Asa's sickness and death.

CHAP. XVI, XVII, XVIII.

Jehoshaphat's greatness 18 ¶ And he brought into the house of God the in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshathings that his father had dedicated, and that he phat presents; and he had riches and honour in himself had dedicated, silver, and gold, and vessels. abundance. 19 And there was no more war unto the five and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa.

CHAP. XVI.

The building of Ramah prevented.

6 And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD: moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah.

7 1 Also in the third year of his reign he sent

IN the six and thirtieth year of the reign of Ash, to his princes, even to Ben-hail, and to Obadiah,

Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah,

and to Zechariah, and to Nethaneel, and to Miand built Ramah, to the intent that he might let chaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah. none go out or come in to Asa king of Judah. 8 And with them he sent Levites, even Shema2 Then Asa brought out silver and gold out of iah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asahel, the treasures of the house of the LORD and of the and Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan, and Adoni king's house, and sent to Ben-hadad king of Sy- jah, and Tobijah, and Tob-adonijah, Levites; ria, that dwelt at Damascus, saying, and with them Elishama and Jehoram, priests 9 And they taught in Judah, and had the book of the law of the LORD with them, and went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught the people.

3 There is a league between me and thee, as there was between my father and thy father: behold, I have sent thee silver and gold; go, break thy league with Baasha king of Israel, that he may depart from me.

10 ¶ And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the 4 And Ben-hadad hearkened unto king Asa, and kingdoms of the lands that were round about Jusent the captains of his armies against the cities dah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaof Israel; and they smote Ijon, and Dan, and phat.

Abel-maim, and all the store-cities of Naphtali. 11 Also some of the Philistines brought Jeho5 And it came to pass, when Baasha heard it, that shaphat presents, and tribute-silver; and the he left off building of Ramah, and let his work Arabians brought him flocks, seven thousand and seven hundred rams, and seven thousand and seven hundred he-goats.

cease.

6 Then Asa the king took all Judah; and they carried away the stones of Ramah, and the timber thereof, wherewith Baasha was building, and he built therewith Geba and Mizpah.

7 And at that time Hanani the seer came to
Asa king of Judah, and said unto him, Because
thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not re-
lied on the LORD thy God, therefore is the host
of the king of Syria escaped out of thy hand.
8 Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubims a
huge host, with very many chariots and horse-
men? yet, because thou didst rely on the LORD,
he delivered them into thy hand.

12 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly; and he built in Judah castles, and cities of store. 13 And he had much business in the cities of Judah and the men of war, mighty men of valour, were in Jerusalem.

14 And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers: Of Judah, the captains of thousands; Adnah the chief, and with hin mighty men of valour three hundred thousand. 15 And next to him was Jehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand.

men of valour.

9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro through- 16 And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri, out the whole earth, to shew himself strong in who willingly offered himself unto the LORD; the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward and with him two hundred thousand mighty him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars. 10 Then Asa was wroth with the seer, and put him in a prison-house; for he was in a rage with him because of this thing. And Asa oppressed some of the people the same time.

11 T And behold, the acts of Asa, first and last, lo, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.

12 And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the LORD, but to the physicians.

17 And of Benjamin; Eliada a mighty man of valour, and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand.

18 And next him was Jehozabad, and with him a hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war.

19 These waited on the king, besides those whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah."

CHAP. XVIII.
Ahab seduced by false prophets.

Jehoshaphat had riches and honour in

13 And Asa slept with his fathers, and died in Nabundance, and joined afinity with Ahab.

the one and fortieth year of his reign.

14 And they buried him in his own sepulchres which he had made for himself in the city of David, and laid him in the bed which was filled with sweet odours, and divers kinds of spices prepared by the apothecaries' art: and they made a very great burning for him.

CHAP. XVII.
Jehoshaphat's good reign.

A and strengthened himself Igainst Israel.
ND Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead,

2 And he placed forces in all the fenced cities of
Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah, and
in the cities of Ephraim, which Asa his father
had taken.

2 And after certain years he went down to Ahab to Samaria. And Ahab killed sheep and oxen for him in abundance, and for the people that he had with him, and persuaded him to go up with him to Ramoth-gilead.

3 And Ahab king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat king of Judah, Wilt thou go with me to Ramoth-gilead? And he answered him, I am as thou art, and my people as thy people; and we will be with thee in the war.

4 ¶ And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of is. rael, Laquire, I pray thee, at the word of the LORD to-day.

5 Therefore the king of Israel gathered together of prophets four hundred men, and said unto 3 And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because them, Shall we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim;

4 But sought to the LORD God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel.

5 Therefore the LORD established the kingdom

shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for God will deliver it into the king's hand.

6 But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD besides, that we might in quire of him?

7 And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat,

Micaiah's prophecy.

II. CHRONICLES.

Ahab slain at Ramoth gilead.

There is yet one man, by whom we may inquire] 29 And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, of the LORD: but I hate him; for he never pro- I will disguise myself, and will go to the battle; phesieth good unto me, but always evil: the but put thou on thy robes. So the king of Israel same is Micaiah the son of Imla. And Jeho- disguised himself; and they went to the battle. shaphat said, Let not the king say so. 30 Now the king of Syria had commanded the captains of the chariots that were with him, say ing, Fight ye not with small or great, save only with the king of Israel.

8 And the king of Israel called for one of his officers, and said, Fetch quickly Micaiah the son

of Imla.

9 And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah sat either of them on his throne, clothed in their robes, and they sat in a void place at the entering in of the gate of Samaria: and all the prophets prophesied before them.

10 And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah had made him horns of iron, and said, Thus saith the LORD, With these thou shalt push Syria untl they be consumed.

11 And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ramoth-gilead, and prosper for the LORD shall deliver it into the hand of the king. 12 And the messenger that went to call Micaiah spake to him, saying, Behold, the words of the prophets declare good to the king with one assent; let thy word therefore, I pray thee, be like one of theirs, and speak thou good.

13 And Micaiah said, As the LORD liveth, even what my God saith, that will I speak.

14 And when he was come to the king, the king

31 And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, It is the king of Israel. Therefore they compassed about him to fight: but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him; and God moved them to depart from him.

32 For it came to pass, that when the captains of the chariots perceived that it was not the king of Israel, they turned back again from pursuing him. 33 And a certain man drew a bow as a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness: therefore he said to his chariotman, Turn thine hand, that thou mayest carry me out of the host; for I am wounded. 34 And the battle increased that day: howbeit the king of Israel stayed himself up in his chariot against the Syrians until the even: and about the time of the sun going down he died. CHAP. XIX.

Jehoshaphat reproved by Jehu.

ND Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned

said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go to Ramoth- to his house in peace to Jerusalem.

gilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And he said, Go ye up, and prosper, and they shall be delivered into your hand.

15 And the king said to him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou say nothing but the truth to me in the name of the LORD?

2 And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love theni that hate the LORD? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the LORD.

16 Then he said, I did see all Israel scattered 3 Nevertheless, there are good things found in upon the mountains, as sheep that have no thee, in that thou hast taken away the groves shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no out of the land, and hast prepared thy heart to master; let them return therefore every man to seek God. his house in peace.

4 And Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem: and 17 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, he went out again through the people from BeerDid I not tell thee that he would not prophesy good unto me, but evil?

18 Again he said, Therefore hear the word of the LORD; I saw the LORD sitting upon his throne, and all the host of heaven standing on his right hand and on his left.

19 And the LORD said, Who shall entice Ahab king of Israel, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead? And one spake saying after this manner, and another saying after that manner. 20 Then there came out a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will entice him. And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith?

21 And he said, I will go out, and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And the LORD said, Thou shalt entice him, and thou shall also prevail: go out and do even so.

22 Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil against thee.

23 Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near, and smote Micaiah upon the cheek, and said, Which way went the Spirit of the LORD from me to speak unto thee?

24 And Micaiah said, Behold, thou shalt see on that day when thou shalt go into an inner chamver to hide thyself.

sheba to mount Ephraim, and brought them back
unto the LORD God of their fathers.
5 T And he set judges in the land throughout
all the fenced cities of Judah, city by city;
6 And said to the judges, Take heed what ye
do: for ye judge not for man, but for the LORD,
who is with you in the judgment.

7 Wherefore now let the fear of the LORD be upon you take heed and do it for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts.

8 T Moreover, in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites, and of the priests, and of the chief of the fathers of Israel, for the judgment of the LORD, and for controversies, when they returned to Jerusalem.

9 And he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye do in the fear of the LORD, faithfully, and with a perfect heart.

10 And what cause soever shall come to you of your brethren that dwell in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and judgments, ye shall even warn them that they trespass not against the Lord, and so wrath come upon you, and upon your brethren: this do, and ye shall not trespass. 11 And behold, Ámariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of the LORD; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, for all the king's matters: also the Levites 26 And say, Thus saith the king, Put this fellow shall be officers before you. Deal courageously, in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and the LORD shall be with the good. and with water of affliction, until I return in peace. 27 And Micaiah said, If thou certainly return in peace, then hath not the LORD spoken by me. T came to pass after this also, that the chil And he said, Hearken, all ye people.

25 Then the king of Israel said, Take ye Micaiah, and carry him back to Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king's son;

CHAP. XX.

The Moabites, &c. invade Judah.

28 So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the and with them other besides the Ammonites, king of Judah went up to Ramoth-gilead. came against Jehoshaphat to battle

Jehoshaphat's fast and prayer.

CHAP. XXI. pag He overthroweth his enemies.

2 Then there came some that told Jehoshaphat, should praise the beauty of holiness, as they saying, There cometh a great multitude against went out before the army, and to say, Praise the thee from beyond the sea on this side Syria; and LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever. behold, they be in Hazazon-tamar, which is 22 ¶ And when they began to sing and to praise, En-gedi. the LORD set ambushments against the children 3 And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast through-come against Judah; and they were smitten. out all Judah. 23 For the children of Ammon and Moab stood

4 And Judah gathered themselves together, to up against the inhabitants of mount Seir, utterly ask help of the LORD; even out of all the cities to slay and destroy them and when they had of Judah they came to seek the LORD. made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one helped to destroy another.

5 ¶ And Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the 24 And when Judah came toward the watchLORD, before the new court, tower in the wilderness, they looked unto the 6 And said, O LORD God of our fathers, art not multitude, and behold, they were dead bodies thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over fallen to the earth, and none escaped. all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thy 25 And when Jehoshaphat and his people came hand is there not power and might, so that none to take away the spoil of them, they found among is able to withstand thee? them in abundance both riches with the dead

7 Art not thou our God, who didst drive out the bodies, and precious jewels, which they stripped inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, off for themselves, more than they could carry and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend away: and they were three days in gathering of for ever? the spoil, it was so much.

8 And they dwelt therein, and have built thee a sanctuary therein for thy name, saying,

9 If, when evil cometh upon us, as the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we stand before this house, and in thy presence, (for thy name is in this house,) and cry unto thee in our affliction, then thou wilt hear and help.

10 And now, behold, the children of Ammon and Moab, and mount Seir, whom thou wouldest not let Israel invade, when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned from them, and destroyed them not;

11 Behold, I say, how they reward us, to come to cast us out of thy possession, which thou hast given us to inherit."

12 O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do but our eyes are upon thee.

26 T And on the fourth day they assembled themselves in the valley of Berachah; for there they blessed the LORD: therefore the name of the same place was called, The valley of Berachah, unto this day.

27 Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat in the fore-front of them, to go again to Jerusalem with joy; for the LORD had made them to rejoice over their enemies. 28 And they came to Jerusalem with psalteries and harps and trumpets unto the house of the LORD.

29 And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of those countries, when they had heard that the LORD fought against the enemies of Israel. 30 So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet: for his God gave him rest round about. 31 T And Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah: he was thirty and five years old when he began to 13 And all Judah stood before the LORD, with reign, and he reigned twenty and five years in their little ones, their wives and their children. Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Azubali 14 Then upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the daughter of Shilhi. the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of 32 And he walked in the way of Asa his father, Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, came and departed not from it, doing that which was the Spirit of the LORD in the midst of the con- right in the sight of the LORD. gregation;

15 And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's. 16 To-morrow go ye down against them: behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz; and ye shall find them at the end of the brook, before the wilderness of Jeruel.

33 Howbeit, the high places were not taken away: for as yet the people had not prepared their hearts unto the God of their fathers. 34 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. 35 T And after this did Jehoshaphat king of Judah join himself with Ahaziah king of Israel, who did very wickedly:

17 Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set 36 And he joined himself with him to make yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation ships to go to Tarshish: and they made the ships of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: in Ezion-geber. fear not, nor be dismayed; to-morrow go out 37 Then Eliezer the son of Dodavah of Mareagainst them: for the LORD will be with you. shah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, 18 Aud Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his Because thou hast joined thyself with Ahaziali, face to the ground and all Judah and the in- the LORD hath broken thy works. And the ships habitants of Jerusalem fell before the LORD, were broken, that they were not able to go to Tarshish. worshipping the LORD.

19 And the Levites, of the children of the Kohathites, and of the children of the Korhites,]

CHAP. XXI.
Jehoram succeedeth Jehoshaphat.
OW Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers, and

stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel with N was buried with his fathers in the city of

a loud voice on high. 20 1 And they rose early in the morning, and David. And Jehoram his son reigned in his stead. went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as 2 And he had brethren the sons of Jehoshaphat, they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear Azariah, and Jehiel, and Zechariah, and Azume, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; riah, and Michael, and Shephatiah: all these Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be estab-were the sons of Jehoshaphat king of Israel. lished; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper. 3 And their father gave them great gifts of sil 21 And when he had consulted with the people, ver, and of gold, and of precious things, with be appointed singers unto the LORD, and that fenced cities in Judah: but the kingdom gave

12

M

265

Jehoram's infamous death.

II. CHRONICLES.

Athaliah usurpeth the kingdom

he to Jehoram; because he was the first-born. 3 He also walked in the ways of the house of 4 Now when Jehoram was risen up to the king-Ahab: for his mother was his counsellor to do dom of his father, he strengthened himself, and wickedly.

slew all his brethren with the sword, and divers 4 Wherefore he did evil in the sight of the LORD also of the princes of Israel. like the house of Ahab: for they were his coun5 ¶ Jehoram was thirty and two years old when sellors, after the death of his father, to his dehe began to reign, and he reigned eight years in struction. Jerusalem.

5 He walked also after their counsel, and

6 And he walked in the way of the kings of Is- went with Jehoram the son of Ahab king of Israel, like as did the house of Ahab: for he had rael to war against Hazael king of Syria at Ra the daughter of Ahab to wife: and he wrought moth-gilead: and the Syrians smote Jorain. 6 And he returned to be healed in Jezreel bethat which was evil in the eyes of the LORD.

7 Howbeit the LORD would not destroy the cause of the wounds which were given nim at house of David, because of the covenant that he Ramah, when he fought with Hazael king of had made with David, and as he promised to Syria. And Azariah the son of Jehoram king of Judah went down to see Jehoram the son of give a light to him and to his sons for ever. Ahab at Jezreel, because he was sick.

8 T In his days the Edomites revolted from under the dominion of Judah, and made themselves a king.

7 And the destruction of Ahaziah was of God by coming to Joram: for when he was come, he 9 Then Jehoram went forth with his princes, went out with Jehoram against Jehu the son of and all his chariots with him: and he rose up Nimshi, whom the LORD had anointed to cut off by night, and smote the Edomites which com- the house of Ahab.

passed him in, and the captains of the chariots. 8 And it came to pass, that when Jehu was ex10 So the Edomites revolted from under the ecuting judgment upon the house of Ahab, and hand of Judah unto this day. The same time also found the princes of Judah, and the sons of the did Libnah revolt from under his hand; because brethren of Ahaziah, that ministered to Ahazialı, he had forsaken the LORD God of his fathers. he slew them.

11 Moreover, he made high places in the moun- 9 And he sought Ahaziah: and they caught tains of Judah, and caused the inhabitants of him, (for he was hid in Samaria,) and brought Jerusalem to commit fornication, and compelled him to Jehu: and when they had slain him, they Judah thereto. buried him: Because, said they, he is the son of

12 And there came a writing to him from Jehoshaphat, who sought the LORD with all his Elijah the prophet, saying, Thus saith the LORD heart. So the house of Ahaziah had no power God of David thy father, Because thou hast not to keep still the kingdom.

walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat thy father, 10 T But when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah nor in the ways of Asa king of Judah, saw that her son was dead, she arose, and de13 But hast walked in the way of the kings of stroyed all the seed royal of the house of Judah. Israel, and hast made Judah and the inhabitants 11 But Jehoshabeath, the daughter of the king, of Jerusalem to go a whoring, like to the whore-took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him doms of the house of Ahab, and also hast slain from among the king's sons that were slain, and thy brethren of thy father's house, which were put him and his nurse in a bed-chamber. So Jebetter than thyself: hoshabeath, the daughter of king Jehoram, the 14 Behold, with a great plague will the LORD wife of Jehoiada the priest, (for she was the sissmite thy people, and thy children, and thy ter of Ahaziah,) hid him from Athaliah, so that wives, and all thy goods: she slew him not.

15 And thou shalt have great sickness by disease of thy bowels, until thy bowels fall out by reason of the sickness day by day.

16 T Moreover, the LORD stirred up against Jehoram the spirit of the Philistines, and of the Arabians, that were near the Ethiopians:

12 And he was with them hid in the house of God six years: and Athaliah reigned over the land. CHAP. XXIII.

Jehoiada maketh Joash king.

AND in the seventh year Jehoiada strengthened himself, and took the captains of hun17 And they came up into Judah, and brake dreds, Azariah the son of Jeroham, and Ishmael into it, and carried away all the substance that the son of Jehohanan, and Azariah the son of was found in the king's house, and his sons also, Obed, and Maaseiah the son of Adaiah, and Eliand his wives; so that there was never a son left shaphat the son of Zichri, into covenant with him. him, save Jehoahaz the youngest of his sons. 2 And they went about in Judah, and gathered 18 ¶ And after all this the LORD smote him in the Levites out of all the cities of Judah, and his bowels with an incurable disease. the chief of the fathers of Israel, and they came

19 And it came to pass, that in process of time, to Jerusalem. after the end of two years, his bowels fell out by 3 And all the congregation made a covenant reason of his sickness: so he died of sore dis- with the king in the house of God. And he said eares. And his people made no burning for him, unto them, Behold, the king's son shall reign, as like the burning of his fathers. the LORD hath said of the sons of David. 20 Thirty and two years old was he when he 4 This is the thing that ye sha do; A third part began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight of you entering on the sabbath, of the priests and years, and departed without being desired: how-of the Levites, shall be porters of the doors; beit they buried him in the city of David, but not in the sepulchres of the kings. CHAP. XXII.

Ahaziah's wicked reign and death. AND the inhabitants of Jerusalem made Aha

5 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.

6 But let none come into the house of the LORD, ziah his youngest son king in his stead: for save the priests, and they that minister of the the band of men that came with the Arabians Levites; they shall go in, for they are holy: but to the camp had slain all the eldest. So Ahaziah all the people shall keep the watch of the LORD. the son of Jehoram king of Judah reigned. 7 And the Levites shall compass the king round

2 Forty and two years old was Ahaziah when about, every man with his weapons in his hand; he began to reign, and he reigned one year in and whosoever else cometh into the house, he Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Atha-shall be put to death: but be ye with the king liah the daughter of Omri. when he cometh in, and when he goeth out.

Athaliah is slain.

CHAP. XXIV.

Death and burial of Jehoiada 8 So the Levites and all Judah did according to pair the house of your God from year to year, all things that Jehoiada the priest had command-and see that ye hasten the matter. Howbeit the ed, and took every man his men that were to Levites hastened it not.

come in on the sabbath, with them that were to 6 And the king called for Jehoiada the chief, and go out on the sabbath: for Jehoiada the priest said unto him, Why hast thou not required of dismissed not the courses. the Levites to bring in out of Judah and out of

9 Moreover, Jehoiada the priest delivered to the Jerusalem the collection, according to the comcaptains of hundreds spears, and bucklers, and mandment of Moses the servant of the LORD, shields, that had been king David's, which were and of the congregation of Israel, for the taberin the house of God. nacle of witness?

10 And he set all the people, every man having 7 For the sons of Athaliah, that wicked woman, his weapon in his hand, from the right side of had broken up the house of God; and also all the temple to the left side of the temple, along the dedicated things of the house of the LORD by the altar and the temple, by the king round did they bestow upon Baalim.

about. 8 And at the king's commandment they made 11 Then they brought out the king's son, and a chest, and set it without at the gate of the put upon him the crown, and gave him the testi- house of the LORD. mony, and made him king. And Jehoiada and his 9 And they made a proclamation through Jusons anointed him, and said, God save the king. dah and Jerusalem, to bring in to the LORD the 12 ¶ Now when Athaliah heard the noise of the collection that Moses the servant of God laid people running and praising the king, she came upon Israel in the wilderness. to the people into the house of the LORD: 10 And all the princes and all the people re13 And she looked, and behold, the king stood joiced, and brought in, and cast into the chest, at his pillar at the entering in, and the princes and until they had made an end.

the trumpets by the king: and all the people of 11 Now it came to pass, that at what time the the land rejoiced, and sounded with trumpets; chest was brought unto the king's office by the also the singers with instruments of music, and hand of the Levites, and when they saw that such as taught to sing praise. Then Athaliah there was much money, the king's scribe and rent her clothes, and said, Treason, treason! the high priest's officer came and emptied the 14 Then Jehoiada the priest brought out the chest, and took it, and carried it to his place captains of hundreds that were set over the host, again. Thus they did day by day, and gathered and said unto them, Have her forth of the ranges: money in abundance. and whoso followeth her, let him be slain with the sword. For the priest said, Slay her not in the house of the LORD.

15 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.

12 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.

16 ¶ And Jehoiada made a covenant between 13 So the workmen wrought, and the work was him, and between all the people, and between perfected by them, and they set the house of God the king, that they should be the LORD's people. in his state, and strengthened it. 17 Then all the people went to the house of 14 And when they had finished it, they brought Baal, and brake it down, and brake his altars the rest of the money before the king and Jehoiand his images in pieces, and slew Mattan the ada, whereof were made vessels for the house of priest of Baal before the altars. the LORD, even vessels to minister, and to offer 18 Also Jehoiada appointed the offices of the withal, and spoons, and vessels of gold and silver. house of the LORD by the hand of the priests the And they offered burnt-offerings in the house of Levites, whom David had distributed in the house the LORD continually all the days of Jehoiada. of the LORD, to offer the burnt-offerings of the 15 1 But Jehoiada waxed old, and was full of LORD, as it is written in the law of Moses, with days when he died; a hundred and thirty years rejoicing and with singing, as it was ordained old was he when he died. by David.

19 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.

20 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. 21 And all the people of the land rejoiced: and the city was quiet, after that they had slain Athaliah with the sword.

JOASH

CHAP. XXIV.

Reign and acts of 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 Beer-sheba.

16 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. 17 Now after the death of Jehoiada came the princes of Judah, and made obeisance to the king. Then the king hearkened unto them. 18 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 tres pass.

19 Yet he sent prophets to them, to bring them again unto the LORD; and they testified against them: but they would not give ear.

20 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. 21 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. 22 Thus Joash the king remembered not the 4 And it came to pass after this, that Joash kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to was minded to repair the house of the LORD. him, but slew his son. And when he died, he 5 And he gathered together the priests and the said, The LORD look upon it, and require it. Levites, and said to them, Go out unto the cities 23 T And it came to pass at the end of the year, of Judah, and gather of all Israel money to re-that the host of Syria came up against him: and

2 And Joash did that which was right in the sight of the LORD all the days of Jehoiada the priest. 3 And Jehoiada took for him two wives; and he begat sons and daughters.