GetPassageurn:cts:pbc:bible.parallel.eng.darby:14urn:cts:pbc:bible.parallel.eng.darby:14And Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom , and Jehovah his God was with him and magnified him exceedingly . And Solomon spoke to all Israel , to the captains of thousands and of hundreds , and to the judges , and to all the princes of all Israel , the chief fathers ; and Solomon , and all the congregation with him , went to the high place at Gibeon ; for there was God's tent of meeting which Moses the servant of Jehovah had made in the wilderness . But the ark of God had David brought up from Kirjath-jearim to the [ place ] that David had prepared for it ; for he had spread a tent for it at Jerusalem . And the brazen altar that Bezaleel the son of Uri , the son of Hur , had made , was there before the tabernacle of Jehovah ; and Solomon and the congregation sought unto it . And Solomon offered there upon the brazen altar before Jehovah which was at the tent of meeting ; and he offered up a thousand burnt-offerings upon it . In that night God appeared to Solomon , and said to him , Ask what I shall give thee . And Solomon said to God , Thou hast shewn unto David my father great loving-kindness , and hast made me king in his stead . Now , Jehovah Elohim , let thy word unto David my father be firm ; for thou hast made me king over a people numerous as the dust of the earth . Give me now wisdom and knowledge , that I may go out and come in before this people ; for who can judge this thy great people ? And God said to Solomon , Because this was in thy heart , and thou hast not asked riches , wealth , or honour , nor the life of them that hate thee , neither yet hast asked long life ; but hast asked for thyself wisdom and knowledge , that thou mayest judge my people , over whom I have made thee king : wisdom and knowledge are 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 any after thee have the like . Then Solomon came back [ from ] the high place at Gibeon to Jerusalem , from before the tent of meeting , and reigned over Israel . And Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen ; and he had a thousand four hundred chariots and twelve thousand horsemen ; and he placed them in the chariot-cities , and with the king at Jerusalem . And the king made silver and gold in Jerusalem as stones , and cedars made he as the sycamores that are in the lowland for abundance . And the exportation of horses that Solomon had was from Egypt : a caravan of the king's merchants fetched a drove [ of horses ] , at a price . And they fetched up and brought forth out of Egypt a chariot for six hundred [ shekels ] of silver , and a horse for a hundred and fifty ; and so they brought [ them ] by their means , for all the kings of the Hittites and for the kings of Syria . And Solomon purposed to build a house for the name of Jehovah , and a house for his kingdom . And Solomon numbered seventy thousand men to bear burdens , and eighty thousand stone-masons in the mountain , and three thousand six hundred to superintend them . And Solomon sent to Huram king of Tyre , saying , As thou didst deal with David my father , and didst send him cedars to build him a house to dwell therein [ so do for me ] . Behold , I build a house unto the name of Jehovah my God to dedicate it to him , to burn before him sweet incense , and for the continual arrangement [ of the shewbread ] , and for the morning and evening burnt-offerings [ and ] on the sabbaths and on the new moons , and on the set feasts of Jehovah our God . This is [ an ordinance ] for ever to Israel . And the house that I will build is great ; for great is our God above all gods . But who is able to build him a house , seeing the heavens and the heaven of heavens cannot contain him ? And who am I that I should build him a house , except to burn sacrifice before him ? And now send me a man skilful to work in gold , and in silver , and in bronze , and in iron , and in purple and crimson and blue , and experienced in carving , besides the skilful men that are with me in Judah and in Jerusalem , whom David my father provided . Send me also cedar-trees , cypress-trees , and sandal-wood trees , out of Lebanon ; for I know that thy servants are experienced in cutting timber in Lebanon ; and behold , my servants shall be with thy servants , even to prepare me timber in abundance : for the house that I build shall be great and wonderful . And behold , I will give to thy servants the hewers that fell 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 . And Huram king of Tyre answered in writing , which he sent to Solomon , Because Jehovah loved his people , he made thee king over them . And Huram said , Blessed be Jehovah the God of Israel , that made the heavens and the earth , who has given to David the king a wise son , endued with prudence and understanding , who will build a house for Jehovah and a house for his kingdom . And now , I send a skilful man , endued with understanding , Huram Abi , the son of a woman of the daughters of Dan , and whose father was a man of Tyre , experienced in working in gold , and in silver , in bronze , in iron , in stone , and in timber , in purple , in blue , and in byssus , and in crimson , and for doing any manner of engraving , and for inventing every device which shall be put to him , besides thy skilful men , and the skilful men of my lord David thy father . And now 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 account that David his father had taken of them , and there were found a hundred and fifty-three thousand six hundred . And he set seventy thousand of them to be bearers of burdens , and eighty thousand to be stone-masons in the mountains , and three thousand six hundred overseers to set the people to work . And Solomon began to build the house of Jehovah at Jerusalem on mount Moriah , where he appeared to David his father , in the place that David had prepared in the threshing-floor of Ornan the Jebusite . And he began to build on the second of the second month , in the fourth year of his reign . And this was Solomon's foundation for the construction of the house of God . The length by cubits after the first measure was sixty cubits , and the breadth twenty cubits . And the porch which was in front was twenty cubits in length , in front of the house broadways , and the height was a hundred and twenty ; and he overlaid it within with pure gold . And the greater house he boarded with cypress-wood , which he overlaid with fine gold , and set on it palm-trees and chains . And he overlaid the house with precious stones for beauty ; and the gold was gold of Parvaim . And he covered the house , the beams , the threshold , and its walls , and its doors with gold , and engraved cherubim on the walls . And he made the house of the most holy place , the length of which was according to the breadth of the house , twenty cubits , and its breadth twenty cubits ; and he covered it with fine gold , amounting to six hundred talents . And the weight of the nails was fifty shekels of gold . And he covered the upper chambers with gold . And in the house of the most holy place he made two cherubim of image work , and they overlaid them with gold . And the wings of the cherubim were twenty cubits long : one wing of five cubits touched the wall of the house ; and the other wing of five cubits touched the wing of the other cherub . And the wing of the other cherub of five cubits touched the wall of the house ; and the other wing was five cubits joining the wing of the other cherub . The wings of these cherubim spread forth were twenty cubits ; and they stood on their feet , and their faces were toward the house . And he made the veil of blue , and purple , and crimson , and byssus , and made cherubim upon it . And before the house he made two pillars thirty-five cubits long ; and the capital that was on the top of each of them was five cubits . And he made chains [ as ] in the oracle , and he put them on the top of the pillars ; and he made a hundred pomegranates , and put them on the chains . And he set up the pillars in front of the temple , one on the right hand and the other on the left ; and he called the name of that on the right Jachin , and the name of that on the left Boaz . And he made a brazen altar : its length was twenty cubits , and its breadth twenty cubits , and its height ten cubits . And he made the sea , molten , ten cubits from brim to brim , round all about ; and its height was five cubits ; and a line of thirty cubits encompassed it round about . And under it was the similitude of oxen , encompassing it round about , ten in a cubit enclosing the sea round about , two rows of oxen , 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 above upon them , and all their hinder parts were inward . And its thickness was a hand-breadth , and its brim like the work of the brim of a cup , with lily-blossoms ; in capacity it held three thousand baths . And he made ten lavers , and put five on the right and five on the left , to wash in them : they rinsed in them what they prepared for the burnt-offering ; and the sea was for the priests to wash in . And he made ten candlesticks of gold according to the ordinance respecting them , and set them in the temple , five on the right hand and five on the left . And he made ten tables , and placed them in the temple , five on the right hand and five on the left . And he made a hundred golden bowls . And he made the court of the priests , and the great court , and doors for the court , and overlaid the doors thereof with bronze . And he set the sea on the right side eastward , over against the south . And Huram made the pots and the shovels and the bowls . So Huram ended doing the work that he made for king Solomon in the house of God : two pillars , and the globes and the capitals on the top of the pillars , two ; and the two networks , to cover the two globes of the capitals which were on the top of the pillars ; and the four hundred pomegranates for the two networks , two rows of pomegranates for one network , to cover the two globes of the capitals which were upon the pillars . And he made the bases , and he made the lavers on the bases ; one sea , and the twelve oxen under it . And the pots , and the shovels , and the forks , and all their instruments did Huram Abiv make king Solomon for the house of Jehovah , of bright brass . In the plain of the Jordan did the king cast them , in the clay-ground between Succoth and Zeredathah . And Solomon made all these vessels in great number ; for the weight of the brass was not ascertained . And Solomon made all the vessels that were [ in ] the house of God : the golden altar ; and the tables whereon was the shewbread ; and the candlesticks with their lamps to burn according to the ordinance before the oracle , of pure gold ; and the flowers , and the lamps , and the tongs , of gold ( it was perfect gold ) ; and the knives , and the bowls , and the cups , and the censers , of pure gold ; and the entrance of the house , the inner folding-doors thereof for the most holy place , and the doors of the house , of the temple , of gold . And all the work was finished that Solomon made for the house of Jehovah . And Solomon brought in the things that David his father had dedicated ; and the silver , and the gold , and all the vessels he put among the treasures of the house of God . Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel , and all the heads of the tribes , the princes of the fathers of the children of Israel , to Jerusalem , to bring up the ark of the covenant of Jehovah out of the city of David , which is Zion . And all the men of Israel assembled themselves to the king at the feast , that of 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 tent of meeting , and all the holy vessels that were in the tent : the priests , the Levites , brought them up . And king Solomon , and all the assembly of Israel , that were assembled to him before the ark , sacrificed sheep and oxen which could not be counted nor numbered for multitude . And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of Jehovah to its place , into the oracle of the house , into the most holy place , under the wings of the cherubim ; and the cherubim stretched forth [ their ] wings over the place of the ark , and the cherubim covered the ark and its staves above . And the staves were long , so that the ends of the staves were seen outside the ark before the oracle ; but they were not seen without . And there they are to this day . There was nothing in the ark save the two tables which Moses put there at Horeb , when Jehovah 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 hallowed without observing the courses ; and the Levites the singers , all they of Asaph , of Heman , of Jeduthun , with their sons and their brethren , clad in byssus , with cymbals and lutes and harps , stood at the east end of the altar , and with them a hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets ) , -- it came to pass when the trumpeters and singers were as one , to make one voice to be heard in praising and thanking Jehovah ; and when they lifted up their voice with trumpets , and cymbals , and instruments of music , and praised Jehovah : For he is good , for his loving-kindness [ endureth ] for ever ; that then the house , the house of Jehovah , was filled with a cloud , and the priests could not stand to do their service because of the cloud ; for the glory of Jehovah had filled the house of God . Then said Solomon : Jehovah said that he would dwell in the thick darkness . But I have built a house of habitation for thee , even a settled place for thee to abide in for ever . And the king turned his face and blessed the whole congregation of Israel ; and the whole congregation of Israel stood . And he said : Blessed be Jehovah the God of Israel , who spoke with his mouth unto David my father , and hath with his hands fulfilled it , saying , Since the day that I brought forth my people out of the land of Egypt I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build a house in , that my name might be there ; neither chose I any man to be prince over my people Israel : but I have chosen Jerusalem , that my name might be there ; and I have chosen David to be over my people Israel . And it was in the heart of David my father to build a house unto the name of Jehovah the God of Israel . But Jehovah said to David my father , Whereas it was in thy heart to build a house unto my name , thou didst well that it was in thy heart ; nevertheless thou shalt not build the house ; but thy son that shall come forth out of thy loins , he shall build the house unto my name . And Jehovah has performed his word which he spoke ; and I am risen up in the room of David my father , and sit on the throne of Israel , as Jehovah promised , and I have built the house unto the name of Jehovah the God of Israel . And in it have I put the ark , wherein is the covenant of Jehovah , which he made with the children of Israel . And he stood before the altar of Jehovah in the presence of the whole congregation of Israel , and spread forth his hands . For Solomon had made a platform of bronze , 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 he kneeled down on his knees before the whole congregation of Israel , and spread forth his hands toward the heavens , and said , Jehovah , God of Israel ! there is no God like thee , in the heavens or on the earth , who keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all their heart ; who hast kept with thy servant David my father that which thou didst promise him ; thou spokest with thy mouth , and hast fulfilled [ it ] with thy hand as at this day . And now , Jehovah , 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 on the throne of Israel , if only thy sons take heed to their way to walk in my law , as thou hast walked before me . And now , Jehovah , God of Israel , let thy word be verified which thou hast spoken unto thy servant David . But will God indeed dwell with man on the earth ? behold , the heavens and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee ; how much less this house which I have built ! Yet have respect unto the prayer of thy servant , and to his supplication , Jehovah , my God , to hearken unto the cry and to the prayer which thy servant prayeth before thee ; that thine eyes may be open upon this house day and night , upon the place in which thou hast said thou wouldest put thy name : to hearken unto the prayer which thy servant prayeth toward this place . And hearken unto the supplications of thy servant , and of thy people Israel , which they shall pray toward this place , and hear thou from thy dwelling-place , from the heavens , and when thou hearest , forgive . If a man have sinned against his neighbour , and an oath be laid upon him to adjure him , and the oath come before thine altar in this house ; then hear thou from the heavens , and do , and judge thy servants , requiting the wicked , to bring his way upon his own head ; and justifying the righteous , 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 turn again 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 that thou gavest to them and to their fathers . When the heavens are shut up , and there is no rain , because they have sinned against thee ; if they pray toward this place , and confess thy name , and turn from their sin , because thou hast afflicted them ; then hear thou in the heavens , and forgive the sin of thy servants , and of thy people Israel , when thou teachest them the good way wherein they should walk ; and give rain upon thy land , which thou hast given to thy people for an inheritance . If there be famine in the land , if there be pestilence , if there be blight or mildew , locust or caterpillar ; if their enemies besiege them in the land of their gates ; whatever plague or whatever sickness there be : what prayer , what supplication soever be made by any man , or by all thy people Israel , when they shall know every man his own plague , and his own grief , and shall spread forth his hands toward this house ; then hear thou from the heavens , the settled place of thy dwelling , and forgive , and render unto every man according to all his ways , whose heart thou knowest ( for thou , thou only , knowest the hearts of the children of men ) , that they may fear thee , to walk in thy ways , all the days that they live upon the land which thou gavest unto our fathers . And as to the stranger also , who is not of thy people Israel , but cometh out of a far country for thy great name's sake , and thy mighty hand and thy stretched-out arm ; when they shall come and pray toward this house , then hear thou from the heavens , the settled place of thy dwelling , and do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for ; in order that all peoples of the earth may know thy name , and may fear thee as do thy people Israel , and may know that this house which I have built is called by thy name . If thy people go out to battle against their enemies by the way that thou shalt send them , and they pray unto thee toward this city that thou hast chosen , and the house that I have built unto thy name ; then hear thou from the heavens their prayer and their supplication , and maintain their right . If they have sinned against thee ( for there is no man that sinneth not ) , and thou be angry with them , and give them up to the enemy , and they have carried them away captives unto a land far off or near ; and if they shall take it to heart in the land whither they were carried captive , and repent , and make supplication unto thee in the land of their captivity , saying , We have sinned , we have done iniquity and have dealt perversely ; and if they return unto 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 the city that thou hast chosen , and the house that I have built unto thy name ; then hear thou from the heavens , from the settled place of thy dwelling , their prayer and their supplications , and maintain their right , and forgive thy people their sin against thee . Now , my God , I beseech thee , let thine eyes be open and let thine ears be attentive unto the prayer [ that is made ] in this place . And now , arise , Jehovah Elohim , into thy resting-place , thou and the ark of thy strength : let thy priests , Jehovah Elohim , be clothed with salvation , and let thy saints rejoice in [ thy ] goodness . Jehovah Elohim , turn not away the face of thine anointed : remember mercies to David thy servant . And when Solomon had ended praying , the fire came down from the heavens and consumed the burnt-offering and the sacrifices ; and the glory of Jehovah filled the house . And the priests could not enter into the house of Jehovah , because the glory of Jehovah filled Jehovah's house . And all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down , and the glory of Jehovah upon the house , and bowed themselves with their faces to the ground on the pavement , and worshipped and thanked Jehovah : For he is good , for his loving-kindness [ endureth ] for ever . And the king and all the people offered sacrifices before Jehovah . And king Solomon sacrificed a sacrifice of twenty-two thousand oxen , and a hundred and twenty thousand sheep . So the king and all the people dedicated the house of God . And the priests stood in their charges , and the Levites with Jehovah's instruments of music , which David the king had made to praise Jehovah , for his loving-kindness [ endureth ] for ever , when David praised by their means ; and the priests sounded the trumpets opposite to them , and all Israel stood . And Solomon hallowed the middle of the court that was before the house of Jehovah ; for there he offered the burnt-offerings , and the fat of the peace-offerings , because the brazen altar which Solomon had made was not able to receive the burnt-offerings and the oblations and the fat . And at that time Solomon held the feast seven days , and all Israel with him , a very great congregation , from the entrance of Hamath unto the torrent of Egypt . And on the eighth day they held 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 to their tents , joyful and glad of heart for the goodness that Jehovah had done to David and to Solomon , and to Israel his people . And Solomon completed the house of Jehovah , and the king's house ; and all that came into Solomon's heart to make in the house of Jehovah , and in his own house , he did prosperously . Then Jehovah appeared to Solomon by night , and said to him : I have heard thy prayer , and I have chosen for myself this place for a house of sacrifice . If I shut up the heavens that there be no rain , or if I command the locust to devour the land , or if I send pestilence among my people ; and my people , who are called by my name , humble themselves , and pray , and seek my face , and turn from their wicked ways ; then will I hear from the heavens , and forgive their sin , and heal their land . Now mine eyes shall be open , and mine ears attentive to the prayer [ made ] in this place ; for I have now chosen and hallowed this house , that my name may be there for ever ; and mine eyes and my heart shall be there perpetually . And [ as for ] thee , if thou wilt walk before me , as David thy father walked , to do according to all that I have commanded thee , and wilt keep my statutes and mine ordinances ; then will I establish the throne of thy kingdom , according as I have covenanted with David thy father , saying , There shall not fail thee a man to rule over Israel . But if ye turn away and forsake my statutes and my commandments which I have set before you , and 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 hallowed to my name , will I cast out of my sight , and will make it a proverb and a byword among all peoples . And this house , which is high , shall be an astonishment to every one that passes by it ; so that he shall say , Why has Jehovah done thus to this land and to this house ? And they shall say , Because they forsook Jehovah the God of their fathers , who brought them forth out of the land of Egypt , and have attached themselves to other gods , and have worshipped them and served them ; therefore he has brought upon them all this evil . And it came to pass at the end of twenty years , when Solomon had built the house of Jehovah and his own house , that the cities which Huram had given to Solomon , Solomon built them and caused the children of Israel to dwell there . And Solomon went to Hamath-Zobah , and overcame it . And he built Tadmor , in the wilderness , and all the store-cities , which he built in Hamath . And he built upper Beth-Horon and lower Beth-Horon , fortified cities , with walls , gates , and bars ; and Baalath , and all the store-cities that Solomon had , and all the cities for chariots , and the cities for the horsemen , and all that Solomon desired to build in Jerusalem , and on Lebanon , and in all the land of his dominion . All the people that were left of the Hittites , and the Amorites , and the Perizzites , and the Hivites , and the Jebusites , who were not of Israel , their children that were left after them in the land , whom the children of Israel had not destroyed , upon them did Solomon impose tribute-service until this day . But of the children of Israel , of them did Solomon make no bondmen for his work ; but they were men of war , and chief of his captains , and captains of his chariots and his horsemen . And these were the chief of king Solomon's superintendents , two hundred and fifty , that ruled over the people . And Solomon brought up the daughter of Pharaoh out of the city of David to the house which 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 to which the ark of Jehovah has come . Then Solomon offered up burnt-offerings to Jehovah on the altar of Jehovah , which he had built before the porch ; even as the duty of every day required , offering according to the commandment of Moses , on the sabbaths , and on the new moons , and at the set feasts , three times in the year , -- at the feast of unleavened bread , and at the feast of weeks , and at the feast of tabernacles . And he appointed , according to the ordinance of David his father , the divisions of the priests for their service , and the Levites for their charges , to praise and serve before the priests , as the duty of every day required ; and the doorkeepers by their divisions at every gate : for such was the commandment of David the man of God ; and they did not depart from the commandment of the king to the priests and the Levites concerning any matter , nor concerning the treasures . And all the work of Solomon was prepared , to the day of the foundation of the house of Jehovah and to its completion . [ So ] the house of Jehovah was finished . Then went Solomon to Ezion-geber , and to Eloth , on the seashore in the land of Edom . And Huram sent him by his servants ships , and servants that had knowledge of the sea ; and they went with the servants of Solomon to Ophir , and fetched thence four hundred and fifty talents of gold , and brought them to king Solomon . And the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon , and came to Jerusalem to prove Solomon with enigmas ; with a very great train , and camels that bore spices and gold in great abundance , and precious stones ; and she came to Solomon , and spoke with him of all that was in her heart . And Solomon explained to her all she spoke of , and there was not a thing hidden from Solomon that he did not explain to her . And when the queen of Sheba saw the wisdom of Solomon , and the house that he had built , and the food of his table , and the deportment of his servants , and the order of service of his attendants and their apparel , and his cupbearers and their apparel , and his ascent by which he went up to the house of Jehovah , there was no more spirit in her . And she said to the king , It was a true report that I heard in mine own land of thine affairs and of thy wisdom ; but I gave no credit to their words , until I came and mine eyes had seen ; and behold , the half of the greatness of thy wisdom was not told me : thou exceedest the report that I heard . Happy are thy men , and happy are these thy servants , who stand continually before thee and hear thy wisdom ! Blessed be Jehovah thy God , who delighted in thee , to set thee on his throne , to be king to Jehovah thy God ! Because thy God loved Israel , to establish them for ever , therefore did he make thee king over them , to do judgment and justice . And she gave the king a hundred and twenty talents of gold , and spices in very great abundance , and precious stones ; neither was there any such spice as that which the queen of Sheba gave to king Solomon . ( And the servants also of Huram , and the servants of Solomon , who brought gold from Ophir , brought sandal-wood and precious stones . And the king made of the sandal-wood stairs for the house of Jehovah , and for the king's house , and harps and lutes for the 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 , whatever she asked , besides what she had brought to the king . And she turned and went to her own land , she and her servants . And the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred and sixty-six talents of gold , besides [ what ] dealers and merchants brought , and [ what ] all the kings of Arabia and the governors of the country brought of gold and silver to Solomon . And king Solomon made two hundred targets of beaten gold , -- he applied six hundred [ shekels ] of beaten gold to one target ; and three hundred shields of beaten gold , -- he applied three hundred [ shekels ] of gold to one shield ; and the king put them in the house of the forest of Lebanon . And the king made a great throne of ivory , and overlaid it with pure gold ; and the throne had six steps , with a footstool of gold fastened to the throne ; and there were arms on each side at the place of the seat , and two lions stood beside the arms ; 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 king Solomon's drinking vessels were of gold , and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of precious gold : silver was not of the least account in the days of Solomon . For the king's ships went to Tarshish with the servants of Huram : once in three years came the ships of Tarshish , bringing gold and silver , ivory , and apes , and peacocks . And king Solomon was greater than 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 , which God had put in his heart . And they brought every man his present , vessels of silver and vessels of gold , and clothing , armour , and spices , horses and mules , a rate year by year . And Solomon had four thousand stalls for horses and chariots , and twelve thousand horsemen ; and he placed them in the chariot-cities , and with the king at Jerusalem . And he ruled over all the kings from the river as far as the land of the Philistines , and up to the border of Egypt . And the king made silver in Jerusalem as stones , and cedars made he as the sycamores that are in the lowland for abundance . And they brought to Solomon horses out of Egypt , and out of all lands . And the rest of the acts of Solomon first and last , are they not written in the words of Nathan the prophet , and in the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite , and in the visions of Iddo the seer concerning Jeroboam the son of Nebat ? And Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel forty years . And Solomon slept with his fathers , and they buried him in the city of David his father ; and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead . And Rehoboam went to Shechem ; for all Israel had come to Shechem to make him king . And it came to pass when Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard it ( now he was in Egypt , whither he had fled from the presence of king Solomon ) that Jeroboam returned out of Egypt . And they sent and called him ; and Jeroboam and all Israel came and spoke to Rehoboam saying , Thy father made our yoke grievous ; and now lighten the grievous servitude of thy father , and his heavy yoke that he put upon us , and we will serve thee . And he said to them , Come again to me after three days . And the people departed . And king Rehoboam consulted with the old men , who had stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived , saying , How do ye advise to return answer to this people ? And they spoke to 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 advice of the old men which they had given him , and consulted with the young men , who had grown up with him , that stood before him . And he said to them , What advice give ye that we may return answer to this people , who have spoken to me saying , Lighten the yoke which thy father put upon us ? And the young men that had grown up with him spoke to him saying , Thus shalt thou say to the people who have spoken to thee saying , Thy father made our yoke heavy , and lighten thou it for us , -- thus shalt thou say to them : My little [ finger ] is thicker than my father's loins ; and whereas my father laid a heavy yoke upon you , * I * will add to your yoke : my father chastised you with whips , but * I * [ will chastise you ] with scorpions . And Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day , as the king had appointed saying , Come again to me on the third day . And the king answered them roughly ; and king Rehoboam forsook the advice of the old men , and spoke to them according to the advice of the young men , saying , My father made your yoke heavy , but * I * will add to it ; my father chastised you with whips , but * I * [ will chastise you ] with scorpions . So the king hearkened not to the people ; for it was brought about by God , that Jehovah might give effect to his word , which he spoke through Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat . And all Israel saw that the king hearkened not to them ; and the people answered the king saying , What portion have we in David ? and [ we have ] no inheritance in the son of Jesse : every man to your tents , O Israel . Now see to thine own house , David ! And all Israel went to their tents . But as for the children of Israel that dwelt in the cities of Judah , Rehoboam reigned over them . And king Rehoboam sent Hadoram , who was over the levy ; but the children of Israel stoned him with stones , that he died . And king Rehoboam hastened to mount his chariot , to flee to Jerusalem . And Israel rebelled against the house of David , unto this day . And Rehoboam came to Jerusalem ; and he assembled the house of Judah and Benjamin , a hundred and eighty thousand chosen men apt for war , to fight against Israel , that he might bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam . But the word of Jehovah came to Shemaiah the man of God , saying , Speak unto Rehoboam , the son of Solomon , king of Judah , and unto all Israel in Judah and Benjamin , saying , Thus saith Jehovah : Go not up , nor fight with your brethren ; return every man to his house ; for this thing is from me . And they hearkened to the words of Jehovah , and returned from going against Jeroboam . And Rehoboam dwelt in Jerusalem , and built cities for defence in Judah . And he built Bethlehem , and Etam , and Tekoa , and Beth-zur , and Soco , and Adullam , and Gath , and Mareshah , and Ziph , and Adoraim , and Lachish , and Azekah , and Zorah , and Ajalon , and Hebron , which are in Judah and in Benjamin , fortified cities . And he fortified the strongholds , and put captains in them , and stores of victuals , and of oil and wine ; and in every several city , targets and spears , and made them exceedingly strong . And Judah and Benjamin were his . And the priests and the Levites that were in all Israel resorted to him out of all their districts ; for the Levites left their suburbs and their possessions , and came to Judah and Jerusalem : for Jeroboam and his sons had cast them off from exercising the priesthood to Jehovah ; and he ordained for himself priests for the high places , and for the he-goats and for the calves that he had made . -- And after them , those out of all the tribes of Israel that set their heart to seek Jehovah the God of Israel came to Jerusalem , to sacrifice to Jehovah the God of their fathers . And they strengthened the kingdom of Judah , and made Rehoboam the son of Solomon strong three years ; for during three years they walked in the way of David and Solomon . And Rehoboam took Mahalath the daughter of Jerimoth the son of David as wife , [ and of ] Abihail the daughter of Eliab the son of Jesse . And she bore him children : Jeush , and Shemariah , and Zaham . And after her he took Maachah the daughter of Absalom ; and she bore 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 had taken eighteen wives and sixty concubines , and he begot twenty-eight sons and sixty daughters . And Rehoboam established Abijah the son of Maachah at the head , to be ruler among his brethren ; for [ he thought ] to make him king . And he dealt wisely , and dispersed of all his sons throughout all the lands of Judah and Benjamin , to all the fortified cities ; and he gave them food in abundance . And he desired [ for them ] a multitude of wives . And it came to pass when the kingdom of Rehoboam was established , and when he had become strong , [ that ] he forsook the law of Jehovah , and all Israel with him . And it came to pass in the fifth year of king Rehoboam , because they had transgressed against Jehovah , that Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem , with twelve hundred chariots and sixty thousand horsemen ; and the people were without number that came with him out of Egypt : Libyans , Sukkites , and Ethiopians . And he took the fortified cities that belonged to Judah , and came to Jerusalem . And Shemaiah the prophet came to Rehoboam and [ to ] the princes of Judah that had gathered together to Jerusalem because of Shishak , and said to them , Thus saith Jehovah : Ye have forsaken me , and therefore have I also left you in the hand of Shishak . And the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves ; and they said , Jehovah is righteous . And when Jehovah saw that they humbled themselves , the word of Jehovah came to Shemaiah , saying , They have humbled themselves : I will not destroy them , but I will grant them a little 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 . And Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem , and took away the treasures of the house of Jehovah , and the treasures of the king's house ; he took away all ; and he took away the shields of gold that Solomon had made . And king Rehoboam made in their stead shields of bronze , and committed them to the hands of the chief of the couriers who kept the entrance of the king's house . And it was so , that as often as the king entered into the house of Jehovah , the couriers came and fetched them , and brought them again into the chamber of the couriers . And when he humbled himself , the anger of Jehovah turned away from him , that he would not destroy him altogether ; and also in Judah there were good things . And king Rehoboam strengthened himself in Jerusalem , and reigned ; for Rehoboam was forty-one years old when he began to reign , and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem , the city that Jehovah 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 , for he applied not his heart to seek Jehovah . And the acts of Rehoboam , first and last , are they not written in the words of Shemaiah the prophet , and of Iddo the seer , in the genealogical registers ? 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 . In the eighteenth year of king Jeroboam began Abijah to reign over Judah . He reigned three years in Jerusalem ; and his mother's name was Michaiah , the daughter of Uriel of Gibeah . And there was war between Abijah and Jeroboam . And Abijah began the war with an army of men of war , four hundred thousand chosen men ; and Jeroboam set the battle in array against him with eight hundred thousand chosen men , mighty men of valour . And Abijah stood up on the top of mount Zemaraim , which is in mount Ephraim , and said , Hear me , Jeroboam , and all Israel ! Ought ye not to know that Jehovah the God of Israel gave the kingdom over Israel to David for ever , to him and to his sons [ by ] a covenant of salt ? But Jeroboam the son of Nebat , the servant of Solomon the son of David , rose up and rebelled against his lord . And vain men , sons of Belial , gathered to him and strengthened themselves against Rehoboam the son of Solomon , and Rehoboam was young and faint-hearted , and did not shew himself strong against them . And now ye think to shew yourselves strong against the kingdom of Jehovah in the hand of the sons of David ; and ye are a great multitude , and ye have with you the golden calves that Jeroboam made you for gods . Have ye not cast out the priests of Jehovah , the sons of Aaron , and the Levites , and made you priests as the peoples of the lands ? whoever comes to consecrate himself with a young bullock and seven rams , he becomes a priest of what is not God . But as for us , Jehovah is our God , and we have not forsaken him ; and the priests that serve Jehovah are the sons of Aaron , and the Levites are at their work : and they burn to Jehovah every morning and every evening burnt-offerings and sweet incense ; the loaves also are set in order upon the pure table ; and the candlestick of gold with its lamps to burn every evening : for * we * keep the charge of Jehovah our God ; but * ye * have forsaken him . And behold , we have God with us at our head , and his priests , and the loud-sounding trumpets to sound an alarm against you . Children of Israel , do not fight with Jehovah the God of your fathers ; for ye shall not prosper . But Jeroboam caused an ambush to come about behind them ; and they were before Judah , and the ambush behind them . And Judah looked back , and behold , they had the battle in front and behind ; and they cried to Jehovah , and the priests sounded with the trumpets . And 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 ; and there fell down slain of Israel five hundred thousand chosen men . And the children of Israel were humbled at that time , and the children of Judah were strengthened , because they relied upon Jehovah the God of their fathers . And Abijah pursued after Jeroboam , and took cities from him : Bethel with its dependent villages , and Jeshanah with its dependent villages , and Ephron with its dependent villages . And Jeroboam did not recover strength again in the days of Abijah ; and Jehovah smote him , and he died . But Abijah strengthened himself , and took fourteen wives , and begot twenty-two sons and sixteen daughters . And the rest of the acts of Abijah , and his ways and his sayings , are written in the treatise of the prophet Iddo . And 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 what was good and right in the sight of Jehovah his God ; and he took away the altars of the strange [ gods ] and the high places , and broke the columns , and cut down the Asherahs ; and commanded Judah to seek Jehovah the God of their fathers , and to practise the law and the commandment . And he removed out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the sun-images ; and the kingdom was quiet before him . And he built fortified cities in Judah , for the land had rest , and he had no war in those years ; because Jehovah had given him rest . And he said to Judah , Let us build these cities , and surround them with walls and towers , gates and bars , while the land is yet before us ; for we have sought Jehovah our God ; we have sought him , and he has given us rest on every side . And they built and prospered . And Asa had an army that bore targets and spears : out of Judah three hundred thousand ; and out of Benjamin , that bore shields and drew the bow , two hundred and eighty thousand : all these , mighty men of valour . And Zerah the Ethiopian came out against him with a host of a thousand thousand , and three hundred chariots , and he came to Mareshah . And Asa went out against him , and they set the battle in array in the valley of Zephathah near Mareshah . And Asa cried unto Jehovah his God , and said , Jehovah , it maketh no difference to thee to help , whether there be much or no power : help us , O Jehovah our God , for we rely on thee , and in thy name have we come against this multitude . Jehovah , thou art our God ; let not man prevail against thee . And Jehovah smote the Ethiopians before Asa and before Judah ; and the Ethiopians fled . And Asa and the people that were with him pursued them to Gerar ; and the Ethiopians were overthrown , that none of them was left alive ; for they were crushed before Jehovah and before his army . And they carried away very much spoil . And they smote all the cities round about Gerar , for the terror of Jehovah came upon them ; and they spoiled all the cities , for there was very 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 to him , Hear ye me , Asa , and all Judah and Benjamin : Jehovah is with you while ye are 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 while Israel [ was ] without the true God , and without a teaching priest , and without law ; but in their trouble they turned to Jehovah the God of Israel , and sought him , and 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 disturbances were amongst all the inhabitants of the countries . And nation was broken against nation , and city against city ; for God disturbed them with all manner of distress . But as for you , be firm and let not your hands be weak ; for there is a reward for your deeds . And when Asa heard these words and the prophecy of Oded the prophet , he took courage , and put away the abominations out of all the land of Judah and Benjamin , and out of the cities that he had taken from mount Ephraim , and renewed the altar of Jehovah , that was before the porch of Jehovah . And he assembled all Judah and Benjamin , and the strangers with them out of Ephraim and Manasseh , and out of Simeon ; for they fell away to him out of Israel in abundance , when they saw that Jehovah his God was with him . And they assembled themselves at Jerusalem in the third month of the fifteenth year of the reign of Asa . And they sacrificed to Jehovah in that day , of the spoil that they had brought , seven hundred oxen and seven thousand sheep . And they entered into a covenant to seek Jehovah the God of their fathers , with all their heart , and with all their soul , and that whoever would not seek Jehovah the God of Israel should be put to death , whether small or great , whether man or woman . And they swore to Jehovah with a loud voice , and with shouting , and with trumpets , and with cornets . And all Judah rejoiced at the oath ; for they took the oath with all their heart , and sought him with their whole desire ; and he was found of them . And Jehovah gave them rest round about . And also Maachah , the mother of Asa the king , he removed from being queen , because she had made an idol for the Asherah ; and Asa cut down her idol , and stamped it , and burned it in the valley Kidron . But the high places were not removed from Israel ; only , Asa's heart was perfect all his days . And he brought into the house of God the things which his father had dedicated , and the things which he himself had dedicated , silver , and gold , and vessels . And there was no war until the thirty-fifth year of the reign of Asa . In the thirty-sixth year of the reign of Asa , Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah , and built Ramah , in order to let none go out or come in to Asa king of Judah . And Asa brought out silver and gold out of the treasures of the house of Jehovah and of the king's house , and sent to Ben-hadad king of Syria , who dwelt at Damascus , saying , There is a league between me and thee , and between my father and thy father : behold , I send thee silver and gold ; go , break thy league with Baasha king of Israel , that he may depart from me . And Ben-hadad hearkened to king Asa , and sent the captains of his forces against the cities of Israel ; and they smote Ijon and Dan and Abelmaim , and all the store-magazines of the cities of Naphtali . And it came to pass when Baasha heard of it , that he left off building Ramah , and let his work cease . And king Asa took all Judah ; and they carried away the stones and the timber from Ramah , with which Baasha had been building , and he built with them 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 hast not relied on Jehovah thy God , therefore has the army of the king of Syria escaped out of thy hand . Were not the Ethiopians and the Libyans a huge army , with very many chariots and horsemen ? but when thou didst rely on Jehovah , he delivered them into thy hand . For the eyes of Jehovah run to and fro through the whole earth , to shew himself strong in the behalf of those whose heart is perfect toward him . Herein thou hast done foolishly ; for from henceforth thou shalt have wars . And Asa was wroth with the seer , and put him in the prison ; for he was enraged with him because of this . And Asa oppressed some of the people at the same time . And behold the acts of Asa , first and last , behold , they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel . And Asa in the thirty-ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet , until his disease was extremely great ; yet in his disease he did not seek Jehovah , but 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 sepulchre , which he had excavated for himself in the city of David , and laid him in a bed filled with spices , a mixture of divers kinds prepared by the perfumer's 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 fortified cities of Judah , and set garrisons in the land of Judah , and in the cities of Ephraim that Asa his father had taken . And Jehovah was with Jehoshaphat , for he walked in the first ways of his father David , and sought not unto the Baals ; but he sought the God of his father , and walked in his commandments , and not after the doings of Israel . And Jehovah established the kingdom in his hand ; and all Judah gave gifts to Jehoshaphat ; and he had riches and honour in abundance . And he took courage in the ways of Jehovah ; moreover , he removed the high places and Asherahs out of Judah . And in the third year of his reign he sent his princes , Ben-hail , and Obadiah , and Zechariah , and Nethaneel , and Micah , to teach in the cities of Judah ; and with them the Levites : Shemaiah , and Nethaniah , and Zebadiah , and Asahel , and Shemiramoth , and Jonathan , and Adonijah , and Tobijah , and Tob-Adonijah , Levites ; and with them Elishama and Jehoram , the priests . And they taught in Judah , and had the book of the law of Jehovah with them ; and they went about through all the cities of Judah , and taught among the people . And the terror of Jehovah was upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah , and they made no war against Jehoshaphat . And some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat gifts and tribute-silver . The Arabians also brought him flocks , seven thousand seven hundred rams , and seven thousand seven hundred he-goats . And Jehoshaphat waxed exceeding great ; and he built in Judah castles and store-cities . And he had much business in the cities of Judah ; and men of war , strong and valiant , in Jerusalem . And these are the numbers of them according to their fathers' houses . Of Judah the captains of thousands : Adnah the captain , and with him three hundred thousand mighty men of valour ; and next to him was Johanan the captain , and with him two hundred and eighty thousand ; and next to him , Amasiah the son of Zichri , who willingly offered himself to Jehovah ; and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour . And of Benjamin : Eliada , a mighty man of valour , and with him two hundred thousand , armed with bow and shield ; and next to him was Jehozabad , and with him a hundred and eighty thousand ready prepared for war . These were they that waited on the king , besides those that the king had put in the fortified cities throughout Judah . And Jehoshaphat had riches and honour in abundance ; and he allied himself with Ahab by marriage . 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 were with him , and urged him to go up against Ramoth-Gilead . And Ahab king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat king of Judah , Wilt thou go with me to Ramoth-Gilead ? And he said to him , I am as thou , and my people as thy people ; and [ I will be ] with thee in the war . And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel , Inquire , I pray thee , this day of the word of Jehovah . And the king of Israel assembled the prophets , four hundred men , and said to them , Shall we go against Ramoth-Gilead to battle , or shall I forbear ? And they said , Go up , and God will give it into the king's hand . But Jehoshaphat said , Is there not here a prophet of Jehovah besides , that we might inquire of him ? And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat , There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of Jehovah ; but I hate him , for he prophesies no good concerning me , but always evil : [ it is ] Micah the son of Imlah . And Jehoshaphat said , Let not the king say so . Then the king of Israel called a chamberlain , and said , Fetch quickly Micah the son of Imlah . And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah , having put on their robes , sat each on his throne ; and they sat in an open place at the entrance of the gate of Samaria ; and all the prophets prophesied before them . And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made for himself horns of iron , and he said , Thus saith Jehovah : With these shalt thou push the Syrians , until thou have exterminated them . And all the prophets prophesied so , saying , Go up to Ramoth-Gilead , and prosper ; for Jehovah will give it into the king's hand . And the messenger that went to call Micah spoke to him saying , Behold , the words of the prophets [ declare ] good to the king with one assent : let thy word therefore , I pray thee , be like one of theirs , and declare good . And Micah said , As Jehovah liveth , even what my God shall say , that will I declare . And he came to the king . And the king said to him , Micah , shall we go against Ramoth-Gilead to battle , or shall I forbear ? And he said , Go ye up , and prosper ; and they will be given into your hands . And the king said to him , How many times shall I adjure thee that thou tell me nothing but truth in the name of Jehovah ? And he said , I saw all Israel scattered upon the mountains , as sheep that have no shepherd . And Jehovah said , These have no master : let them return every man to his house in peace . And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat , Did I not tell thee that he prophesies no good concerning me , but evil ? And he said , Hear ye therefore the word of Jehovah : I saw Jehovah sitting upon his throne , and all the host of heaven standing on his right hand and on his left ; and Jehovah said , Who shall entice Ahab king of Israel that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-Gilead ? And one spoke saying after this manner , and another saying after that manner . And there came forth a spirit , and stood before Jehovah and said , I will entice him . And Jehovah said unto him , Wherewith ? And he said , I will go forth , and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets . And he said , Thou shalt entice [ him ] , and also succeed : go forth , and do so . And now , behold , Jehovah has put a lying spirit in the mouth of these thy prophets ; and Jehovah has spoken evil concerning thee . Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah went near , and smote Micah upon the cheek , and said , Which way now went the Spirit of Jehovah from me to speak to thee ? And Micah said , Behold , thou shalt see on that day when thou shalt go from chamber to chamber to hide thyself . And the king of Israel said , Take ye Micah , and carry him back to Amon the governor of the city , and to Joash the king's son ; and ye shall say , Thus says the king : Put this [ man ] in the prison , and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction , until I return in peace . And Micah said , If thou return at all in peace , Jehovah has not spoken by me . And he said , Hearken , O peoples , all of you ! And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramoth-Gilead . And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat , I will disguise myself , and will enter into the battle ; but put thou on thy robes . And the king of Israel disguised himself ; and they went into the battle . And the king of Syria commanded the captains of his chariots saying , Fight neither with small nor great , but with the king of Israel only . And it came to pass when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat , that they said , That is the king of Israel ; and they surrounded him to fight ; and Jehoshaphat cried out , and Jehovah helped him ; and God diverted them from him . And it came to pass that when the captains of the chariots perceived that it was not the king of Israel , they turned back from pursuing him . And a man drew a bow at a venture , and smote the king of Israel between the fastenings and the corslet . And he said to the charioteer , Turn thy hand and drive me out of the camp ; for I am wounded . And the battle increased that day ; and the king of Israel stayed himself up in his chariot against the Syrians until the even ; and about the time of the going down of the sun he died . And Jehoshaphat 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 Jehovah ? Therefore is wrath upon thee from Jehovah . Nevertheless there are good things found in thee ; for thou hast put away the Asherahs out of the land , and hast directed thy heart to seek God . And Jehoshaphat dwelt in Jerusalem ; and he went out again among the people from Beer-sheba to mount Ephraim , and brought them back to Jehovah the God of their fathers . And he set judges in the land throughout the fortified cities of Judah , city by city . And he said to the judges , Take heed what ye do ; for ye judge not for man , but for Jehovah , who will be with you in the matter of judgment . And now , let the terror of Jehovah be upon you ; be careful what ye do , for there is no iniquity with Jehovah , nor respect of persons , nor taking of presents . -- And moreover in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set some of the Levites and priests , and of the chief fathers of Israel , for the judgment of Jehovah and for causes . -- And they returned to Jerusalem . And he charged them saying , Thus shall ye do in the fear of Jehovah faithfully and with a perfect heart . And what cause soever comes to you of your brethren that dwell in their cities , between blood and blood , between law and commandment , statutes and ordinances , ye shall even warn them that they trespass not against Jehovah , 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 Jehovah , and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael , prince of the house of Judah , in all the king's matters ; and ye have the Levites before you as officers . Be strong and do it , and Jehovah will be with the good . And it came to pass after this [ that ] the children of Moab , and the children of Ammon , and with them certain of the Maonites , came against Jehoshaphat to battle . And they came and told Jehoshaphat saying , A great multitude is come against thee from beyond the sea , from Syria ; and behold , they are in Hazazon-tamar , which is Engedi . And Jehoshaphat feared , and set himself to seek Jehovah , and proclaimed a fast throughout Judah . And Judah gathered themselves together to ask [ help ] of Jehovah : even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek Jehovah . And Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation of Judah and Jerusalem , in the house of Jehovah , before the new court ; and he said , Jehovah , God of our fathers , art not thou God in the heavens , and rulest thou not over all the kingdoms of the nations ? And in thy hand there is power and might , and none can withstand thee . Hast not thou , our God , dispossessed the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel , and given it for ever to the seed of Abraham , thy friend ? And they have dwelt therein , and have built thee a sanctuary therein for thy name , saying , If evil come upon us , sword , judgment , or pestilence , or famine , and we stand before this house and before thee -- for thy name is in this house -- and cry unto thee in our distress , then thou wilt hear and save . And now , behold , the children of Ammon and Moab , and those of mount Seir , amongst whom thou wouldest not let Israel go when they came out of the land of Egypt , ( for they turned from them , and destroyed them not , ) behold , they reward us , in coming to cast us out of thy possession , which thou hast given us to possess . Our God , wilt thou not judge them ? for we have no might in presence of this great company which cometh against us , neither know we what to do ; but our eyes are upon thee . And all Judah stood before Jehovah , with their little ones , their wives , and their sons . And 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 , upon him came the Spirit of Jehovah , in the midst of the congregation ; and he said , Be attentive , all Judah , and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem , and thou king Jehoshaphat ! Thus saith Jehovah unto you : Fear not , nor be dismayed by reason of this great multitude ; for the battle is not yours , but God's . To-morrow go down against them : behold , they come up by the ascent of Ziz ; and ye shall find them at the end of the valley , before the wilderness of Jeruel . Ye shall not have to fight on this occasion : set yourselves , stand and see the salvation of Jehovah [ who is ] with you ! Judah and Jerusalem , fear not nor be dismayed ; to-morrow go out against them , and Jehovah will be with you . And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground ; and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before Jehovah , worshipping Jehovah . And the Levites , of the sons of the Kohathites , and of the sons of the Korahites , stood up to praise Jehovah the God of Israel with an exceeding loud voice . And they rose early in the morning , and went forth towards the wilderness of Tekoa ; and as they went forth , Jehoshaphat stood and said , Hear me , Judah , and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem ! Believe in Jehovah your God , and ye shall be established ; believe his prophets , and ye shall prosper ! And he consulted with the people , and appointed singers to Jehovah , and those that should praise in holy splendour , as they went forth before the armed men , and say , Give thanks to Jehovah ; for his loving-kindness [ endureth ] for ever ! And when they began the song of triumph and praise , Jehovah set liers-in-wait against the children of Ammon , Moab , and mount Seir , who had come against Judah , and they were smitten . And the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of mount Seir , to exterminate and destroy [ them ] ; and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir , they helped to destroy one another . And Judah came on to the mountain-watch in the wilderness , and they looked toward the multitude ; and behold , they were dead bodies fallen to the earth , and none had escaped . And Jehoshaphat and his people came to plunder the spoil of them , and they found among them in abundance , both riches with the dead bodies , and precious things , and they stripped off for themselves more than they could carry away ; and they were three days in plundering the spoil , it was so much . And on the fourth day they assembled themselves in the valley of Berachah , for there they blessed Jehovah ; therefore the name of that place was called The valley of Berachah , to this day . And they returned , all the men of Judah and Jerusalem , and Jehoshaphat at their head , to go again to Jerusalem with joy ; for Jehovah had made them to rejoice over their enemies . And they came to Jerusalem with lutes and harps and trumpets , to the house of Jehovah . And the terror of God was on all the kingdoms of the lands , when they had heard that Jehovah fought against the enemies of Israel . And the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet ; and his God gave him rest round about . And Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah : he was thirty-five years old when he began to reign ; and he reigned twenty-five years in Jerusalem ; and his mother's name was Azubah , daughter of Shilhi . And he walked in the way of Asa his father , and turned not aside from it , doing what was right in the sight of Jehovah . Only , the high places were not removed ; and as yet the people had not directed their hearts to the God of their fathers . And the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat , first and last , behold , they are written in the words of Jehu the son of Hanani , which are inserted in the book of the kings of Israel . And after this Jehoshaphat king of Judah joined 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 Ezion-geber . And Eliezer the son of Dodavah , of Mareshah , prophesied against Jehoshaphat , saying , Because thou hast joined thyself with Ahaziah , Jehovah has broken thy works . And the ships were broken , and could not go to Tarshish . And 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 sons of Jehoshaphat king of Israel . And their father had given them great gifts of silver and of gold and of precious things , besides fortified cities in Judah ; but the kingdom he gave to Jehoram , for he was the firstborn . And Jehoram established himself over the kingdom of his father , and strengthened himself ; and he slew all his brethren with the sword , and [ certain ] also of the princes of Israel . Jehoram was thirty-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 , as did the house of Ahab , for the daughter of Ahab was his wife ; and he did evil in the sight of Jehovah . But Jehovah would not destroy the house of David , because of the covenant that he had made with David , and as he had promised to give to him always a lamp , and to his sons . In his days Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah , and they set a king over themselves . And Jehoram went over with his captains , and all the chariots with him ; and he rose up by night , and smote the Edomites who had surrounded him , and the captains of the chariots . But the Edomites revolted from under the hand of Judah unto this day . Then Libnah revolted at the same time from under his hand , because he had forsaken Jehovah the God of his fathers . Moreover he made high places on 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 Jehovah , the 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 commit fornication , like the fornications of the house of Ahab , and also hast slain thy brethren , thy father's house who were better than thyself : behold , Jehovah will smite with a great stroke thy people , and thy children , and thy wives , and all thy substance , and thyself with sore sicknesses , with a disease of thy bowels , until thy bowels fall out by reason of the sickness day by day . And Jehovah stirred up against Jehoram the spirit of the Philistines , and of the Arabians , who [ are ] near the Ethiopians ; and they came up into Judah , and broke 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 no son left him , except Jehoahaz the youngest of his sons . And after all this , Jehovah smote him in his bowels with an incurable sickness . And it came to pass , from day to day , and at the time when the second year was drawing to a close , that his bowels fell out by reason of his sickness , and he died in cruel sufferings . And his people made no burning for him , like the burning of his fathers . He was thirty-two years old when he began to reign , and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years , and departed without being regretted . And 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 in the camp with the Arabians had slain all the elder ones . And Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah reigned . Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he began to reign ; and he reigned one year in Jerusalem ; and his mother's name was Athaliah , daughter of Omri . He also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab ; for his mother was his counsellor to do wickedly . And he did evil in the sight of Jehovah 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 the war against Hazael the king of Syria at Ramoth-Gilead ; and the Syrians wounded Joram . And he returned to be healed in Jizreel because of the wounds that 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 Jizreel ; for he was sick . But his coming to Joram was from God the complete ruin of Ahaziah . And when he had come , he went out with Jehoram against Jehu the son of Nimshi , whom Jehovah had anointed to cut off the house of Ahab . And it came to pass when Jehu was executing judgment upon the house of Ahab , that he found the princes of Judah , and the sons of the brethren of Ahaziah , that attended upon Ahaziah , and he slew them . And he sought Ahaziah ; and they caught him ( for he had hid himself in Samaria ) , and brought him to Jehu , and slew him ; and they buried him , for they said , He is a son of Jehoshaphat , who sought Jehovah with all his heart . And in the house of Ahaziah there was no one who was able to [ hold ] the kingdom . And when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead , she rose up and exterminated all the royal seed 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 the 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 did not slay him ; 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 the 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 together the Levites out of all the cities of Judah , and the chief 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 to them , Behold , the king's son shall reign , as Jehovah has said of the sons of David . This is the thing which ye shall do : a third part of you that come in on the sabbath , of the priests and of the Levites , shall be keepers 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 Jehovah . But let none come into the house of Jehovah except the priests and those of the Levites that do the service ; they shall go in , for they are holy ; but all the people shall keep the watch of Jehovah . And the Levites shall encompass the king round about , every man with his weapons in his hand ; and he that comes into the house shall be put to death ; and ye shall be with the king when he comes in and when he goes out . And the Levites and all Judah did according to all that Jehoiada the priest commanded ; and they took every man his men , those that were to come in on the sabbath , with them that were to go forth on the sabbath ; for Jehoiada the priest did not liberate the divisions . And Jehoiada the priest gave to the captains of the hundreds king David's spears and shields and targets , which were in the house of God . And he set all the people , every man with his javelin in his hand , from the right side of the house to the left side of the house , toward the altar and the house , by the king round about . And they brought forth the king's son , and put the crown upon him , and [ gave him ] the testimony , and made him king . And Jehoiada and his sons anointed him , and said , Long live the king ! And Athaliah heard the noise of the people running and praising the king , and she came to the people into the house of Jehovah . And she looked , and behold , the king stood on his dais at the entrance , and the princes and the trumpets were by the king ; and all the people of the land rejoiced , and blew with trumpets ; and the singers [ were there ] with the instruments of music , and such as taught to sing praise . And Athaliah rent her garments , and said , Conspiracy ! Conspiracy ! And Jehoiada the priest brought out the captains of the hundreds that were set over the host , and said to them , Lead her forth without the ranks ; and whosoever follows her , let him be slain with the sword ; for the priest said , Ye shall not put her to death in the house of Jehovah . And they made way for her , and she went through the entrance of the horse-gate into the king's house , and they put her to death there . And Jehoiada made a covenant between himself and all the people and the king , that they should be the people of Jehovah . And all the people went into the house of Baal , and broke it down ; and they broke his altars and his images in pieces , and slew Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars . And Jehoiada appointed the offices of the house of Jehovah under the hand of the priests , the Levites , whom David had set by classes over the house of Jehovah to offer up Jehovah's burnt-offerings , as it is written in the law of Moses , -- with rejoicing and with singing according to the directions of David . And he set the doorkeepers at the gates of the house of Jehovah , that no one unclean in anything should enter in . And he took the captains of the 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 Jehovah ; and they came through the upper 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 ; and they had slain Athaliah with the sword . Joash was seven years old when he began to reign ; and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem ; and his mother's name was Zibiah of Beer-sheba . And Joash did what was right in the sight of Jehovah all the days of Jehoiada the priest . And Jehoiada took for him two wives ; and he begot sons and daughters . And it came to pass after this , that Joash was minded to renew the house of Jehovah . And he gathered together the priests and the Levites , and said to them , Go out to the cities of Judah and collect of all Israel money for the repair of the house of your God from year to year , and ye shall hasten the matter . But the Levites hastened it not . And the king called for Jehoiada the chief , and said to him , Why hast thou not required of the Levites to bring in out of Judah and out of Jerusalem the tribute of Moses the servant of Jehovah [ laid upon ] the congregation of Israel , for the tent of the testimony ? For the wicked Athaliah [ and ] her sons had devastated the house of God ; and also all the hallowed things of the house of Jehovah had they employed for the Baals . And the king commanded , and they made a chest , and set it at the gate of the house of Jehovah without , and they made a proclamation through Judah and Jerusalem , to bring to Jehovah the tribute of 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 finished . And it came to pass at the time the chest was brought for the king's control by the hand of the Levites , and when they saw that there was much money , the king's scribe and high priest's officer came , and they emptied the chest , and took it , and carried it to its 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 Jehovah , and they hired masons and carpenters to renew the house of Jehovah , and also such as wrought in iron and bronze , to repair the house of Jehovah . So the workmen wrought , and the work was perfected by them , and they set the house of God in its state , and strengthened it . And when they had finished , they brought the rest of the money before the king and Jehoiada ; and they made of it vessels for the house of Jehovah , utensils to minister , and with which to offer up , and cups , and utensils of gold and silver . And they offered up burnt-offerings in the house of Jehovah continually all the days of Jehoiada . And Jehoiada grew old and was full of days , and he died ; he was a hundred and thirty years old 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 . And after the death of Jehoiada the princes of Judah came and made obeisance to the king ; then the king hearkened to them . And they forsook the house of Jehovah the God of their fathers , and served the Asherahs and idols ; and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this their trespass . And he sent prophets among them to bring them again to Jehovah , 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 ; and he stood up above the people and said unto them , Thus saith God : Wherefore do ye transgress the commandments of Jehovah ? And ye cannot prosper ; for ye have forsaken Jehovah , and he hath forsaken you . And they conspired against him , and stoned him with stones at the command of the king in the court of the house of Jehovah . And king Joash remembered not the kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him , but slew his son . And when he died , he said , Jehovah see and require [ it ] ! And it came to pass at the end of the year [ that ] the army of Syria came up against him ; and they entered into Judah and Jerusalem , and destroyed all the princes of the people from among the people , and sent all the spoil of them to the king at Damascus . Truly with a small company of men came the army of the Syrians , but Jehovah delivered a very great army into their hand , because they had forsaken Jehovah the God of their fathers ; and they executed judgment upon Joash . And when they had 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 did not bury him 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 . And as to his sons , and the greatness of the burdens [ laid ] upon him , and the building of the house of God , behold , they are written in the treatise of the book of the kings . And Amaziah his son reigned in his stead . Amaziah was twenty-five years old [ when ] he began to reign ; and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem ; and his mother's name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem . And he did what was right in the sight of Jehovah , yet not with a perfect heart . And it came to pass when the kingdom was established unto him , that he killed his servants who had smitten the king his father . But their children he did not put to death , but [ did ] according to that which is written in the law in the book of Moses , wherein Jehovah commanded saying , The fathers shall not die for the children , nor shall the children die for the fathers , but every man shall die for his own sin . And Amaziah gathered Judah together and arranged them according to the fathers' houses , according to the captains of thousands and the captains of hundreds , throughout Judah and Benjamin ; and he numbered them from twenty years old and upwards , and found them three hundred thousand choice men , able for military service , that could handle spear and target . He hired also a hundred thousand mighty men of valour out of Israel for a hundred talents of silver . But there came a man of God to him , saying , O king , let not the host of Israel go with thee ; for Jehovah is not with Israel , [ with ] all the children of Ephraim . But if thou wilt go , do [ it ] ; be strong for the battle : God will make thee fall before the enemy , for there is with God power to help and to cast down . And Amaziah said to the man of God , But what is to be done for the hundred talents which I have given to the troop of Israel ? And the man of God said , Jehovah is able to give thee much more than this . Then Amaziah separated them , -- the troop that was come to him out of Ephraim , -- to go home again . And their anger was greatly kindled against Judah , and they returned home in fierce anger . But 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 the children of Judah took ten thousand captive , alive , and brought them to the top of the cliff , and cast them down from the top of the cliff , so that they all were broken in pieces . But those of the troop that Amaziah had sent back , that they should not go with him to battle , fell upon the cities of Judah from Samaria as far as Beth-horon , and smote three thousand of them , and took much spoil . And it came to pass after 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 himself down before them , and burned incense to them . And the anger of Jehovah was kindled against Amaziah , and he sent to him a prophet , who said to him , Why dost thou seek after the gods of a people who have not delivered their own people out of thy hand ? And it came to pass as he talked with him , that [ Amaziah ] said to him , Hast thou been made the king's counsellor ? Forbear ; why shouldest thou be smitten ? Then the prophet forbore , and said , I know that God has determined to destroy thee , because thou hast done this , and hast not hearkened to my counsel . And Amaziah king of Judah took counsel , and sent to Joash the son of Jehoahaz , the son of Jehu , king of Israel , saying , Come , let us look one another in the face . And Joash king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah , saying , The thorn-bush that is in Lebanon sent to the cedar that is in Lebanon , saying , Give thy daughter to my son as wife ; and there passed by the wild beast that is in Lebanon , and trode down the thorn-bush . Thou thinkest , Lo , thou hast smitten Edom ; and thy heart has lifted thee up to boast : abide now at home ; why shouldest thou contend with misfortune , that thou shouldest fall , thou and Judah with thee ? But Amaziah would not hear ; for it was of God , that he might deliver them into [ the enemy's ] hand , because they had sought after the gods of Edom . And Joash king of Israel went up ; and they looked one another in the face , he and Amaziah king of Judah , at Beth-shemesh , which is in Judah . And Judah was routed before Israel ; and they fled every man to his tent . And Joash king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah , the son of Joash the son of Jehoahaz , at Beth-shemesh , and brought him to Jerusalem , and he broke 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 Obed-Edom , and the treasures of the king's house , and hostages , 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 . And 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 ? And from the time that Amaziah turned aside from following Jehovah , they made a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem ; and he fled to Lachish ; and they sent after him to Lachish , and slew him there . And they brought him on horses , and buried him with his fathers in the city of Judah . And all the people of Judah took Uzziah , who was sixteen years old , and made him king instead of his father Amaziah . It was he that built Eloth , and restored it to Judah , after the king slept with his fathers . Uzziah was sixteen years old when he began to reign ; and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem ; and his mother's name was Jecholiah of Jerusalem . And he did what was right in the sight of Jehovah , according to all that his father Amaziah had done . And he sought God in the days of Zechariah , who had understanding in the visions of God ; and in the days that he sought Jehovah , God made him to prosper . And he went forth and fought against the Philistines , and broke 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 Gur-Baal , and the Maonites . And the Ammonites gave gifts to Uzziah : and his name spread abroad to the entrance of Egypt ; for he became exceeding strong . And Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the corner gate , and at the valley gate , and at the angle , and fortified them . And he built towers in the desert and digged many cisterns ; for he had much cattle , both in the lowland and on the plateau , husbandmen [ also ] and vinedressers on the mountains and in Carmel ; for he loved husbandry . And Uzziah had an army 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 fathers of the mighty men of valour was two thousand six hundred . And under their hand was an army-host of three hundred and seven thousand five hundred , that made war with mighty power to help the king against the enemy . And Uzziah prepared for them , throughout the host , shields , and spears , and helmets , and coats of mail , and bows , and even slinging-stones . And he made in Jerusalem machines invented by skilful men , to be upon the towers and upon the bulwarks , wherewith to shoot arrows and great stones . And his name spread far abroad ; for he was marvellously helped , till he became strong . But when he became strong his heart was lifted up to [ his ] downfall ; and he transgressed against Jehovah his God , and went into the temple of Jehovah to burn incense upon the altar of incense . And Azariah the priest went in after him , and with him priests of Jehovah , eighty valiant men ; and they withstood Uzziah the king , and said to him , It is not for thee , Uzziah , to burn incense to Jehovah , but for the priests the sons of Aaron , that are consecrated to burn incense . Go out of the sanctuary ; for thou hast transgressed ; neither shall it be for thine honour from Jehovah Elohim . And Uzziah was wroth ; and he had a censer in his hand to burn incense ; and while he was wroth with the priests , the leprosy rose up in his forehead before the priests in the house of Jehovah , 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 ; even he himself hasted to go out , because Jehovah had smitten him . And Uzziah the king was a leper to the day of his death , and dwelt in a separate house , being a leper ; for he was cut off from the house of Jehovah . And Jotham his son was over the king's house , judging the people of the land . And the rest of the acts of Uzziah , first and last , did the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz write . And Uzziah slept with his fathers ; and they buried him with his fathers in the burial-ground of the kings , for they said , He is a leper . And Jotham his son reigned in his stead . Jotham was twenty-five years old when he began to reign ; and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem ; and his mother's name was Jerushah , daughter of Zadok . And he did what was right in the sight of Jehovah , according to all that his father Uzziah had done ; only he entered not into the temple of Jehovah . And the people still acted corruptly . It was he who built the upper gate of the house of Jehovah , and on the wall of Ophel he built much . And he built cities in the hill-country of Judah , and in the forests he built castles and towers . And he fought against the king of the children of Ammon , and overcame them . And the children of Ammon gave him the same year a hundred talents of silver , and ten thousand measures of wheat , and ten thousand of barley . This the children of Ammon brought again to him also in the second year , and in the third . And Jotham became strong , for he prepared his ways before Jehovah his God . And the rest of the acts of Jotham , and all his wars , and his ways , behold , they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah . He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign ; and he 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 . And he did not what was right in the sight of Jehovah , like David his father , but walked in the ways of the kings of Israel , and even made molten images for the Baals ; and he burned incense in the valley of the son of Hinnom , and burned his sons in the fire , according to the abominations of the nations that Jehovah had dispossessed from before the children of Israel . And he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places , and on the hills , and under every green tree . Therefore Jehovah his God gave 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 given into the hand of the king of Israel , who smote him with a great slaughter . And Pekah the son of Remaliah slew in Judah a hundred and twenty thousand in one day , all valiant men , because they had forsaken Jehovah the 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 the second to the king . And the children of Israel carried away captive of their brethren two hundred thousand , women , sons , and daughters , and took away also much spoil from them , and brought the spoil to Samaria . But a prophet of Jehovah was there , whose name was Oded ; and he went out before the host that came to Samaria , and said unto them , Behold , because Jehovah the God of your fathers was wroth with Judah , he gave them into your hand , and ye have slain them in a rage that reaches up to heaven . And now ye think to subjugate the children of Judah and Jerusalem as your bondmen and bondwomen . Are there not with you , even with you , trespasses against Jehovah your God ? And now hear me , and send back the captives again , whom ye have taken captive of your brethren ; for the fierce wrath of Jehovah is upon you . And certain of the heads of the children of Ephraim , Azariah the son of Johanan , Berechiah the son of Meshillemoth , and Hezekiah the son of Shallum , and Amasa the son of Hadlai , stood up against them that came from the war , and said to them , Ye shall not bring in the captives hither ; because , for our guilt before Jehovah , ye think to increase our sins and our trespasses : for our trespass is great , and fierce wrath is upon Israel . Then the armed men left the captives and the spoil before the princes and all the congregation . And the men that have been 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 on asses , and brought them to Jericho the city of palm-trees , to their brethren . And they returned to Samaria . At that time king Ahaz sent to the kings of Assyria to help him . And again the Edomites came and smote Judah , and carried away captives . And the Philistines invaded the cities of the lowland , and of the south of Judah , and took Beth-shemesh , and Ajalon , and Gederoth , and Socho and its dependent villages , and Timnah and its dependent villages , and Guimzo and its dependent villages ; and they dwelt there . For Jehovah humbled Judah because of Ahaz king of Israel , for he had made Judah lawless , and transgressed much against Jehovah . And Tilgath-Pilneser king of Assyria came to him , and troubled him , and did not support him . For Ahaz stripped the house of Jehovah , and the house of the king and of the princes , and gave to the king of Assyria ; but he was of no help to him . And in the time of his trouble he transgressed yet more against Jehovah , this king Ahaz . And he sacrificed to the gods of Damascus , which had smitten him ; and he said , Since the gods of the kings of Syria help them , I will sacrifice to them , that they may help me . But they were the ruin of him , and of all Israel . And Ahaz gathered the vessels of the house of God , and cut in pieces the vessels of the house of God , and closed the doors of the house of Jehovah , and he made for himself altars in every corner of Jerusalem . And in every several city of Judah he made high places to burn incense to other gods , and provoked to anger Jehovah the God of his fathers . And the rest of his acts , and 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 , 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 being twenty-five years old ; and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem ; and his mother's name was Abijah , daughter of Zechariah . And he did what was right in the sight of Jehovah , 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 Jehovah , and repaired them . And he brought in the priests and the Levites , and gathered them into the open place eastward ; and he said to them , Hear me , ye Levites : hallow yourselves now , and hallow the house of Jehovah the God of your fathers , and carry forth the filthiness out of the sanctuary . For our fathers have transgressed , and done evil in the sight of Jehovah our God , and have forsaken him and turned away their faces from the habitation of Jehovah , and have 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 up burnt-offerings in the sanctuary to the God of Israel . Therefore the wrath of Jehovah has been upon Judah and Jerusalem , and he has delivered them to vexation , to desolation , and to hissing , as ye see with your eyes . And behold , 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 my heart to make a covenant with Jehovah the God of Israel , that his fierce anger may turn away from us . My sons , be not now negligent ; for Jehovah has chosen you to stand before him , to do service unto him , and to be his ministers and incense-burners . Then the Levites rose up , 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 Jehalleleel ; 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 hallowed themselves , and came , according to the commandment of the king by the words of Jehovah , to cleanse the house of Jehovah . And the priests went into the inner part of the house of Jehovah to cleanse it , and carried forth all the uncleanness that they found in the temple of Jehovah , into the court of the house of Jehovah . And the Levites took it to carry it forth into the brook Kidron . And they began on the first of the first month to hallow , and on the eighth day of the month they came to the porch of Jehovah ; and they hallowed the house of Jehovah eight days ; and on the sixteenth day of the first month they made an end . And they went in to king Hezekiah , and said , We have cleansed all the house of Jehovah , and the altar of burnt-offering with all its vessels , and the table of the [ bread ] to be set in rows , and all its vessels ; and all the vessels that king Ahaz in his reign cast away in his transgression have we prepared and hallowed , and behold , they are before the altar of Jehovah . And Hezekiah the king arose early , and gathered the princes of the city , and went up to the house of Jehovah . 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 ] upon the altar of Jehovah . And they slaughtered the bullocks , and the priests received the blood , and sprinkled it on the altar ; and they slaughtered the rams , and sprinkled the blood on the altar ; and they slaughtered the lambs , and sprinkled the blood on the altar . And they brought near the he-goats of the sin-offering before the king and the congregation ; and they laid their hands upon them . And the priests slaughtered them , and they made purification for sin with their blood upon the altar , to make an atonement for all Israel ; because for all Israel , said the king , is the burnt-offering and the sin-offering . And he set the Levites in the house of Jehovah with cymbals , with lutes , and with harps , according to the commandment of David , and of Gad the king's seer , and of Nathan the prophet ; for the commandment was of Jehovah through his prophets . And the Levites stood with the instruments of David , and the priests with the trumpets . And Hezekiah commanded to offer up the burnt-offering on the altar . And at the moment the burnt-offering began , the song of Jehovah began , and the trumpets , accompanied by the instruments of David king of Israel . And all the congregation worshipped , and the singers sang , and the trumpeters sounded , all [ the time ] until the burnt-offering was finished . And when they had ended offering the burnt-offering , the king and all that were present with him bowed themselves and worshipped . And king Hezekiah and the princes commanded the Levites to sing praise to Jehovah with the words of David , and of Asaph the seer . And they sang praises with gladness , and bowed their heads and worshipped . And Hezekiah answered and said , Now ye have consecrated yourselves to Jehovah , 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 willing heart , burnt-offerings . And the number of the burnt-offerings , which the congregation brought , was seventy bullocks , a hundred rams , two hundred lambs : all these were for a burnt-offering to Jehovah . And the consecrated things were six hundred oxen and three thousand sheep . Only the priests were too few , and they could not flay all the burnt-offerings ; therefore their brethren the Levites helped them , until the work was ended , and until the priests had hallowed themselves ; for the Levites were more upright in heart to hallow themselves than the priests . And also the burnt-offerings were in abundance , with the fat of the peace-offerings , and with the drink-offerings for the burnt-offering . And the service of the house of Jehovah 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 Jehovah at Jerusalem , to hold the passover to Jehovah the God of Israel . And the king took counsel , and his princes , and the whole congregation in Jerusalem , to hold the passover in the second month . For they could not keep it at that time , because the priests had not hallowed themselves in sufficient number , neither had the people been gathered together to Jerusalem . And the thing pleased the king and the whole congregation . So they established a decree to make proclamation throughout Israel from Beer-sheba even to Dan , that they should come to hold the passover to Jehovah the God of Israel , at Jerusalem ; because they had not held it for a long time as it was written . And the couriers went with the letters from the king and his princes throughout Israel and Judah , and according to the commandment of the king , saying , Ye children of Israel , return to Jehovah the 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 like your fathers and like your brethren , who transgressed against Jehovah the God of their fathers , so that he gave them up to desolation , as ye see . Now , harden not your necks , as your fathers ; yield yourselves to Jehovah , and come to his sanctuary , which he has sanctified for ever ; and serve Jehovah your God , that the fierceness of his anger may turn away from you . For if ye return to Jehovah , your brethren and your children shall find compassion with those that have carried them captive , so that they shall come again unto this land ; for Jehovah your God is gracious and merciful , and will not turn away his face from you , if ye return to him . And the couriers passed from city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh , even to Zebulun ; but they laughed them to scorn and mocked them . Nevertheless certain of Asher and Manasseh and of Zebulun humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem . The hand of God was also upon Judah to give them one heart to do the commandment of the king and of the princes , by the word of Jehovah . And there assembled at Jerusalem much people to hold the feast of unleavened bread in the second month , a very great congregation . And they rose up and took away the altars that were in Jerusalem ; and they took away all the incense-altars , and cast them into the torrent Kidron . And they slaughtered the passover on the fourteenth of the second month ; and the priests and the Levites were ashamed , and hallowed themselves ; and they brought the burnt-offerings into the house of Jehovah . And they stood in their place after their custom , according to the law of Moses the man of God : the priests sprinkled the blood [ receiving it ] from the hand of the Levites . For there were many in the congregation that were not hallowed ; therefore the Levites had the charge of the slaughtering of the passover-lambs for every one not clean , to hallow them unto Jehovah . For a multitude of the people , many of Ephraim and Manasseh , Issachar and Zebulun , had not cleansed themselves , and they ate the passover otherwise than it was written . But Hezekiah prayed for them saying , Jehovah , who is good , forgive every one that has directed his heart to seek God , Jehovah the God of his fathers , although not according to the purification of the sanctuary . And Jehovah hearkened to Hezekiah , and healed the people . And the children of Israel , that were present at Jerusalem , held the feast of unleavened bread seven days with great gladness ; and the Levites and the priests praised Jehovah day by day , with the instruments of praise to Jehovah . And Hezekiah spoke consolingly to all the Levites that had understanding in the good knowledge of Jehovah ; and they ate the feast-offerings the seven days , sacrificing peace-offerings , and extolling Jehovah the God of their fathers . And the whole congregation took counsel to observe other seven days ; and they observed the seven days with gladness . For Hezekiah king of Judah gave to the congregation as heave-offering : 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 hallowed themselves . And the whole 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 . And there was great joy in Jerusalem ; for since the time of Solomon the son of David , king of Israel , there had not been the like in Jerusalem . And the priests the Levites arose and blessed the people ; and their voice was heard , and their prayer came up to his holy habitation , to the heavens . And when all this was finished , all Israel that were present went out to the cities of Judah , and broke the columns , and hewed down the Asherahs , and demolished the high places and the altars in all Judah and Benjamin , in Ephraim also and Manasseh , until they had destroyed them all . And all the children of Israel returned every man to his possession , into their cities . And Hezekiah appointed the divisions of the priests , and the Levites after their divisions , every man according to his service , as well the priests as the Levites , for burnt-offerings and for peace-offerings , to serve and to give thanks and to praise in the gates of the courts of Jehovah . And [ he ordered ] that the king's portion [ should be taken ] from his substance for the burnt-offerings : for the morning and evening burnt-offerings , for the burnt-offerings of the sabbaths , and of the new moons , and of the set feasts , as it is written in the law of Jehovah . And 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 Jehovah . And as soon as the commandment was published , the children of Israel gave in abundance the firstfruits of corn , new wine and oil and honey , and of all the increase of the field ; and they brought in abundantly the tithe of all [ things ] . And the children of Israel and of Judah , that dwelt in the cities of Judah , they also brought the tithe of oxen and sheep , and the tithe of holy things which were consecrated to Jehovah their God , and laid them by heaps . In the third month they began to lay the heaps , and finished them in the seventh month . And Hezekiah and the princes came and saw the heaps , and they blessed Jehovah , and his people Israel . And Hezekiah questioned the priests and the Levites concerning the heaps . And Azariah the chief priest of the house of Zadok spoke to him and said , Since they began to bring the heave-offerings into the house of Jehovah , we have eaten and been satisfied and have left plenty ; for Jehovah has blessed his people ; and what is left is this great store . And Hezekiah commanded to prepare chambers in the house of Jehovah ; and they prepared [ them ] , and brought in the heave-offerings and the tithes and the dedicated things faithfully ; and over these Cononiah the Levite was ruler , and Shimei his brother was second . And Jehiel , and Azaziah , and Nahath , and Asahel , and Jerimoth , and Jozabad , and Eliel , and Jismachiah , and Mahath , and Benaiah were overseers under the hand of Cononiah and Shimei his brother , at the command of Hezekiah the king and Azariah the ruler of the house of God . And Kore the son of Jimnah the Levite , the doorkeeper toward the east , was over the voluntary-offerings of God , to distribute the heave-offerings of Jehovah , and the most holy things . And under him were Eden and Miniamin and Jeshua and Shemaiah , Amariah and Shecaniah , in the cities of the priests , in [ their ] set trust , to make distributions to their brethren by [ their ] divisions , to the great as to the small , besides those from three years old and upward who as males were entered in the genealogical register , -- all that came into the house of Jehovah , as the duty of every day required , for their service in their charges , according to their divisions , -- both to the priests enregistered according to their fathers' houses , and to the Levites from twenty years old and upward , in their charges , by their divisions ; and to all their little ones , their wives , and their sons , and their daughters , the whole congregation of those entered in the register ; for in their trust they hallowed themselves to be holy . And for the sons of Aaron the priests who were in the country , in the suburbs of their cities , there were , in every several city , men expressed by name , to give portions to all the males among the priests , and to all the Levites that were entered in the register . And thus did Hezekiah throughout Judah , and wrought what was good and right and true before Jehovah his God . And in every work that he undertook 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 this faithfulness , Sennacherib king of Assyria came and entered into Judah , and encamped against the fortified cities , and thought to break into them . And when Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib was come , and that he was minded to fight against Jerusalem , he took counsel with his princes and his mighty men to stop the fountains of waters that were outside the city ; and they helped him . And there was gathered together much people , and they stopped all the fountains , and the torrent that flows through the midst of the land , saying , Why should the kings of Assyria come and find much water ? And he strengthened himself , and built up all the wall that was broken down , and raised it up to the towers , and [ built ] another wall outside , and fortified the Millo of the city of David , and made darts and shields in abundance . And he set captains of war over the people , and assembled them to him on the open place at the gate of the city , and spoke consolingly 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 are more with us than with him : with him is an arm of flesh , but with us is Jehovah our God to help us and to fight our battles . And the people depended upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah . After this , Sennacherib king of Assyria sent his servants to Jerusalem ( but he himself was before Lachish , and all his power with him ) , unto Hezekiah king of Judah , and unto all Judah that were at Jerusalem , saying , Thus says Sennacherib king of Assyria : On what do ye rely that ye abide in the siege in Jerusalem ? Does not Hezekiah persuade you , to give yourselves over to die by famine and by thirst , saying , Jehovah our God will deliver us out of the hand of the king of Assyria ? Has not the same Hezekiah removed his high places and his altars , and commanded Judah and Jerusalem saying , Ye shall worship before * one * altar , and burn incense upon it ? Do ye not know what I and my fathers have done to all the peoples of the countries ? Were the gods of the nations of the countries in any wise able to deliver their country out of my hand ? Who is there among all the gods of those nations that my fathers have utterly destroyed , that was able to deliver his people out of my hand , that your God should be able to deliver you out of my hand ? And now , let not Hezekiah deceive you , nor persuade you in this manner , neither yet believe him ; for no god of any nation or kingdom was able to deliver his people out of my hand , nor out of the hand of my fathers : how much less shall your God deliver you out of my hand ? And his servants spoke yet more against Jehovah , the [ true ] God , and against his servant Hezekiah . And he wrote a letter to rail at Jehovah the God of Israel , and to speak against him saying , As the gods of the nations of the countries have not delivered their people out of my hand , so shall not the God of Hezekiah deliver his people out of my hand . And they cried with a loud voice in the Jewish [ language ] to the people of Jerusalem that were on the wall , to frighten them and to trouble them ; that they might take the city . And they spoke of the God of Jerusalem as of the gods of the peoples of the earth , the work of man's hand . And because of this , king Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz prayed and cried to heaven . And Jehovah sent an angel , who cut off all the mighty men of valour , and the princes and the captains in the camp of the king of Assyria . And 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 made him fall there with the sword . And Jehovah saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib the king of Assyria , and from the hand of all , and protected them on every side . And many brought gifts unto Jehovah to Jerusalem , and precious things to Hezekiah king of Judah ; and he was thenceforth magnified in the sight of all the nations . In those days Hezekiah was sick unto death , and he prayed to Jehovah ; and he spoke to him and gave him a sign . But Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit [ done ] to him , for his heart was lifted up ; and there was wrath upon him , and upon Judah and Jerusalem . And Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart , he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem , so that the wrath of Jehovah came not upon them in the days of Hezekiah . And Hezekiah had very 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 vessels ; storehouses also for the increase of corn and new wine and oil , and stalls for all manner of beasts , and [ he procured ] flocks for the stalls . And he provided for himself cities , and possessions of flocks and herds in abundance ; for God gave him very much substance . And he , Hezekiah , stopped the upper outlet of the waters of Gihon , and brought it straight down to the west side of the city of David . And Hezekiah prospered in all his works . However in [ the matter of ] the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon , who sent to him to inquire 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 . And the rest of the acts of Hezekiah and his good deeds , behold , they are written in the vision of the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel . And Hezekiah slept with his fathers , and they buried him in the highest place 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-five years in Jerusalem . And he did evil in the sight of Jehovah , like the abominations of the nations that Jehovah had dispossessed from before the children of Israel . And he built again the high places that Hezekiah his father had broken down ; and he reared up altars to the Baals , and made Asherahs , and worshipped all the host of heaven and served them . And he built altars in the house of Jehovah , of which Jehovah had said , In Jerusalem shall my name be for ever . And he built altars to all the host of heaven in both courts of the house of Jehovah . He also caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom ; and he used magic and divination and sorcery , and appointed necromancers and soothsayers : he wrought evil beyond measure in the sight of Jehovah , to provoke him to anger . And he set the graven image of the idol that 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 out of 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 that I have appointed to your fathers ; if they will only take heed to do all that I commanded them through Moses , according to all the law and the statutes and the ordinances . And Manasseh led Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem astray , to do more evil than the nations that Jehovah had destroyed from before the children of Israel . And Jehovah spoke to Manasseh and to his people ; but they did not hearken . And Jehovah brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria , who took Manasseh with fetters , and bound him with chains of brass , and carried him to Babylon . And when he was in affliction , he besought Jehovah his God , and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers , and prayed to him . And he was intreated of him and heard his supplication , and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom . Then Manasseh knew that Jehovah , he was God . And after this he built the outer wall of the city of David , on the west , toward Gihon , in the valley , even to the entrance of the fish-gate , and carried it round Ophel , and raised it up a very great height ; and he put captains of war in all the fortified cities of Judah . And he removed the strange gods , and the idol out of the house of Jehovah , and all the altars that he had built on the mount of the house of Jehovah and in Jerusalem , and cast [ them ] out of the city . And he reinstated the altar of Jehovah , and sacrificed on it peace-offerings and thank-offerings , and commanded Judah to serve Jehovah the God of Israel . Nevertheless , the people sacrificed still on the high places , although to Jehovah their God only . And the rest of the acts of Manasseh , and his prayer to his God , and the words of the seers that spoke to him in the name of Jehovah the God of Israel , behold , they [ are written ] in the acts of the kings of Israel . And his prayer , and [ how God ] was intreated of him , and all his sin and his unfaithfulness , and the places in which he built high places , and set up Asherahs and graven images , before he was humbled , behold , they are written among the words of Hozai . And Manasseh slept with his fathers , and they buried him in his own house ; and Amon his son reigned in his stead . Amon was twenty-two years old when he began to reign ; and he reigned two years in Jerusalem . And he did evil in the sight of Jehovah , as Manasseh his father had done ; and Amon sacrificed to all the graven images that Manasseh his father had made , and served them . And he did not humble himself before Jehovah , as Manasseh his father had humbled himself ; for he , Amon , multiplied trespass . And his servants conspired against him , and slew him in his own house . But the people of the land smote 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 thirty-one years in Jerusalem . And he did what was right in the sight of Jehovah , and walked in the ways of David his father , and turned not aside to the right hand nor to the left . And 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 Asherahs , and the graven images , and the molten images . And they broke down the altars of the Baals in his presence ; and the sun-pillars that were on high above them he cut down ; and the Asherahs and the graven images and the molten images he broke in pieces , and made dust [ of them ] and strewed it upon the graves of those that had sacrificed to them ; and he burned the bones of the priests upon their altars , and purged Judah and Jerusalem . And [ so did he ] in the cities of Manasseh and Ephraim and Simeon , even to Naphtali , in their ruins round about ; and he broke down the altars , and beat the Asherahs and the graven images into powder , and cut down all the sun-pillars throughout the land of Israel , and returned to Jerusalem . And in the eighteenth year of his reign , when he 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 chronicler , to repair the house of Jehovah his God . And they came to Hilkijah the high priest , and they delivered [ to them ] the money that had been 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 of the inhabitants of Jerusalem . And they gave [ it ] into the hand of them that did the work , that had the oversight of the house of Jehovah ; and they gave it to the workmen who wrought in the house of Jehovah to reinstate and repair the house : they gave [ it ] to the carpenters and the builders , to buy hewn stone , and timber for the joists , and to floor the houses that the kings of Judah had destroyed . And the men did the work faithfully . And over them were appointed Jahath and Obadiah , Levites , of the children of Merari , and Zechariah and Meshullam , of the children of the Kohathites , for the oversight ; and all these Levites were skilled in instruments of music . They were also over the bearers of burdens , and were overseers of all that worked in any manner of service . And of the Levites were the scribes , and officers , and doorkeepers . And when they brought out the money that had been brought into the house of Jehovah , Hilkijah the priest found the book of the law of Jehovah by Moses . Then Hilkijah spoke and said to Shaphan the scribe , I have found the book of the law in the house of Jehovah . And Hilkijah gave the book to Shaphan . And Shaphan carried the book to the king . And moreover he brought the king word again saying , All that was committed to the hand of thy servants , they do ; and they have emptied out the money that was found in the house of Jehovah , and have delivered it into the hand of the overseers , and into the hand of the workmen . And Shaphan the scribe informed the king saying , Hilkijah the priest has given me a book . And Shaphan read out of it before the king . And it came to pass when the king heard the words of the law , that he rent his garments . And the king commanded Hilkijah , and Ahikam the son of Shaphan , and Abdon the son of Micah , and Shaphan the scribe , and Asaiah a servant of the king , saying , Go , inquire of Jehovah for me , and for them that are left in Israel and in Judah , concerning the words of the book which is found ; for great is the wrath of Jehovah that is poured out upon us , because our fathers have not kept the word of Jehovah , to do according to all that is written in this book . And Hilkijah and they that the king [ had appointed ] went to Huldah the prophetess , the wife of Shallum the son of Tokehath , son of Hasrah , keeper of the wardrobe : now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the second quarter [ of the town ] ; and they spoke with her to that effect . And she said to them , Thus saith Jehovah the God of Israel : Tell the man that sent you to me , Thus saith Jehovah : Behold , I will bring evil upon this place , and upon the inhabitants thereof , 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 fury shall be poured out upon this place , and shall not be quenched . But to the king of Judah , who sent you to inquire of Jehovah , thus shall ye say to him : Thus saith Jehovah the God of Israel touching the words which thou hast heard : Because thy 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 garments and weep before me , I also have heard [ thee ] , saith Jehovah . Behold , I will gather thee unto thy fathers , and thou shalt be gathered to thy grave in peace ; and thine eyes shall not see all the evil that I will bring upon this place , and upon the inhabitants thereof . And they brought the king word again . And the king sent and gathered all the elders of Judah and of Jerusalem . And the king went up into the house of Jehovah , 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 which had been found in the house of Jehovah . And the king stood in his place , and made a covenant before Jehovah , to walk after Jehovah , 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 that 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 removed all the abominations out of all the countries that belonged to the children of Israel , and made to serve all that were found in Israel , -- to serve Jehovah their God : all his days they did not depart from following Jehovah , the God of their fathers . And Josiah held a passover to Jehovah in Jerusalem ; and they slaughtered the passover on the fourteenth of the first month . And he set the priests in their charges , and encouraged them to the service of the house of Jehovah . And he said to the Levites , that taught all Israel , [ and ] who were holy to Jehovah , Put the holy ark in the house that Solomon the son of David , king of Israel , built ; ye have not to carry it upon your shoulders . Serve now Jehovah your God , and his people Israel ; and prepare yourselves by your fathers' houses , in your divisions , according to the writing of David king of Israel , and according to the writing of Solomon his son ; and stand in the sanctuary for the classes of the fathers' houses , for your brethren , the children of the people , and [ according ] to the divisions of the fathers' houses of the Levites ; and slaughter the passover , and hallow yourselves , and prepare it for your brethren , that they may do according to the word of Jehovah through Moses . And Josiah gave for the children of the people a heave-offering of the flocks , lambs and goats , 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 a voluntary heave-offering for the people , for the priests , and for the Levites : Hilkijah and Zechariah and Jehiel , rulers of the house of God , gave to the priests for the passover-offerings two thousand six hundred [ small cattle ] and three hundred oxen ; and Conaniah , and Shemaiah and Nethaneel , his brethren , and Hashabiah and Jeiel and Jozabad , chief of the Levites , gave as heave-offering to the Levites for the passover-offerings five thousand [ small cattle ] and five hundred oxen . And the service was prepared , and the priests stood in their place , and the Levites in their divisions , according to the king's commandment . And they slaughtered the passover , and the priests sprinkled [ the blood ] from their hand , and the Levites flayed them . And they set apart the burnt-offerings to give them to the classes of the fathers' houses of the children of the people , to present them to Jehovah , 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 ; and the consecrated things they boiled in pots and in cauldrons and in pans , and divided them speedily among all the children of the people . And afterwards they made ready for themselves and for the priests ; because the priests , the sons of Aaron , [ were engaged ] in offering up the 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 doorkeepers were at every gate ; they had not to depart from their service , for their brethren the Levites prepared for them . And all the service of Jehovah was prepared the same day , to hold the passover , and to offer burnt-offerings on the altar of Jehovah according to the commandment of king Josiah . And the children of Israel that were present held the passover at that time , and the feast of unleavened bread seven days . And there was no passover like to that holden in Israel from the days of Samuel the prophet ; neither did all the kings of Israel hold such a passover as Josiah held , 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 holden . After all this , when Josiah had arranged the house , Necho king of Egypt came up to fight against Karkemish at the Euphrates ; and Josiah went out against him . And he sent messengers 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 with which I have war ; and God has told me to make haste : keep aloof from God who is with me , that he destroy thee not . But Josiah would not turn his face from him , but disguised himself , that he might fight against him ; and he hearkened not to the words of Necho from the mouth of God ; and he 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 . And his servants took him out from the chariot , and put him in the second chariot that he had , and brought him to Jerusalem . And he died , and was buried in the sepulchres of his fathers . And all Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah . And Jeremiah lamented for Josiah ; and all the singing men and singing women spoke of Josiah in their lamentations to this day ; and they made them an ordinance for Israel . And behold , they are written in the lamentations . And the rest of the acts of Josiah , and his good deeds , according to that which is written in the law of Jehovah , and his acts , first and last , behold , they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah . And 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-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 imposed a fine upon the land of a hundred talents of silver and a talent of gold . And the king of Egypt made Eliakim his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem , and changed his name to Jehoiakim . And Necho took Jehoahaz his brother , and carried him to Egypt . Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he began to reign ; and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem ; and he did evil in the sight of Jehovah his God . Against him came up Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon , and bound him with chains of brass to carry him to Babylon . And Nebuchadnezzar carried [ part ] of the vessels of the house of Jehovah to Babylon , and put them in his temple at Babylon . And 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 eighteen years old when he began to reign ; and he reigned three months and ten days in Jerusalem ; and he did evil in the sight of Jehovah . And at the turn of the year king Nebuchadnezzar sent and had him brought to Babylon , with the precious vessels of the house of Jehovah ; and he made Zedekiah his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem . Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he began to reign ; and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem . And he did evil in the sight of Jehovah his God ; he humbled not himself before the prophet Jeremiah speaking from the mouth of Jehovah . And he also rebelled against king Nebuchadnezzar , who had made him take oath by God ; and he stiffened his neck , and hardened his heart from returning to Jehovah the God of Israel . All the chiefs of the priests also , and the people , increased their transgressions , according to all the abominations of the nations ; and they defiled the house of Jehovah which he had hallowed in Jerusalem . And Jehovah the God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers , rising up early and sending ; because he had compassion on his people and on his dwelling-place . But they mocked at the messengers of God , and despised his words , and scoffed at his prophets , until the fury of Jehovah rose against his people , and there was no remedy . And he brought up [ against ] them the king of the Chaldees , and slew their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary , and spared not young man nor maiden , old man nor him of hoary head : 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 Jehovah , and the treasures of the king and of his princes , he brought all to Babylon . And they burned the house of God , and broke down the wall of Jerusalem , and burned all the palaces thereof with fire , and all the precious vessels thereof were given up to destruction . And them that had escaped from the sword he carried away to Babylon ; and they became servants to him and his sons , until the reign of the kingdom of Persia ; to fulfil the word of Jehovah by the mouth of Jeremiah , until the land had enjoyed its sabbaths . All the days of its desolation it kept sabbath , to fulfil seventy years . And in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia , that the word of Jehovah by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished , Jehovah stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia , and he made a proclamation throughout his kingdom , and also in writing , saying , Thus says Cyrus king of Persia : All the kingdoms of the earth has Jehovah the God of the heavens given to me , and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem , which is in Judah . Whosoever there is among you of all his people , Jehovah his God be with him , and let him go up .