^9:1And 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 train, 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. ^9:2And Solomon told her all her questions; and there was not anything hid from Solomon which he told her not. ^9:3And when the queen of Sheba had seen the wisdom of Solomon, and the house that he had built, ^9:4and the food 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 unto the house of Jehovah; there was no more spirit in her. ^9:5And she said to the king, It was a true report that I heard in mine own land of thine acts, and of thy wisdom. ^9:6Howbeit I believed not their words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it; and, behold, the half of the greatness of thy wisdom was not told me: thou exceedest the fame that I heard. ^9:7Happy are thy men, and happy are these thy servants, that stand continually before thee, and hear thy wisdom. ^9:8Blessed be Jehovah thy God, who delighted in thee, to set thee on his throne, to be king for Jehovah thy God: because thy God loved Israel, to establish them for ever, therefore made he thee king over them, to do justice and righteousness. ^9:9And she gave the king a hundred and twenty talents of gold, and spices in great abundance, and precious stones: neither was there any such spice as the queen of Sheba gave to king Solomon. ^9:10And the servants also of Huram, and the servants of Solomon, that brought gold from Ophir, brought algum-trees and precious stones. ^9:11And the king made of the algum-trees terraces for the house of Jehovah, and for the king`s house, and harps and psalteries for the singers: and there were none such seen before in the land of Judah. <sup>9:12</sup>And king Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all her desire, whatsoever she asked, besides that which she had brought unto the king. So she turned, and went to her own land, she and her servants. <sup>9:13</sup>Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred and threescore and six talents of gold, <sup>9:14</sup>besides that which the traders and merchants brought: and all the kings of Arabia and the governors of the country brought gold and silver to Solomon. <sup>9:15</sup>And king Solomon made two hundred bucklers of beaten gold; six hundred [shekels] of beaten gold went to one buckler. <sup>9:16</sup>And [he made] three hundred shields 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. <sup>9:17</sup>Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with pure gold. <sup>9:18</sup>nd there were six steps to the throne, with a footstool of gold, which were fastened to the throne, and stays on either side by the place of the seat, and two lions standing beside the stays. <sup>9:19</sup>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. <sup>9:20</sup>And all king Solomon`s drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold: silver was nothing accounted of in the days of Solomon. ^9:21For the king had ships that went to Tarshish with the servants of Huram; once every three years came the ships of Tarshish, bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks. ^9:22So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom. ^9:23And all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart. ^9:24And they brought every man his tribute, vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and raiment, armor, and spices, horses, and mules, a rate year by year. ^9:25And Solomon had four thousand stalls for horses and chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, that he bestowed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem. ^9:26And he ruled over all the kings from the River even unto the land of the Philistines, and to the border of Egypt. ^9:27And the king made silver to be in Jerusalem as stones, and cedars made he to be as the sycomore-trees that are in the lowland, for abundance. ^9:28And they brought horses for Solomon out of Egypt, and out of all lands. ^9:29Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, first and last, are they not written in the history of Nathan the prophet, and in the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite, and in the visions of Iddo the seer concerning Jeroboam the son of Nebat? ^9:30And Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel forty years. ^9:31And Solomon slept with his fathers, and he was buried in the city of David his father: and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead.

^10:1And Rehoboam went to Shechem; for all Israel were come to Shechem to make him king. ^10:2And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard of it, (for he was in Egypt, whither he had fled from the presence of king Solomon,) that Jeroboam returned out of Egypt. ^10:3And they sent and called him; and Jeroboam and all Israel came, and they spake to Rehoboam, saying, ^10:4Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon us, lighter, and we will serve thee. ^10:5And he said unto them, Come again unto me after three days. And the people departed. ^10:6And 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? ^10:7And they spake unto him, saying, If thou be kind to this people, and please them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever. ^10:8But he forsook the counsel of the old men which they had given him, and took counsel with the young men that were grown up with him, that stood before him. ^10:9And he said unto them, What counsel give ye, that we may return answer to this people, who have spoken to me, saying, Make the yoke that thy father did put upon us lighter? ^10:10And the young men that were grown up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou say unto the people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it lighter unto us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger is thicker than my father`s loins. ^10:11And now whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke: my father chastised you with whips, but I [will chastise you] with scorpions. ^10:12So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king bade, saying, Come to me again the third day. ^10:13And the king answered them roughly; and king Rehoboam forsook the counsel of the old men, ^10:14and spake to them after the counsel 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. ^10:15So the king hearkened not unto the people; for it was brought about of God, that Jehovah might establish his word, which he spake by Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat. ^10:16And when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to your tents, O Israel: now see to thine own house, David. So all Israel departed unto their tents. ^10:17But as for the children of Israel that dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them. ^10:18Then king Rehoboam sent Hadoram, who was over the men subject to taskwork; and the children of Israel stoned him to death with stones. And king Rehoboam made speed to get him up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem. ^10:19So Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day.

^11:1And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he assembled the house of Judah and Benjamin, a hundred and fourscore thousand chosen men, that were warriors, to fight against Israel, to bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam. ^11:2But the word of Jehovah came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying, ^11:3Speak unto Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, saying, ^11:4Thus saith Jehovah, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren: return every man to his house; for this thing is of me. So they hearkened unto the words of Jehovah, and returned from going against Jeroboam. ^11:5And Rehoboam dwelt in Jerusalem, and built cities for defence in Judah. ^11:6He built Beth-lehem, and Etam, and Tekoa, ^11:7And Beth-zur, and Soco, and Adullam, ^11:8and Gath, and Mareshah, and Ziph, ^11:9and Adoraim, and Lachish, and Azekah, ^11:10and Zorah, and Aijalon, and Hebron, which are in Judah and in Benjamin, fortified cities. ^11:11And he fortified the strongholds, and put captains in them, and stores of victuals, and oil and wine. ^11:12And in every city [he put] shields and spears, and made them exceeding strong. And Judah and Benjamin belonged to him. ^11:13And the priests and the Levites that were in all Israel resorted to him out of all their border. ^11:14For the Levites left their suburbs and their possession, and came to Judah and Jerusalem: for Jeroboam and his sons cast them off, that they should not execute the priest`s office unto Jehovah; ^11:15and he appointed him priests for the high places, and for the he-goats, and for the calves which he had made. ^11:16And after them, out of all the tribes of Israel, such as set their hearts to seek Jehovah, the God of Israel, came to Jerusalem to sacrifice unto Jehovah, the God of their fathers. ^11:17So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah, and made Rehoboam the son of Solomon strong, three years; for they walked three years in the way of David and Solomon. ^11:18And Rehoboam took him a wife, Mahalath the daughter of Jerimoth the son of David, [and of] Abihail the daughter of Eliab the son of Jesse; ^11:19and she bare him sons: Jeush, and Shemariah, and Zaham. ^11:20And after her he took Maacah the daughter of Absalom; and she bare him Abijah, and Attai, and Ziza, and Shelomith. ^11:21And Rehoboam loved Maacah 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.) ^11:22And Rehoboam appointed Abijah the son of Maacah to be chief, [even] the prince among his brethren; for [he was minded] to make him king. ^11:23And he dealt wisely, and dispersed of all his sons throughout all the lands of Judah and Benjamin, unto every fortified city: and he gave them victuals in abundance. And he sought [for them] many wives.

^12:1And it came to pass, when the kingdom of Rehoboam was established, and he was strong, that he forsook the law of Jehovah, and all Israel with him. ^12:2And it came to pass in the fifth year of king Rehoboam, that Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, because they had trespassed against Jehovah, ^12:3with twelve hundred chariots, and threescore thousand horsemen. And the people were without number that came with him out of Egypt: the Lubim, the Sukkiim, and the Ethiopians. ^12:4And he took the fortified cities which pertained to Judah, and came unto Jerusalem. ^12:5Now Shemaiah the prophet came to Rehoboam, and to the princes of Judah, that were gathered together to Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said unto them, Thus saith Jehovah, Ye have forsaken me, therefore have I also left you in the hand of Shishak. ^12:6Then the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves; and they said, Jehovah is righteous. ^12:7And when Jehovah saw that they humbled themselves, the word of Jehovah came to Shemaiah, saying, They have humbled themselves: I will not destroy them; but I will grant them some deliverance, and my wrath shall not be poured out upon Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak. ^12:8Nevertheless they shall be his servants, that they may know my service, and the service of the kingdoms of the countries. ^12:9So Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, and took away the treasures of the house of Jehovah, and the treasures of the king`s house: he took all away: he took away also the shields of gold which Solomon had made. <sup>12:10</sup>And king Rehoboam made in their stead shields of brass, and committed them to the hands of the captains of the guard, that kept the door of the king`s house. ^12:11And it was so, that, as oft as the king entered into the house of Jehovah, the guard came and bare them, and brought them back into the guard-chamber. ^12:12And when he humbled himself, the wrath of Jehovah turned from him, so as not to destroy him altogether: and moreover in Judah there were good things [found]. ^12:13So king Rehoboam strengthened himself in Jerusalem, and reigned: for Rehoboam was forty and one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which Jehovah had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, to put his name there: and his mother`s name was Naamah the Ammonitess. ^12:14And he did that which was evil, because he set not his heart to seek Jehovah. ^12:15Now the acts of Rehoboam, first and last, are they not written in the histories of Shemaiah the prophet and of Iddo the seer, after the manner of genealogies? And there were wars between Rehoboam and Jeroboam continually. ^12:16And Rehoboam slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David: and Abijah his son reigned in his stead.

^13:1In the eighteenth year of king Jeroboam began Abijah to reign over Judah. ^13:2Three years reigned he in Jerusalem: and his mother`s name was Micaiah the daughter of Uriel of Gibeah. And there was war between Abijah and Jeroboam. ^13:3And Abijah joined battle with an army of valiant men of war, even four hundred thousand chosen men: and Jeroboam set the battle in array against him with eight hundred thousand chosen men, who were mighty men of valor. ^13:4And Abijah stood up upon mount Zemaraim, which is in the hill-country of Ephraim, and said, Hear me, O Jeroboam and all Israel: ^13:5Ought ye not to know that Jehovah, the God of Israel, gave the kingdom over Israel to David for ever, even to him and to his sons by a covenant of salt? ^13:6Yet Jeroboam the son of Nebat, the servant of Solomon the son of David, rose up, and rebelled against his lord. ^13:7And there were gathered unto him worthless men, base fellows, that strengthened themselves against Rehoboam the son of Solomon, when Rehoboam was young and tender-hearted, and could not withstand them. ^13:8And now ye think to withstand the kingdom of Jehovah in the hand of the sons of David; and ye are a great multitude, and there are with you the golden calves which Jeroboam made you for gods. ^13:9Have ye not driven out the priests of Jehovah, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites, and made you priests after the manner of the peoples 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. ^13:10But as for us, Jehovah is our God, and we have not forsaken him; and [we have] priests ministering unto Jehovah, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites in their work: ^13:11and they burn unto Jehovah every morning and every evening burnt-offerings and sweet incense: the showbread 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 Jehovah our God; but ye have forsaken him. ^13:12And, behold, God is with us at our head, and his priests with the trumpets of alarm to sound an alarm against you. O children of Israel, fight ye not against Jehovah, the God of your fathers; for ye shall not prosper. ^13:13But Jeroboam caused an ambushment to come about behind them: so they were before Judah, and the ambushment was behind them. ^13:14And when Judah looked back, behold, the battle was before and behind them; and they cried unto Jehovah, and the priests sounded with the trumpets. ^13:15Then 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. ^13:16And the children of Israel fled before Judah; and God delivered them into their hand. ^13:17And Abijah and his people slew them with a great slaughter: so there fell down slain of Israel five hundred thousand chosen men. ^13:18Thus the children of Israel were brought under at that time, and the children of Judah prevailed, because they relied upon Jehovah, the God of their fathers. ^13:19And Abijah pursued after Jeroboam, and took cities from him, Beth-el with the towns thereof, and Jeshanah with the towns thereof, and Ephron with the towns thereof. ^13:20Neither did Jeroboam recover strength again in the days of Abijah: and Jehovah smote him, and he died. ^13:21But Abijah waxed mighty, and took unto himself fourteen wives, and begat twenty and two sons, and sixteen daughters. ^13:22And the rest of the acts of Abijah, and his ways, and his sayings, are written in the commentary of the prophet Iddo.

^14:1So 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. ^14:2And Asa did that which was good and right in the eyes of Jehovah his God: ^14:3for he took away the foreign altars, and the high places, and brake down the pillars, and hewed down the Asherim, ^14:4and commanded Judah to seek Jehovah, the God of their fathers, and to do the law and the commandment. ^14:5Also he took away out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the sun-images: and the kingdom was quiet before him. ^14:6And he built fortified cities in Judah; for the land was quiet, and he had no war in those years, because Jehovah had given him rest. ^14:7For he said unto Judah, Let us build these cities, and make about them walls, and towers, gates, and bars; the land is yet before us, because we have sought Jehovah our God; we have sought him, and he hath given us rest on every side. So they built and prospered. ^14:8And Asa had an army that bare bucklers 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 valor. ^14:9And there came out against them Zerah the Ethiopian with an army of a thousand thousand, and three hundred chariots; and he came unto Mareshah. ^14:10Then Asa went out to meet him, and they set the battle in array in the valley of Zephathah at Mareshah. ^14:11And Asa cried unto Jehovah his God, and said, Jehovah, there is none besides thee to help, between the mighty and him that hath no strength: help us, O Jehovah our God; for we rely on thee, and in thy name are we come against this multitude. O Jehovah, thou art our God; let not man prevail against thee. ^14:12So Jehovah smote the Ethiopians before Asa, and before Judah; and the Ethiopians fled. ^14:13And Asa and the people that were with him pursued them unto Gerar: and there fell of the Ethiopians so many that they could not recover themselves; for they were destroyed before Jehovah, and before his host; and they carried away very much booty. ^14:14And they smote all the cities round about Gerar; for the fear of Jehovah came upon them: and they despoiled all the cities; for there was much spoil in them. ^14:15They smote also the tents of cattle, and carried away sheep in abundance, and camels, and returned to Jerusalem.

^15:1And the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded: ^15:2and he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: Jehovah is with you, while ye are with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you. ^15:3Now for a long season Israel was without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law: ^15:4But when in their distress they turned unto Jehovah, the God of Israel, and sought him, he was found of them. ^15:5And 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 lands. ^15:6And they were broken in pieces, nation against nation, and city against city; for God did vex them with all adversity. ^15:7But be ye strong, and let not your hands be slack; for your work shall be rewarded. ^15:8And when Asa heard these words, and the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage, and put away the abominations out of all the land of Judah and Benjamin, and out of the cities which he had taken from the hill-country of Ephraim; and he renewed the altar of Jehovah, that was before the porch of Jehovah. ^15:9And he gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and them that sojourned 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 Jehovah his God was with him. ^15:10So they gathered themselves together at Jerusalem in the third month, in the fifteenth year of the reign of Asa. ^15:11And they sacrificed unto Jehovah in that day, of the spoil which they had brought, seven hundred oxen and seven thousand sheep. ^15:12And they entered into the covenant to seek Jehovah, the God of their fathers, with all their heart and with all their soul; ^15:13and that whosoever would not seek Jehovah, the God of Israel, should be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman. ^15:14And they sware unto Jehovah with a loud voice, and with shouting, and with trumpets, and with cornets. ^15:15And 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 Jehovah gave them rest round about. ^15:16And also Maacah, the mother of Asa the king, he removed from being queen, because she had made an abominable image for an Asherah; and Asa cut down her image, and made dust of it, and burnt it at the brook Kidron. ^15:17But the high places were not taken away out of Israel: nevertheless the heart of Asa was perfect all his days. ^15:18And 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. ^15:19And there was no more war unto the five and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa.

^16:1In the six and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa, Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah, and built Ramah, that he might not suffer any one to go out or come in to Asa king of Judah. ^16:2Then Asa brought out silver and gold out of the treasures of the house of Jehovah and of the king`s house, and sent to Ben-hadad king of Syria, that dwelt at Damascus, saying, <sup>16:3</sup>[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. <sup>16:4</sup>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. <sup>16:5</sup>And it came to pass, when Baasha heard thereof, that he left off building Ramah, and let his work cease. <sup>16:6</sup>Then Asa the king took all Judah; and they carried away the stones of Ramah, and the timber thereof, wherewith Baasha had builded; and he built therewith Geba and Mizpah. <sup>16:7</sup>And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him, Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and hast not relied on Jehovah thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thy hand. <sup>16:8</sup>Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubim a huge host, with chariots and horsemen exceeding many? yet, because thou didst rely on Jehovah, he delivered them into thy hand. <sup>16:9</sup>For the eyes of Jehovah run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly; for from henceforth thou shalt have wars. <sup>16:10</sup>Then Asa was wroth with the seer, and put him in the prison-house; for he was in a rage with him because of this thing. And Asa oppressed some of the people at the same time. <sup>16:11</sup>And, behold, the acts of Asa, first and last, lo, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel. <sup>16:12</sup>And in the thirty and ninth year of his reign Asa was diseased in his feet; his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to Jehovah, but to the physicians. <sup>16:13</sup>And Asa slept with his fathers, and died in the one and fortieth year of his reign. <sup>16:14</sup>And they buried him in his own sepulchres, which he had hewn out for himself in the city of David, and laid him in the bed which was filled with sweet odors and divers kinds [of spices] prepared by the perfumers` art: and they made a very great burning for him.

^17:1And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead, and strengthened himself against Israel. ^17:2And he placed forces in all the fortified cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah, and in the cities of Ephraim, which Asa his father had taken. ^17:3And Jehovah was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto the Baalim, ^17:4but sought to the God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel. ^17:5Therefore Jehovah established the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat tribute; and he had riches and honor in abundance. ^17:6And his heart was lifted up in the ways of Jehovah: and furthermore he took away the high places and the Asherim out of Judah. ^17:7Also in the third year of his reign he sent his princes, even Ben-hail, and Obadiah, and Zechariah, and Nethanel, and Micaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah; ^17:8and with them the Levites, even Shemaiah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asahel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan, and Adonijah, and Tobijah, and Tob-adonijah, the Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, the priests. ^17:9And they taught in Judah, having the book of the law of Jehovah with them; and they went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught among the people. ^17:10And the fear of Jehovah fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat. ^17:11And some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents, and silver for tribute; the Arabians also brought him flocks, seven thousand and seven hundred rams, and seven thousand and seven hundred he-goats. ^17:12And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly; and he built in Judah castles and cities of store. ^17:13And he had many works in the cities of Judah; and men of war, mighty men of valor, in Jerusalem. ^17:14And this was the numbering of them according to their fathers` houses: Of Judah, the captains of thousands: Adnah the captain, and with him mighty men of valor three hundred thousand; ^17:15and next to him Jehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand; ^17:16and next to him Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself unto Jehovah; and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor. ^17:17And of Benjamin: Eliada a mighty man of valor, and with him two hundred thousand armed with bow and shield; ^17:18and next to him Jehozabad and with him a hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for war. ^17:19These were they that waited on the king, besides those whom the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah.

^18:1Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honor in abundance; and he joined affinity with Ahab. ^18:2And after certain years he went down to Ahab to Samaria. And Ahab killed sheep and oxen for him in abundance, and for the people that were with him, and moved him to go up [with him] to Ramoth-gilead. ^18:3And 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. ^18:4And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Inquire first, I pray thee, for the word of Jehovah. ^18:5Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, 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 hand of the king. ^18:6But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of Jehovah besides, that we may inquire of him? ^18:7And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of Jehovah: but I hate him; for he never prophesieth good concerning me, but always evil: the same is Micaiah the son of Imla. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so. ^18:8Then the king of Israel called an officer, and said, Fetch quickly Micaiah the son of Imla. ^18:9Now the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah sat each on his throne, arrayed in their robes, and they were sitting in an open place at the entrance of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets were prophesying before them. ^18:10And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made him horns of iron, and said, Thus saith Jehovah, With these shalt thou push the Syrians, until they be consumed. ^18:11And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ramoth-gilead, and prosper; for Jehovah will deliver it into the hand of the king. ^18:12And the messenger that went to call Micaiah spake to him, saying, Behold, the words of the prophets [declare] good to the king with one mouth: let thy word therefore, I pray thee, be like one of theirs, and speak thou good. ^18:13And Micaiah said, As Jehovah liveth, what my God saith, that will I speak. ^18:14And 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. ^18:15And the king said to him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou speak unto me nothing but the truth in the name of Jehovah? ^18:16And he said, I saw all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd: and Jehovah said, These have no master; let them return every man to his house in peace. ^18:17And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell thee that he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil? ^18:18And [Micaiah] said, Therefore hear ye the word of Jehovah: I saw Jehovah sitting upon his throne, and all the host of heaven standing on his right hand and on his left. ^18:19And Jehovah 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. ^18:20And there came forth a spirit, and stood before Jehovah, and said, I will entice him. And Jehovah said unto him, Wherewith? ^18:21And he said, I will go forth, and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt entice him, and shalt prevail also: go forth, and do so. ^18:22Now therefore, behold, Jehovah hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of these thy prophets; and Jehovah hath spoken evil concerning thee. ^18:23Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near, and smote Micaiah upon the cheek, and said, Which way went the Spirit of Jehovah from me to speak unto thee? ^18:24And Micaiah said, Behold, thou shalt see on that day, when thou shalt go into an inner chamber to hide thyself. ^18:25And the king of Israel said, Take ye Micaiah, and carry him back unto Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king`s son; ^18:26and 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. ^18:27And Micaiah said, If thou return at all in peace, Jehovah hath not spoken by me. And he said, Hear, ye peoples, all of you. ^18:28So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramoth-gilead. ^18:29And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself, and go into the battle; but put thou on thy robes. So the king of Israel disguised himself; and they went into the battle. ^18:30Now the king of Syria had commanded the captains of his chariots, saying, Fight neither with small nor great, save only with the king of Israel. ^18:31And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, It is the king of Israel. Therefore they turned about to fight against him: but Jehoshaphat cried out, and Jehovah helped him; and God moved them [to depart] from him. ^18:32And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw that it was not the king of Israel, that they turned back from pursuing him. ^18:33And a certain man drew his bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the armor: wherefore he said to the driver of the chariot, Turn thy hand, and carry me out of the host; for I am sore wounded. ^18:34And 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 going down of the sun he died.

^19:1And Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem. ^19:2And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the wicked, and love them that hate Jehovah? for this thing wrath is upon thee from before Jehovah. ^19:3Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast put away the Asheroth out of the land, and hast set thy heart to seek God. ^19:4And Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem: and he went out again among the people from Beer-sheba to the hill-country of Ephraim, and brought them back unto Jehovah, the God of their fathers. ^19:5And he set judges in the land throughout all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city, ^19:6and said to the judges, Consider what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for Jehovah; and [he is] with you in the judgment. ^19:7Now therefore let the fear of Jehovah be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with Jehovah our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of bribes. ^19:8Moreover in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites and the priests, and of the heads of the fathers` [houses] of Israel, for the judgment of Jehovah, and for controversies. And they returned to Jerusalem. <sup>19:9</sup>And he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye do in the fear of Jehovah, faithfully, and with a perfect heart. <sup>19:10</sup>And whensoever any controversy shall come to you from your brethren that dwell in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and ordinances, ye shall warn them, that they be not guilty towards Jehovah, and so wrath come upon you and upon your brethren: this do, and ye shall not be guilty. <sup>19:11</sup>And, behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of Jehovah; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, in all the king`s matters: also the Levites shall be officers before you. Deal courageously, and Jehovah be with the good.

^20:1And it came to pass after this, that the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them some of the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle. ^20:2Then there came some that told Jehoshaphat, saying, There cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea from Syria; and, behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar (the same is En-gedi). ^20:3And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek unto Jehovah; and he proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. ^20:4And Judah gathered themselves together, to seek [help] of Jehovah: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek Jehovah. ^20:5And Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of Jehovah, before the new court; ^20:6and he said, O Jehovah, the God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and art not thou ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations? and in thy hand is power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee. ^20:7Didst not thou, O our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and give it to the seed of Abraham thy friend for ever? ^20:8And they dwelt therein, and have built thee a sanctuary therein for thy name, saying, ^20:9If evil come upon us, the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house, and before thee, (for thy name is in this house,) and cry unto thee in our affliction, and thou wilt hear and save. ^20:10And 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 aside from them, and destroyed them not; ^20:11behold, how they reward us, to come to cast us out of thy possession, which thou hast given us to inherit. ^20:12O 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 out eyes are upon thee. ^20:13And all Judah stood before Jehovah, with their little ones, their wives, and their children. ^20:14Then upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, the Levite, of the sons of Asaph, came the Spirit of Jehovah in the midst of the assembly; ^20:15and he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat: Thus saith Jehovah unto you, Fear not ye, neither be dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God`s. <sup>20:16</sup>To-morrow go ye down against them: behold, they come up by the ascent of Ziz; and ye shall find them at the end of the valley, before the wilderness of Jeruel. <sup>20:17</sup>Ye shall not need to fight in this [battle]: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of Jehovah with you, O Judah and Jerusalem; fear not, nor be dismayed: to-morrow go out against them: for Jehovah is with you. <sup>20:18</sup>And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground; and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before Jehovah, worshipping Jehovah. <sup>20:19</sup>And the Levites, of the children of the Kohathites and of the children of the Korahites, stood up to praise Jehovah, the God of Israel, with an exceeding loud voice. <sup>20:20</sup>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 Jehovah your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper. <sup>20:21</sup>And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed them that should sing unto Jehovah, and give praise in holy array, as they went out before the army, and say, Give thanks unto Jehovah; for his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever. <sup>20:22</sup>And when they began to sing and to praise, Jehovah set liers-in-wait against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, that were come against Judah; and they were smitten. <sup>20:23</sup>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. <sup>20:24</sup>And when Judah came to the watch-tower of the wilderness, they looked upon the multitude; and, behold, they were dead bodies fallen to the earth, and there were none that escaped. <sup>20:25</sup>And when Jehoshaphat and his people came to take the spoil of them, they found among them in abundance both riches and dead bodies, and precious jewels, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away: and they were three days in taking the spoil, it was so much. <sup>20:26</sup>And on the fourth day they assembled themselves in the valley of Beracah; for there they blessed Jehovah: therefore the name of that place was called The valley of Beracah unto this day. <sup>20:27</sup>Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat in the forefront of them, to go again to Jerusalem with joy; for Jehovah had made them to rejoice over their enemies. <sup>20:28</sup>And they came to Jerusalem with psalteries and harps and trumpets unto the house of Jehovah. <sup>20:29</sup>And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of the countries, when they heard that Jehovah fought against the enemies of Israel. <sup>20:30</sup>So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet; for his God gave him rest round about. <sup>20:31</sup>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. ^20:32And he walked in the way of Asa his father, and turned not aside from it, doing that which was right in the eyes of Jehovah. ^20:33Howbeit the high places were not taken away; neither as yet had the people set their hearts unto the God of their fathers. ^20:34Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, first and last, behold, they are written in the history of Jehu the son of Hanani, which is inserted in the book of the kings of Israel. ^20:35And after this did Jehoshaphat king of Judah join himself with Ahaziah king of Israel; the same did very wickedly: ^20:36and he joined himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish; and they made the ships in Ezion-geber. ^20:37Then Eliezer the son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, Because thou hast joined thyself with Ahaziah, Jehovah hath destroyed thy works. And the ships were broken, so that they were not able to go to Tarshish.

^21:1And Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David: and Jehoram his son reigned in his stead. ^21:2And 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. ^21:3And their father gave them great gifts, of silver, and of gold, and of precious things, with fortified cities in Judah: but the kingdom gave he to Jehoram, because he was the first-born. ^21:4Now when Jehoram was risen up over the kingdom of his father, and had strengthened himself, he slew all his brethren with the sword, and divers also of the princes of Israel. ^21:5Jehoram was thirty and two years old when he began to reign; and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem. ^21:6And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as did the house of Ahab; for he had the daughter of Ahab to wife: and he did that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah. ^21:7Howbeit Jehovah would not destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that he had made with David, and as he promised to give a lamp to him and to his children alway. ^21:8In his days Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah, and made a king over themselves. ^21:9Then Jehoram passed over with his captains, and all his chariots with him: and he rose up by night, and smote the Edomites that compassed him about, and the captains of the chariots. ^21:10So Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah unto this day: then did Libnah revolt at the same time from under his hand, because he had forsaken Jehovah, the God of his fathers. ^21:11Moreover he made high places in the mountains of Judah, and made the inhabitants of Jerusalem to play the harlot, and led Judah astray. ^21:12And there came a writing to him from Elijah the prophet, saying, Thus saith Jehovah, the God of David thy father, Because thou hast not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat thy father, nor in the ways of Asa king of Judah, ^21:13but hast walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and hast made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to play the harlot, like as the house of Ahab did, and also hast slain thy brethren of thy father`s house, who were better than thyself: <sup>21:14</sup>behold, Jehovah will smite with a great plague thy people, and thy children, and thy wives, and all thy substance; <sup>21:15</sup>and thou shalt have great sickness by disease of thy bowels, until thy bowels fall out by reason of the sickness, day by day. <sup>21:16</sup>And Jehovah stirred up against Jehoram the spirit of the Philistines, and of the Arabians that are beside the Ethiopians: <sup>21:17</sup>and they came up against 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. ^21:18And after all this Jehovah smote him in his bowels with an incurable disease. ^21:19And it came to pass, in process of time, at the end of two years, that his bowels fell out by reason of his sickness, and he died of sore diseases. And his people made no burning for him, like the burning of his fathers. ^21:20Thirty and two years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years: and he departed without being desired; and they buried him in the city of David, but not in the sepulchres of the kings.

^22:1And 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. ^22:2Forty and two years old was Ahaziah when he began to reign; and he reigned one year in Jerusalem: and his mother`s name was Athaliah the daughter of Omri. <sup>22:3</sup>He also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab; for his mother was his counsellor to do wickedly. <sup>22:4</sup>And he did that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah, as did the house of Ahab; for they were his counsellors after the death of his father, to his destruction. <sup>22:5</sup>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 wounded Joram. <sup>22:6</sup>And he returned to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds which they had given him at Ramah, when he fought against Hazael king of Syria. And Azariah the son of Jehoram king of Judah went down to see Jehoram the son of Ahab in Jezreel, because he was sick. <sup>22:7</sup>Now the destruction of Ahaziah was of God, in that he went unto Joram: for when he was come, he went out with Jehoram against Jehu the son of Nimshi, whom Jehovah had anointed to cut off the house of Ahab. <sup>22:8</sup>And it came to pass, when Jehu was executing judgment upon the house of Ahab, that he found the princes of Judah, and the sons of the brethren of Ahaziah, ministering to Ahaziah, and slew them. <sup>22:9</sup>And he sought Ahaziah, and they caught him (now he was hiding in Samaria), and they brought him to Jehu, and slew him; and they buried him, for they said, He is the son of Jehoshaphat, who sought Jehovah with all his heart. And the house of Ahaziah had no power to hold the kingdom. <sup>22:10</sup>Now 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. <sup>22:11</sup>But Jehoshabeath, the daughter of the king, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him away from among the king`s sons that were slain, and put him and his nurse in the bedchamber. So Jehoshabeath, the daughter of king Jehoram, the wife of Jehoiada the priest (for she was the sister of Ahaziah), hid him from Athaliah, so that she slew him not. ^22:12And he was with them hid in the house of God six years: and Athaliah reigned over the land.

^23:1And 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. ^23:2And they went about in Judah, and gathered the Levites out of all the cities of Judah, and the heads of fathers` [houses] of Israel, and they came to Jerusalem. <sup>23:3</sup>And all the assembly made a covenant with the king in the house of God. And he said unto them, Behold, the king`s son shall reign, as Jehovah hath spoken concerning the sons of David. ^23:4This is the thing that ye shall do: a third part of you, that come in on the sabbath, of the priests and of the Levites, shall be porters of the thresholds; ^23:5and a third part shall be at the king`s house; and a third part at the gate of the foundation: and all the people shall be in the courts of the house of Jehovah. <sup>23:6</sup>But let none come into the house of Jehovah, save the priests, and they that minister of the Levites; they shall come in, for they are holy: but all the people shall keep the charge of Jehovah. <sup>23:7</sup>And the Levites shall compass the king round about, every man with his weapons in his hand; and whosoever cometh into the house, let him be slain: and be ye with the king when he cometh in, and when he goeth out. <sup>23:8</sup>So the Levites and all Judah did according to all that Jehoiada the priest commanded: and they took every man his men, those that were to come in on the sabbath; with those that were to go out on the sabbath; for Jehoiada the priest dismissed not the courses. <sup>23:9</sup>And Jehoiada the priest delivered to the captains of hundreds the spears, and bucklers, and shields, that had been king David`s, which were in the house of God. ^23:10And he set all the people, every man with his weapon in his hand, from the right side of the house to the left side of the house, along by the altar and the house, by the king round about. ^23:11Then they brought out the king`s son, and put the crown upon him, and [gave him] the testimony, and made him king: and Jehoiada and his sons anointed him; and they said, [Long] live the king. <sup>23:12</sup>And when Athaliah heard the noise of the people running and praising the king, she came to the people into the house of Jehovah: <sup>23:13</sup>and she looked, and, behold, the king stood by his pillar at the entrance, and the captains and the trumpets by the king; and all the people of the land rejoiced, and blew trumpets; the singers also [played] on instruments of music, and led the singing of praise. Then Athaliah rent her clothes, and said, Treason! treason! <sup>23:14</sup>And Jehoiada the priest brought out the captains of hundreds that were set over the host, and said unto them, Have her forth between the ranks; and whoso followeth her, let him be slain with the sword: for the priest said, Slay her not in the house of Jehovah. <sup>23:15</sup>So they made way for her; and she went to the entrance of the horse gate to the king`s house: and they slew her there. ^23:16And Jehoiada made a covenant between himself, and all the people, and the king, that they should be Jehovah`s people. <sup>23:17</sup>And 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. <sup>23:18</sup>And Jehoiada appointed the officers of the house of Jehovah under the hand of the priests the Levites, whom David had distributed in the house of Jehovah, to offer the burnt-offerings of Jehovah, as it is written in the law of Moses, with rejoicing and with singing, according to the order of David. <sup>23:19</sup>And he set the porters at the gates of the house of Jehovah, that none that was unclean in anything should enter in. <sup>23:20</sup>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 Jehovah: and they came through the upper gate unto the king`s house, and set the king upon the throne of the kingdom. ^23:21So all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was quiet. And Athaliah they had slain with the sword.

^24:1Joash was seven years old when he began to reign; and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem: and his mother`s name was Zibiah, of Beer-sheba. <sup>24:2</sup>And Joash did that which was right in the eyes of Jehovah all the days of Jehoiada the priest. <sup>24:3</sup>And Jehoiada took for him two wives; and he begat sons and daughters. <sup>24:4</sup>And it came to pass after this, that Joash was minded to restore the house of Jehovah. <sup>24:5</sup>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. <sup>24:6</sup>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 tax of Moses the servant of Jehovah, and of the assembly of Israel, for the tent of the testimony? <sup>24:7</sup>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 Jehovah did they bestow upon the Baalim. <sup>24:8</sup>So the king commanded, and they made a chest, and set it without at the gate of the house of Jehovah. <sup>24:9</sup>And they made a proclamation through Judah and Jerusalem, to bring in for Jehovah the tax that Moses the servant of God laid upon Israel in the wilderness. <sup>24:10</sup>And all the princes and all the people rejoiced, and brought in, and cast into the chest, until they had made an end. <sup>24:11</sup>And it was so, that, at what time the chest was brought unto the king`s officers by the hand of the Levites, and when they saw that there was much money, the king`s scribe and the chief priest`s officer came and emptied the chest, and took it, and carried it to its place again. Thus they did day by day, and gathered money in abundance. ^24:12And the king and Jehoiada gave it to such as did the work of the service of the house of Jehovah; and they hired masons and carpenters to restore the house of Jehovah, and also such as wrought iron and brass to repair the house of Jehovah. ^24:13So the workmen wrought, and the work of repairing went forward in their hands, and they set up the house of God in its state, and strengthened it. ^24:14And when they had made an end, they brought the rest of the money before the king and Jehoiada, whereof were made vessels for the house of Jehovah, even vessels wherewith to minister and to offer, and spoons, and vessels of gold and silver. And they offered burnt-offerings in the house of Jehovah continually all the days of Jehoiada. ^24:15But Jehoiada waxed old and was full of days, and he died; a hundred and thirty years old was he when he died. ^24:16And they buried him in the city of David among the kings, because he had done good in Israel, and toward God and his house. ^24:17Now after the death of Jehoiada came the princes of Judah, and made obeisance to the king. Then the king hearkened unto them. ^24:18And they forsook the house of Jehovah, the God of their fathers, and served the Asherim and the idols: and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this their guiltiness. ^24:19Yet he sent prophets to them, to bring them again unto Jehovah; and they testified against them: but they would not give ear. ^24:20And the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest; and he stood above the people, and said unto them, Thus saith God, Why transgress ye the commandments of Jehovah, so that ye cannot prosper? because ye have forsaken Jehovah, he hath also forsaken you. ^24:21And they conspired against him, and stoned him with stones at the commandment of the king in the court of the house of Jehovah. ^24:22Thus 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, Jehovah look upon it, and require it. ^24:23And it came to pass at the end of the year, that the army of the Syrians 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. ^24:24For the army of the Syrians came with a small company of men; and Jehovah delivered a very great host into their hand, because they had forsaken Jehovah, the God of their fathers. So they executed judgment upon Joash. ^24:25And when they were departed for him (for they left him very sick), 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. ^24:26And these are they that conspired against him: Zabad the son of Shimeath the Ammonitess, and Jehozabad the son of Shimrith the Moabitess. ^24:27Now concerning his sons, and the greatness of the burdens [laid] upon him, and the rebuilding of the house of God, behold, they are written in the commentary of the book of the kings. And Amaziah his son reigned in his stead.

^25:1Amaziah 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. <sup>25:2</sup>And he did that which was right in the eyes of Jehovah, but not with a perfect heart. <sup>25:3</sup>Now it came to pass, when the kingdom was established unto him, that he slew his servants that had killed the king his father. <sup>25:4</sup>But he put not their children to death, but did according to that which is written in the law in the book of Moses, as Jehovah 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. <sup>25:5</sup>Moreover Amaziah gathered Judah together, and ordered them according to their fathers` houses, under captains of thousands and captains of hundreds, even all Judah and Benjamin: and he numbered them from twenty years old and upward, and found them three hundred thousand chosen men, able to go forth to war, that could handle spear and shield. ^25:6He hired also a hundred thousand mighty men of valor out of Israel for a hundred talents of silver. ^25:7But there came a man of God to him, saying, O king, let not the army of Israel go with thee; for Jehovah is not with Israel, [to wit], with all the children of Ephraim. ^25:8But if thou wilt go, do [valiantly], be strong for the battle: God will cast thee down before the enemy; for God hath power to help, and to cast down. ^25:9And 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, Jehovah is able to give thee much more than this. ^25:10Then 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 fierce anger. ^25:11And Amaziah took courage, and led forth his people, and went to the Valley of Salt, and smote of the children of Seir ten thousand. ^25:12And [other] ten thousand did the children of Judah carry away alive, and brought them unto the top of the rock, and cast them down from the top of the rock, so that they all were broken in pieces. ^25:13But the men of the army whom 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 of them three thousand, and took much spoil. ^25:14Now 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. ^25:15Wherefore the anger of Jehovah was kindled against Amaziah, and he sent unto him a prophet, who said unto him, Why hast thou sought after the gods of the people, which have not delivered their own people out of thy hand? ^25:16And it came to pass, as he talked with him, that [the king] said unto him, Have we made thee 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. <sup>25:17</sup>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 look one another in the face. <sup>25:18</sup>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 trod down the thistle. <sup>25:19</sup>Thou sayest, Lo, thou hast smitten Edom; and thy heart lifteth thee up to boast: abide now at home; why shouldest thou meddle to [thy] hurt, that thou shouldest fall, even thou, and Judah with thee? <sup>25:20</sup>But Amaziah would not hear; for it was of God, that he might deliver them into the hand [of their enemies], because they had sought after the gods of Edom. <sup>25:21</sup>So Joash king of Israel went up; and he and Amaziah king of Judah looked one another in the face at Beth-shemesh, which belongeth to Judah. <sup>25:22</sup>And Judah was put to the worse before Israel; and they fled every man to his tent. <sup>25:23</sup>And Joash king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Joash the son of Jehoahaz, at Beth-shemesh, and brought him to Jerusalem, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim unto the corner gate, four hundred cubits. <sup>25:24</sup>And [he took] all the gold and 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. ^25:25And Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah lived after the death of Joash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel fifteen years. ^25:26Now 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? ^25:27Now from the time that Amaziah did turn away from following Jehovah they made a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem; and he fled to Lachish: but they sent after him to Lachish, and slew him there. ^25:28And they brought him upon horses, and buried him with his fathers in the city of Judah.

^26:1And all the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in the room of his father Amaziah. ^26:2He built Eloth, and restored it to Judah, after that the king slept with his fathers. ^26:3Sixteen years old was Uzziah when he began to reign; and he reigned fifty and two years in Jerusalem: and his mother`s name was Jechiliah, of Jerusalem. <sup>26:4</sup>And he did that which was right in the eyes of Jehovah, according to all that his father Amaziah had done. <sup>26:5</sup>And he set himself to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the vision of God: and as long as he sought Jehovah, God made him to prosper. <sup>26:6</sup>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 he built cities in [the country of] Ashdod, and among the Philistines. <sup>26:7</sup>And God helped him against the Philistines, and against the Arabians that dwelt in Gur-baal, and the Meunim. <sup>26:8</sup>And the Ammonites gave tribute to Uzziah: and his name spread abroad even to the entrance of Egypt; for he waxed exceeding strong. <sup>26:9</sup>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. <sup>26:10</sup>And he built towers in the wilderness, and hewed out many cisterns, for he had much cattle; in the lowland also, and in the plain: [and he had] husbandmen and vinedressers in the mountains and in the fruitful fields; for he loved husbandry. <sup>26:11</sup>Moreover Uzziah had an army of fighting men, that went out to war by bands, according to the number of their reckoning made by Jeiel the scribe and Maaseiah the officer, under the hand of Hananiah, one of the king`s captains. ^26:12The whole number of the heads of fathers` [houses], even the mighty men of valor, was two thousand and six hundred. <sup>26:13</sup>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. <sup>26:14</sup>And Uzziah prepared for them, even for all the host, shields, and spears, and helmets, and coats of mail, and bows, and stones for slinging. <sup>26:15</sup>And he made in Jerusalem engines, invented by skilful men, to be on the towers and upon the battlements, wherewith to shoot arrows and great stones. And his name spread far abroad; for he was marvellously helped, till he was strong. <sup>26:16</sup>But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up, so that he did corruptly, and he trespassed against Jehovah his God; for he went into the temple of Jehovah to burn incense upon the altar of incense. <sup>26:17</sup>And Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him fourscore priests of Jehovah, that were valiant men: <sup>26:18</sup>and they withstood Uzziah the king, and said unto him, It pertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense unto Jehovah, 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 honor from Jehovah God. <sup>26:19</sup>Then Uzziah was wroth; and he had a censer in his hand to burn incense; and while he was wroth with the priests, the leprosy brake forth in his forehead before the priests in the house of Jehovah, beside the altar of incense. <sup>26:20</sup>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 quickly from thence; yea, himself hasted also to go out, because Jehovah had smitten him. <sup>26:21</sup>And Uzziah the king was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a separate house, being a leper; for he was cut off from the house of Jehovah: and Jotham his son was over the king`s house, judging the people of the land. ^26:22Now the rest of the acts of Uzziah, first and last, did Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, write. ^26:23So Uzziah slept with his fathers; and they buried him with his fathers in the field of burial which belonged to the kings; for they said, He is a leper: and Jotham his son reigned in his stead.

^27:1Jotham was twenty and five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem: and his mother`s name was Jerushah the daughter of Zadok. ^27:2And he did that which was right in the eyes of Jehovah, according to all that his father Uzziah had done: howbeit he entered not into the temple of Jehovah. And the people did yet corruptly. ^27:3He built the upper gate of the house of Jehovah, and on the wall of Ophel he built much. ^27:4Moreover he built cities in the hill-country of Judah, and in the forests he built castles and towers. ^27:5He fought also with the king of the children of Ammon, and prevailed against them. And the children of Ammon gave him the same year a hundred talents of silver, and ten thousand measures of wheat, and ten thousand of barley. So much did the children of Ammon render unto him, in the second year also, and in the third. ^27:6So Jotham became mighty, because he ordered his ways before Jehovah his God. ^27:7Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all his wars, and his ways, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah. ^27:8He was five and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. ^27:9And Jotham slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David: and Ahaz his son reigned in his stead.

^28:1Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign; and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem: and he did not that which was right in the eyes of Jehovah, like David his father; ^28:2but he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and made also molten images for the Baalim. ^28:3Moreover he burnt incense in the valley of the son of Hinnom, and burnt his children in the fire, according to the abominations of the nations whom Jehovah cast out before the children of Israel. ^28:4And he sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree. ^28:5Wherefore Jehovah his God delivered him into the hand of the king of Syria; and they smote him, and carried away of his a great multitude of 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. ^28:6For Pekah the son of Remaliah slew in Judah a hundred and twenty thousand in one day, all of them valiant men; because they had forsaken Jehovah, the God of their fathers. ^28:7And Zichri, a mighty man of Ephraim, slew Maaseiah the king`s son, and Azrikam the ruler of the house, and Elkanah that was next to the king. ^28:8And 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. ^28:9But a prophet of Jehovah was there, whose name was Oded: and he went out to meet the host that came to Samaria, and said unto them, Behold, because Jehovah, the God of your fathers, was wroth with Judah, he hath delivered them into your hand, and ye have slain them in a rage which hath reached up to heaven. ^28:10And now ye purpose to keep under the children of Judah and Jerusalem for bondmen and bondwomen unto you: [but] are there not even with you trespasses of your own against Jehovah your God? ^28:11Now hear me therefore, and send back the captives, that ye have taken captive of your brethren; for the fierce wrath of Jehovah is upon you. ^28:12Then 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, ^28:13and said unto them, Ye shall not bring in the captives hither: for ye purpose that which will bring upon us a trespass against Jehovah, to add unto our sins and to our trespass; for our trespass is great, and there is fierce wrath against Israel. ^28:14So the armed men left the captives and the spoil before the princes and all the assembly. ^28:15And the men that have been mentioned 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, unto their brethren: then they returned to Samaria. ^28:16At that time did king Ahaz send unto the kings of Assyria to help him. ^28:17For again the Edomites had come and smitten Judah, and carried away captives. ^28:18The Philistines also had invaded the cities of the lowland, and of the South of Judah, and had taken Beth-shemesh, and Aijalon, and Gederoth, and Soco with the towns thereof, and Timnah with the towns thereof, Gimzo also and the towns thereof: and they dwelt there. ^28:19For Jehovah brought Judah low because of Ahaz king of Israel; for he had dealt wantonly in Judah, and trespassed sore against Jehovah. ^28:20And Tilgath-pilneser king of Assyria came unto him, and distressed him, but strengthened him not. ^28:21For Ahaz took away a portion out of the house of Jehovah, and out of the house of the king and of the princes, and gave it unto the king of Assyria: but it helped him not. ^28:22And in the time of his distress did he trespass yet more against Jehovah, this same king Ahaz. ^28:23For he sacrificed unto the gods of Damascus, which smote him; and he said, Because the gods of the kings of Syria helped them, [therefore] will I sacrifice to them, that they may help me. But they were the ruin of him, and of all Israel. ^28:24And 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 Jehovah; and he made him altars in every corner of Jerusalem. ^28:25And in every city of Judah he made high places to burn incense unto other gods, and provoked to anger Jehovah, the God of his fathers. ^28:26Now the rest of his acts, and all his ways, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel. ^28:27And Ahaz slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city, even in Jerusalem; for they brought him not into the sepulchres of the kings of Israel: and Hezekiah his son reigned in his stead.