Solomon's prayer. II. CHRONICLES. His solemn sacrifice. by justifying the righteous, by giving him ac- 40 Now, my God, let, I beseech thee, thine eyes cording to his righteousness. be open, and let thine ears be attent unto the 24 And if thy people Israel be put to the prayer that is made in this place. worse before the enemy, because they have sin- 41 Now therefore arise, O LORD God, into thy ned against thee; and shall return and confess resting-place, thou, and the ark of thy strength thy name, and pray and make supplication be- let thy priests, O LORD God, be clothed with sal fore thee in this house; vation, and let thy saints rejoice in goodness. 25 Then hear thou from the heavens, and for- 42 O LORD God, turn not away the face of give the sin of thy people Israel, and bring them thine anointed: remember the mercies of David again unto the land which thou gavest to them thy servant. and to their fathers. 26 ¶ When the heaven is shut up, and there CHAP. VII. Solemn dedication of the temple. praying, the fire came down from heaven, 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 and consumed the burnt-offering and the sacrithou dost afflict them; fices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house. 27 Then hear thou from heaven, and forgive 2 And the priests could not enter into the house the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel, of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD had when thou hast taught them the good way where-filled the LORD's house. in they should walk; and send rain upon thy 3 And when all the children of Israel saw how land, which thou hast given unto thy people for the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD an inheritance. upon the house, they bowed themselves with 28 ¶ If there be dearth in the land, if there be their faces to the ground upon the pavement, pestilence, if there be blasting, or mildew, lo- and worshipped, and praised the LORD, saying, custs, or caterpillars; if their enemies besiege For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever them in the cities of their land; whatsoever 4 1 Then the king and all the people offered sore, or whatsoever sickness there be: sacrifices before the LORD. 29 Then what prayer, or what supplication so- 5 And king Solomon offered a sacrifice of twen ever shall be made of any man, or of all thy ty and two thousand oxen, and a hundred and people Israel, when every one shall know his twenty thousand sheep. So the king and all the own sore, and his own grief, and shall spread people dedicated the house of God. forth his hands in this house; 6 And the priests waited on their offices: the 30 Then hear thou from heaven thy dwelling- Levites also with instruments of music of the place, and forgive, and render unto every man LORD, which David the king had made to praise according unto all his ways, whose heart thou the LORD, because his mercy endureth for ever, knowest; (for thou only knowest the hearts of when David praised by their ministry; and the the children of men :) priests sounded trumpets before them, and all Israel stood. 31 That they may fear thee, to walk in thy ways, so long as they live in the land which thou gavest unto our fathers. 7 Moreover Solomon hallowed the middle of the court that was before the house of the LORD: for 32 Moreover, concerning the stranger, which there he offered burnt-offerings, and the fat of the is not of thy people Israel, but is come from a peace-offerings, because the brazen altar which far country for thy great name's sake, and thy Solomon had made was not able to receive the mighty hand, and thy stretched-out arm; if they burnt-offerings, and the meat-offerings, and the fat. come and pray in this house; 8 1 Also at the same time Solonion kept the 33 Then hear thou from the heavens, even from feast seven days, and all Israel with him, a very thy dwelling-place, and do according to all that great congregation, from the entering in of Hathe stranger calleth to thee for; that all people of math unto the river of Egypt. the earth may know thy name, and fear thee, as 9 And in the eighth day they made a solemn doth thy people Israel, and may know that this assembly: for they kept the dedication of the house which I have built is called by thy name. altar seven days, and the feast seven days. 34 If thy people go out to war against their ene- 10 And on the three and twentieth day of the mies by the way that thou shalt send them, and seventh month he sent the people away into they pray unto thee toward this city which thou their tents, glad and merry in heart for the goodhast chosen, and the house which I have built ness that the LORD had shewed unto David, and for thy name; to Solomon, and to Israel his people. 35 Then hear thou from the heavens their prayer 11 Thus Solomon finished the house of the LORD, and their supplication, and maintain their cause. and the king's house: and all that came into Solo36 If they sin against thee, (for there is no man mon's heart to make in the house of the LORD, which sinneth not,) and thou be angry with and in his own house, he prosperously effected them, and deliver them over before their ene- 12 1 And the LORD appeared to Solomon by mies, and they carry them away captives unto a night, and said unto him, I have heard thy land far off or near; prayer, and have chosen this place to myself 37 Yet if they bethink themselves in the land for a house of sacrifice. whither they are carried captive, and turn and 13 If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or pray unto thee in the land of their captivity, if I command the locusts to devour the land, or saying, We have sinne, we have done amiss, if I send pestilence among my people; and have dealt wicked y; 11 If my people, which are called by my name, 38 If they return to the evith all their heart and shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my with all their soul in the land of their captivity, face, and turn from their wicked ways; then whither they have carried them captives, and will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their pray toward their land which thou gavest unto sin, and will heal their land. their fathers, and toward the city which thou 15 Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears hast chosen, and toward the house which I attent unto the prayer that is made in this place have built for thy name; 16 For now have I chosen and sanctified this 39 Then hear thou from the heavens, even from house, that my name may be there for ever: and thy dwelling-place, their prayer and their sup- mine eyes and my heart shall be there perpetually. plications, and maintain their cause, and forgive 17 And as for thee, if thou wilt walk before me, thy people which have sinned against thee. as David thy father walked, and to according to Solomon's buildings. CHAP. VIII, IX. His navy fetcheth gold from Ophir all that I have commanded thee, and shalt ob-[of every day required: the porters also by their serve my statutes and my judgments: courses at every gate: for so had David the man 18 Then will I establish the throne of thy king-of God commanded. 19 But if ye turn away, and for ake my statutes and my commandments, which I have set before you, and shall go and serve other gods, and worship them; 15 And they departed not from the commandment of the king unto the priests and Levites concerning any matter, or concerning the treasures. 16 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. 17 T Then went Solomon to Ezion-geber, and to Eloth, at the sea-side in the land of Edom. 18 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 So 20 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 by-word among all nations. 21 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 lomon. unto this land, and unto this house? CHAP. IX. 22 And it shall be answered, Because they brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, and Solomon's yearly sacrifices. years, wherein Solomon had built the house of the LORD, and his own house, 2 That the cities which Huram had restored to Solomon, Solomon built them, and caused the children of Israel to dwell there. 3 And Solomon went to Hamath-zobah, and prevailed against it. 4 And he built Tadmor in the wilderness, and all the store-cities, which he built in Hamath. 5 Also he built Beth-horon the upper, and Bethhoron the nether, fenced cities, with walls, gates, and bars; 6 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. 7 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, A fame of Sole que, or cane teard of the mon 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. there solomon told her all her questions; and there was nothing hid from Solomon which he told her not. 3 And when the queen of Sheba had seen the wisdom of Solomon, and the house that he had built, 4 And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel; his cup-bearers 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. 5 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: 6 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. 7 Happy are thy men, and happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and hear thy wisdom. 8 Blessed be the LORD thy God, which delight8 But of their children, who were left after ed in thee to set thee on his throne, to be king for them in the land, whom the children of Israel the LORD thy God: because thy God loved Israel, consumed not, them did Solomon make to pay to establish them for ever, therefore made he thee tribute until this day. 9 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. king over them, to do judgment and justice. 9 And she gave the king a hundred and twenty talents of gold, and of spices great abundance, and precious stones: neither was there any sucli spice as the queen of Sheba gave king Solomon. 10 And these were the chief of king Solomon's 10 And the servants also of Huram, and the serofficers, even two hundred and fifty, that bare vants of Solomon, which brought gold from rule over the people Ophir, brought algum-trees and precious stones. 11 ¶ And Solomon brought up the daughter of 11 And the king made of the algum-trees terraces Pharaoh out of the city of David unto the house to the house of the LORD, and to the king's palace, that he had built for her: for he said, My wife and harps and psalteries for singers: and there shall not dwell in the house of David king of Israel, because the places are holy, whereunto the ark of the LORD hath come. 12 ¶ Then Solomon offered burnt-offerings unto the LORD on the altar of the LORD, which he had built before the porch, were none such seen before in the land of Judah. 12 And king Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all her desire, whatsoever she asked, besides that which she had brought unto the king. So she turned, and went away to her own land, she and her servants. 13 ¶ Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred and threescore and six talents of gold; 13 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 solein feasts, three times in the year, even in the 14 Besides that which chapmen and merchants feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of brought. And all the kings of Arabia and goverweeks, and in the feast of tabernacles. nors of the country brought gold and silver to Solomon. 14 T 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 15 T And king Solomon made two hundred targets of beaten gold: six hundred shekels of beaten gold went to one target. Bolomon's reign and death. II. CHRONICLES. Rehoboam's proud answer 16 And three hundred shields made he of beaten that were brought up with him, that stood begold: three hundred shekels of gold went to one fore him. shield. And the king put them in the house of 9 And he said unto them, What advice give ye, the forest of Lebanon. that we may return answer to this people, which 17 Moreover, the king made a great throne of have spoken to me, saying, Ease somewhat the ivory, and overlaid it with pure gold. yoke that thy father did put upon us? 18 And there were six steps to the throne, with 10 And the young men that were brought up a footstool of gold, which were fastened to the with him, spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt throne, and stays on each side of the sitting- thou answer the people that spake unto thee, place, and two lions standing by the stays: saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but 19 And twelve lions stood there on the one side make thou it somewhat lighter for us; thus shalt and on the other upon the six steps. There was thou say unto them, My little finger shall be not the like made in any kingdom. thicker than my father's loins. 20 ¶ And all the drinking vessels of king Solo- 11 For whereas my father put a heavy yoke mon were of gold, and all the vessels of the upon you, I will put more to your yoke: my fa house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold: ther chastised you with whips, but I will chasnone were of silver; it was not any thing ac- tise you with scorpions. counted of in the days of Solomon. 21 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. 12 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. 13 And the king answered them roughly; and king Rehoboam forsook the counsel of the old men, 14 And answered them after the advice of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke 23 1 And all the kings of the earth sought the heavy, but I will add thereto: my father chastised presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom, that you with whips, but I will chastise you with God had put in his heart. scorpions. 22 And king Solomon passed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom. 24 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. 15 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. 25 And Solomon had four thousand stalls for 16 T And when all Israel saw that the king horses and chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen; whom he bestowed in the chariot-cities, and with the king at Jerusalem. 26 And he reigned over all the kings from the river even unto the land of the Philistines, and to the border of Egypt. 27 And the king made silver in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar-trees made he as the sycamoretrees that are in the low plains in abundance. 28 And they brought unto Solomon horses out of Egypt, and out of all lands. would not hearken unto them, the people an swered 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. 17 But as for the children of Israel that dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them. 18 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, 29 Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, first and last, are they not written in the book of Na- to flee to Jerusalem. than the prophet, and in the prophecy of Ahijah 19 And Israel rebelled against the house of Dathe Shilonite, and in the visions of Iddo the seer vid unto this day. against Jeroboam the son of Nebat? 30 And Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel forty years. CHAP. XI. Rehoboam reigns over Judah. ND when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, and Solomon slept with his fathers, and he Ane gathered of the house of Judah and Benja was buried in the city of David his father: Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead. CHAP. X. Revolt of the ten tribes. and min a hundred and fourscore thousand chosen men which were warriors, to fight against Israel, that he might bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam. 2 But the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah ND Rehoboam went to Shechem: for to She-the man of God, saying, the son of Solomon, 2 And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who was in Egypt, whither he had fled from the presence of Solomon the king, hear 1 it, that Jeroboam returned out of Egypt. king of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, saying, 4 Thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren: return every man to 3 And they sent and called him. So Jeroboam and his house: for this thing is done of me. And all Israel came and spake to Rehoboam, saying. they obeyed the words of the LORD, and return4 Thy father made our yoke grievous: now ed from going against Jeroboam. therefore ease thou somewhat the grievous ser- 5 T And Rehoboam dwelt in Jerusalem, ane vitude of thy father, and his heavy yoke that he built cities for defence in Judah. put upon us, and we will serve thee. 5 And he said unto them, Come again unto me after three days. And the people departed. 6 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? 6 He built even Beth-lehem, and Etam, and Tekoa, 7 And Beth-zur, and Shoco, and Adullanı, 7 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. 12 And in every several city he put shields and 8 But he forsook the counsel which the old men spears, and made them exceeding strong, having gave him, and took counsel with the young men Judah and Benjamin on his side. Rehoboam's wives CHAP. XII, XIII. Reign and death of Rehoboam. 13 T And the priests and the Levites that were shields of brass, and committed them to the hands in all Israel resorted to him out of all their coasts. of the chief of the guard, that kept the entrance 14 (For the Levites left their suburbs and their of the king's house. possession, and came to Judah and Jerusalem: 11 And when the king entered into the house for Jeroboam and his sons had cast them off from executing the priest's office unto the LORD: of the LORD, the guard came and fetched them, and brought them again into the guard-chamber. 15 And he ordained him priests for the high 12 And when he humbled himself, the wrath of places, and for the devils, and for the calves the LORD turned from him, that he would not which he had made.) destroy him altogether: and also in Judah things 16 And after them out of all the tribes of Israel, went well. such as set their hearts to seek the LORD God of 13 So king Rehoboam strengthened himself in Israel came to Jerusalem, to sacrifice unto the Jerusalem, and reigned: for Rehoboam was one LORD God of their fathers. 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 mo ther's name was Naamah an Ammonitess. 14 And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD. 17 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. 18 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; 19 Which bare him children, Jeush, and Shamariah, and Zaham. 15 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 gene20 And after her he took Maachah the daughter alogies? And there were wars between Rehoboof Absalom; which bare him Abijah, and Attai, am and Jeroboam continually. and Ziza, and Shelomith. 16 And Rehoboam slept with his fathers, and 21 And Rehoboam loved Maachah the daughter was buried in the city of David: and Abijah his of Absalom above all his wives and his concu- son reigned in his stead. bines: (for he took eighteen wives, and threescore concubines; and begat twenty and eight sons, and threescore daughters.) 22 And Rehoboam made Abijah the son of Maachah the chief, to be ruler among his brethren: for he thought to make him king. 23 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. CHAP. XII. CHAP. XIII. Abijah overcometh Jeroboam. NOW in the eighteenth year of king Jeroboan began Abijah to reign over Judah. 2 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. 3 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 thouRehoboam punished by Shishak. sand chosen men, being mighty men of valour. AND it came to pass, when Rehoboam had 4" And Abijah stood up upon mount Zemaestablished the kingdom, and had strength-raim, which is in mount Ephraim, and said, ened himself, he forsook the law of the LORD, Hear me, thou Jeroboam, and all Israel; and all Israel with him. 5 Ought ye not to know that the LORD God of 2 And it came to pass, that in the fifth year of Israel gave the kingdom over Israel to David for king Rehoboam, Shishak king of Egypt came up ever, even to him and to his sons by a covenant against Jerusalem, because they had transgress-of salt? ed against the LORD, 6 Yet Jeroboam the son of Nebat the servant 3 With twelve hundred chariots, and threescore of Solomon the son of David, is risen up, and thousand horsemen: and the people were with- hath rebelled against his lord. out number that came with him out of Egypt; 7 And there are gathered unto him vain men, the Lubims, the Sukkiims, and the Ethiopians. the children of Belial, and have strengthened 4 And he took the fenced cities which pertain- themselves against Rehoboam the son of Soloed to Judah, and came to Jerusalem. mon, when Rehoboam was young and tender 5 Then came Shemaiah the prophet to Re-hearted, and could not withstand them. hoboam, and to the princes of Judah, that were 8 And now ye think to withstand the kingdom of gathered together to Jerusalem because of Shi- the LORD in the hand of the sons of David; and ye shak, and said unto them, Thus saith the LORD, be a great multitude, and there are with you goldYe have forsaken me, and therefore have I also en calves, which Jeroboam made you for gods. left you in the hand of Shishak. 9 Have ye not cast out the priests of the LORD, 6 Whereupon the princes of Israel, and the king the sons of Aaron, and the Levites, and have humbled themselves; and they said, The LORD made you priests after the manner of the nations is righteous. of other lands? so that whosoever cometh to 7 And when the LORD saw that they humbled consecrate himself with a young bullock and themselves, the word of the LORD came to She-seven rams, the same may be a priest of them maiah, saying, They have humbled themselves; that are no gods. therefore I will not destroy them, but I will grant 10 But as for us, the LORD is our God, and we them some deliverance; and my wrath shall not have not forsaken him; and the priests, which be poured out upon Jerusalem by the hand of minister unto the LORD, are the sons of Aaron, Shishak. and the Levites wait upon their business: 8 Nevertheless they shall be his servants; that 11 And they burn unto the LORD every morn they may know my service, and the service of ing and every evening burnt-sacrifices and sweet the kingdoms of the countries. incense: the shew-bread also set they in order 9 So Shishak king of Egypt came up against upon the pure table; and the candlestick of gold Jerusalem, and took away the treasures of the (with the lamps thereof to burn every evening: house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king's for we keep the charge of the LORD our God; house; he took all he carried away also the but ye have forsaken him. shields of gold which Solomon had made. 12 And behold, God himself is with us for our 10 Instead of which, king Rehoboam made captain, and his priests with sounding trumpets Asa succeedeth Abijah. II. CHRONICLES. He overcometh the Ethiopians. to cry alarm against you. O children of Israel, tude. O LORD, thou art our God; let not man fight ye not against the LORD God of your fa- prevail against thee. thers; for ye shall not prosper. 12 So the LORD smote the Ethiopians before Asa, 13 But Jeroboam caused an ambushment to and before Judah; and the Ethiopians fled. come about behind them: so they were before 13 And Asa and the people that were with him Judah, and the ambush.nent was behind them. pursued them unto Gerar: and the Ethiopians 14 And when Judah looked back, behold, the were overthrown, that they could not recover battle was before and behind: and they cried un-themselves; for they were destroyed before the to the LORD, and the priests sounded with the LORD, and before his host; and they carried away trumpets. very much spoil. 15 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. 16 And the children of Israel fled before Judah: and God delivered them into their hand. 17 And Abijah and his people slew them with a great slaughter: so there fell down slain of Israel five hundred thousand chosen men. 18 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 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. 15 They smote also the tents of cattle, and carried away sheep and camels in abundance, and returned to Jerusalem. CHAP. XV. 2 And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Ben19 And Abijah pursued after Jeroboam, and took jamin; The LORD is with you, while ye be with cities from him, Beth-el with the towns there- him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; of, and Jeshanah with the towns thereof, and but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you. Ephraim with the towns thereof. 3 Now for a long season Israel hath been with20 Neither did Jeroboam recover strength again out the true God, and without a teaching priest, in the days of Abijah: and the LORD struck him, and without law. and he died. 21 But Abijah waxed mighty, and married fourteen wives, and begat twenty and two sons, and sixteen daughters. 22 And the rest of the acts of Abijah, and his ways, and his sayings, are written in the story of the prophet Iddo. CHAP. XIV. Asa destroyeth idolatry. son reigned in his stead. In his days the land 2 And Asa did that which was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God: 3 For he took away the altars of the strange gods, and the high places, and brake down the images, and cut down the groves: 4 And commanded Judah to seek the LORD God of their fathers, and to do the law and the commandment. 4 But when they in their trouble did turn unto the LORD God of Israel, and sought him, he was found of them. 5 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. 6 And nation was destroyed of nation, and city of city: for God did vex them with all adversity. 7 Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands 8 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. 9 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 5 Also he took away out of all the cities of Judah out of Israel in abundance, when they saw that the high places and the images: and the kingdom was quiet before him. 6 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. the LORD his God was with him. 10 So they gathered themselves together at Jerusalem in the third month, in the fifteenth year of the reign of Asa. 12 And they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul; 11 And they offered unto the LORD the same time, 7 Therefore he said unto Judah, Let us build of the spoil which they had brought, seven hunthese cities, and make about them walls, and tow-dred oxen and seven thousand sheep. ers, 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. 13 That whosoever would not seek the LORD 8 And Asa had an army of men that bare tar- God of Israel should be put to death, whether gets and spears, out of Judah three hundred thou-small or great, whether man or woman. sand; and out of Benjamin, that bare shields and 14 And they sware unto the LORD with a loud drew bows, two hundred and fourscore thousand: voice, and with shouting, and with trumpets, and all these were mighty men of valour. with cornets. 9 And there came out against them Zerah the Ethiopian, with a host of a thousand thousand, and three hundred chariots; and came unto Mareshah. 10 Then Asa went out against him, and they set the battle in array in the valley of Zephathah at Mareshah. 15 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. 16 T 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 11 And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and ther with many, or with them that have no pow- 17 But the high places were not taken away out er: help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on of Israel: nevertheless the heart of Asa was per thee, and in thy name we go against this multi-fect all his days. |