Stella Dina - לֵב שֹׁמֵע - lébh shoméá (1 Kings 3:9 )
mixed media on hard pressed cardboard artist made framing
2020
(from the Hieratika collection)
4 the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, because it was the most important high place and upon its altar Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings
5 at Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream at night and said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you”
6 Solomon answered, “You have shown great kindness to your servant, David, my father, because he walked before you with loyalty, justice and an upright heart. You have continued this great kindness towards him and have given him a son to sit on his throne today.
7 “now, Lord my God, you have made me, your servant, king in place of my father David but I am only a young boy and do not know at all how to act
8 I, your servant, among the people you have chosen, a great people, so vast that cannot be numbered nor counted
Stella Dina: dammi un cuore intelligente
mixed media on canvas applied on moulded board - 2022
(from the Hieratika collection)
9 so give your servant a listening heart (לֵב שֹׁמֵע - lebh shomea) to judge your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge for this great people of yours? ”
10 the Lord was pleased by Solomon's request
11 therefore God said to him, “Because you asked for this and not for a long life, neither wealth for yourself, nor for the life of your enemies but for discerning what is right
12 I now do what you asked. I will give you such a wise and discerning heart as nobody had before and no one else will ever have after you.
13 in addition, I will give you what you have not asked for, both wealth and glory so that you will have no equal among kings all your days
14 and if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commandments as your father David did, I will give you a long life.”
15 Solomon awoke—and he realized it was a dream. He returned to Jerusalem, stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and sacrificed burnt and communion offerings. Then he gave a feast for all his servants.
Stella Dina: rappresentazione di una invocazione
mixed media on hard pressed cardboard
2022
(from the Hieratika collection)
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images courtesy of Stella Dina Archive 2023
free translation curated by Enrico Maria Emiliani
artist's profile: sites.google.com/site/infostelladina/