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king of the two tribes； by this means we shall preserve the good
order of the history entire。
4。 When therefore Jeroboam had built him a palace in the city
Shechem； he dwelt there。 He also built him another at Penuel； a
city so called。 And now the feast of tabernacles was approaching
in a little time； Jeroboam considered； that if he should permit
the multitude to go to worship God at Jerusalem； and there to
celebrate the festival； they would probably repent of what they
had done； and be enticed by the temple； and by the worship of God
there performed； and would leave him； and return to their first
kings； and if so； he should run the risk of losing his own life；
so he invented this contrivance； He made two golden heifers； and
built two little temples for them； the one in the city Bethel；
and the other in Dan； which last was at the fountains of the
Lesser Jordan （24） and he put the heifers into both the little
temples； in the forementioned cities。 And when he had called
those ten tribes together over whom he ruled； he made a speech to
the people in these words： 〃I suppose； my countrymen； that you
know this； that every place hath God in it； nor is there any one
determinate place in which he is； but he every where hears and
sees those that worship him； on which account I do not think it
right for you to go so long a journey to Jerusalem； which is an
enemy's city； to worship him。 It was a man that built the temple：
I have also made two golden heifers； dedicated to the same God；
and the one of them I have consecrated in the city Bethel； and
the other in Dan； to the end that those of you that dwell nearest
those cities may go to them； and worship God there； and I will
ordain for you certain priests and Levites from among yourselves；
that you may have no want of the tribe of Levi； or of the sons of
Aaron； but let him that is desirous among you of being a priest；
bring to God a bullock and a ram； which they say Aaron the first
priest brought also。〃 When Jeroboam had said this； he deluded the
people； and made them to revolt from the worship of their
forefathers； and to transgress their laws。 This was the beginning
of miseries to the Hebrews； and the cause why they were overcome
in war by foreigners； and so fell into captivity。 But we shall
relate those things in their proper places hereafter。
5。 When the feast ＇of tabernacles＇ was just approaching； Jeroboam
was desirous to celebrate it himself in Bethel； as did the two
tribes celebrate it in Jerusalem。 Accordingly he built an altar
before the heifer； and undertook to be high priest himself。 So he
went up to the altar； with his own priests about him； but when he
was going to offer the sacrifices and the burnt…offerings； in the
sight of all the people； a prophet； whose name was Jadon； was
sent by God； and came to him from Jerusalem； who stood in the
midst of the multitude； and in the 'hearing of' the king； and
directing his discourse to the altar； said thus： God foretells
that there shall be a certain man of the family of David； Josiah
by name； who shall slay upon thee those false priests that shall
live at that time； and upon thee shall burn the bones of those
deceivers of the people； those impostors' and wicked wretches。
However； that this people may believe that these things shall so
come to pass； I foretell a sign to them that shall also come to
pass。 This altar shall be broken to pieces immediately； and all
the fat of the sacrifices that is upon it shall be poured upon
the ground。〃 When the prophet had said this； Jeroboam fell into a
passion； and stretched out his hand； and bid them lay hold of
him； but that hand which he stretched out was enfeebled； and he
was not able to pull it in again to him； for it was become
withered； and hung down； as if it were a dead hand。 The altar
also was broken to pieces； and all that was upon it was poured
out； as the prophet had foretold should come to pass。 So the king
understood that he was a man of veracity； and had a Divine
foreknowledge； and entreated him to pray to God that he would
restore his right hand。 Accordingly the prophet did pray to God
to grant him that request。 So the king； having his hand recovered
to its natural state； rejoiced at it； and invited the prophet to
sup with him； but Jadon said that he could not endure to come
into his house； nor to taste of bread or water in this city； for
that was a thing God had forbidden him to do； as also to go back
by the same way which he came； but he said he was to return by
another way。 So the king wondered at the abstinence of the man；
but was himself in fear； as suspecting a change of his affairs
for the worse； from what had been said to him。
CHAPTER 9。
How Jadon The Prophet Was Persuaded By Another Lying Prophet And
Returned ＇To Bethel；＇ And Was Afterwards Slain By A Lion。 As Also
What Words The Wicked Prophet Made Use Of To Persuade The King；
And Thereby Alienated His Mind From God。
1。 Now there was a certain wicked man in that city； who was a
false prophet； whom Jeroboam had in great esteem； but was
deceived by him and his flattering words。 This man was bedrid； by
reason or the infirmities of old age： however； he was informed by
his sons concerning the prophet that was come from Jerusalem； and
concerning the signs done by him； and how； when Jeroboam's right
hand had been enfeebled； at the prophet's prayer he had it
revived again。 Whereupon he was afraid that this stranger and
prophet should be in better esteem with the king than himself；
and obtain greater honor from him： and he gave orders to his sons
to saddle his ass presently； and make all ready that he might go
out。 Accordingly they made haste to do what they were commanded；
and he got upon the ass and followed after the prophet。； and when
he had overtaken him； as he was resting himself under a very
large oak tree that was thick and shady； he at first saluted him；
but presently he complained of him； because he had not come into
his house； and partaken of his hospitality。 And when the other
said that God had forbidden him to taste of any one's provision
in that city； he replied； that 〃for certain God had not forbidden
that I should set food before thee； for I am a prophet as thou
art； and worship God in the same manner that thou dost； and I am
now come as sent by him； in order to bring thee into my house；
and make thee my guest。〃 Now Jadon gave credit to this lying
prophet； and returned back with him。 But when they were at
dinner； and merry together； God appeared to Jadon； and said that
he should suffer punishment for transgressing his commands； … and
he told him what that punishment should be for he said that he
should meet with a lion as he was going on his way； by which lion
he should be torn in pieces； and be deprived of burial in the
sepulchers of his fathers； which things came to pass； as I
suppose； according to the will of God； that so Jeroboam might not
give heed to the words of Jadon as of one that had been convicted
of lying。 However； as Jadon was again going to Jerusalem； a lion
assaulted him； and pulled him off the beast he rode on； and slew
him； yet did he not at all hurt the ass； but sat by him； and kept