3 Kings

22 chapters

Chapter summaries

The Douay-Rheims’ own argument for each chapter. Tap a number above to read.

1. 1King David waxing old, Abisag a Sunamite is brought to him. 5. Adonias pretending to reign, 11. Nathan and Bethsabee obtain, 28. that Salomon is declared and anointed King. 41. Whereupon Adonias (his followers parting to their houses) 50. fleeth to the altar in the tabernacle, but upon promise of safety doth homage to Salomon.
2. 2David giveth godly precepts to Salomon. 5. willeth him to punish certain offenders: 10. and dieth. 12. Salomon reigneth. 13. Adonias, by intercession of Bethsabee, requesteth to have Abisag to wife: 22. but is put to death for demanding her. 26. Abiathar the priest is banished, and deposed, for conspiring with Adonias. 28. Joab also for the same cause, and former crimes is slain. 36. Semei is confined in Jerusalem, 40. and for transgressing his limits, together with all faults is likewise slain.
3. 3King Salomon marrieth Pharao's sister. 3. offereth Victims in high places. 5. admonished by God in his sleep to demand what he will, he asketh wisdom to govern his people. 10. which God granteth him, with much riches also and glory. 16. He decideth a controversy between two women contending about a living child and a dead.
4. 4Chief men of Salomon's kingdom are recited by their names, and officers. 22. likewise the provision of victuals for his house, 26. the number of his horses, 29. his wisdom excelleth all others. 32. he writeth many parables and verses, and learnedly discoursed of all things.
5. 5Hiram king of Tyre granteth timber and workmen for building the Temple: Salomon allowing victuals, and paying wages. 13. the number of workmen and overseers.
6. 6In the year four hundred and fourscore after the Israelites came from Egypt, Salomon, the fourth year of his reign, beginneth to build the Temple. 2. The principal parts with the greatness, form, and ornaments thereof are described. 38. it is in building seven years.
7. 7Salomon's palace, 2. his house in the forest, 8. and the queen's house is built, 15. Two great brazen pillars: 23. a sea (or laver) 27. ten brazen feet. 38. ten little lavatories, and other vessels, and implements pertaining to the Temple, adorned with images of Angels, and other creatures are further described.
8. 8The ark is brought in, and the temple dedicated. 10. a glorious cloud and resplendent bright, 14. Salomon prayeth long to God, 55. blesseth the people. 62. and many victims are offered in this solemn festivity.
9. 9Our Lord appearing again to Salomon. 4. admonisheth him and his people to keep the precepts. 6. threatening punishment if they do not. 10. The king of Tyre receiveth seventy cities of Salomon, but liketh them not. 14. Salomon buildeth more cities and towns. 20. Maketh divers nations tributary. 24. The Queen repaireth to her house. 25. The king offereth victims thrice every year. 26. and fetcheth gold from Ophir.
10. 10The queen of Saba coming to king Salomon, admireth his wisdom, magnificence, and order of government 10. she giveth and receiveth gifts. 14. Salomon receiveth much gold divers ways: 16. maketh golden targets. 18. a magnificent throne. 21. and much golden vessel. 25. Many bring him presents. 26. He hath many chariots, horsemen. 27. abundance of silver 28. Merchants of divers kingdoms sell him horses.
11. 11Salomon loving and marrying many women of divers nations, is drawn by them to idolatry. 9. God therefore offended suffereth Adad an Idumean, 23. Razon king of Damascus, 26. and Hieroboam his own servant to make war against him. 29. Ahias the prophet foretelleth Hieroboam, that he shall reign over ten tribes, leaving but two to Salomon's heirs, 38. with promise to prosper, if he serve God. 42. Salomon dieth.
12. 12Roboam following young men's counsel, 16. Jeroboam possesseth ten tribes of his Kingdom. 21. Which he endeavouring to recover by war, is admonished by a prophet to cease. 26. Hieroboam setteth up golden calves to be adored, making temples, altars, and priests fit for his purpose.
13. 13A prophet sent from Juda to Bethel foretelleth the birth of Josias, and destruction of Jeroboam's altar, 4. whose hand being suddenly withered, 6. is restored by the prophet's prayer. 11. The same prophet is deceived by another prophet, and slain by a lion. 33. Hieroboam proceedeth in impiety.
14. 14Abias the prophet foresheweth the ruin of Hieroboam's family: 12. namely the death of his son, for whom being sick, the mother consulteth the prophet. 20. Hieroboam dieth, and his son Nadab reigneth. 21. Some also of the people of Juda, committing idolatry and other sins, 25. the King of Egypt invadeth and sacketh Jerusalem. 31. Roboam dieth and his son Abias reigneth.
15. 15Abias reigneth wickedly in Juda three years. 8. After him his son Asa succeeding destroyeth idolatry, reigning forty-one years. 16. Who having wars with the king of Israel, maketh league with the king of Syria, 24. Asa dying Josaphat succedeth. 25. Nadab reigneth wickedly two years in Israel, is then slain by Baasa of the tribe of Issachar, 29. and his whole family is destroyed. 33. Baasa also reigneth wickedly twenty-four years.
16. 16Jehu for prophesying the destruction of Baasa and his house, 7. is slain. 8. yet his son Ela reigneth two years. 9. Then Zambri rebelleth, killeth Ela, and reigneth. 16. Part of the people choosing Amri (prince of the army) their king, 18. Zambri desperately burneth himself and the king's palace, 21. another part follow Thebni as king till his death. 23. Amri reigneth twelve years wickedly. 29. His son Achab succedeth, marrieth Jezabel, and serveth Baal. 34. In the mean time Hiel repaireth Jericho.
17. 17Elias by his prayer shutteth the heaven from raining. 2. Is fed by a crow. 8 and by a widow of Sareptha. 13. whose pot of meal, and barrel of oil diminisheth not. 17. Her son dieth, and is raised to life.
18. 18The third year of famine, Elias meeting the chief governor of Achab's house, hardly persuadeth him to tell Achab, that he is present. 17. Achab blameth Elias; but Elias freely avoucheth that not he, but Achab troubleth Israel. 19. By a miracle four hundred and fifty false prophets are convinced, 40. and are slain. 41. Elias prayeth and it raineth.
19. 19Elias fleeing Jezabel, in the desert eateth a hearth cake and drinketh water, brought by an Angel, and so goeth forty days and nights unto mount Horeb. 9. Lamenting that he alone is left of the prophets of God. 15. God commandeth him to return to Damascus, and anoint Hazael king of Syria, Jehu king of Israel, and Eliseus a prophet: 18. and telleth him, there remain seven thousand in Israel, which have not bowed to Baal.
20. 20The Syrians threatening and besieging Samaria, 13. God signifieth by a prophet to Achab, that he shall have the victory. 20. Which he obtaineth. 23. Also the second year fighting in the champaign. 31. But saving the king of Syrians' life, and making league with him, 35. one of the children of the prophets being slain, for not striking when he was so commanded, 37. another denounceth revenge to Achab, for not killing the Syrian King.
21. 21Naboth for denying his vineyard to King Achab, is by queen Jezabel's commandment, falsely accused, and stoned to death. 10. Achab hastening to possess the vineyard, Elias the prophet threateneth him many evils. 23. and no less to Jezabel: both being obstinate in sin. 27. Yet Achab for fear of punishment, doth external works of penance, and thereby escapeth part of the temporal plagues.
22. 22Achab King of Israel consulting and believing false prophets rather than Micheas a true prophet, accompanied with Josaphat king of Juda, resolveth to fight against the Syrians for Ramoth Galaad. 16. Committeth Micheas to prison, 29. proceedeth to the war, 34. is slain, and Ochozias succeedeth. 41. Josaphat refuseth to traffic longer with Ochozias; dieth, and his son Joram reigneth. 52. Ochozias followeth the evil steps of his parents.