wicked wretch, both for this
crime, and for those wherewith thou didst abuse my father when he was in
his flight, that thou mayst know that wicked men gain nothing at last,
although they be not punished immediately upon their unjust practices;
but that in all the time wherein they think themselves secure, because
they have yet suffered nothing, their punishment increases, and is
heavier upon them, and that to a greater degree than if they had been
punished immediately upon the commission of their crimes." So Benaiah,
on the king's command, slew Shimei.

CHAPTER 2. Concerning The Wife Of Solomon; Concerning His Wisdom And
Riches; And Concerning What He Obtained Of Hiram For The Building Of The
Temple.

1. Solomon having already settled himself firmly in his kingdom, and
having brought his enemies to punishment, he married the daughter of
Pharaoh king of Egypt, and built the walls of Jerusalem much larger
and stronger than those that had been before, [2] and thenceforward he
managed public affairs very peaceably. Nor was his youth any hinderance
in the exercise of justice, or in the observation of the laws, or in the
remembrance of what charges his father had given him at his death;
but he discharged every duty with great accuracy, that might have been
expected from such as are aged, and of the greatest prudence. He now
resolved to go to Hebron, and sacrifice to God upon the brazen altar
that was built by Moses. Accordingly he offered there burnt-offerings,
in number a thousand; and when he had done this, he thought he had paid
great honor to God; for as he was asleep that very night God appeared
to him, and commanded him to ask of him some gifts which he was ready
to give him as a reward for his piety. So Solomon asked of God what
was most excellent, and of the greatest worth in itself, what God would
bestow with the greatest joy, and what it was most profitable for man to
receive; for he did not desire to have bestowed upon him either gold or
silver, or any other riches, as a man and a youth might naturally have
done, for these are the things that generally are esteemed by most men,
as alone of the greatest worth, and the best gifts of God; but, said he,
"Give me, O Lord, a sound mind, and a good understanding, whereby I may
speak and judge the people according to truth and righteousness." With
these petitions God was well pleased; and promised to give him all those
things that he had not mentioned in his opti