secret to a few. To make it generally known while Solomon was a child would have been to awaken the turbulent jealousies of his powerful and unscrupulous rivals, and to mark him out for almost certain destruction. It must have early become clear that such men as Amnon and Absalom and Adonijah—men of fierce passions and haughty temperament—would be singularly unfitted to carry out the peaceful and religious designs which David wished to bequeath to his successor. The promise of calm wisdom and stately demeanour which marked the childhood of Solomon,2 combined with David's passionate devotion to Bathsheba to make him pass over the pretensions of his elder sons, and with the approval of his truest religious adviser, to swear by the name of Jehovah, "Assuredly Solomon my son shall reign after me." 1 2 Sam. xii. 24. 2 Compare Wisd. viii. 19, "But I was a clever child, and received a good soul." CHAPTER II. THE YOUTH OF SOLOMON. Troubles of the period—The crime of Amnon—David's supineness—Absa- lom's revenge—His flight, return, and forgiveness—His rebellion—Ahitophel—David's flight from Jerusalem—His impotent resentment against Joab—The murder of Amasa—Solomon learns who are the friends and the enemies of his house—Intestine numbering of the people—Dislike of the measure and its imperfect results—The pestilence—The vision on the threshing-floor of Araunah.
secret to a few. To make it generally known while Solomon was a child would have been to awaken the turbulent jealousies of his powerful and unscrupulous rivals, and to mark him out for almost certain destruction. It must have early become clear that such men as Amnon and Absalom and Adonijah—men of fierce passions and haughty temperament—would be singularly unfitted to carry out the peaceful and religious designs which David wished to bequeath to his successor. The promise of calm wisdom and stately demeanour which marked the childhood of Solomon,2 combined with David's passionate devotion to Bathsheba to make him pass over the pretensions of his elder sons, and with the approval of his truest religious adviser, to swear by the name of Jehovah, "Assuredly Solomon my son shall reign after me." 1 2 Sam. xii. 24. 2 Compare Wisd. viii. 19, "But I was a clever child, and received a good soul." CHAPTER II. THE YOUTH OF SOLOMON. Troubles of the period—The crime of Amnon—David's supineness—Absa- lom's revenge—His flight, return, and forgiveness—His rebellion—Ahitophel—David's flight from Jerusalem—His impotent resentment against Joab—The murder of Amasa—Solomon learns who are the friends and the enemies of his house—Intestine numbering of the people—Dislike of the measure and its imperfect results—The pestilence—The vision on the threshing-floor of Araunah.