from him, and that he would preserve in them a mind
pure from all wickedness, in righteousness and religious worship, and
that they might continue in the observation of those precepts which God
had given them by Moses, because by that means the Hebrew nation would
be happy, and indeed the most blessed of all nations among all mankind.
He exhorted them also to be mindful, that by what methods they had
attained their present good things, by the same they must preserve them
sure to themselves, and make them greater and more than they were at
present; for that it was not sufficient for them to suppose they had
received them on account of their piety and righteousness, but that they
had no other way of preserving them for the time to come; for that it is
not so great a thing for men to acquire somewhat which they want, as to
preserve what they have acquired, and to be guilty of no sin whereby it
may be hurt.

5. So when the king had spoken thus to the multitude, he dissolved the
congregation, but not till he had completed his oblations, both for
himself and for the Hebrews, insomuch that he sacrificed twenty and two
thousand oxen, and a hundred and twenty thousand sheep; for then it
was that the temple did first of all taste of the victims, and all the
Hebrews, with their wives and children, feasted therein: nay, besides
this, the king then observed splendidly and magnificently the feast
which is called the Feast of Tabernacles, before the temple, for twice
seven days; and he then feasted together with all the people.

6. When all these solemnities were abundantly satisfied, and nothing was
omitted that concerned the Divine worship, the king dismissed them; and
they every one went to their own homes, giving thanks to the king for
the care he had taken of them, and the works he had done for them; and
praying to God to preserve Solomon to be their king for a long time.
They also took their journey home with rejoicing, and making merry, and
singing hymns to God. And indeed the pleasure they enjoyed took away
the sense of the pains they all underwent in their journey home. So when
they had brought the ark into the temple, and had seen its greatness,
and how fine it was, and had been partakers of the many sacrifices that
had been offered, and of the festivals that had been solemnized, they
every one returned to their own cities. But a dream that appeared to the
king in his sleep informed him that God had heard his prayers; and t