346 THE KING'S MIRROR 



cording to Thy promises, O Lord. Now I pray Thee, O 

 Lord, give this young man David's glory and under- 

 standing in double and threefold measure, make him a 

 perfect ruler to govern Thy holy people according to 

 Thy will." Then David kissed Solomon and said to him: 

 " The God Who rules the heavens multiply peace to 

 you above all the kings upon earth and give you bless- 

 ings and the fruits of earth and perfect happiness." * 

 When he had ended this speech and benediction, David 

 said to Solomon: " Because I find that God has given 

 you wisdom and understanding. jhnha.rprp ynii to gnyern 

 ^gisely and justly, though somewhat severely, lest the 

 kingdom should seem to be lacking in government be- 

 cause of vour faint-h^t^Tipss But temper the severity 

 of punishment, lest you be thought too stern and merci- 

 less. Remember your kinsman Joab, however, who has 

 served me long and with much labor; but it is not fitting 

 that the sinful deeds which he has committed should 

 follow him to hell: for he slew two excellent captains 

 who were in my peace, Abner and Amasa, who had 

 served King Saul with great fidelity. And there are 

 many others whom he slew in his overweening pride, 

 but not in lawful chastisement. And it is better to let 

 him suffer a brief punishment here than that he should 

 be lost eternally because of these crimes. Keep also my 

 promise to Shimei, though he cursed me when I fled 

 from the violence of your brother Absalom; but keep 

 it in such a way that he will be reminded to do penance 



* On the subject of Adonijah's rebellion and Solomon's triumphant accession 

 see / Kings, i. The author has used little more than the outline of the story 

 as given in the Bible. 



