And Solomon
the son
of David
was strengthened
in his kingdom,
and the LORD
his God
was with him,
and magnified him exceedingly.
Then Solomon
spake unto all Israel,
to the captains
of thousands
and of hundreds,
and
to the judges,
and
to every governor
in all Israel,
the chief
of the fathers.
So Solomon,
and all
the congregation
with him,
went to the high
place that
was at Gibeon;
for there was the tabernacle
of the congregation
of God,
which Moses the servant
of the LORD
had made
in the wilderness.
But
the ark
of God
had David
brought up
from Kirjathjearim
to the place
which David
had prepared
for it:
for he had pitched
a tent
for it
at Jerusalem.
Moreover
the brasen altar,
that Bezaleel
the son of Uri,
the son of Hur,
had made,
he put
before the tabernacle
of the LORD:
and Solomon
and the congregation
sought
unto it.
And Solomon
went up thither
to the brasen altar
before the LORD,
which was at the tabernacle
of the congregation,
and offered
a thousand
burnt offerings
upon it.
In that night
did
God appear
unto Solomon,
and
said unto him,
Ask
what
I shall give thee.
And Solomon
said
unto God,
Thou hast shewed great mercy
unto David my father,
and hast made me
to reign
in his stead.
Now,
O LORD God,
let thy
promise
unto David
my father
be established:
for thou
hast made me
king
over a people like
the dust
of the earth
in multitude.
Give me now wisdom
and knowledge,
that I
may go out
and come in
before this people:
for who
can judge this
thy people,
that is so great?
And God
said
to Solomon,
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:
Wisdom
and knowledge
is granted
unto thee;
and
I will give thee riches,
and wealth,
and honour,
such as
none of the kings
have had
that
have been
before thee,
neither shall there
any after thee
have the like.
Then Solomon
came
from his journey
to the high
place that
was at Gibeon
to Jerusalem,
from before the tabernacle
of the congregation,
and reigned
over Israel.
And Solomon
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 Jerusalem.
And the king
made silver
and gold
at Jerusalem
as plenteous
as stones,
and cedar trees
made he
as the sycomore trees
that are in the vale
for abundance.
And Solomon
had horses
brought out of Egypt,
and linen yarn:
the king's merchants
received
the linen yarn
at a price.
And
they fetched up,
and brought forth
out of Egypt a chariot
for six hundred shekels
of silver,
and an horse
for an hundred
and fifty:
and so
brought
they out horses
for all
the kings
of the Hittites,
and for the kings
of Syria,
by their means.
And Solomon
determined
to build an house
for the name
of the LORD,
and an house
for his kingdom.
And Solomon
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.
And Solomon
sent
to Huram
the king of Tyre,
saying,
As thou
didst deal with David
my father,
and didst send him
cedars
to build him
an house to dwell
therein,
even so
deal with me.
Behold,
I build
an house
to the name
of the LORD my God,
to dedicate it
to him,
and to burn
before him sweet incense,
and
for the continual shewbread,
and
for 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 Israel.
And the house
which I
build
is great:
for great
is our God above all gods.
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?
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 Judah
and in Jerusalem,
whom
David my father
did provide.
Send me also
cedar trees,
fir trees,
and algum trees,
out of Lebanon:
for I
know
that thy servants
can skill to cut
timber
in Lebanon;
and,
behold,
my servants
shall be
with thy servants,
Even
to prepare me
timber
in abundance:
for the house which
I am about
to build
shall be wonderful great.
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.
Then Huram
the king
of Tyre
answered
in writing,
which he
sent
to Solomon,
Because the LORD
hath loved
his people,
he hath made thee king
over them.
Huram
said moreover,
Blessed
be the LORD God
of Israel,
that made heaven
and earth,
who hath given
to David
the king
a wise son,
endued
with prudence
and understanding,
that might build an house
for the LORD,
and an house
for his kingdom.
And now
I have sent
a cunning man,
endued
with understanding,
of Huram my father's,
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
David thy father.
Now therefore the wheat,
and the barley,
the oil,
and the wine,
which my lord
hath spoken of,
let him
send
unto his servants:
And
we will cut
wood out of Lebanon,
as much as
thou shalt need:
and
we will bring it
to thee in floats
by sea to Joppa;
and
thou shalt carry it
up to Jerusalem.
And Solomon
numbered all
the strangers
that were in the land
of Israel,
after the numbering wherewith David
his father
had numbered them;
and
they were found
an hundred
and fifty thousand
and three thousand
and six hundred.
And
he set 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.
Then Solomon
began
to build the house
of the LORD
at Jerusalem
in mount Moriah,
where the Lord
appeared
unto David
his father,
in the place
that David
had prepared
in the threshingfloor
of Ornan
the Jebusite.
And
he began
to build
in the second day
of the second month,
in the fourth year
of his reign.
Now these
are
the things
wherein
Solomon
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.
And the 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.
And the greater house
he cieled
with fir tree,
which he
overlaid
with fine gold,
and set thereon palm trees
and chains.
And he
garnished
the house
with precious stones
for beauty:
and the gold
was gold
of Parvaim.
He overlaid also
the house,
the beams,
the posts,
and the walls
thereof,
and the doors
thereof,
with gold;
and graved cherubims
on the walls.
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.
And
the weight
of the nails
was fifty shekels
of gold.
And he
overlaid
the upper chambers
with gold.
And
in the most holy house
he made two cherubims
of image work,
and overlaid them
with gold.
And
the wings
of the cherubims
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 cherub.
And
one wing
of the other cherub
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 cherub.
The wings
of these cherubims
spread themselves
forth twenty cubits:
and they
stood
on their feet,
and their faces
were inward.
And he
made
the vail
of blue,
and purple,
and crimson,
and fine linen,
and wrought cherubims thereon.
Also he
made
before the house two pillars
of thirty
and five cubits high,
and the chapiter
that
was on the top
of each
of them was five cubits.
And
he made chains,
as in the oracle,
and put them
on the heads
of the pillars;
and made
an hundred pomegranates,
and put them
on the chains.
And he
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 Jachin,
and the name
of that
on the left Boaz.
Moreover he
made
an altar
of brass,
twenty cubits the length
thereof,
and twenty cubits
the breadth
thereof,
and ten cubits
the height thereof.
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.
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.
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.
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
three thousand baths.
He made also
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.
And
he made ten candlesticks
of gold
according to their form,
and set them
in the temple,
five on the right hand,
and five
on the left.
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.
Furthermore
he made
the court
of the priests,
and the great court,
and doors
for the court,
and overlaid
the doors
of them
with brass.
And he set
the sea
on the right side
of the east end,
over against the south.
And Huram
made the pots,
and the shovels,
and the basons.
And Huram
finished
the work that
he was to make
for king Solomon
for the house
of God;
To wit,
the two pillars,
and 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;
And 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.
He made
also bases,
and lavers
made
he upon the bases;
One sea,
and twelve oxen
under it.
The pots also,
and the shovels,
and the fleshhooks,
and all
their instruments,
did Huram
his father make
to king Solomon
for the house
of the LORD
of bright brass.
In the plain
of Jordan
did
the king
cast them,
in the clay
ground
between Succoth
and Zeredathah.
Thus Solomon
made all
these vessels
in great abundance:
for the weight
of the brass
could not be found out.
And Solomon
made all
the vessels
that were for the house
of God,
the golden altar also,
and the tables
whereon
the shewbread
was set;
Moreover
the candlesticks
with their lamps,
that they
should burn after the manner
before the oracle,
of pure gold;
And the flowers,
and the lamps,
and the tongs,
made he of gold,
and that perfect gold;
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.
Thus all
the work that Solomon
made
for the house
of the LORD
was finished:
and Solomon
brought in all
the things
that David his father
had dedicated;
and the silver,
and the gold,
and all
the instruments,
put
he among the treasures
of the house
of God.
Then Solomon
assembled
the elders
of Israel,
and all
the heads
of the tribes,
the chief
of the fathers
of the children
of Israel,
unto Jerusalem,
to bring
up the ark
of the covenant
of the LORD
out of the city
of David,
which is Zion.
Wherefore all the men
of Israel
assembled themselves
unto the king
in the feast
which was in the seventh month.
And all
the elders
of Israel came;
and the Levites
took up
the ark.
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 Levites
bring up.
Also king Solomon,
and all
the congregation
of Israel
that were assembled
unto him
before the ark,
sacrificed sheep
and oxen,
which could not be told
nor numbered
for multitude.
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 cherubims:
For the cherubims
spread
forth their wings
over the place
of the ark,
and the cherubims covered
the ark
and the staves
thereof above.
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.
There was
nothing
in the ark
save the two
tables
which Moses
put therein
at Horeb,
when the LORD
made
a covenant
with the children
of Israel,
when
they
came out of Egypt.
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:
Also the Levites
which were the singers,
all of them
of Asaph,
of Heman,
of Jeduthun,
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,
and
with them an hundred
and twenty priests
sounding with trumpets:)
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,
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;
So that
the priests
could not stand
to minister
by reason
of the cloud:
for the glory
of the LORD
had filled
the house
of God.
Then said
Solomon,
The LORD
hath said
that he
would dwell
in the thick darkness.
But
I have built
an house
of habitation
for thee,
and a place
for thy
dwelling
for ever.
And the king
turned his face,
and blessed
the whole congregation
of Israel:
and all
the congregation
of Israel stood.
And he said,
Blessed
be the LORD God
of Israel,
who hath
with his hands
fulfilled that
which he
spake with his mouth
to my father David,
saying,
Since the day that
I brought forth
my people
out of the land
of Egypt I
chose
no city
among all the tribes
of Israel
to build an house in,
that my name
might be there;
neither chose
I any man to be
a ruler
over my people Israel:
But
I have chosen
Jerusalem,
that my name
might be there;
and have chosen
David to be
over my people Israel.
Now it
was in the heart
of David
my father
to build an house
for the name
of the LORD God
of Israel.
But the LORD
said
to David 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:
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.
The LORD
therefore hath performed
his word that
he hath spoken:
for I am risen up
in the room
of David
my father,
and am set
on the throne
of Israel,
as the LORD promised,
and have built
the house
for the name
of the LORD God
of Israel.
And in it
have
I put the ark,
wherein is
the covenant
of the LORD,
that he
made
with the children
of Israel.
And he
stood
before the altar
of the LORD
in the presence
of all
the congregation
of Israel,
and spread
forth his hands:
For Solomon
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 Israel,
and spread
forth his hands
toward heaven.
And said,
O LORD God
of Israel,
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:
Thou
which hast kept
with thy servant David
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.
Now therefore,
O LORD God
of Israel,
keep
with thy servant David
my father
that which
thou hast promised him,
saying,
There shall not fail
thee a man
in my sight to sit
upon the throne
of Israel;
yet
so that thy children
take
heed to their way
to walk
in my law,
as thou
hast walked
before me.
Now then,
O LORD God
of Israel,
let thy
word
be verified,
which thou
hast spoken
unto thy servant David.
But will
God in very deed
dwell with men
on the earth?
behold,
heaven
and the heaven
of heavens
cannot contain thee;
how much less this house
which I
have built!
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:
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.
Hearken therefore
unto the supplications
of thy servant,
and of thy people Israel,
which they
shall make
toward this place:
hear
thou from thy dwelling place,
even from heaven;
and
when
thou hearest,
forgive.
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;
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.
And
if thy people Israel
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;
Then hear
thou
from the heavens,
and forgive
the sin
of thy people Israel,
and bring them again
unto the land which
thou gavest
to them and
to their fathers.
When the 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;
Then hear
thou from heaven,
and forgive
the sin
of thy servants,
and of thy people Israel,
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.
If there 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:
Then
what prayer or
what supplication
soever shall be made
of any man,
or of all
thy people Israel,
when every one
shall know
his own sore
and his own grief,
and shall spread
forth his hands in this house:
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 knowest the hearts
of the children
of men:)
That they
may fear thee,
to walk
in thy ways,
so long as they
live in the land
which thou
gavest unto our fathers.
Moreover concerning the stranger,
which is not
of thy people Israel,
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;
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 Israel,
and may know
that this house
which I
have built
is called by thy name.
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;
Then hear
thou
from the heavens
their prayer
and their supplication,
and maintain
their cause.
If they
sin
against thee,
(for there is
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;
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;
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:
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.
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.
Now therefore arise,
O LORD God,
into thy resting place,
thou,
and the ark
of thy strength:
let thy priests,
O LORD God,
be clothed
with salvation,
and let
thy saints
rejoice
in goodness.
O LORD God,
turn
not away the face
of thine anointed:
remember the mercies
of David thy servant.
Now
when Solomon
had made
an end
of praying,
the fire
came down
from heaven,
and consumed
the burnt
offering
and the sacrifices;
and
the glory
of the LORD
filled the house.
And the priests
could not enter into the house
of the LORD,
because the glory
of the LORD
had filled
the LORD's house.
And
when all
the children
of Israel
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,
saying,
For he
is good;
for his mercy
endureth for ever.
Then the king
and all
the people offered
sacrifices
before the LORD.
And king Solomon
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.
And the priests
waited
on their offices:
the Levites
also with instruments
of musick
of the LORD,
which David the king
had made
to praise the LORD,
because
his mercy
endureth for ever,
when David
praised
by their ministry;
and the priests
sounded trumpets
before them,
and all Israel stood.
Moreover Solomon
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 Solomon had made
was not able
to receive
the burnt offerings,
and the meat offerings,
and the fat.
Also at the same time
Solomon
kept the feast seven days,
and all Israel
with him,
a very great congregation,
from the entering in
of Hamath
unto the river
of Egypt.
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.
And 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 David,
and to Solomon,
and
to Israel his people.
Thus Solomon
finished
the house
of the LORD,
and the king's house:
and all
that came
into Solomon's heart
to make
in the house
of the LORD,
and
in his own house,
he prosperously effected.
And the LORD
appeared
to Solomon
by night,
and
said unto him,
I have heard
thy prayer,
and have chosen
this place
to myself
for an house
of sacrifice.
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;
If my people,
which are called
by my name,
shall humble themselves,
and pray,
and seek my face,
and turn
from their wicked ways;
then will
I hear
from heaven,
and will forgive
their sin,
and will heal
their land.
Now mine
eyes
shall be open,
and mine ears attent
unto the prayer
that is made
in this place.
For now have
I chosen
and sanctified
this house,
that my name
may be there
for ever:
and mine
eyes
and mine heart
shall be
there perpetually.
And as for thee,
if thou
wilt walk
before me,
as David
thy father walked,
and do according to all
that
I have commanded thee,
and shalt observe
my statutes
and my judgments;
Then will
I stablish
the throne
of thy kingdom,
according as I
have covenanted
with David
thy father,
saying,
There shall not fail thee
a man
to be ruler
in Israel.
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;
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.
And this house,
which is high,
shall be an astonishment
to every one
that passeth by it;
so that
he shall say,
Why hath
the LORD done thus
unto this land,
and
unto this house?
And it
shall be answered,
Because
they forsook
the LORD God
of their fathers,
which brought
them forth
out of the land
of Egypt,
and laid
hold on
other gods,
and worshipped them,
and served them:
therefore hath
he brought all
this evil
upon them.
And it
came
to pass
at the end
of twenty years,
wherein Solomon
had built
the house
of the LORD,
and his own house,
That the cities which Huram
had restored
to Solomon,
Solomon built them,
and caused
the children
of Israel
to dwell there.
And Solomon
went to Hamathzobah,
and prevailed
against it.
And
he built Tadmor
in the wilderness,
and all
the store cities,
which he
built
in Hamath.
Also he
built Bethhoron
the upper,
and Bethhoron
the nether,
fenced cities,
with walls,
gates,
and bars;
And Baalath,
and all
the store cities
that Solomon had,
and all
the chariot cities,
and the cities
of the horsemen,
and all that Solomon
desired
to build
in Jerusalem,
and in Lebanon,
and
throughout all
the land
of his dominion.
As for all
the people
that were left
of the Hittites,
and the Amorites,
and the Perizzites,
and the Hivites,
and the Jebusites,
which were not
of Israel,
But of their children,
who were left
after them
in the land,
whom the children
of Israel
consumed not,
them did
Solomon make
to pay tribute
until this day.
But of the children
of Israel
did
Solomon make no servants
for his work;
but they
were men
of war,
and chief
of his captains,
and captains
of his chariots
and horsemen.
And these
were the chief
of king
Solomon's officers,
even two hundred
and fifty,
that bare rule
over the people.
And Solomon
brought
up the daughter
of Pharaoh
out of the city
of David
unto the house
that he
had built
for her:
for he said,
My wife
shall not dwell
in the house
of David king
of Israel,
because
the places
are holy,
whereunto the ark
of the LORD
hath come.
Then Solomon
offered
burnt offerings
unto the LORD
on the altar
of the LORD,
which he
had built
before the porch,
Even after
a certain rate every day,
offering according to the commandment
of Moses,
on the sabbaths,
and
on the new moons,
and
on the solemn feasts,
three times
in the year,
even in the feast
of unleavened bread,
and
in the feast
of weeks,
and in the feast
of tabernacles.
And he appointed,
according to the order
of David his father,
the courses
of the priests
to their service,
and the Levites
to their charges,
to praise
and minister
before the priests,
as the duty
of every day required:
the porters
also by their courses
at every gate:
for so
had David
the man
of God commanded.
And
they departed not
from the commandment
of the king
unto the priests
and Levites concerning any matter,
or concerning the treasures.
Now all
the work
of Solomon
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.
Then went Solomon
to Eziongeber,
and to Eloth,
at the sea side
in the land
of Edom.
And Huram
sent him
by the hands
of his servants ships,
and servants
that had knowledge
of the sea;
and
they went with the servants
of Solomon
to Ophir,
and took thence four hundred
and fifty talents
of gold,
and brought them
to king Solomon.
And
when
the queen
of Sheba
heard of the fame
of Solomon,
she came
to prove Solomon
with hard questions
at Jerusalem,
with a very great company,
and camels that bare spices,
and gold
in abundance,
and precious stones:
and
when she
was come
to Solomon,
she communed
with him of all
that was in her heart.
And Solomon
told
her all her questions:
and there was
nothing hid from Solomon
which he
told her not.
And
when the queen
of Sheba
had seen
the wisdom
of Solomon,
and the house that
he had built,
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.
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:
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.
Happy are thy men,
and happy
are these
thy servants,
which stand continually
before thee,
and hear
thy wisdom.
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 Israel,
to establish them
for ever,
therefore made
he thee king
over them,
to do judgment
and justice.
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 Sheba
gave king Solomon.
And the servants
also of Huram,
and the servants
of Solomon,
which brought gold
from Ophir,
brought algum trees
and precious stones.
And the king
made
of the algum 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 Judah.
And king Solomon
gave to the queen
of Sheba 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.
Now the weight
of gold
that came
to Solomon
in one year
was six hundred
and threescore
and six talents
of gold;
Beside that which chapmen
and merchants brought.
And all
the kings
of Arabia
and
governors
of the country
brought gold
and silver
to Solomon.
And king Solomon
made
two hundred targets
of beaten gold:
six hundred shekels
of beaten gold
went to one target.
And three hundred
shields
made
he of beaten gold:
three hundred shekels
of gold
went to one shield.
And the king
put them
in the house
of the forest
of Lebanon.
Moreover the king
made
a great throne
of ivory,
and overlaid
it with pure gold.
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:
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.
And all
the drinking vessels
of king
Solomon
were of gold,
and all
the vessels
of the house
of the forest
of Lebanon
were of pure gold:
none were of silver;
it was not
any thing accounted of
in the days
of Solomon.
For the king's ships
went to Tarshish
with the servants
of Huram:
every three years
once came the ships
of Tarshish bringing gold,
and silver,
ivory,
and apes,
and peacocks.
And king Solomon
passed all
the kings
of the earth
in riches
and wisdom.
And all
the kings
of the earth
sought
the presence
of Solomon,
to hear his wisdom,
that God
had put in
his heart.
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.
And Solomon
had
four thousand stalls
for horses
and chariots,
and twelve thousand horsemen;
whom
he bestowed
in the chariot cities,
and with the king
at Jerusalem.
And he
reigned
over all
the kings
from the river
even unto the land
of the Philistines,
and to the border
of Egypt.
And the king
made silver
in Jerusalem
as stones,
and cedar trees
made he
as the sycomore trees
that are in the low plains
in abundance.
And they
brought
unto Solomon horses
out of Egypt,
and out of all lands.
Now the rest
of the acts
of Solomon,
first
and last,
are
they not written
in the book
of Nathan
the prophet,
and
in the prophecy
of Ahijah the Shilonite,
and
in the visions
of Iddo the seer
against Jeroboam
the son
of Nebat?
And Solomon
reigned
in Jerusalem
over all
Israel forty years.
And Solomon
slept
with his fathers,
and
he was buried
in the city
of David
his father:
and Rehoboam
his son
reigned
in his stead.
And Rehoboam
went to Shechem:
for to Shechem
were all
Israel
come
to make him king.
And it
came
to pass,
when Jeroboam
the son
of Nebat,
who was in Egypt,
whither
he fled
from the presence
of Solomon
the king,
heard it,
that Jeroboam
returned out of Egypt.
And
they sent
and called him.
So Jeroboam
and all Israel
came
and spake
to Rehoboam,
saying,
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.
And
he said unto them,
Come
again unto me
after three days.
And the people departed.
And king Rehoboam
took
counsel
with the old men
that had stood
before Solomon
his father
while he
yet lived,
saying,
What
counsel
give
ye me to return
answer to this people?
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
So Jeroboam
and all
the people
came
to Rehoboam
on the third day,
as the king bade,
saying,
Come again to me
on the third day.
And the king
answered them roughly;
and king Rehoboam
forsook
the counsel
of the old men,
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.
So the king
hearkened not
unto the people:
for the cause
was of God,
that the LORD
might perform
his word,
which he
spake by the hand
of Ahijah
the Shilonite
to Jeroboam
the son
of Nebat.
And
when
all Israel
saw
that the king
would not hearken unto them,
the people
answered the king,
saying,
What portion
have
we in David?
and
we have none inheritance
in the son
of Jesse:
every man
to your tents,
O Israel:
and now,
David,
see to thine own house.
So all Israel
went to their tents.
But
as for the children
of Israel
that dwelt
in the cities
of Judah,
Rehoboam
reigned over them.
Then king Rehoboam
sent Hadoram
that was over the tribute;
and the children
of Israel
stoned him
with stones,
that he died.
But king Rehoboam
made
speed
to get him up to
his chariot,
to flee
to Jerusalem.
And Israel
rebelled
against the house
of David unto this day.
And
when Rehoboam
was come
to Jerusalem,
he gathered
of the house
of Judah
and Benjamin
an hundred
and fourscore thousand
chosen men,
which were warriors,
to fight
against Israel,
that he
might bring
the kingdom
again to Rehoboam.
But
the word
of the LORD
came to Shemaiah
the man of God,
saying,
Speak
unto Rehoboam
the son
of Solomon,
king of Judah,
and
to all Israel
in Judah
and Benjamin,
saying,
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 Jeroboam.
And Rehoboam
dwelt
in Jerusalem,
and built cities
for defence
in Judah.
He built even Bethlehem,
and Etam,
and Tekoa,
And Bethzur,
and Shoco,
and Adullam,
And Gath,
and Mareshah,
and Ziph,
And Adoraim,
and Lachish,
and Azekah,
And Zorah,
and Aijalon,
and Hebron,
which are
in Judah
and in Benjamin
fenced cities.
And
he fortified
the strong holds,
and put captains
in them,
and store
of victual,
and of oil
and wine.
And in every several city
he put
shields
and spears,
and made them
exceeding strong,
having Judah
and Benjamin
on his side.
And the priests
and the Levites
that
were in all Israel
resorted
to him
out of all their coasts.
For the Levites
left their suburbs
and their possession,
and came
to Judah
and Jerusalem:
for Jeroboam
and his sons
had cast
them off
from executing
the priest's office
unto the LORD:
And
he ordained him priests
for the high places,
and
for the devils,
and
for the calves
which he
had made.
And
after them
out of all the tribes
of Israel
such as set
their hearts
to seek
the LORD God
of Israel
came
to Jerusalem,
to sacrifice
unto the LORD God
of their fathers.
So they
strengthened
the kingdom
of Judah,
and made Rehoboam
the son
of Solomon strong,
three years:
for three years
they walked
in the way
of David and Solomon.
And Rehoboam
took him Mahalath
the daughter
of Jerimoth the son
of David to wife,
and Abihail
the daughter
of Eliab
the son
of Jesse;
Which bare him children;
Jeush,
and Shamariah,
and Zaham.
And after her
he took Maachah
the daughter
of Absalom;
which bare him
Abijah,
and Attai,
and Ziza,
and Shelomith.
And Rehoboam
loved Maachah
the daughter
of Absalom above
all his wives
and his concubines:
(for he
took eighteen wives,
and threescore concubines;
and begat twenty
and eight sons,
and threescore daughters.)
And Rehoboam
made Abijah
the son
of Maachah the chief,
to be ruler
among his brethren:
for he
thought to make him king.
And
he dealt wisely,
and dispersed
of all his children
throughout all the countries
of Judah
and Benjamin,
unto every
fenced city:
and
he gave them victual
in abundance.
And
he desired many wives.
And it
came
to pass,
when Rehoboam
had established
the kingdom,
and had strengthened himself,
he forsook the law
of the LORD,
and all Israel
with him.
And it
came
to pass,
that in the fifth year
of king
Rehoboam Shishak king
of Egypt
came up
against Jerusalem,
because
they had transgressed
against the LORD,
With twelve hundred chariots,
and threescore thousand horsemen:
and the people
were without
number that
came
with him
out of Egypt;
the Lubims,
the Sukkiims,
and the Ethiopians.
And
he took
the fenced cities
which pertained
to Judah,
and came
to Jerusalem.
Then came
Shemaiah the prophet
to Rehoboam,
and
to the princes
of Judah,
that were gathered together
to Jerusalem
because
of Shishak,
and
said unto them,
Thus saith the LORD,
Ye have forsaken me,
and therefore have
I also left you
in the hand
of Shishak.
Whereupon the princes
of Israel
and the king
humbled themselves;
and they said,
The LORD is righteous.
And when the LORD
saw that
they humbled themselves,
the word
of the LORD
came to Shemaiah,
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 Jerusalem
by the hand
of Shishak.
Nevertheless
they shall be
his servants;
that they
may know
my service,
and the service
of the kingdoms
of the countries.
So Shishak king
of Egypt
came up
against Jerusalem,
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 Solomon
had made.
Instead of which
king
Rehoboam made
shields of brass,
and committed them
to the hands
of the chief
of the guard,
that kept the entrance
of the king's house.
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.
And
when
he humbled himself,
the wrath
of the LORD
turned from him,
that he
would not destroy him altogether:
and
also in Judah things
went well.
So king Rehoboam
strengthened himself
in Jerusalem,
and reigned:
for Rehoboam
was one
and forty years old
when
he began
to reign,
and
he reigned seventeen years
in Jerusalem,
the city
which the LORD
had chosen
out of all the tribes
of Israel,
to put
his name there.
And his mother's name
was Naamah
an Ammonitess.
And he
did evil,
because
he prepared not
his heart
to seek the LORD.
Now the acts
of Rehoboam,
first
and last,
are
they not written
in the book
of Shemaiah
the prophet,
and
of Iddo
the seer concerning genealogies?
And there were
wars
between Rehoboam
and Jeroboam continually.
And Rehoboam
slept
with his fathers,
and was buried
in the city
of David:
and Abijah
his son
reigned
in his stead.
Now in the eighteenth year
of king
Jeroboam
began Abijah
to reign
over Judah.
He reigned three years
in Jerusalem.
His mother's name
also was Michaiah
the daughter
of Uriel
of Gibeah.
And there was
war between Abijah
and Jeroboam.
And Abijah set
the battle
in array
with an army
of valiant men
of war,
even four hundred thousand
chosen men:
Jeroboam
also set
the battle
in array
against him
with eight hundred thousand
chosen men,
being mighty men
of valour.
And Abijah
stood up
upon mount Zemaraim,
which is in mount Ephraim,
and said,
Hear me,
thou Jeroboam,
and all Israel;
Ought
ye not to know
that the LORD God
of Israel
gave the kingdom
over Israel
to David
for ever,
even to him and
to his sons
by a covenant
of salt?
Yet Jeroboam
the son
of Nebat,
the servant
of Solomon
the son of David,
is risen up,
and hath rebelled
against his lord.
And there are gathered
unto him vain men,
the children
of Belial,
and have strengthened themselves
against Rehoboam
the son
of Solomon,
when Rehoboam
was young
and tenderhearted,
and could not withstand them.
And now
ye think
to withstand the kingdom
of the LORD
in the hand
of the sons
of David;
and
ye be
a great multitude,
and there are
with your golden calves,
which Jeroboam
made you
for gods.
Have
ye not cast
out the priests
of the LORD,
the sons
of Aaron,
and the Levites,
and have made
you priests
after the manner
of the nations
of other lands?
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.
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 Aaron,
and the Levites
wait
upon their business:
And they
burn
unto the LORD every morning
and every evening
burnt
sacrifices
and sweet incense:
the shewbread
also set
they
in order
upon the pure table;
and the candlestick
of gold
with the lamps
thereof,
to burn every evening:
for we keep
the charge
of the LORD
our God;
but
ye have forsaken him.
And,
behold,
God himself
is with us
for our captain,
and his priests
with sounding trumpets
to cry
alarm
against you.
O children
of Israel,
fight
ye not against the LORD God
of your fathers;
for ye shall not prosper.
But Jeroboam
caused
an ambushment
to come about behind them:
so they
were before Judah,
and the ambushment
was behind them.
And
when Judah looked back,
behold,
the battle
was before and behind:
and they
cried
unto the LORD,
and the priests
sounded
with the trumpets.
Then the men
of Judah
gave a shout:
and as the men
of Judah shouted,
it came to pass,
that God
smote Jeroboam
and all Israel
before Abijah
and Judah.
And the children
of Israel
fled
before Judah:
and God
delivered them
into their hand.
And Abijah
and his people
slew them
with a great slaughter:
so there fell down
slain
of Israel five hundred thousand
chosen men.
Thus the children
of Israel
were brought under
at that time,
and the children
of Judah prevailed,
because
they relied
upon the LORD God
of their fathers.
And Abijah
pursued
after Jeroboam,
and took cities
from him,
Bethel
with the towns
thereof,
and Jeshanah
with the towns
thereof,
and Ephraim
with the towns
thereof.
Neither did
Jeroboam recover strength
again in the days
of Abijah:
and the LORD
struck him,
and he died.
But Abijah
waxed mighty,
and married
fourteen wives,
and begat twenty
and two sons,
and sixteen daughters.
And the rest
of the acts
of Abijah,
and his ways,
and his sayings,
are written in the story
of the prophet Iddo.
So Abijah
slept
with his fathers,
and
they buried him
in the city
of David:
and Asa
his son
reigned
in his stead.
In his days
the land
was quiet ten years.
And Asa
did that which
was good
and right
in the eyes
of the LORD his God:
For he took away
the altars
of the strange gods,
and the high places,
and brake
down the images,
and cut down
the groves:
And commanded
Judah
to seek
the LORD God
of their fathers,
and
to do the law
and the commandment.
Also he
took away out of all
the cities
of Judah
the high places
and the images:
and the kingdom
was quiet
before him.
And
he built fenced cities
in Judah:
for the land
had rest,
and he
had no
war in those years;
because
the LORD
had given him rest.
Therefore he
said
unto Judah,
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.
And Asa
had
an army
of men
that bare
targets
and spears,
out of Judah three hundred thousand;
and out of Benjamin,
that bare
shields
and drew bows,
two hundred
and fourscore thousand:
all these
were mighty men
of valour.
And there came out
against them Zerah the Ethiopian
with an host
of a thousand thousand,
and three hundred chariots;
and came
unto Mareshah.
Then Asa
went out against him,
and they set
the battle
in array
in the valley
of Zephathah
at Mareshah.
And Asa
cried
unto the LORD
his God,
and said,
LORD,
it is 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 in thy
name
we go
against this multitude.
O LORD,
thou art
our God;
let
no man
prevail against thee.
So the LORD
smote
the Ethiopians
before Asa,
and before Judah;
and the Ethiopians fled.
And Asa
and the people
that were with him
pursued them
unto Gerar:
and the Ethiopians
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.
And
they smote all
the cities round
about Gerar;
for the fear
of the LORD
came upon them:
and
they spoiled all
the cities;
for there was exceeding
much spoil in them.
They smote also the tents
of cattle,
and carried away sheep
and camels
in abundance,
and returned
to Jerusalem.
And
the Spirit
of God
came upon
Azariah the son
of Oded:
And he
went out
to meet Asa,
and
said unto him,
Hear ye me,
Asa,
and all Judah
and Benjamin;
The LORD
is with you,
while ye
be with him;
and
if ye
seek him,
he will be found
of you;
but
if ye
forsake him,
he will forsake you.
Now for a long season Israel
hath been
without the true God,
and
without a teaching priest,
and
without law.
But
when
they
in their trouble
did turn unto the LORD God
of Israel,
and sought him,
he was found of them.
And
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.
And nation
was destroyed
of nation,
and city of city:
for God
did vex them
with all adversity.
Be ye strong therefore,
and let not
your hands
be weak:
for your work
shall be rewarded.
And
when Asa
heard these words,
and the prophecy
of Oded the prophet,
he took courage,
and put away
the abominable idols
out of all the land
of Judah
and Benjamin,
and
out of the cities
which he
had taken
from mount Ephraim,
and renewed
the altar
of the LORD,
that was before the porch
of the LORD.
And
he gathered all Judah
and Benjamin,
and the strangers
with them out of Ephraim
and Manasseh,
and
out of Simeon:
for they fell
to him out of Israel
in abundance,
when
they saw
that the LORD
his God
was with him.
So they
gathered themselves
together at Jerusalem
in the third month,
in the fifteenth year
of the reign
of Asa.
And they
offered
unto the LORD
the same time,
of the spoil
which they
had brought,
seven hundred oxen
and seven thousand sheep.
And they
entered
into a covenant
to seek
the LORD God
of their fathers
with all their heart
and
with all their soul;
That whosoever
would not seek
the LORD God
of Israel
should be put
to death,
whether small
or great,
whether man
or woman.
And
they sware unto the LORD
with a loud voice,
and
with shouting,
and
with trumpets,
and
with cornets.
And all Judah
rejoiced
at the oath:
for they
had sworn
with all
their heart,
and sought him
with their whole desire;
and
he was found of them:
and the LORD
gave them
rest round about.
And
also concerning Maachah
the mother
of Asa the king,
he removed her
from being queen,
because
she had made
an idol
in a grove:
and Asa cut down
her idol,
and stamped it,
and burnt it
at the brook Kidron.
But the high places
were not taken away
out of Israel:
nevertheless
the heart
of Asa
was perfect all
his days.
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.
And there was
no more war
unto the five
and thirtieth year
of the reign
of Asa.
In the six
and thirtieth year
of the reign
of Asa Baasha king
of Israel
came up
against Judah,
and built Ramah,
to the intent
that
he might let
none go out
or come in
to Asa king
of Judah.
Then Asa
brought
out silver
and gold
out of the treasures
of the house
of the LORD
and of the king's house,
and sent
to Benhadad king
of Syria,
that dwelt
at Damascus,
saying,
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 Baasha king
of Israel,
that he
may depart from me.
And Benhadad
hearkened
unto king Asa,
and sent
the captains
of his armies
against the cities
of Israel;
and
they smote Ijon,
and Dan,
and Abelmaim,
and all
the store cities
of Naphtali.
And it
came
to pass,
when Baasha
heard it,
that he
left off
building
of Ramah,
and let
his work cease.
Then Asa
the king
took all Judah;
and
they carried away
the stones
of Ramah,
and the timber
thereof,
wherewith Baasha
was building;
and
he built therewith Geba
and Mizpah.
And
at that time
Hanani the seer
came
to Asa king
of Judah,
and
said unto him,
Because
thou hast relied on
the king
of Syria,
and not relied on
the LORD thy God,
therefore is the host
of the king
of Syria
escaped
out of thine hand.
Were not
the Ethiopians
and the Lubims
a huge host,
with very many chariots
and horsemen?
yet,
because
thou didst rely on
the LORD,
he delivered them
into thine hand.
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
thou hast done foolishly:
therefore from
henceforth
thou shalt have wars.
Then Asa
was wroth
with the seer,
and put him
in a prison house;
for he
was in a rage
with him
because of this thing.
And Asa
oppressed
some of the people
the same time.
And,
behold,
the acts of Asa,
first
and last,
lo,
they are written
in the book
of the kings
of Judah and Israel.
And Asa
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 sought not
to the LORD,
but to the physicians.
And Asa
slept
with his fathers,
and died
in the one
and fortieth year
of his reign.
And
they buried him
in his own sepulchres,
which he
had made
for himself
in the city
of David,
and laid him
in the bed which
was filled
with sweet odours
and divers kinds
of spices
prepared
by the apothecaries' art:
and they
made
a very great burning
for him.
And Jehoshaphat
his son
reigned
in his stead,
and strengthened himself
against Israel.
And he
placed
forces
in all the fenced cities
of Judah,
and set garrisons
in the land
of Judah,
and in the cities
of Ephraim,
which Asa his father
had taken.
And the LORD
was with Jehoshaphat,
because
he walked
in the first ways
of his father David,
and sought not
unto Baalim;
But sought
to the Lord God
of his father,
and walked
in his commandments,
and
not after the doings
of Israel.
Therefore
the LORD stablished
the kingdom
in his hand;
and all Judah
brought
to Jehoshaphat presents;
and he
had riches
and honour
in abundance.
And his heart
was lifted up in the ways
of the LORD:
moreover he
took away
the high places
and groves
out of Judah.
Also in the third year
of his reign
he sent
to his princes,
even to Benhail,
and to Obadiah,
and to Zechariah,
and to Nethaneel,
and to Michaiah,
to teach
in the cities
of Judah.
And with them he
sent Levites,
even Shemaiah,
and Nethaniah,
and Zebadiah,
and Asahel,
and Shemiramoth,
and Jehonathan,
and Adonijah,
and Tobijah,
and Tobadonijah, Levites;
and with them Elishama
and Jehoram,
priests.
And they
taught
in Judah,
and had
the book
of the law
of the LORD
with them,
and went about
throughout all
the cities
of Judah,
and taught
the people.
And
the fear
of the LORD
fell upon all
the kingdoms
of the lands
that were round
about Judah,
so that
they made no
war
against Jehoshaphat.
Also some of the Philistines
brought
Jehoshaphat presents,
and tribute silver;
and the Arabians
brought him flocks,
seven thousand
and seven hundred rams,
and seven thousand
and seven hundred
he goats.
And Jehoshaphat
waxed great exceedingly;
and he
built
in Judah castles,
and cities
of store.
And
he had much business
in the cities
of Judah:
and the men
of war,
mighty men
of valour,
were in Jerusalem.
And these
are the numbers
of them according to
the house
of their fathers:
Of Judah,
the captains
of thousands;
Adnah the chief,
and with him mighty men
of valour three hundred thousand.
And next to him
was Jehohanan
the captain,
and with him two hundred
and fourscore thousand.
And next him
was Amasiah
the son
of Zichri,
who willingly offered himself
unto the LORD;
and with him two hundred thousand
mighty men
of valour.
And of Benjamin;
Eliada a
mighty man
of valour,
and with him armed men with bow
and shield two hundred thousand.
And next him
was Jehozabad,
and with him an hundred
and fourscore thousand ready prepared
for the war.
These waited
on the king,
beside those whom
the king
put in
the fenced cities
throughout all Judah.
Now Jehoshaphat
had riches
and honour
in abundance,
and joined affinity
with Ahab.
And
after certain years
he went down
to Ahab
to Samaria.
And Ahab
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 Ramothgilead.
And
Ahab king
of Israel
said unto Jehoshaphat king
of Judah,
Wilt
thou go with me
to Ramothgilead?
And
he answered him,
I am as thou art,
and my people
as thy people;
and
we will be
with thee
in the war.
And Jehoshaphat
said
unto the king
of Israel, Enquire,
I pray thee,
at the word
of the LORD
to day.
Therefore the king
of Israel
gathered together
of prophets four hundred men,
and
said unto them,
Shall
we go
to Ramothgilead
to battle,
or shall
I forbear?
And they said,
Go up;
for God
will deliver
it into the king's hand.
But Jehoshaphat said,
Is there not
here a prophet
of the LORD
besides,
that we
might enquire of him?
And
the king
of Israel
said unto Jehoshaphat,
There
is yet
one man,
by whom
we may enquire
of the LORD:
but I
hate him;
for he
never prophesied good
unto me,
but always evil:
the same
is Micaiah
the son
of Imla.
And Jehoshaphat said,
Let not
the king say so.
And
the king
of Israel
called for one
of his officers,
and said,
Fetch quickly
Micaiah the son
of Imla.
And the king
of Israel and
Jehoshaphat king
of Judah
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 Samaria;
and all
the prophets
prophesied
before them.
And Zedekiah
the son
of Chenaanah
had made him horns
of iron,
and said,
Thus saith the LORD,
With these
thou shalt push Syria
until they
be consumed.
And all
the prophets
prophesied so,
saying,
Go up to Ramothgilead,
and prosper:
for the LORD
shall deliver it
into the hand
of the king.
And the messenger
that
went to call Micaiah
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 their's,
and speak
thou good.
And Micaiah said,
As the LORD liveth,
even
what my God saith,
that will
I speak.
And
when he
was come
to the king,
the king
said unto him,
Micaiah,
shall
we go
to Ramothgilead
to battle,
or shall
I forbear?
And he said,
Go ye up,
and prosper,
and
they shall be delivered
into your hand.
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?
Then he said,
I did see all
Israel
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.
And
the king
of Israel
said to Jehoshaphat,
Did I
not tell thee that
he would not prophesy good
unto me,
but evil?
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.
And the LORD said,
Who shall entice Ahab king
of Israel,
that he
may go
up and fall
at Ramothgilead?
And one
spake
saying after this manner,
and another
saying after that manner.
Then there came
out a spirit,
and stood
before the LORD,
and said,
I will entice him.
And the LORD
said unto him,
Wherewith?
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.
Now therefore,
behold,
the LORD
hath put
a lying spirit
in the mouth
of these thy prophets,
and the LORD
hath spoken evil
against thee.
Then Zedekiah
the son
of Chenaanah
came near,
and smote Micaiah
upon the cheek,
and said,
Which way
went the Spirit
of the LORD
from me
to speak
unto thee?
And Micaiah said,
Behold,
thou shalt see
on that day
when
thou shalt go
into an inner chamber
to hide thyself.
Then
the king
of Israel said,
Take ye Micaiah,
and carry him
back to Amon
the governor
of the city,
and
to Joash
the king's son;
And say,
Thus saith the king,
Put this fellow
in the prison,
and feed him
with bread
of affliction and
with water
of affliction,
until I
return
in peace.
And Micaiah said,
If thou
certainly return
in peace,
then hath not
the LORD spoken by me.
And he said,
Hearken,
all ye people.
So the king
of Israel
and Jehoshaphat
the king
of Judah
went up to Ramothgilead.
And
the king
of Israel
said unto Jehoshaphat,
I will disguise myself,
and
I will go
to the battle;
but put
thou on thy robes.
So the king
of Israel
disguised himself;
and
they went to the battle.
Now the king
of Syria
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 Israel.
And it
came
to pass,
when the captains
of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat,
that they said,
It is the king
of Israel.
Therefore they
compassed
about him to fight:
but Jehoshaphat cried out,
and the LORD
helped him;
and God
moved them
to depart from him.
For it
came to pass,
that,
when the captains
of the chariots
perceived
that it
was not the king
of Israel,
they turned
back again
from pursuing him.
And a certain man
drew
a bow
at a venture,
and smote
the king
of Israel
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.
And the battle
increased
that day:
howbeit the king
of Israel
stayed himself
up in his chariot
against the Syrians
until the even:
and
about the time
of the sun
going down he died.
And Jehoshaphat
the king
of Judah
returned
to his house
in peace
to Jerusalem.
And Jehu
the son
of Hanani
the seer
went out
to meet him,
and said
to king Jehoshaphat,
Shouldest thou
help the ungodly,
and love them
that hate the LORD?
therefore is wrath
upon thee from
before the LORD.
Nevertheless there are
good things
found in thee,
in that thou
hast taken away
the groves
out of the land,
and hast prepared
thine heart to seek God.
And Jehoshaphat
dwelt
at Jerusalem:
and
he went out again
through the people
from Beersheba
to mount Ephraim,
and brought them
back unto the LORD God
of their fathers.
And he set
judges
in the land
throughout all
the fenced cities
of Judah,
city by city,
And said
to the judges,
Take
heed
what ye do:
for ye
judge not
for man,
but for the LORD,
who is with you
in the judgment.
Wherefore now let the fear
of the LORD
be upon you;
take
heed
and do it:
for there is no iniquity
with the LORD our God,
nor respect
of persons,
nor taking
of gifts.
Moreover in Jerusalem
did
Jehoshaphat
set
of the Levites,
and
of the priests,
and of the chief
of the fathers
of Israel,
for the judgment
of the LORD,
and
for controversies,
when
they returned
to Jerusalem.
And
he charged them,
saying,
Thus
shall
ye do
in the fear
of the LORD,
faithfully,
and
with a perfect heart.
And
what cause
soever shall come
to you
of your brethren
that dwell
in your 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 wrath come upon you,
and
upon your brethren:
this do,
and
ye shall not trespass.
And,
behold,
Amariah
the chief priest
is over you
in all matters
of the LORD;
and Zebadiah
the son
of Ishmael,
the ruler
of the house
of Judah,
for all
the king's matters:
also the Levites
shall be officers
before you.
Deal courageously,
and the LORD
shall be
with the good.
It came to pass
after this also,
that the children
of Moab,
and the children
of Ammon,
and with them other
beside the Ammonites,
came
against Jehoshaphat
to battle.
Then there came
some
that told
Jehoshaphat,
saying,
There
cometh
a great multitude
against thee
from beyond the sea
on this side Syria;
and,
behold,
they be
in Hazazontamar,
which is Engedi.
And Jehoshaphat feared,
and set himself
to seek the LORD,
and proclaimed
a fast
throughout all Judah.
And Judah
gathered themselves together,
to ask
help of the LORD:
even out of all the cities
of Judah
they came
to seek the LORD.
And Jehoshaphat
stood
in the congregation
of Judah
and Jerusalem,
in the house
of the LORD,
before the new court,
And said,
O LORD God
of our fathers,
art not
thou God
in heaven?
and rulest not
thou
over all
the kingdoms
of the heathen?
and in thine hand
is there not
power
and might,
so that none
is able
to withstand thee?
Art not
thou our God,
who didst drive
out the inhabitants
of this land
before thy people Israel,
and gavest it
to the seed
of Abraham
thy friend
for ever?
And they
dwelt therein,
and have built thee
a sanctuary
therein for thy name,
saying,
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
name
is in this house,)
and cry unto thee
in our affliction,
then
thou wilt hear
and help.
And now,
behold,
the children
of Ammon and Moab
and mount Seir,
whom
thou wouldest not let
Israel invade,
when they
came
out of the land
of Egypt,
but
they
turned from them,
and destroyed them not;
Behold,
I say,
how they
reward us,
to come
to cast us
out of thy possession,
which thou
hast given us
to inherit.
O our God,
wilt thou
not judge them?
for we
have
no might against this
great company
that cometh against us;
neither know we
what to do:
but our eyes
are upon thee.
And all Judah
stood
before the LORD,
with their little ones,
their wives,
and their children.
Then
upon Jahaziel
the son
of Zechariah,
the son
of Benaiah,
the son of Jeiel,
the son
of Mattaniah,
a Levite
of the sons
of Asaph,
came the Spirit
of the LORD
in the midst
of the congregation;
And he said,
Hearken ye,
all Judah,
and
ye inhabitants
of Jerusalem,
and
thou king Jehoshaphat,
Thus
saith
the LORD
unto you,
Be not afraid nor
dismayed
by reason
of this great multitude;
for the battle
is not yours,
but God's.
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 Jeruel.
Ye shall not
need to
fight
in this battle:
set yourselves,
stand
ye still,
and see
the salvation
of the LORD
with you,
O Judah
and Jerusalem:
fear not,
nor be dismayed;
to morrow go out
against them:
for the LORD
will be
with you.
And Jehoshaphat
bowed
his head
with his face
to the ground:
and all Judah
and the inhabitants
of Jerusalem
fell
before the LORD,
worshipping
the LORD.
And the Levites,
of the children
of the Kohathites,
and of the children
of the Korhites,
stood up
to praise
the LORD God
of Israel
with a loud voice
on high.
And
they rose early
in the morning,
and went forth
into the wilderness
of Tekoa:
and as they
went forth,
Jehoshaphat
stood
and said,
Hear me,
O Judah,
and
ye inhabitants
of Jerusalem;
Believe
in the LORD your God,
so shall
ye be established;
believe his prophets,
so shall
ye prosper.
And
when
he had consulted
with the people,
he appointed singers
unto the LORD,
and that
should praise
the beauty
of holiness,
as they went out
before the army,
and to say,
Praise the LORD;
for his mercy
endureth for ever.
And
when
they began
to sing
and
to praise,
the LORD
set ambushments
against the children
of Ammon, Moab,
and mount Seir,
which were come
against Judah;
and
they were smitten.
For the children
of Ammon
and Moab
stood up
against the inhabitants
of mount Seir,
utterly
to slay
and destroy them:
and
when
they had made
an end
of the inhabitants
of Seir,
every one
helped to destroy
another.
And
when Judah
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.
And
when Jehoshaphat
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.
And on the fourth day
they assembled themselves
in the valley
of Berachah;
for there
they blessed
the LORD:
therefore the name
of the same place
was called,
The valley
of Berachah,
unto this day.
Then
they returned,
every man
of Judah
and Jerusalem,
and Jehoshaphat
in the forefront
of them,
to go again
to Jerusalem
with joy;
for the LORD
had made them
to rejoice
over their enemies.
And
they came
to Jerusalem
with psalteries
and harps
and trumpets
unto the house
of the LORD.
And
the fear
of God
was on all
the kingdoms
of those countries,
when
they had heard
that the LORD
fought
against the enemies
of Israel.
So the realm
of Jehoshaphat
was quiet:
for his God
gave him
rest round about.
And Jehoshaphat
reigned
over Judah:
he was thirty
and five years old
when
he began
to reign,
and
he reigned twenty
and five years
in Jerusalem.
And his mother's name
was Azubah
the daughter
of Shilhi.
And he
walked
in the way
of Asa
his father,
and departed not
from it,
doing
that which
was right
in the sight
of the LORD.
Howbeit the high places
were not taken away:
for as yet
the people
had not prepared
their hearts
unto the God
of their fathers.
Now the rest
of the acts
of Jehoshaphat,
first
and last,
behold,
they are written in the book
of Jehu
the son
of Hanani,
who is mentioned in the book
of the kings
of Israel.
And after this
did
Jehoshaphat king
of Judah
join himself
with Ahaziah king
of Israel,
who did
very wickedly:
And
he joined himself
with him to make
ships
to go
to Tarshish:
and they
made
the ships
in Eziongaber.
Then Eliezer
the son
of Dodavah
of Mareshah
prophesied
against Jehoshaphat,
saying,
Because
thou hast joined thyself
with Ahaziah,
the LORD
hath broken thy works.
And the ships
were broken,
that they
were not able
to go
to Tarshish.
Now Jehoshaphat
slept
with his fathers,
and was buried
with his fathers
in the city
of David.
And Jehoram
his son
reigned
in his stead.
And
he had brethren
the sons
of Jehoshaphat, Azariah,
and Jehiel,
and Zechariah,
and Azariah,
and Michael,
and Shephatiah:
all these
were the sons
of Jehoshaphat king
of Israel.
And their father
gave them great gifts
of silver,
and of gold,
and
of precious things,
with fenced cities
in Judah:
but the kingdom
gave
he to Jehoram;
because
he was the firstborn.
Now
when Jehoram
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 Israel.
Jehoram was thirty
and two years old
when
he began
to reign,
and
he reigned eight years
in Jerusalem.
And he
walked
in the way
of the kings
of Israel,
like
as did
the house
of Ahab:
for he had
the daughter
of Ahab to wife:
and he
wrought that which
was evil
in the eyes
of the LORD.
Howbeit the LORD
would not destroy
the house
of David,
because
of the covenant
that he
had made
with David,
and as he
promised to give
a light
to him and
to his sons
for ever.
In his days
the Edomites
revolted from
under the dominion
of Judah,
and made themselves
a king.
Then Jehoram
went forth
with his princes,
and all
his chariots
with him:
and he
rose up
by night,
and smote
the Edomites
which compassed him in,
and the captains
of the chariots.
So the Edomites
revolted from
under the hand
of Judah unto this day.
The same time
also did
Libnah
revolt from
under his hand;
because
he had forsaken
the LORD God
of his fathers.
Moreover he
made high places
in the mountains
of Judah
and caused
the inhabitants
of Jerusalem
to commit fornication,
and compelled Judah thereto.
And there came
a writing to him
from Elijah the prophet,
saying,
Thus
saith
the LORD God
of David
thy father,
Because
thou hast not walked
in the ways
of Jehoshaphat
thy father,
nor in the ways
of Asa king
of Judah,
But hast walked in the way
of the kings
of Israel,
and hast made Judah
and the inhabitants
of Jerusalem
to go a whoring,
like to the whoredoms
of the house
of Ahab,
and also hast slain
thy brethren
of thy father's house,
which were
better
than thyself:
Behold,
with a great plague
will
the LORD
smite thy people,
and thy children,
and thy wives,
and all thy goods:
And
thou shalt have great sickness
by disease
of thy bowels,
until thy bowels
fall out
by reason
of the sickness day by day.
Moreover the LORD
stirred up
against Jehoram
the spirit
of the Philistines,
and
of the Arabians,
that were near the Ethiopians:
And they
came up
into Judah,
and brake
into it,
and carried away all
the substance
that was found
in the king's house,
and his sons also,
and his wives;
so that
there was never
a son
left him,
save Jehoahaz,
the youngest
of his sons.
And
after all
this the LORD
smote him
in his bowels
with an incurable disease.
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 the burning
of his fathers.
Thirty
and two years old
was he
when
he began
to reign,
and he
reigned
in Jerusalem eight years,
and departed
without being desired.
Howbeit
they buried him
in the city
of David,
but not in the sepulchres
of the kings.
And the inhabitants
of Jerusalem made
Ahaziah
his youngest son king
in his stead:
for the band
of men
that came
with the Arabians
to the camp
had slain all
the eldest.
So Ahaziah
the son
of Jehoram king
of Judah reigned.
Forty
and two years old
was Ahaziah
when
he began
to reign,
and
he reigned one year
in Jerusalem.
His mother's name
also was
Athaliah the daughter
of Omri.
He also walked
in the ways
of the house
of Ahab:
for his mother
was his counsellor
to do wickedly.
Wherefore
he did
evil in the sight
of the LORD like
the house
of Ahab:
for they were
his counsellors
after the death
of his father
to his destruction.
He walked also
after their counsel,
and went with Jehoram
the son
of Ahab king
of Israel
to war
against Hazael king
of Syria
at Ramothgilead:
and the Syrians
smote Joram.
And
he returned
to be healed
in Jezreel
because
of the wounds
which were given him
at Ramah,
when he
fought
with Hazael king
of Syria.
And Azariah
the son
of Jehoram king
of Judah
went down
to see Jehoram
the son
of Ahab
at Jezreel,
because
he was sick.
And
the destruction
of Ahaziah
was of God
by coming
to Joram:
for when
he was come,
he went out
with Jehoram
against Jehu
the son
of Nimshi,
whom the LORD
had anointed
to cut off
the house
of Ahab.
And it
came
to pass,
that,
when Jehu
was executing judgment
upon the house
of Ahab,
and found
the princes
of Judah,
and the sons
of the brethren
of Ahaziah,
that ministered
to Ahaziah,
he slew them.
And
he sought Ahaziah:
and
they caught him,
(for he
was hid in Samaria,)
and brought him
to Jehu:
and
when
they had slain him,
they buried him:
Because,
said they,
he is the son
of Jehoshaphat,
who sought the LORD
with all his heart.
So the house
of Ahaziah
had no
power
to keep still the kingdom.
But
when Athaliah
the mother
of Ahaziah
saw
that her son
was dead,
she arose
and destroyed all
the seed royal
of the house
of Judah.
But Jehoshabeath,
the daughter
of the king,
took Joash
the son
of Ahaziah,
and stole
him from
among the king's sons
that were slain,
and put him
and his nurse
in a bedchamber.
So Jehoshabeath,
the daughter
of king Jehoram,
the wife
of Jehoiada the priest,
(for she was
the sister
of Ahaziah,)
hid him
from Athaliah,
so that
she slew him not.
And
he was with them
hid in the house
of God six years:
and Athaliah
reigned
over the land.
And
in the seventh year Jehoiada
strengthened himself,
and took
the captains
of hundreds,
Azariah the son
of Jeroham,
and Ishmael
the son
of Jehohanan,
and Azariah
the son
of Obed,
and Maaseiah
the son
of Adaiah,
and Elishaphat
the son
of Zichri,
into covenant
with him.
And
they went about
in Judah,
and gathered
the Levites
out of all the cities
of Judah,
and the chief
of the fathers
of Israel,
and they
came
to Jerusalem.
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 said
of the sons
of David.
This is
the thing that
ye shall do;
A third part
of you
entering
on the sabbath,
of the priests
and of the Levites,
shall be porters
of the doors;
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.
But let none
come
into the house
of the LORD,
save the priests,
and
they that minister
of the Levites;
they shall go in,
for they
are holy:
but all
the people
shall keep
the watch
of the LORD.
And the Levites
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.
So the Levites
and all Judah
did according to all
things that Jehoiada 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 Jehoiada
the priest
dismissed not
the courses.
Moreover Jehoiada
the priest
delivered
to the captains
of hundreds spears,
and bucklers,
and shields,
that had been king David's,
which were in the house
of God.
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.
Then they
brought
out the king's son,
and put
upon him the crown,
and gave him
the testimony,
and made him king.
And Jehoiada
and his sons
anointed him,
and said,
God save
the king.
Now when Athaliah
heard
the noise
of the people
running
and praising
the king,
she came
to the people
into the house
of the LORD:
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 such as taught
to sing praise.
Then Athaliah
rent her clothes,
and said,
Treason, Treason.
Then
Jehoiada 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.
So they
laid
hands on her;
and
when she
was come
to the entering
of the horse gate
by the king's house,
they slew her there.
And Jehoiada
made
a covenant
between him,
and
between all the people,
and
between the king,
that they
should be
the LORD's people.
Then all
the people
went to the house
of Baal,
and brake it down,
and brake
his altars
and his images
in pieces,
and slew Mattan
the priest
of Baal
before the altars.
Also Jehoiada
appointed
the offices
of the house
of the LORD
by the hand
of the priests
the Levites,
whom David
had distributed
in the house
of the LORD,
to offer
the burnt offerings
of the LORD,
as it is written
in the law
of Moses,
with rejoicing
and
with singing,
as it was ordained
by David.
And he set
the porters
at the gates
of the house
of the LORD,
that none which
was unclean
in any thing
should enter in.
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.
And all
the people
of the land rejoiced:
and the city
was quiet,
after that
they had slain Athaliah
with the sword.
Joash
was
seven years old
when
he began
to reign,
and
he reigned forty years
in Jerusalem.
His mother's name
also was Zibiah
of Beersheba.
And Joash
did that which
was right
in the sight
of the LORD all the days
of Jehoiada the priest.
And Jehoiada
took for him two wives;
and he
begat sons
and daughters.
And it
came
to pass
after this,
that Joash
was minded
to repair the house
of the LORD.
And he
gathered
together the priests
and the Levites,
and said to them,
Go out
unto the cities
of Judah,
and gather
of all Israel money
to repair the house
of your God
from year to year,
and see that
ye hasten
the matter.
Howbeit the Levites
hastened it not.
And the king
called for Jehoiada
the chief,
and
said unto him,
Why hast
thou not required
of the Levites
to bring in
out of Judah and
out of Jerusalem the collection,
according to the commandment
of Moses
the servant
of the LORD,
and
of the congregation
of Israel,
for the tabernacle
of witness?
For the sons
of Athaliah,
that wicked woman,
had broken up
the house of God;
and
also all
the dedicated things
of the house
of the LORD
did
they bestow
upon Baalim.
And
at the king's commandment
they made
a chest,
and set it without
at the gate
of the house
of the LORD.
And they
made
a proclamation
through Judah
and Jerusalem,
to bring in
to the LORD the collection
that Moses the servant
of God
laid upon Israel
in the wilderness.
And all
the princes
and all
the people rejoiced,
and brought in,
and cast
into the chest,
until they
had made
an end.
Now it
came
to pass,
that at what
time the chest
was brought
unto the king's office
by the hand
of the Levites,
and 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.
And the king
and Jehoiada
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.
So the workmen wrought,
and the work
was perfected by them,
and they set
the house
of God
in his state,
and strengthened it.
And
when
they had finished it,
they brought
the rest
of the money
before the king
and Jehoiada,
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 Jehoiada.
But Jehoiada
waxed old,
and was full of days
when he died;
an hundred
and thirty years old
was
he when
he died.
And
they buried him
in the city
of David
among the kings,
because
he had done good
in Israel,
both toward God,
and
toward his house.
Now after the death
of Jehoiada
came the princes
of Judah,
and made obeisance
to the king.
Then the king
hearkened unto them.
And they
left
the house
of the LORD God
of their fathers,
and served groves
and idols:
and wrath
came upon Judah
and Jerusalem
for this their trespass.
Yet
he sent prophets
to them,
to bring them again
unto the LORD;
and
they
testified against them:
but
they would not give ear.
And
the Spirit
of God
came upon Zechariah
the son
of Jehoiada the priest,
which stood above
the people,
and
said unto them,
Thus saith God,
Why transgress
ye the commandments
of the LORD,
that ye
cannot prosper?
because
ye have forsaken
the LORD,
he hath also forsaken you.
And
they
conspired against him,
and stoned him
with stones
at the commandment
of the king
in the court
of the house
of the LORD.
Thus Joash the king
remembered not
the kindness which
Jehoiada his father
had done to him,
but slew his son.
And when he died,
he said,
The LORD
look upon it,
and require it.
And it
came
to pass
at the end
of the year,
that the host
of Syria
came up against him:
and they
came
to Judah
and Jerusalem,
and destroyed all
the princes
of the people from
among the people,
and sent all
the spoil
of them
unto the king
of Damascus.
For the army
of the Syrians
came
with a small company
of men,
and the LORD
delivered
a very great host
into their hand,
because
they had forsaken
the LORD God
of their fathers.
So they
executed judgment
against Joash.
And
when
they
were departed from him,
(for they
left him
in great diseases,)
his own servants
conspired
against him
for the blood
of the sons
of Jehoiada the priest,
and slew him
on his bed,
and he died:
and
they buried him
in the city
of David,
but
they buried him not
in the sepulchres
of the kings.
And these
are
they
that conspired against him;
Zabad the son
of Shimeath an Ammonitess,
and Jehozabad
the son
of Shimrith a Moabitess.
Now concerning his sons,
and
the greatness
of 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.
And Amaziah
his son
reigned
in his stead.
Amaziah was twenty
and five years old
when
he began
to reign,
and
he reigned twenty
and nine years
in Jerusalem.
And his mother's name
was Jehoaddan
of Jerusalem.
And he
did that which
was right
in the sight
of the LORD,
but not with a perfect heart.
Now it
came
to pass,
when the kingdom
was established
to him,
that he
slew his servants
that had killed
the king his father.
But
he slew not
their children,
but did as it
is written
in the law
in the book
of Moses,
where the LORD commanded,
saying,
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.
Moreover Amaziah
gathered Judah
together,
and made them captains
over thousands,
and captains
over hundreds,
according to
the houses
of their fathers,
throughout all Judah
and Benjamin:
and
he numbered them
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.
He hired also
an hundred thousand mighty men
of valour
out of Israel
for an hundred talents
of silver.
But there came a man
of God to him,
saying,
O king,
let not the army
of Israel
go with thee;
for the LORD
is not
with Israel,
to wit,
with all
the children
of Ephraim.
But
if thou
wilt go,
do it;
be strong
for the battle:
God shall make
thee fall
before the enemy:
for God
hath power
to help,
and to cast down.
And Amaziah
said
to the man
of God,
But what
shall
we do
for the hundred talents
which I
have given
to the army
of Israel?
And the man
of God answered,
The LORD
is able
to give
thee much more
than this.
Then Amaziah
separated them,
to wit,
the army that
was come
to him
out of Ephraim,
to go
home again:
wherefore
their anger
was greatly kindled
against Judah,
and
they returned
home
in great anger.
And Amaziah
strengthened himself,
and led
forth his people,
and went to the valley
of salt,
and smote of the children
of Seir ten thousand.
And other ten thousand
left alive
did
the children
of Judah
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.
But the soldiers
of the army
which Amaziah sent back,
that they
should not go
with him to battle,
fell upon the cities
of Judah,
from Samaria
even unto Bethhoron,
and smote three thousand
of them,
and took
much spoil.
Now it
came
to pass,
after that Amaziah
was come
from the slaughter
of the Edomites,
that he
brought
the gods
of the children
of Seir,
and set them up to
be his gods,
and bowed
down himself
before them,
and burned
incense unto them.
Wherefore
the anger
of the LORD
was kindled
against Amaziah,
and he
sent
unto him a prophet,
which said
unto him, Why
hast
thou sought
after the gods
of the people,
which could not deliver
their own people
out of thine hand?
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 determined
to destroy thee,
because
thou hast done this,
and hast not hearkened
unto my counsel.
Then
Amaziah king
of Judah
took advice,
and sent
to Joash,
the son
of Jehoahaz,
the son of Jehu,
king of Israel,
saying,
Come,
let us
see one another
in the face.
And
Joash king
of Israel
sent
to Amaziah king
of Judah,
saying,
The thistle that
was in Lebanon
sent to the cedar
that was in Lebanon,
saying,
Give thy daughter
to my son
to wife:
and there passed
by a wild beast
that was in Lebanon,
and trode
down the thistle.
Thou sayest,
Lo,
thou hast smitten
the Edomites;
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 Judah
with thee?
But Amaziah
would not hear;
for it
came of God,
that he
might deliver them into the hand
of their enemies,
because
they sought
after the gods
of Edom.
So Joash
the king
of Israel
went up;
and they
saw one
another
in the face,
both he
and Amaziah king
of Judah,
at Bethshemesh,
which belongeth
to Judah.
And Judah
was put to the worse
before Israel,
and
they fled every man
to his tent.
And Joash
the king
of Israel
took Amaziah king
of Judah,
the son of Joash,
the son
of Jehoahaz,
at Bethshemesh,
and brought him
to Jerusalem,
and brake
down the wall
of Jerusalem
from the gate
of Ephraim
to the corner gate,
four hundred cubits.
And he
took all
the gold
and the silver,
and all
the vessels
that were found in the house
of God
with Obededom,
and the treasures
of the king's house,
the hostages also,
and returned
to Samaria.
And Amaziah
the son
of Joash king
of Judah
lived after the death
of Joash son
of Jehoahaz king
of Israel fifteen years.
Now the rest
of the acts
of Amaziah,
first
and last,
behold,
are
they not written
in the book
of the kings
of Judah and Israel?
Now after the time
that Amaziah
did turn away
from following
the LORD
they made
a conspiracy
against him
in Jerusalem;
and
he fled
to Lachish:
but they
sent
to Lachish
after him,
and slew him there.
And
they brought him
upon horses,
and buried him
with his fathers
in the city
of Judah.
Then all
the people
of Judah
took Uzziah,
who was
sixteen years old,
and made him king
in the room
of his father Amaziah.
He built Eloth,
and restored
it to Judah,
after that
the king
slept
with his fathers.
Sixteen years old
was Uzziah
when
he began
to reign,
and
he reigned fifty
and two years
in Jerusalem.
His mother's name
also was Jecoliah
of Jerusalem.
And he
did that which
was right
in the sight
of the LORD,
according to all
that his father Amaziah did.
And he
sought God
in the days
of Zechariah,
who had
understanding in the visions of God:
and as long as he
sought the LORD,
God made him
to prosper.
And he
went forth
and warred
against the Philistines,
and brake
down the wall
of Gath,
and the wall
of Jabneh,
and the wall
of Ashdod,
and built cities
about Ashdod,
and
among the Philistines.
And God
helped him
against the Philistines,
and
against the Arabians
that dwelt
in Gurbaal,
and the Mehunims.
And the Ammonites
gave gifts
to Uzziah:
and his name spread abroad
even to the entering in
of Egypt;
for he
strengthened himself exceedingly.
Moreover Uzziah
built
towers
in Jerusalem
at the corner gate,
and
at the valley gate,
and at the turning
of the wall,
and fortified them.
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 Carmel:
for he
loved husbandry.
Moreover Uzziah
had
an host
of fighting men,
that went out
to war by bands,
according to the number
of their account
by the hand
of Jeiel the scribe
and Maaseiah
the ruler,
under the hand
of Hananiah,
one
of the king's captains.
The whole number
of the chief
of the fathers
of the mighty men
of valour
were two thousand
and six hundred.
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.
And Uzziah
prepared
for them
throughout all
the host shields,
and spears,
and helmets,
and habergeons,
and bows,
and slings
to cast stones.
And he
made
in Jerusalem 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.
But
when
he was strong,
his heart
was lifted up to
his destruction:
for he transgressed
against the LORD
his God,
and went into the temple
of the LORD
to burn incense
upon the altar
of incense.
And Azariah
the priest
went in
after him,
and with him fourscore priests
of the LORD,
that were valiant men:
And
they withstood Uzziah
the king,
and
said unto him,
It appertaineth not
unto thee,
Uzziah,
to burn
incense
unto the LORD,
but to the priests
the sons
of Aaron,
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.
Then Uzziah
was wroth,
and had
a censer
in his hand
to burn incense:
and
while he
was wroth
with the priests,
the leprosy
even rose up
in his forehead
before the priests
in the house
of the LORD,
from beside the incense altar.
And Azariah
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 hasted
also to go out,
because
the LORD
had smitten him.
And Uzziah
the king
was a leper
unto the day
of his death,
and dwelt
in a several house,
being a leper;
for he
was cut off
from the house
of the LORD:
and Jotham
his son
was over the king's house,
judging the people
of the land.
Now the rest
of the acts
of Uzziah,
first
and last,
did Isaiah
the prophet,
the son of Amoz,
write.
So Uzziah
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 Jotham
his son
reigned
in his stead.
Jotham was twenty
and five years old
when
he began
to reign,
and
he reigned sixteen years
in Jerusalem.
His mother's name
also was Jerushah,
the daughter
of Zadok.
And he
did that which
was right
in the sight
of the LORD,
according to all
that his father Uzziah did:
howbeit
he entered not
into the temple
of the LORD.
And the people
did
yet corruptly.
He built
the high gate
of the house
of the LORD,
and on the wall
of Ophel he built much.
Moreover he
built cities
in the mountains
of Judah,
and
in the forests
he built castles
and towers.
He fought also
with the king
of the Ammonites,
and
prevailed against them.
And the children
of Ammon
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 Ammon
pay unto him,
both the second year,
and the third.
So Jotham
became mighty,
because
he prepared
his ways
before the LORD his God.
Now the rest
of the acts
of Jotham,
and all
his wars,
and his ways,
lo,
they are written in the book
of the kings
of Israel and Judah.
He was five
and twenty years old
when
he began
to reign,
and reigned sixteen years
in Jerusalem.
And Jotham
slept
with his fathers,
and
they buried him
in the city
of David:
and Ahaz
his son
reigned
in his stead.
Ahaz
was
twenty years old
when
he began
to reign,
and
he reigned sixteen years
in Jerusalem:
but he
did not
that which
was right
in the sight
of the LORD,
like David
his father:
For he walked
in the ways
of the kings
of Israel,
and made also
molten images
for Baalim.
Moreover he
burnt
incense
in the valley
of the son
of Hinnom,
and burnt
his children
in the fire,
after the abominations
of the heathen
whom the LORD
had cast out
before the children
of Israel.
He sacrificed also
and burnt
incense
in the high places,
and on the hills,
and
under every green tree.
Wherefore
the LORD his God
delivered him
into the hand
of the king
of Syria;
and
they smote him,
and carried away
a great multitude
of them captives,
and brought them
to Damascus.
And
he was also delivered
into the hand
of the king
of Israel,
who smote him
with a great slaughter.
For Pekah
the son
of Remaliah
slew in Judah
an hundred
and twenty thousand
in one day,
which were all valiant men;
because
they had forsaken
the LORD God
of their fathers.
And Zichri,
a mighty man
of Ephraim,
slew Maaseiah
the king's son,
and Azrikam
the governor
of the house,
and Elkanah
that was next
to the king.
And the children
of Israel
carried away captive
of their brethren two hundred thousand,
women,
sons,
and daughters,
and took also away
much spoil from them,
and brought
the spoil
to Samaria.
But
a prophet
of the LORD
was there,
whose name
was Oded:
and he
went out
before the host
that came
to Samaria,
and
said unto them,
Behold,
because
the LORD God
of your fathers
was wroth
with Judah,
he hath delivered them
into your hand,
and
ye have slain them
in a rage
that reacheth up
unto heaven.
And now
ye purpose
to keep
under the children
of Judah
and Jerusalem
for bondmen
and bondwomen
unto you:
but are there
not with you,
even with you,
sins
against the LORD your God?
Now hear me
therefore,
and
deliver
the captives
again,
which ye
have taken captive
of your brethren:
for the fierce wrath
of the LORD is upon you.
Then certain
of the heads
of the children
of Ephraim,
Azariah the son
of Johanan,
Berechiah the son
of Meshillemoth,
and Jehizkiah
the son
of Shallum,
and Amasa
the son
of Hadlai,
stood up
against them
that came
from the war,
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 Israel.
So the armed men
left the captives
and the spoil
before the princes
and all
the congregation.
And the men
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 gave them
to eat
and
to drink,
and anointed them,
and carried all
the feeble
of them
upon asses,
and brought them
to Jericho,
the city
of palm trees,
to their brethren:
then
they returned
to Samaria.
At that time
did king Ahaz
send
unto the kings
of Assyria
to help him.
For again
the Edomites
had come
and smitten Judah,
and carried away
captives.
The Philistines
also had invaded
the cities
of the low country,
and of the south
of Judah,
and had taken
Bethshemesh,
and Ajalon,
and Gederoth,
and Shocho
with the villages
thereof,
and Timnah
with the villages
thereof,
Gimzo
also and the villages
thereof:
and
they dwelt there.
For the LORD
brought Judah low
because of Ahaz king
of Israel;
for he
made Judah naked,
and transgressed sore
against the LORD.
And
Tilgathpilneser king
of Assyria
came unto him,
and distressed him,
but strengthened him not.
For Ahaz
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 Assyria:
but
he helped him not.
And in the time
of his distress
did
he trespass yet more
against the LORD:
this is that king Ahaz.
For he sacrificed
unto the gods
of Damascus,
which smote him:
and he said,
Because the gods
of the kings
of Syria
help them,
therefore will
I sacrifice
to them,
that they
may help me.
But
they were the ruin
of him,
and of all Israel.
And Ahaz
gathered
together the vessels
of the house
of God,
and cut
in pieces
the vessels
of the house
of God,
and shut
up the doors
of the house
of the LORD,
and
he made him altars
in every corner
of Jerusalem.
And in every several city
of Judah
he made high places
to burn incense
unto other gods,
and provoked
to anger
the LORD God
of his fathers.
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 Judah and Israel.
And Ahaz
slept
with his fathers,
and
they buried him
in the city,
even in Jerusalem:
but
they brought him not
into the sepulchres
of the kings
of Israel:
and Hezekiah
his son
reigned
in his stead.
Hezekiah began to reign when
he was five
and twenty years old,
and
he reigned nine
and twenty years
in Jerusalem.
And his mother's name
was Abijah,
the daughter
of Zechariah.
And he
did that which
was right
in the sight
of the LORD,
according to all
that David his father
had done.
He in the first year
of his reign,
in the first month,
opened the doors
of the house
of the LORD,
and repaired them.
And he
brought in
the priests
and the Levites,
and gathered
them together
into the east street,
And
said unto them,
Hear me,
ye Levites,
sanctify now
yourselves,
and sanctify
the house
of the LORD God
of your fathers,
and carry
forth the filthiness
out of the holy place.
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 turned away
their faces
from the habitation
of the LORD,
and turned
their backs.
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 Israel.
Wherefore
the wrath
of the LORD
was upon Judah
and Jerusalem,
and
he hath delivered them
to trouble,
to astonishment,
and to hissing,
as ye
see
with your eyes.
For, lo,
our fathers
have fallen
by the sword,
and our sons
and our daughters
and our wives
are in captivity
for this.
Now it
is in mine heart
to make
a covenant
with the LORD God
of Israel,
that his fierce wrath
may turn away from us.
My sons,
be not now negligent:
for the LORD
hath chosen you
to stand
before him,
to serve him,
and
that ye
should minister unto him,
and burn incense.
Then the Levites arose,
Mahath the son
of Amasai,
and Joel
the son
of Azariah,
of the sons
of the Kohathites:
and of the sons
of Merari,
Kish the son
of Abdi,
and Azariah
the son
of Jehalelel:
and
of the Gershonites;
Joah the son
of Zimmah,
and Eden
the son
of Joah:
And of the sons
of Elizaphan;
Shimri,
and Jeiel:
and of the sons
of Asaph;
Zechariah,
and Mattaniah:
And of the sons
of Heman;
Jehiel,
and Shimei:
and of the sons
of Jeduthun;
Shemaiah,
and Uzziel.
And
they gathered
their brethren,
and sanctified themselves,
and came,
according to
the commandment
of the king,
by the words
of the LORD,
to cleanse the house
of the LORD.
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 Levites
took it,
to carry it out
abroad into the brook Kidron.
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.
Then they
went in
to Hezekiah 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.
Moreover all the vessels,
which king Ahaz
in his reign
did cast away
in his transgression,
have
we prepared
and sanctified,
and,
behold,
they are before the altar
of the LORD.
Then Hezekiah
the king rose early,
and gathered
the rulers
of the city,
and went
up to the house
of the LORD.
And
they brought
seven bullocks,
and seven rams,
and seven lambs,
and seven
he goats,
for a sin
offering
for the kingdom,
and
for the sanctuary,
and for Judah.
And he
commanded
the priests
the sons
of Aaron
to offer them
on the altar
of the LORD.
So they
killed the bullocks,
and the priests
received the blood,
and 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.
And they
brought forth
the he goats
for the sin
offering
before the king
and the congregation;
and they
laid
their hands
upon them:
And the priests
killed them,
and
they made reconciliation
with their blood
upon the altar,
to make an atonement
for all Israel:
for the king
commanded
that the burnt
offering
and the sin
offering
should be made
for all Israel.
And he set
the Levites
in the house
of the LORD
with cymbals,
with psalteries,
and with harps,
according to
the commandment
of David,
and
of Gad the king's seer,
and Nathan
the prophet:
for so
was the commandment
of the LORD
by his prophets.
And the Levites
stood
with the instruments
of David,
and the priests
with the trumpets.
And Hezekiah
commanded
to offer
the burnt
offering
upon the altar.
And
when the burnt offering began,
the song
of the LORD
began also
with the trumpets,
and
with the instruments
ordained
by David king
of Israel.
And all
the congregation worshipped,
and the singers sang,
and the trumpeters sounded:
and all this
continued until
the burnt
offering
was finished.
And
when
they had made
an end
of offering,
the king
and all that
were
present
with him bowed themselves,
and worshipped.
Moreover Hezekiah
the king
and the princes
commanded
the Levites
to sing praise
unto the LORD
with the words
of David,
and
of Asaph the seer.
And they
sang
praises
with gladness,
and they
bowed
their heads
and worshipped.
Then Hezekiah
answered
and said,
Now
ye have consecrated yourselves
unto the LORD,
come
near and bring
sacrifices
and 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.
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.
And the consecrated things
were six hundred oxen
and three thousand sheep.
But the priests
were too few,
so that
they could not flay all
the burnt offerings:
wherefore
their brethren
the Levites
did help them,
till the work
was ended,
and
until the other priests
had sanctified themselves:
for the Levites
were more upright
in heart
to sanctify themselves
than the priests.
And
also the burnt offerings
were in abundance,
with the fat
of the peace offerings,
and the drink offerings
for every burnt offering.
So the service
of the house
of the LORD
was set
in order.
And Hezekiah rejoiced,
and all
the people,
that God
had prepared
the people:
for the thing
was done suddenly.
And Hezekiah
sent
to all Israel
and Judah,
and wrote letters
also to Ephraim
and Manasseh,
that they
should come
to the house
of the LORD
at Jerusalem,
to keep the passover
unto the LORD God
of Israel.
For the king
had taken counsel,
and his princes,
and all
the congregation
in Jerusalem,
to keep the passover
in the second month.
For they could not keep it
at that time,
because
the priests
had not sanctified themselves
sufficiently,
neither had
the people
gathered themselves
together
to Jerusalem.
And the thing pleased
the king
and all
the congregation.
So they
established
a decree
to make proclamation
throughout all Israel,
from Beersheba
even to Dan,
that they
should come
to keep the passover
unto the LORD God
of Israel
at Jerusalem:
for they
had not done
it of a long time
in such sort as it
was written.
So the posts
went with the letters
from the king
and his princes
throughout all Israel
and Judah,
and
according to
the commandment
of the king,
saying,
Ye children
of Israel,
turn
again
unto the LORD God
of Abraham, Isaac,
and Israel,
and
he will return
to the remnant
of you,
that are escaped
out of the hand
of the kings
of Assyria.
And be not
ye like
your fathers,
and like
your brethren,
which trespassed
against the LORD God
of their fathers,
who therefore gave them
up to desolation,
as ye see.
Now be
ye not 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,
that the fierceness
of his wrath
may turn away
from you.
For if
ye turn again
unto the LORD,
your brethren
and your children
shall find compassion
before them that lead
them captive,
so that
they shall come again
into this land:
for the LORD
your God
is gracious
and merciful,
and will not turn away
his face
from you,
if ye
return unto him.
So the posts
passed
from city to city
through the country
of Ephraim
and Manasseh
even unto Zebulun:
but
they laughed them
to scorn,
and mocked them.
Nevertheless divers
of Asher
and Manasseh and
of Zebulun
humbled themselves,
and came
to Jerusalem.
Also in Judah
the hand
of God
was to give them
one heart
to do the commandment
of the king
and of the princes,
by the word
of the LORD.
And there assembled
at Jerusalem much
people
to keep the feast
of unleavened bread
in the second month,
a very great congregation.
And
they arose
and took away
the altars
that were in Jerusalem,
and all
the altars
for incense
took
they away,
and cast them
into the brook Kidron.
Then they
killed
the passover
on the fourteenth day
of the second month:
and the priests
and the Levites
were ashamed,
and sanctified themselves,
and brought in
the burnt offerings
into the house
of the LORD.
And they
stood
in their place
after their manner,
according to the law
of Moses
the man of God:
the priests
sprinkled
the blood,
which they
received
of the hand
of the Levites.
For there were
many in the congregation
that were not sanctified:
therefore the Levites
had the charge
of the killing
of the passovers
for every one
that was not clean,
to sanctify them
unto the LORD.
For a multitude
of the people,
even many
of Ephraim,
and Manasseh, Issachar,
and Zebulun,
had not cleansed themselves,
yet did
they eat
the passover
otherwise than
it was written.
But Hezekiah
prayed for them,
saying,
The good LORD
pardon every one
That prepareth
his heart
to seek God,
the LORD God
of his fathers,
though he
be not cleansed according to
the purification
of the sanctuary.
And the LORD
hearkened
to Hezekiah,
and healed
the people.
And the children
of Israel
that were
present
at Jerusalem
kept
the feast
of unleavened bread seven days
with great gladness:
and the Levites
and the priests
praised the LORD day by day,
singing
with loud instruments
unto the LORD.
And Hezekiah
spake comfortably
unto all
the Levites
that taught
the good knowledge
of the LORD:
and they
did eat
throughout the feast seven days,
offering peace offerings,
and making confession
to the LORD God
of their fathers.
And the whole
assembly took
counsel
to keep
other seven days:
and they
kept
other seven days
with gladness.
For Hezekiah king
of Judah
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
sanctified themselves.
And all
the congregation
of Judah,
with the priests
and the Levites,
and all
the congregation
that came out of Israel,
and the strangers
that
came
out of the land
of Israel,
and that
dwelt
in Judah,
rejoiced.
So there was great
joy in Jerusalem:
for since the time
of Solomon the son
of David king
of Israel
there was not the like
in Jerusalem.
Then
the priests the Levites
arose
and blessed
the people:
and their voice
was heard,
and their prayer
came up to
his holy dwelling place,
even unto heaven.
Now
when
all this
was finished,
all Israel
that were
present
went out
to the cities
of Judah,
and brake
the images
in pieces,
and cut down
the groves,
and threw down the high places
and the altars
out of all Judah
and Benjamin,
in Ephraim
also and Manasseh,
until they
had utterly destroyed them all.
Then all
the children
of Israel returned,
every man
to his possession,
into their own cities.
And Hezekiah
appointed
the courses
of the priests
and the Levites
after their courses,
every man
according to his service,
the priests
and Levites
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.
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 law
of the LORD.
Moreover he
commanded
the people
that dwelt
in Jerusalem
to give the portion
of the priests
and the Levites,
that they
might be encouraged
in the law
of the LORD.
And
as soon as the commandment
came abroad,
the children
of Israel
brought in
abundance 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.
And
concerning the children
of Israel
and Judah,
that dwelt
in the cities
of Judah,
they also brought in
the tithe
of oxen
and sheep,
and the tithe
of holy things
which were consecrated
unto the LORD
their God,
and laid them
by heaps.
In the third month
they began
to lay the foundation
of the heaps,
and finished them
in the seventh month.
And
when Hezekiah
and the princes
came
and saw
the heaps,
they blessed
the LORD,
and his people Israel.
Then Hezekiah
questioned
with the priests
and the Levites
concerning the heaps.
And Azariah
the chief priest
of the house
of Zadok
answered him,
and said,
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.
Then Hezekiah
commanded
to prepare chambers
in the house
of the LORD;
and
they prepared them,
And brought in
the offerings
and the tithes
and the dedicated things faithfully:
over which
Cononiah the Levite
was ruler,
and Shimei
his brother was the next.
And Jehiel,
and Azaziah,
and Nahath,
and Asahel,
and Jerimoth,
and Jozabad,
and Eliel,
and Ismachiah,
and Mahath,
and Benaiah,
were overseers
under the hand
of Cononiah
and Shimei
his brother,
at the commandment
of Hezekiah the king,
and Azariah
the ruler
of the house
of God.
And Kore
the son
of Imnah the Levite,
the porter
toward the east,
was over the freewill offerings
of God,
to distribute the oblations
of the LORD,
and the most holy things.
And next him
were Eden,
and Miniamin,
and Jeshua,
and Shemaiah, Amariah,
and Shecaniah,
in the cities
of the priests,
in their set office,
to give
to their brethren
by courses,
as well to the great
as to the small:
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;
Both to the genealogy
of the priests
by the house
of their fathers,
and the Levites
from twenty years old
and upward,
in their charges
by their courses;
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:
Also of the sons
of Aaron the priests,
which were in the fields
of the suburbs
of their cities,
in every several city,
the men that
were expressed
by name,
to give portions
to all the males
among the priests,
and
to all
that were reckoned by genealogies
among the Levites.
And thus
did Hezekiah
throughout all Judah,
and wrought
that which
was good
and right
and truth
before the LORD his God.
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.
After these things,
and the establishment
thereof,
Sennacherib king
of Assyria came,
and entered
into Judah,
and encamped
against the fenced cities,
and thought
to win them
for himself.
And when Hezekiah
saw that Sennacherib
was come,
and that
he was purposed
to fight
against Jerusalem,
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.
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 Assyria come,
and find
much water?
Also he
strengthened himself,
and built up all
the wall
that was broken,
and raised it
up to the towers,
and another wall
without,
and repaired Millo
in the city
of David,
and made
darts
and shields
in abundance.
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,
Be strong
and courageous,
be not afraid
nor dismayed
for the king
of Assyria,
nor for all
the multitude
that is with him:
for there be more
with us than
with him:
With him is an arm
of flesh;
but
with us is the LORD
our God
to help us,
and to fight
our battles.
And the people
rested themselves
upon the words
of Hezekiah king
of Judah.
After this
did
Sennacherib king
of Assyria
send his servants
to Jerusalem,
(but
he himself
laid siege
against Lachish,
and all
his power
with him,)
unto Hezekiah king
of Judah,
and unto all
Judah
that were at Jerusalem,
saying,
Thus saith Sennacherib king
of Assyria,
Whereon
do
ye trust,
that ye
abide in the siege
in Jerusalem?
Doth not
Hezekiah persuade you
to give
over yourselves
to die by famine
and
by thirst,
saying,
The LORD our God
shall deliver us
out of the hand
of the king
of Assyria?
Hath not
the same Hezekiah
taken away
his high places
and his altars,
and commanded Judah
and Jerusalem,
saying,
Ye shall worship
before one altar,
and burn
incense upon it?
Know ye not what
I and my fathers
have done
unto all
the people
of other lands?
were the gods
of the nations
of those lands
any ways able
to deliver their lands
out of mine hand?
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?
Now therefore let not Hezekiah
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?
And his servants
spake yet more
against the LORD God,
and against his servant Hezekiah.
He wrote also
letters
to rail
on the LORD God
of Israel,
and to speak against him,
saying,
As the gods
of the nations
of other lands
have not delivered their people
out of mine hand,
so shall not
the God
of Hezekiah
deliver his people
out of mine hand.
Then they
cried
with a loud voice
in the Jews' speech
unto the people
of Jerusalem
that were on the wall,
to affright them,
and
to trouble them;
that they
might take
the city.
And
they spake against the God
of Jerusalem,
as against the gods
of the people
of the earth,
which were the work
of the hands
of man.
And
for this cause Hezekiah
the king,
and the prophet Isaiah
the son of Amoz,
prayed
and cried
to heaven.
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 Assyria.
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.
Thus the LORD
saved Hezekiah
and the inhabitants
of Jerusalem
from the hand
of Sennacherib
the king
of Assyria,
and from the hand
of all other,
and guided them
on every side.
And many brought gifts
unto the LORD
to Jerusalem,
and presents
to Hezekiah king
of Judah:
so that
he was magnified in the sight
of all nations
from thenceforth.
In those
days Hezekiah
was sick
to the death,
and prayed
unto the LORD:
and
he spake unto him,
and
he gave him
a sign.
But Hezekiah
rendered not again according to
the benefit done
unto him;
for his heart
was lifted up:
therefore there was wrath
upon him,
and
upon Judah and Jerusalem.
Notwithstanding
Hezekiah
humbled himself
for the pride
of his heart,
both he
and the inhabitants
of Jerusalem,
so that
the wrath
of the LORD
came not
upon them
in the days
of Hezekiah.
And Hezekiah
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;
Storehouses
also for the increase
of corn,
and wine,
and oil;
and stalls for all manner
of beasts,
and cotes
for flocks.
Moreover he
provided him
cities,
and possessions
of flocks
and herds
in abundance:
for God
had given him substance very much.
This same Hezekiah
also stopped
the upper watercourse
of Gihon,
and brought it straight down
to the west side
of the city
of David.
And Hezekiah
prospered
in all
his works.
Howbeit
in the business
of the ambassadors
of the princes
of Babylon,
who sent
unto him
to enquire
of the wonder
that was done
in the land,
God left him,
to try him,
that he
might know all
that
was in his heart.
Now the rest
of the acts
of Hezekiah,
and his goodness,
behold,
they
are written in the vision
of Isaiah the prophet,
the son of Amoz,
and in the book
of the kings
of Judah and Israel.
And Hezekiah
slept
with his fathers,
and
they buried him
in the chiefest
of the sepulchres
of the sons
of David:
and all Judah
and the inhabitants
of Jerusalem
did him honour
at his death.
And Manasseh
his son
reigned
in his stead.
Manasseh
was
twelve years old
when
he began
to reign,
and
he reigned fifty
and five years
in Jerusalem:
But did
that which
was evil
in the sight
of the LORD,
like
unto the abominations
of the heathen,
whom the LORD
had cast out
before the children
of Israel.
For he
built again
the high places
which Hezekiah his father
had broken down,
and he
reared
up altars
for Baalim,
and made groves,
and worshipped all
the host
of heaven,
and served them.
Also he
built altars
in the house
of the LORD,
whereof
the LORD
had said,
In Jerusalem
shall my name
be for ever.
And
he built altars
for all the host
of heaven
in the two
courts of the house
of the LORD.
And
he caused
his children
to pass
through the fire
in the valley
of the son
of Hinnom:
also he observed times,
and used
enchantments,
and used
witchcraft,
and dealt with
a familiar spirit,
and with wizards:
he wrought much evil
in the sight
of the LORD,
to provoke him
to anger.
And he
set a carved image,
the idol
which he
had made,
in the house
of God,
of which
God had said
to David
and to Solomon
his son,
In this house,
and in Jerusalem,
which I
have chosen
before all
the tribes
of Israel,
will
I put
my name
for ever:
Neither will
I any more remove
the foot
of Israel 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 Moses.
So Manasseh
made Judah
and the inhabitants
of Jerusalem
to err,
and
to do worse
than the heathen,
whom the LORD
had destroyed
before the children
of Israel.
And the LORD
spake to Manasseh,
and
to his people:
but
they would not hearken.
Wherefore
the LORD
brought
upon them the captains
of the host
of the king
of Assyria,
which took Manasseh
among the thorns,
and bound him
with fetters,
and carried him
to Babylon.
And
when
he was in affliction,
he besought
the LORD his God,
and humbled himself
greatly before the God
of his fathers,
And
prayed unto him:
and
he was intreated of him,
and heard
his supplication,
and brought him again
to Jerusalem
into his kingdom.
Then Manasseh
knew that
the LORD
he was God.
Now after
this
he built
a wall
without the city
of David,
on the west side
of Gihon,
in the valley,
even to
the entering in
at the fish gate,
and compassed
about Ophel,
and raised it
up a very great height,
and put captains
of war
in all the fenced cities
of Judah.
And
he took away
the 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 Jerusalem,
and cast them
out of the city.
And he
repaired
the altar
of the LORD,
and sacrificed thereon peace offerings
and thank
offerings,
and commanded
Judah
to serve
the LORD God
of Israel.
Nevertheless
the people
did sacrifice still
in the high places,
yet unto the LORD
their God only.
Now the rest
of the acts
of Manasseh,
and his prayer
unto his God,
and the words
of the seers
that spake to him
in the name
of the LORD God
of Israel,
behold,
they are written in the book
of the kings
of Israel.
His prayer also,
and
how God
was intreated of him,
and all
his sins,
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.
So Manasseh
slept
with his fathers,
and
they buried him
in his own house:
and Amon
his son
reigned
in his stead.
Amon was two
and twenty years old
when
he began
to reign,
and reigned two years
in Jerusalem.
But he
did that which
was evil
in the sight
of the LORD,
as did Manasseh
his father:
for Amon
sacrificed
unto all
the carved
images which Manasseh
his father
had made,
and served them;
And humbled not
himself
before the LORD,
as Manasseh
his father
had humbled himself;
but Amon
trespassed more
and more.
And his servants
conspired against him,
and slew him
in his own house.
But the people
of the land
slew all them
that had conspired
against king Amon;
and the people
of the land made
Josiah his son king
in his stead.
Josiah
was
eight years old
when
he began
to reign,
and he
reigned
in Jerusalem one
and thirty years.
And he
did that which
was right
in the sight
of the LORD,
and walked
in the ways
of David his father,
and declined neither
to the right hand,
nor to the left.
For in the eighth year
of his reign,
while he
was yet young,
he began
to seek
after the God
of David
his father:
and
in the twelfth year
he began to purge Judah
and Jerusalem
from the high places,
and the groves,
and the carved images,
and the molten images.
And
they brake
down the altars
of Baalim
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,
and strowed it
upon the graves
of them that
had sacrificed unto them.
And he
burnt
the bones
of the priests
upon their altars,
and cleansed Judah
and Jerusalem.
And so
did
he in the cities
of Manasseh,
and Ephraim,
and Simeon,
even unto Naphtali,
with their mattocks round about.
And
when
he had broken down
the altars
and the groves,
and had beaten
the graven
images into powder,
and cut down all
the idols
throughout all
the land
of Israel,
he returned
to Jerusalem.
Now in the eighteenth year
of his reign,
when
he had purged
the land,
and the house,
he sent Shaphan
the son
of Azaliah,
and Maaseiah
the governor
of the city,
and Joah
the son
of Joahaz the recorder,
to repair the house
of the LORD his God.
And
when they
came
to Hilkiah
the high priest,
they delivered
the money
that was brought
into the house
of God,
which the Levites that
kept
the doors
had gathered
of the hand
of Manasseh
and Ephraim,
and
of all the remnant
of Israel,
and
of all Judah
and Benjamin;
and they
returned
to Jerusalem.
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:
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 Judah
had destroyed.
And the men
did
the work faithfully:
and the overseers
of them were Jahath
and Obadiah,
the Levites,
of the sons
of Merari;
and Zechariah
and Meshullam,
of the sons
of the Kohathites,
to set
it forward;
and other
of the Levites,
all that
could skill
of instruments
of musick.
Also they
were over the bearers
of burdens,
and were overseers
of all
that wrought
the work
in any manner
of service:
and
of the Levites
there were scribes,
and officers,
and porters.
And
when they
brought
out the money
that was brought into the house
of the LORD,
Hilkiah the priest
found
a book
of the law
of the LORD
given
by Moses.
And Hilkiah
answered
and said
to Shaphan
the scribe,
I have found
the book
of the law
in the house
of the LORD.
And Hilkiah
delivered
the book
to Shaphan.
And Shaphan
carried
the book
to the king,
and brought
the king word
back again,
saying,
All that
was committed
to thy servants,
they do it.
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.
Then Shaphan
the scribe
told the king,
saying,
Hilkiah the priest
hath given me
a book.
And Shaphan read it
before the king.
And it
came
to pass,
when the king
had heard
the words
of the law,
that he
rent his clothes.
And the king
commanded Hilkiah,
and Ahikam
the son
of Shaphan,
and Abdon
the son
of Micah,
and Shaphan
the scribe,
and Asaiah
a servant
of the king's,
saying,
Go,
enquire
of the LORD
for me,
and for them that
are left
in Israel
and in Judah,
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.
And Hilkiah,
and
they
that the king
had appointed,
went to Huldah
the prophetess,
the wife
of Shallum
the son
of Tikvath,
the son
of Hasrah,
keeper
of the wardrobe;
(now
she dwelt
in Jerusalem
in the college:)
and
they spake to her
to that effect.
And
she answered them,
Thus
saith
the LORD God
of Israel,
Tell ye
the man
that sent
you to me,
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 Judah:
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.
And
as for the king
of Judah,
who sent
you to enquire
of the LORD,
so shall
ye say unto him,
Thus
saith
the LORD God
of Israel
concerning the words which
thou hast heard;
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.
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.
Then the king
sent
and gathered
together all the elders
of Judah and Jerusalem.
And the king
went up
into the house
of the LORD,
and all
the men
of Judah,
and the inhabitants
of Jerusalem,
and the priests,
and the Levites,
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.
And the king
stood
in his 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.
And he
caused all
that were
present
in Jerusalem
and Benjamin
to stand to it.
And the inhabitants
of Jerusalem
did according to
the covenant
of God,
the God
of their fathers.
And Josiah
took away all
the abominations
out of all the countries
that pertained
to the children
of Israel,
and made all
that were
present
in Israel
to serve,
even to serve
the LORD their God.
And all
his days
they departed not
from following
the LORD,
the God
of their fathers.
Moreover Josiah
kept
a passover
unto the LORD
in Jerusalem:
and they
killed
the passover
on the fourteenth day
of the first month.
And he set
the priests
in their charges,
and encouraged them
to the service
of the house
of the LORD,
And said
unto the Levites
that taught all
Israel,
which were holy
unto the LORD,
Put the holy ark
in the house
which Solomon the son
of David king
of Israel
did build;
it shall not be
a burden
upon your shoulders:
serve
now the LORD
your God,
and his people Israel,
And prepare yourselves
by the houses
of your fathers,
after your courses,
according to the writing
of David king
of Israel,
and
according to the writing
of Solomon his son.
And 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 Levites.
So kill
the passover,
and sanctify yourselves,
and prepare
your brethren,
that they
may do according to
the word
of the LORD
by the hand
of Moses.
And Josiah
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.
And his princes
gave willingly
unto the people,
to the priests,
and
to the Levites:
Hilkiah
and Zechariah
and Jehiel,
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.
Conaniah also,
and Shemaiah
and Nethaneel,
his brethren,
and Hashabiah
and Jeiel
and Jozabad,
chief of the Levites,
gave unto the Levites
for passover
offerings five thousand small cattle,
and five hundred oxen.
So the service
was prepared,
and the priests
stood
in their place,
and the Levites
in their courses,
according to
the king's commandment.
And
they killed
the passover,
and the priests
sprinkled
the blood
from their hands,
and the Levites
flayed them.
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
in the book
of Moses.
And so
did
they with the oxen.
And they
roasted
the passover
with fire
according to the ordinance:
but the other holy offerings
sod
they in pots,
and in caldrons,
and in pans,
and divided them
speedily among all the people.
And afterward
they made ready
for themselves,
and
for the priests:
because
the priests
the sons
of Aaron
were busied
in offering
of burnt offerings
and the fat
until night;
therefore
the Levites prepared
for themselves,
and
for the priests
the sons
of Aaron.
And the singers
the sons
of Asaph
were in their place,
according to
the commandment
of David,
and Asaph,
and Heman,
and Jeduthun
the king's seer;
and the porters
waited
at every gate;
they might not depart
from their service;
for their brethren
the Levites
prepared for them.
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 Josiah.
And the children
of Israel
that were
present
kept the passover
at that time,
and the feast
of unleavened bread seven days.
And there was
no passover like
to that kept
in Israel
from the days
of Samuel the prophet;
neither did all
the kings
of Israel
keep
such a passover
as Josiah kept,
and the priests,
and the Levites,
and all Judah
and Israel
that were present,
and the inhabitants
of Jerusalem.
In the eighteenth year
of the reign
of Josiah
was
this passover kept.
After all this,
when Josiah
had prepared
the temple,
Necho king
of Egypt
came up to
fight
against Charchemish
by Euphrates:
and Josiah
went out against him.
But
he sent ambassadors
to him,
saying,
What
have
I to do
with thee,
thou king
of Judah?
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.
Nevertheless Josiah
would not turn
his face
from him,
but disguised himself,
that he
might fight with him,
and hearkened not
unto the words
of Necho
from the mouth
of God,
and came
to fight
in the valley
of Megiddo.
And the archers
shot
at king Josiah;
and the king
said
to his servants,
Have me away;
for I
am sore wounded.
His servants
therefore took him
out of that chariot,
and put him
in the second chariot
that
he had;
and
they brought him
to Jerusalem,
and he died,
and was buried
in one
of the sepulchres
of his fathers.
And all Judah
and Jerusalem
mourned
for Josiah.
And Jeremiah
lamented
for Josiah:
and all
the singing men
and the singing women
spake of Josiah
in their lamentations
to this day,
and made them
an ordinance
in Israel:
and,
behold,
they are written
in the lamentations.
Now the rest
of the acts
of Josiah,
and his goodness,
according to
that which
was written in the law
of the LORD,
And his deeds,
first
and last,
behold,
they are written in the book
of the kings
of Israel and Judah.
Then the people
of the land
took Jehoahaz
the son
of Josiah,
and made him king
in his father's stead
in Jerusalem.
Jehoahaz was twenty
and three years old
when
he began
to reign,
and
he reigned three months
in Jerusalem.
And the king
of Egypt put
him down
at Jerusalem,
and condemned
the land
in an hundred talents
of silver
and a talent
of gold.
And the king
of Egypt made Eliakim
his brother king
over Judah
and Jerusalem,
and turned
his name
to Jehoiakim.
And Necho
took Jehoahaz
his brother,
and carried him
to Egypt.
Jehoiakim was twenty
and five years old
when
he began
to reign,
and
he reigned eleven years
in Jerusalem:
and he
did that which
was evil
in the sight
of the LORD his God.
Against him came
up Nebuchadnezzar king
of Babylon,
and bound him
in fetters,
to carry him
to Babylon.
Nebuchadnezzar also carried
of the vessels
of the house
of the LORD
to Babylon,
and put them
in his temple
at Babylon.
Now the rest
of the acts
of Jehoiakim,
and his abominations
which he did,
and
that which
was found in him,
behold,
they are written
in the book
of the kings
of Israel
and Judah:
and Jehoiachin
his son
reigned
in his stead.
Jehoiachin
was
eight years old
when
he began
to reign,
and he
reigned
three months
and ten days
in Jerusalem:
and he
did that which
was evil
in the sight
of the LORD.
And
when the year
was expired,
king Nebuchadnezzar sent,
and brought him
to Babylon,
with the goodly vessels
of the house
of the LORD,
and made Zedekiah
his brother king
over Judah and Jerusalem.
Zedekiah was one
and twenty years old
when
he began
to reign,
and reigned eleven years
in Jerusalem.
And he
did that which
was evil
in the sight
of the LORD his God,
and humbled not
himself
before Jeremiah
the prophet
speaking
from the mouth
of the LORD.
And
he also rebelled
against king Nebuchadnezzar,
who had made him
swear by God:
but
he stiffened
his neck,
and hardened
his heart
from turning
unto the LORD God
of Israel.
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 Jerusalem.
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:
But they
mocked
the messengers
of God,
and despised
his words,
and misused
his prophets,
until the wrath
of the LORD
arose
against his people,
till there was
no remedy.
Therefore he
brought
upon them the king
of the Chaldees,
who 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.
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 Babylon.
And they
burnt
the house
of God,
and brake
down the wall
of Jerusalem,
and burnt all
the palaces
thereof with fire,
and
destroyed all
the goodly vessels
thereof.
And them
that
had escaped
from the sword
carried
he away to Babylon;
where they
were servants
to him
and his sons
until the reign
of the kingdom
of Persia:
To fulfil the word
of the LORD
by the mouth
of Jeremiah,
until the land
had enjoyed
her sabbaths:
for as long
as she lay desolate
she kept sabbath,
to fulfil threescore
and ten years.
Now in the first year
of Cyrus king
of Persia,
that the word
of the LORD spoken
by the mouth
of Jeremiah
might be accomplished,
the LORD
stirred
up the spirit
of Cyrus king
of Persia,
that he
made
a proclamation
throughout all his kingdom,
and put it
also in writing,
saying,
Thus saith Cyrus king
of Persia,
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 Jerusalem,
which is in Judah.
Who is there
among you
of all
his people?
The LORD his God
be with him,
and let him go up.