THE KING'S MIRROR 363 



is he who shall hear those words of wrath which we 

 quoted earlier. But no one needs to doubt that every- 

 one who shall be called to account for his office and 

 stewardship will be addressed in one of these two ways. 



LXX 



THE AUTHORITY OF KINGS AND BISHOPS. 

 END OF THE SECOND PART 



Son. I see clearly that one who is to watch over the 

 rules of the sacred law and deal out justice in all cases 

 is surely assigned a very difficult task. It is also evident 

 that King Solomon could not be called to account for 

 having Joab slain in God's tabernacle, inasmuch as he 

 slew him for a just punishment, not out of enmity or in 

 hatred, as Cain slew his brother Abel. God's tabernacle 

 was not defiled by Joab's blood, seeing that it was not 

 shed in hatred; but the earth was defiled by Abel's 

 blood, because it was shed in hatred. And I understand 

 fully that the sin and the desecration are caused by the 

 hatred and not by the punishment. But now you have 

 spoken of two halls which God has dedicated to His 

 service upon earth, and there are certain things that 

 concern these about which I wish to inquire. You have 

 stated that in one of them God has placed His judgment 

 seat; you have discussed that and also the office of him 

 who is in charge of it. You have also said that in the 

 other hall is God's table, from which all God's people 

 shall take spiritual food; and you added that the bishop 

 has been appointed keeper of this hall. Now I wish 

 to ask you why King Solomon removed Abiathar the 



