<t /><p class="bodytext">At that time the people of Israel were divided in their loyalties. Half the people supported Tibni son of Ginath and wanted to make him king; the other half supported Omri.

The king then said, &#8220;Cut the living child in two, and give half to one and half to the other!&#8221;

The four wheels were under the frames and the crossbars of the axles were connected to the stand. Each wheel was two and one-quarter feet<n id="1" /> high.

On top of each stand was a round opening three-quarters of a foot deep;<n id="1" /> there were also supports and frames on top of the stands.

Inside the stand was a round opening that was a foot-and-a-half deep; it had a support that was two and one-quarter feet long.<n id="1" /> On the edge of the opening were carvings in square frames.<n id="2" />

I did not believe these things until I came and saw them with my own eyes. Indeed, I didn&#8217;t hear even half the story!<n id="1" /> Your wisdom and wealth<n id="2" /> surpass what was reported to me.

But the prophet said to the king, &#8220;Even if you were to give me half your possessions,<n id="1" /> I could not go with you and eat and drink<n id="2" /> in this place.