1And a Sol′-o-mon the son of Da′-vid was strengthened in his kingdom, and b the Lord his God was with him, and c magnified him exceedingly.
2 Then Sol′-o-mon spake unto all Is′-ra-el, to d the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and to the judges, and to every governor in all Is′-ra-el, the chief of the fathers.
3 So Sol′-o-mon, and all the congregation with him, went to the high place that was at e Gib′-e-on; for there was the tabernacle of the congregation of God, which Mo′-ses the servant of the Lord had made in the wilderness.
4 f But the ark of God had Da′-vid brought up from Kir′-jath–je′-a-rim to the place which Da′-vid had prepared for it: for he had pitched a tent for it at Je-ru′-sa-lem.
5 Moreover g the brasen altar, that h Bez′-a-leel the son of U′-ri, the son of Hur, had made, he put before the tabernacle of the Lord: and Sol′-o-mon and the congregation sought unto it.
6 And Sol′-o-mon went up thither to the brasen altar before the Lord, which was at the tabernacle of the congregation, and i offered a thousand burnt offerings upon it.
7 ¶ j In that night did God appear unto Sol′-o-mon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee.
8 And Sol′-o-mon said unto God, Thou hast shewed great mercy unto Da′-vid my father, and hast made me k to reign in his stead.
9 Now, O Lord God, let thy promise unto Da′-vid my father be established: l for thou hast made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude.
10 m Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may n go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great?
11 o And God said to Sol′-o-mon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king:
12 Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as p none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like.
13 ¶ Then Sol′-o-mon came from his journey to the high place that was at Gib′-e-on to Je-ru′-sa-lem, from before the tabernacle of the congregation, and reigned over Is′-ra-el.
14 q And Sol′-o-mon gathered chariots and horsemen: and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, which he placed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Je-ru′-sa-lem.
15 a And the king made silver and gold at Je-ru′-sa-lem as plenteous as stones, and cedar trees made he as the sycomore trees that are in the vale for abundance.
16 b And Sol′-o-mon had horses brought out of E′-gypt, and linen yarn: the king's merchants received the linen yarn at a price.
17 And they fetched up, and brought forth out of E′-gypt a chariot for six hundred she′-kels of silver, and an horse for an hundred and fifty: and so brought they out horses for all the kings of the Hit′-tites, and for the kings of Syr′-i-a, by their means.
2And Sol′-o-mon c determined to build an house for the name of the Lord, and an house for his kingdom.
2 And d Sol′-o-mon told out threescore and ten thousand men to bear burdens, and fourscore thousand to hew in the mountain, and three thousand and six hundred to oversee them.
3 ¶ And Sol′-o-mon sent to Hu′-ram the king of Tyre, saying, e As thou didst deal with Da′-vid my father, and didst send him cedars to build him an house to dwell therein, even so deal with me.
4 Behold, f I build an house to the name of the Lord my God, to dedicate it to him, and g to burn before him sweet incense, and for h the continual shewbread, and for i the burnt offerings morning and evening, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts of the Lord our God. This is an ordinance for ever to Is′-ra-el.
5 And the house which I build is great: for j great is our God above all gods.
6 k But who is able to build him an house, seeing the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain him? who am I then, that I should build him an house, save only to burn sacrifice before him?
7 Send me now therefore a man cunning to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, and in iron, and in purple, and crimson, and blue, and that can skill to grave with the cunning men that are with me in Ju′-dah and in Je-ru′-sa-lem, l whom Da′-vid my father did provide.
8 m Send me also cedar trees, fir trees, and al′-gum trees, out of Leb′-a-non: for I know that thy servants can skill to cut timber in Leb′-a-non; and, behold, my servants shall be with thy servants,
9 Even to prepare me timber in abundance: for the house which I am about to build shall be wonderful great.
10 n And, behold, I will give to thy servants, the hewers that cut timber, twenty thousand measures of beaten wheat, and twenty thousand measures of barley, and twenty thousand baths of wine, and twenty thousand baths of oil.
11 ¶ Then Hu′-ram the king of Tyre answered in writing, which he sent to Sol′-o-mon, a Because the Lord hath loved his people, he hath made thee king over them.
12 Hu′-ram said moreover, b Blessed be the Lord God of Is′-ra-el, c that made heaven and earth, who hath given to Da′-vid the king a wise son, endued with prudence and understanding, that might build an house for the Lord, and an house for his kingdom.
13 And now I have sent a cunning man, endued with understanding, of Hu′-ram my father's,
14 d The son of a woman of the daughters of Dan, and his father was a man of Tyre, skilful to work in gold, and in silver, in brass, in iron, in stone, and in timber, in purple, in blue, and in fine linen, and in crimson; also to grave any manner of graving, and to find out every device which shall be put to him, with thy cunning men, and with the cunning men of my lord Da′-vid thy father.
15 Now therefore the wheat, and the barley, the oil, and the wine, which e my lord hath spoken of, let him send unto his servants:
16 f And we will cut wood out of Leb′-a-non, as much as thou shalt need: and we will bring it to thee in flotes by sea to Jop′-pa; and thou shalt carry it up to Je-ru′-sa-lem.
17 ¶ g And Sol′-o-mon numbered all the strangers that were in the land of Is′-ra-el, after the numbering wherewith h Da′-vid his father had numbered them; and they were found an hundred and fifty thousand and three thousand and six hundred.
18 And he set i threescore and ten thousand of them to be bearers of burdens, and fourscore thousand to be hewers in the mountain, and three thousand and six hundred overseers to set the people a work.
3Then j Sol′-o-mon began to build the house of the Lord at k Je-ru′-sa-lem in mount Mo-ri′-ah, where the Lord appeared unto Da′-vid his father, in the place that Da′-vid had prepared in the threshingfloor of l Or′-nan the Jeb′-u-site.
2 And he began to build in the second day of the second month, in the fourth year of his reign.
3 ¶ Now these are the things m wherein Sol′-o-mon was instructed for the building of the house of God. The length by cubits after the first measure was threescore cubits, and the breadth twenty cubits.
4 And the n porch that was in the front of the house, the length of it was according to the breadth of the house, twenty cubits, and the height was an hundred and twenty: and he overlaid it within with pure gold.
5 And o the greater house he cieled with fir tree, which he overlaid with fine gold, and set thereon palm trees and chains.
6 And he garnished the house with precious stones for beauty: and the gold was gold of Par-va′-im.
7 He overlaid also the house, the beams, the posts, and the walls thereof, and the doors thereof, with gold; and graved cher′-u-bims on the walls.
8 And he made the most holy house, the length whereof was according to the breadth of the house, twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof twenty cubits: and he overlaid it with fine gold, amounting to six hundred talents.
9 And the weight of the nails was fifty she′-kels of gold. And he overlaid the upper chambers with gold.
10 a And in the most holy house he made two cher′-u-bims of image work, and overlaid them with gold.
11 ¶ And the wings of the cher′-u-bims were twenty cubits long: one wing of the one cherub was five cubits, reaching to the wall of the house: and the other wing was likewise five cubits, reaching to the wing of the other cher′-ub.
12 And one wing of the other cher′-ub was five cubits, reaching to the wall of the house: and the other wing was five cubits also, joining to the wing of the other cher′-ub.
13 The wings of these cher′-u-bims spread themselves forth twenty cubits: and they stood on their feet, and their faces were inward.
14 ¶ And he made the b vail of blue, and purple, and crimson, and fine linen, and wrought cher′-u-bims thereon.
15 Also he made before the house c two pillars of thirty and five cubits high, and the chapiter that was on the top of each of them was five cubits.
16 And he made chains, as in the oracle, and put them on the heads of the pillars; and made d an hundred pomegranates, and put them on the chains.
17 And he e reared up the pillars before the temple, one on the right hand, and the other on the left; and called the name of that on the right hand Ja′-chin, and the name of that on the left Bo′-az.
4 Moreover he made f an altar of brass, twenty cubits the length thereof, and twenty cubits the breadth thereof, and ten cubits the height thereof.
2 ¶ g Also he made a molten sea of ten cubits from brim to brim, round in compass, and five cubits the height thereof; and a line of thirty cubits did compass it round about.
3 h And under it was the similitude of oxen, which did compass it round about: ten in a cubit, compassing the sea round about. Two rows of oxen were cast, when it was cast.
4 It stood upon twelve oxen, three looking toward the north, and three looking toward the west, and three looking toward the south, and three looking toward the east: and the sea was set above upon them, and all their hinder parts were inward.
5 And the thickness of it was an handbreadth, and the brim of it like the work of the brim of a cup, with flowers of lilies; and it received and held i three thousand baths.
6 ¶ He made also j ten lavers, and put five on the right hand, and five on the left, to wash in them: such things as they offered for the burnt offering they washed in them; but the sea was for the priests to wash in.
7 k And he made ten candlesticks of gold l according to their form, and set them in the temple, five on the right hand, and five on the left.
8 a He made also ten tables, and placed them in the temple, five on the right side, and five on the left. And he made an hundred basons of gold.
9 ¶ Furthermore b he made the court of the priests, and the great court, and doors for the court, and overlaid the doors of them with brass.
10 And c he set the sea on the right side of the east end, over against the south.
11 And d Hu′-ram made the pots, and the shovels, and the basons. And Hu′-ram finished the work that he was to make for king Sol′-o-mon for the house of God;
12 To wit, the two pillars, and e the pommels, and the chapiters which were on the top of the two pillars, and the two wreaths to cover the two pommels of the chapiters which were on the top of the pillars;
13 And f four hundred pomegranates on the two wreaths; two rows of pomegranates on each wreath, to cover the two pommels of the chapiters which were upon the pillars.
14 He made also g bases, and lavers made he upon the bases;
15 One sea, and twelve oxen under it.
16 The pots also, and the shovels, and the fleshhooks, and all their instruments, did h Hu′-ram his father make to king Sol′-o-mon for the house of the Lord of bright brass.
17 i In the plain of Jor′-dan did the king cast them, in the clay ground between Suc′-coth and Zer-e-da′-thah.
18 j Thus Sol′-o-mon made all these vessels in great abundance: for the weight of the brass could not be found out.
19 ¶ And k Sol′-o-mon made all the vessels that were for the house of God, the golden altar also, and the tables whereon l the shewbread was set;
20 Moreover the candlesticks with their lamps, that they should burn m after the manner before the oracle, of pure gold;
21 And n the flowers, and the lamps, and the tongs, made he of gold, and that perfect gold;
22 And the snuffers, and the basons, and the spoons, and the censers, of pure gold: and the entry of the house, the inner doors thereof for the most holy place, and the doors of the house of the temple, were of gold.
5Thus o all the work that Sol′-o-mon made for the house of the Lord was finished: and Sol′-o-mon brought in all the things that Da′-vid his father had dedicated; and the silver, and the gold, and all the instruments, put he among the treasures of the house of God.
2 ¶ p Then Sol′-o-mon assembled the elders of Is′-ra-el, and all the heads of the tribes, the chief of the fathers of the children of Is′-ra-el, unto Je-ru′-sa-lem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord q out of the city of Da′-vid, which is Zi′-on.
3 r Wherefore all the men of Is′-ra-el assembled themselves unto the king s in the feast which was in the seventh month.
4 And all the elders of Is′-ra-el came; and the Le′-vites took up the ark.
5 And they brought up the ark, and the tabernacle of the congregation, and all the holy vessels that were in the tabernacle, these did the priests and the Le′-vites bring up.
6 Also king Sol′-o-mon, and all the congregation of Is′-ra-el that were assembled unto him before the ark, sacrificed sheep and oxen, which could not be told nor numbered for multitude.
7 And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the Lord unto his place, to the oracle of the house, into the most holy place, even under the wings of the cher′-u-bims:
8 For the cher′-u-bims spread forth their wings over the place of the ark, and the cher′-u-bims covered the ark and the staves thereof above.
9 And they drew out the staves of the ark, that the ends of the staves were seen from the ark before the oracle; but they were not seen without. And there it is unto this day.
10 There was nothing in the ark save the two tables which Mo′-ses a put therein at Hor′-eb, when the Lord made a covenant with the children of Is′-ra-el, when they came out of E′-gypt.
11 ¶ And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place: (for all the priests that were present were sanctified, and did not then wait by course:
12 b Also the Le′-vites which were the singers, all of them of A′-saph, of He′-man, of Je-du′-thun, with their sons and their brethren, being arrayed in white linen, having cymbals and psalteries and harps, stood at the east end of the altar, c and with them an hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets:)
13 It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the Lord, saying, d For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the Lord;
14 So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: e for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of God.
6 Then f said Sol′-o-mon, The Lord hath said that he would dwell in the g thick darkness.
2 But I have built an house of habitation for thee, and a place for thy dwelling for ever.
3 And the king turned his face, and blessed the whole congregation of Is′-ra-el: and all the congregation of Is′-ra-el stood.
4 And he said, Blessed be the Lord God of Is′-ra-el, who hath with his hands fulfilled that which he spake with his mouth to my father Da′-vid, saying,
5 Since the day that I brought forth my people out of the land of E′-gypt I chose no city among all the tribes of Is′-ra-el to build an house in, that my name might be there; neither chose I any man to be a ruler over my people Is′-ra-el:
6 a But I have chosen Je-ru′-sa-lem, that my name might be there; and b have chosen Da′-vid to be over my people Is′-ra-el.
7 Now c it was in the heart of Da′-vid my father to build an house for the name of the Lord God of Is′-ra-el.
8 But the Lord said to Da′-vid my father, Forasmuch as it was in thine heart to build an house for my name, thou didst well in that it was in thine heart:
9 Notwithstanding thou shalt not build the house; but thy son which shall come forth out of thy loins, he shall build the house for my name.
10 The Lord therefore hath performed his word that he hath spoken: for I am risen up in the room of Da′-vid my father, and am set on the throne of Is′-ra-el, as the Lord promised, and have built the house for the name of the Lord God of Is′-ra-el.
11 And in it have I put the ark, d wherein is the covenant of the Lord, that he made with the children of Is′-ra-el.
12 ¶ e And he stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the congregation of Is′-ra-el, and spread forth his hands:
13 For Sol′-o-mon had made a brasen scaffold, of five cubits long, and five cubits broad, and three cubits high, and had set it in the midst of the court: and upon it he stood, and kneeled down upon his knees before all the congregation of Is′-ra-el, and spread forth his hands toward heaven,
14 And said, O Lord God of Is′-ra-el, f there is no God like thee in the heaven, nor in the earth; which keepest covenant, and shewest mercy unto thy servants, that walk before thee with all their hearts:
15 g Thou which hast kept with thy servant Da′-vid my father that which thou hast promised him; and spakest with thy mouth, and hast fulfilled it with thine hand, as it is this day.
16 Now therefore, O Lord God of Is′-ra-el, keep with thy servant Da′-vid my father that which thou hast promised him, saying, h There shall not fail thee a man in my sight to sit upon the throne of Is′-ra-el; i yet so that thy children take heed to their way to walk in my law, as thou hast walked before me.
17 Now then, O Lord God of Is′-ra-el, let thy word be verified, which thou hast spoken unto thy servant Da′-vid.
18 But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth? j behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house which I have built!
19 Have respect therefore to the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, O Lord my God, to hearken unto the cry and the prayer which thy servant prayeth before thee:
20 That thine eyes may be open upon this house day and night, upon the place whereof thou hast said that thou wouldest put thy name there; to hearken unto the prayer which thy servant prayeth toward this place.
21 Hearken therefore unto the supplications of thy servant, and of thy people Is′-ra-el, which they shall make toward this place: hear thou from thy dwelling place, even from heaven; and when thou hearest, forgive.
22 ¶ If a man sin against his neighbour, and an oath be laid upon him to make him swear, and the oath come before thine altar in this house;
23 Then hear thou from heaven, and do, and judge thy servants, by requiting the wicked, by recompensing his way upon his own head; and by justifying the righteous, by giving him according to his righteousness.
24 ¶ And if thy people Is′-ra-el be put to the worse before the enemy, because they have sinned against thee; and shall return and confess thy name, and pray and make supplication before thee in this house;
25 Then hear thou from the heavens, and forgive the sin of thy people Is′-ra-el, and bring them again unto the land which thou gavest to them and to their fathers.
26 ¶ When the a heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against thee; yet if they pray toward this place, and confess thy name, and turn from their sin, when thou dost afflict them;
27 Then hear thou from heaven, and forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Is′-ra-el, when thou hast taught them the good way, wherein they should walk; and send rain upon thy land, which thou hast given unto thy people for an inheritance.
28 ¶ If there b be dearth in the land, if there be pestilence, if there be blasting, or mildew, locusts, or caterpillers; if their enemies besiege them in the cities of their land; whatsoever sore or whatsoever sickness there be:
29 Then what prayer or what supplication soever shall be made of any man, or of all thy people Is′-ra-el, when every one shall know his own sore and his own grief, and shall spread forth his hands in this house:
30 Then hear thou from heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and render unto every man according unto all his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou only c knowest the hearts of the children of men:)
31 That they may fear thee, to walk in thy ways, so long as they live in the land which thou gavest unto our fathers.
32 ¶ Moreover concerning the stranger, d which is not of thy people Is′-ra-el, but is come from a far country for thy great name's sake, and thy mighty hand, and thy stretched out arm; if they come and pray in this house;
33 Then hear thou from the heavens, even from thy dwelling place, and do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for; that all people of the earth may know thy name, and fear thee, as doth thy people Is′-ra-el, and may know that this house which I have built is called by thy name.
34 If thy people go out to war against their enemies by the way that thou shalt send them, and they pray unto thee toward this city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy name;
35 Then hear thou from the heavens their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their cause.
36 If they sin against thee, (for there is e no man which sinneth not,) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them over before their enemies, and they carry them away captives unto a land far off or near;
37 Yet if they bethink themselves in the land whither they are carried captive, and turn and pray unto thee in the land of their captivity, saying, We have sinned, we have done amiss, and have dealt wickedly;
38 If they return to thee with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their captivity, whither they have carried them captives, and pray toward their land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, and toward the city which thou hast chosen, and toward the house which I have built for thy name:
39 Then hear thou from the heavens, even from thy dwelling place, their prayer and their supplications, and maintain their cause, and forgive thy people which have sinned against thee.
40 Now, my God, let, I beseech thee, thine eyes be open, and let thine ears be attent unto the prayer that is made in this place.
41 Now a therefore arise, O Lord God, into thy b resting place, thou, and the ark of thy strength: let thy priests, O Lord God, be clothed with salvation, and let thy saints c rejoice in goodness.
42 O Lord God, turn not away the face of thine anointed: d remember the mercies of Da′-vid thy servant.
7 Now e when Sol′-o-mon had made an end of praying, the f fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and g the glory of the Lord filled the house.
2 h And the priests could not enter into the house of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord had filled the Lord's house.
3 And when all the children of Is′-ra-el saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the Lord upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the Lord, i saying, For he is good; j for his mercy endureth for ever.
4 ¶ k Then the king and all the people offered sacrifices before the Lord.
5 And king Sol′-o-mon offered a sacrifice of twenty and two thousand oxen, and an hundred and twenty thousand sheep: so the king and all the people dedicated the house of God.
6 l And the priests waited on their offices: the Le′-vites also with instruments of musick of the Lord, which Da′-vid the king had made to praise the Lord, because his mercy endureth for ever, when Da′-vid praised by their ministry; and m the priests sounded trumpets before them, and all Is′-ra-el stood.
7 Moreover n Sol′-o-mon hallowed the middle of the court that was before the house of the Lord: for there he offered burnt offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings, because the brasen altar which Sol′-o-mon had made was not able to receive the burnt offerings, and the meat offerings, and the fat.
8 ¶ o Also at the same time Sol′-o-mon kept the feast seven days, and all Is′-ra-el with him, a very great congregation, from the entering in of Ha′-math unto p the river of E′-gypt.
9 And in the eighth day they made a solemn assembly: for they kept the dedication of the altar seven days, and the feast seven days.
10 And q on the three and twentieth day of the seventh month he sent the people away into their tents, glad and merry in heart for the goodness that the Lord had shewed unto Da′-vid, and to Sol′-o-mon, and to Is′-ra-el his people.
11 Thus r Sol′-o-mon finished the house of the Lord, and the king's house: and all that came into Sol′-o-mon's heart to make in the house of the Lord, and in his own house, he prosperously effected.
12 ¶ And the Lord appeared to Sol′-o-mon by night, and said unto him, I have heard thy prayer, a and have chosen this place to myself for an house of sacrifice.
13 b If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people;
14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall c humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; d then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
15 Now e mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place.
16 For now have f I chosen and sanctified this house, that my name may be there for ever: and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually.
17 g And as for thee, if thou wilt walk before me, as Da′-vid thy father walked, and do according to all that I have commanded thee, and shalt observe my statutes and my judgments;
18 Then will I stablish the throne of thy kingdom, according as I have covenanted with Da′-vid thy father, saying, h There shall not fail thee a man to be ruler in Is′-ra-el.
19 i But if ye turn away, and forsake my statutes and my commandments, which I have set before you, and shall go and serve other gods, and worship them;
20 Then will I pluck them up by the roots out of my land which I have given them; and this house, which I have sanctified for my name, will I cast out of my sight, and will make it to be a proverb and a byword among all nations.
21 And this house, which is high, shall be an astonishment to every one that passeth by it; so that he shall say, j Why hath the Lord done thus unto this land, and unto this house?
22 And it shall be answered, Because they forsook the Lord God of their fathers, which brought them forth out of the land of E′-gypt, and laid hold on other gods, and worshipped them, and served them: therefore hath he brought all this evil upon them.
8And k it came to pass at the end of twenty years, wherein Sol′-o-mon had built the house of the Lord, and his own house,
2 ¶ That the cities which Hu′-ram had restored to Sol′-o-mon, Sol′-o-mon built them, and caused the children of Is′-ra-el to dwell there.
3 And Sol′-o-mon went to Ha′-math–zo′-bah, and prevailed against it.
4 l And he built Tad′-mor in the wilderness, and all the store cities, which he built in Ha′-math.
5 Also he built Beth–hor′-on the upper, and Beth–hor′-on the nether, fenced cities, with walls, gates, and bars;
6 And Ba′-a-lath, and all the store cities that Sol′-o-mon had, and all the chariot cities, and the cities of the horsemen, and all that Sol′-o-mon desired to build in Je-ru′-sa-lem, and in Leb′-a-non, and throughout all the land of his dominion.
7 ¶ a As for all the people that were left of the Hit′-tites, and the Am′-o-rites, and the Per-iz′-zites, and the Hi′-vites, and the Jeb′-u-sites, which were not of Is′-ra-el,
8 But of their children, who were left after them in the land, whom the children of Is′-ra-el consumed not, them did Sol′-o-mon make to pay tribute until this day.
9 But of the children of Is′-ra-el did Sol′-o-mon make no servants for his work; but they were men of war, and chief of his captains, and captains of his chariots and horsemen.
10 And these were the chief of king Sol′-o-mon's officers, even b two hundred and fifty, that bare rule over the people.
11 ¶ And Sol′-o-mon c brought up the daughter of Phar′-aoh out of the city of Da′-vid unto the house that he had built for her: for he said, My wife shall not dwell in the house of Da′-vid king of Is′-ra-el, because the places are holy, whereunto the ark of the Lord hath come.
12 ¶ Then Sol′-o-mon offered burnt offerings unto the Lord on the altar of the Lord, which he had built before the porch,
13 Even after a certain rate d every day, offering according to the commandment of Mo′-ses, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts, e three times in the year, even in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles.
14 ¶ And he appointed, according to the order of Da′-vid his father, the f courses of the priests to their service, and g the Le′-vites to their charges, to praise and minister before the priests, as the duty of every day required: the h porters also by their courses at every gate: for so had Da′-vid the man of God commanded.
15 And they departed not from the commandment of the king unto the priests and Le′-vites concerning any matter, or concerning the treasures.
16 Now all the work of Sol′-o-mon was prepared unto the day of the foundation of the house of the Lord, and until it was finished. So the house of the Lord was perfected.
17 ¶ Then went Sol′-o-mon to i E′-zi-on–ge′-ber, and to E′-loth, at the sea side in the land of E′-dom.
18 j And Hu′-ram sent him by the hands of his servants ships, and servants that had knowledge of the sea; and they went with the servants of Sol′-o-mon to O′-phir, and took thence four hundred and fifty talents of gold, and brought them to king Sol′-o-mon.
9And a when the queen of She′-ba heard of the fame of Sol′-o-mon, she came to prove Sol′-o-mon with hard questions at Je-ru′-sa-lem, with a very great company, and camels that bare spices, and gold in abundance, and precious stones: and when she was come to Sol′-o-mon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart.
2 And Sol′-o-mon told her all her questions: and there was nothing hid from Sol′-o-mon which he told her not.
3 And when the queen of She′-ba had seen the wisdom of Sol′-o-mon, and the house that he had built,
4 And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel; his cupbearers also, and their apparel; and his ascent by which he went up into the house of the Lord; there was no more spirit in her.
5 And she said to the king, It was a true report which I heard in mine own land of thine acts, and of thy wisdom:
6 Howbeit I believed not their words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the one half of the greatness of thy wisdom was not told me: for thou exceedest the fame that I heard.
7 Happy are thy men, and happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and hear thy wisdom.
8 Blessed be the Lord thy God, which delighted in thee to set thee on his throne, to be king for the Lord thy God: because thy God loved Is′-ra-el, to establish them for ever, therefore made he thee king over them, to do judgment and justice.
9 And she gave the king an hundred and twenty talents of gold, and of spices great abundance, and precious stones: neither was there any such spice as the queen of She′-ba gave king Sol′-o-mon.
10 And the servants also of Hu′-ram, and the servants of Sol′-o-mon, b which brought gold from O′-phir, brought c al′-gum trees and precious stones.
11 And the king made of the al′-gum trees terraces to the house of the Lord, and to the king's palace, and harps and psalteries for singers: and there were none such seen before in the land of Ju′-dah.
12 And king Sol′-o-mon gave to the queen of She′-ba all her desire, whatsoever she asked, beside that which she had brought unto the king. So she turned, and went away to her own land, she and her servants.
13 ¶ Now the weight of gold that came to Sol′-o-mon in one year was six hundred and threescore and six talents of gold;
14 Beside that which chapmen and merchants brought. And all the kings of A-ra′-bi-a and governors of the country brought gold and silver to Sol′-o-mon.
15 ¶ And king Sol′-o-mon made two hundred targets of beaten gold: six hundred she′-kels of beaten gold went to one target.
16 And three hundred shields made he of beaten gold: three hundred she′-kels of gold went to one shield. And the king put them in the house of the forest of Leb′-a-non.
17 Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with pure gold.
18 And there were six steps to the throne, with a footstool of gold, which were fastened to the throne, and stays on each side of the sitting place, and two lions standing by the stays:
19 And twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other upon the six steps. There was not the like made in any kingdom.
20 ¶ And all the drinking vessels of king Sol′-o-mon were of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Leb′-a-non were of pure gold: none were of silver; it was not any thing accounted of in the days of Sol′-o-mon.
21 For the king's ships went to Tar′-shish with the servants of Hu′-ram: every three years once came the ships of Tar′-shish bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks.
22 And king Sol′-o-mon passed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom.
23 ¶ And all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Sol′-o-mon, to hear his wisdom, that God had put in his heart.
24 And they brought every man his present, vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and raiment, harness, and spices, horses, and mules, a rate year by year.
25 ¶ And Sol′-o-mon a had four thousand stalls for horses and chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen; whom he bestowed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Je-ru′-sa-lem.
26 ¶ b And he reigned over all the kings c from the river even unto the land of the Phil′-is-tines, and to the border of E′-gypt.
27 d And the king made silver in Je-ru′-sa-lem as stones, and cedar trees made he as the sycomore trees that are in the low plains in abundance.
28 e And they brought unto Sol′-o-mon horses out of E′-gypt, and out of all lands.
29 ¶ f Now the rest of the acts of Sol′-o-mon, first and last, are they not written in the book of Na′-than the prophet, and in the prophecy of g A-hi′-jah the Shi′-lo-nite, and in the visions of h Id′-do the seer against Jer-o-bo′-am the son of Ne′-bat?
30 i And Sol′-o-mon reigned in Je-ru′-sa-lem over all Is′-ra-el forty years.
31 And Sol′-o-mon slept with his fathers, and he was buried in the city of Da′-vid his father: and Re-ho-bo′-am his son reigned in his stead.
10 And j Re-ho-bo′-am went to She′-chem: for to She′-chem were all Is′-ra-el come to make him king.
2 And it came to pass, when Jer-o-bo′-am the son of Ne′-bat, who was in E′-gypt, a whither he had fled from the presence of Sol′-o-mon the king, heard it, that Jer-o-bo′-am returned out of E′-gypt.
3 And they sent and called him. So Jer-o-bo′-am and all Is′-ra-el came and spake to Re-ho-bo′-am, saying,
4 Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore ease thou somewhat the grievous servitude of thy father, and his heavy yoke that he put upon us, and we will serve thee.
5 And he said unto them, Come again unto me after three days. And the people departed.
6 ¶ And king Re-ho-bo′-am took counsel with the old men that had stood before Sol′-o-mon his father while he yet lived, saying, What counsel give ye me to return answer to this people?
7 And they spake unto him, saying, If thou be kind to this people, and please them, and speak good words to them, they will be thy servants for ever.
8 But he forsook the counsel which the old men gave him, and took counsel with the young men that were brought up with him, that stood before him.
9 And he said unto them, What advice give ye that we may return answer to this people, which have spoken to me, saying, Ease somewhat the yoke that thy father did put upon us?
10 And the young men that were brought up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou answer the people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it somewhat lighter for us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father's loins.
11 For whereas my father put a heavy yoke upon you, I will put more to your yoke: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.
12 So Jer-o-bo′-am and all the people came to Re-ho-bo′-am on the third day, as the king bade, saying, Come again to me on the third day.
13 And the king answered them roughly; and king Re-ho-bo′-am forsook the counsel of the old men,
14 And answered them after the advice of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add thereto: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.
15 So the king hearkened not unto the people: b for the cause was of God, that the Lord might perform his word, which he spake c by the hand of A-hi′-jah the Shi′-lo-nite to Jer-o-bo′-am the son of Ne′-bat.
16 ¶ And when all Is′-ra-el saw that the king would not hearken unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in Da′-vid? and we have none inheritance in the son of Jes′-se: every man to your tents, O Is′-ra-el: and now, Da′-vid, see to thine own house. So all Is′-ra-el went to their tents.
17 But as for the children of Is′-ra-el that dwelt in the cities of Ju′-dah, Re-ho-bo′-am reigned over them.
18 ¶ Then king Re-ho-bo′-am sent Ha-dor′-am that was over the tribute; and the children of Is′-ra-el stoned him with stones, that he died. But king Re-ho-bo′-am made speed to get him up to his chariot, to flee to Je-ru′-sa-lem.
19 a And Is′-ra-el rebelled against the house of Da′-vid unto this day.
11 And b when Re-ho-bo′-am was come to Je-ru′-sa-lem, he gathered of the house of Ju′-dah and Ben′-ja-min an hundred and fourscore thousand chosen men, which were warriors, to fight against Is′-ra-el, that he might bring the kingdom again to Re-ho-bo′-am.
2 But the word of the Lord came c to Shem-ai′-ah the man of God, saying,
3 Speak unto Re-ho-bo′-am the son of Sol′-o-mon, king of Ju′-dah, and to all Is′-ra-el in Ju′-dah and Ben′-ja-min, saying,
4 Thus saith the Lord, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren: return every man to his house: for this thing is done of me. And they obeyed the words of the Lord, and returned from going against Jer-o-bo′-am.
5 ¶ And Re-ho-bo′-am dwelt in Je-ru′-sa-lem, and built cities for defence in Ju′-dah.
6 He built even Beth′–le-hem, and E′-tam, and Te-ko′-a,
7 And Beth′–zur, and Sho′-co, and A-dul′-lam,
8 And Gath, and Ma-re′-shah, and Ziph,
9 And Ad-o-ra′-im, and La′-chish, and A-ze′-kah,
10 And Zor′-ah, and Ai′-ja-lon, and He′-bron, which are in Ju′-dah and in Ben′-ja-min fenced cities.
11 And he fortified the strong holds, and put captains in them, and store of victual, and of oil and wine.
12 And in every several city he put shields and spears, and made them exceeding strong, having Ju′-dah and Ben′-ja-min on his side.
13 ¶ And the priests and the Le′-vites that were in all Is′-ra-el resorted to him out of all their coasts.
14 For the Le′-vites left d their suburbs and their possession, and came to Ju′-dah and Je-ru′-sa-lem: for e Jer-o-bo′-am and his sons had cast them off from executing the priest's office unto the Lord:
15 f And he ordained him priests for the high places, and for g the devils, and for h the calves which he had made.
16 a And after them out of all the tribes of Is′-ra-el such as set their hearts to seek the Lord God of Is′-ra-el came to Je-ru′-sa-lem, to sacrifice unto the Lord God of their fathers.
17 So they b strengthened the kingdom of Ju′-dah, and made Re-ho-bo′-am the son of Sol′-o-mon strong, three years: for three years they walked in the way of Da′-vid and Sol′-o-mon.
18 ¶ And Re-ho-bo′-am took him Ma′-ha-lath the daughter of Jer′-i-moth the son of Da′-vid to wife, and Ab′-i-hail the daughter of E-li′-ab the son of Jes′-se;
19 Which bare him children; Je′-ush, and Sham-a-ri′-ah, and Za′-ham.
20 And after her he took c Ma′-a-chah the daughter of Ab′-sa-lom; which bare him A-bi′-jah, and At′-tai, and Zi′-za, and She-lo′-mith.
21 And Re-ho-bo′-am loved Ma′-a-chah the daughter of Ab′-sa-lom above all his wives and his concubines: (for he took eighteen wives, and threescore concubines; and begat twenty and eight sons, and threescore daughters.)
22 And Re-ho-bo′-am d made A-bi′-jah the son of Ma′-a-chah the chief, to be ruler among his brethren: for he thought to make him king.
23 And he dealt wisely, and dispersed of all his children throughout all the countries of Ju′-dah and Ben′-ja-min, unto every fenced city: and he gave them victual in abundance. And he desired many wives.
12 And e it came to pass, when Re-ho-bo′-am had established the kingdom, and had strengthened himself, f he forsook the law of the Lord, and all Is′-ra-el with him.
2 g And it came to pass, that in the fifth year of king Re-ho-bo′-am Shi′-shak king of E′-gypt came up against Je-ru′-sa-lem, because they had transgressed against the Lord,
3 With twelve hundred chariots, and threescore thousand horsemen: and the people were without number that came with him out of E′-gypt; h the Lu′-bims, the Suk′-ki-ims, and the E-thi-o′-pi-ans.
4 And he took the fenced cities which pertained to Ju′-dah, and came to Je-ru′-sa-lem.
5 ¶ Then came i Shem-ai′-ah the prophet to Re-ho-bo′-am, and to the princes of Ju′-dah, that were gathered together to Je-ru′-sa-lem because of Shi′-shak, and said unto them, Thus saith the Lord, j Ye have forsaken me, and therefore have I also left you in the hand of Shi′-shak.
6 Whereupon the princes of Is′-ra-el and the king a humbled themselves; and they said, b The Lord is righteous.
7 And when the Lord saw that they humbled themselves, c the word of the Lord came to Shem-ai′-ah, saying, They have humbled themselves; therefore I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance; and my wrath shall not be poured out upon Je-ru′-sa-lem by the hand of Shi′-shak.
8 Nevertheless d they shall be his servants; that they may know e my service, and the service of the kingdoms of the countries.
9 f So Shi′-shak king of E′-gypt came up against Je-ru′-sa-lem, and took away the treasures of the house of the Lord, and the treasures of the king's house; he took all: he carried away also the shields of gold which Sol′-o-mon had g made.
10 Instead of which king Re-ho-bo′-am made shields of brass, and committed them h to the hands of the chief of the guard, that kept the entrance of the king's house.
11 And when the king entered into the house of the Lord, the guard came and fetched them, and brought them again into the guard chamber.
12 And when he humbled himself, the wrath of the Lord turned from him, that he would not destroy him altogether: and also in Ju′-dah things went well.
13 ¶ So king Re-ho-bo′-am strengthened himself in Je-ru′-sa-lem, and reigned: for i Re-ho-bo′-am was one and forty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Je-ru′-sa-lem, j the city which the Lord had chosen out of all the tribes of Is′-ra-el, to put his name there. And his mother's name was Na′-a-mah an Am-mon-i′-tess.
14 And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the Lord.
15 Now the acts of Re-ho-bo′-am, first and last, are they not written in the book of Shem-ai′-ah the prophet, k and of Id′-do the seer concerning genealogies? l And there were wars between Re-ho-bo′-am and Jer-o-bo′-am continually.
16 And Re-ho-bo′-am slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of Da′-vid: and m A-bi′-jah his son reigned in his stead.
13 Now n in the eighteenth year of king Jer-o-bo′-am began A-bi′-jah to reign over Ju′-dah.
2 He reigned three years in Je-ru′-sa-lem. His mother's name also was o Mi-chai′-ah the daughter of U′-ri-el of Gib′-e-ah. And there was war between A-bi′-jah and Jer-o-bo′-am.
3 And A-bi′-jah set the battle in array with an army of valiant men of war, even four hundred thousand chosen men: Jer-o-bo′-am also set the battle in array against him with eight hundred thousand chosen men, being mighty men of valour.
4 ¶ And A-bi′-jah stood up upon mount a Zem-a-ra′-im, which is in mount E′-phra-im, and said, Hear me, thou Jer-o-bo′-am, and all Is′-ra-el;
5 Ought ye not to know that the Lord God of Is′-ra-el b gave the kingdom over Is′-ra-el to Da′-vid for ever, even to him and to his sons c by a covenant of salt?
6 Yet Jer-o-bo′-am the son of Ne′-bat, the servant of Sol′-o-mon the son of Da′-vid, is risen up, and hath d rebelled against his Lord.
7 And there are gathered unto him e vain men, the children of Be′-li-al, and have strengthened themselves against Re-ho-bo′-am the son of Sol′-o-mon, when Re-ho-bo′-am was young and tenderhearted, and could not withstand them.
8 And now ye think to withstand the kingdom of the Lord in the hand of the sons of Da′-vid; and ye be a great multitude, and there are with you golden calves, which Jer-o-bo′-am f made you for gods.
9 g Have ye not cast out the priests of the Lord, the sons of Aar′-on, and the Le′-vites, and have made you priests after the manner of the nations of other lands? h so that whosoever cometh to consecrate himself with a young bullock and seven rams, the same may be a priest of them that are no gods.
10 But as for us, the Lord is our God, and we have not forsaken him; and the priests, which minister unto the Lord, are the sons of Aar′-on, and the Le′-vites wait upon their business:
11 i And they burn unto the Lord every morning and every evening burnt sacrifices and sweet incense: the j shewbread also set they in order upon the pure table; and the candlestick of gold with the lamps thereof, k to burn every evening: for we keep the charge of the Lord our God; but ye have forsaken him.
12 And, behold, God himself is with us for our captain, l and his priests with sounding trumpets to cry alarm against you. O children of Is′-ra-el, m fight ye not against the Lord God of your fathers; for ye shall not prosper.
13 ¶ But Jer-o-bo′-am caused an ambushment to come about behind them: so they were before Ju′-dah, and the ambushment was behind them.
14 And when Ju′-dah looked back, behold, the battle was before and behind: and they cried unto the Lord, and the priests sounded with the trumpets.
15 Then the men of Ju′-dah gave a shout: and as the men of Ju′-dah shouted, it came to pass, that God n smote Jer-o-bo′-am and all Is′-ra-el before A-bi′-jah and Ju′-dah.
16 And the children of Is′-ra-el fled before Ju′-dah: and God delivered them into their hand.
17 And A-bi′-jah and his people slew them with a great slaughter: so there fell down slain of Is′-ra-el five hundred thousand chosen men.
18 Thus the children of Is′-ra-el were brought under at that time, and the children of Ju′-dah prevailed, o because they relied upon the Lord God of their fathers.
19 And A-bi′-jah pursued after Jer-o-bo′-am, and took cities from him, Beth′–el with the towns thereof, and Je-sha′-nah with the towns thereof, and a E′-phra-in with the towns thereof.
20 Neither did Jer-o-bo′-am recover strength again in the days of A-bi′-jah: and the Lord b struck him, and c he died.
21 ¶ But A-bi′-jah waxed mighty, and married fourteen wives, and begat twenty and two sons, and sixteen daughters.
22 And the rest of the acts of A-bi′-jah, and his ways, and his sayings, are written in the story of the prophet d Id′-do.
14 So A-bi′-jah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of Da′-vid: and e A′-sa his son reigned in his stead. In his days the land was quiet ten years.
2 And A′-sa did that which was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God:
3 For he took away the altars of the strange gods, and f the high places, and g brake down the images, h and cut down the groves:
4 And commanded Ju′-dah to seek the Lord God of their fathers, and to do the law and the commandment.
5 Also he took away out of all the cities of Ju′-dah the high places and the images: and the kingdom was quiet before him.
6 ¶ And he built fenced cities in Ju′-dah: for the land had rest, and he had no war in those years; because the Lord had given him rest.
7 Therefore he said unto Ju′-dah, Let us build these cities, and make about them walls, and towers, gates, and bars, while the land is yet before us; because we have sought the Lord our God, we have sought him, and he hath given us rest on every side. So they built and prospered.
8 And A′-sa had an army of men that bare targets and spears, out of Ju′-dah three hundred thousand; and out of Ben′-ja-min, that bare shields and drew bows, two hundred and fourscore thousand: all these were mighty men of valour.
9 ¶ i And there came out against them Ze′-rah the E-thi-o′-pi-an with an host of a thousand thousand, and three hundred chariots; and came unto j Ma-re′-shah.
10 Then A′-sa went out against him, and they set the battle in array in the valley of Zeph′-a-thah at Ma-re′-shah.
11 And A′-sa k cried unto the Lord his God, and said, Lord, it is l nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O Lord our God; for we rest on thee, and m in thy name we go against this multitude. O Lord, thou art our God; let not man prevail against thee.
12 So the Lord n smote the E-thi-o′-pi-ans before A′-sa, and before Ju′-dah; and the E-thi-o′-pi-ans fled.
13 And A′-sa and the people that were with him pursued them unto a Ge′-rar: and the E-thi-o′-pi-ans were overthrown, that they could not recover themselves; for they were destroyed before the Lord, and before his host; and they carried away very much spoil.
14 And they smote all the cities round about Ge′-rar; for b the fear of the Lord came upon them: and they spoiled all the cities; for there was exceeding much spoil in them.
15 They smote also the tents of cattle, and carried away sheep and camels in abundance, and returned to Je-ru′-sa-lem.
15 And c the Spir′-it of God came upon Az-a-ri′-ah the son of O′-ded:
2 And he went out to meet A′-sa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, A′-sa, and all Ju′-dah and Ben′-ja-min; d The Lord is with you, while ye be with him; and e if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but f if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.
3 Now g for a long season Is′-ra-el hath been without the true God, and without h a teaching priest, and without law.
4 But i when they in their trouble did turn unto the Lord God of Is′-ra-el, and sought him, he was found of them.
5 And j in those times there was no peace to him that went out, nor to him that came in, but great vexations were upon all the inhabitants of the countries.
6 k And nation was destroyed of nation, and city of city: for God did vex them with all adversity.
7 Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded.
8 And when A′-sa heard these words, and the prophecy of O′-ded the prophet, he took courage, and put away the abominable idols out of all the land of Ju′-dah and Ben′-ja-min, and out of the cities l which he had taken from mount E′-phra-im, and renewed the altar of the Lord, that was before the porch of the Lord.
9 And he gathered all Ju′-dah and Ben′-ja-min, and m the strangers with them out of E′-phra-im and Ma-nas′-seh, and out of Sim′-e-on: for they fell to him out of Is′-ra-el in abundance, when they saw that the Lord his God was with him.
10 So they gathered themselves together at Je-ru′-sa-lem in the third month, in the fifteenth year of the reign of A′-sa.
11 n And they offered unto the Lord the same time, of o the spoil which they had brought, seven hundred oxen and seven thousand sheep.
12 And they p entered into a covenant to seek the Lord God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul;
13 q That whosoever would not seek the Lord God of Is′-ra-el r should be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman.
14 And they sware unto the Lord with a loud voice, and with shouting, and with trumpets, and with cornets.
15 And all Ju′-dah rejoiced at the oath: for they had sworn with all their heart, and s sought him with their whole desire; and he was found of them: and the Lord gave them rest round about.
16 ¶ And also concerning t Ma′-a-chah the mother of A′-sa the king, he removed her from being queen, because she had made an idol in a grove: and A′-sa cut down her idol, and stamped it, and burnt it at the brook Ki′-dron.
17 But a the high places were not taken away out of Is′-ra-el: nevertheless the heart of A′-sa was perfect all his days.
18 ¶ And he brought into the house of God the things that his father had dedicated, and that he himself had dedicated, silver, and gold, and vessels.
19 And there was no more war unto the five and thirtieth year of the reign of A′-sa.
16 In the six and thirtieth year of the reign of A′-sa b Ba-ash′-a king of Is′-ra-el came up against Ju′-dah, and built Ra′-mah, c to the intent that he might let none go out or come in to A′-sa king of Ju′-dah.
2 Then A′-sa brought out silver and gold out of the treasures of the house of the Lord and of the king's house, and sent to Ben–ha′-dad king of Syr′-i-a, that dwelt at Da-mas′-cus, saying,
3 There is a league between me and thee, as there was between my father and thy father: behold, I have sent thee silver and gold; go, break thy league with Ba-ash′-a king of Is′-ra-el, that he may depart from me.
4 And Ben–ha′-dad hearkened unto king A′-sa, and sent the captains of his armies against the cities of Is′-ra-el; and they smote I′-jon, and Dan, and A′-bel–ma′-im, and all the store cities of Naph′-ta-li.
5 And it came to pass, when Ba-ash′-a heard it, that he left off building of Ra′-mah, and let his work cease.
6 Then A′-sa the king took all Ju′-dah; and they carried away the stones of Ra′-mah, and the timber thereof, wherewith Ba-ash′-a was building; and he built therewith Ge′-ba and Miz′-pah.
7 ¶ And at that time d Ha-na′-ni the seer came to A′-sa king of Ju′-dah, and said unto him, e Because thou hast relied on the king of Syr′-i-a, and not relied on the Lord thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syr′-i-a escaped out of thine hand.
8 Were not f the E-thi-o′-pi-ans and g the Lu′-bims a huge host, with very many chariots and horsemen? yet, because thou didst rely on the Lord, he delivered them into thine hand.
9 h For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein i thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth j thou shalt have wars.
10 Then A′-sa was wroth with the seer, and k put him in a prison house; for he was in a rage with him because of this thing. And A′-sa oppressed some of the people the same time.
11 ¶ l And, behold, the acts of A′-sa, first and last, lo, they are written in the book of the kings of Ju′-dah and Is′-ra-el.
12 And A′-sa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he m sought not to the Lord, but to the physicians.
13 ¶ n And A′-sa slept with his fathers, and died in the one and fortieth year of his reign.
14 And they buried him in his own sepulchres, which he had made for himself in the city of Da′-vid, and laid him in the bed which was filled a with sweet odours and divers kinds of spices prepared by the apothecaries' art: and they made b a very great burning for him.
17 And c Je-hosh′-a-phat his son reigned in his stead, and strengthened himself against Is′-ra-el.
2 And he placed forces in all the fenced cities of Ju′-dah, and set garrisons in the land of Ju′-dah, and in the cities of E′-phra-im, d which A′-sa his father had taken.
3 And the Lord was with Je-hosh′-a-phat, because he walked in the first ways of his father Da′-vid, and sought not unto Ba′-a-lim;
4 But sought to the Lord God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not after e the doings of Is′-ra-el.
5 Therefore the Lord stablished the kingdom in his hand; and all Ju′-dah f brought to Je-hosh′-a-phat presents; g and he had riches and honour in abundance.
6 And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord: moreover h he took away the high places and groves out of Ju′-dah.
7 ¶ Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes, even to Ben′–hail, and to O-ba-di′-ah, and to Zech-a-ri′-ah, and to Neth′-a-neel, and to Mi-chai′-ah, i to teach in the cities of Ju′-dah.
8 And with them he sent Le′-vites, even Shem-ai′-ah, and Neth-a-ni′-ah, and Zeb-a-di′-ah, and As′-a-hel, and She-mi′-ra-moth, and Je-hon′-a-than, and Ad-o-ni′-jah, and To-bi′-jah, and Tob–ad-o-ni′-jah, Le′-vites; and with them E-li′-sha-ma and Je-hor′-am, priests.
9 j And they taught in Ju′-dah, and had the book of the law of the Lord with them, and went about throughout all the cities of Ju′-dah, and taught the people.
10 ¶ And k the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Ju′-dah, so that they made no war against Je-hosh′-a-phat.
11 Also some of the Phil′-is-tines l brought Je-hosh′-a-phat presents, and tribute silver; and the A-ra′-bi-ans brought him flocks, seven thousand and seven hundred rams, and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats.
12 ¶ And Je-hosh′-a-phat waxed great exceedingly; and he built in Ju′-dah castles, and cities of store.
13 And he had much business in the cities of Ju′-dah: and the men of war, mighty men of valour, were in Je-ru′-sa-lem.
14 And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers: Of Ju′-dah, the captains of thousands; Ad′-nah the chief, and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand.
15 And next to him was Je-ho-ha′-nan the captain, and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand.
16 And next him was Am-a-si′-ah the son of Zich′-ri, m who willingly offered himself unto the Lord; and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour.
17 And of Ben′-ja-min; E-li′-a-da a mighty man of valour, and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand.
18 And next him was Je-ho′-za-bad, and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war.
19 These waited on the king, beside n those whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Ju′-dah.
18 Now Je-hosh′-a-phat a had riches and honour in abundance, and b joined affinity with A′-hab.
2 c And after certain years he went down to A′-hab to Sa-mar′-ia. And A′-hab killed sheep and oxen for him in abundance, and for the people that he had with him, and persuaded him to go up with him to Ra′-moth–gil′-e-ad.
3 And A′-hab king of Is′-ra-el said unto Je-hosh′-a-phat king of Ju′-dah, Wilt thou go with me to Ra′-moth–gil′-e-ad? And he answered him, I am as thou art, and my people as thy people; and we will be with thee in the war.
4 And Je-hosh′-a-phat said unto the king of Is′-ra-el, d Inquire, I pray thee, at the word of the Lord to day.
5 Therefore the king of Is′-ra-el gathered together of prophets four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall we go to Ra′-moth–gil′-e-ad to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for God will deliver it into the king's hand.
6 But Je-hosh′-a-phat said, Is there not here a prophet of the Lord besides, that we might inquire of him?
7 And the king of Is′-ra-el said unto Je-hosh′-a-phat, There is yet one man, by whom we may inquire of the Lord: but I hate him; for he never prophesied good unto me, but always evil: the same is Mi-cai′-ah the son of Im′-la. And Je-hosh′-a-phat said, Let not the king say so.
8 And the king of Is′-ra-el called for one of his officers, and said, Fetch quickly Mi-cai′-ah the son of Im′-la.
9 And the king of Is′-ra-el and Je-hosh′-a-phat king of Ju′-dah sat either of them on his throne, clothed in their robes, and they sat in a void place at the entering in of the gate of Sa-mar′-ia; and all the prophets prophesied before them.
10 And Zed-e-ki′-ah the son of Che-na′-a-nah had made him horns of iron, and said, Thus saith the Lord, With these thou shalt push Syr′-i-a until they be consumed.
11 ¶ And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ra′-moth–gil′-e-ad, and prosper: for the Lord shall deliver it into the hand of the king.
12 And the messenger that went to call Mi-cai′-ah spake to him, saying, Behold, the words of the prophets declare good to the king with one assent; let thy word therefore, I pray thee, be like one of theirs, and speak thou good.
13 And Mi-cai′-ah said, As the Lord liveth, e even what my God saith, that will I speak.
14 And when he was come to the king, the king said unto him, Mi-cai′-ah, shall we go to Ra′-moth–gil′-e-ad to battle, or shall I forbear? And he said, Go ye up, and prosper, and they shall be delivered into your hand.
15 And the king said to him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou say nothing but the truth to me in the name of the Lord?
16 Then he said, I did see all Is′-ra-el scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd: and the Lord said, These have no master; let them return therefore every man to his house in peace.
17 And the king of Is′-ra-el said to Je-hosh′-a-phat, Did I not tell thee that he would not prophesy good unto me, but evil?
18 Again he said, Therefore hear the word of the Lord; I saw the Lord sitting upon his throne, and all the host of heaven standing on his right hand and on his left.
19 And the Lord said, Who shall entice A′-hab king of Is′-ra-el, that he may go up and fall at Ra′-moth–gil′-e-ad? And one spake saying after this manner, and another saying after that manner.
20 Then there came out a a spirit, and stood before the Lord, and said, I will entice him. And the Lord said unto him, Wherewith?
21 And he said, I will go out, and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And the Lord said, Thou shalt entice him, and thou shalt also prevail: go out, and do even so.
22 Now therefore, behold, b the Lord hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of these thy prophets, and the Lord hath spoken evil against thee.
23 Then Zed-e-ki′-ah the son of Che-na′-a-nah came near, and c smote Mi-cai′-ah upon the cheek, and said, Which way went the Spir′-it of the Lord from me to speak unto thee?
24 And Mi-cai′-ah said, Behold, thou shalt see on that day when thou shalt go into an inner chamber to hide thyself.
25 Then the king of Is′-ra-el said, Take ye Mi-cai′-ah, and carry him back to A′-mon the governor of the city, and to Jo′-ash the king's son;
26 And say, Thus saith the king, d Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I return in peace.
27 And Mi-cai′-ah said, If thou certainly return in peace, then hath not the Lord spoken by me. And he said, Hearken, all ye people.
28 ¶ So the king of Is′-ra-el and Je-hosh′-a-phat the king of Ju′-dah went up to Ra′-moth–gil′-e-ad.
29 And the king of Is′-ra-el said unto Je-hosh′-a-phat, I will disguise myself, and I will go to the battle; but put thou on thy robes. So the king of Is′-ra-el disguised himself; and they went to the battle.
30 Now the king of Syr′-i-a had commanded the captains of the chariots that were with him, saying, Fight ye not with small or great, save only with the king of Is′-ra-el.
31 And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Je-hosh′-a-phat, that they said, It is the king of Is′-ra-el. Therefore they compassed about him to fight: but Je-hosh′-a-phat cried out, and the Lord helped him; and God moved them to depart from him.
32 For it came to pass, that, when the captains of the chariots perceived that it was not the king of Is′-ra-el, they turned back again from pursuing him.
33 ¶ And a certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Is′-ra-el between the joints of the harness: therefore he said to his chariot man, Turn thine hand, that thou mayest carry me out of the host; for I am wounded.
34 And the battle increased that day: howbeit the king of Is′-ra-el stayed himself up in his chariot against the Syr′-i-ans until the even: and about the time of the sun going down he died.
19 And Je-hosh′-a-phat the king of Ju′-dah returned to his house in peace to Je-ru′-sa-lem.
2 And Je′-hu the son of Ha-na′-ni a the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Je-hosh′-a-phat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and b love them that hate the Lord? therefore is c wrath upon thee from before the Lord.
3 Nevertheless there are d good things found in thee, in that thou hast taken away the groves out of the land, and hast e prepared thine heart to seek God.
4 And Je-hosh′-a-phat dwelt at Je-ru′-sa-lem: and he went out again through the people from Beer–she′-ba to mount E′-phra-im, and brought them back unto the Lord God of their fathers.
5 ¶ And he set judges in the land throughout all the fenced cities of Ju′-dah, city by city,
6 And said to the judges, Take heed what ye do: for f ye judge not for man, but for the Lord, g who is with you in the judgment.
7 Wherefore now let the fear of the Lord be upon you; take heed and do it: for h there is no iniquity with the Lord our God, nor i respect of persons, nor taking of gifts.
8 ¶ Moreover in Je-ru′-sa-lem did Je-hosh′-a-phat j set of the Le′-vites, and of the priests, and of the chief of the fathers of Is′-ra-el, for the judgment of the Lord, and for controversies, when they returned to Je-ru′-sa-lem.
9 And he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye do k in the fear of the Lord, faithfully, and with a perfect heart.
10 l And what cause soever shall come to you of your brethren that dwell in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and judgments, ye shall even warn them that they trespass not against the Lord, and so m wrath come upon n you, and upon your brethren: this do, and ye shall not trespass.
11 And, behold, Am-a-ri′-ah the chief priest is over you o in all matters of the Lord; and Zeb-a-di′-ah the son of Ish′-ma-el, the ruler of the house of Ju′-dah, for all the king's matters: also the Le′-vites shall be officers before you. Deal courageously, and the Lord shall be p with the good.
20 It came to pass after this also, that the children of Mo′-ab, and the children of Am′-mon, and with them other beside the Am′-mon-ites, came against Je-hosh′-a-phat to battle.
2 Then there came some that told Je-hosh′-a-phat, saying, There cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea on this side Syr′-i-a; and, behold, they be q in Haz′-a-zon–ta′-mar, which is r En–ge′-di.
3 And Je-hosh′-a-phat feared, and set himself to s seek the Lord, and t proclaimed a fast throughout all Ju′-dah.
4 And Ju′-dah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the Lord: even out of all the cities of Ju′-dah they came to seek the Lord.
5 ¶ And Je-hosh′-a-phat stood in the congregation of Ju′-dah and Je-ru′-sa-lem, in the house of the Lord, before the new court,
6 And said, O Lord God of our fathers, art not thou a God in heaven? and b rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and c in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee?
7 Art not thou d our God, who e didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Is′-ra-el, and gavest it to the seed of A′-bra-ham f thy friend for ever?
8 And they dwelt therein, and have built thee a sanctuary therein for thy name, saying,
9 g If, when evil cometh upon us, as the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we stand before this house, and in thy presence, (for thy h name is in this house,) and cry unto thee in our affliction, then thou wilt hear and help.
10 And now, behold, the children of Am′-mon and Mo′-ab and mount Se′-ir, whom thou i wouldest not let Is′-ra-el invade, when they came out of the land of E′-gypt, but j they turned from them, and destroyed them not;
11 Behold, I say, how they reward us, k to come to cast us out of thy possession, which thou hast given us to inherit.
12 O our God, wilt thou not l judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but m our eyes are upon thee.
13 And all Ju′-dah stood before the Lord, with their little ones, their wives, and their children.
14 ¶ Then upon Ja-ha′-zi-el the son of Zech-a-ri′-ah, the son of Be-nai′-ah, the son of Je-i′-el, the son of Mat-ta-ni′-ah, a Le′-vite of the sons of A′-saph, n came the Spir′-it of the Lord in the midst of the congregation;
15 And he said, Hearken ye, all Ju′-dah, and ye inhabitants of Je-ru′-sa-lem, and thou king Je-hosh′-a-phat, Thus saith the Lord unto you, o Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's.
16 To morrow go ye down against them: behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz; and ye shall find them at the end of the brook, before the wilderness of Je-ru′-el.
17 p Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you, O Ju′-dah and Je-ru′-sa-lem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: q for the Lord will be with you.
18 And Je-hosh′-a-phat r bowed his head with his face to the ground: and all Ju′-dah and the inhabitants of Je-ru′-sa-lem fell before the Lord, worshipping the Lord.
19 And the Le′-vites, of the children of the Ko′-hath-ites, and of the children of the Kor′-hites, stood up to praise the Lord God of Is′-ra-el with a loud voice on high.
20 ¶ And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Te-ko′-a: and as they went forth, Je-hosh′-a-phat stood and said, Hear me, O Ju′-dah, and ye inhabitants of Je-ru′-sa-lem; s Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.
21 And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the Lord, t and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, u Praise the Lord; v for his mercy endureth for ever.
22 ¶ And when they began to sing and to praise, w the Lord set ambushments against the children of Am′-mon, Mo′-ab, and mount Se′-ir, which were come against Ju′-dah; and they were smitten.
23 For the children of Am′-mon and Mo′-ab stood up against the inhabitants of mount Se′-ir, utterly to slay and destroy them: and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Se′-ir, every one helped to destroy another.
24 And when Ju′-dah came toward the watch tower in the wilderness, they looked unto the multitude, and, behold, they were dead bodies fallen to the earth, and none escaped.
25 And when Je-hosh′-a-phat and his people came to take away the spoil of them, they found among them in abundance both riches with the dead bodies, and precious jewels, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away: and they were three days in gathering of the spoil, it was so much.
26 ¶ And on the fourth day they assembled themselves in the valley of Be-ra′-chah; for there they blessed the Lord: therefore the name of the same place was called, The valley of Be-ra′-chah, unto this day.
27 Then they returned, every man of Ju′-dah and Je-ru′-sa-lem, and Je-hosh′-a-phat in the forefront of them, to go again to Je-ru′-sa-lem with joy; for the Lord had a made them to rejoice over their enemies.
28 And they came to Je-ru′-sa-lem with psalteries and harps and trumpets unto the house of the Lord.
29 And b the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of those countries, when they had heard that the Lord fought against the enemies of Is′-ra-el.
30 So the realm of Je-hosh′-a-phat was quiet: for his c God gave him rest round about.
31 ¶ d And Je-hosh′-a-phat reigned over Ju′-dah: he was thirty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty and five years in Je-ru′-sa-lem. And his mother's name was A-zu′-bah the daughter of Shil′-hi.
32 And he walked in the way of A′-sa his father, and departed not from it, doing that which was right in the sight of the Lord.
33 Howbeit e the high places were not taken away: for as yet the people had not f prepared their hearts unto the God of their fathers.
34 Now the rest of the acts of Je-hosh′-a-phat, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of Je′-hu the son of Ha-na′-ni, g who is mentioned in the book of the kings of Is′-ra-el.
35 ¶ And after this h did Je-hosh′-a-phat king of Ju′-dah join himself with A-ha-zi′-ah king of Is′-ra-el, who did very wickedly:
36 And he joined himself with him to make ships to go to Tar′-shish: and they made the ships in E′-zi-on–ge′-ber.
37 Then El-i-e′-zer the son of Do′-da-vah of Ma-re′-shah prophesied against Je-hosh′-a-phat, saying, Because thou hast joined thyself with A-ha-zi′-ah, the Lord hath broken thy works. i And the ships were broken, that they were not able to go to j Tar′-shish.
21 Now k Je-hosh′-a-phat slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of Da′-vid. And Je-hor′-am his son reigned in his stead.
2 And he had brethren the sons of Je-hosh′-a-phat, Az-a-ri′-ah, and Je-hi′-el, and Zech-a-ri′-ah, and Az-a-ri′-ah, and Mi′-cha-el, and Sheph-a-ti′-ah: all these were the sons of Je-hosh′-a-phat king of Is′-ra-el.
3 And their father gave them great gifts of silver, and of gold, and of precious things, with fenced cities in Ju′-dah: but the kingdom gave he to Je-hor′-am; because he was the firstborn.
4 Now when Je-hor′-am was risen up to the kingdom of his father, he strengthened himself, and slew all his brethren with the sword, and divers also of the princes of Is′-ra-el.
5 ¶ a Je-hor′-am was thirty and two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eight years in Je-ru′-sa-lem.
6 And he walked in the way of the kings of Is′-ra-el, like as did the house of A′-hab: for he had the daughter of b A′-hab to wife: and he wrought that which was evil in the eyes of the Lord.
7 Howbeit the Lord would not destroy the house of Da′-vid, because of the covenant that he had made with Da′-vid, and as he promised to give a light to him and to his c sons for ever.
8 ¶ d In his days the E′-dom-ites revolted from under the dominion of Ju′-dah, and made themselves a king.
9 Then Je-hor′-am went forth with his princes, and all his chariots with him: and he rose up by night, and smote the E′-dom-ites which compassed him in, and the captains of the chariots.
10 So the E′-dom-ites revolted from under the hand of Ju′-dah unto this day. The same time also did Lib′-nah revolt from under his hand; because he had forsaken the Lord God of his fathers.
11 Moreover he made high places in the mountains of Ju′-dah and caused the inhabitants of Je-ru′-sa-lem to e commit fornication, and compelled Ju′-dah thereto.
12 ¶ And there came a writing to him from E-li′-jah the prophet, saying, Thus saith the Lord God of Da′-vid thy father, Because thou hast not walked in the ways of Je-hosh′-a-phat thy father, nor in the ways of A′-sa king of Ju′-dah,
13 But hast walked in the way of the kings of Is′-ra-el, and hast f made Ju′-dah and the inhabitants of Je-ru′-sa-lem to g go a whoring, like to the h whoredoms of the house of A′-hab, and also hast i slain thy brethren of thy father's house, which were better than thyself:
14 Behold, with a great plague will the Lord smite thy people, and thy children, and thy wives, and all thy goods:
15 And thou shalt have great sickness by j disease of thy bowels, until thy bowels fall out by reason of the sickness day by day.
16 ¶ Moreover the Lord k stirred up against Je-hor′-am the spirit of the Phil′-is-tines, and of the A-ra′-bi-ans, that were near the E-thi-o′-pi-ans:
17 And they came up into Ju′-dah, and brake into it, and carried away all the substance that was found in the king's house, and l his sons also, and his wives; so that there was never a son left him, save Je-ho′-a-haz, the youngest of his sons.
18 ¶ And after all this the Lord smote him a in his bowels with an incurable disease.
19 And it came to pass, that in process of time, after the end of two years, his bowels fell out by reason of his sickness: so he died of sore diseases. And his people made no burning for him, like b the burning of his fathers.
20 Thirty and two years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned in Je-ru′-sa-lem eight years, and departed without being desired. Howbeit they buried him in the city of Da′-vid, but not in the sepulchres of the kings.
22 And the inhabitants of Je-ru′-sa-lem made c A-ha-zi′-ah his youngest son king in his stead: for the band of men that came with the A-ra′-bi-ans to the camp had slain all the d eldest. So A-ha-zi′-ah the son of Je-hor′-am king of Ju′-dah reigned.
2 e Forty and two years old was A-ha-zi′-ah when he began to reign, and he reigned one year in Je-ru′-sa-lem. His mother's name also was f Ath-a-li′-ah the daughter of Om′-ri.
3 He also walked in the ways of the house of A′-hab: for his mother was his counseller to do wickedly.
4 Wherefore he did evil in the sight of the Lord like the house of A′-hab: for they were his counsellers after the death of his father to his destruction.
5 ¶ He walked also after their counsel, and g went with Je-hor′-am the son of A′-hab king of Is′-ra-el to war against Ha-za′-el king of Syr′-i-a at Ra′-moth–gil′-e-ad: and the Syr′-i-ans smote Jo′-ram.
6 h And he returned to be healed in Jez′-reel because of the wounds which were given him at Ra′-mah, when he fought with Ha-za′-el king of Syr′-i-a. And Az-a-ri′-ah the son of Je-hor′-am king of Ju′-dah went down to see Je-hor′-am the son of A′-hab at Jez′-reel, because he was sick.
7 And the destruction of A-ha-zi′-ah i was of God by coming to Jo′-ram: for when he was come, he j went out with Je-hor′-am against Je′-hu the son of Nim′-shi, k whom the Lord had anointed to cut off the house of A′-hab.
8 And it came to pass, that, when Je′-hu was l executing judgment upon the house of A′-hab, and m found the princes of Ju′-dah, and the sons of the brethren of A-ha-zi′-ah, that ministered to A-ha-zi′-ah, he slew them.
9 n And he sought A-ha-zi′-ah: and they caught him, (for he was hid in Sa-mar′-ia,) and brought him to Je′-hu: and when they had slain him, they buried him: Because, said they, he is the son of Je-hosh′-a-phat, who o sought the Lord with all his heart. So the house of A-ha-zi′-ah had no power to keep still the kingdom.
10 ¶ p But when Ath-a-li′-ah the mother of A-ha-zi′-ah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal of the house of Ju′-dah.
11 But a Je-ho-shab′-e-ath, the daughter of the king, took Jo′-ash the son of A-ha-zi′-ah, and stole him from among the king's sons that were slain, and put him and his nurse in a bedchamber. So Je-ho-shab′-e-ath, the daughter of king Je-hor′-am, the wife of Je-hoi′-a-da the priest, (for she was the sister of A-ha-zi′-ah,) hid him from Ath-a-li′-ah, so that she slew him not.
12 And he was with them hid in the house of God six years: and Ath-a-li′-ah reigned over the land.
23 And b in the seventh year Je-hoi′-a-da strengthened himself, and took the captains of hundreds, Az-a-ri′-ah the son of Je-ro′-ham, and Ish′-ma-el the son of Je-ho-ha′-nan, and Az-a-ri′-ah the son of O′-bed, and Ma-a-sei′-ah the son of A-dai′-ah, and E-li-sha′-phat the son of Zich′-ri, into covenant with him.
2 And they went about in Ju′-dah, and gathered the Le′-vites out of all the cities of Ju′-dah, and the chief of the fathers of Is′-ra-el, and they came to Je-ru′-sa-lem.
3 And all the congregation made a covenant with the king in the house of God. And he said unto them, Behold, the king's son shall reign, as the Lord hath c said of the sons of Da′-vid.
4 This is the thing that ye shall do; A third part of you d entering on the sabbath, of the priests and of the Le′-vites, shall be porters of the doors;
5 And a third part shall be at the king's house; and a third part at the gate of the foundation: and all the people shall be in the courts of the house of the Lord.
6 But let none come into the house of the Lord, save the priests, and e they that minister of the Le′-vites; they shall go in, for they are holy: but all the people shall keep the watch of the Lord.
7 And the Le′-vites shall compass the king round about, every man with his weapons in his hand; and whosoever else cometh into the house, he shall be put to death: but be ye with the king when he cometh in, and when he goeth out.
8 So the Le′-vites and all Ju′-dah did according to all things that Je-hoi′-a-da the priest had commanded, and took every man his men that were to come in on the sabbath, with them that were to go out on the sabbath: for Je-hoi′-a-da the priest dismissed not f the courses.
9 Moreover Je-hoi′-a-da the priest delivered to the captains of hundreds spears, and bucklers, and shields, that had been king Da′-vid's, which were in the house of God.
10 And he set all the people, every man having his weapon in his hand, from the right side of the temple to the left side of the temple, along by the altar and the temple, by the king round about.
11 Then they brought out the king's son, and put upon him the crown, and g gave him the testimony, and made him king. And Je-hoi′-a-da and his sons anointed him, and said, God save the king.
12 ¶ Now when Ath-a-li′-ah heard the noise of the people running and praising the king, she came to the people into the house of the Lord:
13 And she looked, and, behold, the king stood at his pillar at the entering in, and the princes and the trumpets by the king: and all the people of the land rejoiced, and sounded with trumpets, also the singers with instruments of musick, and a such as taught to sing praise. Then Ath-a-li′-ah rent her clothes, and said, Treason, Treason.
14 Then Je-hoi′-a-da the priest brought out the captains of hundreds that were set over the host, and said unto them, Have her forth of the ranges: and whoso followeth her, let him be slain with the sword. For the priest said, Slay her not in the house of the Lord.
15 So they laid hands on her; and when she was come to the entering b of the horse gate by the king's house, they slew her there.
16 ¶ And Je-hoi′-a-da made a covenant between him, and between all the people, and between the king, that they should be the Lord's people.
17 Then all the people went to the house of Ba′-al, and brake it down, and brake his altars and his images in pieces, and c slew Mat′-tan the priest of Ba′-al before the altars.
18 Also Je-hoi′-a-da appointed the offices of the house of the Lord by the hand of the priests the Le′-vites, whom Da′-vid had d distributed in the house of the Lord, to offer the burnt offerings of the Lord, as it is written in the e law of Mo′-ses, with rejoicing and with singing, as it was ordained by Da′-vid.
19 And he set the f porters at the gates of the house of the Lord, that none which was unclean in any thing should enter in.
20 g And he took the captains of hundreds, and the nobles, and the governors of the people, and all the people of the land, and brought down the king from the house of the Lord: and they came through the high gate into the king's house, and set the king upon the throne of the kingdom.
21 And all the people of the land rejoiced: and the city was quiet, after that they had slain Ath-a-li′-ah with the sword.
24 Jo′-ash h was seven years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years in Je-ru′-sa-lem. His mother's name also was Zi′-bi-ah of Beer–she′-ba.
2 And Jo′-ash i did that which was right in the sight of the Lord all the days of Je-hoi′-a-da the priest.
3 And Je-hoi′-a-da took for him two wives; and he begat sons and daughters.
4 ¶ And it came to pass after this, that Jo′-ash was minded to repair the house of the Lord.
5 And he gathered together the priests and the Le′-vites, and said to them, Go out unto the cities of Ju′-dah, and j gather of all Is′-ra-el money to repair the house of your God from year to year, and see that ye hasten the matter. Howbeit the Le′-vites hastened it not.
6 k And the king called for Je-hoi′-a-da the chief, and said unto him, Why hast thou not required of the Le′-vites to bring in out of Ju′-dah and out of Je-ru′-sa-lem the collection, according to the commandment of l Mo′-ses the servant of the Lord, and of the congregation of Is′-ra-el, for the a tabernacle of witness?
7 For b the sons of Ath-a-li′-ah, that wicked woman, had broken up the house of God; and also all the c dedicated things of the house of the Lord did they bestow upon Ba′-a-lim.
8 And at the king's commandment d they made a chest, and set it without at the gate of the house of the Lord.
9 And they made a proclamation through Ju′-dah and Je-ru′-sa-lem, to bring in to the Lord e the collection that Mo′-ses the servant of God laid upon Is′-ra-el in the wilderness.
10 And all the princes and all the people rejoiced, and brought in, and cast into the chest, until they had made an end.
11 Now it came to pass, that at what time the chest was brought unto the king's office by the hand of the Le′-vites, and f when they saw that there was much money, the king's scribe and the high priest's officer came and emptied the chest, and took it, and carried it to his place again. Thus they did day by day, and gathered money in abundance.
12 And the king and Je-hoi′-a-da gave it to such as did the work of the service of the house of the Lord, and hired masons and carpenters to repair the house of the Lord, and also such as wrought iron and brass to mend the house of the Lord.
13 So the workmen wrought, and the work was perfected by them, and they set the house of God in his state, and strengthened it.
14 And when they had finished it, they brought the rest of the money before the king and Je-hoi′-a-da, g whereof were made vessels for the house of the Lord, even vessels to minister, and to offer withal, and spoons, and vessels of gold and silver. And they offered burnt offerings in the house of the Lord continually all the days of Je-hoi′-a-da.
15 ¶ But Je-hoi′-a-da waxed old, and was full of days when he died; an hundred and thirty years old was he when he died.
16 And they buried him in the city of Da′-vid among the kings, because he had done good in Is′-ra-el, both toward God, and toward his house.
17 ¶ Now after the death of Je-hoi′-a-da came the princes of Ju′-dah, and made obeisance to the king. Then the king hearkened unto them.
18 And they left the house of the Lord God of their fathers, and served h groves and idols: and i wrath came upon Ju′-dah and Je-ru′-sa-lem for this their trespass.
19 Yet he j sent prophets to them, to bring them again unto the Lord; and they testified against them: but they would not give ear.
20 And k the Spir′-it of God came upon Zech-a-ri′-ah the son of Je-hoi′-a-da the priest, which stood above the people, and said unto them, Thus saith God, l Why transgress ye the commandments of the Lord, that ye cannot prosper? m because ye have forsaken the Lord, he hath also forsaken you.
21 And they conspired against him, and n stoned him with stones at the commandment of the king in the court of the house of the Lord.
22 Thus Jo′-ash the king remembered not the kindness which Je-hoi′-a-da his father had done to him, but slew his son. And when he died, he said, The Lord look upon it, and require it.
23 ¶ And it came to pass at the end of the year, that o the host of Syr′-i-a came up against him: and they came to Ju′-dah and Je-ru′-sa-lem, and destroyed all the princes of the people from among the people, and sent all the spoil of them unto the king of Da-mas′-cus.
24 For the army of the Syr′-i-ans a came with a small company of men, and the Lord b delivered a very great host into their hand, because they had forsaken the Lord God of their fathers. So they c executed judgment against Jo′-ash.
25 ¶ And when they were departed from him, (for they left him in great diseases,) d his own servants conspired against him for the blood of the e sons of Je-hoi′-a-da the priest, and slew him on his bed, and he died: and they buried him in the city of Da′-vid, but they buried him not in the sepulchres of the kings.
26 And these are they that conspired against him; Za′-bad the son of Shim′-e-ath an Am-mon-i′-tess, and Je-ho′-za-bad the son of Shim′-rith a Mo-ab-i′-tess.
27 ¶ Now concerning his sons, and the greatness of f the burdens laid upon him, and the repairing of the house of God, behold, they are written in the story of the book of the kings. g And Am-a-zi′-ah his son reigned in his stead.
25 Am-a-zi′-ah h was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty and nine years in Je-ru′-sa-lem. And his mother's name was Je-ho-ad′-dan of Je-ru′-sa-lem.
2 And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, i but not with a perfect heart.
3 ¶ j Now it came to pass, when the kingdom was established to him, that he slew his servants that had killed the king his father.
4 But he slew not their children, but did as it is written in the law in the book of Mo′-ses, where the Lord commanded, saying, k The fathers shall not die for the children, neither shall the children die for the fathers, but every man shall die for his own sin.
5 ¶ Moreover Am-a-zi′-ah gathered Ju′-dah together, and made them captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, according to the houses of their fathers, throughout all Ju′-dah and Ben′-ja-min: and he numbered them l from twenty years old and above, and found them three hundred thousand choice men, able to go forth to war, that could handle spear and shield.
6 He hired also an hundred thousand mighty men of valour out of Is′-ra-el for an hundred talents of silver.
7 But there came a man of God to him, saying, O king, let not the army of Is′-ra-el go with thee; for the Lord is not with Is′-ra-el, to wit, with all the children of E′-phra-im.
8 But if thou wilt go, do it, be strong for the battle: God shall make thee fall before the enemy: for God hath m power to help, and to cast down.
9 And Am-a-zi′-ah said to the man of God, But what shall we do for the hundred talents which I have given to the army of Is′-ra-el? And the man of God answered, n The Lord is able to give thee much more than this.
10 Then Am-a-zi′-ah separated them, to wit, the army that was come to him out of E′-phra-im, to go home again: wherefore their anger was greatly kindled against Ju′-dah, and they returned home in great anger.
11 ¶ And Am-a-zi′-ah strengthened himself, and led forth his people, and went a to the valley of salt, and smote of the children of Se′-ir ten thousand.
12 And other ten thousand left alive did the children of Ju′-dah carry away captive, and brought them unto the top of the rock, and cast them down from the top of the rock, that they all were broken in pieces.
13 ¶ But the soldiers of the army which Am-a-zi′-ah sent back, that they should not go with him to battle, fell upon the cities of Ju′-dah, from Sa-mar′-ia even unto Beth–hor′-on, and smote three thousand of them, and took much spoil.
14 ¶ Now it came to pass, after that Am-a-zi′-ah was come from the slaughter of the E′-dom-ites, that b he brought the gods of the children of Se′-ir, and set them up to be c his gods, and bowed down himself before them, and burned incense unto them.
15 Wherefore the anger of the Lord was kindled against Am-a-zi′-ah, and he sent unto him a prophet, which said unto him, Why hast thou sought after d the gods of the people, which e could not deliver their own people out of thine hand?
16 And it came to pass, as he talked with him, that the king said unto him, Art thou made of the king's counsel? forbear; why shouldest thou be smitten? Then the prophet forbare, and said, I know that God hath f determined to destroy thee, because thou hast done this, and hast not hearkened unto my counsel.
17 ¶ Then g Am-a-zi′-ah king of Ju′-dah took advice, and sent to Jo′-ash, the son of Je-ho′-a-haz, the son of Je′-hu, king of Is′-ra-el, saying, Come, let us see one another in the face.
18 And Jo′-ash king of Is′-ra-el sent to Am-a-zi′-ah king of Ju′-dah, saying, The thistle that was in Leb′-a-non sent to the cedar that was in Leb′-a-non, saying, Give thy daughter to my son to wife: and there passed by a wild beast that was in Leb′-a-non, and trode down the thistle.
19 Thou sayest, Lo, thou hast smitten the E′-dom-ites; and thine heart lifteth thee up to boast: abide now at home; why shouldest thou meddle to thine hurt, that thou shouldest fall, even thou, and Ju′-dah with thee?
20 But Am-a-zi′-ah would not hear; for h it came of God, that he might deliver them into the hand of their enemies, because they i sought after the gods of E′-dom.
21 So Jo′-ash the king of Is′-ra-el went up; and they saw one another in the face, both he and Am-a-zi′-ah king of Ju′-dah, at Beth–she′-mesh, which belongeth to Ju′-dah.
22 And Ju′-dah was put to the worse before Is′-ra-el, and they fled every man to his tent.
23 And Jo′-ash the king of Is′-ra-el took Am-a-zi′-ah king of Ju′-dah, the son of Jo′-ash, the son of a Je-ho′-a-haz, at Beth–she′-mesh, and brought him to Je-ru′-sa-lem, and brake down the wall of Je-ru′-sa-lem from the gate of E′-phra-im to the corner gate, four hundred cubits.
24 And he took all the gold and the silver, and all the vessels that were found in the house of God with O′-bed–e′-dom, and the treasures of the king's house, the hostages also, and returned to Sa-mar′-ia.
25 ¶ b And Am-a-zi′-ah the son of Jo′-ash king of Ju′-dah lived after the death of Jo′-ash son of Je-ho′-a-haz king of Is′-ra-el fifteen years.
26 Now the rest of the acts of Am-a-zi′-ah, first and last, behold, are they not written in the book of the kings of Ju′-dah and Is′-ra-el?
27 ¶ Now after the time that Am-a-zi′-ah did turn away from following the Lord they made a conspiracy against him in Je-ru′-sa-lem; and he fled to La′-chish: but they sent to La′-chish after him, and slew him there.
28 And they brought him upon horses, and buried him with his fathers in the city of Ju′-dah.
26 Then all the people of Ju′-dah took c Uz-zi′-ah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in the room of his father Am-a-zi′-ah.
2 He built E′-loth, and restored it to Ju′-dah, after that the king slept with his fathers.
3 Sixteen years old was Uz-zi′-ah when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and two years in Je-ru′-sa-lem. His mother's name also was Jec-o-li′-ah of Je-ru′-sa-lem.
4 And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father Am-a-zi′-ah did.
5 And d he sought God in the days of Zech-a-ri′-ah, who e had understanding in the visions of God: and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him to prosper.
6 And he went forth and f warred against the Phil′-is-tines, and brake down the wall of Gath, and the wall of Jab′-neh, and the wall of Ash′-dod, and built cities about Ash′-dod, and among the Phil′-is-tines.
7 And God helped him against g the Phil′-is-tines, and against the A-ra′-bi-ans that dwelt in Gur–ba′-al, and the Me-hu′-nims.
8 And the Am′-mon-ites a gave gifts to Uz-zi′-ah: and his name spread abroad even to the entering in of E′-gypt; for he strengthened himself exceedingly.
9 Moreover Uz-zi′-ah built towers in Je-ru′-sa-lem at the b corner gate, and at the valley gate, and at the turning of the wall, and fortified them.
10 Also he built towers in the desert, and digged many wells: for he had much cattle, both in the low country, and in the plains: husbandmen also, and vine dressers in the mountains, and in Car′-mel: for he loved husbandry.
11 Moreover Uz-zi′-ah had an host of fighting men, that went out to war by bands, according to the number of their account by the hand of Je-i′-el the scribe and Ma-a-sei′-ah the ruler, under the hand of Han-a-ni′-ah, one of the king's captains.
12 The whole number of the chief of the fathers of the mighty men of valour were two thousand and six hundred.
13 And under their hand was an army, three hundred thousand and seven thousand and five hundred, that made war with mighty power, to help the king against the enemy.
14 And Uz-zi′-ah prepared for them throughout all the host shields, and spears, and helmets, and habergeons, and bows, and slings to cast stones.
15 And he made in Je-ru′-sa-lem engines, invented by cunning men, to be on the towers and upon the bulwarks, to shoot arrows and great stones withal. And his name spread far abroad; for he was marvellously helped, till he was strong.
16 ¶ But c when he was strong, his heart was d lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the Lord his God, and e went into the temple of the Lord to burn incense upon the altar of incense.
17 And f Az-a-ri′-ah the priest went in after him, and with him fourscore priests of the Lord, that were valiant men:
18 And they withstood Uz-zi′-ah the king, and said unto him, It g appertaineth not unto thee, Uz-zi′-ah, to burn incense unto the Lord, but to the h priests the sons of Aar′-on, that are consecrated to burn incense: go out of the sanctuary; for thou hast trespassed; neither shall it be for thine honour from the Lord God.
19 Then Uz-zi′-ah was wroth, and had a censer in his hand to burn incense: and while he was wroth with the priests, i the leprosy even rose up in his forehead before the priests in the house of the Lord, from beside the incense altar.
20 And Az-a-ri′-ah the chief priest, and all the priests, looked upon him, and, behold, he was leprous in his forehead, and they thrust him out from thence; yea, himself a hasted also to go out, because the Lord had smitten him.
21 b And Uz-zi′-ah the king was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a c several house, being a leper; for he was cut off from the house of the Lord: and Jo′-tham his son was over the king's house, judging the people of the land.
22 ¶ Now the rest of the acts of Uz-zi′-ah, first and last, did d I-sa′-iah the prophet, the son of A′-moz, write.
23 e So Uz-zi′-ah slept with his fathers, and they buried him with his fathers in the field of the burial which belonged to the kings; for they said, He is a leper: and Jo′-tham his son reigned in his stead.
27 Jo′-tham f was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Je-ru′-sa-lem. His mother's name also was Je-ru′-shah, the daughter of Za′-dok.
2 And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father Uz-zi′-ah did: howbeit he entered not into the temple of the Lord. And g the people did yet corruptly.
3 He built the high gate of the house of the Lord, and on the wall of O′-phel he built much.
4 Moreover he built cities in the mountains of Ju′-dah, and in the forests he built castles and towers.
5 ¶ He fought also with the king of the Am′-mon-ites, and prevailed against them. And the children of Am′-mon gave him the same year an hundred talents of silver, and ten thousand measures of wheat, and ten thousand of barley. So much did the children of Am′-mon pay unto him, both the second year, and the third.
6 So Jo′-tham became mighty, because he prepared his ways before the Lord his God.
7 ¶ Now the rest of the acts of Jo′-tham, and all his wars, and his ways, lo, they are written in the book of the kings of Is′-ra-el and Ju′-dah.
8 He was five and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned sixteen years in Je-ru′-sa-lem.
9 ¶ h And Jo′-tham slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of Da′-vid: and A′-haz his son reigned in his stead.
28 A′-haz i was twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Je-ru′-sa-lem: but he did not that which was right in the sight of the Lord, like Da′-vid his father:
2 For he walked in the ways of the kings of Is′-ra-el, and made also j molten images for k Ba′-a-lim.
3 Moreover he burnt incense in l the valley of the son of Hin′-nom, and burnt m his children in the fire, after the abominations of the heathen whom the Lord had cast out before the children of Is′-ra-el.
4 He sacrificed also and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree.
5 Wherefore a the Lord his God delivered him into the hand of the king of Syr′-i-a; and they b smote him, and carried away a great multitude of them captives, and brought them to Da-mas′-cus. And he was also delivered into the hand of the king of Is′-ra-el, who smote him with a great slaughter.
6 ¶ For c Pe′-kah the son of Rem-a-li′-ah slew in Ju′-dah an hundred and twenty thousand in one day, which were all valiant men; because they had forsaken the Lord God of their fathers.
7 And Zich′-ri, a mighty man of E′-phra-im, slew Ma-a-sei′-ah the king's son, and Az-ri′-kam the governor of the house, and El-ka′-nah that was next to the king.
8 And the children of Is′-ra-el carried away captive of their d brethren two hundred thousand, women, sons, and daughters, and took also away much spoil from them, and brought the spoil to Sa-mar′-ia.
9 But a prophet of the Lord was there, whose name was O′-ded: and he went out before the host that came to Sa-mar′-ia, and said unto them, Behold, e because the Lord God of your fathers was wroth with Ju′-dah, he hath delivered them into your hand, and ye have slain them in a rage that f reacheth up unto heaven.
10 And now ye purpose to keep under the children of Ju′-dah and Je-ru′-sa-lem for g bondmen and bondwomen unto you: but are there not with you, even with you, sins against the Lord your God?
11 Now hear me therefore, and deliver the captives again, which ye have taken captive of your brethren: h for the fierce wrath of the Lord is upon you.
12 Then certain of the heads of the children of E′-phra-im, Az-a-ri′-ah the son of Jo-ha′-nan, Ber-e-chi′-ah the son of Me-shil′-le-moth, and Je-hiz-ki′-ah the son of Shal′-lum, and A-ma′-sa the son of Had-la′-i, stood up against them that came from the war,
13 And said unto them, Ye shall not bring in the captives hither: for whereas we have offended against the Lord already, ye intend to add more to our sins and to our trespass: for our trespass is great, and there is fierce wrath against Is′-ra-el.
14 So the armed men left the captives and the spoil before the princes and all the congregation.
15 And the men i which were expressed by name rose up, and took the captives, and with the spoil clothed all that were naked among them, and arrayed them, and shod them, and j gave them to eat and to drink, and anointed them, and carried all the feeble of them upon asses, and brought them to Jer′-i-cho, k the city of palm trees, to their brethren: then they returned to Sa-mar′-ia.
16 ¶ l At that time did king A′-haz send unto the kings of As-syr′-i-a to help him.
17 For again the E′-dom-ites had come and smitten Ju′-dah, and carried away captives.
18 a The Phil′-is-tines also had invaded the cities of the low country, and of the south of Ju′-dah, and had taken Beth–she′-mesh, and Aj′-a-lon, and Ge-de′-roth, and Sho′-cho with the villages thereof, and Tim′-nah with the villages thereof, Gim′-zo also and the villages thereof: and they dwelt there.
19 For the Lord brought Ju′-dah low because of A′-haz king of b Is′-ra-el; for he c made Ju′-dah naked, and transgressed sore against the Lord.
20 And d Til′-gath–pil-ne′-ser king of As-syr′-i-a came unto him, and distressed him, but strengthened him not.
21 For A′-haz took away a portion out of the house of the Lord, and out of the house of the king, and of the princes, and gave it unto the king of As-syr′-i-a: but he helped him not.
22 ¶ And in the time of his distress did he trespass yet more against the Lord: this is that king A′-haz.
23 For e he sacrificed unto the gods of Da-mas′-cus, which smote him: and he said, Because the gods of the kings of Syr′-i-a help them, therefore will I sacrifice to them, that f they may help me. But they were the ruin of him, and of all Is′-ra-el.
24 And A′-haz gathered together the vessels of the house of God, and cut in pieces the vessels of the house of God, g and shut up the doors of the house of the Lord, and he made him altars in every corner of Je-ru′-sa-lem.
25 And in every several city of Ju′-dah he made high places to burn incense unto other gods, and provoked to anger the Lord God of his fathers.
26 h Now the rest of his acts and of all his ways, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Ju′-dah and Is′-ra-el.
27 And A′-haz slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city, even in Je-ru′-sa-lem: but they brought him not into the sepulchres of the kings of Is′-ra-el: and Hez-e-ki′-ah his son reigned in his stead.
29 Hez-e-ki′-ah i began to reign when he was five and twenty years old, and he reigned nine and twenty years in Je-ru′-sa-lem. And his mother's name was A-bi′-jah, the daughter j of Zech-a-ri′-ah.
2 And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that Da′-vid his father had done.
3 ¶ He in the first year of his reign, in the first month, k opened the doors of the house of the Lord, and repaired them.
4 And he brought in the priests and the Le′-vites, and gathered them together into the east street,
5 And said unto them, Hear me, ye Le′-vites, a sanctify now yourselves, and sanctify the house of the Lord God of your fathers, and carry forth the filthiness out of the holy place.
6 For our fathers have trespassed, and done that which was evil in the eyes of the Lord our God, and have forsaken him, and have b turned away their faces from the habitation of the Lord, and turned their backs.
7 c Also they have shut up the doors of the porch, and put out the lamps, and have not burned incense nor offered burnt offerings in the holy place unto the God of Is′-ra-el.
8 Wherefore the d wrath of the Lord was upon Ju′-dah and Je-ru′-sa-lem, and he hath delivered them to trouble, to astonishment, and to e hissing, as ye see with your eyes.
9 For, lo, f our fathers have fallen by the sword, and our sons and our daughters and our wives are in captivity for this.
10 Now it is in mine heart to make g a covenant with the Lord God of Is′-ra-el, that his fierce wrath may turn away from us.
11 My sons, be not now negligent: for the Lord hath h chosen you to stand before him, to serve him, and that ye should minister unto him, and burn incense.
12 ¶ Then the Le′-vites arose, Ma′-hath the son of A-ma′-sai, and Jo′-el the son of Az-a-ri′-ah, of the sons of the Ko′-hath-ites: and of the sons of Me-rar′-i, Kish the son of Ab′-di, and Az-a-ri′-ah the son of Je-hal′-e-lel: and of the Ger′-shon-ites; Jo′-ah the son of Zim′-mah, and E′-den the son of Jo′-ah:
13 And of the sons of E-li-za′-phan; Shim′-ri, and Je-i′-el: and of the sons of A′-saph; Zech-a-ri′-ah, and Mat-ta-ni′-ah:
14 And of the sons of He′-man; Je-hi′-el, and Shim′-e-i: and of the sons of Je-du′-thun; Shem-ai′-ah, and Uz′-zi-el.
15 And they gathered their brethren, and i sanctified themselves, and came, according to the commandment of the king, by the words of the Lord, j to cleanse the house of the Lord.
16 And the priests went into the inner part of the house of the Lord, to cleanse it, and brought out all the uncleanness that they found in the temple of the Lord into the court of the house of the Lord. And the Le′-vites took it, to carry it out abroad into the brook Ki′-dron.
17 Now they began on the first day of the first month to sanctify, and on the eighth day of the month came they to the porch of the Lord: so they sanctified the house of the Lord in eight days; and in the sixteenth day of the first month they made an end.
18 Then they went in to Hez-e-ki′-ah the king, and said, We have cleansed all the house of the Lord, and the altar of burnt offering, with all the vessels thereof, and the shewbread table, with all the vessels thereof.
19 Moreover all the vessels, which king A′-haz in his reign did k cast away in his transgression, have we prepared and sanctified, and, behold, they are before the altar of the Lord.
20 ¶ Then Hez-e-ki′-ah the king rose early, and gathered the rulers of the city, and went up to the house of the Lord.
21 And they brought seven bullocks, and seven rams, and seven lambs, and seven he goats, for a l sin offering for the kingdom, and for the sanctuary, and for Ju′-dah. And he commanded the priests the sons of Aar′-on to offer them on the altar of the Lord.
22 So they killed the bullocks, and the priests received the blood, and m sprinkled it on the altar: likewise, when they had killed the rams, they sprinkled the blood upon the altar: they killed also the lambs, and they sprinkled the blood upon the altar.
23 And they brought forth the he goats for the sin offering before the king and the congregation; and they laid their a hands upon them:
24 And the priests killed them, and they made reconciliation with their blood upon the altar, b to make an atonement for all Is′-ra-el: for the king commanded that the burnt offering and the sin offering should be made for all Is′-ra-el.
25 c And he set the Le′-vites in the house of the Lord with cymbals, with psalteries, and with harps, d according to the commandment of Da′-vid, and of e Gad the king's seer, and Na′-than the prophet: f for so was the commandment of the Lord by his prophets.
26 And the Le′-vites stood with the instruments g of Da′-vid, and the priests with h the trumpets.
27 And Hez-e-ki′-ah commanded to offer the burnt offering upon the altar. And when the burnt offering began, i the song of the Lord began also with the trumpets, and with the instruments ordained by Da′-vid king of Is′-ra-el.
28 And all the congregation worshipped, and the singers sang, and the trumpeters sounded: and all this continued until the burnt offering was finished.
29 And when they had made an end of offering, j the king and all that were present with him bowed themselves, and worshipped.
30 Moreover Hez-e-ki′-ah the king and the princes commanded the Le′-vites to sing praise unto the Lord with the words of Da′-vid, and of A′-saph the seer. And they sang praises with gladness, and they bowed their heads and worshipped.
31 Then Hez-e-ki′-ah answered and said, Now ye have consecrated yourselves unto the Lord, come near and bring sacrifices and k thank offerings into the house of the Lord. And the congregation brought in sacrifices and thank offerings; and as many as were of a free heart burnt offerings.
32 And the number of the burnt offerings, which the congregation brought, was threescore and ten bullocks, an hundred rams, and two hundred lambs: all these were for a burnt offering to the Lord.
33 And the consecrated things were six hundred oxen and three thousand sheep.
34 But the priests were too few, so that they could not flay all the burnt offerings: wherefore l their brethren the Le′-vites did help them, till the work was ended, and until the other priests had sanctified themselves: m for the Le′-vites were more n upright in heart to sanctify themselves than the priests.
35 And also the burnt offerings were in abundance, with o the fat of the peace offerings, and p the drink offerings for every burnt offering. So the service of the house of the Lord was set in order.
36 And Hez-e-ki′-ah rejoiced, and all the people, that God had prepared the people: for the thing was done suddenly.
30 And Hez-e-ki′-ah sent to all Is′-ra-el and Ju′-dah, and wrote letters also to E′-phra-im and Ma-nas′-seh, that they should come to the house of the Lord at Je-ru′-sa-lem, to keep the passover unto the Lord God of Is′-ra-el.
2 For the king had taken counsel, and his princes, and all the congregation in Je-ru′-sa-lem, to keep the passover in the second a month.
3 For they could not keep it b at that time, c because the priests had not sanctified themselves sufficiently, neither had the people gathered themselves together to Je-ru′-sa-lem.
4 And the thing pleased the king and all the congregation.
5 So they established a decree to make proclamation throughout all Is′-ra-el, from Beer–she′-ba even to Dan, that they should come to keep the passover unto the Lord God of Is′-ra-el at Je-ru′-sa-lem: for they had not done it of a long time in such sort as it was written.
6 So the posts went with the letters from the king and his princes throughout all Is′-ra-el and Ju′-dah, and according to the commandment of the king, saying, Ye children of Is′-ra-el, d turn again unto the Lord God of A′-bra-ham, I′-saac, and Is′-ra-el, and he will return to the remnant of you, that are escaped out of the hand of e the kings of As-syr′-i-a.
7 And be not ye f like your fathers, and like your brethren, which trespassed against the Lord God of their fathers, who therefore g gave them up to desolation, as ye see.
8 Now be ye not h stiffnecked, as your fathers were, but yield yourselves unto the Lord, and enter into his sanctuary, which he hath sanctified for ever: and serve the Lord your God, i that the fierceness of his wrath may turn away from you.
9 For if ye turn again unto the Lord, your brethren and your children shall find j compassion before them that lead them captive, so that they shall come again into this land: for the Lord your God is k gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if ye l return unto him.
10 So the posts passed from city to city through the country of E′-phra-im and Ma-nas′-seh even unto Ze-bu′-lun: but m they laughed them to scorn, and mocked them.
11 Nevertheless n divers of Ash′-er and Ma-nas′-seh and of Ze-bu′-lun humbled themselves, and came to Je-ru′-sa-lem.
12 Also in Ju′-dah o the hand of God was to give them one heart to do the commandment of the king and of the princes, p by the word of the Lord.
13 ¶ And there assembled at Je-ru′-sa-lem much people to keep the feast of unleavened bread in the second month, a very great congregation.
14 And they arose and took away the q altars that were in Je-ru′-sa-lem, and all the altars for incense took they away, and cast them into the brook Ki′-dron.
15 ¶ Then they killed the passover on the fourteenth day of the second month: and the priests and the Le′-vites were r ashamed, and sanctified themselves, and brought in the burnt offerings into the house of the Lord.
16 And they stood in their place after their manner, according to the law of Mo′-ses the man of God: the priests sprinkled the blood, which they received of the hand of the Le′-vites.
17 For there were many in the congregation that were not sanctified: s therefore the Le′-vites had the charge of the killing of the passovers for every one that was not clean, to sanctify them unto the Lord.
18 For a multitude of the people, even t many of E′-phra-im, and Ma-nas′-seh, Is′-sa-char, and Ze-bu′-lun, had not cleansed themselves, a yet did they eat the passover otherwise than it was written. But Hez-e-ki′-ah prayed for them, saying, The good Lord pardon every one
19 That b prepareth his heart to seek God, the Lord God of his fathers, though he be not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary.
20 And the Lord hearkened to Hez-e-ki′-ah, and healed the people.
21 And the children of Is′-ra-el that were present at Je-ru′-sa-lem kept c the feast of unleavened bread seven days with great gladness: and the Le′-vites and the priests praised the Lord day by day, singing with loud instruments unto the Lord.
22 And Hez-e-ki′-ah spake comfortably unto all the Le′-vites d that taught the good knowledge of the Lord: and they did eat throughout the feast seven days, offering peace offerings, and e making confession to the Lord God of their fathers.
23 And the whole assembly took counsel to keep f other seven days: and they kept other seven days with gladness.
24 For Hez-e-ki′-ah king of Ju′-dah g did give to the congregation a thousand bullocks and seven thousand sheep; and the princes gave to the congregation a thousand bullocks and ten thousand sheep: and a great number of priests h sanctified themselves.
25 And all the congregation of Ju′-dah, with the priests and the Le′-vites, and all the congregation i that came out of Is′-ra-el, and the strangers that came out of the land of Is′-ra-el, and that dwelt in Ju′-dah, rejoiced.
26 So there was great joy in Je-ru′-sa-lem: for since the time of Sol′-o-mon the son of Da′-vid king of Is′-ra-el there was not the like in Je-ru′-sa-lem.
27 ¶ Then the priests the Le′-vites arose and j blessed the people: and their voice was heard, and their prayer came up to his holy dwelling place, even unto heaven.
31 Now when all this was finished, all Is′-ra-el that were present went out to the cities of Ju′-dah, and k brake the images in pieces, and cut down the groves, and threw down the high places and the altars out of all Ju′-dah and Ben′-ja-min, in E′-phra-im also and Ma-nas′-seh, until they had utterly destroyed them all. Then all the children of Is′-ra-el returned, every man to his possession, into their own cities.
2 ¶ And Hez-e-ki′-ah appointed l the courses of the priests and the Le′-vites after their courses, every man according to his service, the priests and Le′-vites m for burnt offerings and for peace offerings, to minister, and to give thanks, and to praise in the gates of the tents of the Lord.
3 He appointed also the king's portion of his substance for the burnt offerings, to wit, for the morning and evening burnt offerings, and the burnt offerings for the sabbaths, and for the new moons, and for the set feasts, as it is written in the n law of the Lord.
4 Moreover he commanded the people that dwelt in Je-ru′-sa-lem to give the o portion of the priests and the Le′-vites, that they might be encouraged in p the law of the Lord.
5 ¶ And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Is′-ra-el brought in abundance a the firstfruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly.
6 And concerning the children of Is′-ra-el and Ju′-dah, that dwelt in the cities of Ju′-dah, they also brought in the tithe of oxen and sheep, and the b tithe of holy things which were consecrated unto the Lord their God, and laid them by heaps.
7 In the third month they began to lay the foundation of the heaps, and finished them in the seventh month.
8 And when Hez-e-ki′-ah and the princes came and saw the heaps, they blessed the Lord, and his people Is′-ra-el.
9 Then Hez-e-ki′-ah questioned with the priests and the Le′-vites concerning the heaps.
10 And Az-a-ri′-ah the chief priest of the house of Za′-dok answered him, and said, c Since the people began to bring the offerings into the house of the Lord, we have had enough to eat, and have left plenty: for the Lord hath blessed his people; and that which is left is this great store.
11 ¶ Then Hez-e-ki′-ah commanded to prepare chambers in the house of the Lord; and they prepared them,
12 And brought in the offerings and the tithes and the dedicated things faithfully: d over which Co-no-ni′-ah the Le′-vite was ruler, and Shim′-e-i his brother was the next.
13 And Je-hi′-el, and Az-a-zi′-ah, and Na′-hath, and As′-a-hel, and Jer′-i-moth, and Jo′-za-bad, and E-li′-el, and Is-ma-chi′-ah, and Ma′-hath, and Be-nai′-ah, were overseers under the hand of Co-no-ni′-ah and Shim′-e-i his brother, at the commandment of Hez-e-ki′-ah the king, and Az-a-ri′-ah the ruler of the house of God.
14 And Kor′-e the son of Im′-nah the Le′-vite, the porter toward the east, was over the freewill offerings of God, to distribute the oblations of the Lord, and the most holy things.
15 And next him were E′-den, and Min-i′-a-min, and Jesh′-u-a, and Shem-ai′-ah, Am-a-ri′-ah, and Shec-a-ni′-ah, in the e cities of the priests, in their set office, to give to their brethren by courses, as well to the great as to the small:
16 Beside their genealogy of males, from three years old and upward, even unto every one that entereth into the house of the Lord, his daily portion for their service in their charges according to their courses;
17 Both to the genealogy of the priests by the house of their fathers, and the Le′-vites f from twenty years old and upward, in their charges by their courses;
18 And to the genealogy of all their little ones, their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, through all the congregation: for in their set office they sanctified themselves in holiness:
19 Also of the sons of Aar′-on the priests, which were in g the fields of the suburbs of their cities, in every several city, the men that were h expressed by name, to give portions to all the males among the priests, and to all that were reckoned by genealogies among the Le′-vites.
20 ¶ And thus did Hez-e-ki′-ah throughout all Ju′-dah, and i wrought that which was good and right and truth before the Lord his God.
21 And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered.
32 After j these things, and the establishment thereof, Sen-nach′-er-ib king of As-syr′-i-a came, and entered into Ju′-dah, and encamped against the fenced cities, and thought to win them for himself.
2 And when Hez-e-ki′-ah saw that Sen-nach′-er-ib was come, and that he was purposed to fight against Je-ru′-sa-lem,
3 He took counsel with his princes and his mighty men to stop the waters of the fountains which were without the city: and they did help him.
4 So there was gathered much people together, who stopped all the fountains, and the brook that ran through the midst of the land, saying, Why should the kings of As-syr′-i-a come, and find much water?
5 Also a he strengthened himself, b and built up all the wall that was broken, and raised it up to the towers, and another wall without, and repaired c Mil′-lo in the city of Da′-vid, and made darts and shields in abundance.
6 And he set captains of war over the people, and gathered them together to him in the street of the gate of the city, and spake comfortably to them, saying,
7 d Be strong and courageous, e be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of As-syr′-i-a, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for f there be more with us than with him:
8 With him is an g arm of flesh; but h with us is the Lord our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hez-e-ki′-ah king of Ju′-dah.
9 ¶ i After this did Sen-nach′-er-ib king of As-syr′-i-a send his servants to Je-ru′-sa-lem, (but he himself laid siege against La′-chish, and all his power with him,) unto Hez-e-ki′-ah king of Ju′-dah, and unto all Ju′-dah that were at Je-ru′-sa-lem, saying,
10 j Thus saith Sen-nach′-er-ib king of As-syr′-i-a, Whereon do ye trust, that ye abide in the siege in Je-ru′-sa-lem?
11 Doth not Hez-e-ki′-ah persuade you to give over yourselves to die by famine and by thirst, saying, k The Lord our God shall deliver us out of the hand of the king of As-syr′-i-a?
12 l Hath not the same Hez-e-ki′-ah taken away his high places and his altars, and commanded Ju′-dah and Je-ru′-sa-lem, saying, Ye shall worship before one altar, and burn incense upon it?
13 Know ye not what I and my fathers have done unto all the people of other lands? m were the gods of the nations of those lands any ways able to deliver their lands out of mine hand?
14 Who was there among all the gods of those nations that my fathers utterly destroyed, that could deliver his people out of mine hand, that your God should be able to deliver you out of mine hand?
15 Now therefore n let not Hez-e-ki′-ah deceive you, nor persuade you on this manner, neither yet believe him: for no god of any nation or kingdom was able to deliver his people out of mine hand, and out of the hand of my fathers: how much less shall your God deliver you out of mine hand?
16 And his servants spake yet more against the Lord God, and against his servant Hez-e-ki′-ah.
17 o He wrote also letters to rail on the Lord God of Is′-ra-el, and to speak against him, saying, p As the gods of the nations of other lands have not delivered their people out of mine hand, so shall not the God of Hez-e-ki′-ah deliver his people out of mine hand.
18 q Then they cried with a loud voice in the Jews' speech unto the people of Je-ru′-sa-lem r that were on the wall, to affright them, and to trouble them; that they might take the city.
19 And they spake against the God of Je-ru′-sa-lem, as against the gods of the people of the earth, which were s the work of the hands of man.
20 t And for this cause Hez-e-ki′-ah the king, and a the prophet I-sa′-iah the son of A′-moz, prayed and cried to heaven.
21 ¶ b And the Lord sent an angel, which cut off all the mighty men of valour, and the leaders and captains in the camp of the king of As-syr′-i-a. So he returned with shame of face to his own land. And when he was come into the house of his god, they that came forth of his own bowels slew him there with the sword.
22 Thus the Lord saved Hez-e-ki′-ah and the inhabitants of Je-ru′-sa-lem from the hand of Sen-nach′-er-ib the king of As-syr′-i-a, and from the hand of all other, and guided them on every side.
23 And many brought gifts unto the Lord to Je-ru′-sa-lem, and c presents to Hez-e-ki′-ah king of Ju′-dah: so that he was d magnified in the sight of all nations from thenceforth.
24 ¶ e In those days Hez-e-ki′-ah was sick to the death, and prayed unto the Lord: and he spake unto him, and he gave him a sign.
25 But Hez-e-ki′-ah f rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him; for g his heart was lifted up: h therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Ju′-dah and Je-ru′-sa-lem.
26 i Notwithstanding Hez-e-ki′-ah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Je-ru′-sa-lem, so that the wrath of the Lord came not upon them j in the days of Hez-e-ki′-ah.
27 ¶ And Hez-e-ki′-ah had exceeding much riches and honour: and he made himself treasuries for silver, and for gold, and for precious stones, and for spices, and for shields, and for all manner of pleasant jewels;
28 Storehouses also for the increase of corn, and wine, and oil; and stalls for all manner of beasts, and cotes for flocks.
29 Moreover he provided him cities, and possessions of flocks and herds in abundance: for k God had given him substance very much.
30 l This same Hez-e-ki′-ah also stopped the upper watercourse of Gi′-hon, and brought it straight down to the west side of the city of Da′-vid. And Hez-e-ki′-ah prospered in all his works.
31 ¶ Howbeit in the business of the ambassadors of the princes of Bab′-y-lon, who m sent unto him to inquire of the wonder that was done in the land, God left him, to n try him, that he might know all that was in his heart.
32 ¶ Now the rest of the acts of Hez-e-ki′-ah, and his goodness, behold, they are written in o the vision of I-sa′-iah the prophet, the son of A′-moz, and in the p book of the kings of Ju′-dah and Is′-ra-el.
33 q And Hez-e-ki′-ah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the chiefest of the sepulchres of the sons of Da′-vid: and all Ju′-dah and the inhabitants of Je-ru′-sa-lem did him r honour at his death. And Ma-nas′-seh his son reigned in his stead.
33 Ma-nas′-seh s was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and five years in Je-ru′-sa-lem:
2 But did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, like unto the t abominations of the heathen, whom the Lord had cast out before the children of Is′-ra-el.
3 ¶ For he built again the high places which Hez-e-ki′-ah his father had a broken down, and he reared up altars for Ba′-a-lim, and b made groves, and worshipped c all the host of heaven, and served them.
4 Also he built altars in the house of the Lord, whereof the Lord had said, d In Je-ru′-sa-lem shall my name be for ever.
5 And he built altars for all the host of heaven e in the two courts of the house of the Lord.
6 f And he caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hin′-nom: g also he observed times, and used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and h dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger.
7 And i he set a carved image, the idol which he had made, in the house of God, of which God had said to Da′-vid and to Sol′-o-mon his son, In j this house, and in Je-ru′-sa-lem, which I have chosen before all the tribes of Is′-ra-el, will I put my name for ever:
8 k Neither will I any more remove the foot of Is′-ra-el from out of the land which I have appointed for your fathers; so that they will take heed to do all that I have commanded them, according to the whole law and the statutes and the ordinances by the hand of Mo′-ses.
9 So Ma-nas′-seh made Ju′-dah and the inhabitants of Je-ru′-sa-lem to err, and to do worse than the heathen, whom the Lord had destroyed before the children of Is′-ra-el.
10 And the Lord spake to Ma-nas′-seh, and to his people: but they would not hearken.
11 ¶ l Wherefore the Lord brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of As-syr′-i-a, which took Ma-nas′-seh among the thorns, and m bound him with fetters, and carried him to Bab′-y-lon.
12 And when he was in affliction, he besought the Lord his God, and n humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers,
13 And prayed unto him: and he was o intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Je-ru′-sa-lem into his kingdom. Then Ma-nas′-seh p knew that the Lord he was God.
14 Now after this he built a wall without the city of Da′-vid, on the west side of q Gi′-hon, in the valley, even to the entering in at the fish gate, and compassed r about O′-phel, and raised it up a very great height, and put captains of war in all the fenced cities of Ju′-dah.
15 And he took away the s strange gods, and the idol out of the house of the Lord, and all the altars that he had built in the mount of the house of the Lord, and in Je-ru′-sa-lem, and cast them out of the city.
16 And he repaired the altar of the Lord, and sacrificed thereon peace offerings and t thank offerings, and commanded Ju′-dah to serve the Lord God of Is′-ra-el.
17 u Nevertheless the people did sacrifice still in the high places, yet unto the Lord their God only.
18 ¶ Now the rest of the acts of Ma-nas′-seh, and his prayer unto his God, and the words of v the seers that spake to him in the name of the Lord God of Is′-ra-el, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Is′-ra-el.
19 His prayer also, and how God was intreated of him, and all his sin, and his trespass, and the places wherein he built high places, and set up groves and graven images, before he was humbled: behold, they are written among the sayings of the seers.
20 ¶ a So Ma-nas′-seh slept with his fathers, and they buried him in his own house: and A′-mon his son reigned in his stead.
21 ¶ b A′-mon was two and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned two years in Je-ru′-sa-lem.
22 But he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, as did Ma-nas′-seh his father: for A′-mon sacrificed unto all the carved images which Ma-nas′-seh his father had made, and served them;
23 And humbled not himself before the Lord, c as Ma-nas′-seh his father had humbled himself; but A′-mon trespassed more and more.
24 d And his servants conspired against him, and slew him in his own house.
25 ¶ But the people of the land slew all them that had conspired against king A′-mon; and the people of the land made Jo-si′-ah his son king in his stead.
34 Jo-si′-ah e was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Je-ru′-sa-lem one and thirty years.
2 And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the ways of Da′-vid his father, and declined neither to the right hand, nor to the left.
3 ¶ For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to f seek after the God of Da′-vid his father: and in the twelfth year he began g to purge Ju′-dah and Je-ru′-sa-lem h from the high places, and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images.
4 i And they brake down the altars of Ba′-a-lim in his presence; and the images, that were on high above them, he cut down; and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images, he brake in pieces, and made dust of them, j and strowed it upon the graves of them that had sacrificed unto them.
5 And he k burnt the bones of the priests upon their altars, and cleansed Ju′-dah and Je-ru′-sa-lem.
6 And so did he in the cities of Ma-nas′-seh, and E′-phra-im, and Sim′-e-on, even unto Naph′-ta-li, with their mattocks round about.
7 And when he had broken down the altars and the groves, and had l beaten the graven images into powder, and cut down all the idols throughout all the land of Is′-ra-el, he returned to Je-ru′-sa-lem.
8 ¶ Now m in the eighteenth year of his reign, when he had purged the land, and the house, he sent Sha′-phan the son of Az-a-li′-ah, and Ma-a-sei′-ah the governor of the city, and Jo′-ah the son of Jo′-a-haz the recorder, to repair the house of the Lord his God.
9 And when they came to Hil-ki′-ah the high priest, they delivered n the money that was brought into the house of God, which the Le′-vites that kept the doors had gathered of the hand of Ma-nas′-seh and E′-phra-im, and of all the remnant of Is′-ra-el, and of all Ju′-dah and Ben′-ja-min; and they returned to Je-ru′-sa-lem.
10 And they put it in the hand of the workmen that had the oversight of the house of the Lord, and they gave it to the workmen that wrought in the house of the Lord, to repair and amend the house:
11 Even to the artificers and builders gave they it, to buy hewn stone, and timber for couplings, and to floor the houses which the kings of Ju′-dah had destroyed.
12 And the men did the work faithfully: and the overseers of them were Ja′-hath and O-ba-di′-ah, the Le′-vites, of the sons of Me-rar′-i; and Zech-a-ri′-ah and Me-shul′-lam, of the sons of the Ko′-hath-ites, to set it forward; and other of the Le′-vites, all that could skill of instruments of musick.
13 Also they were over the bearers of burdens, and were overseers of all that wrought the work in any manner of service: a and of the Le′-vites there were scribes, and officers, and porters.
14 ¶ And when they brought out the money that was brought into the house of the Lord, Hil-ki′-ah the priest b found a book of the law of the Lord given by Mo′-ses.
15 And Hil-ki′-ah answered and said to Sha′-phan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the Lord. And Hil-ki′-ah delivered the book to Sha′-phan.
16 And Sha′-phan carried the book to the king, and brought the king word back again, saying, All that was committed to thy servants, they do it.
17 And they have gathered together the money that was found in the house of the Lord, and have delivered it into the hand of the overseers, and to the hand of the workmen.
18 Then Sha′-phan the scribe told the king, saying, Hil-ki′-ah the priest hath given me a book. And Sha′-phan read it before the king.
19 And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the law, that he rent his clothes.
20 And the king commanded Hil-ki′-ah, and A-hi′-kam the son of Sha′-phan, and Ab′-don the son of Mi′-cah, and Sha′-phan the scribe, and A-sai′-ah a servant of the king's, saying,
21 Go, inquire of the Lord for me, and for them that are left in Is′-ra-el and in Ju′-dah, concerning the words of the book that is found: for great is the wrath of the Lord that is poured out upon us, because our fathers have not kept the word of the Lord, to do after all that is written in this book.
22 And Hil-ki′-ah, and they that the king had appointed, went to Hul′-dah the prophetess, the wife of Shal′-lum the son of c Tik′-vath, the son of Has′-rah, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Je-ru′-sa-lem in the college:) and they spake to her to that effect.
23 ¶ And she answered them, Thus saith the Lord God of Is′-ra-el, Tell ye the man that sent you to me,
24 Thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, and upon the inhabitants thereof, even all the curses that are written in the book which they have read before the king of Ju′-dah:
25 Because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands; therefore my wrath shall be poured out upon this place, and shall not be quenched.
26 And as for the king of Ju′-dah, who sent you to inquire of the Lord, so shall ye say unto him, Thus saith the Lord God of Is′-ra-el concerning the words which thou hast heard;
27 Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou heardest his words against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and humbledst thyself before me, and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before me; I have even heard thee also, saith the Lord.
28 Behold, I will gather thee to thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered to thy grave in peace, neither shall thine eyes see all the evil that I will bring upon this place, and upon the inhabitants of the same. So they brought the king word again.
29 ¶ a Then the king sent and gathered together all the elders of Ju′-dah and Je-ru′-sa-lem.
30 And the king went up into the house of the Lord, and all the men of Ju′-dah, and the inhabitants of Je-ru′-sa-lem, and the priests, and the Le′-vites, and all the people, great and small: and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant that was found in the house of the Lord.
31 And the king stood in his b place, and made a covenant before the Lord, to walk after the Lord, and to keep his commandments, and his testimonies, and his statutes, with all his heart, and with all his soul, to perform the words of the covenant which are written in this book.
32 And he caused all that were present in Je-ru′-sa-lem and Ben′-ja-min to stand to it. And the inhabitants of Je-ru′-sa-lem did according to the covenant of God, the God of their fathers.
33 And Jo-si′-ah took away all the c abominations out of all the countries that pertained to the children of Is′-ra-el, and made all that were present in Is′-ra-el to serve, even to serve the Lord their God. d And all his days they departed not from following the Lord, the God of their fathers.
35 Moreover e Jo-si′-ah kept a passover unto the Lord in Je-ru′-sa-lem: and they killed the passover on the f fourteenth day of the first month.
2 And he set the priests in their g charges, and h encouraged them to the service of the house of the Lord,
3 And said unto the Le′-vites i that taught all Is′-ra-el, which were holy unto the Lord, j Put the holy ark k in the house which Sol′-o-mon the son of Da′-vid king of Is′-ra-el did build; l it shall not be a burden upon your shoulders: serve now the Lord your God, and his people Is′-ra-el,
4 And prepare yourselves by the m houses of your fathers, after your courses, according to the n writing of Da′-vid king of Is′-ra-el, and according to the o writing of Sol′-o-mon his son.
5 And p stand in the holy place according to the divisions of the families of the fathers of your brethren the people, and after the division of the families of the Le′-vites.
6 So kill the passover, and q sanctify yourselves, and prepare your brethren, that they may do according to the word of the Lord by the hand of Mo′-ses.
7 And Jo-si′-ah r gave to the people, of the flock, lambs and kids, all for the passover offerings, for all that were present, to the number of thirty thousand, and three thousand bullocks: these were of the king's substance.
8 And his princes gave willingly unto the people, to the priests, and to the Le′-vites: Hil-ki′-ah and Zech-a-ri′-ah and Je-hi′-el, rulers of the house of God, gave unto the priests for the passover offerings two thousand and six hundred small cattle and three hundred oxen.
9 Co-na-ni′-ah also, and Shem-ai′-ah and Neth′-a-neel, his brethren, and Hash-a-bi′-ah and Je-i′-el and Jo′-za-bad, chief of the Le′-vites, gave unto the Le′-vites for passover offerings five thousand small cattle, and five hundred oxen.
10 So the service was prepared, and the priests a stood in their place, and the Le′-vites in their courses, according to the king's commandment.
11 And they killed the passover, and the priests b sprinkled the blood from their hands, and the Le′-vites c flayed them.
12 And they removed the burnt offerings, that they might give according to the divisions of the families of the people, to offer unto the Lord, as it is written d in the book of Mo′-ses. And so did they with the oxen.
13 And they e roasted the passover with fire according to the ordinance: but the other holy offerings f sod they in pots, and in caldrons, and in pans, and divided them speedily among all the people.
14 And afterward they made ready for themselves, and for the priests: because the priests the sons of Aar′-on were busied in offering of burnt offerings and the fat until night; therefore the Le′-vites prepared for themselves, and for the priests the sons of Aar′-on.
15 And the singers the sons of A′-saph were in their place, according to the g commandment of Da′-vid, and A′-saph, and He′-man, and Je-du′-thun the king's seer; and the porters h waited at every gate; they might not depart from their service; for their brethren the Le′-vites prepared for them.
16 So all the service of the Lord was prepared the same day, to keep the passover, and to offer burnt offerings upon the altar of the Lord, according to the commandment of king Jo-si′-ah.
17 And the children of Is′-ra-el that were present kept the passover at that time, and the feast of i unleavened bread seven days.
18 And j there was no passover like to that kept in Is′-ra-el from the days of Sam′-u-el the prophet; neither did all the kings of Is′-ra-el keep such a passover as Jo-si′-ah kept, and the priests, and the Le′-vites, and all Ju′-dah and Is′-ra-el that were present, and the inhabitants of Je-ru′-sa-lem.
19 In the eighteenth year of the reign of Jo-si′-ah was this passover kept.
20 ¶ k After all this, when Jo-si′-ah had prepared the temple, Ne′-cho king of E′-gypt came up to fight against Car-che′-mish by Eu-phra′-tes: and Jo-si′-ah went out against him.
21 But he sent ambassadors to him, saying, What have I to do with thee, thou king of Ju′-dah? I come not against thee this day, but against the house wherewith I have war: for God commanded me to make haste: forbear thee from meddling with God, who is with me, that he destroy thee not.
22 Nevertheless Jo-si′-ah would not turn his face from him, but l disguised himself, that he might fight with him, and hearkened not unto the words of Ne′-cho from the mouth of God, and came to fight in the valley of Me-gid′-do.
23 And the archers shot at king Jo-si′-ah; and the king said to his servants, Have me away; for I am sore wounded.
24 m His servants therefore took him out of that chariot, and put him in the second chariot that he had; and they brought him to Je-ru′-sa-lem, and he died, and was buried in one of the sepulchres of his fathers. And a all Ju′-dah and Je-ru′-sa-lem mourned for Jo-si′-ah.
25 ¶ And Jer-e-mi′-ah b lamented for Jo-si′-ah: and c all the singing men and the singing women spake of Jo-si′-ah in their lamentations to this day, d and made them an ordinance in Is′-ra-el: and, behold, they are written in the lamentations.
26 Now the rest of the acts of Jo-si′-ah, and his goodness, according to that which was written in the law of the Lord,
27 And his deeds, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Is′-ra-el and Ju′-dah.
36 Then e the people of the land took Je-ho′-a-haz the son of Jo-si′-ah, and made him king in his father's stead in Je-ru′-sa-lem.
2 Je-ho′-a-haz was twenty and three years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months in Je-ru′-sa-lem.
3 And the king of E′-gypt put him down at Je-ru′-sa-lem, and condemned the land in an hundred talents of silver and a talent of gold.
4 And the king of E′-gypt made E-li′-a-kim his brother king over Ju′-dah and Je-ru′-sa-lem, and turned his name to Je-hoi′-a-kim. And Ne′-cho took Je-ho′-a-haz his brother, and carried him to E′-gypt.
5 ¶ f Je-hoi′-a-kim was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Je-ru′-sa-lem: and he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord his God.
6 g Against him came up Neb-u-chad-nez′-zar king of Bab′-y-lon, and bound him in fetters, to h carry him to Bab′-y-lon.
7 i Neb-u-chad-nez′-zar also carried of the vessels of the house of the Lord to Bab′-y-lon, and put them in his temple at Bab′-y-lon.
8 Now the rest of the acts of Je-hoi′-a-kim, and his abominations which he did, and that which was found in him, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Is′-ra-el and Ju′-dah: and Je-hoi′-a-chin his son reigned in his stead.
9 ¶ j Je-hoi′-a-chin was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months and ten days in Je-ru′-sa-lem: and he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord.
10 And when the year was expired, k king Neb-u-chad-nez′-zar sent, and brought him to Bab′-y-lon, l with the goodly vessels of the house of the Lord, and made m Zed-e-ki′-ah his brother king over Ju′-dah and Je-ru′-sa-lem.
11 ¶ n Zed-e-ki′-ah was one and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned eleven years in Je-ru′-sa-lem.
12 And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord his God, and humbled not himself before Jer-e-mi′-ah the prophet speaking from the mouth of the Lord.
13 And a he also rebelled against king Neb-u-chad-nez′-zar, who had made him swear by God: but he b stiffened his neck, and hardened his heart from turning unto the Lord God of Is′-ra-el.
14 ¶ Moreover all the chief of the priests, and the people, transgressed very much after all the abominations of the heathen; and polluted the house of the Lord which he had hallowed in Je-ru′-sa-lem.
15 c And the Lord God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place:
16 d But they mocked the messengers of God, and e despised his words, and f misused his prophets, until the g wrath of the Lord arose against his people, till there was no remedy.
17 h Therefore he brought upon them the king of the Chal′-dees, who i slew their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion upon young man or maiden, old man, or him that stooped for age: he gave them all into his hand.
18 j And all the vessels of the house of God, great and small, and the treasures of the house of the Lord, and the treasures of the king, and of his princes; all these he brought to Bab′-y-lon.
19 k And they burnt the house of God, and brake down the wall of Je-ru′-sa-lem, and burnt all the palaces thereof with fire, and destroyed all the goodly vessels thereof.
20 And l them that had escaped from the sword carried he away to Bab′-y-lon; m where they were servants to him and his sons until the reign of the kingdom of Per′-sia:
21 To fulfil the word of the Lord by the mouth of n Jer-e-mi′-ah, until the land o had enjoyed her sabbaths: for as long as she lay desolate p she kept sabbath, to fulfil threescore and ten years.
22 ¶ q Now in the first year of Cy′-rus king of Per′-sia, that the word of the Lord spoken by the mouth of r Jer-e-mi′-ah might be accomplished, the Lord stirred up the spirit of s Cy′-rus king of Per′-sia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,
23 t Thus saith Cy′-rus king of Per′-sia, All the kingdoms of the earth hath the Lord God of heaven given me; and he hath charged me to build him an house in Je-ru′-sa-lem, which is in Ju′-dah. Who is there among you of all his people? The Lord his God be with him, and let him go up.