Book of 2ndChronicles
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Verse by verse, account of the book of 2^nd Chronicles

2^nd Chronicles: chapter 1

¹Solomon, David's son became firmly established in his kingdom, for the LORD his God was with him and made him exceedingly great.

King Solomon asks for and receives great wisdom from God, also recorded in 1^st Kings 3:5.

²Solomon spoke to all of Israel, the captains, the judges, the governors and the rulers of Israel. ³Then Solomon and all the people with him went up to the high place that was at Gibeon. For the Tent of the Meeting of God was there, that Moses the servant of the LORD had made in the wilderness. ⁴However David had brought the Ark of God, up from Kirjath-jearim to the tent in Jerusalem, that he had prepared for it. ⁵But the bronze altar, that Bezaleel the son of Uri, had made, was still in Gibeon before the tabernacle of the LORD. So Solomon and the congregation went to retrieve it. ⁶And at the bronze altar before the LORD, Solomon offered one thousand burnt offerings.

⁷That night God appeared to Solomon and said; Ask of Me, what I should give to you? ⁸And Solomon said; You have shown great mercy to my father David and have made me to reign as king after him. ⁹Now LORD God, let Your promise to David my father be established, for You have caused me to be over a vast multitude of people. ¹⁰Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may reside over these people, for who can judge this great multitude of Your people.

¹¹And God said to Solomon; Because it was in your heart and you have not asked for riches, wealth, great honor, or the life of your enemies, nor have you asked for long life. But, you have asked for wisdom and knowledge so that you can rightly rule and judge My people. ¹²Therefore, I grant you wisdom and knowledge. And I will also give you riches, wealth and honor, such as no king has had before or will have after you.

¹³Solomon then left the high place at Gibeon and returned to Jerusalem to rule over Israel. ¹⁴And Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen. He had fourteen hundred chariots, with twelve thousand horsemen, that he stabled in special chariot cities, while he reigned as king from Jerusalem. ¹⁵Silver and gold at Jerusalem became as abundant as stones and fine cedar lumber became as plentiful as common sycamore trees. ¹⁶Solomon had horses brought from Egypt and linen yarn at discount prices. ¹⁷Chariots were brought from Egypt for six hundred shekels of silver and a horse was one hundred fifty shekels, thus they traded with the kings of the Hittites and the kings of Syria.

2^nd Chronicles: chapter 2

¹Solomon was then determined to build a house for the name of the LORD and a palace for his kingdom. ²He called out seventy thousand men as common labors, eighty thousand men to hew stones in the mountains and thirty-six hundred to supervise the work over them.

³Then Solomon sent a message to Hiram the king of Tyre, saying; As you dealt with David my father, (in 2^nd Samuel 5:11), sending him lumber for his house, also deal such with me. ⁴For I am building a house in dedication to the name of the LORD my God. To burn sweet incense before Him, with continual showbread, providing burnt offerings both morning and evening, on the Sabbaths, on the new moons and on the solemn feasts days of the LORD our God. As is the command of our LORD forever to Israel. ⁵And great will be this house that I build, for our God is above all other gods. ⁶But who is able to build Him such a house, seeing that even the heavens are not able to contain Him? So then, who am I that I should build Him a house, but rather only to burn sacrifice before Him?

⁷Therefore send me a wise man skillful at working in gold, in silver, in brass and in iron. Able to work in purple, crimson and blue textiles, skilled in engraving and can work with the skilled craftsmen with me in Judah and Jerusalem that David my father provided. ⁸Also send fine lumber from the forest of Lebanon, for I know how skillful your servants are to cut timbers and I shall also send my servants to work with your servants. ⁹Prepare timbers in abundance, for the house which I am about to build shall be extremely great. ¹⁰I will give to your servants, who cut the timbers, twenty thousand measures of beaten wheat, twenty thousand measures of barley, one hundred twenty thousand gallons of wine and one hundred twenty thousand gallons of oil.

¹¹Hiram the king of Tyre, replied back saying; Because the LORD loves His people, has He made you king over them. ¹²Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, that made heaven and earth. Whom has given David a wise son, knowing wisdom and understanding. That plans to build a house for the LORD and a house for his kingdom. ¹³I have sent a wise and understanding man to you, of Hiram my father's, ¹⁴His mother was of the tribe of Dan and his father was a man of Tyre, skilful in gold, silver, brass and iron. Able to work in stone, in timbers and in linen textiles. Also, skilled in engraving and able to learn any device that is given him, to work along side the skilful men that David your father provided. ¹⁵Therefore the payment of wheat, barley, wine and oil, that you spoke of, you can send it to my labors whom are your servants. ¹⁶And we shall cut as much lumber as you need from the trees of Lebanon and float it by sea to Joppa, where you can carry it up to Jerusalem.

¹⁷Solomon then numbered all the non-Israelites that were in the land of Israel and they were one hundred fifty-three thousand six hundred. ¹⁸Of these Solomon set seventy thousand as common labors, eighty thousand to cut stones in the mountains and the remaining thirty-six hundred as overseers of the people's work.

2^nd Chronicles: chapter 3

¹Solomon then began work on the house of the LORD at Jerusalem in Mount Moriah. At the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite, where the LORD appeared to David his father and David had offered sacrifices to the LORD, 1^st Chronicles chapter 21. ²And in the forth year, the second day of the second month of Solomon's reign, the building began.

³These are the measurements that Solomon was given for the building of the house of God. The length was 60 cubits and the width was 20 cubits, (90 feet by 30 feet). ⁴The porch that was on the front of the house, the length of it was according to the width of the house, 20 cubits, the height was 120 cubits and the inside was overlaid with pure gold. ⁵The greater house, (that contained the Most Holy Place), he lined with lumber of fir trees, also overlaid with fine gold, engraved with palm trees and chains. ⁶Solomon garnished the house with precious stones for beauty and the finest of gold. ⁷The beams, the posts, the walls and the doors of the house were overlaid with gold and the walls were engraved with cherubim's on them.

⁸Solomon made the Most Holy Place, 20 cubits wide, the same as the width of the house, by 20 cubits in length and 20 cubits high, (30 feet cubed) and the inside was overlaid with six hundred talents of fine gold. ⁹Even the weight of the nails was fifty shekels of gold, (a pound and a half). And he overlaid the upper chambers with gold. ¹⁰In the Most Holy Place he made two statues of cherubim's, overlaid with gold. ¹¹The wing span of each cherubim was 10 cubits long and the wing tips of the two cherubs touched in the middle and covered the entire 20 cubit width of the room. ¹²Each wing of the cherub was 5 cubits long, having a span of 10 cubits, touching wing tips in the center and covering the width of the room, wall to wall. ¹³And the Cherubs stood on their feet, with their faces turned inward.

¹⁴Solomon made the veil between the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place, of fine linen with blue, purple and crimson, having designs of cherubim's. ¹⁵Also he placed before the house two pillars being 35 cubits high, with an ornamental capital on top that was 5 cubits tall. ¹⁶He made chains for the heads of the pillars, much like a necklace and put one hundred pomegranates on them. ¹⁷The pillars were placed before the temple, one on the right and the other on the left and called the pillar on the right Jachin, (the name means:   God will establish) and the pillar on the left Boaz, (the name means:   strength).

2^nd Chronicles: chapter 4

¹Solomon made a brass altar, 20 cubits square and 10 cubits high, (30 feet square by 15 feet high, to replicate the function of the brazen altar).

²He also made a molten sea, 10 cubits in diameter from rim to rim, 5 cubits deep and 30 cubits in circumference, (a large round basin, 15 feet in diameter by 7.5 feet deep, to replicate the function of the Bronze Laver). ³Under its rim on the outer-side compassing it around were cast two rows of oxen. Ten per cubit and the oxen were one piece with the sea. ⁴The sea stood on twelve oxen, three facing north, three west, three south and three east. ⁵The thickness of the sea was 3 inches and the brim was radius like the brim of a cup, with flowers of lilies and the sea held 18,000 gallons. ⁶Also ten smaller lavers, (washbasins) were made, to wash the things used for the burnt offerings, five were put on the right side of the sea and five on the left, but the sea was for the priests to wash in.

⁷Ten candlesticks of gold were made, (replicating the design of the Golden Candlestick) and placed in the temple, five on the right side and five on the left.

⁸Ten tables were made and placed in the temple, five on the right side and five on the left, also one hundred basins of gold were made. ⁹A courtyard and a great court room was made for the priests and the doors for the court were overlaid with brass. ¹⁰The sea was placed on the right side of the east end of the temple, over against the south. ¹¹Pots, shovels, basins and all the needed utensils were made and all the work was completed, that was to be made for the house of God.

¹²There was the dome shaped capitals on top of the two pillars, along with the wreaths on top of the pillars. ¹³And four hundred pomegranates on the wreaths, two rows of pomegranates on each wreath, to cover the two capitals that were on the pillars. ¹⁴Bases or stands were made for the lavers. ¹⁵The sea was made and the twelve oxen that it sat upon. ¹⁶all the pots, shovels, flesh-hooks and all the needed utensils were made for the house of the LORD of bright brass. ¹⁷And they were cast and molded in the clay ground between Succoth and Zeredathah, in the plains of Jordan river.

¹⁸Thus Solomon had all these things made in great abundance, for the weight of the brass was without measure. ¹⁹The golden altar of incense and the table of showbread was also made, along with their utensils for the house of God. ²⁰The candlesticks with their lamps were made of pure gold, to burn before the Most Holy Place. ²¹The ornaments and the pieces of the candlestick, the flowers, the lamps and the tongs, were also made of fine gold. ²²The snuffers, basins, spoons and censers, were of pure gold. The entry of the house, the inner doors, for the Most Holy Place and the doors of the temple, were also of gold.

2^nd Chronicles: chapter 5

¹Thus the house of the LORD was completed and Solomon brought the silver and gold items and the instruments that David his father had dedicated into the house. ²Solomon then called for all the elders and the heads of Israel to assemble together at the city of Jerusalem, to bring the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD from Zion, the city of David. ³In the seventh month all the men of Israel assembled themselves before the king. ^4-5And the priests and the Levites carried the Ark of the LORD, the Tent of the Meeting and all the holy vessels. ⁶Then king Solomon and the people of Israel before the Ark of the LORD, sacrificed sheep and oxen, of numbers that were too great even to count. ⁷The Ark of the Covenant of the LORD was then brought into the Most Holy Place and set under the wings of the cherubim, in the house of the LORD. ⁸For the wings of the cherubim spread over where the Ark of the LORD sat. ⁹And the poles by which the Ark of the LORD was carried were clearly visible within the Most Holy Place, but they were not seen from outside, so that is where they stay even to this day. ¹⁰All that was in the Ark of the LORD were the two tables of the law, that Moses put in at Horeb, when the LORD made a covenant with the children of Israel, as they came out of the land of Egypt, Exodus 25:16. (perhaps the Jar of Manna and Aaron's rod that had also been put into the Ark were taken out while the Ark was in the hands of the Philistines).

¹¹Now when the priests that had been sanctified, came out of the Holy Place. ¹²The Levites whom were elected as singers, all clothed in white linen, having cymbals, psalteries and harps. Stood at the east end of the altar and with them one hundred twenty priests blew trumpets. ¹³As the trumpeters and singers came together as one in praising and thanking the LORD, saying; The LORD is good His mercy endures forever. After this the house of the LORD was filled with a cloud. ¹⁴So much so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God.

2^nd Chronicles: chapter 6

¹Solomon then said to the people; The LORD has said that He would dwell in a cloud of darkness. ²But I have built a house for the LORD, a place of dwelling for Him forever.

³The king then turned around and blessed the whole congregation of Israel, as all the people stood.

⁴Saying; Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, who has fulfilled the words that He spoke to my father David, Saying; ⁵Since the day that I brought My people out of the land of Egypt, I did not choose a city among the tribes of Israel to have a house build where My name might dwell, nor did I choose a man to be a ruler over My people Israel. ⁶But I have chosen Jerusalem, that My name might dwell there and have chosen David to be the ruler over My people Israel.

⁷Now it was in the heart of David my father to build and dedicate a house to the name of the LORD God of Israel. ⁸But the LORD said to my father David; Since it its your desire to build a house for My name sake, you have done well for it is the desire of your heart. ⁹However you shall not build the house, but your son that comes after you shall build the house for My name.

¹⁰Therefore the LORD has performed His Word, for David's son, is now king of Israel, as the LORD promised and I have built a house and dedicated it to the name of the LORD God of Israel. ¹¹In it is the Ark of the LORD, that holds His covenant, that He made with the children of Israel.

Solomon's prayer at the dedication of the temple, this is also recorded in 1^st Kings 8:22.

¹²Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD, in the presence of all the people of Israel and stretched out his hands ¹³For Solomon had made a bronze platform, 7.5 feet square and 4.5 feet high and it was set up in the midst of the court. On it he knelt down before the entire congregation of Israel and raised his hands toward heaven.

¹⁴And he said; LORD God of Israel, there is no God like You in the heaven, nor in the earth. For You keep Your covenant, showing mercy to Your servants that walk before You with all their hearts. ¹⁵You have kept Your Word given to my father David and has fulfilled it through my hand this day. ¹⁶LORD God of Israel, I ask You now to keep the promise given to Your servant David that in Your sight, a man shall always sit upon the throne of Israel, if Your people should take measures to walk in Your law, as I have walked before You. ¹⁷Now, let Your Word, that You have spoken to Your servant David be verified.

¹⁸But will God really dwell with men on the earth? Even the heavens cannot contain Him, how much less is this house which I have built! ¹⁹Therefore, LORD my God, respect the prayer of Your servant and his plea. ²⁰That Your eyes might be on this house dedicated to Your name both day and night, to hear the prayers of Your servants. ²¹Hear the requests of Your servant and of Your people of Israel, from Your dwelling place, when we pray in this place and when You hear our prayers, forgive.

²²If a man should sin against his neighbor, later to repent by swearing an oath at Your altar in this house. ²³Hear his plea from heaven and judge Your servants, by repaying the wicked through their own evil deeds and repaying the righteous according to his righteousness.

²⁴Also if Your people Israel are defeated before the enemy, because they have sinned against You and they now repent and confess Your name, before You in this house; ²⁵Hear their plea from the heavens and forgive the sin of Your people Israel. Bringing them back into the land that you gave to them and to their father.

²⁶When the rains are restrained, because the people have sinned against You, if they pray in this house and confess Your name, look not according to their sins. ²⁷After You have taught and shown them the right and good way that they should walk in. Hear from heaven and forgive the sin of Your servants and people Israel and send rain upon the land, that you have given to Your people as an inheritance.

²⁸If there be famine, disease or locusts in the land, or if their enemies have defeated them within their own land. ²⁹After they have realized their own hurt and grief and have spread forth their hands, with prayers and petitions in the house of the LORD. ³⁰Then hear from Your dwelling place in heaven and forgive, render to every man according to the ways of his heart. ³¹That they may fear You and learn to walk in Your ways, as long as they live in the land that You gave to their fathers.

³²Now concerning the non-Israelite who lives in the land, because of Your great name's sake and Your mighty hand. If they should come and pray in the LORD's house. ³³Then hear from Your dwelling place in heaven and do according to the stranger petitions. That all the people of the earth may know Your name and fear You, as Your people of Israel do, knowing that this house, which I have built, is dedicated to the name of the LORD our God.

³⁴If Your people go out to war against their enemies, by the way, that You show them and they pray to You. ³⁵Then hear their prayers and petitions from the heavens and maintain their cause. ³⁶If they sin against You, (for there is no man which does not sin), and You become angry with them and deliver them over to their enemies into captivity into a foreign land. ³⁷Yet even while they are in the land where they have been carried captive. If they do turn and pray unto You, admitting their sin and wicked ways. ³⁸Returning to You with all their heart and soul, while in the land of their captivity. And they pray towards their city Jerusalem and the land that You have given their fathers and toward the house that is dedicated to Your name. ³⁹Then hear their prayers and petitions from Your dwelling place in the heavens and maintain their cause, forgiving Your people, which have sinned against You.

⁴⁰My God, I beg of You, may Your eyes see and Your ears hear the prayers that are made in this place. ⁴¹LORD God, therefore, come into Your resting place and the Ark of the LORD shall be Your strength. LORD God may Your priests be clothed with salvation and let Your saints rejoice in goodness. ⁴²LORD God, do not turn from Your anointed, remember the mercies of David Your servant.

2^nd Chronicles: chapter 7

¹When Solomon had finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and sacrifices. And the glory of the LORD filled the house. ²When this happened, the priests could not enter into the house of the LORD, for the glory of the LORD had filled the LORD's house. ³Now when all the people of Israel saw how fire came down and the glory of the LORD came upon the house. They bowed themselves with their faces to the ground and worshiped and praised the LORD, saying He is good, His mercy endures forever.

⁴Then the king and all the people offered sacrifices before the LORD. ⁵King Solomon offered a sacrifice of twenty-two thousand oxen, one hundred twenty thousand sheep and with this the king and all the people dedicated the house of God. ⁶While the priests all stood in their own assignments, also the Levites stood with musical instruments unto the LORD, that king David had made to praise the LORD. And when the priests sounded trumpets, all the people of Israel stood.

⁷Solomon consecrated the central area of the court that was before the house of the LORD. There he offered burnt and peace offerings, for the brazen altar which Solomon had made was not large enough to receive all the offerings. ⁸At that time, Solomon kept the feast going for seven days and all Israel with him participated, a very great congregation spreading all through the land of Israel. ⁹And on the eighth day they had a solemn assembly, for they had held the dedication of the altar for seven days and the feast for seven days.

¹⁰On the twenty-third day of the seventh month Solomon sent the people to their tents, being glad and merry in heart, for the goodness that the LORD had shown to David, to Solomon and to His people of Israel. ¹¹Thus Solomon finished the house of the LORD and the king's palace. And all the building that he desired in his heart was completed to his satisfaction.

¹²The LORD then appeared to Solomon by night, saying to him; I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place as a house of sacrifice. ¹³If I shut up the heavens and restrict the rain or if I command the locusts to devour the land or if I send disease among My people; ¹⁴If My people whom are called by My name should humble themselves and pray and seek My face. Turning from their wicked ways, then I will hear them, forgive their sin and will heal their land. ¹⁵My eyes shall see and My ears shall hear their prayers, that are made in this place. ¹⁶For I have chosen and sanctified this house, that My name may be there forever and My heart shall be there perpetually.

¹⁷And Solomon, if you will walk before Me, as David your father walked before Me. Doing according to all that I have commanded of you, observing My statues and My judgments. ¹⁸Then shall I establish the throne of your kingdom, as was My covenant with David your father, saying; There shall not fail to be a man to be ruler in Israel, 2^nd Samuel 7:12,13. ¹⁹But if you turn and forsake My statutes and commandments, that I have set before you, to serve and worship other gods. ²⁰I shall uproot the people out of the land that I have given them and this house that I have sanctified, I will cast it out of My sight and it shall become a byword among all the nations. ²¹And this house which is highly exalted, shall be an astonishment to everyone that passes by it and they shall say, Why has the LORD done this to the land and this house? ²²And they shall answer, Because the LORD's people forsook the LORD God of their fathers, whom brought them out of the land of Egypt. For the Israelites took up with other gods, worshiping and serving them, therefore, the LORD brought all this evil upon them.

2^nd Chronicles: chapter 8

¹After Solomon had reigned twenty years, the house of the LORD and Solomon's palace was complete.

²The cities that Hiram restored to Solomon, (in 1^st Kings 9:10-13), Solomon built on them and had the people of Israel dwell there. ³Solomon then went to the Syria city of Hamath-zobah and took it. ⁴Also he built the city of Tadmor in the wilderness and all the storage cities, which he built in the tertiary of Hamath. ⁵He built upper and lower Beth-horon, both were fortified cities, with walls, gates and bars. ⁶He built the town of Baalath and the storage cities that was needed for his chariots and horsemen. In Jerusalem, Lebanon and through all of Israel, Solomon built whatever, he desired.

⁷As for the non-Israelites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites and the Jebusites. ⁸Their surviving descendants that remained in the land, Solomon required of them to work as forced labor.

⁹But of the people of Israel, Solomon did not require them to become servants. Rather they were men of war or captains of men. ¹⁰These were the chiefs of king Solomon's officers, two hundred fifty men that also bare rule over the people.

¹¹And Solomon brought the daughter of Pharaoh up from the city of David unto the house that he had built for her. For Solomon thought to himself, that his wife should not dwell in the house of David, whom was king of Israel, because the places where the Ark of the LORD had been are holy.

¹²Solomon then offered burnt offerings to the LORD, on the altar that he built before the porch. ¹³Adhering to the schedule of sacrifices according to the commandment of Moses. Sacrifices on the Sabbaths, the new moons and on three solemn feast days in the year, the feast of unleavened bread, the feast of weeks and the feast of tabernacles. ¹⁴According to the order of David his father, Solomon appointed the priests and Levites to their various services, to daily praise and minister unto the LORD. ¹⁵Nor did they depart or deviate from their set duty given by the king, regarding any matter, even the treasury.

¹⁶All the work that Solomon had done on the house of the LORD had been planned from start to finish and was now complete and perfected. ¹⁷Solomon then went to Ezion-geber, on the coast of Edom. ¹⁸And Hiram sent him ships and servants that had knowledge of the sea. And they went to the land of Ophir, bringing back to king Solomon four hundred fifty talents of gold.

2^nd Chronicles: chapter 9

Queen of Sheba praises Solomon's great wisdom, this is also recorded in 1^st Kings 10:1-13.

¹Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to Jerusalem to prove him, by asking him difficult questions. She came accompanied by many attendants, many camels carrying spices, gold in abundance and precious stones. When she had come to Solomon, she spoke with him of all that was in her heart. ²And Solomon answered all of her questions, he hid nothing from her. ³And when the queen of Sheba had seen the wisdom of Solomon and the house that he had built. ⁴The meat that was daily on his table, the attendance of his servants and the apparel they wore and the burnt offerings of the king, there was no more spirit in the queen.

⁵And she said to the king, The report that I heard of you, in my own land, of your works and your great wisdom is true. ⁶However I did not believe it myself until I came and saw it with my own eyes. Not even one half of your greatness and wisdom was told to me. ⁷Your men and servants, that wait on you continually and hear your wisdom are happy. ⁸Blessed is the LORD your God, whom delighted in placing you on His throne. For the LORD God has truly chosen Israel, that they may be established forever and made you king over them, to give judgment and justice.

⁹Then she gave the king one hundred twenty talents of gold, spices in great abundance and precious stones.

¹⁰The ships that had brought gold from Ophir, also brought lumber of fragrant sandalwood and precious stones. ¹¹From the sandalwood the king made terraces to the house of the LORD and to the king's palace. Harps and musical instruments for singers, to such a degree that there has been no such event like it in the land of Judah since. ¹²And king Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all that she desired, apart from that which she had brought to the king. So she and her servants went back to their own land.

The great wealth of Solomon, this is also recorded in 1^st Kings 10:14-29.

¹³In one years time, Solomon would acquire six hundred sixty-six talents of gold. ¹⁴Beside the gold that came to him through trading and merchants, for all the kings and governors of Arabia, brought gold and silver to Solomon. ¹⁵King Solomon made two hundred full length shields of beaten gold and six hundred shekels of gold went into each shield. ¹⁶And he made three hundred smaller shields of beaten gold and three hundred shekels of gold went into one shield. And they were kept in the storehouse within the house of Lebanon.

¹⁷Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory and overlaid it with pure gold. ¹⁸There were six steps to the throne, with a footstool of gold fastened to the throne, having armrests and a figure of a lion standing by each armrest. ¹⁹A figure of a lion was on each side of the six steps, twelve in all, there was not another throne like in all the other kingdoms. ²⁰All of king Solomon's drinking vessels and of the house of Lebanon were of pure gold, none of them were of silver, for silver was not accounted for anything in the days of Solomon. ²¹Every three years, the king's ships traveled to the territory of Tarshish and would come back with gold, silver, ivory, apes and peacocks.

²²And king Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom. ²³For all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom, that God had put in his heart. ²⁴When they came every man brought a gift, vessels of silver and gold, fine clothing, armor, spices, horses. And this was the case year after year.

²⁵Solomon had four thousand stalls for horses and chariots and twelve thousand horsemen, whom dwelt in the chariot cities and some with the king at Jerusalem. ²⁶Solomon reigned over all the kings from the Euphrates river to the border of the Philistines and to the border of Egypt. ²⁷Silver in Jerusalem was as common as stones and fine lumber was as abundant as common lumber. ²⁸Horses were brought to Solomon from Egypt and many other lands.

²⁹And the rest of the works of Solomon are written in the book of Nathan the prophet, given in the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite and in the visions of Iddo the prophet against Jeroboam the son of Nebat. ³⁰Solomon reigned from Jerusalem over all Israel for forty years. ³¹He died and was buried in the city of David with his father and his son Rehoboam reigned as king of Israel.

2^nd Chronicles: chapter 10

Israel is divided into the northern kingdom called (Israel) and the southern kingdom called (Judah).

King Rehoboam reigns over Judah for 17 years, (931-914bc.), this is also recorded in 1^st Kings 14:21-31.

¹Rehoboam went to the city of Shechem, for that was where the people of Israel went to anoint a new king. ²Now Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who was in Egypt, (for he had earlier fled from king Solomon, 1^stKings 11:26-40). When he heard of the new king in Israel, Jeroboam left Egypt and returned to Israel. ³And the people of Israel together with Jeroboam, came and spoke to Rehoboam, saying;

⁴Your father put heavy burdens on us. Therefore now ease our burdens that he put upon us and we will serve you. ⁵Rehoboam said to them; Return back to me after three days. So the people departed. ⁶King Rehoboam then took counsel with the old men that had stood before Solomon his father and he asked for their counsel. ⁷And the counselors said to him; If you will show kindness and please the people, they will be your servants forever. ^8-9But Rehoboam forsook their counsel and asked for counsel from the young men that stood before him, who were brought up with him. ¹⁰And the young men said to him; Answer the people this way. You say my father put heavy burdens on you and you are asking me to ease your burden. ¹¹The burden that I put on you shall even be heaver than my fathers. My father corrected you with whips, I shall correct you with scourging.

¹²So Jeroboam and the people of Israel came to Rehoboam, on the third day. ¹³And the king addressed the people roughly. ¹⁴Speaking to them after the advice of the young men. ¹⁵And the king did not meet the people concerns, yet this was brought about by God. That the LORD might perform His Word, which he spoke through Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat, (that Jeroboam shall reign over ten of the tribes of Israel, 1^st Kings 11:29).

¹⁶Now when all the people of Israel saw that the king would not hearken unto them. They answered the king, saying; What portion do we have in the line of David? That is not where our inheritance is. Every man of Israel shall now go back to his own tent and you Rehoboam who are of the line of David, you tend to your own house. ¹⁷So Rehoboam only reigned over the people of Israel that dwelt in the cities of Judah. ¹⁸Then king Rehoboam sent Hadoram to collect the taxes, but the people of Israel stoned him to death. And king Rehoboam quickly got in his chariot and fled to Jerusalem. ¹⁹And Israel rebelled against the house of David.

2^nd Chronicles: chapter 11

¹When Rehoboam had come to Jerusalem, he assembled one hundred eighty thousand chosen warriors of the house of Judah and Benjamin, to fight against Israel and bring the kingdom back under his control. ²But the Word of the LORD came to Shemaiah a prophet of the LORD, saying; ³Speak to Rehoboam the son of Solomon, the king of Judah and to the people of Judah and Benjamin, saying; ⁴Thus says the LORD, You shall not fight against your brethren, every man shall return to his own house. For this division has been done by the LORD. And the people obeyed the Words of the LORD and did not go to war against Jeroboam.

⁵So Rehoboam dwelt in Jerusalem, building cities and fortifying them for Judah's defenses. ⁶He fortified the cities and lands of Bethlehem, Etam and Tekoa, ⁷Beth-zur, Shoco and Adullam, ⁸Gath, Mareshah and Ziph, ⁹Adoraim, Lachish and Azekah, ¹⁰Zorah, Aijalon and Hebron, in the land of Judah and Benjamin. ¹¹He fortified these cities, assigning troops to them and supplying them with food oil and wine. ¹²And supplied each one with armor and weapons, building them up greatly, for the tribes of Judah and Benjamin were on his side.

¹³The priests and the Levites that were in all Israel also came over to king Rehoboam, from wherever they lived. ¹⁴The Levites left their lands and possession, coming to Judah and Jerusalem. For king Jeroboam and his sons had dismissed them from ministering to the LORD. ¹⁵For Jeroboam appointed his own priests for the high places and to the demonic idols that he had made. ¹⁶Therefore all the men Israel that set their hearts to seek and worship the LORD God of Israel left and came to Jerusalem ¹⁷Thus king Rehoboam's kingdom of Judah was further strengthened and for three years they walked in the way of David and Solomon.

The family of king Rehoboam of Judah.

¹⁸Rehoboam took as a wives: Mahalath the daughter of Jerimoth and Abihail the daughter of Eliab, both of the line of David. ¹⁹Which bore him sons; Jeush, Shamariah and Zaham. ²⁰He then took Maachah the daughter of Absalom, which bore him the following sons: Abijah, Attai, Ziza and Shelomith. ²¹Rehoboam loved Maachah above all his wives and concubines, (for he had taken eighteen wives and sixty concubines, having twenty-eight sons and sixty daughters).

²²Rehoboam made Abijah the son of Maachah to be the ruler among his brethren, for his plan was to make him king. ²³And Rehoboam dealt wisely, he dispersed his children to the fortified cities within the land of Judah and Benjamin. And he sought many wives for them.

2^nd Chronicles: chapter 12

¹Now when Rehoboam had established and strengthened the kingdom, he quit following the law of the LORD, as did all the people of Israel with him. ²And in the fifth year his reign, Shishak the king of Egypt attacked Jerusalem, because they had transgressed against the LORD, ³They came with one thousand two hundred chariots and sixty thousand horsemen. Their forces seemed to be without number, for they came out of Egypt with the Libyans, the Arab's and the Ethiopians. ⁴They took the fortified cities of Judah and then went on to Jerusalem.

⁵Then Shemaiah the prophet went to Rehoboam, king of Judah and the nobles and said; Thus says the LORD; You have forsaken Me and therefore, I have also left you in the hand of Shishak.

⁶Upon hearing this, the king and the nobles humbled themselves, saying; The LORD is righteous.

⁷And 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. I will grant them some deliverance, for My wrath will not be poured out upon Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak. ⁸Nevertheless they shall be his servants, that they may know the difference between My service and the service of the kingdoms of the countries.

⁹So Shishak the king of Egypt came against Jerusalem and took away all the treasures of the house of the LORD and of the king's house. They also carried away the shields of gold which Solomon had made. ¹⁰And to replace them, king Rehoboam made shields of brass and committed them to the guard that kept the entrance of the king's house. ¹¹Now when the king entered into the house of the LORD, the guards retrieved the shields from the guardroom and afterwards locked them again in the guardroom.

¹²When king Rehoboam humbled himself, the wrath of the LORD turned from him, so that the LORD would not destroy him altogether and things in Judah began to go well. ¹³And again king Rehoboam strengthened himself in Jerusalem. Now Rehoboam was forty-one years old when he began to reign and he reigned for seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city the LORD had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel to put His name on. And Rehoboam's mothers name was Naamah an Ammonitess.

¹⁴But Rehoboam again did evil, because he did not prepare his heart to seek the LORD. ¹⁵All the acts of Rehoboam are written in the book of Shemaiah the prophet and of Iddo the seer concerning genealogies. And there were also wars between Rehoboam of Judah and Jeroboam of Israel continually. ¹⁶Rehoboam died and was buried in the city of David and his son Abijah reigned as king over Judah.

2^nd Chronicles: chapter 13

King Abijah reigns over Judah for 3 years, (913-911bc.), this is also recorded in 1^st Kings 15:1-8.

¹In the eighteenth year of king Jeroboam, (king of Israel), Abijah began to reign over Judah. ²Abijah reigned for three years in Jerusalem and his mother's name was Maachah the daughter of Uriel of Gibeah, (one of Rehoboam's wives). But, there was still war between king Abijah of Judah and king Jeroboam of Israel. ³Both kings prepared troops for battle, King Abijah had four hundred thousand men, while king Jeroboam had eight hundred thousand men.

⁴Then king Abijah stood on mount Zemaraim in Ephraim and said; Jeroboam listen to me and likewise, all the people of Israel; ⁵Do you not know that the LORD God of Israel, through a covenant, gave the kingdom of Israel over to David and his sons forever. ⁶Yet, Jeroboam the son of Solomon's servant Nebat, of the line of David, rose up and has rebelled against his lord the king. ⁷You have surrounded yourself with a group of vain and worthless men and have come against Rehoboam, Solomon's true heir, when he was young and inexperienced as a king. ⁸And now you intend to withstand the kingdom of the LORD in the hand of the sons of David. Even though you have a great multitude of men, you also have the idolatries that Jeroboam, your king has made for you. ⁹For you have cast out the sons of Aaron and the Levites, the true priests of the LORD. Making for yourself false priests after the manner of the nations of other lands. Allowing anyone to show up and consecrate himself as a priest of a paging god. ¹⁰But the LORD is our God and we have not forsaken Him. And the priests that minister unto the LORD, are the sons of Aaron and the Levites provide their service. ¹¹They offer burnt sacrifices and burn sweet incense to the LORD every morning and evening. Along with the showbread set in order and the candlestick of gold, they keep the ministry of the LORD our God, however, you have forsaken Him. ¹²So you see, God Himself is with us as our Captain and His priests sounding the alarm against you. Therefore, children of Israel, do not fight against the LORD God of your fathers, for you shall not prevail.

¹³As king Abijah was speaking, Jeroboam divided his forces and sent an ambushment to attack him from behind, with the rest of the men charging them. ¹⁴And when the men of Judah looked back, the battle was before them and behind them and they cried unto the LORD and the priests sounded the trumpets. ¹⁵Then the men of Judah gave a shout and as they shouted, God struck Jeroboam king of Israel and all the men of Israel before Abijah king of Judah. ¹⁶And the men of Israel fled before Judah and God delivered them into their hand. ¹⁷That day, Abijah the king of Judah and his men killed five hundred thousand men of Israel. ¹⁸At that time the children of Judah prevailed against the children of Israel, for the children of Judah relied upon the LORD God of their fathers. ¹⁹Also Abijah pursued Jeroboam and took cities from him of Bethel, Jeshnah and Ephrain with all of their surrounding towns. ²⁰As long as Abijah reigned over Judah, Jeroboam did not recover his strength and the LORD struck him and he died.

²¹But Abijah became strong and mighty, he married fourteen wives and had twenty-two sons and sixteen daughters. ²²The rest of the works and sayings of king Abijah are written in the study of Iddo the prophet.

2^nd Chronicles: chapter 14

¹Abijah died and was buried in the city of David and his son Asa reigned as king of Judah.

King Asa reigns over Judah for 41 years, (911-870bc.), this is also recorded in 1^st Kings 15:9-24.

In the first ten years of Asa's reign the land was at rest. ²For Asa did that which was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God. ³He removed the high places and broke the altars of the strange gods. ⁴He commanded Judah to seek the LORD God of their fathers, to keep His law and His commandment. ⁵Asa removed the high places and the images from every city of Judah and the kingdom had rest under his reign. ⁶He built fortified cities in Judah and the land had rest from war, in those years, for the LORD had given him rest. ⁷And they reasoned that while they were at peace in the land, because they had followed and sought the LORD, they would build fortified cities and prosper. ⁸Within Asa's army there were three hundred thousand men of Judah and two hundred eighty thousand men of Benjamin, fully equipped for war and all being mighty men of valor.

⁹Then arose against them Zerah an Ethiopian with an army of one million men and three hundred chariots and they came as far as the cities of Judah. ¹⁰And Asa went out against them and the battle was in a great valley of the land of Judah. ¹¹And Asa cried out the LORD his God, saying; LORD, You do not look on the numbers of one's force, whether they be mighty or weak. LORD our God, help us now, for we rest in You and in Your name, we have come against this multitude. LORD, You are our God, do not let man prevail against You. ¹²So the LORD struck the Ethiopians before Asa, the king of Judah and all the Ethiopians fled. ¹³Then the men of Judah pursued the Ethiopians to the Philistine city of Gerar until the Ethiopians could not recover, for they had been destroyed before the LORD. And the men of Judah carried away much spoil. ¹⁴The men of Judah also struck the cities around Gerar, for the fear of the LORD had come upon the Ethiopians. ¹⁵They also smote the encampments where the cattle were, bringing back with them many sheep and camels when they returned to Jerusalem.

2^nd Chronicles: chapter 15

¹Now the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded, (a prophet). ²And he went out to meet Asa, saying to him; Hear me king Asa along with your people; The LORD is with you, while you seek and abide with Him, He shall be found of you. But, if you forsake Him, He will forsake you. ³For a long season Israel has been without the true God and without a teaching priest and without law. ⁴But when they in their distress turned and sought the LORD God of Israel, He was found of them. ⁵For before men sought the LORD, there was no peace, but rather great vexations were on all the inhabitants of the countries. ⁶And nation destroyed other nations, for God troubled them with many distresses. ⁷Therefore, be strong and your work shall be rewarded.

⁸And when Asa heard the prophecy of Oded the prophet. He took courage and cleansed the lands of Judah and Benjamin of abominable idols, cleansing also the cities he had captured from Mount Ephraim. He then repaired the altar of the LORD, that was before the porch of the LORD. ⁹Then king Asa gathered all the people of Judah and Benjamin together and the great number of Israelites from other tribes, (that crossed over to Judah, when they saw that the LORD God was with king Asa).

¹⁰In the third month of the fifteenth year of the reign of king Asa, they gathered together at Jerusalem. ¹¹There they offered to the LORD, of their spoil, seven hundred oxen and seven thousand sheep ¹²Entering also into a covenant to seek the LORD God of their fathers, with all their heart and soul. ¹³Saying that whosoever does not seek the LORD God of Israel should be put to death, whether small or great, man or woman. ¹⁴And they all came together with one voice, shouting unto the LORD, with trumpets and with cornets. ¹⁵All of Judah rejoiced at the oath. For they said it with their heart, seeking the LORD with their whole desire. And the LORD was found of them and He gave them rest from their enemies.

¹⁶Concerning Maachah the mother of king Asa, he removed her from being queen, because she had made an idol in a shrine. And King Asa destroyed her idol and burnt it at the brook Kidron. ¹⁷However the high places were not taken out of Israel, nevertheless, the heart of king Asa was perfect all his days. ¹⁸He brought into the house of God the silver and gold vessels that his father and he had dedicated unto the LORD. ¹⁹And there was no war until the thirty-fifth year of the reign of king Asa.

2^nd Chronicles: chapter 16

¹In the thirty-sixth year of the reign of king Asa, Baasha the king of Israel came against Judah and built the city of Ramah. With the intent of blocking the boarder route into Judah. ²When this happened, king Asa of Judah sent silver and gold from the treasures of the house of the LORD to Ben-hadad the king of Syria at Damascus, saying; ³Let there be an alliance between us, as there also was between our fathers. I have thus sent you silver and gold, that you might break your alliance with Baasha the king of Israel, that he might depart from harassing me. ⁴And Ben-hadad, king of Syria did as king Asa spoke, sending his armies against the cities of Israel. ⁵And when Baasha, the king of Israel heard about this, he quit the building of Ramah. ⁶Then Asa, the king of Judah and all the people of Judah carried away all the building supplies at Ramah. And they built with it the two cities of Geba and Mizpah.

⁷At that very time Hanani the prophet came to Asa, king of Judah and said to him; Because you have relied on the king of Syria and not on the LORD your God. Therefore, you have lost your victory over the army of the king of Syria. ⁸Did not the Ethiopians have a large army, with very many chariots and horsemen? And yet, because you relied on the LORD, He delivered them over to you. ⁹For the eyes of the LORD runs throughout the whole earth, to prove Himself strong through those who are committed to Him. You have done foolishly, therefore from now on there shall be wars in your land. ¹⁰On hearing this, king Asa was angry with the prophet and put him in prison. And the king began to oppress some of his people at that time.

¹¹Now all the acts of Asa, king of Judah, are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel, 1^st Kings 15:9-24. ¹²In the thirty-ninth year of the reign of king Asa, he became diseased in his feet and it grew worse. Yet, even in his disease he did not seek the LORD, but rather physicians. ¹³King Asa died in the forty-first year of his reign. ¹⁴He was buried in his own sepulcher, which he had made for himself in the city of David and he was covered with sweet spices.

2^nd Chronicles: chapter 17

King Jehoshaphat reigns over Judah for 25 years, (873-848bc.), this is also recorded in 1^st Kings 22:41-50.

¹Asa's son Jehoshaphat reigned as king of Judah and he strengthened himself against Israel. ²Stationing troops in all the fortified cities of Judah, deploying men in all the land of Judah and the cities of Ephraim, which Asa his father had captured. ³And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the ways of his father, David, for he did not seek the false gods. ⁴Rather Jehoshaphat sought the LORD God of his father and in His commandments, not following after the ways of the ten tribes of Israel. ⁵Therefore the LORD established his kingdom and all the people of Judah brought tribute to Jehoshaphat and he had riches and honor. ⁶Jehoshaphat's heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD and he removed the high places and shrines out of Judah.

⁷Now in the third year of Jehoshaphat's reign, he sent his nobles to teach in the cities of Judah. ⁸With them he also sent several Levites and priests. ⁹And they went throughout all the cities of Judah, teaching the people from the book of the law of the LORD.

¹⁰And the fear of the LORD was on all the kingdoms of the lands that neighbored Judah, so that they would not wage war against Jehoshaphat. ¹¹Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute of silver, the Arabians brought him seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred male goats. ¹² And Jehoshaphat prospered greatly, he built fortresses and cities of storage in Judah. ¹³While all the work was being done in the cities of Judah, the mighty men of valor were stationed in Jerusalem.

¹⁴And these are the numbers of the captains of the mighty men of valor according to their family line of Judah: Adnah was over three hundred thousand mighty men of valor. ¹⁵Next to him was Jehohanan was over two hundred eighty thousand mighty men of valor. ¹⁶Next to him was Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself unto the LORD, under him were two hundred thousand mighty men of valor. ¹⁷Of the tribe of Benjamin, Eliada had two hundred thousand armed men with him. ¹⁸Next to him was Jehozabad, with one hundred eighty thousand men prepared and ready for war. ¹⁹These men were at the kings call, besides the men the king had stationed in the fortified cities throughout Judah.

2^nd Chronicles: chapter 18

The Prophet Micaiah warns King Ahab not to go to war, this is also recorded in 1^st Kings chapter 22.

¹Even though Jehoshaphat had riches and was very honored, (he arranged his son Jehoram, to be married to Athaliah, Ahab's daughter, the king of Israel), thus forming an alliance with Ahab, the king of Israel through marriage. ²After a number of years, Jehoshaphat went down to Samaria where Ahab was. And Ahab sacrificed many sheep and oxen, as a front to persuade Jehoshaphat to go to battle with him against the Syrians at the city of Ramoth-gilead. ³And Jehoshaphat said; I will go with my brother to war, for my people are one with your people.

⁴But Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah also said to Ahab, the king of Israel, I pray that you would inquire of the Word of the LORD, this day. ⁵So the king of Israel gathered together four hundred men, of his prophets. And asked them if they should attack Ramoth-gilead? And they replied; Go against them and prosper, for God will give you the victory.

⁶But Jehoshaphat said to Ahab; Is there not a prophet here of the LORD God, that we might inquire of him? ⁷And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat; There is a prophet of the LORD, but I hate him. For he never prophesied good things to me, but always evil. His name is Micaiah the son of Imla. And Jehoshaphat said; The king should not speak such.

⁸So the king of Israel had one of his officers quickly bring Micaiah the son of Imla. ⁹Meanwhile both kings were sitting on their throne clothed in their royal robes, sitting in the open space at the entrance of the gate of Samaria. And as they sat there the prophets of Ahab prophesied before them. ¹⁰One of these men, Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah, made horns of iron and said; Thus says the LORD; With these horns, you shall push Syria back until they are consumed. ¹¹And all the other false prophets agreed and said; Go up to Ramoth-gilead and prosper, for the LORD will give you the victory.

¹²Now the messenger that went to get Micaiah, the prophet of God, spoke to him and said all the prophets have declared good words to the king. Let your words also be good, as theirs were. ¹³But Micaiah replied; As the LORD lives, I will speak what my God tells me to speak. ¹⁴When Micaiah had come to the king, the king asked him; If they should go up and attack Ramoth-gilead? And he said; (in a mocking way) Go up and prosper, for the enemy shall be delivered into your hand.

¹⁵And the king said to him; How many times shall I charge you that you speak only the truth to me in the name of the LORD? ¹⁶Then Micaiah said; I saw all of Israel scattered on the mountains, as sheep without a shepherd. And the LORD said; The people have no master, therefore, let every man return to his house in peace.

¹⁷The king of Israel then turned to Jehoshaphat and said; Did I not tell you that he would not prophesy good, but rather evil?

¹⁸Again Micaiah said; I saw the LORD sitting on His throne, with all the angels in heaven around Him. ¹⁹And the LORD said; Who shall entice Ahab king of Israel, to go up and be defeated at Ramoth-gilead? ²⁰Then there a spirit stood before the LORD and said; I will entice him. And the LORD said to him; How will you do so? ²¹ And the spirit answered; I will become a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And the LORD said; Yes that shall entice him, go and do such. ²²Know that the LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouth of your prophets and the LORD has spoken evil against you.

²³Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came and struck Micaiah on the cheek, saying; Since when did the Spirit of the LORD leave me, to now speak through you? ²⁴And Micaiah said; you shall know, for on that day, you will go into an inner chamber to hide.

²⁵The king of Israel then gave orders to return Micaiah to his own city, turning him over to the city official and the king's son. ²⁶Instructing them to put this fellow in prison and feed him bread and water, until I return in peace. ²⁷And Micaiah said; If you do return in peace, the LORD has not spoken through me, hear this all you people.

²⁸So Ahab the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramoth-gilead. ²⁹And Ahab the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself and go into the battle, so here put on my robes. Thus the king of Israel entered the battle.

³⁰Now the king of Syria had commanded the captains of the chariots to go after only the king of Israel. ³¹So when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, they thought it was the king of Israel. And they began to engage him in battle, but Jehoshaphat cried to the LORD and the LORD helped him and the warring chariots departed from him. ³²For, when the captains of the chariots perceived that it was not the king of Israel, they quit their purse of him. ³³But a certain man shot an arrow by random chance and it struck the king of Israel right between the joints in his armor. And the king gave orders to turn and leave the battle field, for he said; I am wounded. ³⁴That day the battle raged, but the king of Israel propped himself up in his chariot until evening and about the time the sun went down, he died.

2^nd Chronicles: chapter 19

¹Jehoshaphat the king of Judah then returned in peace, to his house in Jerusalem. ²And Jehu the son of Hanani the prophet went out and said to king Jehoshaphat; Should you be helping the wicked, those that hate the LORD? By doing this, you have put the wrath of the LORD before you. ³Nevertheless good things are found within you, you have destroyed the shrines that were in the land and have prepared your heart to seek God.

⁴Now as Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem, he made regular rounds in the cities of the people, bringing them back to the LORD God of their fathers. ⁵He set up judges throughout the fortified cities of Judah. ⁶Instructing the judges, that you are not judging for men, but for the LORD, who is also with you in the judgment. ⁷Always regard the fear of the LORD in your judgments, for there is no injustice with the LORD our God, neither is there any taking of bribes.

⁸Also in Jerusalem, Jehoshaphat set certain of the Levites and priests, to give judgment of the LORD. ⁹Instructing them to do so in the fear of the LORD, faithfully and with integrity of heart. ¹⁰And whatever concerns of your fellow Israelites shall come before you, whether between the law and commandment or the statutes and judgments. You shall also warn the people not to trespass against the LORD, so that wrath does not come upon you or on your brethren. ¹¹Also, Amariah the chief priest is over you in matters of the LORD, Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, is over you in matters of the king and the Levites shall be officers before you. Therefore, deal courageously and the LORD shall be with the righteous.

2^nd Chronicles: chapter 20

¹After this the nations of Moab, Ammon and the people of Mount Seir came against Jehoshaphat in war. ²And it was told to Jehoshaphat that a great multitude from across the sea on this side of Syria, was coming against Judah. ³When Jehoshaphat heard this, he greatly feared and set himself to seek the LORD and also proclaimed a fast throughout all of Judah. ⁴And all the people of the cities of Judah came together, seeking and asking help of the LORD. ⁵Then Jehoshaphat stood among the people of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD. ⁶Saying; LORD God of our fathers, You are God of the heaven and You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. And in Your hand there is power and might and no one is able to withstand You. ⁷You are the God of Israel and You drove out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel, giving it to the people of Israel as an everlasting inheritance. ⁸Where they dwelt and we have built this sanctuary to You, proclaiming Your name. ⁹If any evil should befall us, we stand in Your presence before this house, for Your name is on this house and we cry out to You in our affliction, then shall You hear and help us. ¹⁰Now the nations of Ammon, Moab and the people of Mount Seir, that You would not let Israel invade when we were in the wilderness. ¹¹And now they have come to take away the possession of land that You have given to us. ¹²God, will You not judge them? For we have no might against this great company that comes against us, neither do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You. ¹³And all of Judah stood before the LORD, with their wives and children.

¹⁴Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel, a Levite of the family line of Asaph. ¹⁵And he spoke, saying; All you people of Judah and king Jehoshaphat, this is what the LORD says; Do not afraid of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's. ¹⁶Tomorrow come against them, for they are coming up by the cliff of Ziz at the end of the brook, before the wilderness of Jeruel. ¹⁷You shall not need to fight in this battle, so stand firm and watch the salvation of the LORD. Judah and Jerusalem, do not fear. Tomorrow go out against them, for the LORD will be with you.

¹⁸King Jehoshaphat then bowed his head, with his face to the ground and all Judah and the people of Jerusalem did likewise, and worshiped the LORD. ¹⁹And the Levites, of the family of Kohath, stood up and praised the LORD God of Israel, with a loud voice on high.

²⁰So early in the morning, the Israelites went into wilderness of Tekoa. And as they went, Jehoshaphat stood and said; People of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, hear me. Believe in the LORD your God and be established, believe His prophet and prosper. ²¹Jehoshaphat then appointed singers unto the LORD, to praise the beauty of His holiness. And they went out before the army, praising the LORD, whose mercy endures forever. ²²Now when they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushments against the nations coming against Judah. ²³For great confusion arose and the men of Ammon and Moab, fought against the people of Mount Seir and utterly destroy them, only to then turn on each other, until they were both completely destroyed.

²⁴Now when Judah had gone further into the wilderness, they saw a multitude of dead bodies, not one of them had escaped. ²⁵It took all the people of Judah three days to carry away all the spoil, for they found riches in abundance. ²⁶And on the forth day all the people assembled themselves in a valley to bless the LORD. Therefore, they called that place, The valley of Berachah, (the name means: blessing).

²⁷Then every man returned to Jerusalem with joy, with king Jehoshaphat leading the way, for the LORD had made them to rejoice over their enemies. ²⁸And they came into Jerusalem with musical instruments and went into the house of the LORD. ²⁹Then the fear of God fell on all the kingdoms of those countries, when they heard that the LORD fought against the enemies of Israel. ³⁰And the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was quiet once again, for his God gave him peace with the surrounding nations.

³¹Now when Jehoshaphat became king over Judah he was thirty-five years old and reigned twenty-five years in Jerusalem and his mother's name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi. ³²Jehoshaphat walked in the way of Asa his father and did not depart from it, for he did what was right in the sight of the LORD. ³³But the high places were not taken away, for as yet the people had not prepared their hearts unto the God of their fathers. ³⁴And the complete works of Jehoshaphat are written in the book of Jehu the son of Hanani, who is also mentioned in the book of the kings of Israel, 1^st Kings 16:1.

³⁵However late in the reign of Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, joined himself with Ahaziah the king of Israel, who was exceedingly wicked. ³⁶He partnered with him to make ships at Ezion-geber to go to Tarshish. ³⁷Then Eliezer the son of Dodavah of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying; Because you have partnered with Ahaziah, the LORD has broken your works. And the ships that you have built will be wrecked and unable to go to Tarshish.

2^nd Chronicles: chapter 21

¹Now Jehoshaphat died and was buried with his fathers in the city of David and his son Jehoram reigned as king of Judah. ²The sons of Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, were: Azariah, Jehiel, Zechariah, Azariah, Michael and Shephatiah. ³And Jehoshaphat gave his sons great gifts of gold, silver, various precious things and gifts of fortified cities in Judah. But, he gave the kingdom to Jehoram, because he was the firstborn.

King Jehoram reigns over Judah for 8 years, (853-841bc.), this is also recorded in 2^nd Kings 8:16-24.

⁴Now when Jehoram became king of Judah, he secured his position, by killing all of his brothers with the sword and certain nobles.

⁵Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he began to reign and he reigned for eighty years in Jerusalem. ⁶But he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, as did as the house of Ahab, (past king of Israel), for Jehoram was married to Athaliah the daughter of Ahab, verse 18:1. And thus Jehoram did evil in the eyes of the LORD. ⁷However the LORD would not destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that He had made with David, for the LORD promised to give a light to him and to his sons forever, 2^nd Samuel 7:12.

⁸During Jehoram's reign the Edomites revolted from under the dominion of Judah, setting up their own king. ⁹Jehoram responded by sending his nobles and all of his chariots out by night, to kill the Edomites that opposed him. ¹⁰That is why, to this day the Edomites still revolt from the rule of Judah. Also, at the same time the Libnah people rebelled from Judah's rule, because their king had forsaken the LORD God of his fathers. ¹¹He also built high places in the mountains of Judah, compelling the people of Jerusalem to commit fornication.

¹²Then there came a letter to him from Elijah the prophet, saying; Thus says the LORD God of David your father; Because you have not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat your father or in the ways of Asa king of Judah, ¹³But rather walked in the way of the kings of Israel, compelling the people of Judah to go a whoring, as did the house of Ahab, king of Israel. And have killed your brethren of your father's house, which were better than yourself. ¹⁴With a great plague the LORD will strike your people, the wives, children and all their goods. ¹⁵You, yourself shall come to great sickness by disease of your bowels, until they actually fall out.

¹⁶This all started when the LORD stirred up the Philistines and the Arabians, against Jehoram. ¹⁷They invaded Judah and carried away all the substance found in the king's house, robbing also his sons and his wives houses and the only son left behind was Jehoahaz, the youngest. ¹⁸After this the LORD then struck him in his bowels with an incurable disease. ¹⁹And after two years of carrying this sickness, his bowels actually fell out and he died. However, when he died, the people did not mourn for him, as they did for his fathers. ²⁰Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he began to reign and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years and was not missed when he died. Although he was buried in the city of David, but not in the tomb with the other kings.

2^nd Chronicles: chapter 22

King Ahaziah reigns over Judah for 1 year, (841bc.), this is also recorded in 2^nd Kings 8:16-24.

¹So the people of Jerusalem made Ahaziah, his youngest son king, for all of king Jehoram's eldest sons were dead, verse 21:4 ²Ahaziah was forty-two years old when he began to reign and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Athaliah the daughter of Omri. ³Ahaziah did wickedly as was the way of the house of Ahab, king of Israel, for he was counseled by his mother to do wickedly. ⁴And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, for his mother was of the line of Ahab and counseled Ahaziah after the death of his father, to his demise. ⁵He also agreed with Joram the son of Ahab, the king of Israel to war against Hazael the king of Syria at Ramoth-gilead where the Syrians had wounded Joram, 2^nd Kings 8:28. ⁶So Joram returned to the city of Jezreel to recover from his wounds and Azariah the son of Jehoram the king of Judah went to see Joram at Jezreel, because he was sick.

⁷When Ahaziah had come to Joram, the judgment came upon him, for Ahaziah then went out with Joram to come against Jehu the son of Nimshi, whom the LORD had anointed to cut off the house of Ahab, (Joram became the next king of Israel). ⁸And when Jehu was executing judgment upon the house of Ahab, he found men of Judah, of the line of Ahaziah there, so he killed them also. ⁹Then he also sought Ahaziah himself, for he had now hid himself in Samaria. When Jehu caught him, he killed him and they buried him. Because he was the son of Jehoshaphat, who sought the LORD with all his heart. However, now their was no one in the line of Ahaziah to retain the kingdom of Judah.

Queen Athaliah reigns over Judah for 6 years, (841-835bc.), this is also recorded in 2^nd Kings 11:1-20.

¹⁰ But when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she began to completely destroy the entire royal family of the house of Judah. ¹¹But Jehoshabeath, the daughter of king Jehoram, the wife of Jehoiada the priest and the sister of Ahaziah, took Joash the son of Ahaziah and hid him. Putting him in a room with a nurse, so the child would not be killed. ¹²And he was hidden in the house of God for six years, while queen Athaliah reigned over the land of Judah.

2^nd Chronicles: chapter 23

¹Now in the seventh year of the queens rule, Jehoiada the priest made a bold and courageous move and brought five leaders of the army into a covenant with him. ²They then gathered the Levites from various cities of Judah, with the leaders of Israel and they all met in Jerusalem.

³All the congregation then made a covenant in the house of God. That the king's son, the child Joash, would reign, as the LORD has said to the sons of David. ⁴Jehoiada then instructed the people that: one third of the priests and Levites who enter on the Sabbath shall be doorkeepers. ⁵A third of you shall be stationed at the king's house and a third of you shall be at the main gate, while all the people are in the courts of the house of the LORD. ⁶However allow only the priests and the Levites that minister in the house of the LORD. For they are holy and consecrated, but the people need to observe the law, as to entering into the holy place of the LORD. ⁷The Levites shall surround the king, every man having his weapon and anyone unauthorized whom comes into the house shall be put to death.

⁸So the Levites and the leaders did according to what Jehoiada the priest had commanded. ⁹And Jehoiada the priest delivered to the captains of the men spears and shields, that had been king David's, stored in the house of God. ¹⁰Every man was assigned his post with his weapon in his hand, from the right side of the temple to the left side of the temple, along the altar and surrounding the king. ¹¹Then the king's son was brought out and a crown was put on him. Jehoiada gave him the scroll of the law and he and his sons anointed him king, saying; God save the king.

¹²Now when queen Athaliah heard the noise of the people running and praising the king, she also followed the people into the house of the LORD. ¹³When she entered the house, she saw the king standing at his pillar, with the nobles around him and all the people rejoicing. The trumpets sounding and the singers with musical instruments singing praises. And at seeing this queen Athaliah tore her clothes, saying; Treason, Treason!

¹⁴Jehoiada the priest then instructed the captains of the army to seize her and remove her from the house. Saying also whomever follows her kill him, nor are you to kill her here in the house of the LORD. ¹⁵So they led the queen out the horse gate connected with the king's house and they killed her there.

¹⁶Jehoiada then made a covenant with all the people and the king, that they should be the LORD's people. ¹⁷All the people then went to the house of Baal and destroyed the altars, the images and killed Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars.

¹⁸Jehoiada reestablished the priests of the Levites to their positions within the house of the LORD, in the order of what king David had set up. To offer burnt offerings to the LORD, as is written in the law of Moses, with rejoicing and singing, as was ordained by David. ¹⁹He also posted the doorkeepers at the gates of the house of the LORD, that no one that was unclean should enter in. ²⁰Jehoiada then from the house of the LORD brought out the king and presented him to the captains of the armies, the nobles, the governors and all the people. And they entered through the high gate into the king's house, establishing the king on his throne. ²¹all the people again rejoiced, for the city was now at peace and rest, after they had killed queen Athaliah.

2^nd Chronicles: chapter 24

King Joash reigns over Judah for 40 years, (835-796bc.), this is also recorded in 2^nd Kings 11:4-12.

¹Joash was seven years old when he began to reign as king of Judah and he reigned for forty years, from Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Zibiah of Beer-sheba. ²And king Joash did what was right in the sight of the LORD, all the days of Jehoiada the priest. ³Jehoiada took for the king two wives and Joash had sons and daughters.

⁴After all of this, king Joash began to repair the house of the LORD. ⁵So he gathered together the priests and the Levites, instructing them to; Go to all the cities of Judah, collecting money to repair the house of your God and be quick about the matter. However, the Levites were slow in doing so.

⁶So the king called for Jehoiada the chief, saying to him; Why have you not required the Levites to bring in the collection from Judah and Jerusalem, for the house of God? ⁷For the sons of queen Athaliah, (that wicked woman), had broken up the house of God. Taking all the dedicated things of the house of the LORD and using them in their Baal worship. ⁸So following the king's commandment, they placed a chest with a slot in it, at the gate of the house of the LORD.

⁹It was then proclaimed throughout the land that the people should bring their offerings to the LORD, as Moses the servant of God had established in the wilderness. ¹⁰And all the nobles and people rejoiced, putting their offerings into the chest, until the chest was full. ¹¹The Levites then brought the chest to the king's office, emptied and counted the money and then returned the chest to its place. They did this day after day and collected an abundance of money.

¹²The king and Jehoiada then gave the money out to the various coordinators to do the work on the house of the LORD, hiring masons, carpenters and other labors to do the needed repairs. ¹³And the workmen worked until the house of God was established and completed. ¹⁴When the work was finished, they returned the surplus money before the king and with it Jehoiada had vessels of gold and silver made for use in the house of the LORD. And all the days of Jehoiada the priest, they continually offered burnt offerings in the house of the LORD.

¹⁵But Jehoiada the priest became old and died at the age of one hundred thirty years. ¹⁶And they buried him in the city of David among the kings, because he had done good in Israel, both toward God and the house of God.

¹⁷However after the death of Jehoiada, the nobles of Judah bowed themselves to the king and the king listened to them. ¹⁸They once again forsook the house of the LORD God of their fathers, to serve false gods and idols and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem, because of their trespass. ¹⁹Even though God sent prophets to them to bring them back to the LORD, the people would not listen to them.

²⁰Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah, (the son of Jehoiada the priest), who stood over the people and said; Thus says God, Why do you transgress the commandments of the LORD, so you cannot prosper? Because you have forsaken the LORD, He has also forsaken you. ²¹So the people conspired against him and at the orders of the king, they stoned him to death in the court of the house of the LORD. ²² Thus king Joash did not remember the kindness which Jehoiada his father, the priest had done for him, but repaid his kindness by killing his son. And as the priest was dying, he said; "nothing goes unnoticed by God".

²³At the end of that year, the army of Syria came up against the king and killed all the nobles of Judah and Jerusalem, sending all the spoil that was on them back to the king of Damascus. ²⁴For the army of the Syrians had come with a small company of men and the LORD delivered a very large army into their hand. Because Judah had forsaken the LORD God of their fathers, thus judgment was executed against Joash by the hands of the Syrians. ²⁵When the Syrians had departed, king Joash was very ill. And his own servants killed him while he lay on his bed, because of the blood of the sons of Jehoiada the priest. They buried him in the city of David, but not in the tomb of the kings.

²⁶Recorded here are the names of his conspirators: Zabad the son of Shimeath an Ammonitess and Jehozabad the son of Shimrith a Moabitess. ²⁷Concerning his sons, the prophecies that were spoken against him and the repairing of the house of God, they are written in the book of the kings, 2^nd Kings 11:4-12. And his son Amaziah reigned as king of Judah.

2^nd Chronicles: chapter 25

King Amaziah reigns over Judah for 29 years, (796-767bc.), this is also recorded in 2^nd Kings 14:1-18.

¹Amaziah was twenty-five years old when he began to reign as king of Judah and he reigned for twenty-nine years from Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem. ²He did what was right in the sight of the LORD, but not with a completely blameless heart. ³When his kingdom was established, Amaziah killed his servants, that had conspired and killed his father Joash the king of Judah. ⁴But he did not kill their children, for he did as the law is written in the book of Moses, where the LORD commanded; The fathers shall not die because of their children, neither shall the children die because of their fathers, but every man shall die for his own sin, Ezekiel chapter 18.

⁵Moreover king Amaziah assembled all of Judah and Benjamin into ranks according to their family line. He also numbered them from twenty years old and older, there were three hundred thousand choice men able to goto war, able to handle spear and shield. ⁶And he hired one hundred thousand mighty men of valor out of Israel for one hundred talents of silver. ⁷But there came a man of God to him, saying; King, the army of Ephraim should not go with you, for the LORD will not be with you if you do. ⁸But if you insist on going up in great force, God will have you to be defeated before the enemy, for God has the power to help or to hinder.

⁹And king Amaziah said to the man of God; But, I have already given one hundred talents to the army of Ephraim, what shall I do about this? And the man of God answered; The LORD is able to give you much more than this. ¹⁰King Amaziah then discharged the army that had come out of Ephraim, telling them to go back home. This greatly kindled the anger of the men of Ephraim against Judah and the men returned to their homes.

¹¹King Amaziah then took courage and led his men of Judah to the valley of salt and killed ten thousand men of Edom. ¹²Another ten thousand were captured alive and taken away captive. They were brought to the top of a rock and thrown down, so that they were all broken in pieces. ¹³However the men of the army of Ephraim that king Amaziah sent back, raided several of the cities of Judah, killing three thousand men and taking much spoil.

¹⁴After king Amaziah had come from the slaughter of the Edomites. He brought back the false idols of the Edomites with him and set them up to be his gods, bowing down to them and burning incense before them. ¹⁵Therefore the anger of the LORD was kindled against king Amaziah, so the LORD sent a prophet to the king. That said; Why are you seeking after the gods of the people, which could not even deliver their own people? ¹⁶As the prophet was speaking, the king said to him; Are you giving the king council, without being of the king's counselors? Stop this, why should I put you to death? So the prophet quit prophesying, but did say; I do know that God has determined to destroy you, because you have bowed down to idols and have disregarded my counsel.

¹⁷Then king Amaziah took the advice of his advisors and sent for Jehoash, the king of Israel, saying; Come I challenge Israel to a fight, meet with me and we will see who prevails.

¹⁸And Jehoash the king of Israel sent message back, saying; The thistle that was in Lebanon said to the cedar in Lebanon, give your daughter to my son for a wife, (giving your daughter as a wife, is seen as making an alliance between two countries). Then there came a wild beast that was in Lebanon and crushed the thistle underfoot. ¹⁹You have had victory over Edom and your heart is proud and rightly so. But, remain at home for why should you cause your own hurt and Judah's destruction? (this same account is recorded in, 2^nd Kings 14:8-14).

²⁰But, Amaziah would not listen, for this thing was of God, that God might deliver Judah over to their enemies, because they sought after the gods of Edom. ²¹So Jehoash the king of Israel went up to Beth-shemesh, a land of Judah's and they challenged each other in battle. ²²And Judah faired poorly and every man fled in defeat. ²³After the battle, Jehoash the king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah back into Judah's city of Jerusalem. And broke down four hundred cubits of the wall of Jerusalem, from the gate of Ephraim to the corner gate. ²⁴There he took all the gold, silver and all the vessels that were found in the house of God. The treasures of the king's house, along with taking hostages and returned to his city of Samaria.

²⁵Now Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah, lived after the death of Jehoash the king of Israel fifteen years. ²⁶And the rest of the acts of Amaziah are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel, 2^nd Kings 14:1-18. ²⁷After Amaziah had turned away from following the LORD, they conspired against him in Jerusalem and he fled to Lachish, (an ancient fortified city), but his subjects tacked him down and killed him there. ²⁸Bringing the body back by horse and they buried him with his fathers in the city of Judah.

2^nd Chronicles: chapter 26

King Azariah (Uzziah) reigns over Judah for 52 years, (790-739bc.), this is also recorded in 2^nd Kings 15:1-7.

¹Then all the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old and made him king over Judah. ²After his father was buried, Azariah rebuilt and restored the seaport town of Elath to Judah. ³He was sixteen when he began to reign as king of Judah and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jecoliah from Jerusalem. ⁴And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah did. ⁵Azariah sought God in the days of the prophet Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper.

⁶Azariah warred against the Philistines, breaking down the walls of their fortified cities of, Gath, Jabneh and Ashdod. And built cities around Ashdod and the other Philistines territories. ⁷And God gave him the victory against the Philistines, the Arabians and the Mehunims. ⁸And the Ammonites paid tribute to Azariah and his fame spread far, even to the borders of Egypt, as he strengthened himself.

⁹Moreover he built watchtowers in Jerusalem at the corner gate, at the valley gate and at the turning of the wall, further fortifying the city. ¹⁰Moreover he built towers in the desert and dug many wells, for he had much cattle in the low lands. Along with farming and vine dressers, he did in the mountains and in the fertile fields of Carmel, for he loved farming.

¹¹Azariah had a force of fighting men arranged into regiments, according to the count of the men taken by Jeiel the scribe and Maaseiah the ruler, coordinated by one of the king's captains. ¹²The number of chief men and mighty men of valor were two thousand six hundred. ¹³Under them was an army of three hundred seven thousand five hundred powerful men of war. ¹⁴And they were all prepared with shields, spears, helmets, armor, bows and slings to cast stones. ¹⁵And he made in Jerusalem devices to automate the shooting of arrows and hurling of great stones. And his name spread far and wide, for all that he did prospered until he became strong.

¹⁶But when he became strong, his heart became prideful unto his destruction. For he transgressed against the LORD his God, going into the temple of the LORD to burn incense upon the altar of incense, (NOTE: This was also king Saul's first sin, 1^st Samuel 13:8, assuming the Levitical priest's duties). ¹⁷But a fellow priest named Azariah, went after him, with eighty priests of the LORD behind him. ¹⁸And they confronted the king, saying; It is not your place king Azariah to burn incense to the LORD, rather only for the priests, the sons of Aaron, that are consecrated. Leave the sanctuary, for you have trespassed, nor will the LORD give you honor for doing such. ¹⁹The king then became enraged at the priests and while yet still holding a censer in his hand, leprosy broke out on his forehead before the priests in the house of the LORD, as he stood beside the altar of incense. ²⁰Then Azariah the chief priest and the other priests, looked at the leprosy on him and ushered him out of the house of God. And the king himself quickly left the house, for the LORD had smitten him. ²¹And king Azariah was a leper until the day he died. Being a leper he dwelt in a separate house, for he was cut off from the house of the LORD. And his son Jotham was over the king's house, judging the people of the land.

²²The rest of the acts of king Azariah, Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, wrote, (NOTE: this is Isaiah the prophet that wrote the book of Isaiah, however, it is referring to another writing of the prophet that we do not have). ²³King Azariah then died 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 his son Jotham then reigned as king of Judah.

2^nd Chronicles: chapter 27

King Jotham reigns over Judah for 16 years, (750-731bc.), this is also recorded in 2^nd Kings 15:32-38.

¹Jotham was twenty-five years old when he began to reign and he reigned for sixteen years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jerushah, the daughter of Zadok. ²And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Azariah did. However, Jotham did not enter into the temple of the LORD and the people acted corruptly.

³He built the high gate of the house of the LORD and did much building on the city walls of Jerusalem. ⁴He built cities in the mountains of Judah and fortresses and castles in the lowlands. ⁵Jotham defeated the king of the Ammonites. And in that same year, for the next three years, the people of Ammon paid him one hundred talents of silver, ten thousand measures of wheat and barley. ⁶And Jotham became mighty, because he ordered his ways before the LORD his God.

⁷Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, the wars he fought and his ways, are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah, 2^nd Kings 15:32-38. ⁸Jotham was twenty-five years old when he began to reign and reigned for sixteen years in Jerusalem. ⁹Then Jotham died and was buried in the city of David and his son Ahaz reigned as king of Judah.

2^nd Chronicles: chapter 28

King Ahaz reigns over Judah for 16 years, (735-715bc.), this is also recorded in 2^nd Kings 16:1-20.

¹Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign as king of Judah and he reigned sixteen years from Jerusalem, but he did not do what was right in the sight of the LORD, unlike David his father. ²For he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, making molten images to worship the false pagan gods. ³Moreover he burnt incense in the valley of the son of Hinnom, sacrificing his children through the fire, after the abominations of the heathen whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel. ⁴He also burnt incense in the high places and under every green tree.

⁵So the LORD his God delivered Ahaz into the hands of the king of Syria. Whom defeated him and carried many of the Jewish people away captive to Damascus. Ahaz was also delivered into the hand of the king of Israel, who brought a great slaughter against him. ⁶For Pekah the king of Israel, in one day killed one hundred twenty thousand valiant men in Judah, because they had forsaken the LORD God of their fathers. ⁷Moreover Zichri, a mighty man of Ephraim, killed Maaseiah the king's son and several of the nobles within the line of Judah. ⁸And the people of Israel carried away two hundred thousand captive of their brothers of Judah, women, sons and daughters, taking with them much spoil and bringing it to Samaria.

⁹However a prophet of the LORD, whose name was Oded, met the army as it came into Samaria and said to them. Because the LORD God of your fathers was angry with Judah, He delivered them into your hands and you have battled against them in a rage that has been seen in the heavens. ¹⁰And you intend to keep the people of Judah and Jerusalem as bondmen and bondwomen for yourselves. But, do you not have guilt before the LORD your God, because of them? ¹¹Therefore hear me and release your brethren that you have taken captive, for the wrath of the LORD is upon you. ¹²When they heard this, some of the heads of Ephraim said to the returning army; ¹³You shall not bring the captives any further, for this has offended the LORD, least do we wish to add to our sins against Israel. ¹⁴So the armed men left the captives and the spoil before the nobles and the people. ¹⁵Then select men of Israel that were called took the captives, dressed the ones that were naked, gave them a meal and treated their wounds. Putting them on donkeys and returning them to Jericho and they afterwards returned to their city of Samaria.

¹⁶Shortly after that time king Ahaz sent a message to the kings of Assyria asking for their help. ¹⁷For again the men of Edom had come and fought against Judah, carrying away some of their people captive. ¹⁸And the Philistines were invading the cities of the low country, much of the south of Judah had been taken and now they were living in the land. ¹⁹Thus the LORD brought Judah low and made them naked, because of Ahaz their king, for they had greatly transgressed against the LORD. ²⁰And Tilgath-pilneser king of Assyria, (whom Ahaz called on for help), came to him and distressed him even further. ²¹For king Ahaz took the treasure from the house of the LORD and from his own treasures, to give to the king of Assyria. But, even this brought him no help.

²²Even in the time of great distress, the king transgressed further against the LORD. ²³He sacrificed to the pagan gods of his enemies, thinking; that since they helped his enemies, if he sacrificed to them, they might just help him. But, instead they were the ruin of him and all of Israel. ²⁴The king gathered up all the vessels within the house of God, breaking them into pieces and boarding up the doors of the house of the LORD. Then he made altars within every corner of Jerusalem. ²⁵He made high places in every city of Judah, to burn incense to other gods, provoking to anger the LORD God of his fathers.

²⁶The rest of the way and the acts of Ahaz are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel, 2^nd Kings 16:1-20. ²⁷Ahaz died and was buried in the city, even in Jerusalem, but he was not put into the tomb with the other kings of Israel. After his death, his son Hezekiah became king of Judah.

2^nd Chronicles: chapter 29

King Hezekiah reigns over Judah for 29 years, (715-686bc.), this is also recorded in 2^nd Kings chapters 18-32.

¹Hezekiah began to reign when he was twenty-five years old and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Abijah, the daughter of Zechariah. ²And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that David his father had done.

³In the first year and the first month, Hezekiah opened the doors of the house of the LORD and repaired them. ⁴He gathered together the priests and the Levites. ⁵Instructing the Levites to sanctify themselves and the house of the LORD God and then carry out of the unclean things within the holy place. ⁶For our fathers have trespassed, forsaking our God and doing what was evil in His eyes. ⁷They have boarded up the doors of this house, putting out the lamps and have quit giving offerings in the holy place to the God of Israel. ⁸Therefore the wrath of the LORD was upon Judah and Jerusalem and He delivered them into trouble and they became an astonishment and a mockery, as you have seen. ⁹For our fathers were slain by the sword and because of this, our sons, daughters and wives are in captivity.

¹⁰It is now my desire to make a covenant with the LORD God of Israel, so that His wrath may turn away from us. ¹¹Therefore my brothers, do not become lax for the LORD, for He has chosen you to minister and burn incense before Him. ¹²Therefore the Levites stood: Mahath the son of Amasai and Joel the son of Azariah, from the family line of Kohath. Kish the son of Abdi and Azariah the son of Jehalelel, of the family line of Merari. Joah the son of Zimmah and Eden the son of Joah, of the family line of Gershon. ¹³Shimri and Jeiel, of the family of Elizaphan. And Zechariah and Mattaniah, of the family of Asaph. ¹⁴Jehiel and Shimei, of the family of Heman. And Shemaiah and Uzziel, of the family of Jeduthun.

¹⁵They gathered their brethren together and sanctified themselves, according to the commandment of the king. To perform the matters of the LORD and cleanse the house of the LORD. ¹⁶The priests first went into the inner part of the house of the LORD and removed all the uncleanness that they found. Bringing it into the court of the house of the LORD and the Levites took it away to the brook Kidron. (the word Kidron means: gloomy) ¹⁷They began sanctifying the house on the first day of the first month and by the eight day of the month they had completed the inside of the house and by the sixteenth of the month they were finished with the court of the LORD.

¹⁸Then they told king Hezekiah, that they had cleansed the entire house of the LORD. The altar of burnt offering and all its vessels, the table of showbread and all its vessels. ¹⁹Also all the vessels that king Ahaz discarded when he was king. We have cleaned and sanctified them and they are now back before the altar of the LORD.

²⁰King Hezekiah then rose early the next day, gathered the rulers of the city together and went up to the house of the LORD. ²¹They brought seven bulls, seven rams, seven lambs and seven male goats, as a sin offering for the kingdom, the sanctuary and the people of Judah. And the sons of Aaron sacrificed them on the altar of the LORD, as the king had commanded. ²²The blood from the bulls, the rams and the lambs was each sprinkled on the altar, to sanctify it. ²³But the male goats were offered up as a sin offering before the king and the congregation and they laid their hands upon them. ²⁴And the priests killed them, making reconciliation with their blood upon the altar and atonement for all of Israel. For the king had commanded that the burnt offering and the sin offering was to be made for all Israel.

²⁵The king then reestablished the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals, psalteries and harps, according to the instructions of David. Also, he reestablished Gad as the king's seer and Nathan the prophet, as was the commandment of the LORD by His prophets. ²⁶The Levites stood with the instruments of David and the priests with the trumpets. ²⁷As Hezekiah commanded the burnt offerings to began, the song of the LORD began with the trumpets and instruments that had been ordained by David king of Israel. ²⁸And the congregation worshiped, the singers sang and the trumpets sounded, until the burnt offerings were finished. ²⁹When the offerings were over, the king and all that were present bowed and worshiped. ³⁰King Hezekiah also commanded the Levites to sing praise unto the LORD with the words, (the Psalms) of David and of Asaph the seer. So they sang praises with gladness and bowed their heads and worshiped.

³¹King Hezekiah spoke and said; The people have consecrated themselves to the LORD, now come and bring your sacrifices and thank offerings to the house of the LORD. So as many within the congregation that had a willing heart brought in their sacrifices and thank offerings. ³²The number of the burnt offerings that the congregation brought was seventy bulls, one hundred rams and two hundred lambs. ³³That day the consecrated things were six hundred oxen and three thousand sheep. ³⁴However there were too few priests to prepare all the burnt offerings, so their brethren the Levites helped out, until the other priests had sanctified themselves. For the Levites had a greater hearts desire to quickly sanctify themselves than did the priests.

³⁵All of the offerings were once again established for the service of the LORD. The burnt offerings were in abundance, the fat of the peace offerings along with the required drink offerings. ³⁶Then king Hezekiah rejoiced and the people with him, of how God had established His people back to Him so quickly.

2^nd Chronicles: chapter 30

King Hezekiah reestablishes the Passover meal and the feast of unleavened bread.

¹King Hezekiah then sent letters throughout all of Israel, Judah, Ephraim and Manasseh. To the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, to keep the Passover to the LORD God of Israel. ²For the king had taken counsel with his nobles and they decided the Passover would be kept in the second month. (NOTE: In Numbers 9:9-11 the second month was given as an alternative date) ³For they could not keep it on the first month, because the priests had not sanctified themselves sufficiently, neither had all the people gathered in Jerusalem. ⁴And this pleased the king and all the people. ⁵So a decree went forth throughout all Israel, that everyone should come to Jerusalem and keep the Passover to the LORD God of Israel. For the Passover had not been properly held for a long time.

⁶So the decree of the king was sent through all of Israel and Judah and it read;

People of Israel, turn back to the LORD God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and He will return to the remnant of the people who have survived from the hand of the kings of Assyria. ⁷Do not be as your ancestors were, that transgressed against the LORD God of their fathers and He gave them over to desolation. ⁸So do not be stiff-necked, as your fathers were, but yield yourselves to the LORD. Enter into His sanctuary that He has sanctified forever and serve the LORD your God, that the fierceness of His wrath may turn away from you. ⁹For if you turn back to the LORD, your brethren and children shall receive favor and compassion from their captors, even to where they shall be able to return to this land. For the LORD your God is gracious and merciful and will not turn from you, if you return to Him.

¹⁰As the king's decree went throughout the lands of Ephraim, Manasseh and Zebulun the people laughed at the words and mocked the messengers. ¹¹Only certain men of Asher, Manasseh and Zebulun, humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem. ¹²However within Judah, God's hand united the people giving them the desire to do the commandment of the king.

¹³Therefore, many people assembled in Jerusalem, to keep the Passover, followed by the feast of unleavened bread in the second month. ¹⁴The people first cleared the land of all the pagan altars that were in Jerusalem, removing them to the brook Kidron. ¹⁵Then they killed the Passover lamb on the fourteenth day of the second month. However, the priests and the Levites were not ready for such a large crowd and they were ashamed and quickly sanctified themselves, bringing in burnt offerings into the house of the LORD. ¹⁶After they had sanctified themselves, they took the rightful position, according to the law of Moses. The priests sprinkled the blood, that they received from the hand of the Levites. ¹⁷For many of the people in the congregation were not sanctified. Therefore, the Levites had the charge of the killing of the Passover lamb, for everyone that was not clean. ¹⁸For a multitude of people from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet they ate of the Passover. But, king Hezekiah prayed for them, saying; May the good LORD pardon everyone of them. ¹⁹That prepares his heart to seek God, the LORD God of his fathers, even though he is not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary. ²⁰And the LORD responded to Hezekiah's prayer and healed the people.

²¹Now the people of Israel that were at Jerusalem kept the feast of Unleavened Bread for seven days with great gladness. While the Levites and the priests praised the LORD each day, playing instruments and singing. ²²King Hezekiah commended all the Levites that taught and led the people. And for seven days they ate throughout the feast, offering peace offerings and making confession to the LORD God of their fathers. ²³After the seven days, the entire assembly decided to keep the feast going for another seven days, thus they kept the feast going with gladness. ²⁴For king Hezekiah supplied to the congregation one thousand bulls and seven thousand sheep and his nobles gave to the congregation one thousand bulls and ten thousand sheep. And by this time many priests had sanctified themselves. ²⁵all the congregation, the people of Judah, the priests and the Levites, those of Israel and even the non-Israelites that dwelt in Judah, everyone rejoiced. ²⁶And there was great joy in Jerusalem, for since the time of king Solomon, there was not such a Passover feast in Jerusalem. ²⁷Then the priests the Levites stood and blessed the people and their prayers were heard by God.

2^nd Chronicles: chapter 31

¹After the feast, all the people of Israel that were present went throughout the cities of Judah, Benjamin, Ephraim and Manasseh and finished destroying all the high places and their alters.

²King Hezekiah then appointed the priests and Levites to the service of ministering of burnt and peace offerings, to give thanks and praise in the houses of the LORD. ³He also contributed a portion from the king's treasury for the morning and evening burnt offerings, the burnt offerings for the Sabbaths, the new moons and for all the set feasts, as it is written in the law of the LORD. ⁴And he commanded the people living in Jerusalem to give a portion to the priests and Levites, so that they also might be encouraged in the law of the LORD. ⁵As soon as the king gave this order, the people of Israel brought in an abundance of the firstfruits of their corn, wine, oil and honey, along with the increase of their fields and their tithe. ⁶They also brought in their tithe of oxen and sheep and of offerings that had been dedicated to the LORD.

⁷They began their giving in the third month and completed the giving in the 7^th month. ⁸Now when king Hezekiah and his nobles recorded all the treasure, they blessed the LORD and all of His people of Israel. ⁹Hezekiah then spoke with the priests and Levites concerning the offerings from the people. ¹⁰And Azariah the chief priest answered him and said; Since the people began to bring offerings into the house of the LORD, we have had enough to eat, with more than enough left over, for the LORD has blessed His people.

¹¹King Hezekiah then commanded that rooms for storage be prepared in the house of the LORD. ¹²And they brought in the tithes, offerings and dedicated things, putting Cononiah, the Levite over them, with his brother Shimei as his assistant. ¹³The overseers involved with this project were, Jehiel, Azaziah, Nahath, Asahel, Jerimoth, Jozabad, Eliel, Ismachiah, Mahath and Benaiah and they worked under Cononiah and Shimei his brother. ¹⁴Kore the son of Imnah the Levite, the gatekeeper toward the east, was over the distribution of the freewill offerings of God. ¹⁵And the men who worked under him in the cities of the priests were Eden, Miniamin, Jeshua, Shemaiah, Amariah and Shecaniah, distributing equally to the great as to the small. ¹⁶All the Levites that entered into the house of the LORD were assigned a daily service. ¹⁷The priests by their family line and the Levites from twenty years and older, were assigned their service. ¹⁸All the priests and Levites were recorded in their appointed office, from the small children, their wives, sons and daughters, for they were sanctified and set apart in holiness.

¹⁹Also, the priests of Aaron, that live outside of their city, had selected men to collect and bring portions to the priests and to certain Levites. ²⁰King Hezekiah did thus throughout all the land of Judah, doing what was good, right and truth before the LORD his God. ²¹Every work that he began in the service of the house of God was according to the law and the commandments, for he sought his God with all his heart and the king prospered.

2^nd Chronicles: chapter 32

¹After all these loyal things had been established, Sennacherib the king of Assyria came into the land of Judah and besieged the fortified cities, with the intent to win them for himself. ²When king Hezekiah realized that Sennacherib purposed to attack Jerusalem, ³He took counsel with his nobles and mighty men and they decided to stop the flow of water that was outside the city. ⁴So many people gathered together to stop the streams of water that ran through the midst of the land. For they thought, Why should the kings of Assyria come and find an abundance of water? ⁵Hezekiah also strengthened himself, by repairing all the walls that were broken, building them up and reinforcing them with an outside wall. He repaired the city of Millo in the city of David and he made weapons and shields in abundance. ⁶He set up captains of war over the people and instructed them to, ⁷Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed of the king of Assyria, or of the multitudes of men with him, for there are more with us than is with him. (NOTE: this same expression was used by Elisha in answer to his assistant, 2^nd Kings 6:16, it speaks of seeing in the spirit.) ⁸The king of Assyria has an arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God, to help us fight our battles. And the people rested upon the words of Hezekiah, king of Judah.

The king of Assyria comes against the land of Judah, this is also recorded in:   2^nd Kings 18:14-19:37, Isaiah 36:1-37:38

⁹After this Sennacherib, the king of Assyria sent messengers to Jerusalem, but he and his men, laid siege against the fortified city of Lachish. ¹⁰And his messengers said; Sennacherib the king of Assyria questions, on what do you trust, that during this siege, you shall remain safe in Jerusalem? ¹¹Has Hezekiah persuaded the people that the LORD your God will deliver you from the hand of the king of Assyria, so that they will not die by famine or thirst? ¹²Has he not taken away all the high places and altars, commanding the people of Judah and Jerusalem, to worship before only one altar? ¹³Are you not aware of what the Assyrians have done to the other nations? Know that the gods of those nations were not able to deliver their people from my hand. ¹⁴Of all the gods of the other nations, none of them could deliver their people from the hands of the Assyrians, why should you believe that your God will be able to deliver you? ¹⁵So don't let Hezekiah deceive you. For there is not a god of any nation who can deliver his people out of my hands.

¹⁶Furthermore his servants spoke even more against the LORD God and against His servant Hezekiah. ¹⁷They had letters from the king of Assyria mocking the LORD God of Israel, saying; Just as the gods of the other nations have not delivered their people, the God of Hezekiah will not deliver His people out of my hand. ¹⁸And they loudly read this letter in the Jewish language to the people of Jerusalem that were on the wall of the city, to attempt to frighten the people, so that they might prevail against the city. ¹⁹Continually they spoke against the God of Jerusalem, comparing Him to the other gods of the earth, which were the works of man's hands.

²⁰Because of this king Hezekiah and Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, prayed and cried out to heaven. ²¹The LORD then sent an angel, that destroyed all the mighty men, the leaders and the captains in the camp of the Assyrians and the king shamefully returned to his own land. And when he went into the house of his god, his own sons killed him with the sword. ²²Thus the LORD saved king Hezekiah and the people of Jerusalem from Sennacherib the king of Assyria and from all the surrounding nations on every side of them. ²³Thus many people brought gifts to Jerusalem unto the LORD, along with presents for king Hezekiah, so that the king was magnified in the sight of all nations from then on.

²⁴After that Hezekiah became sick to the point of death, so he prayed to the LORD and the LORD spoke to him and gave him a sign. ²⁵But Hezekiah did not turn and seek the LORD according to all the greatness that had been done to him, for his heart was prideful. Therefore, God's wrath came upon him and Judah and Jerusalem. ²⁶However Hezekiah humbled himself, because of the pride of his heart and the people of Jerusalem also humbled themselves. So the wrath of the LORD did not come upon them in the days of king Hezekiah.

²⁷Now king Hezekiah had exceedingly many riches and honor. And he had treasuries for silver, for gold, for precious stones, for spices, for shields and for jewels. ²⁸Storehouses for the abundance of corn, wine, oil and stalls for all manner of livestock. ²⁹He also built cities and had possessions of flocks and herds in abundance, for God had given him very much substance. ³⁰And Hezekiah had also redirected the upper stream of water, bringing it straight down into the west side of the city of David. And in all his works king Hezekiah prospered.

³¹However the LORD was testing king Hezekiah as to what was in his heart. Thus ambassadors from Babylon came and inquired of the great wonder that was done in the land. (This refers to Isaiah 39:1-7, where king Hezekiah showed them all that was in his kingdom, a foolish and prideful move).

³²The rest of the acts of Hezekiah and his goodness, are written in the vision of Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz, in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel, 2^nd Kings chapters 18-21. ³³When King Hezekiah died, they buried him in the best and highest of the tombs of the sons of David and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem gave him much honor. And Manasseh his son reigned as king of Judah.

2^nd Chronicles: chapter 33

King Manasseh reigns over Judah for 55 years, (695-642bc.), this is also recorded in 2^nd Kings 21:1-18.

¹Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem. ²But he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, much like the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel. ³For Manasseh built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down, raising up altars to the false gods. He also built shrines and worshiped and served all the host of heavens. ⁴He even built altars in the house of the LORD, where the LORD had put His name forever. ⁵Building two altars to all the host of heaven, in the two courts of the house of the LORD. ⁶Sacrificing his own children by fire, observing times and seasons, using witchcraft and dealing with familiar spirits and wizards. By doing this, Manasseh provoked the LORD to anger and brought much evil upon himself. ⁷He set up a carved image that he had made in the house of God. The house that God said to David and to Solomon; In this house I will put My name forever: ⁸I will not remove My people of Israel from the land which I have given your fathers. If they will do all that I have commanded them, according to the whole law and the statutes by the hand of Moses. ⁹So Manasseh made Judah and the people of Jerusalem to transgress, even worse than the heathen, whom the LORD had destroyed before the children of Israel. ¹⁰And the LORD spoke to Manasseh and to His people, but they would not regard Him.

¹¹Therefore the LORD brought the Assyrian army upon them and they bound Manasseh with fetters and carried him to Babylon. ¹²When Manasseh became in great affliction, he humbled himself and sought the LORD his God. ¹³Praying to the LORD and God acted on his petitions, bringing him back into Jerusalem into his kingdom. Manasseh then realized that the LORD is God.

¹⁴After this he rebuilt and reinforced the wall around the city of David, increasing its height and he put captains of war in all the fenced cities of Judah. ¹⁵He removed the altars to the strange gods and the idols out of the house of the LORD. ¹⁶He then repaired the altar of the LORD and sacrificed peace and thank offerings, commanding Judah to also serve the LORD God of Israel. ¹⁷However the people still brought their sacrifices to the high places, but now only in the name of the LORD their God.

¹⁸The rest of the acts of Manasseh, his prayer unto his God and the words of the prophets that spoke to him in the name of the LORD God of Israel, are written in the book of the kings of Israel, 2^nd Kings 21:1-18. ¹⁹Written among the sayings of the prophets are his prayer, how God dealt with him and all of his sin and trespass. The places where he built high places, setting up shrines and graven images, before he was humbled. ²⁰When Manasseh died they buried him in his own house and his son Amon reigned as king of Judah.

King Amon reigns over Judah for 2 years, (642-640bc.), this is also recorded in 2^nd Kings 21:19-26.

²¹King Amon was twenty-two years old when he began to reign and reigned for two years in Jerusalem. ²²But he did evil in the sight of the LORD, as did Manasseh his father. For Amon sacrificed to and served all the carved images which Manasseh his father had made. ²³Amon's trespasses became greater and greater, for he did not humble himself before the LORD, as Manasseh his father had. ²⁴And his servants conspired against him and killed him in his own house. ²⁵However the people of the land killed everyone that had conspired against king Amon. Then the people made his son Josiah king of Judah.

2^nd Chronicles: chapter 34

King Josiah reigns over Judah for 31 years, (640-609bc.), this is also recorded in 2^nd Kings 22:1-23.

¹Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign and he reigned for thirty-one years in Jerusalem. ²He did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, walking in the ways of king David his father, neither turning to the right nor to the left. ³For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of king David his father. And in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, shrines and the carved images. ⁴He had all the altars of the false gods taken down and broken into pieces, while he watched. All the shrines were destroyed and the images were ground into powder and the dust was thrown on the graves of them that had sacrificed to them. ⁵And he burnt the bones of the false priests on their altars, cleansing Judah and Jerusalem. ⁶He did this clean up work in the territories of Manasseh, Ephraim, Simeon and as far as Naphtali. ⁷Now when he had broken down the altars, the shrines and had smashed all the images into powder, throughout all the land of Israel, he returned to Jerusalem.

⁸Now in the eighteenth year of his reign, after he had purged the land. He sent two of his officials to repair the house of the LORD his God. ⁹They first delivered the money to the king that was collected in the house of God by the Levites, from the territories of Manasseh, Ephraim and the people of Judah and Benjamin. ¹⁰And they gave the money to workmen that had oversight of the house of the LORD, to repair the house. ¹¹To buy cut stone and timber for strength and to repair the floor of the house that the past kings of Judah had destroyed. ¹²And the men did the work faithfully and the overseers of the work was Jahath and Obadiah, Levites, of the sons of Merari, Zechariah and Meshullam, of the sons of the Kohathites. ¹³They were over the laborers and the Levites served as the administrators of the work.

¹⁴Now as 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. ¹⁵Hilkiah the priest delivered the book to Shaphan the scribe. ¹⁶And Shaphan carried the book to the king, with the message that all the work that you have requested to be done is under way. ¹⁷The money that was collected has been delivered to the overseers and distributed to the workmen. ¹⁸Shaphan the scribe then told the king about the book of the law that was found.

¹⁹When the king heard the words of the law, he tore his clothes in grief. ²⁰The king then commanded Hilkiah, Ahikam the son of Shaphan, Abdon the son of Micah, Shaphan the scribe and Asaiah one of his own servants. ²¹To inquire of the LORD for me and for the people that are left in Israel and in Judah, regarding the words within this book. For great is the wrath of the LORD that is upon us, because our fathers have not kept the Word of the LORD, that is written in this book.

²²Hilkiah and the men the king had appointed, then went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvath. She was the keeper of the palace wardrobe and dwelt in Jerusalem in the second quarter and they inquired of her of the LORD.

²³And she said; Tell the man that sent you to me, this is what the LORD God of Israel says; ²⁴I will bring evil upon this place and its people, even all the curses that are written in the book, which they have now read before the king of Judah: ²⁵Because they have forsaken Me, they have burned incense to other gods, provoking Me to anger through the works of their hands. Therefore, My wrath shall be poured out upon this place and shall not be stopped.

²⁶As for the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the LORD, you shall say unto him; Thus says the LORD God of Israel concerning the words which you have heard. ²⁷Because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before God, tore your clothes and wept before Me, when you heard these words against this place and its people. ²⁸I will gather you in death and you shall go to the grave in peace. And shall not see all the evil that I will bring upon this place and its people. And they returned this word to the king.

²⁹Then the king sent and gathered together all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem. ³⁰They went into the house of the LORD with the priests, the Levites and all the people, both great and small. And the book of the covenant that was found in the house of the LORD, was read to all the people. ³¹The king then made a covenant before the LORD. To walk after the LORD, keeping His commandments, testimonies and statutes, with all his heart and soul. And to perform the words of the covenant written in this book. ³²And the king had all that were present in Jerusalem and Benjamin to agree and abide by the covenant of God of their fathers. ³³And king Josiah cleansed all the territories of the children of Israel from abominations, making all the people of Israel serve the LORD their God. And all his days they departed not from following the LORD, the God of their fathers.

2^nd Chronicles: chapter 35

¹Moreover, Josiah kept the Passover to the LORD in Jerusalem and they killed the Passover lamb on the fourteenth day of the first month. (NOTE: This is the date it was established to be held on). ²He assigned the priests to their duties and encouraged them in the service of the house of the LORD. ³Instructing the Levites, which were holy unto the LORD. To put the Ark of the Covenant, back in the house which Solomon the son of David, king of Israel, built. ⁴Instructing them to organize themselves by your families, according to the writing of David, king of Israel. ⁵And take your assigned office in the holy place. ⁶Then kill the Passover lambs, sanctify yourselves and prepare your brethren that he may be able to keep the Passover, according to the Word of the LORD by the hand of Moses.

⁷And Josiah provided for the people that were present, thirty thousand lambs and three thousand bulls out of the king's substance. ⁸And his nobles together with the priests and Hilkiah, Zechariah and Jehiel, the Levites, gave to the people Passover offerings of two thousand six hundred small cattle and three hundred oxen. ⁹Other Levites, Conaniah, Shemaiah, Nethaneel, Hashabiah, Jeiel and Jozabad, chief of the Levites, gave to the people Passover offerings of five thousand small cattle and five hundred oxen. ¹⁰And the preparation of the service was complete, the priests stood in their offices and the Levites were assigned their duties, according to the king's commandment.

¹¹So the Levites killed the Passover lambs and the priests sprinkled the blood. ¹²They also prepared and removed the burnt offerings, so that each family might receive a piece to offer to the LORD, as it is written in the book of Moses. And they did likewise, with the oxen. ¹³Then they roasted the Passover lambs, according to the law. But, the other holy offerings they cooked in pots and pans and divided them among all the people. ¹⁴After the people had been served the offerings, the Levites prepared for themselves and the priests the Passover, for the sons of Aaron were busy offering up burnt and peace offerings. ¹⁵The singers, the sons of Asaph were all in their place, according to the instructions of David, along with Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun the king's seer. And the gatekeepers were each at their own gate.

¹⁶That same day, the Passover was prepared and the burnt offerings were offered on the altar of the LORD, according to the orders of king Josiah. ¹⁷At that time the children of Israel that were present kept the Passover followed by the feast of Unleavened Bread lasting for seven days. ¹⁸There had not been a Passover feast kept in Israel to this degree since the days of Samuel the prophet. None of the kings of Israel kept such a Passover as did king Josiah, neither did the priests, the Levites, nor any of the people of Jerusalem. ¹⁹And this Passover was kept the eighteenth year of the reign of king Josiah.

²⁰After all of this, Necho king of Egypt came up to fight against the Assyrian city of Carchemish by the Euphrates river and king Josiah went out against him. ²¹But Necho sent ambassadors to Josiah, saying; I have no cause against the king of Judah, rather I war against the Assyrian's. God has commanded me to be quick about this, do not cause me to oppose God, who is with me, least He destroy you. ²²But king Josiah did not hearken to the words of Necho, from the mouth of God. But, rather disguised himself that he might fight with him in the valley of Megiddo. ²³And the archers shot at king Josiah and the king said to his servants; Take me out of the battle, for I am badly wounded. ²⁴Therefore his servants took him out of the battle chariot and put him in the second chariot that he had. Bringing him back to Jerusalem where he died and he was buried in one of the tombs of his fathers. And all Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah.

²⁵And Jeremiah the prophet mourned for king Josiah and the singers, both men and women still speak of Josiah in their lamentations to this day, Having written an anthem in Israel, written in the book of lamentations. ²⁶And the rest of the acts of king Josiah, his goodness, according to what was written in the law of the LORD, ²⁷All of his works, from the first to the last, are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah, 2^nd Kings 22:1-23.

2^nd Chronicles: chapter 36

King Jehoahaz reigns over Judah for 3 months, (609bc.), this is also recorded in 2^nd Kings 23:31-33.

¹Then the people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah and made him king of Jerusalem, the capital of Judah. ²Jehoahaz was twenty-three years old when he began to reign and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. ³But the king of Egypt came and took him off the throne at Jerusalem and imposed a fine on the land of one hundred talents of silver and a talent of gold. ⁴And the king of Egypt made Eliakim his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem, changing Eliakim's name to Jehoiakim. And Necho took Jehoahaz back with him to Egypt.

King Jehoiakim reigns over Judah for 11 years, (609-597bc.), this is also recorded in 2^nd Kings 23:34-24:7.

⁵Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he began to reign and he reigned for eleven years in Jerusalem, the capital of Judah, but he did evil in the sight of the LORD his God. ⁶Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, came up against him and bound him in chains and carried him to Babylon. ⁷And Nebuchadnezzar also carried away the vessels of the house of the LORD to Babylon, putting them in his temple at Babylon. ⁸The rest of the acts of Jehoiakim, the abominations that he did and the evil that was found in him, are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah, 2^nd Kings 23:34-24:7. And his son Jehoiachin reigned as king of Judah.

King Jehoiachin reigns over Judah for 3 months and 10 days, (597bc.), this is also recorded in 2^nd Kings 24:8-16.

⁹Jehoiachin was eight years old when he began to reign and he reigned for three months and ten days in Jerusalem, the capital of Judah and he did evil in the sight of the LORD. ¹⁰When the year had elapsed, king Nebuchadnezzar brought Jehoiachin captive to Babylon, along with the precious vessels within the house of the LORD. Then he setup his brother, Zedekiah to be king over Judah and Jerusalem.

King Zedekiah reigns over Judah for 11 years, (597-586bc.), this is also recorded in 2^nd Kings 24:18-25.

¹¹Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he began to reign and he reigned for eleven years in Jerusalem. ¹²And he did what was evil in the sight of the LORD his God and did not regard the Word of the LORD that the prophet Jeremiah spoke, neither did he humble himself. ¹³He also rebelled against king Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God. But, he had become stubborn and had hardened his heart from turning unto the LORD God of Israel. ¹⁴Moreover all the chief priests and the people, transgressed after the manor of the abominations the heathen do and they polluted the house of the LORD that had once been sanctified in Jerusalem.

¹⁵And repeatedly the LORD God of their fathers sent to them His prophets, because He had compassion on His people and on His dwelling place. ¹⁶But they mocked and abused the prophets of God, despising their words, until the wrath of the LORD arose against His people, until there was no remedy. ¹⁷Therefore the LORD brought the king of the Chaldees against them, who killed their young men, even in the house of their sanctuary. Having no compassion on young man or maiden, old man or the crippled. ¹⁸And he brought every treasure within the house of God and the treasures of the king, back to Babylon. ¹⁹And they burnt the house of God, breaking down the walls of Jerusalem and utterly destroying the city with fire. ²⁰The Israelites that escaped from the sword, he carried them away captive into Babylon. Where they became servants to him and his sons until the reign of the kingdom of Persia. ²¹All of this fulfilled the Word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah. And the land remained desolate until the land had enjoyed all her Sabbaths, for seventy years. (NOTE: Every seventh year the land was to have a Sabbath rest, Leviticus 25:4 and their captivity lasted seventy years, Jeremiah 25:11).

²²Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, the Word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah, (NOTE: the seventy year release, Jeremiah 29:10) was completed. The LORD then stirred up the spirit of Cyrus the king of Persia and he declared a proclamation throughout his kingdom, saying; ²³Thus says Cyrus the king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and has charged me to build Him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who among His people is willing to take on this task? Let him go up and may the LORD be with you.