It had strong rods for the scepters of those who rule. And its stature was exalted above the clouds, so it appeared in its height with the multitude of its branches.
Now Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants to Solomon, for he had heard that they had anointed him king in place of his father, and Hiram had always loved David.
There have also been mighty kings over Jerusalem, who have ruled over the whole province Beyond the River, and toll, tribute, and custom was paid to them.
“Thus they returned us an answer, saying, “ ‘We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth and are rebuilding the temple that was built these many years ago, which a great king of Israel built and completed.
But it was plucked up in fury, it was cast down to the ground, and the east wind dried up its fruit. Its strong rod was broken and it withered; the fire consumed it.
Fire has gone out from its branch; it has devoured its shoots and fruit, so that there is no strong rod in it, a scepter to rule. This is a lamentation, and has become a lamentation.
It is sharpened to make a slaughter; it is polished so that it may glisten like lightning. Should we then make cheer, the rod of My son despising every tree?
You shall take on the first day the branches of majestic trees—branches of palm trees, branches of leafy trees, and willows from a brook, and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God for seven days.
“I will see him, but not now; I will behold him, but not near; a star will come out of Jacob, and a scepter will rise out of Israel, and will crush the borderlands of Moab, and destroy all the Shethites.