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Book 14 2 Chronicles
14:001:001 And Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom,
and the LORD his God was with him, and magnified him
exceedingly.
14:001:002 Then Solomon spake unto all Israel, to the captains of
thousands and of hundreds, and to the judges, and to every
governor in all Israel, the chief of the fathers.
14:001:003 So Solomon, and all the congregation with him, went to the
high place that was at Gibeon; for there was the tabernacle of
the congregation of God, which Moses the servant of the LORD
had made in the wilderness.
14:001:004 But the ark of God had David brought up from Kirjathjearim to
the place which David had prepared for it: for he had pitched
a tent for it at Jerusalem.
14:001:005 Moreover the brasen altar, that Bezaleel the son of Uri, the
son of Hur, had made, he put before the tabernacle of the
LORD: and Solomon and the congregation sought unto it.
14:001:006 And Solomon went up thither to the brasen altar before the
LORD, which was at the tabernacle of the congregation, and
offered a thousand burnt offerings upon it.
14:001:007 In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him,
Ask what I shall give thee.
14:001:008 And Solomon said unto God, Thou hast shewed great mercy unto
David my father, and hast made me to reign in his stead.
14:001:009 Now, O LORD God, let thy promise unto David my father be
established: for thou hast made me king over a people like the
dust of the earth in multitude.
14:001:010 Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come
in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that
is so great?
14:001:011 And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and
thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of
thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast
asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge
my people, over whom I have made thee king:
14:001:012 Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give
thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings
have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any
after thee have the like.
14:001:013 Then Solomon came from his journey to the high place that was
at Gibeon to Jerusalem, from before the tabernacle of the
congregation, and reigned over Israel.
14:001:014 And Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen: and he had a
thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand
horsemen, which he placed in the chariot cities, and with the
king at Jerusalem.
14:001:015 And the king made silver and gold at Jerusalem as plenteous as
stones, and cedar trees made he as the sycomore trees that are
in the vale for abundance.
14:001:016 And Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt, and linen yarn:
the king's merchants received the linen yarn at a price.
14:001:017 And they fetched up, and brought forth out of Egypt a chariot
for six hundred shekels of silver, and an horse for an hundred
and fifty: and so brought they out horses for all the kings of
the Hittites, and for the kings of Syria, by their means.
14:002:001 And Solomon determined to build an house for the name of the
LORD, and an house for his kingdom.
14:002:002 And Solomon told out threescore and ten thousand men to bear
burdens, and fourscore thousand to hew in the mountain, and
three thousand and six hundred to oversee them.
14:002:003 And Solomon sent to Huram the king of Tyre, saying, As thou
didst deal with David my father, and didst send him cedars to
build him an house to dwell therein, even so deal with me.
14:002:004 Behold, I build an house to the name of the LORD my God, to
dedicate it to him, and to burn before him sweet incense, and
for the continual shewbread, and for the burnt offerings
morning and evening, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons,
and on the solemn feasts of the LORD our God. This is an
ordinance for ever to Israel.
14:002:005 And the house which I build is great: for great is our God
above all gods.
14:002:006 But who is able to build him an house, seeing the heaven and
heaven of heavens cannot contain him? who am I then, that I
should build him an house, save only to burn sacrifice before
him?
14:002:007 Send me now therefore a man cunning to work in gold, and in
silver, and in brass, and in iron, and in purple, and crimson,
and blue, and that can skill to grave with the cunning men
that are with me in Judah and in Jerusalem, whom David my
father did provide.
14:002:008 Send me also cedar trees, fir trees, and algum trees, out of
Lebanon: for I know that thy servants can skill to cut timber
in Lebanon; and, behold, my servants shall be with thy
servants,
14:002:009 Even to prepare me timber in abundance: for the house which I
am about to build shall be wonderful great.
14:002:010 And, behold, I will give to thy servants, the hewers that cut
timber, twenty thousand measures of beaten wheat, and twenty
thousand measures of barley, and twenty thousand baths of
wine, and twenty thousand baths of oil.
14:002:011 Then Huram the king of Tyre answered in writing, which he sent
to Solomon, Because the LORD hath loved his people, he hath
made thee king over them.
14:002:012 Huram said moreover, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, that
made heaven and earth, who hath given to David the king a wise
son, endued with prudence and understanding, that might build
an house for the LORD, and an house for his kingdom.
14:002:013 And now I have sent a cunning man, endued with understanding,
of Huram my father's,
14:002:014 The son of a woman of the daughters of Dan, and his father was
a man of Tyre, skilful to work in gold, and in silver, in
brass, in iron, in stone, and in timber, in purple, in blue,
and in fine linen, and in crimson; also to grave any manner of
graving, and to find out every device which shall be put to
him, with thy cunning men, and with the cunning men of my lord
David thy father.
14:002:015 Now therefore the wheat, and the barley, the oil, and the
wine, which my lord hath spoken of, let him send unto his
servants:
14:002:016 And we will cut wood out of Lebanon, as much as thou shalt
need: and we will bring it to thee in floats by sea to Joppa;
and thou shalt carry it up to Jerusalem.
14:002:017 And Solomon numbered all the strangers that were in the land
of Israel, after the numbering wherewith David his father had
numbered them; and they were found an hundred and fifty
thousand and three thousand and six hundred.
14:002:018 And he set threescore and ten thousand of them to be bearers
of burdens, and fourscore thousand to be hewers in the
mountain, and three thousand and six hundred overseers to set
the people a work.
14:003:001 Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD at Jerusalem
in mount Moriah, where the Lord appeared unto David his
father, in the place that David had prepared in the
threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite.
14:003:002 And he began to build in the second day of the second month,
in the fourth year of his reign.
14:003:003 Now these are the things wherein Solomon was instructed for
the building of the house of God. The length by cubits after
the first measure was threescore cubits, and the breadth
twenty cubits.
14:003:004 And the porch that was in the front of the house, the length
of it was according to the breadth of the house, twenty
cubits, and the height was an hundred and twenty: and he
overlaid it within with pure gold.
14:003:005 And the greater house he cieled with fir tree, which he
overlaid with fine gold, and set thereon palm trees and
chains.
14:003:006 And he garnished the house with precious stones for beauty:
and the gold was gold of Parvaim.
14:003:007 He overlaid also the house, the beams, the posts, and the
walls thereof, and the doors thereof, with gold; and graved
cherubims on the walls.
14:003:008 And he made the most holy house, the length whereof was
according to the breadth of the house, twenty cubits, and the
breadth thereof twenty cubits: and he overlaid it with fine
gold, amounting to six hundred talents.
14:003:009 And the weight of the nails was fifty shekels of gold. And he
overlaid the upper chambers with gold.
14:003:010 And in the most holy house he made two cherubims of image
work, and overlaid them with gold.
14:003:011 And the wings of the cherubims were twenty cubits long: one
wing of the one cherub was five cubits, reaching to the wall
of the house: and the other wing was likewise five cubits,
reaching to the wing of the other cherub.
14:003:012 And one wing of the other cherub was five cubits, reaching to
the wall of the house: and the other wing was five cubits
also, joining to the wing of the other cherub.
14:003:013 The wings of these cherubims spread themselves forth twenty
cubits: and they stood on their feet, and their faces were
inward.
14:003:014 And he made the vail of blue, and purple, and crimson, and
fine linen, and wrought cherubims thereon.
14:003:015 Also he made before the house two pillars of thirty and five
cubits high, and the chapiter that was on the top of each of
them was five cubits.
14:003:016 And he made chains, as in the oracle, and put them on the
heads of the pillars; and made an hundred pomegranates, and
put them on the chains.
14:003:017 And he reared up the pillars before the temple, one on the
right hand, and the other on the left; and called the name of
that on the right hand Jachin, and the name of that on the
left Boaz.
14:004:001 Moreover he made an altar of brass, twenty cubits the length
thereof, and twenty cubits the breadth thereof, and ten cubits
the height thereof.
14:004:002 Also he made a molten sea of ten cubits from brim to brim,
round in compass, and five cubits the height thereof; and a
line of thirty cubits did compass it round about.
14:004:003 And under it was the similitude of oxen, which did compass it
round about: ten in a cubit, compassing the sea round about.
Two rows of oxen were cast, when it was cast.
14:004:004 It stood upon twelve oxen, three looking toward the north, and
three looking toward the west, and three looking toward the
south, and three looking toward the east: and the sea was set
above upon them, and all their hinder parts were inward.
14:004:005 And the thickness of it was an handbreadth, and the brim of it
like the work of the brim of a cup, with flowers of lilies;
and it received and held three thousand baths.
14:004:006 He made also ten lavers, and put five on the right hand, and
five on the left, to wash in them: such things as they offered
for the burnt offering they washed in them; but the sea was
for the priests to wash in.
14:004:007 And he made ten candlesticks of gold according to their form,
and set them in the temple, five on the right hand, and five
on the left.
14:004:008 He made also ten tables, and placed them in the temple, five
on the right side, and five on the left. And he made an
hundred basons of gold.
14:004:009 Furthermore he made the court of the priests, and the great
court, and doors for the court, and overlaid the doors of them
with brass.
14:004:010 And he set the sea on the right side of the east end, over
against the south.
14:004:011 And Huram made the pots, and the shovels, and the basons. And
Huram finished the work that he was to make for king Solomon
for the house of God;
14:004:012 To wit, the two pillars, and the pommels, and the chapiters
which were on the top of the two pillars, and the two wreaths
to cover the two pommels of the chapiters which were on the
top of the pillars;
14:004:013 And four hundred pomegranates on the two wreaths; two rows of
pomegranates on each wreath, to cover the two pommels of the
chapiters which were upon the pillars.
14:004:014 He made also bases, and lavers made he upon the bases;
14:004:015 One sea, and twelve oxen under it.
14:004:016 The pots also, and the shovels, and the fleshhooks, and all
their instruments, did Huram his father make to king Solomon
for the house of the LORD of bright brass.
14:004:017 In the plain of Jordan did the king cast them, in the clay
ground between Succoth and Zeredathah.
14:004:018 Thus Solomon made all these vessels in great abundance: for
the weight of the brass could not be found out.
14:004:019 And Solomon made all the vessels that were for the house of
God, the golden altar also, and the tables whereon the
shewbread was set;
14:004:020 Moreover the candlesticks with their lamps, that they should
burn after the manner before the oracle, of pure gold;
14:004:021 And the flowers, and the lamps, and the tongs, made he of
gold, and that perfect gold;
14:004:022 And the snuffers, and the basons, and the spoons, and the
censers, of pure gold: and the entry of the house, the inner
doors thereof for the most holy place, and the doors of the
house of the temple, were of gold.
14:005:001 Thus all the work that Solomon made for the house of the LORD
was finished: and Solomon brought in all the things that David
his father had dedicated; and the silver, and the gold, and
all the instruments, put he among the treasures of the house
of God.
14:005:002 Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the heads
of the tribes, the chief of the fathers of the children of
Israel, unto Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of
the LORD out of the city of David, which is Zion.
14:005:003 Wherefore all the men of Israel assembled themselves unto the
king in the feast which was in the seventh month.
14:005:004 And all the elders of Israel came; and the Levites took up the
ark.
14:005:005 And they brought up the ark, and the tabernacle of the
congregation, and all the holy vessels that were in the
tabernacle, these did the priests and the Levites bring up.
14:005:006 Also king Solomon, and all the congregation of Israel that
were assembled unto him before the ark, sacrificed sheep and
oxen, which could not be told nor numbered for multitude.
14:005:007 And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the LORD
unto his place, to the oracle of the house, into the most holy
place, even under the wings of the cherubims:
14:005:008 For the cherubims spread forth their wings over the place of
the ark, and the cherubims covered the ark and the staves
thereof above.
14:005:009 And they drew out the staves of the ark, that the ends of the
staves were seen from the ark before the oracle; but they were
not seen without. And there it is unto this day.
14:005:010 There was nothing in the ark save the two tables which Moses
put therein at Horeb, when the LORD made a covenant with the
children of Israel, when they came out of Egypt.
14:005:011 And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the
holy place: (for all the priests that were present were
sanctified, and did not then wait by course:
14:005:012 Also the Levites which were the singers, all of them of Asaph,
of Heman, of Jeduthun, with their sons and their brethren,
being arrayed in white linen, having cymbals and psalteries
and harps, stood at the east end of the altar, and with them
an hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets:)
14:005:013 It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as
one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking
the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the
trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised
the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for
ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the
house of the LORD;
14:005:014 So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of
the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of
God.
14:006:001 Then said Solomon, The LORD hath said that he would dwell in
the thick darkness.
14:006:002 But I have built an house of habitation for thee, and a place
for thy dwelling for ever.
14:006:003 And the king turned his face, and blessed the whole
congregation of Israel: and all the congregation of Israel
stood.
14:006:004 And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, who hath with
his hands fulfilled that which he spake with his mouth to my
father David, saying,
14:006:005 Since the day that I brought forth my people out of the land
of Egypt I chose no city among all the tribes of Israel to
build an house in, that my name might be there; neither chose
I any man to be a ruler over my people Israel:
14:006:006 But I have chosen Jerusalem, that my name might be there; and
have chosen David to be over my people Israel.
14:006:007 Now it was in the heart of David my father to build an house
for the name of the LORD God of Israel.
14:006:008 But the LORD said to David my father, Forasmuch as it was in
thine heart to build an house for my name, thou didst well in
that it was in thine heart:
14:006:009 Notwithstanding thou shalt not build the house; but thy son
which shall come forth out of thy loins, he shall build the
house for my name.
14:006:010 The LORD therefore hath performed his word that he hath
spoken: for I am risen up in the room of David my father, and
am set on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised, and have
built the house for the name of the LORD God of Israel.
14:006:011 And in it have I put the ark, wherein is the covenant of the
LORD, that he made with the children of Israel.
14:006:012 And he stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of
all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands:
14:006:013 For Solomon had made a brasen scaffold of five cubits long,
and five cubits broad, and three cubits high, and had set it
in the midst of the court: and upon it he stood, and kneeled
down upon his knees before all the congregation of Israel, and
spread forth his hands toward heaven.
14:006:014 And said, O LORD God of Israel, there is no God like thee in
the heaven, nor in the earth; which keepest covenant, and
shewest mercy unto thy servants, that walk before thee with
all their hearts:
14:006:015 Thou which hast kept with thy servant David my father that
which thou hast promised him; and spakest with thy mouth, and
hast fulfilled it with thine hand, as it is this day.
14:006:016 Now therefore, O LORD God of Israel, keep with thy servant
David my father that which thou hast promised him, saying,
There shall not fail thee a man in my sight to sit upon the
throne of Israel; yet so that thy children take heed to their
way to walk in my law, as thou hast walked before me.
14:006:017 Now then, O LORD God of Israel, let thy word be verified,
which thou hast spoken unto thy servant David.
14:006:018 But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth? behold,
heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much
less this house which I have built!
14:006:019 Have respect therefore to the prayer of thy servant, and to
his supplication, O LORD my God, to hearken unto the cry and
the prayer which thy servant prayeth before thee:
14:006:020 That thine eyes may be open upon this house day and night,
upon the place whereof thou hast said that thou wouldest put
thy name there; to hearken unto the prayer which thy servant
prayeth toward this place.
14:006:021 Hearken therefore unto the supplications of thy servant, and
of thy people Israel, which they shall make toward this place:
hear thou from thy dwelling place, even from heaven; and when
thou hearest, forgive.
14:006:022 If a man sin against his neighbour, and an oath be laid upon
him to make him swear, and the oath come before thine altar in
this house;
14:006:023 Then hear thou from heaven, and do, and judge thy servants, by
requiting the wicked, by recompensing his way upon his own
head; and by justifying the righteous, by giving him according
to his righteousness.
14:006:024 And if thy people Israel be put to the worse before the enemy,
because they have sinned against thee; and shall return and
confess thy name, and pray and make supplication before thee
in this house;
14:006:025 Then hear thou from the heavens, and forgive the sin of thy
people Israel, and bring them again unto the land which thou
gavest to them and to their fathers.
14:006:026 When the heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, because they
have sinned against thee; yet if they pray toward this place,
and confess thy name, and turn from their sin, when thou dost
afflict them;
14:006:027 Then hear thou from heaven, and forgive the sin of thy
servants, and of thy people Israel, when thou hast taught them
the good way, wherein they should walk; and send rain upon thy
land, which thou hast given unto thy people for an
inheritance.
14:006:028 If there be dearth in the land, if there be pestilence, if
there be blasting, or mildew, locusts, or caterpillers; if
their enemies besiege them in the cities of their land;
whatsoever sore or whatsoever sickness there be:
14:006:029 Then what prayer or what supplication soever shall be made of
any man, or of all thy people Israel, when every one shall
know his own sore and his own grief, and shall spread forth
his hands in this house:
14:006:030 Then hear thou from heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive,
and render unto every man according unto all his ways, whose
heart thou knowest; (for thou only knowest the hearts of the
children of men:)
14:006:031 That they may fear thee, to walk in thy ways, so long as they
live in the land which thou gavest unto our fathers.
14:006:032 Moreover concerning the stranger, which is not of thy people
Israel, but is come from a far country for thy great name's
sake, and thy mighty hand, and thy stretched out arm; if they
come and pray in this house;
14:006:033 Then hear thou from the heavens, even from thy dwelling place,
and do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for;
that all people of the earth may know thy name, and fear thee,
as doth thy people Israel, and may know that this house which
I have built is called by thy name.
14:006:034 If thy people go out to war against their enemies by the way
that thou shalt send them, and they pray unto thee toward this
city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built
for thy name;
14:006:035 Then hear thou from the heavens their prayer and their
supplication, and maintain their cause.
14:006:036 If they sin against thee, (for there is no man which sinneth
not,) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them over
before their enemies, and they carry them away captives unto a
land far off or near;
14:006:037 Yet if they bethink themselves in the land whither they are
carried captive, and turn and pray unto thee in the land of
their captivity, saying, We have sinned, we have done amiss,
and have dealt wickedly;
14:006:038 If they return to thee with all their heart and with all their
soul in the land of their captivity, whither they have carried
them captives, and pray toward their land, which thou gavest
unto their fathers, and toward the city which thou hast
chosen, and toward the house which I have built for thy name:
14:006:039 Then hear thou from the heavens, even from thy dwelling place,
their prayer and their supplications, and maintain their
cause, and forgive thy people which have sinned against thee.
14:006:040 Now, my God, let, I beseech thee, thine eyes be open, and let
thine ears be attent unto the prayer that is made in this
place.
14:006:041 Now therefore arise, O LORD God, into thy resting place, thou,
and the ark of thy strength: let thy priests, O LORD God, be
clothed with salvation, and let thy saints rejoice in
goodness.
14:006:042 O LORD God, turn not away the face of thine anointed: remember
the mercies of David thy servant.
14:007:001 Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came
down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the
sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house.
14:007:002 And the priests could not enter into the house of the LORD,
because the glory of the LORD had filled the LORD's house.
14:007:003 And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came
down, and the glory of the LORD upon the house, they bowed
themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement,
and worshipped, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good;
for his mercy endureth for ever.
14:007:004 Then the king and all the people offered sacrifices before the
LORD.
14:007:005 And king Solomon offered a sacrifice of twenty and two
thousand oxen, and an hundred and twenty thousand sheep: so
the king and all the people dedicated the house of God.
14:007:006 And the priests waited on their offices: the Levites also with
instruments of musick of the LORD, which David the king had
made to praise the LORD, because his mercy endureth for ever,
when David praised by their ministry; and the priests sounded
trumpets before them, and all Israel stood.
14:007:007 Moreover Solomon hallowed the middle of the court that was
before the house of the LORD: for there he offered burnt
offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings, because the
brasen altar which Solomon had made was not able to receive
the burnt offerings, and the meat offerings, and the fat.
14:007:008 Also at the same time Solomon kept the feast seven days, and
all Israel with him, a very great congregation, from the
entering in of Hamath unto the river of Egypt.
14:007:009 And in the eighth day they made a solemn assembly: for they
kept the dedication of the altar seven days, and the feast
seven days.
14:007:010 And on the three and twentieth day of the seventh month he
sent the people away into their tents, glad and merry in heart
for the goodness that the LORD had shewed unto David, and to
Solomon, and to Israel his people.
14:007:011 Thus Solomon finished the house of the LORD, and the king's
house: and all that came into Solomon's heart to make in the
house of the LORD, and in his own house, he prosperously
effected.
14:007:012 And the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto him,
I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to myself
for an house of sacrifice.
14:007:013 If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the
locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my
people;
14:007:014 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble
themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their
wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive
their sin, and will heal their land.
14:007:015 Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the
prayer that is made in this place.
14:007:016 For now have I chosen and sanctified this house, that my name
may be there for ever: and mine eyes and mine heart shall be
there perpetually.
14:007:017 And as for thee, if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy
father walked, and do according to all that I have commanded
thee, and shalt observe my statutes and my judgments;
14:007:018 Then will I stablish the throne of thy kingdom, according as I
have covenanted with David thy father, saying, There shall not
fail thee a man to be ruler in Israel.
14:007:019 But if ye turn away, and forsake my statutes and my
commandments, which I have set before you, and shall go and
serve other gods, and worship them;
14:007:020 Then will I pluck them up by the roots out of my land which I
have given them; and this house, which I have sanctified for
my name, will I cast out of my sight, and will make it to be a
proverb and a byword among all nations.
14:007:021 And this house, which is high, shall be an astonishment to
every one that passeth by it; so that he shall say, Why hath
the LORD done thus unto this land, and unto this house?
14:007:022 And it shall be answered, Because they forsook the LORD God of
their fathers, which brought them forth out of the land of
Egypt, and laid hold on other gods, and worshipped them, and
served them: therefore hath he brought all this evil upon
them.
14:008:001 And it came to pass at the end of twenty years, wherein
Solomon had built the house of the LORD, and his own house,
14:008:002 That the cities which Huram had restored to Solomon, Solomon
built them, and caused the children of Israel to dwell there.
14:008:003 And Solomon went to Hamathzobah, and prevailed against it.
14:008:004 And he built Tadmor in the wilderness, and all the store
cities, which he built in Hamath.
14:008:005 Also he built Bethhoron the upper, and Bethhoron the nether,
fenced cities, with walls, gates, and bars;
14:008:006 And Baalath, and all the store cities that Solomon had, and
all the chariot cities, and the cities of the horsemen, and
all that Solomon desired to build in Jerusalem, and in
Lebanon, and throughout all the land of his dominion.
14:008:007 As for all the people that were left of the Hittites, and the
Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the
Jebusites, which were not of Israel,
14:008:008 But of their children, who were left after them in the land,
whom the children of Israel consumed not, them did Solomon
make to pay tribute until this day.
14:008:009 But of the children of Israel did Solomon make no servants for
his work; but they were men of war, and chief of his captains,
and captains of his chariots and horsemen.
14:008:010 And these were the chief of king Solomon's officers, even two
hundred and fifty, that bare rule over the people.
14:008:011 And Solomon brought up the daughter of Pharaoh out of the city
of David unto the house that he had built for her: for he
said, My wife shall not dwell in the house of David king of
Israel, because the places are holy, whereunto the ark of the
LORD hath come.
14:008:012 Then Solomon offered burnt offerings unto the LORD on the
altar of the LORD, which he had built before the porch,
14:008:013 Even after a certain rate every day, offering according to the
commandment of Moses, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons,
and on the solemn feasts, three times in the year, even in the
feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in
the feast of tabernacles.
14:008:014 And he appointed, according to the order of David his father,
the courses of the priests to their service, and the Levites
to their charges, to praise and minister before the priests,
as the duty of every day required: the porters also by their
courses at every gate: for so had David the man of God
commanded.
14:008:015 And they departed not from the commandment of the king unto
the priests and Levites concerning any matter, or concerning
the treasures.
14:008:016 Now all the work of Solomon was prepared unto the day of the
foundation of the house of the LORD, and until it was
finished. So the house of the LORD was perfected.
14:008:017 Then went Solomon to Eziongeber, and to Eloth, at the sea side
in the land of Edom.
14:008:018 And Huram sent him by the hands of his servants ships, and
servants that had knowledge of the sea; and they went with the
servants of Solomon to Ophir, and took thence four hundred and
fifty talents of gold, and brought them to king Solomon.
14:009:001 And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she
came to prove Solomon with hard questions at Jerusalem, with a
very great company, and camels that bare spices, and gold in
abundance, and precious stones: and when she was come to
Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart.
14:009:002 And Solomon told her all her questions: and there was nothing
hid from Solomon which he told her not.
14:009:003 And when the queen of Sheba had seen the wisdom of Solomon,
and the house that he had built,
14:009:004 And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants,
and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel; his
cupbearers also, and their apparel; and his ascent by which he
went up into the house of the LORD; there was no more spirit
in her.
14:009:005 And she said to the king, It was a true report which I heard
in mine own land of thine acts, and of thy wisdom:
14:009:006 Howbeit I believed not their words, until I came, and mine
eyes had seen it: and, behold, the one half of the greatness
of thy wisdom was not told me: for thou exceedest the fame
that I heard.
14:009:007 Happy are thy men, and happy are these thy servants, which
stand continually before thee, and hear thy wisdom.
14:009:008 Blessed be the LORD thy God, which delighted in thee to set
thee on his throne, to be king for the LORD thy God: because
thy God loved Israel, to establish them for ever, therefore
made he thee king over them, to do judgment and justice.
14:009:009 And she gave the king an hundred and twenty talents of gold,
and of spices great abundance, and precious stones: neither
was there any such spice as the queen of Sheba gave king
Solomon.
14:009:010 And the servants also of Huram, and the servants of Solomon,
which brought gold from Ophir, brought algum trees and
precious stones.
14:009:011 And the king made of the algum trees terraces to the house of
the LORD, and to the king's palace, and harps and psalteries
for singers: and there were none such seen before in the land
of Judah.
14:009:012 And king Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all her desire,
whatsoever she asked, beside that which she had brought unto
the king. So she turned, and went away to her own land, she
and her servants.
14:009:013 Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was
six hundred and threescore and six talents of gold;
14:009:014 Beside that which chapmen and merchants brought. And all the
kings of Arabia and governors of the country brought gold and
silver to Solomon.
14:009:015 And king Solomon made two hundred targets of beaten gold: six
hundred shekels of beaten gold went to one target.
14:009:016 And three hundred shields made he of beaten gold: three
hundred shekels of gold went to one shield. And the king put
them in the house of the forest of Lebanon.
14:009:017 Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid
it with pure gold.
14:009:018 And there were six steps to the throne, with a footstool of
gold, which were fastened to the throne, and stays on each
side of the sitting place, and two lions standing by the
stays:
14:009:019 And twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other
upon the six steps. There was not the like made in any
kingdom.
14:009:020 And all the drinking vessels of king Solomon were of gold, and
all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of
pure gold: none were of silver; it was not any thing accounted
of in the days of Solomon.
14:009:021 For the king's ships went to Tarshish with the servants of
Huram: every three years once came the ships of Tarshish
bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks.
14:009:022 And king Solomon passed all the kings of the earth in riches
and wisdom.
14:009:023 And all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon,
to hear his wisdom, that God had put in his heart.
14:009:024 And they brought every man his present, vessels of silver, and
vessels of gold, and raiment, harness, and spices, horses, and
mules, a rate year by year.
14:009:025 And Solomon had four thousand stalls for horses and chariots,
and twelve thousand horsemen; whom he bestowed in the chariot
cities, and with the king at Jerusalem.
14:009:026 And he reigned over all the kings from the river even unto the
land of the Philistines, and to the border of Egypt.
14:009:027 And the king made silver in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar
trees made he as the sycomore trees that are in the low plains
in abundance.
14:009:028 And they brought unto Solomon horses out of Egypt, and out of
all lands.
14:009:029 Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, first and last, are they
not written in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the
prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite, and in the visions of Iddo
the seer against Jeroboam the son of Nebat?
14:009:030 And Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel forty years.
14:009:031 And Solomon slept with his fathers, and he was buried in the
city of David his father: and Rehoboam his son reigned in his
stead.
14:010:001 And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for to Shechem were all Israel
come to make him king.
14:010:002 And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who was
in Egypt, whither he fled from the presence of Solomon the
king, heard it, that Jeroboam returned out of Egypt.
14:010:003 And they sent and called him. So Jeroboam and all Israel came
and spake to Rehoboam, saying,
14:010:004 Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore ease thou
somewhat the grievous servitude of thy father, and his heavy
yoke that he put upon us, and we will serve thee.
14:010:005 And he said unto them, Come again unto me after three days.
And the people departed.
14:010:006 And king Rehoboam took counsel with the old men that had stood
before Solomon his father while he yet lived, saying, What
counsel give ye me to return answer to this people?
14:010:007 And they spake unto him, saying, If thou be kind to this
people, and please them, and speak good words to them, they
will be thy servants for ever.
14:010:008 But he forsook the counsel which the old men gave him, and
took counsel with the young men that were brought up with him,
that stood before him.
14:010:009 And he said unto them, What advice give ye that we may return
answer to this people, which have spoken to me, saying, Ease
somewhat the yoke that thy father did put upon us?
14:010:010 And the young men that were brought up with him spake unto
him, saying, Thus shalt thou answer the people that spake unto
thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it
somewhat lighter for us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My
little finger shall be thicker than my father's loins.
14:010:011 For whereas my father put a heavy yoke upon you, I will put
more to your yoke: my father chastised you with whips, but I
will chastise you with scorpions.
14:010:012 So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam on the third
day, as the king bade, saying, Come again to me on the third
day.
14:010:013 And the king answered them roughly; and king Rehoboam forsook
the counsel of the old men,
14:010:014 And answered them after the advice of the young men, saying,
My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add thereto: my
father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with
scorpions.
14:010:015 So the king hearkened not unto the people: for the cause was
of God, that the LORD might perform his word, which he spake
by the hand of Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of
Nebat.
14:010:016 And when all Israel saw that the king would not hearken unto
them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have
we in David? and we have none inheritance in the son of Jesse:
every man to your tents, O Israel: and now, David, see to
thine own house. So all Israel went to their tents.
14:010:017 But as for the children of Israel that dwelt in the cities of
Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them.
14:010:018 Then king Rehoboam sent Hadoram that was over the tribute; and
the children of Israel stoned him with stones, that he died.
But king Rehoboam made speed to get him up to his chariot, to
flee to Jerusalem.
14:010:019 And Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day.
14:011:001 And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he gathered of the
house of Judah and Benjamin an hundred and fourscore thousand
chosen men, which were warriors, to fight against Israel, that
he might bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam.
14:011:002 But the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah the man of God,
saying,
14:011:003 Speak unto Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to
all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, saying,
14:011:004 Thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against
your brethren: return every man to his house: for this thing
is done of me. And they obeyed the words of the LORD, and
returned from going against Jeroboam.
14:011:005 And Rehoboam dwelt in Jerusalem, and built cities for defence
in Judah.
14:011:006 He built even Bethlehem, and Etam, and Tekoa,
14:011:007 And Bethzur, and Shoco, and Adullam,
14:011:008 And Gath, and Mareshah, and Ziph,
14:011:009 And Adoraim, and Lachish, and Azekah,
14:011:010 And Zorah, and Aijalon, and Hebron, which are in Judah and in
Benjamin fenced cities.
14:011:011 And he fortified the strong holds, and put captains in them,
and store of victual, and of oil and wine.
14:011:012 And in every several city he put shields and spears, and made
them exceeding strong, having Judah and Benjamin on his side.
14:011:013 And the priests and the Levites that were in all Israel
resorted to him out of all their coasts.
14:011:014 For the Levites left their suburbs and their possession, and
came to Judah and Jerusalem: for Jeroboam and his sons had
cast them off from executing the priest's office unto the
LORD:
14:011:015 And he ordained him priests for the high places, and for the
devils, and for the calves which he had made.
14:011:016 And after them out of all the tribes of Israel such as set
their hearts to seek the LORD God of Israel came to Jerusalem,
to sacrifice unto the LORD God of their fathers.
14:011:017 So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah, and made Rehoboam
the son of Solomon strong, three years: for three years they
walked in the way of David and Solomon.
14:011:018 And Rehoboam took him Mahalath the daughter of Jerimoth the
son of David to wife, and Abihail the daughter of Eliab the
son of Jesse;
14:011:019 Which bare him children; Jeush, and Shamariah, and Zaham.
14:011:020 And after her he took Maachah the daughter of Absalom; which
bare him Abijah, and Attai, and Ziza, and Shelomith.
14:011:021 And Rehoboam loved Maachah the daughter of Absalom above all
his wives and his concubines: (for he took eighteen wives, and
threescore concubines; and begat twenty and eight sons, and
threescore daughters.)
14:011:022 And Rehoboam made Abijah the son of Maachah the chief, to be
ruler among his brethren: for he thought to make him king.
14:011:023 And he dealt wisely, and dispersed of all his children
throughout all the countries of Judah and Benjamin, unto every
fenced city: and he gave them victual in abundance. And he
desired many wives.
14:012:001 And it came to pass, when Rehoboam had established the
kingdom, and had strengthened himself, he forsook the law of
the LORD, and all Israel with him.
14:012:002 And it came to pass, that in the fifth year of king Rehoboam
Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, because they
had transgressed against the LORD,
14:012:003 With twelve hundred chariots, and threescore thousand
horsemen: and the people were without number that came with
him out of Egypt; the Lubims, the Sukkiims, and the
Ethiopians.
14:012:004 And he took the fenced cities which pertained to Judah, and
came to Jerusalem.
14:012:005 Then came Shemaiah the prophet to Rehoboam, and to the princes
of Judah, that were gathered together to Jerusalem because of
Shishak, and said unto them, Thus saith the LORD, Ye have
forsaken me, and therefore have I also left you in the hand of
Shishak.
14:012:006 Whereupon the princes of Israel and the king humbled
themselves; and they said, The LORD is righteous.
14:012:007 And when the LORD saw that they humbled themselves, the word
of the LORD came to Shemaiah, saying, They have humbled
themselves; therefore I will not destroy them, but I will
grant them some deliverance; and my wrath shall not be poured
out upon Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak.
14:012:008 Nevertheless they shall be his servants; that they may know my
service, and the service of the kingdoms of the countries.
14:012:009 So Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, and took
away the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures
of the king's house; he took all: he carried away also the
shields of gold which Solomon had made.
14:012:010 Instead of which king Rehoboam made shields of brass, and
committed them to the hands of the chief of the guard, that
kept the entrance of the king's house.
14:012:011 And when the king entered into the house of the LORD, the
guard came and fetched them, and brought them again into the
guard chamber.
14:012:012 And when he humbled himself, the wrath of the LORD turned from
him, that he would not destroy him altogether: and also in
Judah things went well.
14:012:013 So king Rehoboam strengthened himself in Jerusalem, and
reigned: for Rehoboam was one and forty years old when he
began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem,
the city which the LORD had chosen out of all the tribes of
Israel, to put his name there. And his mother's name was
Naamah an Ammonitess.
14:012:014 And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the
LORD.
14:012:015 Now the acts of Rehoboam, first and last, are they not written
in the book of Shemaiah the prophet, and of Iddo the seer
concerning genealogies? And there were wars between Rehoboam
and Jeroboam continually.
14:012:016 And Rehoboam slept with his fathers, and was buried in the
city of David: and Abijah his son reigned in his stead.
14:013:001 Now in the eighteenth year of king Jeroboam began Abijah to
reign over Judah.
14:013:002 He reigned three years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also
was Michaiah the daughter of Uriel of Gibeah. And there was
war between Abijah and Jeroboam.
14:013:003 And Abijah set the battle in array with an army of valiant men
of war, even four hundred thousand chosen men: Jeroboam also
set the battle in array against him with eight hundred
thousand chosen men, being mighty men of valour.
14:013:004 And Abijah stood up upon mount Zemaraim, which is in mount
Ephraim, and said, Hear me, thou Jeroboam, and all Israel;
14:013:005 Ought ye not to know that the LORD God of Israel gave the
kingdom over Israel to David for ever, even to him and to his
sons by a covenant of salt?
14:013:006 Yet Jeroboam the son of Nebat, the servant of Solomon the son
of David, is risen up, and hath rebelled against his lord.
14:013:007 And there are gathered unto him vain men, the children of
Belial, and have strengthened themselves against Rehoboam the
son of Solomon, when Rehoboam was young and tenderhearted, and
could not withstand them.
14:013:008 And now ye think to withstand the kingdom of the LORD in the
hand of the sons of David; and ye be a great multitude, and
there are with your golden calves, which Jeroboam made you for
gods.
14:013:009 Have ye not cast out the priests of the LORD, the sons of
Aaron, and the Levites, and have made you priests after the
manner of the nations of other lands? so that whosoever cometh
to consecrate himself with a young bullock and seven rams, the
same may be a priest of them that are no gods.
14:013:010 But as for us, the LORD is our God, and we have not forsaken
him; and the priests, which minister unto the LORD, are the
sons of Aaron, and the Levites wait upon their business:
14:013:011 And they burn unto the LORD every morning and every evening
burnt sacrifices and sweet incense: the shewbread also set
they in order upon the pure table; and the candlestick of gold
with the lamps thereof, to burn every evening: for we keep the
charge of the LORD our God; but ye have forsaken him.
14:013:012 And, behold, God himself is with us for our captain, and his
priests with sounding trumpets to cry alarm against you. O
children of Israel, fight ye not against the LORD God of your
fathers; for ye shall not prosper.
14:013:013 But Jeroboam caused an ambushment to come about behind them:
so they were before Judah, and the ambushment was behind them.
14:013:014 And when Judah looked back, behold, the battle was before and
behind: and they cried unto the LORD, and the priests sounded
with the trumpets.
14:013:015 Then the men of Judah gave a shout: and as the men of Judah
shouted, it came to pass, that God smote Jeroboam and all
Israel before Abijah and Judah.
14:013:016 And the children of Israel fled before Judah: and God
delivered them into their hand.
14:013:017 And Abijah and his people slew them with a great slaughter: so
there fell down slain of Israel five hundred thousand chosen
men.
14:013:018 Thus the children of Israel were brought under at that time,
and the children of Judah prevailed, because they relied upon
the LORD God of their fathers.
14:013:019 And Abijah pursued after Jeroboam, and took cities from him,
Bethel with the towns thereof, and Jeshanah with the towns
thereof, and Ephraim with the towns thereof.
14:013:020 Neither did Jeroboam recover strength again in the days of
Abijah: and the LORD struck him, and he died.
14:013:021 But Abijah waxed mighty, and married fourteen wives, and begat
twenty and two sons, and sixteen daughters.
14:013:022 And the rest of the acts of Abijah, and his ways, and his
sayings, are written in the story of the prophet Iddo.
14:014:001 So Abijah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the
city of David: and Asa his son reigned in his stead. In his
days the land was quiet ten years.
14:014:002 And Asa did that which was good and right in the eyes of the
LORD his God:
14:014:003 For he took away the altars of the strange gods, and the high
places, and brake down the images, and cut down the groves:
14:014:004 And commanded Judah to seek the LORD God of their fathers, and
to do the law and the commandment.
14:014:005 Also he took away out of all the cities of Judah the high
places and the images: and the kingdom was quiet before him.
14:014:006 And he built fenced cities in Judah: for the land had rest,
and he had no war in those years; because the LORD had given
him rest.
14:014:007 Therefore he said unto Judah, Let us build these cities, and
make about them walls, and towers, gates, and bars, while the
land is yet before us; because we have sought the LORD our
God, we have sought him, and he hath given us rest on every
side. So they built and prospered.
14:014:008 And Asa had an army of men that bare targets and spears, out
of Judah three hundred thousand; and out of Benjamin, that
bare shields and drew bows, two hundred and fourscore
thousand: all these were mighty men of valour.
14:014:009 And there came out against them Zerah the Ethiopian with an
host of a thousand thousand, and three hundred chariots; and
came unto Mareshah.
14:014:010 Then Asa went out against him, and they set the battle in
array in the valley of Zephathah at Mareshah.
14:014:011 And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said, LORD, it is
nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them
that have no power: help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on
thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O LORD,
thou art our God; let no man prevail against thee.
14:014:012 So the LORD smote the Ethiopians before Asa, and before Judah;
and the Ethiopians fled.
14:014:013 And Asa and the people that were with him pursued them unto
Gerar: and the Ethiopians were overthrown, that they could not
recover themselves; for they were destroyed before the LORD,
and before his host; and they carried away very much spoil.
14:014:014 And they smote all the cities round about Gerar; for the fear
of the LORD came upon them: and they spoiled all the cities;
for there was exceeding much spoil in them.
14:014:015 They smote also the tents of cattle, and carried away sheep
and camels in abundance, and returned to Jerusalem.
14:015:001 And the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded:
14:015:002 And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me,
Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The LORD is with you, while
ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you;
but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.
14:015:003 Now for a long season Israel hath been without the true God,
and without a teaching priest, and without law.
14:015:004 But when they in their trouble did turn unto the LORD God of
Israel, and sought him, he was found of them.
14:015:005 And in those times there was no peace to him that went out,
nor to him that came in, but great vexations were upon all the
inhabitants of the countries.
14:015:006 And nation was destroyed of nation, and city of city: for God
did vex them with all adversity.
14:015:007 Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for
your work shall be rewarded.
14:015:008 And when Asa heard these words, and the prophecy of Oded the
prophet, he took courage, and put away the abominable idols
out of all the land of Judah and Benjamin, and out of the
cities which he had taken from mount Ephraim, and renewed the
altar of the LORD, that was before the porch of the LORD.
14:015:009 And he gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and the strangers with
them out of Ephraim and Manasseh, and out of Simeon: for they
fell to him out of Israel in abundance, when they saw that the
LORD his God was with him.
14:015:010 So they gathered themselves together at Jerusalem in the third
month, in the fifteenth year of the reign of Asa.
14:015:011 And they offered unto the LORD the same time, of the spoil
which they had brought, seven hundred oxen and seven thousand
sheep.
14:015:012 And they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD God of their
fathers with all their heart and with all their soul;
14:015:013 That whosoever would not seek the LORD God of Israel should be
put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman.
14:015:014 And they sware unto the LORD with a loud voice, and with
shouting, and with trumpets, and with cornets.
14:015:015 And all Judah rejoiced at the oath: for they had sworn with
all their heart, and sought him with their whole desire; and
he was found of them: and the LORD gave them rest round about.
14:015:016 And also concerning Maachah the mother of Asa the king, he
removed her from being queen, because she had made an idol in
a grove: and Asa cut down her idol, and stamped it, and burnt
it at the brook Kidron.
14:015:017 But the high places were not taken away out of Israel:
nevertheless the heart of Asa was perfect all his days.
14:015:018 And he brought into the house of God the things that his
father had dedicated, and that he himself had dedicated,
silver, and gold, and vessels.
14:015:019 And there was no more war unto the five and thirtieth year of
the reign of Asa.
14:016:001 In the six and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa Baasha king
of Israel came up against Judah, and built Ramah, to the
intent that he might let none go out or come in to Asa king of
Judah.
14:016:002 Then Asa brought out silver and gold out of the treasures of
the house of the LORD and of the king's house, and sent to
Benhadad king of Syria, that dwelt at Damascus, saying,
14:016:003 There is a league between me and thee, as there was between my
father and thy father: behold, I have sent thee silver and
gold; go, break thy league with Baasha king of Israel, that he
may depart from me.
14:016:004 And Benhadad hearkened unto king Asa, and sent the captains of
his armies against the cities of Israel; and they smote Ijon,
and Dan, and Abelmaim, and all the store cities of Naphtali.
14:016:005 And it came to pass, when Baasha heard it, that he left off
building of Ramah, and let his work cease.
14:016:006 Then Asa the king took all Judah; and they carried away the
stones of Ramah, and the timber thereof, wherewith Baasha was
building; and he built therewith Geba and Mizpah.
14:016:007 And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah,
and said unto him, Because thou hast relied on the king of
Syria, and not relied on the LORD thy God, therefore is the
host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand.
14:016:008 Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubims a huge host, with very
many chariots and horsemen? yet, because thou didst rely on
the LORD, he delivered them into thine hand.
14:016:009 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole
earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose
heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly:
therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.
14:016:010 Then Asa was wroth with the seer, and put him in a prison
house; for he was in a rage with him because of this thing.
And Asa oppressed some of the people the same time.
14:016:011 And, behold, the acts of Asa, first and last, lo, they are
written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.
14:016:012 And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased
in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his
disease he sought not to the LORD, but to the physicians.
14:016:013 And Asa slept with his fathers, and died in the one and
fortieth year of his reign.
14:016:014 And they buried him in his own sepulchres, which he had made
for himself in the city of David, and laid him in the bed
which was filled with sweet odours and divers kinds of spices
prepared by the apothecaries' art: and they made a very great
burning for him.
14:017:001 And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead, and strengthened
himself against Israel.
14:017:002 And he placed forces in all the fenced cities of Judah, and
set garrisons in the land of Judah, and in the cities of
Ephraim, which Asa his father had taken.
14:017:003 And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the
first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim;
14:017:004 But sought to the Lord God of his father, and walked in his
commandments, and not after the doings of Israel.
14:017:005 Therefore the LORD stablished the kingdom in his hand; and all
Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents; and he had riches and
honour in abundance.
14:017:006 And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD: moreover
he took away the high places and groves out of Judah.
14:017:007 Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes,
even to Benhail, and to Obadiah, and to Zechariah, and to
Nethaneel, and to Michaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah.
14:017:008 And with them he sent Levites, even Shemaiah, and Nethaniah,
and Zebadiah, and Asahel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan, and
Adonijah, and Tobijah, and Tobadonijah, Levites; and with them
Elishama and Jehoram, priests.
14:017:009 And they taught in Judah, and had the book of the law of the
LORD with them, and went about throughout all the cities of
Judah, and taught the people.
14:017:010 And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the
lands that were round about Judah, so that they made no war
against Jehoshaphat.
14:017:011 Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents, and
tribute silver; and the Arabians brought him flocks, seven
thousand and seven hundred rams, and seven thousand and seven
hundred he goats.
14:017:012 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly; and he built in Judah
castles, and cities of store.
14:017:013 And he had much business in the cities of Judah: and the men
of war, mighty men of valour, were in Jerusalem.
14:017:014 And these are the numbers of them according to the house of
their fathers: Of Judah, the captains of thousands; Adnah the
chief, and with him mighty men of valour three hundred
thousand.
14:017:015 And next to him was Jehohanan the captain, and with him two
hundred and fourscore thousand.
14:017:016 And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly
offered himself unto the LORD; and with him two hundred
thousand mighty men of valour.
14:017:017 And of Benjamin; Eliada a mighty man of valour, and with him
armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand.
14:017:018 And next him was Jehozabad, and with him an hundred and
fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war.
14:017:019 These waited on the king, beside those whom the king put in
the fenced cities throughout all Judah.
14:018:001 Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honour in abundance, and joined
affinity with Ahab.
14:018:002 And after certain years he went down to Ahab to Samaria. And
Ahab killed sheep and oxen for him in abundance, and for the
people that he had with him, and persuaded him to go up with
him to Ramothgilead.
14:018:003 And Ahab king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat king of Judah,
Wilt thou go with me to Ramothgilead? And he answered him, I
am as thou art, and my people as thy people; and we will be
with thee in the war.
14:018:004 And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Enquire, I pray
thee, at the word of the LORD to day.
14:018:005 Therefore the king of Israel gathered together of prophets
four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall we go to
Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go
up; for God will deliver it into the king's hand.
14:018:006 But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD
besides, that we might enquire of him?
14:018:007 And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one
man, by whom we may enquire of the LORD: but I hate him; for
he never prophesied good unto me, but always evil: the same is
Micaiah the son of Imla. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the
king say so.
14:018:008 And the king of Israel called for one of his officers, and
said, Fetch quickly Micaiah the son of Imla.
14:018:009 And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah sat
either of them on his throne, clothed in their robes, and they
sat in a void place at the entering in of the gate of Samaria;
and all the prophets prophesied before them.
14:018:010 And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah had made him horns of iron,
and said, Thus saith the LORD, With these thou shalt push
Syria until they be consumed.
14:018:011 And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to
Ramothgilead, and prosper: for the LORD shall deliver it into
the hand of the king.
14:018:012 And the messenger that went to call Micaiah spake to him,
saying, Behold, the words of the prophets declare good to the
king with one assent; let thy word therefore, I pray thee, be
like one of their's, and speak thou good.
14:018:013 And Micaiah said, As the LORD liveth, even what my God saith,
that will I speak.
14:018:014 And when he was come to the king, the king said unto him,
Micaiah, shall we go to Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I
forbear? And he said, Go ye up, and prosper, and they shall be
delivered into your hand.
14:018:015 And the king said to him, How many times shall I adjure thee
that thou say nothing but the truth to me in the name of the
LORD?
14:018:016 Then he said, I did see all Israel scattered upon the
mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd: and the LORD said,
These have no master; let them return therefore every man to
his house in peace.
14:018:017 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell
thee that he would not prophesy good unto me, but evil?
14:018:018 Again he said, Therefore hear the word of the LORD; I saw the
LORD sitting upon his throne, and all the host of heaven
standing on his right hand and on his left.
14:018:019 And the LORD said, Who shall entice Ahab king of Israel, that
he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one spake saying
after this manner, and another saying after that manner.
14:018:020 Then there came out a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and
said, I will entice him. And the LORD said unto him,
Wherewith?
14:018:021 And he said, I will go out, and be a lying spirit in the mouth
of all his prophets. And the Lord said, Thou shalt entice him,
and thou shalt also prevail: go out, and do even so.
14:018:022 Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the
mouth of these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil
against thee.
14:018:023 Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near, and smote
Micaiah upon the cheek, and said, Which way went the Spirit of
the LORD from me to speak unto thee?
14:018:024 And Micaiah said, Behold, thou shalt see on that day when thou
shalt go into an inner chamber to hide thyself.
14:018:025 Then the king of Israel said, Take ye Micaiah, and carry him
back to Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king's
son;
14:018:026 And say, Thus saith the king, Put this fellow in the prison,
and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of
affliction, until I return in peace.
14:018:027 And Micaiah said, If thou certainly return in peace, then hath
not the LORD spoken by me. And he said, Hearken, all ye
people.
14:018:028 So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went
up to Ramothgilead.
14:018:029 And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, I will disguise
myself, and I will go to the battle; but put thou on thy
robes. So the king of Israel disguised himself; and they went
to the battle.
14:018:030 Now the king of Syria had commanded the captains of the
chariots that were with him, saying, Fight ye not with small
or great, save only with the king of Israel.
14:018:031 And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw
Jehoshaphat, that they said, It is the king of Israel.
Therefore they compassed about him to fight: but Jehoshaphat
cried out, and the LORD helped him; and God moved them to
depart from him.
14:018:032 For it came to pass, that, when the captains of the chariots
perceived that it was not the king of Israel, they turned back
again from pursuing him.
14:018:033 And a certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king
of Israel between the joints of the harness: therefore he said
to his chariot man, Turn thine hand, that thou mayest carry me
out of the host; for I am wounded.
14:018:034 And the battle increased that day: howbeit the king of Israel
stayed himself up in his chariot against the Syrians until the
even: and about the time of the sun going down he died.
14:019:001 And Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in
peace to Jerusalem.
14:019:002 And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and
said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and
love them that hate the LORD? therefore is wrath upon thee
from before the LORD.
14:019:003 Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou
hast taken away the groves out of the land, and hast prepared
thine heart to seek God.
14:019:004 And Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem: and he went out again
through the people from Beersheba to mount Ephraim, and
brought them back unto the LORD God of their fathers.
14:019:005 And he set judges in the land throughout all the fenced cities
of Judah, city by city,
14:019:006 And said to the judges, Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not
for man, but for the LORD, who is with you in the judgment.
14:019:007 Wherefore now let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take heed
and do it: for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor
respect of persons, nor taking of gifts.
14:019:008 Moreover in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites, and
of the priests, and of the chief of the fathers of Israel, for
the judgment of the LORD, and for controversies, when they
returned to Jerusalem.
14:019:009 And he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye do in the fear of
the LORD, faithfully, and with a perfect heart.
14:019:010 And what cause soever shall come to you of your brethren that
dwell in your cities, between blood and blood, between law and
commandment, statutes and judgments, ye shall even warn them
that they trespass not against the LORD, and so wrath come
upon you, and upon your brethren: this do, and ye shall not
trespass.
14:019:011 And, behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all
matters of the LORD; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the
ruler of the house of Judah, for all the king's matters: also
the Levites shall be officers before you. Deal courageously,
and the LORD shall be with the good.
14:020:001 It came to pass after this also, that the children of Moab,
and the children of Ammon, and with them other beside the
Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle.
14:020:002 Then there came some that told Jehoshaphat, saying, There
cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea on
this side Syria; and, behold, they be in Hazazontamar, which
is Engedi.
14:020:003 And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and
proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.
14:020:004 And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the
LORD: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek
the LORD.
14:020:005 And Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation of Judah and
Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD, before the new court,
14:020:006 And said, O LORD God of our fathers, art not thou God in
heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the
heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so
that none is able to withstand thee?
14:020:007 Art not thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of
this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed
of Abraham thy friend for ever?
14:020:008 And they dwelt therein, and have built thee a sanctuary
therein for thy name, saying,
14:020:009 If, when evil cometh upon us, as the sword, judgment, or
pestilence, or famine, we stand before this house, and in thy
presence, (for thy name is in this house,) and cry unto thee
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