israel to commit, provoking the anger of the ETERNAL, the God of Israel, with their futilities.

וְיֶ֨תֶר דִּבְרֵ֤י עׇמְרִי֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשָׂ֔ה וּגְבוּרָת֖וֹ אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשָׂ֑ה הֲלֹא־הֵ֣ם כְּתוּבִ֗ים עַל־סֵ֛פֶר דִּבְרֵ֥י הַיָּמִ֖ים לְמַלְכֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ The other events of Omri’s reign, [and] his actions, and the exploits he performed, are recorded in the Annals of the Kings of Israel.

וַיִּשְׁכַּ֤ב עׇמְרִי֙ עִם־אֲבֹתָ֔יו וַיִּקָּבֵ֖ר בְּשֹׁמְר֑וֹן וַיִּמְלֹ֛ךְ אַחְאָ֥ב בְּנ֖וֹ תַּחְתָּֽיו׃ {פ}
Omri rested with his ancestors and was buried in Samaria; and his son Ahab succeeded him as king.

וְאַחְאָ֣ב בֶּן־עׇמְרִ֗י מָלַךְ֙ עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל בִּשְׁנַ֨ת שְׁלֹשִׁ֤ים וּשְׁמֹנֶה֙ שָׁנָ֔ה לְאָסָ֖א מֶ֣לֶךְ יְהוּדָ֑ה וַ֠יִּמְלֹ֠ךְ אַחְאָ֨ב בֶּן־עׇמְרִ֤י עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ בְּשֹׁ֣מְר֔וֹן עֶשְׂרִ֥ים וּשְׁתַּ֖יִם שָׁנָֽה׃ Ahab son of Omri became king over Israel in the thirty-eighth year of King Asa of Judah, and Ahab son of Omri reigned over Israel in Samaria for twenty-two years.

וַיַּ֨עַשׂ אַחְאָ֧ב בֶּן־עׇמְרִ֛י הָרַ֖ע בְּעֵינֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֑ה מִכֹּ֖ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר לְפָנָֽיו׃ Ahab son of Omri did what was displeasing to GOD, more than all who preceded him.

וַֽיְהִי֙ הֲנָקֵ֣ל לֶכְתּ֔וֹ בְּחַטֹּ֖אות יָרׇבְעָ֣ם בֶּן־נְבָ֑ט וַיִּקַּ֨ח אִשָּׁ֜ה אֶת־אִיזֶ֗בֶל בַּת־אֶתְבַּ֙עַל֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ צִידֹנִ֔ים וַיֵּ֙לֶךְ֙ וַיַּעֲבֹ֣ד אֶת־הַבַּ֔עַל וַיִּשְׁתַּ֖חוּ לֽוֹ׃ Not content to follow the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, he took as wife Jezebel daughter of King Ethbaal of the Phoenicians, and he went and served Baal and worshiped him.

וַיָּ֥קֶם מִזְבֵּ֖חַ לַבָּ֑עַל בֵּ֣ית הַבַּ֔עַל אֲשֶׁ֥ר בָּנָ֖ה בְּשֹׁמְרֽוֹן׃ He erected an altar to Baal in the temple of Baal that he built in Samaria.

וַיַּ֥עַשׂ אַחְאָ֖ב אֶת־הָאֲשֵׁרָ֑ה וַיּ֨וֹסֶף אַחְאָ֜ב לַעֲשׂ֗וֹת לְהַכְעִיס֙ אֶת־יְהֹוָה֙ אֱלֹהֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל מִכֹּל֙ מַלְכֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר הָי֖וּ לְפָנָֽיו׃ Ahab also made a sacred post.^csacred post See note at 14.15. Ahab did more to provoke the anger of the ETERNAL, the God of Israel, than all the kings of Israel who preceded him.

בְּיָמָ֞יו בָּנָ֥ה חִיאֵ֛ל בֵּ֥ית הָאֱלִ֖י אֶת־יְרִיחֹ֑ה בַּאֲבִירָ֨ם בְּכֹר֜וֹ יִסְּדָ֗הּ (ובשגיב) [וּבִשְׂג֤וּב] צְעִירוֹ֙ הִצִּ֣יב דְּלָתֶ֔יהָ כִּדְבַ֣ר יְהֹוָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר דִּבֶּ֔ר בְּיַ֖ד יְהוֹשֻׁ֥עַ בִּן־נֽוּן׃ {ס}         During his reign, Hiel the Bethelite fortified Jericho. He laid its foundations at the cost of Abiram his first-born, and set its gates in place at the cost of Segub his youngest, in accordance with the words that GOD had spoken through Joshua son of Nun.^dthat GOD had spoken through Joshua son of Nun Cf. Josh. 6.26.

וַיֹּ֩אמֶר֩ אֵלִיָּ֨הוּ הַתִּשְׁבִּ֜י מִתֹּשָׁבֵ֣י גִלְעָד֮ אֶל־אַחְאָב֒ חַי־יְהֹוָ֞ה אֱלֹהֵ֤י יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָמַ֣דְתִּי לְפָנָ֔יו אִם־יִֽהְיֶ֛ה הַשָּׁנִ֥ים הָאֵ֖לֶּה טַ֣ל וּמָטָ֑ר כִּ֖י אִם־לְפִ֥י דְבָרִֽי׃ {ס}         Elijah the Tishbite, an inhabitant of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the ETERNAL lives, the God of Israel whom I serve, there will be no dew or rain except at my bidding.”

וַיְהִ֥י דְבַר־יְהֹוָ֖ה אֵלָ֥יו לֵאמֹֽר׃ The word of GOD came to him:

לֵ֣ךְ מִזֶּ֔ה וּפָנִ֥יתָ לְּךָ֖ קֵ֑דְמָה וְנִסְתַּרְתָּ֙ בְּנַ֣חַל כְּרִ֔ית אֲשֶׁ֖ר עַל־פְּנֵ֥י הַיַּרְדֵּֽן׃ “Leave this place; turn eastward and go into hiding by the Wadi Cherith, which is east of the Jordan.

וְהָיָ֖ה מֵהַנַּ֣חַל תִּשְׁתֶּ֑ה וְאֶת־הָעֹרְבִ֣ים צִוִּ֔יתִי לְכַלְכֶּלְךָ֖ שָֽׁם׃ You will drink from the wadi, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.”

וַיֵּ֥לֶךְ וַיַּ֖עַשׂ כִּדְבַ֣ר יְהֹוָ֑ה וַיֵּ֗לֶךְ וַיֵּ֙שֶׁב֙ בְּנַ֣חַל כְּרִ֔ית אֲשֶׁ֖ר עַל־פְּנֵ֥י הַיַּרְדֵּֽן׃ He proceeded to do as GOD had bidden: he went, and he stayed by the Wadi Cherith, which is east of the Jordan.

וְהָעֹרְבִ֗ים מְבִאִ֨ים ל֜וֹ לֶ֤חֶם וּבָשָׂר֙ בַּבֹּ֔קֶר וְלֶ֥חֶם וּבָשָׂ֖ר בָּעָ֑רֶב וּמִן־הַנַּ֖חַל יִשְׁתֶּֽה׃ The ravens brought him bread and meat every morning and every evening, and he drank from the wadi.

וַיְהִ֛י מִקֵּ֥ץ יָמִ֖ים וַיִּיבַ֣שׁ הַנָּ֑חַל כִּ֛י לֹא־הָיָ֥ה גֶ֖שֶׁם בָּאָֽרֶץ׃ {ס}         After some time the wadi dried up, because there was no rain in the land.

וַיְהִ֥י דְבַר־יְהֹוָ֖ה אֵלָ֥יו לֵאמֹֽר׃ And the word of GOD came to him:

ק֣וּם לֵ֤ךְ צָֽרְפַ֙תָה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר לְצִיד֔וֹן וְיָשַׁבְתָּ֖ שָׁ֑ם הִנֵּ֨ה צִוִּ֥יתִי שָׁ֛ם אִשָּׁ֥ה אַלְמָנָ֖ה לְכַלְכְּלֶֽךָ׃ “Go at once to Zarephath of Sidon, and stay there; I have designated a widow there to feed you.”

וַיָּ֣קׇם ׀ וַיֵּ֣לֶךְ צָֽרְפַ֗תָה וַיָּבֹא֙ אֶל־פֶּ֣תַח הָעִ֔יר וְהִנֵּה־שָׁ֛ם אִשָּׁ֥ה אַלְמָנָ֖ה מְקֹשֶׁ֣שֶׁת עֵצִ֑ים וַיִּקְרָ֤א אֵלֶ֙יהָ֙ וַיֹּאמַ֔ר קְחִי־נָ֨א לִ֧י מְעַט־מַ֛יִם בַּכְּלִ֖י וְאֶשְׁתֶּֽה׃ So he went at once to Zarephath. When he came to the entrance of the town, a widow was there gathering wood. He called out to her, “Please bring me a little water in your pitcher, and let me drink.”

וַתֵּ֖לֶךְ לָקַ֑חַת וַיִּקְרָ֤א אֵלֶ֙יהָ֙ וַיֹּאמַ֔ר לִֽקְחִי־נָ֥א לִ֛י פַּת־לֶ֖חֶם בְּיָדֵֽךְ׃ As she went to fetch it, he called out to her, “Please bring along a piece of bread for me.”

וַתֹּ֗אמֶר חַי־יְהֹוָ֤ה אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙ אִם־יֶשׁ־לִ֣י מָע֔וֹג כִּ֣י אִם־מְלֹ֤א כַף־קֶ֙מַח֙ בַּכַּ֔ד וּמְעַט־שֶׁ֖מֶן בַּצַּפָּ֑חַת וְהִנְנִ֨י מְקֹשֶׁ֜שֶׁת שְׁנַ֣יִם עֵצִ֗ים וּבָ֙אתִי֙ וַעֲשִׂיתִ֙יהוּ֙ לִ֣י וְלִבְנִ֔י וַאֲכַלְנֻ֖הוּ וָמָֽתְנוּ׃ “As the ETERNAL your God lives,” she replied, “I have nothing baked, nothing but a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. I am just gathering a couple of sticks, so that I can go home and prepare it for me and my son; we shall eat it and then we shall die.”

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר אֵלֶ֤יהָ אֵלִיָּ֙הוּ֙ אַל־תִּ֣ירְאִ֔י בֹּ֖אִי עֲשִׂ֣י כִדְבָרֵ֑ךְ אַ֣ךְ עֲשִׂי־לִֽי־מִ֠שָּׁ֠ם עֻגָ֨ה קְטַנָּ֤ה בָרִֽאשֹׁנָה֙ וְהוֹצֵ֣את לִ֔י וְלָ֣ךְ וְלִבְנֵ֔ךְ תַּעֲשִׂ֖י בָּאַחֲרֹנָֽה׃ “Don’t be afraid,” said Elijah to her. “Go and do as you have said; but first make me a small cake from what you have there, and bring it out to me; then make some for yourself and your son.

כִּ֣י כֹה֩ אָמַ֨ר יְהֹוָ֜ה אֱלֹהֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל כַּ֤ד הַקֶּ֙מַח֙ לֹ֣א תִכְלָ֔ה וְצַפַּ֥חַת הַשֶּׁ֖מֶן לֹ֣א תֶחְסָ֑ר עַ֠ד י֧וֹם (תתן) [תֵּת־]יְהֹוָ֛ה גֶּ֖שֶׁם עַל־פְּנֵ֥י הָאֲדָמָֽה׃ For thus said the ETERNAL, the God of Israel: The jar of flour shall not give out and the jug of oil shall not fail until the day that GOD sends rain upon the ground.”

וַתֵּ֥לֶךְ וַֽתַּעֲשֶׂ֖ה כִּדְבַ֣ר אֵלִיָּ֑הוּ וַתֹּ֧אכַל (הוא והיא) [הִֽיא־וָה֛וּא] וּבֵיתָ֖הּ יָמִֽים׃ She went and did as Elijah had spoken, and she and he and her household had food for a long time.

כַּ֤ד הַקֶּ֙מַח֙ לֹ֣א כָלָ֔תָה וְצַפַּ֥חַת הַשֶּׁ֖מֶן לֹ֣א חָסֵ֑ר כִּדְבַ֣ר יְהֹוָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר דִּבֶּ֖ר בְּיַ֥ד אֵֽלִיָּֽהוּ׃ {פ}
The jar of flour did not give out, nor did the jug of oil fail, just as GOD had spoken through Elijah.

וַיְהִ֗י אַחַר֙ הַדְּבָרִ֣ים הָאֵ֔לֶּה חָלָ֕ה בֶּן־הָאִשָּׁ֖ה בַּעֲלַ֣ת הַבָּ֑יִת וַיְהִ֤י חׇלְיוֹ֙ חָזָ֣ק מְאֹ֔ד עַ֛ד אֲשֶׁ֥ר לֹא־נֽוֹתְרָה־בּ֖וֹ נְשָׁמָֽה׃ After a while, the son of that woman—the owner of the house —fell sick, and his illness grew worse, until he had no breath left in him.

וַתֹּ֙אמֶר֙ אֶל־אֵ֣לִיָּ֔הוּ מַה־לִּ֥י וָלָ֖ךְ אִ֣ישׁ הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים בָּ֧אתָ אֵלַ֛י לְהַזְכִּ֥יר אֶת־עֲוֺנִ֖י וּלְהָמִ֥ית אֶת־בְּנִֽי׃ She said to Elijah, “What harm have I done you, O agent of God, that you should come here to recall my sin and cause the death of my son?”

וַיֹּ֥אמֶר אֵלֶ֖יהָ תְּנִי־לִ֣י אֶת־בְּנֵ֑ךְ וַיִּקָּחֵ֣הוּ מֵחֵיקָ֗הּ וַֽיַּעֲלֵ֙הוּ֙ אֶל־הָעֲלִיָּ֗ה אֲשֶׁר־הוּא֙ יֹשֵׁ֣ב שָׁ֔ם וַיַּשְׁכִּבֵ֖הוּ עַל־מִטָּתֽוֹ׃ “Give me the boy,” he said to her; and taking him from her arms, he carried him to the upper chamber where he was staying, and laid him down on his own bed.

וַיִּקְרָ֥א אֶל־יְהֹוָ֖ה וַיֹּאמַ֑ר יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהָ֔י הֲ֠גַ֠ם עַֽל־הָאַלְמָנָ֞ה אֲשֶׁר־אֲנִ֨י מִתְגּוֹרֵ֥ר עִמָּ֛הּ הֲרֵע֖וֹתָ לְהָמִ֥ית אֶת־בְּנָֽהּ׃ He cried out to GOD and said, “My ETERNAL God, will You bring calamity upon this widow whose guest I am, and let her son die?”

וַיִּתְמֹדֵ֤ד עַל־הַיֶּ֙לֶד֙ שָׁלֹ֣שׁ פְּעָמִ֔ים וַיִּקְרָ֥א אֶל־יְהֹוָ֖ה וַיֹּאמַ֑ר יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהָ֔י תָּ֥שׇׁב נָ֛א נֶפֶשׁ־הַיֶּ֥לֶד הַזֶּ֖ה עַל־קִרְבּֽוֹ׃ Then he stretched out over the child three times, and cried out to GOD, saying, “My ETERNAL God, let this child’s life return to his body!”

וַיִּשְׁמַ֥ע יְהֹוָ֖ה בְּק֣וֹל אֵֽלִיָּ֑הוּ וַתָּ֧שׇׁב נֶֽפֶשׁ־הַיֶּ֛לֶד עַל־קִרְבּ֖וֹ וַיֶּֽחִי׃ GOD heard Elijah’s plea; the child’s life returned to his body, and he revived.

וַיִּקַּ֨ח אֵלִיָּ֜הוּ אֶת־הַיֶּ֗לֶד וַיֹּרִדֵ֤הוּ מִן־הָֽעֲלִיָּה֙ הַבַּ֔יְתָה וַֽיִּתְּנֵ֖הוּ לְאִמּ֑וֹ וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ אֵ֣לִיָּ֔הוּ רְאִ֖י חַ֥י בְּנֵֽךְ׃ Elijah picked up the child and brought him down from the upper room into the main room, and gave him to his mother. “See,” said Elijah, “your son is alive.”

וַתֹּ֤אמֶר הָֽאִשָּׁה֙ אֶל־אֵ֣לִיָּ֔הוּ עַתָּה֙ זֶ֣ה יָדַ֔עְתִּי כִּ֛י אִ֥ישׁ אֱלֹהִ֖ים אָ֑תָּה וּדְבַר־יְהֹוָ֥ה בְּפִ֖יךָ אֱמֶֽת׃ {פ}
And the woman answered Elijah, “Now I know that you are an agent of God and that the word of GOD is truly in your mouth.”