years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty and five years
in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi.
14:020:032 And he walked in the way of Asa his father, and departed not
from it, doing that which was right in the sight of the LORD.
14:020:033 Howbeit the high places were not taken away: for as yet the
people had not prepared their hearts unto the God of their fathers.
14:020:034 Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, first and last,
behold, they are written in the book of Jehu the son of Hanani, who is
mentioned in the book of the kings of Israel.
14:020:035 And after this did Jehoshaphat king of Judah join himself
with Ahaziah king of Israel, who did very wickedly:
14:020:036 And he joined himself with him to make ships to go to
Tarshish: and they made the ships in Eziongaber.
14:020:037 Then Eliezer the son of Dodavah of Mareshah prophesied
against Jehoshaphat, saying, Because thou hast joined thyself with
Ahaziah, the LORD hath broken thy works. And the ships were broken,
that they were not able to go to Tarshish.
14:021:001 Now Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers, and was buried with
his fathers in the city of David. And Jehoram his son reigned in his
stead.
14:021:002 And he had brethren the sons of Jehoshaphat, Azariah, and
Jehiel, and Zechariah, and Azariah, and Michael, and Shephatiah: all
these were the sons of Jehoshaphat king of Israel.
14:021:003 And their father gave them great gifts of silver, and of
gold, and of precious things, with fenced cities in Judah: but the
kingdom gave he to Jehoram; because he was the firstborn.
14:021:004 Now when Jehoram was risen up to the kingdom of his father,
he strengthened himself, and slew all his brethren with the sword, and
divers also of the princes of Israel.
14:021:005 Jehoram was thirty and two years old when he began to reign,
and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem.
14:021:006 And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, like as did
the house of Ahab: for he had the daughter of Ahab to wife: and he
wrought that which was evil in the eyes of the LORD.
14:021:007 Howbeit the LORD would not destroy the house of David,
because of the covenant that he had made with David, and as he promised
to give a light to him and to his sons for ever.
14:021:008 In his days the Edomites revolted from under the dominion of
Judah, and made themselves a king.
14:021:009 Then Jehoram went forth with his princes, and all his
chariots with him: and he rose up by night, and smote the Edomites
which compassed him in, and the captains of the chariots.
14:021:010 So the Edomites revolted from under the hand of Judah unto
this day. The same time also did Libnah revolt from under his hand;
because he had forsaken the LORD God of his fathers.
14:021:011 Moreover he made high places in the mountains of Judah and
caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to commit fornication, and
compelled Judah thereto.
14:021:012 And there came a writing to him from Elijah the prophet,
saying, Thus saith the LORD God of David thy father, Because thou hast
not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat thy father, nor in the ways of
Asa king of Judah,
14:021:013 But hast walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and hast
made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to go a whoring, like to
the whoredoms of the house of Ahab, and also hast slain thy brethren of
thy father's house, which were better than thyself:
14:021:014 Behold, with a great plague will the LORD smite thy people,
and thy children, and thy wives, and all thy goods:
14:021:015 And thou shalt have great sickness by disease of thy bowels,
until thy bowels fall out by reason of the sickness day by day.
14:021:016 Moreover the LORD stirred up against Jehoram the spirit of
the Philistines, and of the Arabians, that were near the Ethiopians:
14:021:017 And they came up into Judah, and brake into it, and carried
away all the substance that was found in the king's house, and his sons
also, and his wives; so that there was never a son left him, save
Jehoahaz, the youngest of his sons.
14:021:018 And after all this the LORD smote him in his bowels with an
incurable disease.
14:021:019 And it came to pass, that in process of time, after the end
of two years, his bowels fell out by reason of his sickness: so he died
of sore diseases. And his people made no burning for him, like the
burning of his fathers.
14:021:020 Thirty and two years old was he when he began to reign, and
he reigned in Jerusalem eight years, and departed without being
desired. Howbeit they buried him in the city of David, but not in the
sepulchres of the kings.
14:022:001 And the inhabitants of Jerusalem made Ahaziah his youngest
son king in his stead: for the band of men that came with the Arabians
to the camp had slain all the eldest. So Ahaziah the son of Jehoram
king of Judah reigned.
14:022:002 Forty and two years old was Ahaziah when he began to reign,
and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was
Athaliah the daughter of Omri.
14:022:003 He also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab: for his
mother was his counsellor to do wickedly.
14:022:004 Wherefore he did evil in the sight of the LORD like the
house of Ahab: for they were his counsellors after the death of his
father to his destruction.
14:022:005 He walked also after their counsel, and went with Jehoram
the son of Ahab king of Israel to war against Hazael king of Syria at
Ramothgilead: and the Syrians smote Joram.
14:022:006 And he returned to be healed in Jezreel because of the
wounds which were given him at Ramah, when he fought with Hazael king
of Syria. And Azariah the son of Jehoram king of Judah went down to see
Jehoram the son of Ahab at Jezreel, because he was sick.
14:022:007 And the destruction of Ahaziah was of God by coming to
Joram: for when he was come, he went out with Jehoram against Jehu the
son of Nimshi, whom the LORD had anointed to cut off the house of Ahab.
14:022:008 And it came to pass, that, when Jehu was executing judgment
upon the house of Ahab, and found the princes of Judah, and the sons of
the brethren of Ahaziah, that ministered to Ahaziah, he slew them.
14:022:009 And he sought Ahaziah: and they caught him, (for he was hid
in Samaria,) and brought him to Jehu: and when they had slain him, they
buried him: Because, said they, he is the son of Jehoshaphat, who
sought the LORD with all his heart. So the house of Ahaziah had no
power to keep still the kingdom.
14:022:010 But when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was
dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal of the house of Judah.
14:022:011 But Jehoshabeath, the daughter of the king, took Joash the
son of Ahaziah, and stole him from among the king's sons that were
slain, and put him and his nurse in a bedchamber. So Jehoshabeath, the
daughter of king Jehoram, the wife of Jehoiada the priest, (for she was
the sister of Ahaziah,) hid him from Athaliah, so that she slew him
not.
14:022:012 And he was with them hid in the house of God six years: and
Athaliah reigned over the land.
14:023:001 And in the seventh year Jehoiada strengthened himself, and
took the captains of hundreds, Azariah the son of Jeroham, and Ishmael
the son of Jehohanan, and Azariah the son of Obed, and Maaseiah the son
of Adaiah, and Elishaphat the son of Zichri, into covenant with him.
14:023:002 And they went about in Judah, and gathered the Levites out
of all the cities of Judah, and the chief of the fathers of Israel, and
they came to Jerusalem.
14:023:003 And all the congregation made a covenant with the king in
the house of God. And he said unto them, Behold, the king's son shall
reign, as the LORD hath said of the sons of David.
14:023:004 This is the thing that ye shall do; A third part of you
entering on the sabbath, of the priests and of the Levites, shall be
porters of the doors;
14:023:005 And a third part shall be at the king's house; and a third
part at the gate of the foundation: and all the people shall be in the
courts of the house of the LORD.
14:023:006 But let none come into the house of the LORD, save the
priests, and they that minister of the Levites; they shall go in, for
they are holy: but all the people shall keep the watch of the LORD.
14:023:007 And the Levites shall compass the king round about, every
man with his weapons in his hand; and whosoever else cometh into the
house, he shall be put to death: but be ye with the king when he cometh
in, and when he goeth out.
14:023:008 So the Levites and all Judah did according to all things
that Jehoiada the priest had commanded, and took every man his men that
were to come in on the sabbath, with them that were to go out on the
sabbath: for Jehoiada the priest dismissed not the courses.
14:023:009 Moreover Jehoiada the priest delivered to the captains of
hundreds spears, and bucklers, and shields, that had been king David's,
which were in the house of God.
14:023:010 And he set all the people, every man having his weapon in
his hand, from the right side of the temple to the left side of the
temple, along by the altar and the temple, by the king round about.
14:023:011 Then they brought out the king's son, and put upon him the
crown, and gave him the testimony, and made him king. And Jehoiada and
his sons anointed him, and said, God save the king.
14:023:012 Now when Athaliah heard the noise of the people running and
praising the king, she came to the people into the house of the LORD:
14:023:013 And she looked, and, behold, the king stood at his pillar at
the entering in, and the princes and the trumpets by the king: and all
the people of the land rejoiced, and sounded with trumpets, also the
singers with instruments of musick, and such as taught to sing praise.
Then Athaliah rent her clothes, and said, Treason, Treason.
14:023:014 Then Jehoiada the priest brought out the captains of
hundreds that were set over the host, and said unto them, Have her
forth of the ranges: and whoso followeth her, let him be slain with the
sword. For the priest said, Slay her not in the house of the LORD.
14:023:015 So they laid hands on her; and when she was come to the
entering of the horse gate by the king's house, they slew her there.
14:023:016 And Jehoiada made a covenant between him, and between all
the people, and between the king, that they should be the LORD's
people.
14:023:017 Then all the people went to the house of Baal, and brake it
down, and brake his altars and his images in pieces, and slew Mattan
the priest of Baal before the altars.
14:023:018 Also Jehoiada appointed the offices of the house of the LORD
by the hand of the priests the Levites, whom David had distributed in
the house of the LORD, to offer the burnt offerings of the LORD, as it
is written in the law of Moses, with rejoicing and with singing, as it
was ordained by David.
14:023:019 And he set the porters at the gates of the house of the
LORD, that none which was unclean in any thing should enter in.
14:023:020 And he took the captains of hundreds, and the nobles, and
the governors of the people, and all the people of the land, and
brought down the king from the house of the LORD: and they came through
the high gate into the king's house, and set the king upon the throne
of the kingdom.
14:023:021 And all the people of the land rejoiced: and the city was
quiet, after that they had slain Athaliah with the sword.
14:024:001 Joash was seven years old when he began to reign, and he
reigned forty years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Zibiah of
Beersheba.
14:024:002 And Joash did that which was right in the sight of the LORD
all the days of Jehoiada the priest.
14:024:003 And Jehoiada took for him two wives; and he begat sons and
daughters.
14:024:004 And it came to pass after this, that Joash was minded to
repair the house of the LORD.
14:024:005 And he gathered together the priests and the Levites, and
said to them, Go out unto the cities of Judah, and gather of all Israel
money to repair the house of your God from year to year, and see that
ye hasten the matter. Howbeit the Levites hastened it not.
14:024:006 And the king called for Jehoiada the chief, and said unto
him, Why hast thou not required of the Levites to bring in out of Judah
and out of Jerusalem the collection, according to the commandment of
Moses the servant of the LORD, and of the congregation of Israel, for
the tabernacle of witness?
14:024:007 For the sons of Athaliah, that wicked woman, had broken up
the house of God; and also all the dedicated things of the house of the
LORD did they bestow upon Baalim.
14:024:008 And at the king's commandment they made a chest, and set it
without at the gate of the house of the LORD.
14:024:009 And they made a proclamation through Judah and Jerusalem, to
bring in to the LORD the collection that Moses the servant of God laid
upon Israel in the wilderness.
14:024:010 And all the princes and all the people rejoiced, and brought
in, and cast into the chest, until they had made an end.
14:024:011 Now it came to pass, that at what time the chest was brought
unto the king's office by the hand of the Levites, and when they saw
that there was much money, the king's scribe and the high priest's
officer came and emptied the chest, and took it, and carried it to his
place again. Thus they did day by day, and gathered money in abundance.
14:024:012 And the king and Jehoiada gave it to such as did the work of
the service of the house of the LORD, and hired masons and carpenters
to repair the house of the LORD, and also such as wrought iron and
brass to mend the house of the LORD.
14:024:013 So the workmen wrought, and the work was perfected by them,
and they set the house of God in his state, and strengthened it.
14:024:014 And when they had finished it, they brought the rest of the
money before the king and Jehoiada, whereof were made vessels for the
house of the LORD, even vessels to minister, and to offer withal, and
spoons, and vessels of gold and silver. And they offered burnt
offerings in the house of the LORD continually all the days of
Jehoiada.
14:024:015 But Jehoiada waxed old, and was full of days when he died;
an hundred and thirty years old was he when he died.
14:024:016 And they buried him in the city of David among the kings,
because he had done good in Israel, both toward God, and toward his
house.
14:024:017 Now after the death of Jehoiada came the princes of Judah,
and made obeisance to the king. Then the king hearkened unto them.
14:024:018 And they left the house of the LORD God of their fathers,
and served groves and idols: and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem
for this their trespass.
14:024:019 Yet he sent prophets to them, to bring them again unto the
LORD; and they testified against them: but they would not give ear.
14:024:020 And the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of
Jehoiada the priest, which stood above the people, and said unto them,
Thus saith God, Why transgress ye the commandments of the LORD, that ye
cannot prosper? because ye have forsaken the LORD, he hath also
forsaken you.
14:024:021 And they conspired against him, and stoned him with stones
at the commandment of the king in the court of the house of the LORD.
14:024:022 Thus Joash the king remembered not the kindness which
Jehoiada his father had done to him, but slew his son. And when he
died, he said, The LORD look upon it, and require it.
14:024:023 And it came to pass at the end of the year, that the host of
Syria came up against him: and they came to Judah and Jerusalem, and
destroyed all the princes of the people from among the people, and sent
all the spoil of them unto the king of Damascus.
14:024:024 For the army of the Syrians came with a small company of
men, and the LORD delivered a very great host into their hand, because
they had forsaken the LORD God of their fathers. So they executed
judgment against Joash.
14:024:025 And when they were departed from him, (for they left him in
great diseases,) his own servants conspired against him for the blood
of the sons of Jehoiada the priest, and slew him on his bed, and he
died: and they buried him in the city of David, but they buried him not
in the sepulchres of the kings.
14:024:026 And these are they that conspired against him; Zabad the son
of Shimeath an Ammonitess, and Jehozabad the son of Shimrith a
Moabitess.
14:024:027 Now concerning his sons, and the greatness of the burdens
laid upon him, and the repairing of the house of God, behold, they are
written in the story of the book of the kings. And Amaziah his son
reigned in his stead.
14:025:001 Amaziah was twenty and five years old when he began to
reign, and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. And his
mother's name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem.
14:025:002 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD,
but not with a perfect heart.
14:025:003 Now it came to pass, when the kingdom was established to
him, that he slew his servants that had killed the king his father.
14:025:004 But he slew not their children, but did as it is written in
the law in the book of Moses, where the LORD commanded, saying, The
fathers shall not die for the children, neither shall the children die
for the fathers, but every man shall die for his own sin.
14:025:005 Moreover Amaziah gathered Judah together, and made them
captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, according to the
houses of their fathers, throughout all Judah and Benjamin: and he
numbered them from twenty years old and above, and found them three
hundred thousand choice men, able to go forth to war, that could handle
spear and shield.
14:025:006 He hired also an hundred thousand mighty men of valour out
of Israel for an hundred talents of silver.
14:025:007 But there came a man of God to him, saying, O king, let not
the army of Israel go with thee; for the LORD is not with Israel, to
wit, with all the children of Ephraim.
14:025:008 But if thou wilt go, do it; be strong for the battle: God
shall make thee fall before the enemy: for God hath power to help, and
to cast down.
14:025:009 And Amaziah said to the man of God, But what shall we do for
the hundred talents which I have given to the army of Israel? And the
man of God answered, The LORD is able to give thee much more than this.
14:025:010 Then Amaziah separated them, to wit, the army that was come
to him out of Ephraim, to go home again: wherefore their anger was
greatly kindled against Judah, and they returned home in great anger.
14:025:011 And Amaziah strengthened himself, and led forth his people,
and went to the valley of salt, and smote of the children of Seir ten
thousand.
14:025:012 And other ten thousand left alive did the children of Judah
carry away captive, and brought them unto the top of the rock, and cast
them down from the top of the rock, that they all were broken in
pieces.
14:025:013 But the soldiers of the army which Amaziah sent back, that
they should not go with him to battle, fell upon the cities of Judah,
from Samaria even unto Bethhoron, and smote three thousand of them, and
took much spoil.
14:025:014 Now it came to pass, after that Amaziah was come from the
slaughter of the Edomites, that he brought the gods of the children of
Seir, and set them up to be his gods, and bowed down himself before
them, and burned incense unto them.
14:025:015 Wherefore the anger of the LORD was kindled against Amaziah,
and he sent unto him a prophet, which said unto him, Why hast thou
sought after the gods of the people, which could not deliver their own
people out of thine hand?
14:025:016 And it came to pass, as he talked with him, that the king
said unto him, Art thou made of the king's counsel? forbear; why
shouldest thou be smitten? Then the prophet forbare, and said, I know
that God hath determined to destroy thee, because thou hast done this,
and hast not hearkened unto my counsel.
14:025:017 Then Amaziah king of Judah took advice, and sent to Joash,
the son of Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, Come, let
us see one another in the face.
14:025:018 And Joash king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah,
saying, The thistle that was in Lebanon sent to the cedar that was in
Lebanon, saying, Give thy daughter to my son to wife: and there passed
by a wild beast that was in Lebanon, and trode down the thistle.
14:025:019 Thou sayest, Lo, thou hast smitten the Edomites; and thine
heart lifteth thee up to boast: abide now at home; why shouldest thou
meddle to thine hurt, that thou shouldest fall, even thou, and Judah
with thee?
14:025:020 But Amaziah would not hear; for it came of God, that he
might deliver them into the hand of their enemies, because they sought
after the gods of Edom.
14:025:021 So Joash the king of Israel went up; and they saw one
another in the face, both he and Amaziah king of Judah, at Bethshemesh,
which belongeth to Judah.
14:025:022 And Judah was put to the worse before Israel, and they fled
every man to his tent.
14:025:023 And Joash the king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the
son of Joash, the son of Jehoahaz, at Bethshemesh, and brought him to
Jerusalem, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of
Ephraim to the corner gate, four hundred cubits.
14:025:024 And he took all the gold and the silver, and all the vessels
that were found in the house of God with Obededom, and the treasures of
the king's house, the hostages also, and returned to Samaria.
14:025:025 And Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah lived after the
death of Joash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel fifteen years.
14:025:026 Now the rest of the acts of Amaziah, first and last, behold,
are they not written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel?
14:025:027 Now after the time that Amaziah did turn away from following
the LORD they made a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem; and he fled
to Lachish: but they sent to Lachish after him, and slew him there.
14:025:028 And they brought him upon horses, and buried him with his
fathers in the city of Judah.
14:026:001 Then all the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen
years old, and made him king in the room of his father Amaziah.
14:026:002 He built Eloth, and restored it to Judah, after that the
king slept with his fathers.
14:026:003 Sixteen years old was Uzziah when he began to reign, and he
reigned fifty and two years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was
Jecoliah of Jerusalem.
14:026:004 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD,
according to all that his father Amaziah did.
14:026:005 And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had
understanding in the visions of God: and as long as he sought the LORD,
God made him to prosper.
14:026:006 And he went forth and warred against the Philistines, and
brake down the wall of Gath, and the wall of Jabneh, and the wall of
Ashdod, and built cities about Ashdod, and among the Philistines.
14:026:007 And God helped him against the Philistines, and against the
Arabians that dwelt in Gurbaal, and the Mehunims.
14:026:008 And the Ammonites gave gifts to Uzziah: and his name spread
abroad even to the entering in of Egypt; for he strengthened himself
exceedingly.
14:026:009 Moreover Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the corner
gate, and at the valley gate, and at the turning of the wall, and
fortified them.
14:026:010 Also he built towers in the desert, and digged many wells:
for he had much cattle, both in the low country, and in the plains:
husbandmen also, and vine dressers in the mountains, and in Carmel: for
he loved husbandry.
14:026:011 Moreover Uzziah had an host of fighting men, that went out
to war by bands, according to the number of their account by the hand
of Jeiel the scribe and Maaseiah the ruler, under the hand of Hananiah,
one of the king's captains.
14:026:012 The whole number of the chief of the fathers of the mighty
men of valour were two thousand and six hundred.
14:026:013 And under their hand was an army, three hundred thousand and
seven thousand and five hundred, that made war with mighty power, to
help the king against the enemy.
14:026:014 And Uzziah prepared for them throughout all the host
shields, and spears, and helmets, and habergeons, and bows, and slings
to cast stones.
14:026:015 And he made in Jerusalem engines, invented by cunning men,
to be on the towers and upon the bulwarks, to shoot arrows and great
stones withal. And his name spread far abroad; for he was marvellously
helped, till he was strong.
14:026:016 But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his
destruction: for he transgressed against the LORD his God, and went
into the temple of the LORD to burn incense upon the altar of incense.
14:026:017 And Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him
fourscore priests of the LORD, that were valiant men:
14:026:018 And they withstood Uzziah the king, and said unto him, It
appertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense unto the LORD, but
to the priests the sons of Aaron, that are consecrated to burn incense:
go out of the sanctuary; for thou hast trespassed; neither shall it be
for thine honour from the LORD God.
14:026:019 Then Uzziah was wroth, and had a censer in his hand to burn
incense: and while he was wroth with the priests, the leprosy even rose
up in his forehead before the priests in the house of the LORD, from
beside the incense altar.
14:026:020 And Azariah the chief priest, and all the priests, looked
upon him, and, behold, he was leprous in his forehead, and they thrust
him out from thence; yea, himself hasted also to go out, because the
LORD had smitten him.
14:026:021 And Uzziah the king was a leper unto the day of his death,
and dwelt in a several house, being a leper; for he was cut off from
the house of the LORD: and Jotham his son was over the king's house,
judging the people of the land.
14:026:022 Now the rest of the acts of Uzziah, first and last, did
Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, write.
14:026:023 So Uzziah slept with his fathers, and they buried him with
his fathers in the field of the burial which belonged to the kings; for
they said, He is a leper: and Jotham his son reigned in his stead.
14:027:001 Jotham was twenty and five years old when he began to reign,
and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was
Jerushah, the daughter of Zadok.
14:027:002 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD,
according to all that his father Uzziah did: howbeit he entered not
into the temple of the LORD. And the people did yet corruptly.
14:027:003 He built the high gate of the house of the LORD, and on the
wall of Ophel he built much.
14:027:004 Moreover he built cities in the mountains of Judah, and in
the forests he built castles and towers.
14:027:005 He fought also with the king of the Ammonites, and prevailed
against them. And the children of Ammon gave him the same year an
hundred talents of silver, and ten thousand measures of wheat, and ten
thousand of barley. So much did the children of Ammon pay unto him,
both the second year, and the third.
14:027:006 So Jotham became mighty, because he prepared his ways before
the LORD his God.
14:027:007 Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all his wars, and
his ways, lo, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and
Judah.
14:027:008 He was five and twenty years old when he began to reign, and
reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem.
14:027:009 And Jotham slept with his fathers, and they buried him in
the city of David: and Ahaz his son reigned in his stead.
14:028:001 Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign, and he
reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem: but he did not that which was right
in the sight of the LORD, like David his father:
14:028:002 For he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and made
also molten images for Baalim.
14:028:003 Moreover he burnt incense in the valley of the son of
Hinnom, and burnt his children in the fire, after the abominations of
the heathen whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel.
14:028:004 He sacrificed also and burnt incense in the high places, and
on the hills, and under every green tree.
14:028:005 Wherefore the LORD his God delivered him into the hand of
the king of Syria; and they smote him, and carried away a great
multitude of them captives, and brought them to Damascus. And he was
also delivered into the hand of the king of Israel, who smote him with
a great slaughter.
14:028:006 For Pekah the son of Remaliah slew in Judah an hundred and
twenty thousand in one day, which were all valiant men; because they
had forsaken the LORD God of their fathers.
14:028:007 And Zichri, a mighty man of Ephraim, slew Maaseiah the
king's son, and Azrikam the governor of the house, and Elkanah that was
next to the king.
14:028:008 And the children of Israel carried away captive of their
brethren two hundred thousand, women, sons, and daughters, and took
also away much spoil from them, and brought the spoil to Samaria.
14:028:009 But a prophet of the LORD was there, whose name was Oded:
and he went out before the host that came to Samaria, and said unto
them, Behold, because the LORD God of your fathers was wroth with
Judah, he hath delivered them into your hand, and ye have slain them in
a rage that reacheth up unto heaven.
14:028:010 And now ye purpose to keep under the children of Judah and
Jerusalem for bondmen and bondwomen unto you: but are there not with
you, even with you, sins against the LORD your God?
14:028:011 Now hear me therefore, and deliver the captives again, which
ye have taken captive of your brethren: for the fierce wrath of the
LORD is upon you.
14:028:012 Then certain of the heads of the children of Ephraim,
Azariah the son of Johanan, Berechiah the son of Meshillemoth, and
Jehizkiah the son of Shallum, and Amasa the son of Hadlai, stood up
against them that came from the war,
14:028:013 And said unto them, Ye shall not bring in the captives
hither: for whereas we have offended against the LORD already, ye
intend to add more to our sins and to our trespass: for our trespass is
great, and there is fierce wrath against Israel.
14:028:014 So the armed men left the captives and the spoil before the
princes and all the congregation.
14:028:015 And the men which were expressed by name rose up, and took
the captives, and with the spoil clothed all that were naked among
them, and arrayed them, and shod them, and gave them to eat and to
drink, and anointed them, and carried all the feeble of them upon
asses, and brought them to Jericho, the city of palm trees, to their
brethren: then they returned to Samaria.
14:028:016 At that time did king Ahaz send unto the kings of Assyria to
help him.
14:028:017 For again the Edomites had come and smitten Judah, and
carried away captives.
14:028:018 The Philistines also had invaded the cities of the low
country, and of the south of Judah, and had taken Bethshemesh, and
Ajalon, and Gederoth, and Shocho with the villages thereof, and Timnah
with the villages thereof, Gimzo also and the villages thereof: and
they dwelt there.
14:028:019 For the LORD brought Judah low because of Ahaz king of
Israel; for he made Judah naked, and transgressed sore against the
LORD.
14:028:020 And Tilgathpilneser king of Assyria came unto him, and
distressed him, but strengthened him not.
14:028:021 For Ahaz took away a portion out of the house of the LORD,
and out of the house of the king, and of the princes, and gave it unto
the king of Assyria: but he helped him not.
14:028:022 And in the time of his distress did he trespass yet more
against the LORD: this is that king Ahaz.
14:028:023 For he sacrificed unto the gods of Damascus, which smote
him: and he said, Because the gods of the kings of Syria help them,
therefore will I sacrifice to them, that they may help me. But they
were the ruin of him, and of all Israel.
14:028:024 And Ahaz gathered together the vessels of the house of God,
and cut in pieces the vessels of the house of God, and shut up the
doors of the house of the LORD, and he made him altars in every corner
of Jerusalem.
14:028:025 And in every several city of Judah he made high places to
burn incense unto other gods, and provoked to anger the LORD God of his
fathers.
14:028:026 Now the rest of his acts and of all his ways, first and
last, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and
Israel.
14:028:027 And Ahaz slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the
city, even in Jerusalem: but they brought him not into the sepulchres
of the kings of Israel: and Hezekiah his son reigned in his stead.
14:029:001 Hezekiah began to reign when he was five and twenty years
old, and he reigned nine and twenty years in Jerusalem. And his
mother's name was Abijah, the daughter of Zechariah.
14:029:002 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD,
according to all that David his father had done.
14:029:003 He in the first year of his reign, in the first month,
opened the doors of the house of the LORD, and repaired them.
14:029:004 And he brought in the priests and the Levites, and gathered
them together into the east street,
14:029:005 And said unto them, Hear me, ye Levites, sanctify now
yourselves, and sanctify the house of the LORD God of your fathers, and
carry forth the filthiness out of the holy place.
14:029:006 For our fathers have trespassed, and done that which was
evil in the eyes of the LORD our God, and have forsaken him, and have
turned away their faces from the habitation of the LORD, and turned
their backs.
14:029:007 Also they have shut up the doors of the porch, and put out
the lamps, and have not burned incense nor offered burnt offerings in
the holy place unto the God of Israel.
14:029:008 Wherefore the wrath of the LORD was upon Judah and
Jerusalem, and he hath delivered them to trouble, to astonishment, and
to hissing, as ye see with your eyes.
14:029:009 For, lo, our fathers have fallen by the sword, and our sons
and our daughters and our wives are in captivity for this.
14:029:010 Now it is in mine heart to make a covenant with the LORD God
of Israel, that his fierce wrath may turn away from us.
14:029:011 My sons, be not now negligent: for the LORD hath chosen you
to stand before him, to serve him, and that ye should minister unto
him, and burn incense.
14:029:012 Then the Levites arose, Mahath the son of Amasai, and Joel
the son of Azariah, of the sons of the Kohathites: and of the sons of
Merari, Kish the son of Abdi, and Azariah the son of Jehalelel: and of
the Gershonites; Joah the son of Zimmah, and Eden the son of Joah:
14:029:013 And of the sons of Elizaphan; Shimri, and Jeiel: and of the
sons of Asaph; Zechariah, and Mattaniah:
14:029:014 And of the sons of Heman; Jehiel, and Shimei: and of the
sons of Jeduthun; Shemaiah, and Uzziel.
14:029:015 And they gathered their brethren, and sanctified themselves,
and came, according to the commandment of the king, by the words of the
LORD, to cleanse the house of the LORD.
14:029:016 And the priests went into the inner part of the house of the
LORD, to cleanse it, and brought out all the uncleanness that they
found in the temple of the LORD into the court of the house of the
LORD. And the Levites took it, to carry it out abroad into the brook
Kidron.
14:029:017 Now they began on the first day of the first month to
sanctify, and on the eighth day of the month came they to the porch of
the LORD: so they sanctified the house of the LORD in eight days; and
in the sixteenth day of the first month they made an end.
14:029:018 Then they went in to Hezekiah the king, and said, We have
cleansed all the house of the LORD, and the altar of burnt offering,
with all the vessels thereof, and the shewbread table, with all the
vessels thereof.
14:029:019 Moreover all the vessels, which king Ahaz in his reign did
cast away in his transgression, have we prepared and sanctified, and,
behold, they are before the altar of the LORD.
14:029:020 Then Hezekiah the king rose early, and gathered the rulers
of the city, and went up to the house of the LORD.
14:029:021 And they brought seven bullocks, and seven rams, and seven
lambs, and seven he goats, for a sin offering for the kingdom, and for
the sanctuary, and for Judah. And he commanded the priests the sons of
Aaron to offer them on the altar of the LORD.
14:029:022 So they killed the bullocks, and the priests received the
blood, and sprinkled it on the altar: likewise, when they had killed
the rams, they sprinkled the blood upon the altar: they killed also the
lambs, and they sprinkled the blood upon the altar.
14:029:023 And they brought forth the he goats for the sin offering
before the king and the congregation; and they laid their hands upon
them:
14:029:024 And the priests killed them, and they made reconciliation
with their blood upon the altar, to make an atonement for all Israel:
for the king commanded that the burnt offering and the sin offering
should be made for all Israel.
14:029:025 And he set the Levites in the house of the LORD with
cymbals, with psalteries, and with harps, according to the commandment
of David, and of Gad the king's seer, and Nathan the prophet: for so
was the commandment of the LORD by his prophets.
14:029:026 And the Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the
priests with the trumpets.
14:029:027 And Hezekiah commanded to offer the burnt offering upon the
altar. And when the burnt offering began, the song of the LORD began
also with the trumpets, and with the instruments ordained by David king
of Israel.
14:029:028 And all the congregation worshipped, and the singers sang,
and the trumpeters sounded: and all this continued until the burnt
offering was finished.
14:029:029 And when they had made an end of offering, the king and all
that were present with him bowed themselves, and worshipped.
14:029:030 Moreover Hezekiah the king and the princes commanded the
Levites to sing praise unto the LORD with the words of David, and of
Asaph the seer. And they sang praises with gladness, and they bowed
their heads and worshipped.
14:029:031 Then Hezekiah answered and said, Now ye have consecrated
yourselves unto the LORD, come near and bring sacrifices and thank
offerings into the house of the LORD. And the congregation brought in
sacrifices and thank offerings; and as many as were of a free heart
burnt offerings.
14:029:032 And the number of the burnt offerings, which the
congregation brought, was threescore and ten bullocks, an hundred rams,
and two hundred lambs: all these were for a burnt offering to the LORD.
14:029:033 And the consecrated things were six hundred oxen and three
thousand sheep.
14:029:034 But the priests were too few, so that they could not flay
all the burnt offerings: wherefore their brethren the Levites did help
them, till the work was ended, and until the other priests had
sanctified themselves: for the Levites were more upright in heart to
sanctify themselves than the priests.
14:029:035 And also the burnt offerings were in abundance, with the fat
of the peace offerings, and the drink offerings for every burnt
offering. So the service of the house of the LORD was set in order.
14:029:036 And Hezekiah rejoiced, and all the people, that God had
prepared the people: for the thing was done suddenly.
14:030:001 And Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah, and wrote letters
also to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the house of the
LORD at Jerusalem, to keep the passover unto the LORD God of Israel.
14:030:002 For the king had taken counsel, and his princes, and all the
congregation in Jerusalem, to keep the passover in the second month.
14:030:003 For they could not keep it at that time, because the priests
had not sanctified themselves sufficiently, neither had the people
gathered themselves together to Jerusalem.
14:030:004 And the thing pleased the king and all the congregation.
14:030:005 So they established a decree to make proclamation throughout
all Israel, from Beersheba even to Dan, that they should come to keep
the passover unto the LORD God of Israel at Jerusalem: for they had not
done it of a long time in such sort as it was written.
14:030:006 So the posts went with the letters from the king and his
princes throughout all Israel and Judah, and according to the
commandment of the king, saying, Ye children of Israel, turn again unto
the LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, and he will return to the
remnant of you, that are escaped out of the hand of the kings of
Assyria.
14:030:007 And be not ye like your fathers, and like your brethren,
which trespassed against the LORD God of their fathers, who therefore
gave them up to desolation, as ye see.
14:030:008 Now be ye not stiffnecked, as your fathers were, but yield
yourselves unto the LORD, and enter into his sanctuary, which he hath
sanctified for ever: and serve the LORD your God, that the fierceness
of his wrath may turn away from you.
14:030:009 For if ye turn again unto the LORD, your brethren and your
children shall find compassion before them that lead them captive, so
that they shall come again into this land: for the LORD your God is
gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if ye
return unto him.
14:030:010 So the posts passed from city to city through the country of
Ephraim and Manasseh even unto Zebulun: but they laughed them to scorn,
and mocked them.
14:030:011 Nevertheless divers of Asher and Manasseh and of Zebulun
humbled themselves, and came to Jerusalem.
14:030:012 Also in Judah the hand of God was to give them one heart to
do the commandment of the king and of the princes, by the word of the
LORD.
14:030:013 And there assembled at Jerusalem much people to keep the
feast of unleavened bread in the second month, a very great
congregation.
14:030:014 And they arose and took away the altars that were in
Jerusalem, and all the altars for incense took they away, and cast them
into the brook Kidron.
14:030:015 Then they killed the passover on the fourteenth day of the
second month: and the priests and the Levites were ashamed, and
sanctified themselves, and brought in the burnt offerings into the
house of the LORD.
14:030:016 And they stood in their place after their manner, according
to the law of Moses the man of God: the priests sprinkled the blood,
which they received of the hand of the Levites.
14:030:017 For there were many in the congregation that were not
sanctified: therefore the Levites had the charge of the killing of the
passovers for every one that was not clean, to sanctify them unto the
LORD.
14:030:018 For a multitude of the people, even many of Ephraim, and
Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet did
they eat the passover otherwise than it was written. But Hezekiah
prayed for them, saying, The good LORD pardon every one
14:030:019 That prepareth his heart to seek God, the LORD God of his
fathers, though he be not cleansed according to the purification of the
sanctuary.
14:030:020 And the LORD hearkened to Hezekiah, and healed the people.
14:030:021 And the children of Israel that were present at Jerusalem
kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with great gladness: and
the Levites and the priests praised the LORD day by day, singing with
loud instruments unto the LORD.
14:030:022 And Hezekiah spake comfortably unto all the Levites that
taught the good knowledge of the LORD: and they did eat throughout the
feast seven days, offering peace offerings, and making confession to
the LORD God of their fathers.
14:030:023 And the whole assembly took counsel to keep other seven
days: and they kept other seven days with gladness.
14:030:024 For Hezekiah king of Judah did give to the congregation a
thousand bullocks and seven thousand sheep; and the princes gave to the
congregation a thousand bullocks and ten thousand sheep: and a great
number of priests sanctified themselves.
14:030:025 And all the congregation of Judah, with the priests and the
Levites, and all the congregation that came out of Israel, and the
strangers that came out of the land of Israel, and that dwelt in Judah,
rejoiced.
14:030:026 So there was great joy in Jerusalem: for since the time of
Solomon the son of David king of Israel there was not the like in
Jerusalem.
14:030:027 Then the priests the Levites arose and blessed the people:
and their voice was heard, and their prayer came up to his holy
dwelling place, even unto heaven.
14:031:001 Now when all this was finished, all Israel that were present
went out to the cities of Judah, and brake the images in pieces, and
cut down the groves, and threw down the high places and the altars out
of all Judah and Benjamin, in Ephraim also and Manasseh, until they had
utterly destroyed them all. Then all the children of Israel returned,
every man to his possession, into their own cities.
14:031:002 And Hezekiah appointed the courses of the priests and the
Levites after their courses, every man according to his service, the
priests and Levites for burnt offerings and for peace offerings, to
minister, and to give thanks, and to praise in the gates of the tents
of the LORD.
14:031:003 He appointed also the king's portion of his substance for
the burnt offerings, to wit, for the morning and evening burnt
offerings, and the burnt offerings for the sabbaths, and for the new
moons, and for the set feasts, as it is written in the law of the LORD.
14:031:004 Moreover he commanded the people that dwelt in Jerusalem to
give the portion of the priests and the Levites, that they might be
encouraged in the law of the LORD.
14:031:005 And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of
Israel brought in abundance the firstfruits of corn, wine, and oil, and
honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all
things brought they in abundantly.
14:031:006 And concerning the children of Israel and Judah, that dwelt
in the cities of Judah, they also brought in the tithe of oxen and
sheep, and the tithe of holy things which were consecrated unto the
LORD their God, and laid them by heaps.
14:031:007 In the third month they began to lay the foundation of the
heaps, and finished them in the seventh month.
14:031:008 And when Hezekiah and the princes came and saw the heaps,
they blessed the LORD, and his people Israel.
14:031:009 Then Hezekiah questioned with the priests and the Levites
concerning the heaps.
14:031:010 And Azariah the chief priest of the house of Zadok answered
him, and said, Since the people began to bring the offerings into the
house of the LORD, we have had enough to eat, and have left plenty: for
the LORD hath blessed his people; and that which is left is this great
store.
14:031:011 Then Hezekiah commanded to prepare chambers in the house of
the LORD; and they prepared them,
14:031:012 And brought in the offerings and the tithes and the
dedicated things faithfully: over which Cononiah the Levite was ruler,
and Shimei his brother was the next.
14:031:013 And Jehiel, and Azaziah, and Nahath, and Asahel, and
Jerimoth, and Jozabad, and Eliel, and Ismachiah, and Mahath, and
Benaiah, were overseers under the hand of Cononiah and Shimei his
brother, at the commandment of Hezekiah the king, and Azariah the ruler
of the house of God.
14:031:014 And Kore the son of Imnah the Levite, the porter toward the
east, was over the freewill offerings of God, to distribute the
oblations of the LORD, and the most holy things.
14:031:015 And next him were Eden, and Miniamin, and Jeshua, and
Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah, in the cities of the priests, in
their set office, to give to their brethren by courses, as well to the
great as to the small:
14:031:016 Beside their genealogy of males, from three years old and
upward, even unto every one that entereth into the house of the LORD,
his daily portion for their service in their charges according to their
courses;
14:031:017 Both to the genealogy of the priests by the house of their
fathers, and the Levites from twenty years old and upward, in their
charges by their courses;
14:031:018 And to the genealogy of all their little ones, their wives,
and their sons, and their daughters, through all the congregation: for
in their set office they sanctified themselves in holiness:
14:031:019 Also of the sons of Aaron the priests, which were in the
fields of the suburbs of their cities, in every several city, the men
that were expressed by name, to give portions to all the males among
the priests, and to all that were reckoned by genealogies among the
Levites.
14:031:020 And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah, and wrought that
which was good and right and truth before the LORD his God.
14:031:021 And in every work that he began in the service of the house
of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he
did it with all his heart, and prospered.
14:032:001 After these things, and the establishment thereof,
Sennacherib king of Assyria came, and entered into Judah, and encamped
against the fenced cities, and thought to win them for himself.
14:032:002 And when Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib was come, and that he
was purposed to fight against Jerusalem,
14:032:003 He took counsel with his princes and his mighty men to stop
the waters of the fountains which were without the city: and they did
help him.
14:032:004 So there was gathered much people together, who stopped all
the fountains, and the brook that ran through the midst of the land,
saying, Why should the kings of Assyria come, and find much water?
14:032:005 Also he strengthened himself, and built up all the wall that
was broken, and raised it up to the towers, and another wall without,
and repaired Millo in the city of David, and made darts and shields in
abundance.
14:032:006 And he set captains of war over the people, and gathered
them together to him in the street of the gate of the city, and spake
comfortably to them, saying,
14:032:007 Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the
king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there
be more with us than with him:
14:032:008 With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God
to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves
upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.
14:032:009 After this did Sennacherib king of Assyria send his servants
to Jerusalem, (but he himself laid siege against Lachish, and all his
power with him,) unto Hezekiah king of Judah, and unto all Judah that
were at Jerusalem, saying,
14:032:010 Thus saith Sennacherib king of Assyria, Whereon do ye trust,
that ye abide in the siege in Jerusalem?
14:032:011 Doth not Hezekiah persuade you to give over yourselves to
die by famine and by thirst, saying, The LORD our God shall deliver us
out of the hand of the king of Assyria?
14:032:012 Hath not the same Hezekiah taken away his high places and
his altars, and commanded Judah and Jerusalem, saying, Ye shall worship
before one altar, and burn incense upon it?
14:032:013 Know ye not what I and my fathers have done unto all the
people of other lands? were the gods of the nations of those lands any
ways able to deliver their lands out of mine hand?
14:032:014 Who was there among all the gods of those nations that my
fathers utterly destroyed, that could deliver his people out of mine
hand, that your God should be able to deliver you out of mine hand?
14:032:015 Now therefore let not Hezekiah deceive you, nor persuade you
on this manner, neither yet believe him: for no god of any nation or
kingdom was able to deliver his people out of mine hand, and out of the
hand of my fathers: how much less shall your God deliver you out of
mine hand?
14:032:016 And his servants spake yet more against the LORD God, and
against his servant Hezekiah.
14:032:017 He wrote also letters to rail on the LORD God of Israel, and
to speak against him, saying, As the gods of the nations of other lands
have not delivered their people out of mine hand, so shall not the God
of Hezekiah deliver his people out of mine hand.
14:032:018 Then they cried with a loud voice in the Jews' speech unto
the people of Jerusalem that were on the wall, to affright them, and to
trouble them; that they might take the city.
14:032:019 And they spake against the God of Jerusalem, as against the
gods of the people of the earth, which were the work of the hands of
man.
14:032:020 And for this cause Hezekiah the king, and the prophet Isaiah
the son of Amoz, prayed and cried to heaven.
14:032:021 And the LORD sent an angel, which cut off all the mighty men
of valour, and the leaders and captains in the camp of the king of
Assyria. So he returned with shame of face to his own land. And when he
was come into the house of his god, they that came forth of his own
bowels slew him there with the sword.
14:032:022 Thus the LORD saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of
Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib the king of Assyria, and from
the hand of all other, and guided them on every side.
14:032:023 And many brought gifts unto the LORD to Jerusalem, and
presents to Hezekiah king of Judah: so that he was magnified in the
sight of all nations from thenceforth.
14:032:024 In those days Hezekiah was sick to the death, and prayed
unto the LORD: and he spake unto him, and he gave him a sign.
14:032:025 But Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit
done unto him; for his heart was lifted up: therefore there was wrath
upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem.
14:032:026 Notwithstanding Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of
his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath
of the LORD came not upon them in the days of Hezekiah.
14:032:027 And Hezekiah had exceeding much riches and honour: and he
made himself treasuries for silver, and for gold, and for precious
stones, and for spices, and for shields, and for all manner of pleasant
jewels;
14:032:028 Storehouses also for the increase of corn, and wine, and
oil; and stalls for all manner of beasts, and cotes for flocks.
14:032:029 Moreover he provided him cities, and possessions of flocks
and herds in abundance: for God had given him substance very much.
14:032:030 This same Hezekiah also stopped the upper watercourse of
Gihon, and brought it straight down to the west side of the city of
David. And Hezekiah prospered in all his works.
14:032:031 Howbeit in the business of the ambassadors of the princes of
Babylon, who sent unto him to enquire of the wonder that was done in
the land, God left him, to try him, that he might know all that was in
his heart.
14:032:032 Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and his goodness,
behold, they are written in the vision of Isaiah the prophet, the son
of Amoz, and in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.
14:032:033 And Hezekiah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in
the chiefest of the sepulchres of the sons of David: and all Judah and
the inhabitants of Jerusalem did him honour at his death. And Manasseh
his son reigned in his stead.
14:033:001 Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he
reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem:
14:033:002 But did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, like
unto the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD had cast out before
the children of Israel.
14:033:003 For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father
had broken down, and he reared up altars for Baalim, and made groves,
and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.
14:033:004 Also he built altars in the house of the LORD, whereof the
LORD had said, In Jerusalem shall my name be for ever.
14:033:005 And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two
courts of the house of the LORD.
14:033:006 And he caused his children to pass through the fire in the
valley of the son of Hinnom: also he observed times, and used
enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit,
and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the LORD, to
provoke him to anger.
14:033:007 And he set a carved image, the idol which he had made, in
the house of God, of which God had said to David and to Solomon his
son, In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen before all
the tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever:
14:033:008 Neither will I any more remove the foot of Israel from out
of the land which I have appointed for your fathers; so that they will
take heed to do all that I have commanded them, according to the whole
law and the statutes and the ordinances by the hand of Moses.
14:033:009 So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to
err, and to do worse than the heathen, whom the LORD had destroyed
before the children of Israel.
14:033:010 And the LORD spake to Manasseh, and to his people: but they
would not hearken.
14:033:011 Wherefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the
host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and
bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon.
14:033:012 And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God,
and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers,
14:033:013 And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard
his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom.
Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he was God.
14:033:014 Now after this he built a wall without the city of David, on
the west side of Gihon, in the valley, even to the entering in at the
fish gate, and compassed about Ophel, and raised it up a very great
height, and put captains of war in all the fenced cities of Judah.
14:033:015 And he took away the strange gods, and the idol out of the
house of the LORD, and all the altars that he had built in the mount of
the house of the LORD, and in Jerusalem, and cast them out of the city.
14:033:016 And he repaired the altar of the LORD, and sacrificed
thereon peace offerings and thank offerings, and commanded Judah to
serve the LORD God of Israel.
14:033:017 Nevertheless the people did sacrifice still in the high
places, yet unto the LORD their God only.
14:033:018 Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh, and his prayer unto
his God, and the words of the seers that spake to him in the name of
the LORD God of Israel, behold, they are written in the book of the
kings of Israel.
14:033:019 His prayer also, and how God was intreated of him, and all
his sins, and his trespass, and the places wherein he built high
places, and set up groves and graven images, before he was humbled:
behold, they are written among the sayings of the seers.
14:033:020 So Manasseh slept with his fathers, and they buried him in
his own house: and Amon his son reigned in his stead.
14:033:021 Amon was two and twenty years old when he began to reign,
and reigned two years in Jerusalem.
14:033:022 But he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, as
did Manasseh his father: for Amon sacrificed unto all the carved images
which Manasseh his father had made, and served them;
14:033:023 And humbled not himself before the LORD, as Manasseh his
father had humbled himself; but Amon trespassed more and more.
14:033:024 And his servants conspired against him, and slew him in his
own house.
14:033:025 But the people of the land slew all them that had conspired
against king Amon; and the people of the land made Josiah his son king
in his stead.
14:034:001 Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he
reigned in Jerusalem one and thirty years.
14:034:002 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD,
and walked in the ways of David his father, and declined neither to the
right hand, nor to the left.
14:034:003 For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young,
he began to seek after the God of David his father: and in the twelfth
year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and
the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images.
14:034:004 And they brake down the altars of Baalim in his presence;
and the images, that were on high above them, he cut down; and the
groves, and the carved images, and the molten images, he brake in
pieces, and made dust of them, and strowed it upon the graves of them
that had sacrificed unto them.
14:034:005 And he burnt the bones of the priests upon their altars, and
cleansed Judah and Jerusalem.
14:034:006 And so did he in the cities of Manasseh, and Ephraim, and
Simeon, even unto Naphtali, with their mattocks round about.
14:034:007 And when he had broken down the altars and the groves, and
had beaten the graven images into powder, and cut down all the idols
throughout all the land of Israel, he returned to Jerusalem.
14:034:008 Now in the eighteenth year of his reign, when he had purged
the land, and the house, he sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, and
Maaseiah the governor of the city, and Joah the son of Joahaz the
recorder, to repair the house of the LORD his God.
14:034:009 And when they came to Hilkiah the high priest, they
delivered the money that was brought into the house of God, which the
Levites that kept the doors had gathered of the hand of Manasseh and
Ephraim, and of all the remnant of Israel, and of all Judah and
Benjamin; and they returned to Jerusalem.
14:034:010 And they put it in the hand of the workmen that had the
oversight of the house of the LORD, and they gave it to the workmen
that wrought in the house of the LORD, to repair and amend the house:
14:034:011 Even to the artificers and builders gave they it, to buy
hewn stone, and timber for couplings, and to floor the houses which the
kings of Judah had destroyed.
14:034:012 And the men did the work faithfully: and the overseers of
them were Jahath and Obadiah, the Levites, of the sons of Merari; and
Zechariah and Meshullam, of the sons of the Kohathites, to set it
forward; and other of the Levites, all that could skill of instruments
of musick.
14:034:013 Also they were over the bearers of burdens, and were
overseers of all that wrought the work in any manner of service: and of
the Levites there were scribes, and officers, and porters.
14:034:014 And when they brought out the money that was brought into
the house of the LORD, Hilkiah the priest found a book of the law of
the LORD given by Moses.
14:034:015 And Hilkiah answered and said to Shaphan the scribe, I have
found the book of the law in the house of the LORD. And Hilkiah
delivered the book to Shaphan.
14:034:016 And Shaphan carried the book to the king, and brought the
king word back again, saying, All that was committed to thy servants,
they do it.
14:034:017 And they have gathered together the money that was found in
the house of the LORD, and have delivered it into the hand of the
overseers, and to the hand of the workmen.
14:034:018 Then Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, Hilkiah the
priest hath given me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king.
14:034:019 And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of
the law, that he rent his clothes.
14:034:020 And the king commanded Hilkiah, and Ahikam the son of
Shaphan, and Abdon the son of Micah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah
a servant of the king's, saying,
14:034:021 Go, enquire of the LORD for me, and for them that are left
in Israel and in Judah, concerning the words of the book that is found:
for great is the wrath of the LORD that is poured out upon us, because
our fathers have not kept the word of the LORD, to do after all that is
written in this book.
14:034:022 And Hilkiah, and they that the king had appointed, went to
Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvath, the son
of Hasrah, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the
college:) and they spake to her to that effect.
14:034:023 And she answered them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel,
Tell ye the man that sent you to me,
14:034:024 Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon this
place, and upon the inhabitants thereof, even all the curses that are
written in the book which they have read before the king of Judah:
14:034:025 Because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto
other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of
their hands; therefore my wrath shall be poured out upon this place,
and shall not be quenched.
14:034:026 And as for the king of Judah, who sent you to enquire of the
LORD, so shall ye say unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel
concerning the words which thou hast heard;
14:034:027 Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble
thyself before God, when thou heardest his words against this place,
and against the inhabitants thereof, and humbledst thyself before me,
and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before me; I have even heard thee
also, saith the LORD.
14:034:028 Behold, I will gather thee to thy fathers, and thou shalt be
gathered to thy grave in peace, neither shall thine eyes see all the
evil that I will bring upon this place, and upon the inhabitants of the
same. So they brought the king word again.
14:034:029 Then the king sent and gathered together all the elders of
Judah and Jerusalem.
14:034:030 And the king went up into the house of the LORD, and all the
men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the priests, and
the Levites, and all the people, great and small: and he read in their
ears all the words of the book of the covenant that was found in the
house of the LORD.
14:034:031 And the king stood in his place, and made a covenant before
the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep his commandments, and his
testimonies, and his statutes, with all his heart, and with all his
soul, to perform the words of the covenant which are written in this
book.
14:034:032 And he caused all that were present in Jerusalem and
Benjamin to stand to it. And the inhabitants of Jerusalem did according
to the covenant of God, the God of their fathers.
14:034:033 And Josiah took away all the abominations out of all the
countries that pertained to the children of Israel, and made all that
were present in Israel to serve, even to serve the LORD their God. And
all his days they departed not from following the LORD, the God of
their fathers.
14:035:001 Moreover Josiah kept a passover unto the LORD in Jerusalem:
and they killed the passover on the fourteenth day of the first month.
14:035:002 And he set the priests in their charges, and encouraged them
to the service of the house of the LORD,
14:035:003 And said unto the Levites that taught all Israel, which were
holy unto the LORD, Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son
of David king of Israel did build; it shall not be a burden upon your
shoulders: serve now the LORD your God, and his people Israel,
14:035:004 And prepare yourselves by the houses of your fathers, after
your courses, according to the writing of David king of Israel, and
according to the writing of Solomon his son.
14:035:005 And stand in the holy place according to the divisions of
the families of the fathers of your brethren the people, and after the
division of the families of the Levites.
14:035:006 So kill the passover, and sanctify yourselves, and prepare
your brethren, that they may do according to the word of the LORD by
the hand of Moses.
14:035:007 And Josiah gave to the people, of the flock, lambs and kids,
all for the passover offerings, for all that were present, to the
number of thirty thousand, and three thousand bullocks: these were of
the king's substance.
14:035:008 And his princes gave willingly unto the people, to the
priests, and to the Levites: Hilkiah and Zechariah and Jehiel, rulers
of the house of God, gave unto the priests for the passover offerings
two thousand and six hundred small cattle and three hundred oxen.
14:035:009 Conaniah also, and Shemaiah and Nethaneel, his brethren, and
Hashabiah and Jeiel and Jozabad, chief of the Levites, gave unto the
Levites for passover offerings five thousand small cattle, and five
hundred oxen.
14:035:010 So the service was prepared, and the priests stood in their
place, and the Levites in their courses, according to the king's
commandment.
14:035:011 And they killed the passover, and the priests sprinkled the
blood from their hands, and the Levites flayed them.
14:035:012 And they removed the burnt offerings, that they might give
according to the divisions of the families of the people, to offer unto
the LORD, as it is written in the book of Moses. And so did they with
the oxen.
14:035:013 And they roasted the passover with fire according to the
ordinance: but the other holy offerings sod they in pots, and in
caldrons, and in pans, and divided them speedily among all the people.
14:035:014 And afterward they made ready for themselves, and for the
priests: because the priests the sons of Aaron were busied in offering
of burnt offerings and the fat until night; therefore the Levites
prepared for themselves, and for the priests the sons of Aaron.
14:035:015 And the singers the sons of Asaph were in their place,
according to the commandment of David, and Asaph, and Heman, and
Jeduthun the king's seer; and the porters waited at every gate; they
might not depart from their service; for their brethren the Levites
prepared for them.
14:035:016 So all the service of the LORD was prepared the same day, to
keep the passover, and to offer burnt offerings upon the altar of the
LORD, according to the commandment of king Josiah.
14:035:017 And the children of Israel that were present kept the
passover at that time, and the feast of unleavened bread seven days.
14:035:018 And there was no passover like to that kept in Israel from
the days of Samuel the prophet; neither did all the kings of Israel
keep such a passover as Josiah kept, and the priests, and the Levites,
and all Judah and Israel that were present, and the inhabitants of
Jerusalem.
14:035:019 In the eighteenth year of the reign of Josiah was this
passover kept.
14:035:020 After all this, when Josiah had prepared the temple, Necho
king of Egypt came up to fight against Charchemish by Euphrates: and
Josiah went out against him.
14:035:021 But he sent ambassadors to him, saying, What have I to do
with thee, thou king of Judah? I come not against thee this day, but
against the house wherewith I have war: for God commanded me to make
haste: forbear thee from meddling with God, who is with me, that he
destroy thee not.
14:035:022 Nevertheless Josiah would not turn his face from him, but
disguised himself, that he might fight with him, and hearkened not unto
the words of Necho from the mouth of God, and came to fight in the
valley of Megiddo.
14:035:023 And the archers shot at king Josiah; and the king said to
his servants, Have me away; for I am sore wounded.
14:035:024 His servants therefore took him out of that chariot, and put
him in the second chariot that he had; and they brought him to
Jerusalem, and he died, and was buried in one of the sepulchres of his
fathers. And all Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah.
14:035:025 And Jeremiah lamented for Josiah: and all the singing men
and the singing women spake of Josiah in their lamentations to this
day, and made them an ordinance in Israel: and, behold, they are
written in the lamentations.
14:035:026 Now the rest of the acts of Josiah, and his goodness,
according to that which was written in the law of the LORD,
14:035:027 And his deeds, first and last, behold, they are written in
the book of the kings of Israel and Judah.
14:036:001 Then the people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah,
and made him king in his father's stead in Jerusalem.
14:036:002 Jehoahaz was twenty and three years old when he began to
reign, and he reigned three months in Jerusalem.
14:036:003 And the king of Egypt put him down at Jerusalem, and
condemned the land in an hundred talents of silver and a talent of
gold.
14:036:004 And the king of Egypt made Eliakim his brother king over
Judah and Jerusalem, and turned his name to Jehoiakim. And Necho took
Jehoahaz his brother, and carried him to Egypt.
14:036:005 Jehoiakim was twenty and five years old when he began to
reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem: and he did that which
was evil in the sight of the LORD his God.
14:036:006 Against him came up Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and
bound him in fetters, to carry him to Babylon.
14:036:007 Nebuchadnezzar also carried of the vessels of the house of
the LORD to Babylon, and put them in his temple at Babylon.
14:036:008 Now the rest of the acts of Jehoiakim, and his abominations
which he did, and that which was found in him, behold, they are written
in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah: and Jehoiachin his son
reigned in his stead.
14:036:009 Jehoiachin was eight years old when he began to reign, and
he reigned three months and ten days in Jerusalem: and he did that
which was evil in the sight of the LORD.
14:036:010 And when the year was expired, king Nebuchadnezzar sent, and
brought him to Babylon, with the goodly vessels of the house of the
LORD, and made Zedekiah his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem.
14:036:011 Zedekiah was one and twenty years old when he began to
reign, and reigned eleven years in Jerusalem.
14:036:012 And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD his
God, and humbled not himself before Jeremiah the prophet speaking from
the mouth of the LORD.
14:036:013 And he also rebelled against king Nebuchadnezzar, who had
made him swear by God: but he stiffened his neck, and hardened his
heart from turning unto the LORD God of Israel.
14:036:014 Moreover all the chief of the priests, and the people,
transgressed very much after all the abominations of the heathen; and
polluted the house of the LORD which he had hallowed in Jerusalem.
14:036:015 And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his
messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion
on his people, and on his dwelling place:
14:036:016 But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his
words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose
against his people, till there was no remedy.
14:036:017 Therefore he brought upon them the king of the Chaldees, who
slew their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary,
and had no compassion upon young man or maiden, old man, or him that
stooped for age: he gave them all into his hand.
14:036:018 And all the vessels of the house of God, great and small,
and the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the
king, and of his princes; all these he brought to Babylon.
14:036:019 And they burnt the house of God, and brake down the wall of
Jerusalem, and burnt all the palaces thereof with fire, and destroyed
all the goodly vessels thereof.
14:036:020 And them that had escaped from the sword carried he away to
Babylon; where they were servants to him and his sons until the reign
of the kingdom of Persia:
14:036:021 To fulfil the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah,
until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths: for as long as she lay
desolate she kept sabbath, to fulfil threescore and ten years.
14:036:022 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word
of the LORD spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, the
LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a
proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing,
saying,
14:036:023 Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, All the kingdoms of the
earth hath the LORD God of heaven given me; and he hath charged me to
build him an house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among
you of all his people? The LORD his God be with him, and let him go up.