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and the careful management which the priests and Levites used
about them。 When she saw this done every day； she was in the
greatest admiration imaginable； insomuch that she was not able to
contain the surprise she was in； but openly confessed how
wonderfully she was affected； for she proceeded to discourse with
the king； and thereby owned that she was overcome with admiration
at the things before related； and said； 〃All things indeed； O
king； that came to our knowledge by report； came with uncertainty
as to our belief of them； but as to those good things that to
thee appertain； both such as thou thyself possessest； I mean
wisdom and prudence； and the happiness thou hast from thy
kingdom； certainly the same that came to us was no falsity； it
was not only a true report； but it related thy happiness after a
much lower manner than I now see it to be before my eyes。 For as
for the report； it only attempted to persuade our hearing； but
did not so make known the dignity of the things themselves as
does the sight of them； and being present among them。 I indeed；
who did not believe what was reported； by reason of the multitude
and grandeur of the things I inquired about； do see them to be
much more numerous than they were reported to be。 Accordingly I
esteem the Hebrew people； as well as thy servants and friends； to
be happy； who enjoy thy presence and hear thy wisdom every day
continually。 One would therefore bless God； who hath so loved
this country； and those that inhabit therein； as to make thee
king over them。〃
6。 Now when the queen had thus demonstrated in words how deeply
the king had affected her； her disposition was known by certain
presents； for she gave him twenty talents of gold； and an immense
quantity of spices and precious stones。 （They say also that we
possess the root of that balsam which our country still bears by
this woman's gift。） （17） Solomon also repaid her with many good
things； and principally by bestowing upon her what she chose of
her own inclination； for there was nothing that she desired which
he denied her； and as he was very generous and liberal in his own
temper； so did he show the greatness of his soul in bestowing on
her what she herself desired of him。 So when this queen of
Ethiopia had obtained what we have already given an account of；
and had again communicated to the king what she brought with her；
she returned to her own kingdom。
CHAPTER 7。
How Solomon Grew Rich； And Fell Desperately In Love With Women
And How God； Being Incensed At It； Raised Up Ader And Jeroboam
Against Him。 Concerning The Death Of Solomon。
1。 About the same time there were brought to the king from the
Aurea Chersonesus； a country so called； precious stones； and pine
trees； and these trees he made use of for supporting the temple
and the palace； as also for the materials of musical instruments；
the harps and the psalteries； that the Levites might make use of
them in their hymns to God。 The wood which was brought to him at
this time was larger and finer than any that had ever been
brought before； but let no one imagine that these pine trees were
like those which are now so named； and which take that their
denomination from the merchants； who so call them； that they may
procure them to be admired by those that purchase them； for those
we speak of were to the sight like the wood of the fig tree； but
were whiter； and more shining。 Now we have said thus much； that
nobody may be ignorant of the difference between these sorts of
wood； nor unacquainted with the nature of the genuine pine tree；
and we thought it both a seasonable and humane thing； when we
mentioned it； and the uses the king made of it； to explain this
difference so far as we have done。
2。 Now the weight of gold that was brought him was six hundred
and sixty…six talents； not including in that sum what was brought
by the merchants； nor what the toparchs and kings of Arabia gave
him in presents。 He also cast two hundred targets of gold； each
of them weighing six hundred shekels。 He also made three hundred
shields； every one weighing three pounds of gold； and he had them
carried and put into that house which was called The Forest of
Lebanon。 He also made cups of gold； and of ＇precious＇ stones； for
the entertainment of his guests； and had them adorned in the most
artificial manner； and he contrived that all his other furniture
of vessels should be of gold； for there was nothing then to be
sold or bought for silver； for the king had many ships which lay
upon the sea of Tarsus； these he commanded to carry out all sorts
of merchandise unto the remotest nations； by the sale of which
silver and gold were brought to the king； and a great quantity of
ivory； and Ethiopians； and apes； and they finished their voyage；
going and returning； in three years' time。
3。 Accordingly there went a great fame all around the neighboring
countries； which proclaimed the virtue and wisdom of Solomon；
insomuch that all the kings every where were desirous to see him；
as not giving credit to what was reported； on account of its
being almost incredible： they also demonstrated the regard they
had for him by the presents they made him； for they sent him
vessels of gold； and silver； and purple garments； and many sorts
of spices； and horses； and chariots； and as many mules for his
carriages as they could find proper to please the king's eyes； by
their strength and beauty。 This addition that he made to those
chariots and horses which he had before from those that were sent
him； augmented the number of his chariots by above four hundred；
for he had a thousand before； and augmented the number of his
horses by two thousand； for he had twenty thousand before。 These
horses also were so much exercised； in order to their making a
fine appearance； and running swiftly； that no others could； upon
the comparison； appear either finer or swifter； but they were at
once the most beautiful of all others； and their swiftness was
incomparable also。 Their riders also were a further ornament to
them； being； in the first place； young men in the most delightful
flower of their age； and being eminent for their largeness； and
far taller than other men。 They had also very long heads of hair
hanging down； and were clothed in garments of Tyrian purple。 They
had also dust of gold every day sprinkled on their hair； so that
their heads sparkled with the reflection of the sun…beams from
the gold。 The king himself rode upon a chariot in the midst of
these men； who were still in armor； and had their bows fitted to
them。 He had on a white garment； and used to take his progress
out of the city in the morning。 There was a certain place about
fifty furlongs distant from Jerusalem； which is called Etham；
very pleasant it is in fine gardens； and abounding in rivulets of
water； （18） thither did he use to go out in the morning； sitting
on high ＇in his chariot。＇
4。 Now Solomon had a divine sagacity in all things； and was very
diligent and studious to have things done after an elegant
manner； so he did not neglect the care of the ways； but he laid a
causeway of black stone along the roads that led to Jerusalem；
which was the roya