VII
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 [[52]]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 [[53]]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.