David 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.David geueth godlie preceptes to Salomon. 5. willeth him to punish certaine offenders: 10. and dieth. 12. Salomon reigneth. 13. Adonias, by intercession of Bethsabee, requesteth to haue 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. Ioab also for the same cause, and former crimes is slaine. 36. Semei is confined in Ierusalem, 40. & for transgressing his limites, together with all faultes is likewise slaine.✦
The second part. Of Salomons reigne, and actes good and bad.
And the days of David approached that he should die, and he commanded his son Salomon, saying:AND the dayes of Dauid approched that he should die, and he commanded his sonne Salomon, saying:Appropinquaverunt autem dies David ut moreretur : præcepitque Salomoni filio suo, dicens :
2I enter into the way of all flesh: take courage, and play the man.I enter into the way of al flesh: take courage, and play the man.✦Ego ingredior viam universæ terræ : confortare, et esto vir.
3And observe the watches of our Lord thy God, that thou walk in his ways, and keep his ceremonies, and his precepts, and judgments, and testimonies, as is written in the law of Moyses: that thou mayst understand all things which thou doest, and whithersoever thou shalt turn thyself:And obserue the watches of our Lord thy God, that thou walke in his waies, and keepe his ceremonies, and his preceptes, and iudgementes, and testimonies, as is written in the law of Moyses: that thou mayst vnderstand al thinges which thou doest, and whithersoeuer thou shalt turne thy selfe:✦Et observa custodias Domini Dei tui, ut ambules in viis ejus : ut custodias cæremonias ejus, et præcepta ejus, et judicia, et testimonia, sicut scriptum est in lege Moysi : ut intelligas universa quæ facis, et quocumque te verteris :
4that our Lord may confirm his words, which he hath spoken of me, saying: If thy children shall keep their ways, and walk before me in truth, in all their heart, and in all their soul, there shall not altogether be taken from thee a man out of the throne of Israel.that our Lord may confirme his wordes, which he hath spoken of me, saying: If thy children shal keepe their waies, and walke before me in truth, in al their hart, and in al their soul, there shal not altogether be taken from thee a man out of the throne of Israel.ut confirmet Dominus sermones suos quos locutus est de me, dicens : Si custodierint filii tui vias suas, et ambulaverint coram me in veritate, in omni corde suo et in omni anima sua, non auferetur tibi vir de solio Israël.
5Thou knowest also what Joab the son of Sarvia hath done to me, what he did to the two princes of the army of Israel, to Abner the son of Ner, and Amasa the son of Jether: whom he slew, and shed the blood of war in peace, and put the blood of battle in his belt, which was about his loins, and in his shoe, which was on his feet.Thou knowest also what Ioab the sonne of Saruia hath done to me, what he did to the two princes of the armie of Israel, to Abner the sonne of Ner, and Amasa the sonne of Iether: whom he slewe, & shed the bloud of warre in peace, & put the bloud of battel in his belt, which was about his loynes, and in his shoe, which was on his feete.✦Tu quoque nosti quæ fecerit mihi Joab filius Sarviæ, quæ fecerit duobus principibus exercitus Israël, Abner filio Ner, et Amasæ filio Jether : quos occidit, et effudit sanguinem belli in pace, et posuit cruorem prælii in balteo suo qui erat circa lumbos ejus, et in calceamento suo quod erat in pedibus ejus.
6Thou shalt do therefore according to thy wisdom, and shalt not bring his canitiem: grey, white with age head peaceably unto inferos: the grave, the abode of the dead.Thou shalt doe therfore according to thy wisedom, and shalt not bring his hoare head peaceably vnto hel.✦Facies ergo juxta sapientiam tuam, et non deduces canitiem ejus pacifice ad inferos.
7But to the sons also of Berzellai the Galaadite thou shalt render kindness, and they shall eat on thy table: for they met me when I fled from the face of Absalom thy brother.But to the sonnes also of Berzellai the Galaadite thou shalt render kindnes, and they shal eate on thy table: for they mette me when I fled from the face of Absalom thy brother.Sed et filiis Berzellai Galaaditis reddes gratiam, eruntque comedentes in mensa tua : occurrerunt enim mihi quando fugiebam a facie Absalom fratris tui.
8Thou hast also with thee Semei the son of Gera the son of Jemini of Bahurim, who cursed me with a wicked curse, when I went to the Camp; but because he came down to meet me when I passed Jordan, and I sware to him by our Lord, saying: I will not kill thee with the sword:Thou hast also with thee Semei the sonne of Gera the sonne of Iemini of Bahurim, who cursed me with a wicked curse, when I went to the Campe; but because he came downe to meete me when I passed Iordan, and I sware to him by our Lord, saying: I wil not kil thee with the sword:✦Habes quoque apud te Semei filium Gera filii Jemini de Bahurim, qui maledixit mihi maledictione pessima quando ibam ad castra : sed quia descendit mihi in occursum cum transirem Jordanem, et juravi ei per Dominum, dicens : Non te interficiam gladio :
9do not thou pati: allow, permit him to be guiltless. But thou art a wise man, so that thou knowest what thou shalt do to him: and thou shalt bring his hoar hair with blood unto hell.doe not thou suffer him to be guiltles. But thou art a wise man, so that thou knowest what thou shalt doe to him: and thou shalt bring his hoare heare with bloud vnto hel.tu noli pati eum esse innoxium. Vir autem sapiens es, ut scias quæ facies ei : deducesque canos ejus cum sanguine ad inferos.
10So David slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David.So Dauid slept with his fathers, and was buried in the citie of Dauid.✦Dormivit igitur David cum patribus suis, et sepultus est in civitate David.
11And the days that David reigned in Israel, are forty years: in Hebron he reigned seven years, in Jerusalem thirty three.And the daies that Dauid reigned in Israel, are fourtie yeares: in Hebron he reigned seuen yeares, in Ierusalem thirtie three.Dies autem quibus regnavit David super Israël, quadraginta anni sunt : in Hebron regnavit septem annis ; in Jerusalem, triginta tribus.
12And Salomon sat upon the throne of David his father, and his kingdom was confirmed exceedingly.And Salomon sate vpon the throne of Dauid his father, and his kingdome was confirmed exceedingly.Salomon autem sedit super thronum David patris sui, et firmatum est regnum ejus nimis.
13And Adonias the son of Haggith entered in to Bethsabee the mother of Salomon. Who said to him: Is thy coming peaceable? And he answered: peaceable.And Adonias the sonne of Haggith entered in to Bethsabee the mother of Salomon. Who said to him: Is thy comming peaceable? And he answered: peaceable.Et ingressus est Adonias filius Haggith ad Bethsabee matrem Salomonis. Quæ dixit ei : Pacificusne est ingressus tuus ? Qui respondit : Pacificus.
14And he added: I have a word to speak to thee. To whom she said: Speak. And he:And he added: I haue a word to speake to thee. To whom she said: Speake. And he:Addiditque : Sermo mihi est ad te. Cui ait : Loquere. Et ille :
15Thou knowest, quoth he, that the kingdom was mine, and all Israel had purposed to make me over them to be their king: but the kingdom is translatum: transferred, made over, and is made my brother's: for it was appointed him of our Lord.Thou knowest, quoth he, that the kingdom was mine, and al Israel had purposed to make me ouer them to be their king: but the kingdom is transposed, & is made my brothers: for it was appointed him of our Lord.Tu, inquit, nosti, quia meum erat regnum, et me præposuerat omnis Israël sibi in regem : sed translatum est regnum, et factum est fratris mei : a Domino enim constitutum est ei.
16Now therefore I desire one petition of thee, confundas: confuse; put to shame, send away ashamed not my face. Who said to him: Speak.Now therefore I desire one petition of thee, Confound not my face. Who said to him: Speake.Nunc ergo petitionem unam precor a te : ne confundas faciem meam. Quæ dixit ad eum : Loquere.
17And he said: I pray speak to Salomon the king (for he cannot deny thee any thing) that he give me Abisag the Sunamite to wife.And he said: I pray speake to Salomon the king (for he can not denie thee any thing) that he geue me Abisag the Sunamite to wife.✦Et ille ait : Precor ut dicas Salomoni regi (neque enim negare tibi quidquam potest) ut det mihi Abisag Sunamitidem uxorem.
18And Bethsabee said: well, I will speak for thee to the king.And Bethsabee said: wel, I wil speake for thee to the king.Et ait Bethsabee : Bene : ego loquar pro te regi.
19Bethsabee therefore came to king Salomon, that he might speak to him for Adonias: and the king arose to meet her, and adored her, and sat down upon his throne: and a throne was set for the king's mother, who sat on his right hand.Bethsabee therfore came to king Salomon, that he might speake to him for Adonias: and the king arose to meete her, and adored her, and sate downe vpon his throne: and a throne was sette for the kinges mother, who sate on his right hand.✦Venit ergo Bethsabee ad regem Salomonem ut loqueretur ei pro Adonia : et surrexit rex in occursum ejus, adoravitque eam, et sedit super thronum suum : positusque est thronus matri regis, quæ sedit ad dexteram ejus.
20And she said to him: One little petition I desire of thee, confound not my face. And the King said to her: My mother ask: for it behoveth not that I turn away thy face.And she said to him: One litle petition I desire of thee, confound not my face. And the King said to her: My mother aske: for it behoueth not that I turne away thy face.✦Dixitque ei : Petitionem unam parvulam ego deprecor a te : ne confundas faciem meam. Et dixit ei rex : Pete, mater mea : neque enim fas est ut avertam faciem tuam.
21Who said: Let Abisag the Sunamite be given to Adonias thy brother to wife.Who said: Let Abisag the Sunamite be geuen to Adonias thy brother to wife.Quæ ait : Detur Abisag Sunamitis Adoniæ fratri tuo uxor.
22And king Salomon answered, and said to his mother: Why dost thou ask Abisag the Sunamite for Adonias? ask for him also the kingdom: for he is my brother elder then I, and hath Abiathar the priest, and Joab the son of Sarvia.And king Salomon answered, and said to his mother: Why doest thou aske Abisag the Sunamite for Adonias? aske for him also the kingdom: for he is my brother elder then I, & hath Abiathar the priest, & Ioab the sonne of Saruia.✦Responditque rex Salomon, et dixit matri suæ : Quare postulas Abisag Sunamitidem Adoniæ ? postula ei et regnum : ipse est enim frater meus major me, et habet Abiathar sacerdotem, et Joab filium Sarviæ.
23Therefore king Salomon sware by our Lord, saying: These things do God to me, and these add he, because Adonias hath spoken this word against his life.Therfore king Salomon sware by our Lord, saying: These thinges doe God to me, and these adde he, because Adonias hath spoken this word against his life.Juravit itaque rex Salomon per Dominum, dicens : Hæc faciat mihi Deus, et hæc addat, quia contra animam suam locutus est Adonias verbum hoc.
24And now, our Lord liveth which hath established me, and placed me upon the throne of David my father, and which hath made me a house, as he spake, this day shall Adonias be slain.And now, our Lord liueth which hath established me, and placed me vpon the throne of Dauid my father, and which hath made me a house, as he spake, this day shal Adonias be slaine.Et nunc vivit Dominus, qui firmavit me, et collocavit me super solium David patris mei, et qui fecit mihi domum, sicut locutus est, quia hodie occidetur Adonias.
25And king Salomon sent by the hand of Banaias the son of Joiada, who slew him, and he died.And king Salomon sent by the hand of Banaias the sonne of Ioiada, who slewe him, and he died.✦Misitque rex Salomon per manum Banaiæ filii Jojadæ, qui interfecit eum, et mortuus est.
26To Abiathar also the priest the king said: Go into Anathoth to thy field, and thou in deed art a man of death: but to day I will not kill thee, because thou didst carry the ark of our Lord God before David my father, and hast sustained labour in all things, wherein my father laboured.To Abiathar also the priest the king said: Goe into Anathoth to thy field, and thou in deede art a man of death: but to day I wil not kil thee, because thou diddest carie the arke of our Lord God before Dauid my father, & hast susteyned labour in al thinges, wherein my father laboured.✦Abiathar quoque sacerdoti dixit rex : Vade in Anathoth ad agrum tuum : equidem vir mortis es : sed hodie te non interficiam, quia portasti arcam Domini Dei coram David patre meo, et sustinuisti laborem in omnibus in quibus laboravit pater meus.
27Salomon therefore cast out Abiathar, that he should not be the priest of our Lord, that the word of our Lord might be fulfilled, which he spake concerning the house of Heli in Silo.Salomon therefore cast out Abiathar, that he should not be the priest of our Lord, that the word of our lord might be fulfilled, which he spake concerning the house of Heli in Silo.✦Ejecit ergo Salomon Abiathar ut non esset sacerdos Domini, ut impleretur sermo Domini quem locutus est super domum Heli in Silo.
28And then a messenger came to Joab that Joab had turned after Adonias, and after Salomon had not turned: Joab therefore fled into the tabernacle of our Lord, and caught the horn of the altar.And then a messenger came to Ioab that Ioab had turned after Adonias, and after Salomon had not turned: Ioab therefore fled into the tabernacle of our Lord, & caught the horne of the altar.✦Venit autem nuntius ad Joab, quod Joab declinasset post Adoniam, et post Salomonem non declinasset : fugit ergo Joab in tabernaculum Domini, et apprehendit cornu altaris.
29And it was told king Salomon, that Joab was fled into the tabernacle of our Lord, and was beside the altar: and Salomon sent Banaias the son of Joiada, saying: Go, kill him.And it was told king Salomon, that Ioab was fled into the tabernacle of our Lord, and was beside the altar: & Salomon sent Banaias the sonne of Ioiada, saying: Goe, kil him.Nuntiatumque est regi Salomoni quod fugisset Joab in tabernaculum Domini, et esset juxta altare : misitque Salomon Banaiam filium Jojadæ, dicens : Vade, interfice eum.
30And Banaias came to the tabernacle of our Lord, and said to him: Thus saith the king: Come forth. Who said: I will not come forth, but here will I die. Banaias reported his word to the king, saying: Thus spake Joab, and thus he answered me.And Banaias came to the tabernacle of our Lord, and said to him: Thus sayth the king: Come forth. Who said: I wil not come forth, but here wil I die. Banaias reported his word to the king, saying: Thus spake Ioab, and thus he answered me.✦Et venit Banaias ad tabernaculum Domini, et dixit ei : Hæc dicit rex : Egredere. Qui ait : Non egrediar, sed hic moriar. Renuntiavit Banaias regi sermonem, dicens : Hæc locutus est Joab, et hæc respondit mihi.
31And the king said to him: Do as he hath spoken: and kill him, and bury him, and thou shalt remove the innocent blood, which hath been shed of Joab, from me, and from the house of my father.And the king said to him: Doe as he hath spoken: and kil him, & burie him, and thou shalt remoue the innocent bloud, which hath bene shed of Ioab, from me, and from the house of my father.✦Dixitque ei rex : Fac sicut locutus est, et interfice eum, et sepeli : et amovebis sanguinem innocentem qui effusus est a Joab, a me, et a domo patris mei.
32And our Lord shall return his blood upon his head, because he murdered two just men, and better then himself: and slew them with his sword, my father David not knowing, Abner the son of Ner general of the militiæ: the army, military host of Israel, and Amasa the son of Jether general of the army of Juda:And our Lord shal returne his bloud vpon his head, because he murdered two iust men, and better then him selfe: and slew them with his sword, my father Dauid not knowing, Abner the sonne of Ner general of the warfare of Israel, and Amasa the sonne of Iether general of the armie of Iuda:Et reddet Dominus sanguinem ejus super caput ejus, quia interfecit duos viros justos, melioresque se : et occidit eos gladio, patre meo David ignorante, Abner filium Ner principem militiæ Israël, et Amasam filium Jether principem exercitus Juda :
33and their blood shall return upon the head of Joab, and upon the head of his seed for ever. But to David and his seed and his house, and to his throne be peace for ever from our Lord.and their bloud shal returne vpon the head of Ioab, and vpon the head of his seede for euer. But to Dauid and his seede and his house, and to his throne be peace for euer from our Lord.et revertetur sanguis illorum in caput Joab, et in caput seminis ejus in sempiternum. David autem et semini ejus, et domui, et throno illius, sit pax usque in æternum a Domino.
34Banaias therefore the son of Joiada went up, and setting upon him slew him: and he was buried in his house in the desert.Banaias therfore the sonne of Ioiada went vp, and setting vpon him slewe him: and he was buried in his house in the desert.Ascendit itaque Banaias filius Jojadæ, et aggressus eum interfecit : sepultusque est in domo sua in deserto.
35And the king appointed Banaias the son of Joiada for him over the army, and Sadoc the priest he placed for Abiathar.And the king appoynted Banaias the sonne of Ioiada for him ouer the armie, and Sadoc the priest he placed for Abiathar.Et constituit rex Banaiam filium Jojadæ pro eo super exercitum, et Sadoc sacerdotem posuit pro Abiathar.
36The king also sent, and called Semei, and said to him: Build thee a house in Jerusalem, and dwell there: and thou shalt not go out thence hither and thither.The king also sent, and called Semei, and said to him: Build thee a house in Ierusalem, and dwel there: and thou shalt not goe out thence hither and thither.Misit quoque rex, et vocavit Semei : dixitque ei : Ædifica tibi domum in Jerusalem, et habita ibi : et non egredieris inde huc atque illuc.
37But what day soever thou shalt go out, and shalt pass the Torrent Cedron know that thou art to be slain: thy blood shall be upon thy head.But what day soeuer thou shalt goe out, and shalt passe the Torrent Cedron know that thou art to be slaine: thy bloud shal be vpon thy head.Quacumque autem die egressus fueris, et transieris torrentem Cedron, scito te interficiendum : sanguis tuus erit super caput tuum.
38And Semei said to the king: The saying is good: as my lord the king hath spoken, so will thy servant do. Semei therefore dwelt in Jerusalem, many days.And Semei said to the king: The saying is good: as my lord the king hath spoken, so wil thy seruant doe. Semei therfore dwelt in Ierusalem, manie dayes.Dixitque Semei regi : Bonus sermo : sicut locutus est dominus meus rex, sic faciet servus tuus. Habitavit itaque Semei in Jerusalem diebus multis.
39And it came to pass after three years, that the servants of Semei fled to Achis the son of Maacha the king of Geth: and it was told Semei that his servants were gone into Geth.And it came to passe after three yeares, that the seruantes of Semei fled to Achis the sonne of Maacha the king of Geth: and it was told Semei that his seruantes were gone into Geth.Factum est autem post annos tres ut fugerent servi Semei ad Achis filium Maacha regem Geth : nuntiatumque est Semei quod servi ejus issent in Geth.
40And Semei arose, and saddled his ass, and went to Achis into Geth to require his servants, and he brought them out of Geth.And Semei arose, and sadled his asse, and went to Achis into Geth to require his seruantes, and he brought them out of Geth.Et surrexit Semei, et stravit asinum suum, ivitque ad Achis in Geth ad requirendum servos suos, et adduxit eos de Geth.
41And it was told Salomon that Semei went into Geth out of Jerusalem, and was returned.And it was told Salomon that Semei went into Geth out of Ierusalem, and was returned.Nuntiatum est autem Salomoni quod isset Semei in Geth de Jerusalem, et rediisset.
42And sending he called him, and said to him: Did I not testify to thee by our Lord, and told thee before: What day soever thou going out shalt pass hither and thither, know that thou shalt die? And thou didst answer me: The saying is good, which I have heard.And sending he called him, and said to him: Did I not testifie to thee by our Lord, and told thee before: What day soeuer thou going out shalt passe hither & thither, know that thou shalt die? And thou diddest answere me: The saying is good, which I haue heard.Et mittens vocavit eum, dixitque illi : Nonne testificatus sum tibi per Dominum, et prædixi tibi : Quacumque die egressus ieris huc et illuc, scito te esse moriturum : et respondisti mihi : Bonus sermo, quem audivi ?
43Why then hast thou not kept the oath of our Lord, and the precept that I commanded thee?Why then hast thou not kept the oath of our Lord, and the precept that I commanded thee?quare ergo non custodisti jusjurandum Domini, et præceptum quod præceperam tibi ?
44And the king said to Semei: Thou knowest all the evil, whereof thy heart is conscium: aware, conscious to thyself, which thou didst to David my father: our Lord hath rendered thy malice upon thy head:And the king said to Semei: Thou knowest al the euil, wherof thy hart is priuy to thy selfe, which thou didst to Dauid my father: our Lord hath rendred thy malice vpon thy head:✦Dixitque rex ad Semei : Tu nosti omne malum cujus tibi conscium est cor tuum, quod fecisti David patri meo : reddidit Dominus malitiam tuam in caput tuum :
45And king Salomon be blessed, and the throne of David shall be stable before our Lord for ever.And king Salomon be blessed, and the throne of Dauid shal be stable before our Lord for euer.et rex Salomon benedictus, et thronus David erit stabilis coram Domino usque in sempiternum.
46The king therefore commanded Banaias the son of Joiada: who going out, percussit: struck him, and he died.The king therefore commanded Banaias the sonne of Ioiada: who going out, stroke him, and he died.Jussit itaque rex Banaiæ filio Jojadæ, qui egressus, percussit eum, et mortuus est.
The reading text follows the 1582 first edition.