Chapter Forty-Seven

The glorification of the Lord’s providence in humanity through the prophet Nathan, David, the piety and wisdom of Solomon and through the chastening misfortunes which came upon the Hebrew people.

Sirach 47:1. After this there arose Nathan, to prophesy in the days of David. Sirach 47:2. As the fat is separated from the peace offering, so David was separated from the sons of Israel. 2. Just as the best part of the peace offering — the fat was dedicated to God: so the best from among the sons of his people, — David was chosen by God for great and glorious service to him as the king of the Hebrews.

Sirach 47:3. He played with lions as with kids, and with bears as with lambs. 3. Cf. 1 Sam 17:33-35.

Sirach 47:4. In his youth did he not slay a giant, did he not remove the reproach from the people, Sirach 47:5. when he raised his hand with a sling stone and brought down the pride of Goliath? Sirach 47:6. For he called upon the Lord the Most High, and he gave strength to his right hand — to strike down a man mighty in war, and to raise up the horn of his people. Sirach 47:7. So his people glorified him with thousands and praised him in the blessings of the Lord, as one worthy of the crown of glory, 4–7. Cf. 1 Sam 17.

Sirach 47:8. for he destroyed the enemies round about and subdued the hostile Philistines, — even to this day he broke their horn. Sirach 47:9. In every deed of his he gave thanks to the Holy Most High with words of praise; Sirach 47:10. with his whole heart he sang and loved his Creator. Sirach 47:11. And he placed singers before the altar, to make sweet the melody with their voices. Sirach 47:12. He gave beauty to the feasts and fixed the times precisely, so that they would praise his holy name and the holy place would resound from early morning. 9–12. It is said that David glorified the Lord God in psalms and songs and that he arranged the worship at the tabernacle in Jerusalem.

Sirach 47:13. And the Lord forgave him his sins and exalted his horn forever and gave him a covenant of kingship and a throne of glory in Israel. Sirach 47:14. After him there arose a wise son and for the sake of his father he lived in peace and plenty. 14. Cf. 1 Kgs 11:29-35.

Sirach 47:15. Solomon reigned in peaceful days, because God gave him rest on all sides, so that he might build a house for his name and prepare a sanctuary forever. Sirach 47:16. How wise you were in your youth and, like a river, full of understanding! Sirach 47:17. Your soul covered the earth, and you filled it with dark sayings; Sirach 47:18. your name went out to distant islands, and you were loved for your peace; Sirach 47:19. for your songs and sayings, for your proverbs and explanations the nations marveled at you. 16–19. It is said of the wisdom of Solomon which he displayed in his divine works — the Song of Songs, the Proverbs, the Ecclesiastes, and in many wise sayings which have not come down to us in writing.

Sirach 47:20. In the name of the Lord God, who is called the God of Israel, Sirach 47:21. you gathered gold like copper, and multiplied silver like lead. 20–21. It is spoken of the external prosperity of the wise and pious Solomon. Cf. 1 Kgs 10:14-27.

Sirach 47:22. But you inclined your loins to women and made yourself subject to them with your body; Sirach 47:23. you put a blemish on your glory and defiled your seed in such a way that you brought wrath upon your children, — and they bitterly mourned your folly, — for the authority was divided into two, and from Ephraim came a rebellious kingdom. 22–23. It is said of Solomon’s fall, his indifference to the covenants of the revealed religion, his passion for women; and of the divine punishment of Solomon through the division of his monarchy. Cf. 1 Kgs 11. — And from Ephraim came a rebellious kingdom: the mighty tribe of Ephraim stood at the head of the departed Israelite kingdom. In the language of sacred writers, the word “Ephraim” often is identical with the expression “all Israel” (cf. Isa 11:13; Jer 31:6; Ezek 37:15-19; Hos 5-7; Zech 9:10).

Sirach 47:24. But the Lord will not abandon his mercy, and will not destroy any of his works, nor blot out the descendants of his chosen and will not uproot the offspring of him who loved him. Sirach 47:25. And he gave Jacob a remnant, and David — a root from it. Sirach 47:26. And Solomon rested with his fathers, Sirach 47:27. and left behind him from his seed folly to the people, Sirach 47:28. Rehoboam, lacking in understanding, who turned the people away by his counsel, 28. By his counsel. Cf. 1 Kgs 12:1-19.

Sirach 47:29. and Jeroboam, son of Nebat, who made Israel sin and gave Ephraim a path of sin. 29. Cf. 1 Kgs 12:25-33.

Sirach 47:30. And their sins were greatly multiplied, so that they were taken captive out of their land; Sirach 47:31. and they undertook every evil, until retribution came upon them. 30–31. It is spoken of the sinful fall of the Hebrew people and its punishment through captivity.