Solomon’s Other Activities(A)

At the end of twenty years, during which Solomon built the temple of the Lord and his own palace,(B) Solomon rebuilt the villages that Hiram[a] had given him, and settled Israelites in them. Solomon then went to Hamath Zobah and captured it. He also built up Tadmor in the desert and all the store cities he had built in Hamath.(C) He rebuilt Upper Beth Horon(D) and Lower Beth Horon as fortified cities, with walls and with gates and bars, as well as Baalath(E) and all his store cities, and all the cities for his chariots and for his horses[b]—whatever he desired to build in Jerusalem, in Lebanon and throughout all the territory he ruled.

There were still people left from the Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites(F) (these people were not Israelites). Solomon conscripted(G) the descendants of all these people remaining in the land—whom the Israelites had not destroyed—to serve as slave labor, as it is to this day. But Solomon did not make slaves of the Israelites for his work; they were his fighting men, commanders of his captains, and commanders of his chariots and charioteers. 10 They were also King Solomon’s chief officials—two hundred and fifty officials supervising the men.

11 Solomon brought Pharaoh’s daughter(H) up from the City of David to the palace he had built for her, for he said, “My wife must not live in the palace of David king of Israel, because the places the ark of the Lord has entered are holy.”

12 On the altar(I) of the Lord that he had built in front of the portico, Solomon sacrificed burnt offerings to the Lord, 13 according to the daily requirement(J) for offerings commanded by Moses for the Sabbaths,(K) the New Moons(L) and the three(M) annual festivals—the Festival of Unleavened Bread,(N) the Festival of Weeks(O) and the Festival of Tabernacles.(P) 14 In keeping with the ordinance of his father David, he appointed the divisions(Q) of the priests for their duties, and the Levites(R) to lead the praise and to assist the priests according to each day’s requirement. He also appointed the gatekeepers(S) by divisions for the various gates, because this was what David the man of God(T) had ordered.(U) 15 They did not deviate from the king’s commands to the priests or to the Levites in any matter, including that of the treasuries.

16 All Solomon’s work was carried out, from the day the foundation of the temple of the Lord was laid until its completion. So the temple of the Lord was finished.

17 Then Solomon went to Ezion Geber and Elath on the coast of Edom. 18 And Hiram sent him ships commanded by his own men, sailors who knew the sea. These, with Solomon’s men, sailed to Ophir and brought back four hundred and fifty talents[c] of gold,(V) which they delivered to King Solomon.

The Queen of Sheba Visits Solomon(W)

When the queen of Sheba(X) heard of Solomon’s fame, she came to Jerusalem to test him with hard questions. Arriving with a very great caravan—with camels carrying spices, large quantities of gold, and precious stones—she came to Solomon and talked with him about all she had on her mind. Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was too hard for him to explain to her. When the queen of Sheba saw the wisdom of Solomon,(Y) as well as the palace he had built, the food on his table, the seating of his officials, the attending servants in their robes, the cupbearers in their robes and the burnt offerings he made at[d] the temple of the Lord, she was overwhelmed.

She said to the king, “The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true. But I did not believe what they said until I came(Z) and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half the greatness of your wisdom was told me; you have far exceeded the report I heard. How happy your people must be! How happy your officials, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom! Praise be to the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on his throne(AA) as king to rule for the Lord your God. Because of the love of your God for Israel and his desire to uphold them forever, he has made you king(AB) over them, to maintain justice and righteousness.”

Then she gave the king 120 talents[e] of gold,(AC) large quantities of spices, and precious stones. There had never been such spices as those the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.

10 (The servants of Hiram and the servants of Solomon brought gold from Ophir;(AD) they also brought algumwood[f] and precious stones. 11 The king used the algumwood to make steps for the temple of the Lord and for the royal palace, and to make harps and lyres for the musicians. Nothing like them had ever been seen in Judah.)

12 King Solomon gave the queen of Sheba all she desired and asked for; he gave her more than she had brought to him. Then she left and returned with her retinue to her own country.

Solomon’s Splendor(AE)

13 The weight of the gold that Solomon received yearly was 666 talents,[g] 14 not including the revenues brought in by merchants and traders. Also all the kings of Arabia(AF) and the governors of the territories brought gold and silver to Solomon.

15 King Solomon made two hundred large shields of hammered gold; six hundred shekels[h] of hammered gold went into each shield. 16 He also made three hundred small shields(AG) of hammered gold, with three hundred shekels[i] of gold in each shield. The king put them in the Palace of the Forest of Lebanon.(AH)

17 Then the king made a great throne covered with ivory(AI) and overlaid with pure gold. 18 The throne had six steps, and a footstool of gold was attached to it. On both sides of the seat were armrests, with a lion standing beside each of them. 19 Twelve lions stood on the six steps, one at either end of each step. Nothing like it had ever been made for any other kingdom. 20 All King Solomon’s goblets were gold, and all the household articles in the Palace of the Forest of Lebanon were pure gold. Nothing was made of silver, because silver was considered of little value in Solomon’s day. 21 The king had a fleet of trading ships[j] manned by Hiram’s[k] servants. Once every three years it returned, carrying gold, silver and ivory, and apes and baboons.

22 King Solomon was greater in riches and wisdom than all the other kings of the earth.(AJ) 23 All the kings(AK) of the earth sought audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom God had put in his heart. 24 Year after year, everyone who came brought a gift(AL)—articles of silver and gold, and robes, weapons and spices, and horses and mules.

25 Solomon had four thousand stalls for horses and chariots,(AM) and twelve thousand horses,[l] which he kept in the chariot cities and also with him in Jerusalem. 26 He ruled(AN) over all the kings from the Euphrates River(AO) to the land of the Philistines, as far as the border of Egypt.(AP) 27 The king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar as plentiful as sycamore-fig trees in the foothills. 28 Solomon’s horses were imported from Egypt and from all other countries.

Solomon’s Death(AQ)

29 As for the other events of Solomon’s reign, from beginning to end, are they not written in the records of Nathan(AR) the prophet, in the prophecy of Ahijah(AS) the Shilonite and in the visions of Iddo the seer concerning Jeroboam(AT) son of Nebat? 30 Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel forty years. 31 Then he rested with his ancestors and was buried in the city of David(AU) his father. And Rehoboam his son succeeded him as king.

Israel Rebels Against Rehoboam(AV)

10 Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had gone there to make him king. When Jeroboam(AW) son of Nebat heard this (he was in Egypt, where he had fled(AX) from King Solomon), he returned from Egypt. So they sent for Jeroboam, and he and all Israel(AY) went to Rehoboam and said to him: “Your father put a heavy yoke on us,(AZ) but now lighten the harsh labor and the heavy yoke he put on us, and we will serve you.”

Rehoboam answered, “Come back to me in three days.” So the people went away.

Then King Rehoboam consulted the elders(BA) who had served his father Solomon during his lifetime. “How would you advise me to answer these people?” he asked.

They replied, “If you will be kind to these people and please them and give them a favorable answer,(BB) they will always be your servants.”

But Rehoboam rejected(BC) the advice the elders(BD) gave him and consulted the young men who had grown up with him and were serving him. He asked them, “What is your advice? How should we answer these people who say to me, ‘Lighten the yoke your father put on us’?”

10 The young men who had grown up with him replied, “The people have said to you, ‘Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but make our yoke lighter.’ Now tell them, ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist. 11 My father laid on you a heavy yoke; I will make it even heavier. My father scourged you with whips; I will scourge you with scorpions.’”

12 Three days later Jeroboam and all the people returned to Rehoboam, as the king had said, “Come back to me in three days.” 13 The king answered them harshly. Rejecting the advice of the elders, 14 he followed the advice of the young men and said, “My father made your yoke heavy; I will make it even heavier. My father scourged you with whips; I will scourge you with scorpions.” 15 So the king did not listen to the people, for this turn of events was from God,(BE) to fulfill the word the Lord had spoken to Jeroboam son of Nebat through Ahijah the Shilonite.(BF)

16 When all Israel(BG) saw that the king refused to listen to them, they answered the king:

“What share do we have in David,(BH)
    what part in Jesse’s son?
To your tents, Israel!
    Look after your own house, David!”

So all the Israelites went home. 17 But as for the Israelites who were living in the towns of Judah, Rehoboam still ruled over them.

18 King Rehoboam sent out Adoniram,[m](BI) who was in charge of forced labor, but the Israelites stoned him to death. King Rehoboam, however, managed to get into his chariot and escape to Jerusalem. 19 So Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David to this day.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Chronicles 8:2 Hebrew Huram, a variant of Hiram; also in verse 18
  2. 2 Chronicles 8:6 Or charioteers
  3. 2 Chronicles 8:18 That is, about 17 tons or about 15 metric tons
  4. 2 Chronicles 9:4 Or and the ascent by which he went up to
  5. 2 Chronicles 9:9 That is, about 4 1/2 tons or about 4 metric tons
  6. 2 Chronicles 9:10 Probably a variant of almugwood
  7. 2 Chronicles 9:13 That is, about 25 tons or about 23 metric tons
  8. 2 Chronicles 9:15 That is, about 15 pounds or about 6.9 kilograms
  9. 2 Chronicles 9:16 That is, about 7 1/2 pounds or about 3.5 kilograms
  10. 2 Chronicles 9:21 Hebrew of ships that could go to Tarshish
  11. 2 Chronicles 9:21 Hebrew Huram, a variant of Hiram
  12. 2 Chronicles 9:25 Or charioteers
  13. 2 Chronicles 10:18 Hebrew Hadoram, a variant of Adoniram

所 羅 門 建 造 耶 和 華 殿 和 王 宮 , 二 十 年 才 完 畢 了 。

以 後 所 羅 門 重 新 修 築 希 蘭 送 給 他 的 那 些 城 邑 , 使 以 色 列 人 住 在 那 裡 。

所 羅 門 往 哈 馬 瑣 巴 去 , 攻 取 了 那 地 方 。

所 羅 門 建 造 曠 野 裡 的 達 莫 , 又 建 造 哈 馬 所 有 的 積 貨 城 ,

又 建 造 上 伯 和 崙 、 下 伯 和 崙 作 為 保 障 , 都 有 牆 , 有 門 , 有 閂 ;

又 建 造 巴 拉 和 所 有 的 積 貨 城 , 並 屯 車 輛 馬 兵 的 城 , 與 耶 路 撒 冷 、 利 巴 嫩 , 以 及 自 己 治 理 的 全 國 中 所 願 意 建 造 的 。

至 於 國 中 所 剩 下 不 屬 以 色 列 人 的 赫 人 、 亞 摩 利 人 、 比 利 洗 人 、 希 未 人 、 耶 布 斯 人 ,

就 是 以 色 列 人 未 曾 滅 絕 的 , 所 羅 門 挑 取 他 們 的 後 裔 作 服 苦 的 奴 僕 , 直 到 今 日 。

惟 有 以 色 列 人 , 所 羅 門 不 使 他 們 當 奴 僕 做 工 , 乃 是 作 他 的 戰 士 、 軍 長 的 統 領 、 車 兵 長 、 馬 兵 長 。

10 所 羅 門 王 有 二 百 五 十 督 工 的 , 監 管 工 人 。

11 所 羅 門 將 法 老 的 女 兒 帶 出 大 衛 城 , 上 到 為 他 建 造 的 宮 裡 ; 因 所 羅 門 說 : 耶 和 華 約 櫃 所 到 之 處 都 為 聖 地 , 所 以 我 的 妻 不 可 住 在 以 色 列 王 大 衛 的 宮 裡 。

12 所 羅 門 在 耶 和 華 的 壇 上 , 就 是 在 廊 子 前 他 所 築 的 壇 上 , 與 耶 和 華 獻 燔 祭 ;

13 又 遵 著 摩 西 的 吩 咐 在 安 息 日 、 月 朔 , 並 一 年 三 節 , 就 是 除 酵 節 、 七 七 節 、 住 棚 節 , 獻 每 日 所 當 獻 的 祭 。

14 所 羅 門 照 著 他 父 大 衛 所 定 的 例 , 派 定 祭 司 的 班 次 , 使 他 們 各 供 己 事 , 又 使 利 未 人 各 盡 其 職 , 讚 美 耶 和 華 , 在 祭 司 面 前 做 每 日 所 當 做 的 ; 又 派 守 門 的 按 著 班 次 看 守 各 門 , 因 為 神 人 大 衛 是 這 樣 吩 咐 的 。

15 王 所 吩 咐 眾 祭 司 和 利 未 人 的 , 無 論 是 管 府 庫 或 辦 別 的 事 , 他 們 都 不 違 背 。

16 所 羅 門 建 造 耶 和 華 的 殿 , 從 立 根 基 直 到 成 功 的 日 子 , 工 料 俱 備 。 這 樣 , 耶 和 華 的 殿 全 然 完 畢 。

17 那 時 , 所 羅 門 往 以 東 地 靠 海 的 以 旬 迦 別 和 以 祿 去 。

18 希 蘭 差 遣 他 的 臣 僕 , 將 船 隻 和 熟 悉 泛 海 的 僕 人 送 到 所 羅 門 那 裡 。 他 們 同 著 所 羅 門 的 僕 人 到 了 俄 斐 , 得 了 四 百 五 十 他 連 得 金 子 , 運 到 所 羅 門 王 那 裡 。

示 巴 女 王 聽 見 所 羅 門 的 名 聲 , 就 來 到 耶 路 撒 冷 , 要 用 難 解 的 話 試 問 所 羅 門 ; 跟 隨 他 的 人 甚 多 , 又 有 駱 駝 馱 著 香 料 、 寶 石 , 和 許 多 金 子 。 他 來 見 了 所 羅 門 , 就 把 心 裡 所 有 的 對 所 羅 門 都 說 出 來 。

所 羅 門 將 他 所 問 的 都 答 上 了 , 沒 有 一 句 不 明 白 、 不 能 答 的 。

示 巴 女 王 見 所 羅 門 的 智 慧 和 他 所 建 造 的 宮 室 、

席 上 的 珍 饈 美 味 、 群 臣 分 列 而 坐 、 僕 人 兩 旁 侍 立 , 以 及 他 們 的 衣 服 裝 飾 、 酒 政 , 和 酒 政 的 衣 服 裝 飾 , 又 見 他 上 耶 和 華 殿 的 臺 階 , 就 詫 異 得 神 不 守 舍 ,

對 王 說 : 我 在 本 國 裡 所 聽 見 論 到 你 的 事 和 你 的 智 慧 實 在 是 真 的 !

我 先 不 信 那 些 話 , 及 至 我 來 親 眼 見 了 , 才 知 道 你 的 大 智 慧 ; 人 所 告 訴 我 的 , 還 不 到 一 半 ; 你 的 實 跡 越 過 我 所 聽 見 的 名 聲 。

你 的 群 臣 、 你 的 僕 人 常 侍 立 在 你 面 前 聽 你 智 慧 的 話 是 有 福 的 。

耶 和 華 ─ 你 的 神 是 應 當 稱 頌 的 ! 他 喜 悅 你 , 使 你 坐 他 的 國 位 , 為 耶 和 華 ─ 你 的 神 作 王 ; 因 為 你 的 神 愛 以 色 列 人 , 要 永 遠 堅 立 他 們 , 所 以 立 你 作 他 們 的 王 , 使 你 秉 公 行 義 。

於 是 示 巴 女 王 將 一 百 二 十 他 連 得 金 子 和 寶 石 , 與 極 多 的 香 料 送 給 所 羅 門 王 ; 他 送 給 王 的 香 料 , 以 後 再 沒 有 這 樣 的 。

10 希 蘭 的 僕 人 和 所 羅 門 的 僕 人 從 俄 斐 運 了 金 子 來 , 也 運 了 檀 香 木 ( 或 作 烏 木 ; 下 同 ) 和 寶 石 來 。

11 王 用 檀 香 木 為 耶 和 華 殿 和 王 宮 做 臺 , 又 為 歌 唱 的 人 做 琴 瑟 ; 猶 大 地 從 來 沒 有 見 過 這 樣 的 。

12 所 羅 門 王 按 示 巴 女 王 所 帶 來 的 , 還 他 禮 物 , 另 外 照 他 一 切 所 要 所 求 的 , 都 送 給 他 。 於 是 女 王 和 他 臣 僕 轉 回 本 國 去 了 。

13 所 羅 門 每 年 所 得 的 金 子 共 有 六 百 六 十 六 他 連 得 ,

14 另 外 還 有 商 人 所 進 的 金 子 , 並 且 亞 拉 伯 諸 王 與 屬 國 的 省 長 都 帶 金 銀 給 所 羅 門 。

15 所 羅 門 王 用 錘 出 來 的 金 子 打 成 擋 牌 二 百 面 , 每 面 用 金 子 六 百 舍 客 勒 ;

16 又 用 錘 出 來 的 金 子 打 成 盾 牌 三 百 面 , 每 面 用 金 子 三 百 舍 客 勒 , 都 放 在 利 巴 嫩 林 宮 裡 。

17 王 用 象 牙 製 造 一 個 大 寶 座 , 用 精 金 包 裹 。

18 寶 座 有 六 層 臺 階 , 又 有 金 腳 凳 , 與 寶 座 相 連 。 寶 座 兩 旁 有 扶 手 , 靠 近 扶 手 有 兩 個 獅 子 站 立 。

19 六 層 臺 階 上 有 十 二 個 獅 子 站 立 , 每 層 有 兩 個 : 左 邊 一 個 , 右 邊 一 個 ; 在 列 國 中 沒 有 這 樣 做 的 。

20 所 羅 門 王 一 切 的 飲 器 都 是 金 的 , 利 巴 嫩 林 宮 裡 的 一 切 器 皿 都 是 精 金 的 。 所 羅 門 年 間 , 銀 子 算 不 了 甚 麼 。

21 因 為 王 的 船 隻 與 希 蘭 的 僕 人 一 同 往 他 施 去 ; 他 施 船 隻 三 年 一 次 裝 載 金 、 銀 、 象 牙 、 猿 猴 、 孔 雀 回 來 。

22 所 羅 門 王 的 財 寶 與 智 慧 勝 過 天 下 的 列 王 。

23 普 天 下 的 王 都 求 見 所 羅 門 , 要 聽 神 賜 給 他 智 慧 的 話 。

24 他 們 各 帶 貢 物 , 就 是 金 器 、 銀 器 、 衣 服 、 軍 械 、 香 料 、 騾 馬 , 每 年 有 一 定 之 例 。

25 所 羅 門 有 套 車 的 馬 四 千 棚 , 有 馬 兵 一 萬 二 千 , 安 置 在 屯 車 的 城 邑 和 耶 路 撒 冷 , 就 是 王 那 裡 。

26 所 羅 門 統 管 諸 王 , 從 大 河 到 非 利 士 地 , 直 到 埃 及 的 邊 界 。

27 王 在 耶 路 撒 冷 使 銀 子 多 如 石 頭 , 香 柏 木 多 如 高 原 的 桑 樹 。

28 有 人 從 埃 及 和 各 國 為 所 羅 門 趕 馬 群 來 。

29 所 羅 門 其 餘 的 事 , 自 始 至 終 , 不 都 寫 在 先 知 拿 單 的 書 上 和 示 羅 人 亞 希 雅 的 預 言 書 上 , 並 先 見 易 多 論 尼 八 兒 子 耶 羅 波 安 的 默 示 書 上 麼 ?

30 所 羅 門 在 耶 路 撒 冷 作 以 色 列 眾 人 的 王 共 四 十 年 。

31 所 羅 門 與 他 列 祖 同 睡 , 葬 在 他 父 大 衛 城 裡 。 他 兒 子 羅 波 安 接 續 他 作 王 。

10 羅 波 安 往 示 劍 去 , 因 為 以 色 列 人 都 到 了 示 劍 , 要 立 他 作 王 。

尼 八 的 兒 子 耶 羅 波 安 先 前 躲 避 所 羅 門 王 , 逃 往 埃 及 , 住 在 那 裡 ; 他 聽 見 這 事 , 就 從 埃 及 回 來 。

以 色 列 人 打 發 人 去 請 他 , 他 就 和 以 色 列 眾 人 來 見 羅 波 安 , 對 他 說 :

你 父 親 使 我 們 負 重 軛 做 苦 工 , 現 在 求 你 使 我 們 做 的 苦 工 負 的 重 軛 輕 鬆 些 , 我 們 就 事 奉 你 。

羅 波 安 對 他 們 說 : 第 三 日 再 來 見 我 罷 ! 民 就 去 了 。

羅 波 安 之 父 所 羅 門 在 世 的 日 子 , 有 侍 立 在 他 面 前 的 老 年 人 , 羅 波 安 王 和 他 們 商 議 , 說 : 你 們 給 我 出 個 甚 麼 主 意 , 我 好 回 覆 這 民 。

老 年 人 對 他 說 : 王 若 恩 待 這 民 , 使 他 們 喜 悅 , 用 好 話 回 覆 他 們 , 他 們 就 永 遠 作 王 的 僕 人 。

王 卻 不 用 老 年 人 給 他 出 的 主 意 , 就 和 那 些 與 他 一 同 長 大 、 在 他 面 前 侍 立 的 少 年 人 商 議 ,

說 : 這 民 對 我 說 : 你 父 親 使 我 們 負 重 軛 , 求 你 使 我 們 輕 鬆 些 ; 你 們 給 我 出 個 甚 麼 主 意 , 我 好 回 覆 他 們 。

10 那 同 他 長 大 的 少 年 人 說 : 這 民 對 王 說 : 你 父 親 使 我 們 負 重 軛 , 求 你 使 我 們 輕 鬆 些 ; 王 要 對 他 們 如 此 說 : 我 的 小 拇 指 比 我 父 親 的 腰 還 粗 ;

11 我 父 親 使 你 們 負 重 軛 , 我 必 使 你 們 負 更 重 的 軛 ; 我 父 親 用 鞭 子 責 打 你 們 , 我 要 用 蠍 子 鞭 責 打 你 們 。

12 耶 羅 波 安 和 眾 百 姓 遵 著 羅 波 安 王 所 說 你 們 第 三 日 再 來 見 我 的 那 話 , 第 三 日 他 們 果 然 來 了 。

13 羅 波 安 王 用 嚴 厲 的 話 回 覆 他 們 , 不 用 老 年 人 所 出 的 主 意 ,

14 照 著 少 年 人 所 出 的 主 意 對 他 們 說 : 我 父 親 使 你 們 負 重 軛 , 我 必 使 你 們 負 更 重 的 軛 ; 我 父 親 用 鞭 子 責 打 你 們 , 我 要 用 蠍 子 鞭 責 打 你 們 。

15 王 不 肯 依 從 百 姓 ; 這 事 乃 出 於 神 , 為 要 應 驗 耶 和 華 藉 示 羅 人 亞 希 雅 對 尼 八 兒 子 耶 羅 波 安 所 說 的 話 。

16 以 色 列 眾 民 見 王 不 依 從 他 們 , 就 對 王 說 : 我 們 與 大 衛 有 甚 麼 分 兒 呢 ? 與 耶 西 的 兒 子 並 沒 有 關 涉 ! 以 色 列 人 哪 , 各 回 各 家 去 罷 ! 大 衛 家 啊 , 自 己 顧 自 己 罷 ! 於 是 , 以 色 列 眾 人 都 回 自 己 家 裡 去 了 。

17 惟 獨 住 在 猶 大 城 邑 的 以 色 列 人 , 羅 波 安 仍 作 他 們 的 王 。

18 羅 波 安 王 差 遣 掌 管 服 苦 之 人 的 哈 多 蘭 往 以 色 列 人 那 裡 去 , 以 色 列 人 就 用 石 頭 打 死 他 。 羅 波 安 王 急 忙 上 車 , 逃 回 耶 路 撒 冷 去 了 。

19 這 樣 , 以 色 列 人 背 叛 大 衛 家 , 直 到 今 日 。

And it came to pass at the end of twenty years, wherein Solomon had built the house of the Lord, and his own house,

That the cities which Huram had restored to Solomon, Solomon built them, and caused the children of Israel to dwell there.

And Solomon went to Hamathzobah, and prevailed against it.

And he built Tadmor in the wilderness, and all the store cities, which he built in Hamath.

Also he built Bethhoron the upper, and Bethhoron the nether, fenced cities, with walls, gates, and bars;

And Baalath, and all the store cities that Solomon had, and all the chariot cities, and the cities of the horsemen, and all that Solomon desired to build in Jerusalem, and in Lebanon, and throughout all the land of his dominion.

As for all the people that were left of the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, which were not of Israel,

But of their children, who were left after them in the land, whom the children of Israel consumed not, them did Solomon make to pay tribute until this day.

But of the children of Israel did Solomon make no servants for his work; but they were men of war, and chief of his captains, and captains of his chariots and horsemen.

10 And these were the chief of king Solomon's officers, even two hundred and fifty, that bare rule over the people.

11 And Solomon brought up the daughter of Pharaoh out of the city of David unto the house that he had built for her: for he said, My wife shall not dwell in the house of David king of Israel, because the places are holy, whereunto the ark of the Lord hath come.

12 Then Solomon offered burnt offerings unto the Lord on the altar of the Lord, which he had built before the porch,

13 Even after a certain rate every day, offering according to the commandment of Moses, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts, three times in the year, even in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles.

14 And he appointed, according to the order of David his father, the courses of the priests to their service, and the Levites to their charges, to praise and minister before the priests, as the duty of every day required: the porters also by their courses at every gate: for so had David the man of God commanded.

15 And they departed not from the commandment of the king unto the priests and Levites concerning any matter, or concerning the treasures.

16 Now all the work of Solomon was prepared unto the day of the foundation of the house of the Lord, and until it was finished. So the house of the Lord was perfected.

17 Then went Solomon to Eziongeber, and to Eloth, at the sea side in the land of Edom.

18 And Huram sent him by the hands of his servants ships, and servants that had knowledge of the sea; and they went with the servants of Solomon to Ophir, and took thence four hundred and fifty talents of gold, and brought them to king Solomon.

And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to prove Solomon with hard questions at Jerusalem, with a very great company, and camels that bare spices, and gold in abundance, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart.

And Solomon told her all her questions: and there was nothing hid from Solomon which he told her not.

And when the queen of Sheba had seen the wisdom of Solomon, and the house that he had built,

And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel; his cupbearers also, and their apparel; and his ascent by which he went up into the house of the Lord; there was no more spirit in her.

And she said to the king, It was a true report which I heard in mine own land of thine acts, and of thy wisdom:

Howbeit I believed not their words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the one half of the greatness of thy wisdom was not told me: for thou exceedest the fame that I heard.

Happy are thy men, and happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and hear thy wisdom.

Blessed be the Lord thy God, which delighted in thee to set thee on his throne, to be king for the Lord thy God: because thy God loved Israel, to establish them for ever, therefore made he thee king over them, to do judgment and justice.

And she gave the king an hundred and twenty talents of gold, and of spices great abundance, and precious stones: neither was there any such spice as the queen of Sheba gave king Solomon.

10 And the servants also of Huram, and the servants of Solomon, which brought gold from Ophir, brought algum trees and precious stones.

11 And the king made of the algum trees terraces to the house of the Lord, and to the king's palace, and harps and psalteries for singers: and there were none such seen before in the land of Judah.

12 And king Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all her desire, whatsoever she asked, beside that which she had brought unto the king. So she turned, and went away to her own land, she and her servants.

13 Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred and threescore and six talents of gold;

14 Beside that which chapmen and merchants brought. And all the kings of Arabia and governors of the country brought gold and silver to Solomon.

15 And king Solomon made two hundred targets of beaten gold: six hundred shekels of beaten gold went to one target.

16 And three hundred shields made he of beaten gold: three hundred shekels of gold went to one shield. And the king put them in the house of the forest of Lebanon.

17 Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with pure gold.

18 And there were six steps to the throne, with a footstool of gold, which were fastened to the throne, and stays on each side of the sitting place, and two lions standing by the stays:

19 And twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other upon the six steps. There was not the like made in any kingdom.

20 And all the drinking vessels of king Solomon were of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold: none were of silver; it was not any thing accounted of in the days of Solomon.

21 For the king's ships went to Tarshish with the servants of Huram: every three years once came the ships of Tarshish bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks.

22 And king Solomon passed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom.

23 And all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom, that God had put in his heart.

24 And they brought every man his present, vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and raiment, harness, and spices, horses, and mules, a rate year by year.

25 And Solomon had four thousand stalls for horses and chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen; whom he bestowed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem.

26 And he reigned over all the kings from the river even unto the land of the Philistines, and to the border of Egypt.

27 And the king made silver in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar trees made he as the sycomore trees that are in the low plains in abundance.

28 And they brought unto Solomon horses out of Egypt, and out of all lands.

29 Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, first and last, are they not written in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite, and in the visions of Iddo the seer against Jeroboam the son of Nebat?

30 And Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel forty years.

31 And Solomon slept with his fathers, and he was buried in the city of David his father: and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead.

10 And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for to Shechem were all Israel come to make him king.

And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who was in Egypt, whither he fled from the presence of Solomon the king, heard it, that Jeroboam returned out of Egypt.

And they sent and called him. So Jeroboam and all Israel came and spake to Rehoboam, saying,

Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore ease thou somewhat the grievous servitude of thy father, and his heavy yoke that he put upon us, and we will serve thee.

And he said unto them, Come again unto me after three days. And the people departed.

And king Rehoboam took counsel with the old men that had stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, saying, What counsel give ye me to return answer to this people?

And they spake unto him, saying, If thou be kind to this people, and please them, and speak good words to them, they will be thy servants for ever.

But he forsook the counsel which the old men gave him, and took counsel with the young men that were brought up with him, that stood before him.

And he said unto them, What advice give ye that we may return answer to this people, which have spoken to me, saying, Ease somewhat the yoke that thy father did put upon us?

10 And the young men that were brought up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou answer the people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it somewhat lighter for us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father's loins.

11 For whereas my father put a heavy yoke upon you, I will put more to your yoke: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.

12 So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam on the third day, as the king bade, saying, Come again to me on the third day.

13 And the king answered them roughly; and king Rehoboam forsook the counsel of the old men,

14 And answered them after the advice of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add thereto: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.

15 So the king hearkened not unto the people: for the cause was of God, that the Lord might perform his word, which he spake by the hand of Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat.

16 And when all Israel saw that the king would not hearken unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? and we have none inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to your tents, O Israel: and now, David, see to thine own house. So all Israel went to their tents.

17 But as for the children of Israel that dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them.

18 Then king Rehoboam sent Hadoram that was over the tribute; and the children of Israel stoned him with stones, that he died. But king Rehoboam made speed to get him up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem.

19 And Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day.

My dear children,(A) I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate(B) with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins,(C) and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.(D)

Love and Hatred for Fellow Believers

We know(E) that we have come to know him(F) if we keep his commands.(G) Whoever says, “I know him,”(H) but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.(I) But if anyone obeys his word,(J) love for God[a] is truly made complete in them.(K) This is how we know(L) we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.(M)

Dear friends,(N) I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning.(O) This old command is the message you have heard. Yet I am writing you a new command;(P) its truth is seen in him and in you, because the darkness is passing(Q) and the true light(R) is already shining.(S)

Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister[b](T) is still in the darkness.(U) 10 Anyone who loves their brother and sister[c] lives in the light,(V) and there is nothing in them to make them stumble.(W) 11 But anyone who hates a brother or sister(X) is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness.(Y) They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.(Z)

Reasons for Writing

12 I am writing to you, dear children,(AA)
    because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.(AB)
13 I am writing to you, fathers,
    because you know him who is from the beginning.(AC)
I am writing to you, young men,
    because you have overcome(AD) the evil one.(AE)

14 I write to you, dear children,(AF)
    because you know the Father.
I write to you, fathers,
    because you know him who is from the beginning.(AG)
I write to you, young men,
    because you are strong,(AH)
    and the word of God(AI) lives in you,(AJ)
    and you have overcome the evil one.(AK)

On Not Loving the World

15 Do not love the world or anything in the world.(AL) If anyone loves the world, love for the Father[d] is not in them.(AM) 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh,(AN) the lust of the eyes,(AO) and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away,(AP) but whoever does the will of God(AQ) lives forever.

Warnings Against Denying the Son

18 Dear children, this is the last hour;(AR) and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming,(AS) even now many antichrists have come.(AT) This is how we know it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us,(AU) but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.(AV)

20 But you have an anointing(AW) from the Holy One,(AX) and all of you know the truth.[e](AY) 21 I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it(AZ) and because no lie comes from the truth. 22 Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist—denying the Father and the Son.(BA) 23 No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.(BB)

24 As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning(BC) remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father.(BD) 25 And this is what he promised us—eternal life.(BE)

26 I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray.(BF) 27 As for you, the anointing(BG) you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things(BH) and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.(BI)

God’s Children and Sin

28 And now, dear children,(BJ) continue in him, so that when he appears(BK) we may be confident(BL) and unashamed before him at his coming.(BM)

29 If you know that he is righteous,(BN) you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of him.(BO)

Footnotes

  1. 1 John 2:5 Or word, God’s love
  2. 1 John 2:9 The Greek word for brother or sister (adelphos) refers here to a believer, whether man or woman, as part of God’s family; also in verse 11; and in 3:15, 17; 4:20; 5:16.
  3. 1 John 2:10 The Greek word for brother and sister (adelphos) refers here to a believer, whether man or woman, as part of God’s family; also in 3:10; 4:20, 21.
  4. 1 John 2:15 Or world, the Father’s love
  5. 1 John 2:20 Some manuscripts and you know all things

我 小 子 們 哪 , 我 將 這 些 話 寫 給 你 們 , 是 要 叫 你 們 不 犯 罪 。 若 有 人 犯 罪 , 在 父 那 裡 我 們 有 一 位 中 保 , 就 是 那 義 者 耶 穌 基 督 。

他 為 我 們 的 罪 作 了 挽 回 祭 , 不 是 單 為 我 們 的 罪 , 也 是 為 普 天 下 人 的 罪 。

我 們 若 遵 守 他 的 誡 命 , 就 曉 得 是 認 識 他 。

人 若 說 我 認 識 他 , 卻 不 遵 守 他 的 誡 命 , 便 是 說 謊 話 的 , 真 理 也 不 在 他 心 裡 了 。

凡 遵 守 主 道 的 , 愛 神 的 心 在 他 裡 面 實 在 是 完 全 的 。 從 此 我 們 知 道 我 們 是 在 主 裡 面 。

人 若 說 他 住 在 主 裡 面 , 就 該 自 己 照 主 所 行 的 去 行 。

親 愛 的 弟 兄 阿 , 我 寫 給 你 們 的 , 不 是 一 條 新 命 令 , 乃 是 你 們 從 起 初 所 受 的 舊 命 令 ; 這 舊 命 令 就 是 你 們 所 聽 見 的 道 。

再 者 , 我 寫 給 你 們 的 , 是 一 條 新 命 令 , 在 主 是 真 的 , 在 你 們 也 是 真 的 ; 因 為 黑 暗 漸 漸 過 去 , 真 光 已 經 照 耀 。

人 若 說 自 己 在 光 明 中 , 卻 恨 他 的 弟 兄 , 他 到 如 今 還 是 在 黑 暗 裡 。

10 愛 弟 兄 的 , 就 是 住 在 光 明 中 , 在 他 並 沒 有 絆 跌 的 緣 由 。

11 惟 獨 恨 弟 兄 的 , 是 在 黑 暗 裡 , 且 在 黑 暗 裡 行 , 也 不 知 道 往 那 裡 去 , 因 為 黑 暗 叫 他 眼 睛 瞎 了 。

12 小 子 們 哪 , 我 寫 信 給 你 們 , 因 為 你 們 的 罪 藉 著 主 名 得 了 赦 免 。

13 父 老 阿 , 我 寫 信 給 你 們 , 因 為 你 們 認 識 那 從 起 初 原 有 的 。 少 年 人 哪 , 我 寫 信 給 你 們 , 因 為 你 們 勝 了 那 惡 者 。 小 子 們 哪 , 我 曾 寫 信 給 你 們 , 因 為 你 們 認 識 父 。

14 父 老 阿 , 我 曾 寫 信 給 你 們 , 因 為 , 你 們 認 識 那 從 起 初 原 有 的 。 少 年 人 哪 , 我 曾 寫 信 給 你 們 ; 因 為 , 你 們 剛 強 , 神 的 道 常 存 在 你 們 心 裡 ; 你 們 也 勝 了 那 惡 者 。

15 不 要 愛 世 界 和 世 界 上 的 事 。 人 若 愛 世 界 , 愛 父 的 心 就 不 在 他 裡 面 了 。

16 因 為 凡 世 界 上 的 事 , 就 像 肉 體 的 情 慾 , 眼 目 的 情 慾 , 並 今 生 的 驕 傲 , 都 不 是 從 父 來 的 , 乃 是 從 世 界 來 的 。

17 這 世 界 和 其 上 的 情 慾 都 要 過 去 , 惟 獨 遵 行 神 旨 意 的 , 是 永 遠 常 存 。

18 小 子 們 哪 , 如 今 是 末 時 了 。 你 們 曾 聽 見 說 , 那 敵 基 督 的 要 來 ; 現 在 已 經 有 好 些 敵 基 督 的 出 來 了 , 從 此 我 們 就 知 道 如 今 是 末 時 了 。

19 他 們 從 我 們 中 間 出 去 , 卻 不 是 屬 我 們 的 ; 若 是 屬 我 們 的 , 就 必 仍 舊 與 我 們 同 在 ; 他 們 出 去 , 顯 明 都 不 是 屬 我 們 的 。

20 你 們 從 那 聖 者 受 了 恩 膏 , 並 且 知 道 這 一 切 的 事 ( 或 作 : 都 有 知 識 ) 。

21 我 寫 信 給 你 們 , 不 是 因 你 們 不 知 道 真 理 , 正 是 因 你 們 知 道 , 並 且 知 道 沒 有 虛 謊 是 從 真 理 出 來 的 。

22 誰 是 說 謊 話 的 呢 ? 不 是 那 不 認 耶 穌 為 基 督 的 麼 ? 不 認 父 與 子 的 , 這 就 是 敵 基 督 的 。

23 凡 不 認 子 的 , 就 沒 有 父 ; 認 子 的 , 連 父 也 有 了 。

24 論 到 你 們 , 務 要 將 那 從 起 初 所 聽 見 的 , 常 存 在 心 裡 。 若 將 從 起 初 所 聽 見 的 存 在 心 裡 , 你 們 就 必 住 在 子 裡 面 , 也 必 住 在 父 裡 面 。

25 主 所 應 許 我 們 的 就 是 永 生 。

26 我 將 這 些 話 寫 給 你 們 , 是 指 著 那 引 誘 你 們 的 人 說 的 。

27 你 們 從 主 所 受 的 恩 膏 常 存 在 你 們 心 裡 , 並 不 用 人 教 訓 你 們 , 自 有 主 的 恩 膏 在 凡 事 上 教 訓 你 們 。 這 恩 膏 是 真 的 , 不 是 假 的 ; 你 們 要 按 這 恩 膏 的 教 訓 住 在 主 裡 面 。

28 小 子 們 哪 , 你 們 要 住 在 主 裡 面 。 這 樣 , 他 若 顯 現 , 我 們 就 可 以 坦 然 無 懼 ; 當 他 來 的 時 候 , 在 他 面 前 也 不 至 於 慚 愧 。

29 你 們 若 知 道 他 是 公 義 的 , 就 知 道 凡 行 公 義 之 人 都 是 他 所 生 的 。

My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.

He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.

He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.

Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.

He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.

10 He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.

11 But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.

12 I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.

13 I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.

14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.

15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.

22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.

23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.

24 Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.

25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.

26 These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.

27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

29 If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.