HERE IT IS TOLD HOW THE ANGEL SPOKE TO SOLOMON, AND SAID THAT THE LORD
GOD WOULD TAKE AWAY THE KINGDOM FROM HIS SON FOR HIS SINS
We read of Solomon that he made another offence to God, for which he
was condemned to the loss of his kingdom. The angel spoke to him and
said: Solomon, on account of your sins, it is meet that you should lose
your realm. But our Lord sends to tell you that for the good merits of
your father, He will not take it away from you in your life, but for
your wrong-doing He will take it away from your son. Whereby we see the
father’s merits enjoyed by the son, and a father’s sins punished in his
child.
Be it known that Solomon laboured studiously on this earth, and with
his learning and talent had a great and noble reign.
And he took provision that foreign heirs should not succeed him, that
is, heirs such as were outside his lineage.
So he took many wives and many concubines that he might have many
heirs, but God who is the supreme dispenser willed it that by all his
wives and concubines, who were many, he had but one son.
Then Solomon made provision so as to dispose and order his kingdom
under this son of his, whose name was Roboam, that for certain he
should reign after him.
So from his youth upwards he ordered his son’s life with many precepts
and schoolings. And more he did, so that a great treasure should be
amassed and laid in a safe place.
And further he took urgent care that there was concord and peace with
all the lords whose lands were near to his own, and his own vassals he
held in peace and without contentions. And further he taught his son
the courses of the stars and how to have mastery over demons.
And all these things he did that Roboam should reign after him.
When Solomon was dead, Roboam took counsel of wise old men, and asked
their advice as to how he should manage his people.
The old men counselled him: call your people together and with sweet
words say you love them as yourself, that they are as your crown, that
if your father was harsh to them, you will be gentle and benign, and
whereas he oppressed them, you will let them live in ease and content.
If they were oppressed in the making of the temple, you will assist
them.
Such was the advice the wise old men of the kingdom gave him.
Roboam went away, and called together a counsel of young men, and asked
them similarly their advice. And these asked him: how did they from
whom you first sought advice counsel you? And he told them word for
word.
Then the young men said: they deceive you, since kingdoms are not held
by words but by prowess and courage. Whence, if you speak soft words to
the people, it will seem to them you are afraid of them, and so they
will cast you down, and will not take you for their lord nor obey you.
Listen to our counsel who are all your servants, and a master may do
with his servants as he will. Tell the people with vigour and courage
that they are your servants, and that whosoever disobeys you, you will
punish according to your harsh law. If Solomon oppressed them for the
building of the temple, you too will oppress them if it shall please
you. Thus the people will not hold you for a child, but all will fear
you, and so you will keep your kingdom and your crown.
Foolish Roboam followed the young men’s advice. He called together his
people, and spoke harsh words to them. The people grew angry, and the
chiefs became disturbed. They made secret pacts and leagues. Certain
barons [12] plotted together, so that in thirty-four days after the
death of Solomon, his son lost ten of the twelve parts of his kingdom
through the foolish counsel of the young men. [13]