Thematic Bible: Statecraft
Thematic Bible
Statecraft » Instances of » Jeroboam
He thought to himself: The way things are my people will go to Jerusalem and offer sacrifices to Jehovah at the Temple there. They will transfer their allegiance to King Rehoboam of Judah and will kill me. After asking for advice, the king made two golden calves. He said: You have been worshiping in Jerusalem long enough. Israel, here are your gods who brought you out of Egypt. read more.
He placed one in Bethel and the other in Dan. This became Israel's sin, worshiping the golden calves. The people went as far as Dan to worship the one calf. Jeroboam built worship sites on hilltops. He appointed men who were not descended from Levi to be priests. Jeroboam appointed a festival on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, just like the festival in Judah. He went to the altar in Bethel to sacrifice to the calves he had made. He appointed priests from the illegal worship sites to serve in Bethel. He went to his altar in Bethel to burn an offering on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, the festival he invented for the Israelites.
He placed one in Bethel and the other in Dan. This became Israel's sin, worshiping the golden calves. The people went as far as Dan to worship the one calf. Jeroboam built worship sites on hilltops. He appointed men who were not descended from Levi to be priests. Jeroboam appointed a festival on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, just like the festival in Judah. He went to the altar in Bethel to sacrifice to the calves he had made. He appointed priests from the illegal worship sites to serve in Bethel. He went to his altar in Bethel to burn an offering on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, the festival he invented for the Israelites.
Statecraft » Instances of » samuel
The people asked Samuel: Who said: 'Saul should not rule us?' Let us have them, and we will kill them.' Saul said: No man is to be put to death today, for today Jehovah has saved Israel. Then Samuel said to the people: Come to Gilgal. Let us make the kingdom strong in the hands of Saul. read more.
So all the people went to Gilgal. In Gilgal they made Saul king before Jehovah. Peace offerings were offered before Jehovah. Saul and all the men of Israel were glad with great joy.
So all the people went to Gilgal. In Gilgal they made Saul king before Jehovah. Peace offerings were offered before Jehovah. Saul and all the men of Israel were glad with great joy.
Statecraft » Instances of » Nathan
Then Nathan asked Solomon's mother Bathsheba: Have you heard that Adonijah, Haggith's son, has become king, and our master David does not even know about it? Bathsheba, let me give you some advice about how to save your life and your son's life. Go now to King David and ask him: 'Your Majesty, did you solemnly promise me that my son Solomon would succeed you as king? How is it that Adonijah has become king?' read more.
Nathan added: While you are still talking with King David, I will come in and confirm your story.
Nathan added: While you are still talking with King David, I will come in and confirm your story.
Statecraft » Instances of » Joseph
When all the money in Egypt and Canaan was spent, the Egyptians came to Joseph and said: Give us food! Do not let us die. Do something! Our money is all gone. Joseph answered: Bring your livestock. I will give you food in exchange for it if your money is all gone. They brought their livestock to Joseph. He gave them food in exchange for their horses, sheep, goats, cattle, and donkeys. That year he supplied them with food in exchange for all their livestock. read more.
The following year they said to him: We will not hide the fact from you, Sir, that our money is all gone and our livestock belongs to you. There is nothing left to give you except our bodies and our lands. Do not let us die. Do something! Do not let our fields be deserted. Buy us and buy our land in exchange for food. We will be the king's slaves. He will own our land. Give us grain to keep us alive and seed so that we can plant our fields. Joseph bought all the land in Egypt for the king. Every Egyptian was forced to sell his land, because the famine was so severe. All the land became the king's property. He [Joseph] removed the people into the cities from one end of the borders of Egypt to the other. The only land he did not buy was the land that belonged to the priests. The king gave the priests an allowance to live on. So they did not have to sell their lands. Joseph said to the people: I have now bought you and your lands for the king. Here is seed for you to sow in your fields. You must give one-fifth to the king at the time of harvest. You can use the rest for seed and for food for yourselves and your families. They answered: You have saved our lives. You have been good to us. We will be the king's slaves. Joseph made it a law for the land of Egypt that one-fifth of the harvest should belong to the king. This law still remains in force today. Only the lands of the priests did not become the king's property.
The following year they said to him: We will not hide the fact from you, Sir, that our money is all gone and our livestock belongs to you. There is nothing left to give you except our bodies and our lands. Do not let us die. Do something! Do not let our fields be deserted. Buy us and buy our land in exchange for food. We will be the king's slaves. He will own our land. Give us grain to keep us alive and seed so that we can plant our fields. Joseph bought all the land in Egypt for the king. Every Egyptian was forced to sell his land, because the famine was so severe. All the land became the king's property. He [Joseph] removed the people into the cities from one end of the borders of Egypt to the other. The only land he did not buy was the land that belonged to the priests. The king gave the priests an allowance to live on. So they did not have to sell their lands. Joseph said to the people: I have now bought you and your lands for the king. Here is seed for you to sow in your fields. You must give one-fifth to the king at the time of harvest. You can use the rest for seed and for food for yourselves and your families. They answered: You have saved our lives. You have been good to us. We will be the king's slaves. Joseph made it a law for the land of Egypt that one-fifth of the harvest should belong to the king. This law still remains in force today. Only the lands of the priests did not become the king's property.
Statecraft » School in
The king ordered Ashpenaz the chief of his officials to bring in some of the Israelites including some of the royal family and nobles. These were young people who had no defects. They were good looking and intelligent, with knowledge. They showed wisdom, knowledge, and understanding of science. They had ability to serve in the king's court and were taught the language and literature of the Chaldeans. The king assigned a daily amount of the king's special rich food for them and also the wine that he drank. They were to be educated for three years. At the end of that time they would serve the king.
Statecraft » Wisdom in
There are many princes after the transgression of a land. But a man of understanding and knowledge remains for a long time.