GetPassageurn:cts:pbc:bible.parallel.eng.kingjames:14urn:cts:pbc:bible.parallel.eng.kingjames:14And Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom , and the LORD his God was with him , and magnified him exceedingly . Then Solomon spake unto all Israel , to the captains of thousands and of hundreds , and to the judges , and to every governor in all Israel , the chief of the fathers . So Solomon , and all the congregation with him , went to the high place that was at Gibeon ; for there was the tabernacle of the congregation of God , which Moses the servant of the LORD had made in the wilderness . But the ark of God had David brought up from Kirjath-jearim to the place which David had prepared for it : for he had pitched a tent for it at Jerusalem . Moreover the brasen altar , that Bezaleel the son of Uri , the son of Hur , had made , he put before the tabernacle of the LORD : and Solomon and the congregation sought unto it . And Solomon went up thither to the brasen altar before the LORD , which was at the tabernacle of the congregation , and offered a thousand burnt offerings upon it . In that night did God appear unto Solomon , and said unto him , Ask what I shall give thee . And Solomon said unto God , Thou hast shewed great mercy unto David my father , and hast made me to reign in his stead . Now , O LORD God , let thy promise unto David my father be established : for thou hast made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude . Give me now wisdom and knowledge , that I may go out and come in before this people : for who can judge this thy people , that is so great ? And God said to Solomon , Because this was in thine heart , and thou hast not asked riches , wealth , or honour , nor the life of thine enemies , neither yet hast asked long life ; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself , that thou mayest judge my people , over whom I have made thee king : Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee ; and I will give thee riches , and wealth , and honour , such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee , neither shall there any after thee have the like . Then Solomon came from his journey to the high place that was at Gibeon to Jerusalem , from before the tabernacle of the congregation , and reigned over Israel . And Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen : and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots , and twelve thousand horsemen , which he placed in the chariot cities , and with the king at Jerusalem . And the king made silver and gold at Jerusalem as plenteous as stones , and cedar trees made he as the sycomore trees that are in the vale for abundance . And Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt , and linen yarn : the king's merchants received the linen yarn at a price . And they fetched up , and brought forth out of Egypt a chariot for six hundred shekels of silver , and an horse for an hundred and fifty : and so brought they out horses for all the kings of the Hittites , and for the kings of Syria , by their means . And Solomon determined to build an house for the name of the LORD , and an house for his kingdom . And Solomon told out threescore and ten thousand men to bear burdens , and fourscore thousand to hew in the mountain , and three thousand and six hundred to oversee them . And Solomon sent to Huram the king of Tyre , saying , As thou didst deal with David my father , and didst send him cedars to build him an house to dwell therein , even so deal with me . Behold , I build an house to the name of the LORD my God , to dedicate it to him , and to burn before him sweet incense , and for the continual shewbread , and for the burnt offerings morning and evening , on the sabbaths , and on the new moons , and on the solemn feasts of the LORD our God . This is an ordinance for ever to Israel . And the house which I build is great : for great is our God above all gods . But who is able to build him an house , seeing the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain him ? who am I then , that I should build him an house , save only to burn sacrifice before him ? Send me now therefore a man cunning to work in gold , and in silver , and in brass , and in iron , and in purple , and crimson , and blue , and that can skill to grave with the cunning men that are with me in Judah and in Jerusalem , whom David my father did provide . Send me also cedar trees , fir trees , and algum trees , out of Lebanon : for I know that thy servants can skill to cut timber in Lebanon ; and , behold , my servants shall be with thy servants , Even to prepare me timber in abundance : for the house which I am about to build shall be wonderful great . And , behold , I will give to thy servants , the hewers that cut timber , twenty thousand measures of beaten wheat , and twenty thousand measures of barley , and twenty thousand baths of wine , and twenty thousand baths of oil . Then Huram the king of Tyre answered in writing , which he sent to Solomon , Because the LORD hath loved his people , he hath made thee king over them . Huram said moreover , Blessed be the LORD God of Israel , that made heaven and earth , who hath given to David the king a wise son , endued with prudence and understanding , that might build an house for the LORD , and an house for his kingdom . And now I have sent a cunning man , endued with understanding , of Huram my father's , The son of a woman of the daughters of Dan , and his father was a man of Tyre , skilful to work in gold , and in silver , in brass , in iron , in stone , and in timber , in purple , in blue , and in fine linen , and in crimson ; also to grave any manner of graving , and to find out every device which shall be put to him , with thy cunning men , and with the cunning men of my lord David thy father . Now therefore the wheat , and the barley , the oil , and the wine , which my lord hath spoken of , let him send unto his servants : And we will cut wood out of Lebanon , as much as thou shalt need : and we will bring it to thee in floats by sea to Joppa ; and thou shall carry it up to Jerusalem . And Solomon numbered all the strangers that were in the land of Israel , after the numbering wherewith David his father had numbered them ; and they were found an hundred and fifty thousand and three thousand and six hundred . And he set threescore and ten thousand of them to be bearers of burdens , and fourscore thousand to be hewers in the mountain , and three thousand and six hundred overseers to set the people a work . Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD at Jerusalem in mount Moriah , where the LORD appeared unto David his father , in the place that David had prepared in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite . And he began to build in the second day of the second month , in the fourth year of his reign . Now these are the things wherein Solomon was instructed for the building of the house of God . The length by cubits after the first measure was threescore cubits , and the breadth twenty cubits . And the porch that was in the front of the house , the length of it was according to the breadth of the house , twenty cubits , and the height was an hundred and twenty : and he overlaid it within with pure gold . And the greater house he cieled with fir tree , which he overlaid with fine gold , and set thereon palm trees and chains . And he garnished the house with precious stones for beauty : and the gold was gold of Parvaim . He overlaid also the house , the beams , the posts , and the walls thereof , and the doors thereof , with gold ; and graved cherubims on the walls . And he made the most holy house , the length whereof was according to the breadth of the house , twenty cubits , and the breadth thereof twenty cubits : and he overlaid it with fine gold , amounting to six hundred talents . And the weight of the nails was fifty shekels of gold . And he overlaid the upper chambers with gold . And in the most holy house he made two cherubims of image work , and overlaid them with gold . And the wings of the cherubims were twenty cubits long : one wing of the one cherub was five cubits , reaching to the wall of the house : and the other wing was likewise five cubits , reaching to the wing of the other cherub . And one wing of the other cherub was five cubits , reaching to the wall of the house : and the other wing was five cubits also , joining to the wing of the other cherub . The wings of these cherubims spread themselves forth twenty cubits : and they stood on their feet , and their faces were inward . And he made the vail of blue , and purple , and crimson , and fine linen , and wrought cherubims thereon . Also he made before the house two pillars of thirty and five cubits high , and the chapiter that was on the top of each of them was five cubits . And he made chains , as in the oracle , and put them on the heads of the pillars ; and made an hundred pomegranates , and put them on the chains . And he reared up the pillars before the temple , one on the right hand , and the other on the left ; and called the name of that on the right hand Jachin , and the name of that on the left Boaz . Moreover he made an altar of brass , twenty cubits the length thereof , and twenty cubits the breadth thereof , and ten cubits the height thereof . Also he made a molten sea of ten cubits from brim to brim , round in compass , and five cubits the height thereof ; and a line of thirty cubits did compass it round about . And under it was the similitude of oxen , which did compass it round about : ten in a cubit , compassing the sea round about . Two rows of oxen were cast , when it was cast . It stood upon twelve oxen , three looking toward the north , and three looking toward the west , and three looking toward the south , and three looking toward the east : and the sea was set above upon them , and all their hinder parts were inward . And the thickness of it was an handbreadth , and the brim of it like the work of the brim of a cup , with flowers of lilies ; and it received and held three thousand baths . He made also ten lavers , and put five on the right hand , and five on the left , to wash in them : such things as they offered for the burnt offering they washed in them ; but the sea was for the priests to wash in . And he made ten candlesticks of gold according to their form , and set them in the temple , five on the right hand , and five on the left . He made also ten tables , and placed them in the temple , five on the right side , and five on the left . And he made an hundred basons of gold . Furthermore he made the court of the priests , and the great court , and doors for the court , and overlaid the doors of them with brass . And he set the sea on the right side of the east end , over against the south . And Huram made the pots , and the shovels , and the basons . And Huram finished the work that he was to make for king Solomon for the house of God ; To wit , the two pillars , and the pommels , and the chapiters which were on the top of the two pillars , and the two wreaths to cover the two pommels of the chapiters which were on the top of the pillars ; And four hundred pomegranates on the two wreaths ; two rows of pomegranates on each wreath , to cover the two pommels of the chapiters which were upon the pillars . He made also bases , and lavers made he upon the bases ; One sea , and twelve oxen under it . The pots also , and the shovels , and the fleshhooks , and all their instruments , did Huram his father make to king Solomon for the house of the LORD of bright brass . In the plain of Jordan did the king cast them , in the clay ground between Succoth and Zeredathah . Thus Solomon made all these vessels in great abundance : for the weight of the brass could not be found out . And Solomon made all the vessels that were for the house of God , the golden altar also , and the tables whereon the shewbread was set ; Moreover the candlesticks with their lamps , that they should burn after the manner before the oracle , of pure gold ; And the flowers , and the lamps , and the tongs , made he of gold , and that perfect gold ; And the snuffers , and the basons , and the spoons , and the censers , of pure gold : and the entry of the house , the inner doors thereof for the most holy place , and the doors of the house of the temple , were of gold . Thus all the work that Solomon made for the house of the LORD was finished : and Solomon brought in all the things that David his father had dedicated ; and the silver , and the gold , and all the instruments , put he among the treasures of the house of God . Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel , and all the heads of the tribes , the chief of the fathers of the children of Israel , unto Jerusalem , to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the city of David , which is Zion . Wherefore all the men of Israel assembled themselves unto the king in the feast which was in the seventh month . And all the elders of Israel came ; and the Levites took up the ark . And they brought up the ark , and the tabernacle of the congregation , and all the holy vessels that were in the tabernacle , these did the priests and the Levites bring up . Also king Solomon , and all the congregation of Israel that were assembled unto him before the ark , sacrificed sheep and oxen , which could not be told nor numbered for multitude . And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the LORD unto his place , to the oracle of the house , into the most holy place , even under the wings of the cherubims : For the cherubims spread forth their wings over the place of the ark , and the cherubims covered the ark and the staves thereof above . And they drew out the staves of the ark , that the ends of the staves were seen from the ark before the oracle ; but they were not seen without . And there it is unto this day . There was nothing in the ark save the two tables which Moses put therein at Horeb , when the LORD made a covenant with the children of Israel , when they came out of Egypt . And it came to pass , when the priests were come out of the holy place : ( for all the priests that were present were sanctified , and did not then wait by course : Also the Levites which were the singers , all of them of Asaph , of Heman , of Jeduthun , with their sons and their brethren , being arrayed in white linen , having cymbals and psalteries and harps , stood at the east end of the altar , and with them an hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets : ) It came even to pass , as the trumpeters and singers were as one , to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD ; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick , and praised the LORD , saying , For he is good ; for his mercy endureth for ever : that then the house was filled with a cloud , even the house of the LORD ; So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud : for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God . Then said Solomon , The LORD hath said that he would dwell in the thick darkness . But I have built an house of habitation for thee , and a place for thy dwelling for ever . And the king turned his face , and blessed the whole congregation of Israel : and all the congregation of Israel stood . And he said , Blessed be the LORD God of Israel , who hath with his hands fulfilled that which he spake with his mouth to my father David , saying , Since the day that I brought forth my people out of the land of Egypt I chose no city among all the tribes of Israel to build an house in , that my name might be there ; neither chose I any man to be a ruler over my people Israel : But I have chosen Jerusalem , that my name might be there ; and have chosen David to be over my people Israel . Now it was in the heart of David my father to build an house for the name of the LORD God of Israel . But the LORD said to David my father , Forasmuch as it was in thine heart to build an house for my name , thou didst well in that it was in thine heart : Notwithstanding thou shalt not build the house ; but thy son which shall come forth out of thy loins , he shall build the house for my name . The LORD therefore hath performed his word that he hath spoken : for I am risen up in the room of David my father , and am set on the throne of Israel , as the LORD promised , and have built the house for the name of the LORD God of Israel . And in it have I put the ark , wherein is the covenant of the LORD , that he made with the children of Israel . And he stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel , and spread forth his hands : For Solomon had made a brasen scaffold , of five cubits long , and five cubits broad , and three cubits high , and had set it in the midst of the court : and upon it he stood , and kneeled down upon his knees before all the congregation of Israel , and spread forth his hands toward heaven , And said , O LORD God of Israel , there is no God like thee in the heaven , nor in the earth ; which keepest covenant , and shewest mercy unto thy servants , that walk before thee with all their hearts : Thou which hast kept with thy servant David my father that which thou hast promised him ; and spakest with thy mouth , and hast fulfilled it with thine hand , as it is this day . Now therefore , O LORD God of Israel , keep with thy servant David my father that which thou hast promised him , saying , There shall not fail thee a man in my sight to sit upon the throne of Israel ; yet so that thy children take heed to their way to walk in my law , as thou hast walked before me . Now then , O LORD God of Israel , let thy word be verified , which thou hast spoken unto thy servant David . But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth ? behold , heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee ; how much less this house which I have built ! Have respect therefore to the prayer of thy servant , and to his supplication , O LORD my God , to hearken unto the cry and the prayer which thy servant prayeth before thee : That thine eyes may be open upon this house day and night , upon the place whereof thou hast said that thou wouldest put thy name there ; to hearken unto the prayer which thy servant prayeth toward this place . Hearken therefore unto the supplications of thy servant , and of thy people Israel , which they shall make toward this place : hear thou from thy dwelling place , even from heaven ; and when thou hearest , forgive . If a man sin against his neighbour , and an oath be laid upon him to make him swear , and the oath come before thine altar in this house ; Then hear thou from heaven , and do , and judge thy servants , by requiting the wicked , by recompensing his way upon his own head ; and by justifying the righteous , by giving him according to his righteousness . And if thy people Israel be put to the worse before the enemy , because they have sinned against thee ; and shall return and confess thy name , and pray and make supplication before thee in this house ; Then hear thou from the heavens , and forgive the sin of thy people Israel , and bring them again unto the land which thou gavest to them and to their fathers . When the heaven is shut up , and there is no rain , because they have sinned against thee ; yet if they pray toward this place , and confess thy name , and turn from their sin , when thou dost afflict them ; Then hear thou from heaven , and forgive the sin of thy servants , and of thy people Israel , when thou hast taught them the good way , wherein they should walk ; and send rain upon thy land , which thou hast given unto thy people for an inheritance . If there be dearth in the land , if there be pestilence , if there be blasting , or mildew , locusts , or caterpillers ; if their enemies besiege them in the cities of their land ; whatsoever sore or whatsoever sickness there be : Then what prayer or what supplication soever shall be made of any man , or of all thy people Israel , when every one shall know his own sore and his own grief , and shall spread forth his hands in this house : Then hear thou from heaven thy dwelling place , and forgive , and render unto every man according unto all his ways , whose heart thou knowest ; ( for thou only knowest the hearts of the children of men : ) That they may fear thee , to walk in thy ways , so long as they live in the land which thou gavest unto our fathers . Moreover concerning the stranger , which is not of thy people Israel , but is come from a far country for thy great name's sake , and thy mighty hand , and thy stretched out arm ; if they come and pray in this house ; Then hear thou from the heavens , even from thy dwelling place , and do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for ; that all people of the earth may know thy name , and fear thee , as doth thy people Israel , and may know that this house which I have built is called by thy name . If thy people go out to war against their enemies by the way that thou shalt send them , and they pray unto thee toward this city which thou hast chosen , and the house which I have built for thy name ; Then hear thou from the heavens their prayer and their supplication , and maintain their cause . If they sin against thee , ( for there is no man which sinneth not , ) and thou be angry with them , and deliver them over before their enemies , and they carry them away captives unto a land far off or near ; Yet if they bethink themselves in the land whither they are carried captive , and turn and pray unto thee in the land of their captivity , saying , We have sinned , we have done amiss , and have dealt wickedly ; If they return to thee with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their captivity , whither they have carried them captives , and pray toward their land , which thou gavest unto their fathers , and toward the city which thou hast chosen , and toward the house which I have built for thy name : Then hear thou from the heavens , even from thy dwelling place , their prayer and their supplications , and maintain their cause , and forgive thy people which have sinned against thee . Now , my God , let , I beseech thee , thine eyes be open , and let thine ears be attent unto the prayer that is made in this place . Now therefore arise , O LORD God , into thy resting place , thou , and the ark of thy strength : let thy priests , O LORD God , be clothed with salvation , and let thy saints rejoice in goodness . O LORD God , turn not away the face of thine anointed : remember the mercies of David thy servant . Now when Solomon had made an end of praying , the fire came down from heaven , and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices ; and the glory of the LORD filled the house . And the priests could not enter into the house of the LORD , because the glory of the LORD had filled the LORD's house . And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down , and the glory of the LORD upon the house , they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement , and worshipped , and praised the LORD , saying , For he is good ; for his mercy endureth for ever . Then the king and all the people offered sacrifices before the LORD . And king Solomon offered a sacrifice of twenty and two thousand oxen , and an hundred and twenty thousand sheep : so the king and all the people dedicated the house of God . And the priests waited on their offices : the Levites also with instruments of musick of the LORD , which David the king had made to praise the LORD , because his mercy endureth for ever , when David praised by their ministry ; and the priests sounded trumpets before them , and all Israel stood . Moreover Solomon hallowed the middle of the court that was before the house of the LORD : for there he offered burnt offerings , and the fat of the peace offerings , because the brasen altar which Solomon had made was not able to receive the burnt offerings , and the meat offerings , and the fat . Also at the same time Solomon kept the feast seven days , and all Israel with him , a very great congregation , from the entering in of Hamath unto the river of Egypt . And in the eighth day they made a solemn assembly : for they kept the dedication of the altar seven days , and the feast seven days . And on the three and twentieth day of the seventh month he sent the people away into their tents , glad and merry in heart for the goodness that the LORD had shewed unto David , and to Solomon , and to Israel his people . Thus Solomon finished the house of the LORD , and the king's house : and all that came into Solomon's heart to make in the house of the LORD , and in his own house , he prosperously effected . And the LORD appeared to Solomon by night , and said unto him , I have heard thy prayer , and have chosen this place to myself for an house of sacrifice . If I shut up heaven that there be no rain , or if I command the locusts to devour the land , or if I send pestilence among my people ; If my people , which are called by my name , shall humble themselves , and pray , and seek my face , and turn from their wicked ways ; then will I hear from heaven , and will forgive their sin , and will heal their land . Now mine eyes shall be open , and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place . For now have I chosen and sanctified this house , that my name may be there for ever : and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually . And as for thee , if thou wilt walk before me , as David thy father walked , and do according to all that I have commanded thee , and shalt observe my statues and my judgments ; Then will I stablish the throne of thy kingdom , according as I have covenanted with David thy father , saying , There shall not fail thee a man to be ruler in Israel . But if ye turn away , and forsake my statutes and my commandments , which I have set before you , and shall go and serve other gods , and worship them ; Then will I pluck them up by the roots out of my land which I have given them ; and this house , which I have sanctified for my name , will I cast out of my sight , and will make it to be a proverb and a byword among all nations . And this house , which is high , shall be an astonishment to every one that passeth by it ; so that he shall say , Why hath the LORD done thus unto this land , and unto this house ? And it shall be answered , Because they forsook the LORD God of their fathers , which brought them forth out of the land of Egypt , and laid hold on other gods , and worshipped them , and served them : therefore hath he brought all this evil upon them . And it came to pass at the end of twenty years , wherein Solomon had built the house of the LORD , and his own house , That the cities which Huram had restored to Solomon , Solomon built them , and caused the children of Israel to dwell there . And Solomon went to Hamath-zobah , and prevailed against it . And he built Tadmor in the wilderness , and all the store cities , which he built in Hamath . Also he built Beth-horon the upper , and Beth-horon the nether , fenced cities , with walls , gates , and bars ; And Baalath , and all the store cities that Solomon had , and all the chariot cities , and the cities of the horsemen , and all that Solomon desired to build in Jerusalem , and in Lebanon , and throughout all the land of his dominion . As for all the people that were left of the Hittites , and the Amorites , and the Perizzites , and the Hivites , and the Jebusites , which were not of Israel , But of their children , who were left after them in the land , whom the children of Israel consumed not , them did Solomon make to pay tribute until this day . But of the children of Israel did Solomon make no servants for his work ; but they were men of war , and chief of his captains , and captains of his chariots and horsemen . And these were the chief of king Solomon's officers , even two hundred and fifty , that bare rule over the people . And Solomon brought up the daughter of Pharaoh out of the city of David unto the house that he had built for her : for he said , My wife shall not dwell in the house of David king of Israel , because the places are holy , whereunto the ark of the LORD hath come . Then Solomon offered burnt offerings unto the LORD on the altar of the LORD , which he had built before the porch , Even after a certain rate every day , offering according to the commandment of Moses , on the sabbaths , and on the new moons , and on the solemn feasts , three times in the year , even in the feast of unleavened bread , and in the feast of weeks , and in the feast of tabernacles . And he appointed , according to the order of David his father , the courses of the priests to their service , and the Levites to their charges , to praise and minister before the priests , as the duty of every day required : the porters also by their courses at every gate : for so had David the man of God commanded . And they departed not from the commandment of the king unto the priests and Levites concerning any matter , or concerning the treasures . Now all the work of Solomon was prepared unto the day of the foundation of the house of the LORD , and until it was finished . So the house of the LORD was perfected . Then went Solomon to Ezion-geber , and to Eloth , at the sea side in the land of Edom . And Huram sent him by the hands of his servants ships , and servants that had knowledge of the sea ; and they went with the servants of Solomon to Ophir , and took thence four hundred and fifty talents of gold , and brought them to king Solomon . And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon , she came to prove Solomon with hard questions at Jerusalem , with a very great company , and camels that bare spices , and gold in abundance , and precious stones : and when she was come to Solomon , she communed with him of all that was in her heart . And Solomon told her all her questions : and there was nothing hid from Solomon which he told her not . And when the queen of Sheba had seen the wisdom of Solomon , and the house that he had built , And the meat of his table , and the sitting of his servants , and the attendance of his ministers , and their apparel ; his cupbearers also , and their apparel ; and his ascent by which he went up into the house of the LORD ; there was no more spirit in her . And she said to the king , It was a true report which I heard in mine own land of thine acts , and of thy wisdom : Howbeit I believed not their words , until I came , and mine eyes had seen it : and , behold , the one half of the greatness of thy wisdom was not told me : for thou exceedest the fame that I heard . Happy are thy men , and happy are these thy servants , which stand continually before thee , and hear thy wisdom . Blessed be the LORD thy God , which delighted in thee to set thee on his throne , to be king for the LORD thy God : because thy God loved Israel , to establish them for ever , therefore made he thee king over them , to do judgment and justice . And she gave the king an hundred and twenty talents of gold , and of spices great abundance , and precious stones : neither was there any such spice as the queen of Sheba gave king Solomon . And the servants also of Huram , and the servants of Solomon , which brought gold from Ophir , brought algum trees and precious stones . And the king made of the algum trees terraces to the house of the LORD , and to the king's palace , and harps and psalteries for singers : and there were none such seen before in the land of Judah . And king Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all her desire , whatsoever she asked , beside that which she had brought unto the king . So she turned , and went away to her own land , she and her servants . Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred and threescore and six talents of gold ; Beside that which chapmen and merchants brought . And all the kings of Arabia and governors of the country brought gold and silver to Solomon . And king Solomon made two hundred targets of beaten gold : six hundred shekels of beaten gold went to one target . And three hundred shields made he of beaten gold : three hundred shekels of gold went to one shield . And the king put them in the house of the forest of Lebanon . Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory , and overlaid it with pure gold . And there were six steps to the throne , with a footstool of gold , which were fastened to the throne , and stays on each side of the sitting place , and two lions standing by the stays : And twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other upon the six steps . There was not the like made in any kingdom . And all the drinking vessels of king Solomon were of gold , and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold : none were of silver ; it was not any thing accounted of in the days of Solomon . For the king's ships went to Tarshish with the servants of Huram : every three years once came the ships of Tarshish bringing gold , and silver , ivory , and apes , and peacocks . And king Solomon passed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom . And all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon , to hear his wisdom , that God had put in his heart . And they brought every man his present , vessels of silver , and vessels of gold , and raiment , harness , and spices , horses , and mules , a rate year by year . And Solomon had four thousand stalls for horses and chariots , and twelve thousand horsemen ; whom he bestowed in the chariot cities , and with the king at Jerusalem . And he reigned over all the kings from the river even unto the land of the Philistines , and to the border of Egypt . And the king made silver in Jerusalem as stones , and cedar trees made he as the sycomore trees that are in the low plains in abundance . And they brought unto Solomon horses out of Egypt , and out of all lands . Now the rest of the acts of Solomon , first and last , are they not written in the book of Nathan the prophet , and in the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite , and in the visions of Iddo the seer against Jeroboam the son of Nebat ? And Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel forty years . And Solomon slept with his fathers , and he was buried in the city of David his father : and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead . And Rehoboam went to Shechem : for to Shechem were all Israel come to make him king . And it came to pass , when Jeroboam the son of Nebat , who was in Egypt , whither he had fled from the presence of Solomon the king , heard it , that Jeroboam returned out of Egypt . And they sent and called him . So Jeroboam and all Israel came and spake to Rehoboam , saying , Thy father made our yoke grievous : now therefore ease thou somewhat the grievous servitude of thy father , and his heavy yoke that he put upon us , and we will serve thee . And he said unto them , Come again unto me after three days . And the people departed . And king Rehoboam took counsel with the old men that had stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived , saying , What counsel give ye me to return answer to this people ? And they spake unto him , saying , If thou be kind to this people , and please them , and speak good words to them , they will be thy servants for ever . But he forsook the counsel which the old men gave him , and took counsel with the young men that were brought up with him , that stood before him . And he said unto them , What advice give ye that we may return answer to this people , which have spoken to me , saying , Ease somewhat the yoke that thy father did put upon us ? And the young men that were brought up with him spake unto him , saying , Thus shalt thou answer the people that spake unto thee , saying , Thy father made our yoke heavy , but make thou it somewhat lighter for us ; thus shalt thou say unto them , My little finger shall be thicker than my father's loins . For whereas my father put a heavy yoke upon you , I will put more to your yoke : my father chastised you with whips , but I will chastise you with scorpions . So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam on the third day , as the king bade , saying , Come again to me on the third day . And the king answered them roughly ; and king Rehoboam forsook the counsel of the old men , And answered them after the advice of the young men , saying , My father made your yoke heavy , but I will add thereto : my father chastised you with whips , but I will chastise you with scorpions . So the king hearkened not unto the people : for the cause was of God , that the LORD might perform his word , which he spake by the hand of Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat . And when all Israel saw that the king would not hearken unto them , the people answered the king , saying , What portion have we in David ? and we have none inheritance in the son of Jesse : every man to your tents , O Israel : and now , David , see to thine own house . So all Israel went to their tents . But as for the children of Israel that dwelt in the cities of Judah , Rehoboam reigned over them . Then king Rehoboam sent Hadoram that was over the tribute ; and the children of Israel stoned him with stones , that he died . But king Rehoboam made speed to get him up to his chariot , to flee to Jerusalem . And Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day . And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem , he gathered of the house of Judah and Benjamin an hundred and fourscore thousand chosen men , which were warriors , to fight against Israel , that he might bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam . But the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah the man of God , saying , Speak unto Rehoboam the son of Solomon , king of Judah , and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin , saying , Thus saith the LORD , Ye shall not go up , nor fight against your brethren : return every man to his house : for this thing is done of me . And they obeyed the words of the LORD , and returned from going against Jeroboam . And Rehoboam dwelt in Jerusalem , and built cities for defence in Judah . He built even Bethlehem , and Etam , and Tekoa , And Beth-zur , and Shoco , and Adullam , And Gath , and Mareshah , and Ziph , And Adoraim , and Lachish , and Azekah , And Zorah , and Aijalon , and Hebron , which are in Judah and in Benjamin fenced cities . And he fortified the strong holds , and put captains in them , and store of victual , and of oil and wine . And in every several city he put shields and spears , and made them exceeding strong , having Judah and Benjamin on his side . And the priests and the Levites that were in all Israel resorted to him out of all their coasts . For the Levites left their suburbs and their possession , and came to Judah and Jerusalem : for Jeroboam and his sons had cast them off from executing the priest's office unto the LORD : And he ordained him priests for the high places , and for the devils , and for the calves which he had made . And after them out of all the tribes of Israel such as set their hearts to seek the LORD God of Israel came to Jerusalem , to sacrifice unto the LORD God of their fathers . So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah , and made Rehoboam the son of Solomon strong , three years : for three years they walked in the way of David and Solomon . And Rehoboam took him Mahalath the daughter of Jerimoth the son of David to wife , and Abihail the daughter of Eliab the son of Jesse ; Which bare him children ; Jeush , and Shamariah , and Zaham . And after her he took Maachah the daughter of Absalom ; which bare him Abijah , and Attai , and Ziza , and Shelomith . And Rehoboam loved Maachah the daughter of Absalom above all his wives and his concubines : ( for he took eighteen wives , and threescore concubines ; and begat twenty and eight sons , and threescore daughters . ) And Rehoboam made Abijah the son of Maachah the chief , to be ruler among his brethren : for he thought to make him king . And he dealt wisely , and dispersed of all his children throughout all the countries of Judah and Benjamin , unto every fenced city : and he gave them victual in abundance . And he desired many wives . And it came to pass , when Rehoboam had established the kingdom , and had strengthened himself , he forsook the law of the LORD , and all Israel with him . And it came to pass , that in the fifth year of king Rehoboam Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem , because they had transgressed against the LORD , With twelve hundred chariots , and threescore thousand horsemen : and the people were without number that came with him out of Egypt ; the Lubims , the Sukkiims , and the Ethiopians . And he took the fenced cities which pertained to Judah , and came to Jerusalem . Then came Shemaiah the prophet to Rehoboam , and to the princes of Judah , that were gathered together to Jerusalem because of Shishak , and said unto them , Thus saith the LORD , Ye have forsaken me , and therefore have I also left you in the hand of Shishak . Whereupon the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves ; and they said , The LORD is righteous . And when the LORD saw that they humbled themselves , the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah , saying , They have humbled themselves ; therefore I will not destroy them , but I will grant them some deliverance ; and my wrath shall not be poured out upon Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak . Nevertheless they shall be his servants ; that they may know my service , and the service of the kingdoms of the countries . So Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem , and took away the treasures of the house of the LORD , and the treasures of the king's house ; he took all : he carried away also the shields of gold which Solomon had made . Instead of which king Rehoboam made shields of brass , and committed them to the hands of the chief of the guard , that kept the entrance of the king's house . And when the king entered into the house of the LORD , the guard came and fetched them , and brought them again into the guard chamber . And when he humbled himself , the wrath of the LORD turned from him that he would not destroy him altogether : and also in Judah things went well . So king Rehoboam strengthened himself in Jerusalem , and reigned : for Rehoboam was one and forty years old when he began to reign , and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem , the city which the LORD had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel , to put his name there . And his mother's name was Naamah an Ammonitess . And he did evil , because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD . Now the acts of Rehoboam , first and last , are they not written in the book of Shemaiah the prophet , and of Iddo the seer concerning genealogies ? And there were wars between Rehoboam and Jeroboam continually . And Rehoboam slept with his fathers , and was buried in the city of David : and Abijah his son reigned in his stead . Now in the eighteenth year of king Jeroboam began Abijah to reign over Judah . He reigned three years in Jerusalem . His mother's name also was Michaiah the daughter of Uriel of Gibeah . And there was war between Abijah and Jeroboam . And Abijah set the battle in array with an army of valiant men of war , even four hundred thousand chosen men : Jeroboam also set the battle in array against him with eight hundred thousand chosen men , being mighty men of valour . And Abijah stood up upon mount Zemaraim , which is in mount Ephraim , and said , Hear me , thou Jeroboam , and all Israel ; Ought ye not to know that the LORD God of Israel gave the kingdom over Israel to David for ever , even to him and to his sons by a covenant of salt ? Yet Jeroboam the son of Nebat , the servant of Solomon the son of David , is risen up , and hath rebelled against his lord . And there are gathered unto him vain men , the children of Belial , and have strengthened themselves against Rehoboam the son of Solomon , when Rehoboam was young and tenderhearted , and could not withstand them . And now ye think to withstand the kingdom of the LORD in the hand of the sons of David ; and ye be a great multitude , and there are with you golden calves , which Jeroboam made you for gods . Have ye not cast out the priests of the LORD , the sons of Aaron , and the Levites , and have made you priests after the manner of the nations of other lands ? so that whosoever cometh to consecrate himself with a young bullock and seven rams , the same may be a priest of them that are no gods . But as for us , the LORD is our God , and we have not forsaken him ; and the priests , which minister unto the LORD , are the sons of Aaron , and the Levites wait upon their business : And they burn unto the LORD every morning and every evening burnt sacrifices and sweet incense : the shewbread also set they in order upon the pure table ; and the candlestick of gold with the lamps thereof , to burn every evening : for we keep the charge of the LORD our God ; but ye have forsaken him . And , behold , God himself is with us for our captain , and his priests with sounding trumpets to cry alarm against you . O children of Israel , fight ye not against the LORD God of your fathers ; for ye shall not prosper . But Jeroboam caused an ambushment to come about behind them : so they were before Judah , and the ambushment was behind them . And when Judah looked back , behold , the battle was before and behind : and they cried unto the LORD , and the priests sounded with the trumpets . Then the men of Judah gave a shout : and as the men of Judah shouted , it came to pass , that God smote Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah . And the children of Israel fled before Judah : and God delivered them into their hand . And Abijah and his people slew them with a great slaughter : so there fell down slain of Israel five hundred thousand chosen men . Thus the children of Israel were brought under at that time , and the children of Judah prevailed , because they relied upon the LORD God of their fathers . And Abijah pursued after Jeroboam , and took cities from him , Bethel with the towns thereof , and Jeshnah with the towns thereof , and Ephrain with the towns thereof . Neither did Jeroboam recover strength again in the days of Abijah : and the LORD struck him , and he died . But Abijah waxed mighty , and married fourteen wives , and begat twenty and two sons , and sixteen daughters . And the rest of the acts of Abijah , and his ways , and his sayings , are written in the story of the prophet Iddo . So Abijah slept with his fathers , and they buried him in the city of David : and Asa his son reigned in his stead . In his days the land was quiet ten years . And Asa did that which was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God : For he took away the altars of the strange gods , and the high places , and brake down the images , and cut down the groves : And commanded Judah to seek the LORD God of their fathers , and to do the law and the commandment . Also he took away out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the images : and the kingdom was quiet before him . And he built fenced cities in Judah : for the land had rest , and he had no war in those years ; because the LORD had given him rest . Therefore he said unto Judah , Let us build these cities , and make about them walls , and towers , gates , and bars , while the land is yet before us ; because we have sought the LORD our God , we have sought him , and he hath given us rest on every side . So they built and prospered . And Asa had an army of men that bare targets and spears , out of Judah three hundred thousand ; and out of Benjamin , that bare shields and drew bows , two hundred and fourscore thousand : all these were mighty men of valour . And there came out against them Zerah the Ethiopian with an host of a thousand thousand , and three hundred chariots ; and came unto Mareshah . Then Asa went out against him , and they set the battle in array in the valley of Zephathah at Mareshah . And Asa cried unto the LORD his God , and said , LORD , it is nothing with thee to help , whether with many , or with them that have no power : help us , O LORD our God ; for we rest on thee , and in thy name we go against this multitude . O LORD , thou art our God ; let not man prevail against thee . So the LORD smote the Ethiopians before Asa and before Judah ; and the Ethiopians fled . And Asa and the people that were with him pursued them unto Gerar : and the Ethiopians were overthrown , that they could not recover themselves ; for they were destroyed before the LORD , and before his host ; and they carried away very much spoil . And they smote all the cities round about Gerar ; for the fear of the LORD came upon them : and they spoiled all the cities ; for there was exceeding much spoil in them . They smote also the tents of cattle , and carried away sheep and camels in abundance , and returned to Jerusalem . And the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded : And he went out to meet Asa , and said unto him , Hear ye me , Asa , and all Judah and Benjamin ; The LORD is with you , while ye be with him ; and if ye seek him , he will be found of you ; but if ye forsake him , he will forsake you . Now for a long season Israel hath been without the true God , and without a teaching priest , and without law . But when they in their trouble did turn unto the LORD God of Israel , and sought him , he was found of them . And in those times there was no peace to him that went out , nor to him that came in , but great vexations were upon all the inhabitants of the countries . And nation was destroyed of nation , and city of city : for God did vex them with all adversity . Be ye strong therefore , and let not your hands be weak : for your work shall be rewarded . And when Asa heard these words , and the prophecy of Oded the prophet , he took courage , and put away the abominable idols out of all the land of Judah and Benjamin , and out of the cities which he had taken from mount Ephraim , and renewed the altar of the LORD , that was before the porch of the LORD . And he gathered all Judah and Benjamin , and the strangers with them out of Ephraim and Manasseh , and out of Simeon : for they fell to him out of Israel in abundance , when they saw that the LORD his God was with him . So they gathered themselves together at Jerusalem in the third month , in the fifteenth year of the reign of Asa . And they offered unto the LORD the same time , of the spoil which they had brought , seven hundred oxen and seven thousand sheep . And they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul ; That whosoever would not seek the LORD God of Israel should be put to death , whether small or great , whether man or woman . And they sware unto the LORD with a loud voice , and with shouting , and with trumpets , and with cornets . And all Judah rejoiced at the oath : for they had sworn with all their heart , and sought him with their whole desire ; and he was found of them : and the LORD gave them rest round about . And also concerning Maachah the mother of Asa the king , he removed her from being queen , because she had made an idol in a grove : and Asa cut down her idol , and stamped it , and burnt it at the brook Kidron . But the high places were not taken away out of Israel : nevertheless the heart of Asa was perfect all his days . And he brought into the house of God the things that his father had dedicated , and that he himself had dedicated , silver , and gold , and vessels . And there was no more war unto the five and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa . In the six and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah , and built Ramah , to the intent that he might let none go out or come in to Asa king of Judah . Then Asa brought out silver and gold out of the treasures of the house of the LORD and of the king's house , and sent to Ben-hadad king of Syria , that dwelt at Damascus , saying , There is a league between me and thee , as there was between my father and thy father : behold , I have sent thee silver and gold ; go , break thy league with Baasha king of Israel , that he may depart from me . And Ben-hadad hearkened unto king Asa , and sent the captains of his armies against the cities of Israel ; and they smote Ijon , and Dan , and Abel-maim , and all the store cities of Naphtali . And it came to pass , when Baasha heard it , that he left off building of Ramah , and let his work cease . Then Asa the king took all Judah ; and they carried away the stones of Ramah , and the timber thereof , wherewith Baasha was building ; and he built therewith Geba and Mizpah . And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah , and said unto him , Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria , and not relied on the LORD thy God , therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand . Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubims a huge host , with very many chariots and horsemen ? yet , because thou didst rely on the LORD , he delivered them into thine hand . For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth , to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him . Herein thou hast done foolishly : therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars . Then Asa was wroth with the seer , and put him in a prison house ; for he was in a rage with him because of this thing . And Asa oppressed some of the people the same time . And , behold , the acts of Asa , first and last , lo , they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel . And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet , until his disease was exceeding great : yet in his disease he sought not to the LORD , but to the physicians . And Asa slept with his fathers , and died in the one and fortieth year of his reign . And they buried him in his own sepulchres , which he had made for himself in the city of David , and laid him in the bed which was filled with sweet odours and divers kinds of spices prepared by the apothecaries' art : and they made a very great burning for him . And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead , and strengthened himself against Israel . And he placed forces in all the fenced cities of Judah , and set garrisons in the land of Judah , and in the cities of Ephraim , which Asa his father had taken . And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat , because he walked in the first ways of his father David , and sought not unto Baalim ; But sought to the LORD God of his father , and walked in his commandments , and not after the doings of Israel . Therefore the LORD stablished the kingdom in his hand ; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents ; and he had riches and honour in abundance . And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD : moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah . Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes , even to Ben-hail , and to Obadiah , and to Zechariah , and to Nethaneel , and to Michaiah , to teach in the cities of Judah . And with them he sent Levites , even Shemaiah , and Nethaniah , and Zebadiah , and Asahel , and Shemiramoth , and Jehonathan , and Adonijah , and Tobijah , and Tob-adonijah , Levites ; and with them Elishama and Jehoram , priests . And they taught in Judah , and had the book of the law of the LORD with them , and went about throughout all the cities of Judah , and taught the people . And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah , so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat . Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents , and tribute silver ; and the Arabians brought him flocks , seven thousand and seven hundred rams , and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats . And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly ; and he built in Judah castles , and cities of store . And he had much business in the cities of Judah : and the men of war , mighty men of valour , were in Jerusalem . And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers : Of Judah , the captains of thousands ; Adnah the chief , and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand . And next to him was Jehohanan the captain , and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand . And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri , who willingly offered himself unto the LORD ; and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour . And of Benjamin ; Eliada a mighty man of valour , and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand . And next him was Jehozabad , and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war . These waited on the king , beside those whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah . Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honour in abundance , and joined affinity with Ahab . And after certain years he went down to Ahab to Samaria . And Ahab killed sheep and oxen for him in abundance , and for the people that he had with him , and persuaded him to go up with him to Ramoth-gilead . And Ahab king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat king of Judah , Wilt thou go with me to Ramoth-gilead ? And he answered him , I am as thou art , and my people as thy people ; and we will be with thee in the war . And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel , Inquire , I pray thee , at the word of the LORD to day . Therefore the king of Israel gathered together of prophets four hundred men , and said unto them , Shall we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle , or shall I forbear ? And they said , Go up ; for God will deliver it into the king's hand . But Jehoshaphat said , Is there not here a prophet of the LORD besides , that we might inquire of him ? And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat , There is yet one man , by whom we may inquire of the LORD : but I hate him ; for he never prophesied good unto me , but always evil : the same is Micaiah the son of Imla . And Jehoshaphat said , Let not the king say so . And the king of Israel called for one of his officers , and said , Fetch quickly Micaiah the son of Imla . And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah sat either of them on his throne , clothed in their robes , and they sat in a void place at the entering in of the gate of Samaria ; and all the prophets prophesied before them . And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah had made him horns of iron , and said , Thus saith the LORD , With these thou shalt push Syria until they be consumed . And all the prophets prophesied so , saying , Go up to Ramoth-gilead , and prosper : for the LORD shall deliver it into the hand of the king . And the messenger that went to call Micaiah spake to him , saying , Behold , the words of the prophets declare good to the king with one assent ; let thy word therefore , I pray thee , be like one of theirs , and speak thou good . And Micaiah said , As the LORD liveth , even what my God saith , that will I speak . And when he was come to the king , the king said unto him , Micaiah , shall we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle , or shall I forbear ? And he said , Go ye up , and prosper , and they shall be delivered into your hand . And the king said to him , How many times shall I adjure thee that thou say nothing but the truth to me in the name of the LORD ? Then he said , I did see all Israel scattered upon the mountains , as sheep that have no shepherd : and the LORD said , These have no master ; let them return therefore every man to his house in peace . And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat , Did I not tell thee that he would not prophesy good unto me , but evil ? Again he said , Therefore hear the word of the LORD ; I saw the LORD sitting upon his throne , and all the host of heaven standing on his right hand and on his left . And the LORD said , Who shall entice Ahab king of Israel , that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead ? And one spake saying after this manner , and another saying after that manner . Then there came out a spirit , and stood before the LORD , and said , I will entice him . And the LORD said unto him , Wherewith ? And he said , I will go out , and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets . And the LORD said , Thou shalt entice him , and thou shalt also prevail : go out , and do even so . Now therefore , behold , the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of these thy prophets , and the LORD hath spoken evil against thee . Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near , and smote Micaiah upon the cheek , and said , Which way went the Spirit of the LORD from me to speak unto thee ? And Micaiah said , Behold , thou shalt see on that day when thou shalt go into an inner chamber to hide thyself . Then the king of Israel said , Take ye Micaiah , and carry him back to Amon the governor of the city , and to Joash the king's son ; And say , Thus saith the king , Put this fellow in the prison , and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction , until I return in peace . And Micaiah said , If thou certainly return in peace , then hath not the LORD spoken by me . And he said , Hearken , all ye people . So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramoth-gilead . And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat , I will disguise myself , and will go to the battle ; but put thou on thy robes . So the king of Israel disguised himself ; and they went to the battle . Now the king of Syria had commanded the captains of the chariots that were with him , saying , Fight ye not with small or great , save only with the king of Israel . And it came to pass , when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat , that they said , It is the king of Israel . Therefore they compassed about him to fight : but Jehoshaphat cried out , and the LORD helped him ; and God moved them to depart from him . For it came to pass , that , when the captains of the chariots perceived that it was not the king of Israel , they turned back again from pursuing him . And a certain man drew a bow at a venture , and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness : therefore he said to his chariot man , Turn thine hand , that thou mayest carry me out of the host ; for I am wounded . And the battle increased that day : howbeit the king of Israel stayed himself up in his chariot against the Syrians until the even : and about the time of the sun going down he died . And Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem . And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him , and said to king Jehoshaphat , Shouldest thou help the ungodly , and love them that hate the LORD ? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the LORD . Nevertheless there are good things found in thee , in that thou hast taken away the groves out of the land , and hast prepared thine heart to seek God . And Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem : and he went out again through the people from Beer-sheba to mount Ephraim , and brought them back unto the LORD God of their fathers . And he set judges in the land throughout all the fenced cities of Judah , city by city , And said to the judges , Take heed what ye do : for ye judge not for man , but for the LORD , who is with you in the judgment . Wherefore now let the fear of the LORD be upon you ; take heed and do it : for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God , nor respect of persons , nor taking of gifts . Moreover in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites , and of the priests , and of the chief of the fathers of Israel , for the judgment of the LORD , and for controversies , when they returned to Jerusalem . And he charged them , saying , Thus shall ye do in the fear of the LORD , faithfully , and with a perfect heart . And what cause soever shall come to you of your brethren that dwell in their cities , between blood and blood , between law and commandment , statutes and judgments , ye shall even warn them that they trespass not against the LORD , and so wrath come upon you , and upon your brethren : this do , and ye shall not trespass . And , behold , Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of the LORD ; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael , the ruler of the house of Judah , for all the king's matters : also the Levites shall be officers before you . Deal courageously , and the LORD shall be with the good . It came to pass after this also , that the children of Moab , and the children of Ammon , and with them other beside the Ammonites , came against Jehoshaphat to battle . Then there came some that told Jehoshaphat , saying , There cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea on this side Syria ; and , behold , they be Hazazon-tamar , which is En-gedi . And Jehoshaphat feared , and set himself to seek the LORD , and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah . And Judah gathered themselves together , to ask help of the LORD : even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD . And Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation of Judah and Jerusalem , in the house of the LORD , before the new court , And said , O LORD God of our fathers , art not thou God in heaven ? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen ? and in thine hand is there not power and might , so that none is able to withstand thee ? Art not thou our God , who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel , and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend for ever ? And they dwelt therein , and have built thee a sanctuary therein for thy name , saying , If , when evil cometh upon us , as the sword , judgment , or pestilence , or famine , we stand before this house , and in thy presence , ( for thy name is in this house , ) and cry unto thee in our affliction , then thou wilt hear and help . And now , behold , the children of Ammon and Moab and mount Seir , whom thou wouldest not let Israel invade , when they came out of the land of Egypt , but they turned from them , and destroyed them not ; Behold , I say , how they reward us , to come to cast us out of thy possession , which thou hast given us to inherit . O our God , wilt thou not judge them ? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us ; neither know we what to do : but our eyes are upon thee . And all Judah stood before the LORD , with their little ones , their wives , and their children . Then upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah , the son of Benaiah , the son of Jeiel , the son of Mattaniah , a Levite of the sons of Asaph , came the Spirit of the LORD in the midst of the congregation ; And he said , Hearken ye , all Judah , and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem , and thou king Jehoshaphat , Thus saith the LORD unto you , Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude ; for the battle is not yours , but God's . To morrow go ye down against them : behold , they come up by the cliff of Ziz ; and ye shall find them at the end of the brook , before the wilderness of Jeruel . Ye shall not need to fight in this battle : set yourselves , stand ye still , and see the salvation of the LORD with you , O Judah and Jerusalem : fear not , nor be dismayed ; to morrow go out against them : for the LORD will be with you . And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground : and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the LORD , worshipping the LORD . And the Levites , of the children of the Kohathites , and of the children of the Korhites , stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel with a loud voice on high . And they rose early in the morning , and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa : and as they went forth , Jehoshaphat stood and said , Hear me , O Judah , and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem ; Believe in the LORD your God , so shall ye be established ; believe his prophets , so shall ye prosper . And when he had consulted with the people , he appointed singers unto the LORD , and that should praise the beauty of holiness , as they went out before the army , and to say , Praise the LORD ; for his mercy endureth for ever . And when they began to sing and to praise , the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon , Moab , and mount Seir , which were come against Judah ; and they were smitten . For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of mount Seir , utterly to slay and destroy them : and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir , every one helped to destroy another . And when Judah came toward the watch tower in the wilderness , they looked unto the multitude , and , behold , they were dead bodies fallen to the earth , and none escaped . And when Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away the spoil of them , they found among them in abundance both riches with the dead bodies , and precious jewels , which they stripped off for themselves , more than they could carry away : and they were three days in gathering of the spoil , it was so much . And on the fourth day they assembled themselves in the valley of Berachah ; for there they blessed the LORD : therefore the name of the same place was called , The valley of Berachah , unto this day . Then they returned , every man of Judah and Jerusalem , and Jehoshaphat in the forefront of them , to go again to Jerusalem with joy ; for the LORD had made them to rejoice over their enemies . And they came to Jerusalem with psalteries and harps and trumpets unto the house of the LORD . And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of those countries , when they had heard that the LORD fought against the enemies of Israel . So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet : for his God gave him rest round about . And Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah : he was thirty and five years old when he began to reign , and he reigned twenty and five years in Jerusalem . And his mother's name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi . And he walked in the way of Asa his father , and departed not from it , doing that which was right in the sight of the LORD . Howbeit the high places were not taken away : for as yet the people had not prepared their hearts unto the God of their fathers . Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat , first and last , behold , they are written in the book of Jehu the son of Hanani , who is mentioned in the book of the kings of Israel . And after this did Jehoshaphat king of Judah join himself with Ahaziah king of Israel , who did very wickedly : And he joined himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish : and they made the ships in Ezion-geber . Then Eliezer the son of Dodavah of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat , saying , Because thou hast joined thyself with Ahaziah , the LORD hath broken thy works . And the ships were broken , that they were not able to go to Tarshish . Now Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers , and was buried with his fathers in the city of David . And Jehoram his son reigned in his stead . And he had brethren the sons of Jehoshaphat , Azariah , and Jehiel , and Zechariah , and Azariah , and Michael , and Shephatiah : all these were the sons of Jehoshaphat king of Israel . And their father gave them great gifts of silver , and of gold , and of precious things , with fenced cities in Judah : but the kingdom gave he to Jehoram ; because he was the firstborn . Now when Jehoram was risen up to the kingdom of his father , he strengthened himself , and slew all his brethren with the sword , and divers also of the princes of Israel . Jehoram was thirty and two years old when he began to reign , and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem . And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel , like as did the house of Ahab : for he had the daughter of Ahab to wife : and he wrought that which was evil in the eyes of the LORD . Howbeit the LORD would not destroy the house of David , because of the covenant that he had made with David , and as he promised to give a light to him and to his sons for ever . In his days the Edomites revolted from under the dominion of Judah , and made themselves a king . Then Jehoram went forth with his princes , and all his chariots with him : and he rose up by night , and smote the Edomites which compassed him in , and the captains of the chariots . So the Edomites revolted from under the hand of Judah unto this day . The same time also did Libnah revolt from under his hand ; because he had forsaken the LORD God of his fathers . Moreover he made high places in the mountains of Judah , and caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to commit fornication , and compelled Judah thereto . And there came a writing to him from Elijah the prophet , saying , Thus saith the LORD God of David thy father , Because thou hast not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat thy father , nor in the ways of Asa king of Judah , But hast walked in the way of the kings of Israel , and hast made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to go a whoring , like to the whoredoms of the house of Ahab , and also hast slain thy brethren of thy father's house , which were better than thyself : Behold , with a great plague will the LORD smite thy people , and thy children , and thy wives , and all thy goods : And thou shalt have great sickness by disease of thy bowels , until thy bowels fall out by reason of the sickness day by day . Moreover the LORD stirred up against Jehoram the spirit of the Philistines , and of the Arabians , that were near the Ethiopians : And they came up into Judah , and brake into it , and carried away all the substance that was found in the king's house , and his sons also , and his wives ; so that there was never a son left him , save Jehoahaz , the youngest of his sons . And after all this the LORD smote him in his bowels with an incurable disease . And it came to pass , that in process of time , after the end of two years , his bowels fell out by reason of his sickness : so he died of sore diseases . And his people made no burning for him , like the burning of his fathers . Thirty and two years old was he when he began to reign , and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years , and departed without being desired . Howbeit they buried him in the city of David , but not in the sepulchres of the kings . And the inhabitants of Jerusalem made Ahaziah his youngest son king in his stead : for the band of men that came with the Arabians to the camp had slain all the eldest . So Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah reigned . Forty and two years old was Ahaziah when he began to reign , and he reigned one year in Jerusalem . His mother's name also was Athaliah the daughter of Omri . He also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab : for his mother was his counseller to do wickedly . Wherefore he did evil in the sight of the LORD like the house of Ahab : for they were his counsellers after the death of his father to his destruction . He walked also after their counsel , and went with Jehoram the son of Ahab king of Israel to war against Hazael king of Syria at Ramoth-gilead : and the Syrians smote Joram . And he returned to be healed in Jezreel because of the wounds which were given him at Ramah , when he fought with Hazael king of Syria . And Azariah the son of Jehoram king of Judah went down to see Jehoram the son of Ahab at Jezreel , because he was sick . And the destruction of Ahaziah was of God by coming to Joram : for when he was come , he went out with Jehoram against Jehu the son of Nimshi , whom the LORD had anointed to cut off the house of Ahab . And it came to pass , that , when Jehu was executing judgment upon the house of Ahab , and found the princes of Judah , and the sons of the brethren of Ahaziah , that ministered to Ahaziah , he slew them . And he sought Ahaziah : and they caught him , ( for he was hid in Samaria , ) and brought him to Jehu : and when they had slain him , they buried him : Because , said they , he is the son of Jehoshaphat , who sought the LORD with all his heart . So the house of Ahaziah had no power to keep still the kingdom . But when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead , she arose and destroyed all the seed royal of the house of Judah . But Jehoshabeath , the daughter of the king , took Joash the son of Ahaziah , and stole him from among the king's sons that were slain , and put him and his nurse in a bedchamber . So Jehoshabeath , the daughter of king Jehoram , the wife of Jehoiada the priest , ( for she was the sister of Ahaziah , ) hid him from Athaliah , so that she slew him not . And he was with them hid in the house of God six years : and Athaliah reigned over the land . And in the seventh year Jehoiada strengthened himself , and took the captains of hundreds , Azariah the son of Jeroham , and Ishmael the son of Jehohanan , and Azariah the son of Obed , and Maaseiah the son of Adaiah , and Elishaphat the son of Zichri , into covenant with him . And they went about in Judah , and gathered the Levites out of all the cities of Judah , and the chief of the fathers of Israel , and they came to Jerusalem . And all the congregation made a covenant with the king in the house of God . And he said unto them , Behold , the king's son shall reign , as the LORD hath said of the sons of David . This is the thing that ye shall do ; A third part of you entering on the sabbath , of the priests and of the Levites , shall be porters of the doors ; And a third part shall be at the king's house ; and a third part at the gate of the foundation : and all the people shall be in the courts of the house of the LORD . But let none come into the house of the LORD , save the priests , and they that minister of the Levites ; they shall go in , for they are holy : but all the people shall keep the watch of the LORD . And the Levites shall compass the king round about , every man with his weapons in his hand ; and whosoever else cometh into the house , he shall be put to death : but be ye with the king when he cometh in , and when he goeth out . So the Levites and all Judah did according to all things that Jehoiada the priest had commanded , and took every man his men that were to come in on the sabbath , with them that were to go out on the sabbath : for Jehoiada the priest dismissed not the courses . Moreover Jehoiada the priest delivered to the captains of hundreds spears , and bucklers , and shields , that had been king David's , which were in the house of God . And he set all the people , every man having his weapon in his hand , from the right side of the temple to the left side of the temple , along by the altar and the temple , by the king round about . Then they brought out the king's son , and put upon him the crown , and gave him the testimony , and made him king . And Jehoiada and his sons anointed him , and said , God save the king . Now when Athaliah heard the noise of the people running and praising the king , she came to the people into the house of the LORD : And she looked , and , behold , the king stood at his pillar at the entering in , and the princes and the trumpets by the king : and all the people of the land rejoiced , and sounded with trumpets , also the singers with instruments of musick , and such as taught to sing praise . Then Athaliah rent her clothes , and said , Treason , Treason . Then Jehoiada the priest brought out the captains of hundreds that were set over the host , and said unto them , Have her forth of the ranges : and whoso followeth her , let him be slain with the sword . For the priest said , Slay her not in the house of the LORD . So they laid hands on her ; and when she was come to the entering of the horse gate by the king's house , they slew her there . And Jehoiada made a covenant between him , and between all the people , and between the king , that they should be the LORD's people . Then all the people went to the house of Baal , and brake it down , and brake his altars and his images in pieces , and slew Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars . Also Jehoiada appointed the offices of the house of the LORD by the hand of the priests the Levites , whom David had distributed in the house of the LORD , to offer the burnt offerings of the LORD , as it is written in the law of Moses , with rejoicing and with singing , as it was ordained by David . And he set the porters at the gates of the house of the LORD , that none which was unclean in any thing should enter in . And he took the captains of hundreds , and the nobles , and the governors of the people , and all the people of the land , and brought down the king from the house of the LORD : and they came through the high gate into the king's house , and set the king upon the throne of the kingdom . And all the people of the land rejoiced : and the city was quiet , after that they had slain Athaliah with the sword . Joash was seven years old when he began to reign , and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem . His mother's name also was Zibiah of Beer-sheba . And Joash did that which was right in the sight of the LORD all the days of Jehoiada the priest . And Jehoiada took for him two wives ; and he begat sons and daughters . And it came to pass after this , that Joash was minded to repair the house of the LORD . And he gathered together the priests and the Levites , and said to them , Go out unto the cities of Judah , and gather of all Israel money to repair the house of your God from year to year , and see that ye hasten the matter . Howbeit the Levites hastened it not . And the king called for Jehoiada the chief , and said unto him , Why hast thou not required of the Levites to bring in out of Judah and out of Jerusalem the collection , according to the commandment of Moses the servant of the LORD , and of the congregation of Israel , for the tabernacle of witness ? For the sons of Athaliah , that wicked woman , had broken up the house of God ; and also all the dedicated things of the house of the LORD did they bestow upon Baalim . And at the king's commandment they made a chest , and set it without at the gate of the house of the LORD . And they made a proclamation through Judah and Jerusalem , to bring in to the LORD the collection that Moses the servant of God laid upon Israel in the wilderness . And all the princes and all the people rejoiced , and brought in , and cast into the chest , until they had made an end . Now it came to pass , that at what time the chest was brought unto the king's office by the hand of the Levites , and when they saw that there was much money , the king's scribe and the high priest's officer came and emptied the chest , and took it , and carried it to his place again . Thus they did day by day , and gathered money in abundance . And the king and Jehoiada gave it to such as did the work of the service of the house of the LORD , and hired masons and carpenters to repair the house of the LORD , and also such as wrought iron and brass to mend the house of the LORD . So the workmen wrought , and the work was perfected by them , and they set the house of God in his state , and strengthened it . And when they had finished it , they brought the rest of the money before the king and Jehoiada , whereof were made vessels for the house of the LORD , even vessels to minister , and to offer withal , and spoons , and vessels of gold and silver . And they offered burnt offerings in the house of the LORD continually all the days of Jehoiada . But Jehoiada waxed old , and was full of days when he died ; an hundred and thirty years old was he when he died . And they buried him in the city of David among the kings , because he had done good in Israel , both toward God , and toward his house . Now after the death of Jehoiada came the princes of Judah , and made obeisance to the king . Then the king hearkened unto them . And they left the house of the LORD God of their fathers , and served groves and idols : and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this their trespass . Yet he sent prophets to them , to bring them again unto the LORD ; and they testified against them : but they would not give ear . And the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest , which stood above the people , and said unto them , Thus saith God , Why transgress ye the commandments of the LORD , that ye cannot prosper ? because ye have forsaken the LORD , he hath also forsaken you . And they conspired against him , and stoned him with stones at the commandment of the king in the court of the house of the LORD . Thus Joash the king remembered not the kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him , but slew his son . And when he died , he said , The LORD look upon it , and require it . And it came to pass at the end of the year , that the host of Syria came up against him : and they came to Judah and Jerusalem , and destroyed all the princes of the people from among the people , and sent all the spoil of them unto the king of Damascus . For the army of the Syrians came with a small company of men , and the LORD delivered a very great host into their hand , because they had forsaken the LORD God of their fathers . So they executed judgment against Joash . And when they were departed from him , ( for they left him in great diseases , ) his own servants conspired against him for the blood of the sons of Jehoiada the priest , and slew him on his bed , and he died : and they buried him in the city of David , but they buried him not in the sepulchres of the kings . And these are they that conspired against him ; Zabad the son of Shimeath an Ammonitess , and Jehozabad the son of Shimrith a Moabitess . Now concerning his sons , and the greatness of the burdens laid upon him , and the repairing of the house of God , behold , they are written in the story of the book of the kings . And Amaziah his son reigned in his stead . Amaziah was twenty and five years old when he began to reign , and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem . And his mother's name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem . And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD , but not with a perfect heart . Now it came to pass , when the kingdom was established to him , that he slew his servants that had killed the king his father . But he slew not their children , but did as it is written in the law in the book of Moses , where the LORD commanded , saying , The fathers shall not die for the children , neither shall the children die for the fathers , but every man shall die for his own sin . Moreover Amaziah gathered Judah together , and made them captains over thousands , and captains over hundreds , according to the houses of their fathers , throughout all Judah and Benjamin : and he numbered them from twenty years old and above , and found them three hundred thousand choice men , able to go forth to war , that could handle spear and shield . He hired also an hundred thousand mighty men of valour out of Israel for an hundred talents of silver . But there came a man of God to him , saying , O king , let not the army of Israel go with thee ; for the LORD is not with Israel , to wit , with all the children of Ephraim . But if thou wilt go , do it , be strong for the battle : God shall make thee fall before the enemy : for God hath power to help , and to cast down . And Amaziah said to the man of God , But what shall we do for the hundred talents which I have given to the army of Israel ? And the man of God answered , The LORD is able to give thee much more than this . Then Amaziah separated them , to wit , the army that was come to him out of Ephraim , to go home again : wherefore their anger was greatly kindled against Judah , and they returned home in great anger . And Amaziah strengthened himself , and led forth his people , and went to the valley of salt , and smote of the chidren of Seir ten thousand . And other ten thousand left alive did the children of Judah carry away captive , and brought them unto the top of the rock , and cast them down from the top of the rock , that they all were broken in pieces . But the soldiers of the army which Amaziah sent back , that they should not go with him to battle , fell upon the cities of Judah , from Samaria even unto Beth-horon , and smote three thousand of them , and took much spoil . Now it came to pass , after that Amaziah was come from the slaughter of the Edomites , that he brought the gods of the children of Seir , and set them up to be his gods , and bowed down himself before them , and burned incense unto them . Wherefore the anger of the LORD was kindled against Amaziah , and he sent unto him a prophet , which said unto him , Why hast thou sought after the gods of the people , which could not deliver their own people out of thine hand ? And it came to pass , as he talked with him , that the king said unto him , Art thou made of the king's counsel ? forbear ; why shouldest thou be smitten ? Then the prophet forbare , and said , I know that God hath determined to destroy thee , because thou hast done this , and hast not hearkened unto my counsel . Then Amaziah king of Judah took advice , and sent to Joash , the son of Jehoahaz , the son of Jehu , king of Israel , saying , Come , let us see one another in the face . And Joash king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah , saying , The thistle that was in Lebanon sent to the cedar that was in Lebanon , saying , Give thy daughter to my son to wife : and there passed by a wild beast that was in Lebanon , and trode down the thistle . Thou sayest , Lo , thou hast smitten the Edomites ; and thine heart lifteth thee up to boast : abide now at home ; why shouldest thou meddle to thine hurt , that thou shouldest fall , even thou , and Judah with thee ? But Amaziah would not hear ; for it came of God , that he might deliver them into the hand of their enemies , because they sought after the gods of Edom . So Joash the king of Israel went up ; and they saw one another in the face , both he and Amaziah king of Judah , at Beth-shemesh , which belongeth to Judah . And Judah was put to the worse before Israel , and they fled every man to his tent . And Joash the king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah , the son of Joash , the son of Jehoahaz , at Beth-shemesh , and brought him to Jerusalem , and brake down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim to the corner gate , four hundred cubits . And he took all the gold and the silver , and all the vessels that were found in the house of God with Obed-edom , and the treasures of the king's house , the hostages also , and returned to Samaria . And Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah lived after the death of Joash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel fifteen years . Now the rest of the acts of Amaziah , first and last , behold , are they not written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel ? Now after the time that Amaziah did turn away from following the LORD they made a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem ; and he fled to Lachish : but they sent to Lachish after him , and slew him there . And they brought him upon horses , and buried him with his fathers in the city of Judah . Then all the people of Judah took Uzziah , who was sixteen years old , and made him king in the room of his father Amaziah . He built Eloth , and restored it to Judah , after that the king slept with his fathers . Sixteen years old was Uzziah when he began to reign , and he reigned fifty and two years in Jerusalem . His mother's name also was Jecoliah of Jerusalem . And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD , according to all that his father Amaziah did . And he sought God in the days of Zechariah , who had understanding in the visions of God : and as long as he sought the LORD , God made him to prosper . And he went forth and warred against the Philistines , and brake down the wall of Gath , and the wall of Jabneh , and the wall of Ashdod , and built cities about Ashdod , and among the Philistines . And God helped him against the Philistines , and against the Arabians that dwelt in Gur-baal , and the Mehunims . And the Ammonites gave gifts to Uzziah : and his name spread abroad even to the entering in of Egypt ; for he strengthened himself exceedingly . Moreover Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the corner gate , and at the valley gate , and at the turning of the wall , and fortified them . Also he built towers in the desert , and digged many wells : for he had much cattle , both in the low country , and in the plains : husbandmen also , and vine dressers in the mountains , and in Carmel : for he loved husbandry . Moreover Uzziah had an host of fighting men , that went out to war by bands , according to the number of their account by the hand of Jeiel the scribe and Maaseiah the ruler , under the hand of Hananiah , one of the king's captains . The whole number of the chief of the fathers of the mighty men of valour were two thousand and six hundred . And under their hand was an army , three hundred thousand and seven thousand and five hundred , that made war with mighty power , to help the king against the enemy . And Uzziah prepared for them throughout all the host shields , and spears , and helmets , and habergeons , and bows , and slings to cast stones . And he made in Jerusalem engines , invented by cunning men , to be on the towers and upon the bulwarks , to shoot arrows and great stones withal . And his name spread far abroad ; for he was marvellously helped , till he was strong . But when he was strong , his heart was lifted up to his destruction : for he transgressed against the LORD his God , and went into the temple of the LORD to burn incense upon the altar of incense . And Azariah the priest went in after him , and with him fourscore priests of the LORD , that were valiant men : And they withstood Uzziah the king , and said unto him , It appertaineth not unto thee , Uzziah , to burn incense unto the LORD , but to the priests the sons of Aaron , that are consecrated to burn incense : go out of the sanctuary ; for thou hast trespassed ; neither shall it be for thine honour from the LORD God . Then Uzziah was wroth , and had a censer in his hand to burn incense : and while he was wroth with the priests , the leprosy even rose up in his forehead before the priests in the house of the LORD , from beside the incense altar . And Azariah the chief priest , and all the priests , looked upon him , and , behold , he was leprous in his forehead , and they thrust him out from thence ; yea , himself hasted also to go out , because the LORD had smitten him . And Uzziah the king was a leper unto the day of his death , and dwelt in a several house , being a leper ; for he was cut off from the house of the LORD : and Jotham his son was over the king's house , judging the people of the land . Now the rest of the acts of Uzziah , first and last , did Isaiah the prophet , the son of Amoz , write . So Uzziah slept with his fathers , and they buried him with his fathers in the field of the burial which belonged to the kings ; for they said , He is a leper : and Jotham his son reigned in his stead . Jotham was twenty and five years old when he began to reign , and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem . His mother's name also was Jerushah , the daughter of Zadok . And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD , according to all that his father Uzziah did : howbeit he entered not into the temple of the LORD . And the people did yet corruptly . He built the high gate of the house of the LORD , and on the wall of Ophel he built much . Moreover he built cities in the mountains of Judah , and in the forests he built castles and towers . He fought also with the king of the Ammonites , and prevailed against them . And the children of Ammon gave him the same year an hundred talents of silver , and ten thousand measures of wheat , and ten thousand of barley . So much did the children of Ammon pay unto him , both the second year , and the third . So Jotham became mighty , because he prepared his ways before the LORD his God . Now the rest of the acts of Jotham , and all his wars , and his ways , lo , they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah . He was five and twenty years old when he began to reign , and reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem . And Jotham slept with his fathers , and they buried him in the city of David : and Ahaz his son reigned in his stead . Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign , and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem : but he did not that which was right in the sight of the LORD , like David his father : For he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel , and made also molten images for Baalim . Moreover he burnt incense in the valley of the son of Hinnom , and burnt his children in the fire , after the abominations of the heathen whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel . He sacrificed also and burnt incense in the high places , and on the hills , and under every green tree . Wherefore the LORD his God delivered him into the hand of the king of Syria ; and they smote him , and carried away a great multitude of them captives , and brought them to Damascus . And he was also delivered into the hand of the king of Israel , who smote him with a great slaughter . For Pekah the son of Remaliah slew in Judah an hundred and twenty thousand in one day , which were all valiant men ; because they had forsaken the LORD God of their fathers . And Zichri , a mighty man of Ephraim , slew Maaseiah the king's son , and Azrikam the governor of the house , and Elkanah that was next to the king . And the children of Israel carried away captive of their brethren two hundred thousand , women , sons , and daughters , and took also away much spoil from them , and brought the spoil to Samaria . But a prophet of the LORD was there , whose name was Oded : and he went out before the host that came to Samaria , and said unto them , Behold , because the LORD God of your fathers was wroth with Judah , he hath delivered them into your hand , and ye have slain them in a rage that reacheth up unto heaven . And now ye purpose to keep under the children of Judah and Jerusalem for bondmen and bondwomen unto you : but are there not with you , even with you , sins against the LORD your God ? Now hear me therefore , and deliver the captives again , which ye have taken captive of your brethren : for the fierce wrath of the LORD is upon you . Then certain of the heads of the children of Ephraim , Azariah the son of Johanan , Berechiah the son of Meshillemoth , and Jehizkiah the son of Shallum , and Amasa the son of Hadlai , stood up against them that came from the war , And said unto them , Ye shall not bring in the captives hither : for whereas we have offended against the LORD already , ye intend to add more to our sins and to our trespass : for our trespass is great , and there is fierce wrath against Israel . So the armed men left the captives and the spoil before the princes and all the congregation . And the men which were expressed by name rose up , and took the captives , and with the spoil clothed all that were naked among them , and arrayed them , and shod them , and gave them to eat and to drink , and anointed them , and carried all the feeble of them upon asses , and brought them to Jericho , the city of palm trees , to their brethren : then they returned to Samaria . At that time did king Ahaz send unto the kings of Assyria to help him . For again the Edomites had come and smitten Judah , and carried away captives . The Philistines also had invaded the cities of the low country , and of the south of Judah , and had taken Beth-shemesh , and Ajalon , and Gederoth , and Shocho with the villages thereof , and Timnah with the villages thereof , Gimzo also and the villages thereof : and they dwelt there . For the LORD brought Judah low because of Ahaz king of Israel ; for he made Judah naked , and transgressed sore against the LORD . And Tilgath-pilneser king of Assyria came unto him , and distressed him , but strengthened him not . For Ahaz took away a portion out of the house of the LORD , and out of the house of the king , and of the princes , and gave it unto the king of Assyria : but he helped him not . And in the time of his distress did he trespass yet more against the LORD : this is that king Ahaz . For he sacrificed unto the gods of Damascus , which smote him : and he said , Because the gods of the kings of Syria help them , therefore will I sacrifice to them , that they may help me . But they were the ruin of him , and of all Israel . And Ahaz gathered together the vessels of the house of God , and cut in pieces the vessels of the house of God , and shut up the doors of the house of the LORD , and he made him altars in every corner of Jerusalem . And in every several city of Judah he made high places to burn incense unto other gods , and provoked to anger the LORD God of his fathers . Now the rest of his acts and of all his ways , first and last , behold , they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel . And Ahaz slept with his fathers , and they buried him in the city , even in Jerusalem : but they brought him not into the sepulchres of the kings of Israel : and Hezekiah his son reigned in his stead . Hezekiah began to reign when he was five and twenty years old , and he reigned nine and twenty years in Jerusalem . And his mother's name was Abijah , the daughter of Zechariah . And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD , according to all that David his father had done . He in the first year of his reign , in the first month , opened the doors of the house of the LORD , and repaired them . And he brought in the priests and the Levites , and gathered them together into the east street , And said unto them , Hear me , ye Levites , sanctify now yourselves , and sanctify the house of the LORD God of your fathers , and carry forth the filthiness out of the holy place . For our fathers have trespassed , and done that which was evil in the eyes of the LORD our God , and have forsaken him , and have turned away their faces from the habitation of the LORD , and turned their backs . Also they have shut up the doors of the porch , and put out the lamps , and have not burned incense nor offered burnt offerings in the holy place unto the God of Israel . Wherefore the wrath of the LORD was upon Judah and Jerusalem , and he hath delivered them to trouble , to astonishment , and to hissing , as ye see with your eyes . For , lo , our fathers have fallen by the sword , and our sons and our daughters and our wives are in captivity for this . Now it is in mine heart to make a covenant with the LORD God of Israel , that his fierce wrath may turn away from us . My sons , be not now negligent : for the LORD hath chosen you to stand before him , to serve him , and that ye should minister unto him , and burn incense . Then the Levites arose , Mahath the son of Amasai , and Joel the son of Azariah , of the sons of the Kohathites : and of the sons of Merari , Kish the son of Abdi , and Azariah the son of Jehalelel : and of the Gershonites ; Joah the son of Zimmah , and Eden the son of Joah : And of the sons of Elizaphan ; Shimri , and Jeiel : and of the sons of Asaph ; Zechariah , and Mattaniah : And of the sons of Heman ; Jehiel , and Shimei : and of the sons of Jeduthun ; Shemaiah , and Uzziel . And they gathered their brethren , and sanctified themselves , and came , according to the commandment of the king , by the words of the LORD , to cleanse the house of the LORD . And the priests went into the inner part of the house of the LORD , to cleanse it , and brought out all the uncleanness that they found in the temple of the LORD into the court of the house of the LORD . And the Levites took it , to carry it out abroad into the brook Kidron . Now they began on the first day of the first month to sanctify , and on the eighth day of the month came they to the porch of the LORD : so they sanctified the house of the LORD in eight days ; and in the sixteenth day of the first month they made an end . Then they went in to Hezekiah the king , and said , We have cleansed all the house of the LORD , and the altar of burnt offering , with all the vessels thereof , and the shewbread table , with all the vessels thereof . Moreover all the vessels , which king Ahaz in his reign did cast away in his transgression , have we prepared and sanctified , and , behold , they are before the altar of the LORD . Then Hezekiah the king rose early , and gathered the rulers of the city , and went up to the house of the LORD . And they brought seven bullocks , and seven rams , and seven lambs , and seven he goats , for a sin offering for the kingdom , and for the sanctuary , and for Judah . And he commanded the priests the sons of Aaron to offer them on the altar of the LORD . So they killed the bullocks , and the priests received the blood , and sprinkled it on the altar : likewise , when they had killed the rams , they sprinkled the blood upon the altar : they killed also the lambs , and they sprinkled the blood upon the altar . And they brought forth the he goats for the sin offering before the king and the congregation ; and they laid their hands upon them : And the priests killed them , and they made reconciliation with their blood upon the altar , to make an atonement for all Israel : for the king commanded that the burnt offering and the sin offering should be made for all Israel . And he set the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals , with psalteries , and with harps , according to the commandment of David , and of Gad the king's seer , and Nathan the prophet : for so was the commandment of the LORD by his prophets . And the Levites stood with the instruments of David , and the priests with the trumpets . And Hezekiah commanded to offer the burnt offering upon the altar . And when the burnt offering began , the song of the LORD began also with the trumpets , and with the instruments ordained by David king of Israel . And all the congregation worshipped , and the singers sang , and the trumpeters sounded : and all this continued until the burnt offering was finished . And when they had made an end of offering , the king and all that were present with him bowed themselves , and worshipped . Moreover Hezekiah the king and the princes commanded the Levites to sing praise unto the LORD with the words of David , and of Asaph the seer . And they sang praises with gladness , and they bowed their heads and worshipped . Then Hezekiah answered and said , Now ye have consecrated yourselves unto the LORD , come near and bring sacrifices and thank offerings into the house of the LORD . And the congregation brought in sacrifices and thank offerings ; and as many as were of a free heart burnt offerings . And the number of the burnt offerings , which the congregation brought , was threescore and ten bullocks , an hundred rams , and two hundred lambs : all these were for a burnt offering to the LORD . And the consecrated things were six hundred oxen and three thousand sheep . But the priests were too few , so that they could not flay all the burnt offerings : wherefore their brethren the Levites did help them , till the work was ended , and until the other priests had sanctified themselves : for the Levites were more upright in heart to sanctify themselves than the priests . And also the burnt offerings were in abundance , with the fat of the peace offerings , and the drink offerings for every burnt offering . So the service of the house of the LORD was set in order . And Hezekiah rejoiced , and all the people , that God had prepared the people : for the thing was done suddenly . And Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah , and wrote letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh , that they should come to the house of the LORD at Jerusalem , to keep the passover unto the LORD God of Israel . For the king had taken counsel , and his princes , and all the congregation in Jerusalem , to keep the passover in the second month . For they could not keep it at that time , because the priests had not sanctified themselves sufficiently , neither had the people gathered themselves together to Jerusalem . And the thing pleased the king and all the congregation . So they established a decree to make proclamation throughout all Israel , from Beer-sheba even to Dan , that they should come to keep the passover unto the LORD God of Israel at Jerusalem : for they had not done it of a long time in such sort as it was written . So the posts went with the letters from the king and his princes throughout all Israel and Judah , and according to the commandment of the king , saying , Ye children of Israel , turn again unto the LORD God of Abraham , Isaac , and Israel , and he will return to the remnant of you , that are escaped out of the hand of the kings of Assyria . And be not ye like your fathers , and like your brethren , which trespassed against the LORD God of their fathers , who therefore gave them up to desolation , as ye see . Now be ye not stiffnecked , as your fathers were , but yield yourselves unto the LORD , and enter into his sanctuary , which he hath sanctified for ever : and serve the LORD your God , that the fierceness of his wrath may turn away from you . For if ye turn again unto the LORD , your brethren and your children shall find compassion before them that lead them captive , so that they shall come again into this land : for the LORD your God is gracious and merciful , and will not turn away his face from you , if ye return unto him . So the posts passed from city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh even unto Zebulun : but they laughed them to scorn , and mocked them . Nevertheless divers of Asher and Manasseh and of Zebulun humbled themselves , and came to Jerusalem . Also in Judah the hand of God was to give them one heart to do the commandment of the king and of the princes , by the word of the LORD . And there assembled at Jerusalem much people to keep the feast of unleavened bread in the second month , a very great congregation . And they arose and took away the altars that were in Jerusalem , and all the altars for incense took they away , and cast them into the brook Kidron . Then they killed the passover on the fourteenth day of the second month : and the priests and the Levites were ashamed , and sanctified themselves , and brought in the burnt offerings into the house of the LORD . And they stood in their place after their manner , according to the law of Moses the man of God : the priests sprinkled the blood , which they received of the hand of the Levites . For there were many in the congregation that were not sanctified : therefore the Levites had the charge of the killing of the passovers for every one that was not clean , to sanctify them unto the LORD . For a multitude of the people , even many of Ephraim , and Manasseh , Issachar , and Zebulun , had not cleansed themselves , yet did they eat the passover otherwise than it was written . But Hezekiah prayed for them , saying , The good LORD pardon every one That prepareth his heart to seek God , the LORD God of his fathers , though he be not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary . And the LORD hearkened to Hezekiah , and healed the people . And the children of Israel that were present at Jerusalem kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with great gladness : and the Levites and the priests praised the LORD day by day , singing with loud instruments unto the LORD . And Hezekiah spake comfortably unto all the Levites that taught the good knowledge of the LORD : and they did eat throughout the feast seven days , offering peace offerings , and making confession to the LORD God of their fathers . And the whole assembly took counsel to keep other seven days : and they kept other seven days with gladness . For Hezekiah king of Judah did give to the congregation a thousand bullocks and seven thousand sheep ; and the princes gave to the congregation a thousand bullocks and ten thousand sheep : and a great number of priests sanctified themselves . And all the congregation of Judah , with the priests and the Levites , and all the congregation that came out of Israel , and the strangers that came out of the land of Israel , and that dwelt in Judah , rejoiced . So there was great joy in Jerusalem : for since the time of Solomon the son of David king of Israel there was not the like in Jerusalem . Then the priests the Levites arose and blessed the people : and their voice was heard , and their prayer came up to his holy dwelling place , even unto heaven . Now when all this was finished , all Israel that were present went out to the cities of Judah , and brake the images in pieces , and cut down the groves , and threw down the high places and the altars out of all Judah and Benjamin , in Ephraim also and Manasseh , until they had utterly destroyed them all . Then all the children of Israel returned , every man to his possession , into their own cities . And Hezekiah appointed the courses of the priests and the Levites after their courses , every man according to his service , the priests and Levites for burnt offerings and for peace offerings , to minister , and to give thanks , and to praise in the gates of the tents of the LORD . He appointed also the king's portion of his substance for the burnt offerings , to wit , for the morning and evening burnt offerings , and the burnt offerings for the sabbaths , and for the new moons , and for the set feasts , as it is written in the law of the LORD . Moreover he commanded the people that dwelt in Jerusalem to give the portion of the priests and the Levites , that they might be encouraged in the law of the LORD . And as soon as the commandment came abroad , the children of Israel brought in abundance the firstfruits of corn , wine , and oil , and honey , and of all the increase of the fields ; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly . And concerning the children of Israel and Judah , that dwelt in the cities of Judah , they also brought in the tithe of oxen and sheep , and the tithe of holy things which were consecrated unto the LORD their God , and laid them by heaps . In the third month they began to lay the foundation of the heaps , and finished them in the seventh month . And when Hezekiah and the princes came and saw the heaps , they blessed the LORD , and his people Israel . Then Hezekiah questioned with the priests and the Levites concerning the heaps . And Azariah the chief priest of the house of Zadok answered him , and said , Since the people began to bring the offerings into the house of the LORD , we have had enough to eat , and have left plenty : for the LORD hath blessed his people ; and that which is left is this great store . Then Hezekiah commanded to prepare chambers in the house of the LORD ; and they prepared them , And brought in the offerings and the tithes and the dedicated things faithfully : over which Cononiah the Levite was ruler , and Shimei his brother was the next . And Jehiel , and Azaziah , and Nahath , and Asahel , and Jerimoth , and Jozabad , and Eliel , and Ismachiah , and Mahath , and Benaiah , were overseers under the hand of Cononiah and Shimei his brother , at the commandment of Hezekiah the king , and Azariah the ruler of the house of God . And Kore the son of Imnah the Levite , the porter toward the east , was over the freewill offerings of God , to distribute the oblations of the LORD , and the most holy things . And next him were Eden , and Miniamin , and Jeshua , and Shemaiah , Amariah , and Shecaniah , in the cities of the priests , in their set office , to give to their brethren by courses , as well to the great as to the small : Beside their genealogy of males , from three years old and upward , even unto every one that entereth into the house of the LORD , his daily portion for their service in their charges according to their courses ; Both to the genealogy of the priests by the house of their fathers , and the Levites from twenty years old and upward , in their charges by their courses ; And to the genealogy of all their little ones , their wives , and their sons , and their daughters , through all the congregation : for in their set office they sanctified themselves in holiness : Also of the sons of Aaron the priests , which were in the fields of the suburbs of their cities , in every several city , the men that were expressed by name , to give portions to all the males among the priests , and to all that were reckoned by genealogies among the Levites . And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah , and wrought that which was good and right and truth before the LORD his God . And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God , and in the law , and in the commandments , to seek his God , he did it with all his heart , and prospered . After these things , and the establishment thereof , Sennacherib king of Assyria came , and entered into Judah , and encamped against the fenced cities , and thought to win them for himself . And when Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib was come , and that he was purposed to fight against Jerusalem , He took counsel with his princes and his mighty men to stop the waters of the fountains which were without the city : and they did help him . So there was gathered much people together , who stopped all the fountains , and the brook that ran through the midst of the land , saying , Why should the kings of Assyria come , and find much water ? Also he strengthened himself , and built up all the wall that was broken , and raised it up to the towers , and another wall without , and repaired Millo in the city of David , and made darts and shields in abundance . And he set captains of war over the people , and gathered them together to him in the street of the gate of the city , and spake comfortably to them , saying , Be strong and courageous , be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria , nor for all the multitude that is with him : for there be more with us than with him : With him is an arm of flesh ; but with us is the LORD our God to help us , and to fight our battles . And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah . After this did Sennacherib king of Assyria send his servants to Jerusalem , ( but he himself laid siege against Lachish , and all his power with him , ) unto Hezekiah king of Judah , and unto all Judah that were at Jerusalem , saying , Thus saith Sennacherib king of Assyria , Whereon do ye trust , that ye abide in the siege in Jerusalem ? Doth not Hezekiah persuade you to give over yourselves to die by famine and by thirst , saying , The LORD our God shall deliver us out of the hand of the king of Assyria ? Hath not the same Hezekiah taken away his high places and his altars , and commanded Judah and Jerusalem , saying , Ye shall worship before one altar , and burn incense upon it ? Know ye not what I and my fathers have done unto all the people of other lands ? were the gods of the nations of those lands any ways able to deliver their lands out of mine hand ? Who was there among all the gods of those nations that my fathers utterly destroyed , that could deliver his people out of mine hand , that your God should be able to deliver you out of mine hand ? Now therefore let not Hezekiah deceive you , nor persuade you on this manner , neither yet believe him : for no god of any nation or kingdom was able to deliver his people out of mine hand , and out of the hand of my fathers : how much less shall your God deliver you out of mine hand ? And his servants spake yet more against the LORD God , and against his servant Hezekiah . He wrote also letters to rail on the LORD God of Israel , and to speak against him , saying , As the gods of the nations of other lands have not delivered their people out of mine hand , so shall not the God of Hezekiah deliver his people out of mine hand . Then they cried with a loud voice in the Jews' speech unto the people of Jerusalem that were on the wall , to affright them , and to trouble them ; that they might take the city . And they spake against the God of Jerusalem , as against the gods of the people of the earth , which were the work of the hands of man . And for this cause Hezekiah the king , and the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz , prayed and cried to heaven . And the LORD sent an angel , which cut off all the mighty men of valour , and the leaders and captains in the camp of the king of Assyria . So he returned with shame of face to his own land . And when he was come into the house of his god , they that came forth of his own bowels slew him there with the sword . Thus the LORD saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib the king of Assyria , and from the hand of all other , and guided them on every side . And many brought gifts unto the LORD to Jerusalem , and presents to Hezekiah king of Judah : so that he was magnified in the sight of all nations from thenceforth . In those days Hezekiah was sick to the death , and prayed unto the LORD : and he spake unto him , and he gave him a sign . But Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him ; for his heart was lifted up : therefore there was wrath upon him , and upon Judah and Jerusalem . Notwithstanding Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart , both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem , so that the wrath of the LORD came not upon them in the days of Hezekiah . And Hezekiah had exceeding much riches and honour : and he made himself treasuries for silver , and for gold , and for precious stones , and for spices , and for shields , and for all manner of pleasant jewels ; Storehouses also for the increase of corn , and wine , and oil ; and stalls for all manner of beasts , and cotes for flocks . Moreover he provided him cities , and possessions of flocks and herds in abundance : for God had given him substance very much . This same Hezekiah also stopped the upper watercourse of Gihon , and brought it straight down to the west side of the city of David . And Hezekiah prospered in all his works . Howbeit in the business of the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon , who sent unto him to 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 . Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah , and his goodness , behold , they are written in the vision of Isaiah the prophet , the son of Amoz , and in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel . And Hezekiah slept with his fathers , and they buried him in the chiefest of the sepulchres of the sons of David : and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem did him honour at his death . And Manasseh his son reigned in his stead . Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign , and he reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem : But did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD , like unto the abominations of the heathen , whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel . For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down , and he reared up altars for Baalim , and made groves , and worshipped all the host of heaven , and served them . Also he built altars in the house of the LORD , whereof the LORD had said , In Jerusalem shall my name be for ever . And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD . And he caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom : also he observed times , and used enchantments , and used witchcraft , and dealt with a familiar spirit , and with wizards : he wrought much evil in the sight of the LORD , to provoke him to anger . And he set a carved image , the idol which he had made , in the house of God , of which God had said to David and to Solomon his son , In this house , and in Jerusalem , which I have chosen before all the tribes of Israel , will I put my name for ever : Neither will I any more remove the foot of Israel from out of the land which I have appointed for your fathers ; so that they will take heed to do all that I have commanded them , according to the whole law and the statutes and the ordinances by the hand of Moses . So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err , and to do worse than the heathen , whom the LORD had destroyed before the children of Israel . And the LORD spake to Manasseh , and to his people : but they would not hearken . Wherefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria , which took Manasseh among the thorns , and bound him with fetters , and carried him to Babylon . And when he was in affliction , he besought the LORD his God , and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers , And prayed unto him : and he was intreated of him , and heard his supplication , and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom . Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he was God . Now after this he built a wall without the city of David , on the west side of Gihon , in the valley , even to the entering in at the fish gate , and compassed about Ophel , and raised it up a very great height , and put captains of war in all the fenced cities of Judah . And he took away the strange gods , and the idol out of the house of the LORD , and all the altars that he had built in the mount of the house of the LORD , and in Jerusalem , and cast them out of the city . And he repaired the altar of the LORD , and sacrificed thereon peace offerings and thank offerings , and commanded Judah to serve the LORD God of Israel . Nevertheless the people did sacrifice still in the high places , yet unto the LORD their God only . Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh , and his prayer unto his God , and the words of the seers that spake to him in the name of the LORD God of Israel , behold , they are written in the book of the kings of Israel . His prayer also , and how God was intreated of him , and all his sin , and his trespass , and the places wherein he built high places , and set up groves and graven images , before he was humbled : behold , they are written among the sayings of the seers . So Manasseh slept with his fathers , and they buried him in his own house : and Amon his son reigned in his stead . Amon was two and twenty years old when he began to reign , and reigned two years in Jerusalem . But he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD , as did Manasseh his father : for Amon sacrificed unto all the carved images which Manasseh his father had made , and served them ; And humbled not himself before the LORD , as Manasseh his father had humbled himself ; but Amon trespassed more and more . And his servants conspired against him , and slew him in his own house . But the people of the land slew all them that had conspired against king Amon ; and the people of the land made Josiah his son king in his stead . Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign , and he reigned in Jerusalem one and thirty years . And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD , and walked in the ways of David his father , and declined neither to the right hand , nor to the left . For in the eighth year of his reign , while he was yet young , he began to seek after the God of David his father : and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places , and the groves , and the carved images , and the molten images . And they brake down the altars of Baalim in his presence ; and the images , that were on high above them , he cut down ; and the groves , and the carved images , and the molten images , he brake in pieces , and made dust of them , and strowed it upon the graves of them that had sacrificed unto them . And he burnt the bones of the priests upon their altars , and cleansed Judah and Jerusalem . And so did he in the cities of Manasseh , and Ephraim , and Simeon , even unto Naphtali , with their mattocks round about . And when he had broken down the altars and the groves , and had beaten the graven images into powder , and cut down all the idols throughout all the land of Israel , he returned to Jerusalem . Now in the eighteenth year of his reign , when he had purged the land , and the house , he sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah , and Maaseiah the governor of the city , and Joah the son of Joahaz the recorder , to repair the house of the LORD his God . And when they came to Hilkiah the high priest , they delivered the money that was brought into the house of God , which the Levites that kept the doors had gathered of the hand of Manasseh and Ephraim , and of all the remnant of Israel , and of all Judah and Benjamin ; and they returned to Jerusalem . And they put it in the hand of the workmen that had the oversight of the house of the LORD , and they gave it to the workmen that wrought in the house of the LORD , to repair and amend the house : Even to the artificers and builders gave they it , to buy hewn stone , and timber for couplings , and to floor the houses which the kings of Judah had destroyed . And the men did the work faithfully : and the overseers of them were Jahath and Obadiah , the Levites , of the sons of Merari ; and Zechariah and Meshullam , of the sons of the Kohathites , to set it forward ; and other of the Levites , all that could skill of instruments of musick . Also they were over the bearers of burdens , and were overseers of all that wrought the work in any manner of service : and of the Levites there were scribes , and officers , and porters . And when they brought out the money that was brought into the house of the LORD , Hilkiah the priest found a book of the law of the LORD given by Moses . And Hilkiah answered and said to Shaphan the scribe , I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD . And Hilkiah delivered the book to Shaphan . And Shaphan carried the book to the king , and brought the king word back again , saying , All that was committed to thy servants , they do it . And they have gathered together the money that was found in the house of the LORD , and have delivered it into the hand of the overseers , and to the hand of the workmen . Then Shaphan the scribe told the king , saying , Hilkiah the priest hath given me a book . And Shaphan read it before the king . And it came to pass , when the king had heard the words of the law , that he rent his clothes . And the king commanded Hilkiah , and Ahikam the son of Shaphan , and Abdon the son of Micah , and Shaphan the scribe , and Asaiah a servant of the king's , saying , Go , inquire of the LORD for me , and for them that are left in Israel and in Judah , concerning the words of the book that is found : for great is the wrath of the LORD that is poured out upon us , because our fathers have not kept the word of the LORD , to do after all that is written in this book . And Hilkiah , and they that the king had appointed , went to Huldah the prophetess , the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvath , the son of Hasrah , keeper of the wardrobe ; ( now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college : ) and they spake to her to that effect . And she answered them , Thus saith the LORD God of Israel , Tell ye the man that sent you to me , Thus saith the LORD , Behold , I will bring evil upon this place , and upon the inhabitants thereof , even all the curses that are written in the book which they have read before the king of Judah : Because they have forsaken me , and have burned incense unto other gods , that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands ; therefore my wrath shall be poured out upon this place , and shall not be quenched . And as for the king of Judah , who sent you to inquire of the LORD , so shall ye say unto him , Thus saith the LORD God of Israel concerning the words which thou hast heard ; Because thine heart was tender , and thou didst humble thyself before God , when thou heardest his words against this place , and against the inhabitants thereof , and humbledst thyself before me , and didst rend thy clothes , and weep before me ; I have even heard thee also , saith the LORD . Behold , I will gather thee to thy fathers , and thou shalt be gathered to thy grave in peace , neither shall thine eyes see all the evil that I will bring upon this place , and upon the inhabitants of the same . So they brought the king word again . Then the king sent and gathered together all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem . And the king went up into the house of the LORD , and all the men of Judah , and the inhabitants of Jerusalem , and the priests , and the Levites , and all the people , great and small : and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant that was found in the house of the LORD . And the king stood in his place , and made a covenant before the LORD , to walk after the LORD , and to keep his commandments , and his testimonies , and his statutes , with all his heart , and with all his soul , to perform the words of the covenant which are written in this book . And he caused all that were present in Jerusalem and Benjamin to stand to it . And the inhabitants of Jerusalem did according to the covenant of God , the God of their fathers . And Josiah took away all the abominations out of all the countries that pertained to the children of Israel , and made all that were present in Israel to serve , even to serve the LORD their God . And all his days they departed not from following the LORD , the God of their fathers . Moreover Josiah kept a passover unto the LORD in Jerusalem : and they killed the passover on the fourteenth day of the first month . And he set the priests in their charges , and encouraged them to the service of the house of the LORD , And said unto the Levites that taught all Israel , which were holy unto the LORD , Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David king of Israel did build ; it shall not be a burden upon your shoulders : serve now the LORD your God , and his people Israel , And prepare yourselves by the houses of your fathers , after your courses , according to the writing of David king of Israel , and according to the writing of Solomon his son . And stand in the holy place according to the divisions of the families of the fathers of your brethren the people , and after the division of the families of the Levites . So kill the passover , and sanctify yourselves , and prepare your brethren , that they may do according to the word of the LORD by the hand of Moses . And Josiah gave to the people , of the flock , lambs and kids , all for the passover offerings , for all that were present , to the number of thirty thousand , and three thousand bullocks : these were of the king's substance . And his princes gave willingly unto the people , to the priests , and to the Levites : Hilkiah and Zechariah and Jehiel , rulers of the house of God , gave unto the priests for the passover offerings two thousand and six hundred small cattle , and three hundred oxen . Conaniah also , and Shemaiah and Nethaneel , his brethren , and Hashabiah and Jeiel and Jozabad , chief of the Levites , gave unto the Levites for passover offerings five thousand small cattle , and five hundred oxen . So the service was prepared , and the priests stood in their place , and the Levites in their courses , according to the king's commandment . And they killed the passover , and the priests sprinkled the blood from their hands , and the Levites flayed them . And they removed the burnt offerings , that they might give according to the divisions of the families of the people , to offer unto the LORD , as it is written in the book of Moses . And so did they with the oxen . And they roasted the passover with fire according to the ordinance : but the other holy offerings sod they in pots , and in caldrons , and in pans , and divided them speedily among all the people . And afterward they made ready for themselves , and for the priests : because the priests the sons of Aaron were busied in offering of burnt offerings and the fat until night ; therefore the Levites prepared for themselves , and for the priests the sons of Aaron . And the singers the sons of Asaph were in their place , according to the commandment of David , and Asaph , and Heman , and Jeduthun the king's seer ; and the porters waited at every gate ; they might not depart from their service ; for their brethren the Levites prepared for them . So all the service of the LORD was prepared the same day , to keep the passover , and to offer burnt offerings upon the altar of the LORD , according to the commandment of king Josiah . And the children of Israel that were present kept the passover at that time , and the feast of unleavened bread seven days . And there was no passover like to that kept in Israel from the days of Samuel the prophet ; neither did all the kings of Israel keep such a passover as Josiah kept , and the priests , and the Levites , and all Judah and Israel that were present , and the inhabitants of Jerusalem . In the eighteenth year of the reign of Josiah was this passover kept . After all this , when Josiah had prepared the temple , Necho king of Egypt came up to fight against Carchemish by Euphrates : and Josiah went out against him . But he sent ambassadors to him , saying , What have I to do with thee , thou king of Judah ? I come not against thee this day , but against the house wherewith I have war : for God commanded me to make haste : forbear thee from meddling with God , who is with me , that he destroy thee not . Nevertheless Josiah would not turn his face from him , but disguised himself , that he might fight with him , and hearkened not unto the words of Necho from the mouth of God , and came to fight in the valley of Megiddo . And the archers shot at king Josiah ; and the king said to his servants , Have me away ; for I am sore wounded . His servants therefore took him out of that chariot , and put him in the second chariot that he had ; and they brought him to Jerusalem , and he died , and was buried in one of the sepulchres of his fathers . And all Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah . And Jeremiah lamented for Josiah : and all the singing men and the singing women spake of Josiah in their lamentations to this day , and made them an ordinance in Israel : and , behold , they are written in the lamentations . Now the rest of the acts of Josiah , and his goodness , according to that which was written in the law of the LORD , And his deeds , first and last , behold , they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah . Then the people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah , and made him king in his father's stead in Jerusalem . Jehoahaz was twenty and three years old when he began to reign , and he reigned three months in Jerusalem . And the king of Egypt put him down at Jerusalem , and condemned the land in an hundred talents of silver and a talent of gold . And the king of Egypt made Eliakim his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem , and turned his name to Jehoiakim . And Necho took Jehoahaz his brother , and carried him to Egypt . Jehoiakim was twenty and five years old when he began to reign , and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem : and he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD his God . Against him came up Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon , and bound him in fetters , to carry him to Babylon . Nebuchadnezzar also carried of the vessels of the house of the LORD to Babylon , and put them in his temple at Babylon . Now the rest of the acts of Jehoiakim , and his abominations which he did , and that which was found in him , behold , they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah : and Jehoiachin his son reigned in his stead . Jehoiachin was eight years old when he began to reign , and he reigned three months and ten days in Jerusalem : and he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD . And when the year was expired , king Nebuchadnezzar sent , and brought him to Babylon , with the goodly vessels of the house of the LORD , and made Zedekiah his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem . Zedekiah was one and twenty years old when he began to reign , and reigned eleven years in Jerusalem . And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD his God , and humbled not himself before Jeremiah the prophet speaking from the mouth of the LORD . And he also rebelled against king Nebuchadnezzar , who had made him swear by God : but he stiffened his neck , and hardened his heart from turning unto the LORD God of Israel . Moreover all the chief of the priests , and the people , transgressed very much after all the abominations of the heathen ; and polluted the house of the LORD which he had hallowed in Jerusalem . And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers , rising up betimes , and sending ; because he had compassion on his people , and on his dwelling place : But they mocked the messengers of God , and despised his words , and misused his prophets , until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people , till there was no remedy . Therefore he brought upon them the king of the Chaldees , who slew their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary , and had no compassion upon young man or maiden , old man , or him that stooped for age : he gave them all into his hand . And all the vessels of the house of God , great and small , and the treasures of the house of the LORD , and the treasures of the king , and of his princes ; all these he brought to Babylon . And they burnt the house of God , and brake down the wall of Jerusalem , and burnt all the palaces thereof with fire , and destroyed all the goodly vessels thereof . And them that had escaped from the sword carried he away to Babylon ; where they were servants to him and his sons until the reign of the kingdom of Persia : To fulfil the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah , until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths : for as long as she lay desolate she kept sabbath , to fulfil threescore and ten years . Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia , that the word of the LORD spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished , the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia , that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom , and put it also in writing , saying , Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia , All the kingdoms of the earth hath the LORD God of heaven given me ; and he hath charged me to build him an house in Jerusalem , which is in Judah . Who is there among you of all his people ? The LORD his God be with him , and let him go up .