# verses

text:
The king of Aram had ordered his thirty-two chariot commanders, “Don’t fight with anyone—·important or unimportant [small or great]—except the king of Israel.”


text:
When these chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat, they thought he was certainly the king of Israel, so they turned to attack him. But when Jehoshaphat began shouting,


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By chance, a soldier shot an arrow and hit Ahab king of Israel ·between the pieces [in a gap/joint] of his armor. King Ahab said to his chariot driver, “Turn around and get me out of the battle, because I am ·hurt [badly wounded]!”


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The battle ·continued [raged] all day. King Ahab was ·held [propped] up in his chariot and faced the Arameans. His blood from the wound flowed down to the bottom of the chariot. That evening he died.


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Near sunset a cry went out through the army of Israel: “Each man go back to his own city and land [an indication of panic and defeat].”


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In that way King Ahab ·died [lay down/slept with his fathers/ancestors]. His body was carried to Samaria and buried there.


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The men cleaned Ahab’s chariot at a pool in Samaria ·where prostitutes bathed [or and the prostitutes bathed in his blood], and the dogs licked his blood from the chariot. These things happened as the ·Lord had said they would [word of the Lord had spoken].


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Everything else Ahab did ·is [is it not…?] written in the book of the ·history [chronicles; annals; ] of the kings of Israel. It tells about the ·palace Ahab built and decorated with ivory [ivory house] and the cities he built.


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So Ahab ·died [lay down/slept with his fathers/ancestors], and his son Ahaziah became king in his place.


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Jehoshaphat King of Judah Jehoshaphat son of Asa became king of Judah during Ahab’s fourth year as king of Israel.


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Jehoshaphat was thirty-five years old when he became king, and he ·ruled [reigned] in Jerusalem for twenty-five years. His mother’s name was Azubah daughter of Shilhi.


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Jehoshaphat ·was good, like [walked/followed in the way/path of] his father Asa, and he did ·what the Lord said was right [right in the eyes/sight of the Lord]. But Jehoshaphat did not destroy the ·places where gods were worshiped [high places; ], so the people continued offering sacrifices and burning incense there.


text:
·Jehoshaphat fought many wars, and these wars and his successes are [Concerning the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat and his power and the wars he waged, are they not…?] written in the book of the ·history [chronicles; annals; ] of the kings of Judah.


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There were male prostitutes still in the places of worship from the days of his father, Asa []. So Jehoshaphat ·forced them to leave [banished/expelled/or exterminated them].


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King Jehoshaphat built ·trading ships [ships of Tarshish] to sail to Ophir for gold. But the ships were wrecked at Ezion Geber, so they never set sail.


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Ahaziah son of Ahab went to help Jehoshaphat, offering to give Jehoshaphat some men to sail with his men, but Jehoshaphat refused.


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Jehoshaphat ·died [lay down/slept with his fathers/ancestors] and was buried with his ancestors in the City of David [Jerusalem], his ·ancestor [father]. Then his son Jehoram became king in his place.


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Ahaziah King of Israel Ahaziah son of Ahab became king of Israel in Samaria during Jehoshaphat’s seventeenth year as king over Judah. Ahaziah ·ruled [reigned] Israel for two years,


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and he did ·what the Lord said was wrong [evil in the eyes/sight of the Lord]. He ·did the same evil as [walked in the way/path of his] his father Ahab, his mother Jezebel, and Jeroboam son of Nebat. All these rulers led the people of Israel into more sin.


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Ahaziah worshiped and served the god Baal, and this ·made the Lord, the God of Israel, very angry [provoked/aroused the Lord, the God of Israel to anger], just as his father had done.


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Elijah and King Ahaziah After Ahab died, Moab ·broke away from Israel’s rule [rebelled against Israel].


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Ahaziah fell down through the ·wooden bars in [lattice of] his upstairs room in Samaria and was badly hurt. He sent messengers and told them, “Go, ask Baal-Zebub, god of Ekron, if I will recover from my ·injuries [illness].”


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But the Lord’s ·angel [messenger] said to Elijah the Tishbite, “Go up and ·meet [confront; intercept] the messengers sent by the king of Samaria. Ask them, ‘Why are you going to ·ask questions of [consult with; inquire of] Baal-Zebub, god of Ekron? Is it because there is no God in Israel?’


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This is what the Lord says: ‘You will never get up from the bed you are lying on; you will surely die.’” Then Elijah ·left [set out; departed].


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When the messengers returned to Ahaziah, he asked them, “Why have you returned [so soon after being sent]?”


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They said, “A man came to meet us. He said, ‘Go back to the king who sent you and tell him ·what the Lord says [Thus says the Lord]: ‘Why are you going to ·ask questions of [consult with; inquire of] Baal-Zebub, god of Ekron? Is it because there is no God in Israel?’ You will never get up from the bed you are lying on; you will surely die.”’”


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They answered, “He ·was a hairy man [or wore a hairy cloak] and wore a leather belt around his waist.” Ahaziah said, “It was Elijah the Tishbite.”


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Then he sent a captain with his fifty men to Elijah. The captain went to Elijah, who was sitting on top of the hill, and said to him, “Man of God [a prophet], the king says, ‘Come down!’”


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Elijah answered the captain, “If I am a man of God, let fire come down from heaven and ·burn up [consume; destroy] you and your fifty men.” Then fire came down from heaven and ·burned up [consumed; destroyed] the captain and his fifty men.


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Ahaziah sent another captain and fifty men to Elijah. The captain said to him, “Man of God, this is what the king says: ‘Come down ·quickly [at once]!’”


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Elijah answered, “If I am a man of God, let fire come down from heaven and ·burn up [consume; destroy] you and your fifty men!” Then fire came down from heaven and ·burned up [consumed; destroyed] the captain and his fifty men.


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Ahaziah then sent a third captain with his fifty men. The third captain came and fell down on his knees before Elijah and ·begged [pleaded], “Man of God, please ·respect [value; consider precious] my life and the lives of your fifty servants.


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·See [Behold], fire came down from heaven and ·burned up [consumed; destroyed] the first two captains of fifty with all their men. But now, ·respect [value; consider precious] my life.”


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The Lord’s ·angel [messenger] said to Elijah, “Go down with him and don’t be afraid of him.” So Elijah got up and went down with him to see the king.


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Elijah told Ahaziah, “This is what the Lord says: ‘You have sent messengers to ·ask questions of [consult with; inquire of] Baal-Zebub, god of Ekron. Is it because there is no God in Israel to ask? Because of this, you will never get up from your bed; you will surely die.’”


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So Ahaziah died, ·just as the Lord, through Elijah, had said he would [in accordance with the word of the Lord which Elijah had spoken]. Because Ahaziah had no son to take his place, Joram became king in Ahaziah’s place during the second year Jehoram son of Jehoshaphat was king of Judah.


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The other things Ahaziah did ·are [are they not…?] written in the book of the ·history [chronicles; annals] of the kings of Israel [a history book now lost].


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Elijah Is Taken to Heaven When the Lord was about to take Elijah by a whirlwind up into heaven, Elijah and Elisha were leaving Gilgal.


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Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here. The Lord has ·told me to go to [sent me as far as] Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives, and as you live, I won’t leave you.” So they went down to Bethel.


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The ·groups [company; brotherhood; sons] of prophets at Bethel came out to Elisha and said to him, “Do you know the Lord will take your ·master [lord] away from you today?” Elisha said, “Yes, I know, ·but don’t talk about it [be quiet/still].”


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Elijah said to him, “Stay here, Elisha, because the Lord has sent me to Jericho.” But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives, and as you live, I won’t leave you.” So they went to Jericho.


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The ·groups [company; brotherhood; sons] of prophets at Jericho came to Elisha and said, “Do you know that the Lord will take your ·master [lord] away from you today?” Elisha answered, “Yes, I know, ·but don’t talk about it [be quiet/still].”


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Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here. The Lord has sent me to the Jordan River.” Elisha answered, “As the Lord lives, and as you live, I won’t leave you.” So the two of them went on.


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Fifty men of the ·groups [company; brotherhood; sons] of prophets came and stood ·far [at a distance] from where Elijah and Elisha were standing by the Jordan.


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Elijah took off his ·coat [cloak; mantle], ·rolled [folded] it up, and hit the water. The water divided to ·the right and to the left [one side and the other], and Elijah and Elisha crossed over on dry ground [reminiscent of the crossing of the Sea; ].


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After they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, “What can I do for you before I am taken from you?” Elisha said, “Leave me a double ·share [portion] of your spirit [like a firstborn heir (), he asks for double the blessing of other followers of Elijah, not twice as much as Elijah].”


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Elijah said, “You have asked a ·hard [difficult] thing. But if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be ·yours [as you request]. If you don’t, it won’t happen.”


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As they were walking along and talking, a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and ·separated [drove between] Elijah from Elisha. Then Elijah ·went up [ascended] to heaven in a whirlwind.


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Elisha saw it and shouted, “My father! My father! The chariots of Israel and ·their horsemen [its charioteers/or horses]!” And Elisha did not see him anymore. Then Elisha grabbed his own clothes and tore them in two [a sign of mourning or distress].


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He picked up Elijah’s ·coat [cloak; mantle] that had fallen from him. Then he returned and stood on the bank of the Jordan.


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Elisha hit the water with Elijah’s ·coat [cloak; mantle] and said, “Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” When he hit the water, it divided to ·the right and to the left [one side and the other], and Elisha crossed over [].


text:
The ·groups [company; brotherhood; sons] of prophets at Jericho were watching from a distance and said, “·Elisha now has the spirit Elijah had [Elijah’s spirit now rests on Elisha].” And they came to meet him, bowing down to the ground before him.


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They said to him, “There are fifty ·strong [able] men with us. Please let them go and look for your ·master [lord]. Maybe the Spirit of the Lord has taken Elijah up and set him down on some mountain or in some valley.” But Elisha answered, “No, don’t send them.”


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When the ·groups [company; brotherhood; sons] of prophets had begged Elisha until he ·couldn’t refuse them anymore [was too embarrassed/ashamed to refuse], he said, “Send them.” So they sent fifty men who looked for three days, but they could not find him.


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Then they came back to Elisha at Jericho where he was staying. He said to them, “I told you not to go, didn’t I?”


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Elisha Makes the Water of Jericho Pure The people of the city said to Elisha, “Look, ·master [lord], this city is ·a nice place to live [well/pleasantly situated/located] as you can see. But the water is so bad the land ·cannot grow crops [is unproductive/unfruitful].”


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Then he went out to the ·spring [water source] and threw the salt in it. He said, “·This is what the Lord says [Thus says the Lord]: ‘I have ·healed [purified; made wholesome] this water. From now on it won’t cause death, ·and it won’t keep the land from growing crops [or unfruitfulness/unproductiveness/or miscarriage].’”


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Boys Make Fun of Elisha From there Elisha went up to Bethel. On the way some boys came out of the city and ·made fun of [mocked; jeered at; ; ; ; ; ] him. They said to him, “Go ·up too, you baldhead [away, baldy]! Go ·up too, you baldhead [away, baldy]!”


text:
Elisha turned around, looked at them, and put a curse on them in the name of the Lord. Then two mother bears came out of the woods and ·tore [mauled] forty-two of the boys to pieces.


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War Between Israel and Moab Joram son of Ahab became king over Israel at Samaria in Jehoshaphat’s eighteenth year as king of Judah. And Joram ·ruled [reigned] twelve years.


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He did ·what the Lord said was wrong [evil in the eyes/sight of the Lord], but ·he was not like [not to same extent as] his father and mother; he removed the stone pillars his father had made for Baal.


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But he ·continued to sin like [clung to the sin of] Jeroboam son of Nebat who had led Israel to sin. Joram did not ·stop doing these same sins [depart/turn away from it].


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Mesha king of Moab ·raised [bred] sheep. He ·paid [delivered to] the king of Israel one hundred thousand lambs and the wool of one hundred thousand sheep [as annual tribute].


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So King Joram went out from Samaria and ·gathered [mobilized; mustered] ·Israel’s army [all Israel].


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He also sent messengers to Jehoshaphat king of Judah. “The king of Moab has ·turned [rebelled] against me,” he said. “Will you go with me to fight against Moab?” Jehoshaphat replied, “I will go with you. My ·soldiers [soldiers are your soldiers] and my horses are ·yours [your horses].”


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Jehoshaphat asked, “Which ·way should we attack [route should we take]?” Joram answered, “Through the ·Desert [Wilderness] of Edom.”


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So the king of Israel went with the king of Judah, joined by the king of Edom. After a ·roundabout [circuitous] march for seven days, there was no more water for the army or for their animals that were with them.


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The king of Israel said, “·This is terrible [Alas]! The Lord has called us three kings together to hand us over to the Moabites!”


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But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there ·a [no] prophet of the Lord here? We can ·ask [inquire of] the Lord through him.” An officer of the king of Israel answered, “Elisha son of Shaphat is here. He ·was Elijah’s servant [used to pour water on the hands of Elijah].”


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Jehoshaphat said, “·He speaks the Lord’s truth [The word of the Lord is with him].” So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to see Elisha.


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Elisha said to the king of Israel, “·I have nothing [What have I…?] to do with you. Go to the prophets of your father and to the prophets of your mother [that is, to the prophets of their false gods]!” The king of Israel said to Elisha, “No, the Lord has called us three kings together to hand us over to the Moabites.”


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Elisha said, “As surely as the Lord ·All-Powerful [Almighty; of Heaven’s Armies; of hosts] lives, ·whom I serve [before whom I stand], I wouldn’t even look at you or notice you if Jehoshaphat king of Judah were not here. I ·respect [have regard for] him.


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Now bring me someone who plays the ·harp [lyre].” While the ·harp [lyre] was being played, the ·Lord gave Elisha power [hand of the Lord came upon him].


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Then Elisha said, “·The Lord says to [Thus says the Lord:] ·dig holes in the valley [make trenches in this valley; or I will fill this valley full of pools].


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The Lord says you won’t see wind or rain, but the valley will be filled with water. Then you, your cattle, and your other animals can drink.


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This is ·easy for the Lord to do [a slight/simple thing in the eyes/sight of the Lord]; he will also hand Moab over to you.


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You will destroy every ·strong, walled [fortified] city and every important town. You will cut down every good tree and stop up all springs. You will ruin every good field with rocks.”


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The next morning, about the time the sacrifice was offered, water ·came [flowed] from the direction of Edom and filled the valley.


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All the Moabites heard that the kings had come up to fight against them. So they ·gathered [mobilized; called up] everyone old enough to put on armor and ·waited [they took up positions] at the border.


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But when the Moabites got up early in the morning, the sun was shining on the water. They saw the water across from them, and it looked as red as blood.


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Then they said, “This is blood! The kings must have fought and killed each other! Come, Moabites, ·let’s take the valuables from the dead bodies [let’s plunder them; to the spoil]!”


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When the Moabites came to the camp of Israel, the Israelites came out and fought them until they ran away. Then the Israelites ·went on into [invaded] the land, ·killing [slaughtering] the Moabites.


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They ·tore down [destroyed; overturned] the cities and threw rocks all over every good field. They stopped up all the springs and cut down all the good trees. Kir Hareseth was the only city ·with its stones still in place [still standing], but the men with ·slingshots [slings] surrounded it and ·conquered [attacked] it, too.


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When the king of Moab saw that the battle was ·too much for him [going against him], he took seven hundred men with swords to try to break through ·to [near to; across from] the king of Edom. But they could not break through.


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Then the king of Moab took his oldest son, who would have been king after him, and ·offered [sacrificed] him as a burnt offering on the wall. ·So there was great anger against the Israelites, who [or Alarmed at this, the Israelites] left and went back to their own land.


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A Widow Asks Elisha for Help The wife of a man from the ·groups [company; brotherhood; sons] of prophets said to Elisha, “Your servant, my husband, is dead. You know he ·honored [revered; feared] the Lord. But now ·the man he owes money to [a creditor] is coming to take my two boys as his slaves!”


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Elisha answered, “How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?” The woman said, “I don’t have anything there except a ·pot [jar; flask] of oil.”


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Then go into your house and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and set the full ones aside.”


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So she left Elisha and shut the door behind her and her sons. As they brought the jars to her, she poured out the oil.


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When the jars were all full, she said to her son, “Bring me another jar.” But he said, “There are no more jars.” Then the oil stopped flowing.


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She went and told Elisha. And the prophet said to her, “Go, sell the oil and pay ·what you owe [your debts]. You and your sons can live on what is left.”


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The Shunammite Woman One day Elisha went to Shunem, where an ·important [prominent; wealthy] woman lived. She ·begged [urged; pressed] Elisha to stay and eat. So every time Elisha passed by, he stopped there to eat.


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The woman said to her husband, “I ·know that [am sure] this is a holy man of God who passes by our house ·all the time [often].


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Let’s make a small walled room on the roof [roofs were flat and served as an extra room] and put a bed in the room for him. We can put a table, a chair, and a lampstand there. Then when he comes by, he can stay there.”


text:
he said to his servant Gehazi, “Call the Shunammite woman.” When the servant had called her, she stood in front of him.


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Elisha had told his servant, “Now say to her, ‘You have gone to all this trouble for us. What can I do for you? Do you want me to speak to the king or the commander of the army for you?’” She answered, “I live among my own people [a way of saying she is content and has no pressing needs].”


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Elisha said to Gehazi, “But what can we do for her?” He answered, “She has no son, and her husband is old.”


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Then Elisha said, “This ·time [season] next year, you will hold a son in your arms.” The woman said, “No, ·master [lord], man of God, don’t ·lie to [deceive; mislead] me, your servant!”


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But the woman ·became pregnant [conceived] and gave birth to a son at that ·time [season] the next year, just as Elisha had told her.


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The boy said to his father, “My head! My head!” The father said to his servant, “·Take [Carry] him to his mother!”


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The servant ·took [carried] him to his mother, and he lay on his mother’s lap until noon. Then he died.


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So she took him up and laid him on ·Elisha’s bed [the bed of the man of God]. Then she shut the door and left.


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She called to her husband, “Send me one of the servants and one of the donkeys. Then I can go quickly to the man of God and return.”


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The husband said, “Why do you want to go to him today? It isn’t the New Moon or the Sabbath day.” She said, “It will be all right.”


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Then she saddled the donkey and said to her servant, “Lead on. Don’t slow down for me unless I tell you.”


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So she went to Elisha, the man of God, at Mount Carmel. When he saw her coming ·from far away [in the distance], he said to his servant Gehazi, “Look, there’s the Shunammite woman!


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Run to meet her and ask, ‘Are you ·all right [well]? Is your husband ·all right [well]? Is the boy ·all right [well]?’” She answered, “Everything is ·all right [well].”


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Then she came to Elisha at the hill and grabbed his feet. Gehazi came near to pull her away, but Elisha said to him, “Leave her alone. She’s ·very upset [in bitter distress in her soul], and the Lord has not told me about it. He has hidden it from me.”


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She said, “·Master [My lord], did I ask you for a son? Didn’t I tell you not to ·lie to [deceive; mislead] me?”


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Then Elisha said to Gehazi, “·Get ready [Tuck in your cloak; Gird up your loins; pulling up the back of the cloak between the legs and tucking it in the belt allowed freer movement]. Take my ·walking stick [staff] in your hand and go quickly. If you meet anyone, don’t ·say hello [greet him]. If anyone greets you, don’t ·respond [answer]. Lay my ·walking stick [staff] on the boy’s face.”


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The boy’s mother said, “As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I won’t leave you [to return home]!” So Elisha got up and followed her.


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Gehazi went on ahead and laid the ·walking stick [staff] on the boy’s face, but the boy did not talk or ·move [respond]. Then Gehazi went back to meet Elisha. “The boy has not awakened,” he said.


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He went to the bed and lay on the boy, putting his mouth on the boy’s mouth, his eyes on the boy’s eyes, and his hands on the boy’s hands. He stretched himself out on top of the boy. Soon the boy’s ·skin [body; flesh] became warm.


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Elisha ·turned away [got up] and walked ·around [back and forth once across] the room. Then he went back and ·put himself [stretched out] on the boy again. The boy sneezed seven times and opened his eyes.


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Elisha called Gehazi and said, “Call the Shunammite!” So he did. When she came, Elisha said, “·Pick up [Take] your son.”


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She came in and fell at Elisha’s feet, bowing facedown to the floor. Then she ·picked up [took] her son and went out.


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Elisha and the Stew When Elisha returned to Gilgal, there was a ·shortage of food [famine] in the land. While the ·groups [company; brotherhood; sons] of prophets were sitting in front of him, he said to his servant, “Put the large pot on the fire, and boil some stew for ·these men [this company/brotherhood/sons of prophets].”


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One of them went out into the field to gather ·plants [herbs]. Finding a wild vine, he ·picked fruit from the vine and filled his robe with it [gathered a lapful of wild gourds]. ·Then he came and cut up the fruit into the pot. But they didn’t know what kind of fruit it was. [He returned and sliced them into a pot of stew, not knowing what they were.]


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They ·poured out [served] the stew for the others to eat. When they began to eat it, they shouted, “Man of God, there’s death [poison] in the pot!” And they could not eat it.


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Elisha told them to bring some ·flour [meal]. He threw it into the pot and said, “·Pour it out for [Serve it to] the people to eat.” Then there was nothing harmful in the pot.


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Elisha Feeds the People A man from Baal Shalishah came to Elisha, bringing him twenty loaves of barley bread from the first ·harvest [fruits]. He also brought fresh grain in his sack. Elisha said, “Give it to the people to eat.”


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Elisha’s servant asked, “How can I ·feed a hundred people with so little [set this before a hundred people]?” “Give the bread to the people to eat,” Elisha ·said [repeated]. “·This is what the Lord says [Thus says the Lord]: ‘They will eat and will have food left over.’”


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After he gave it to them, the people ate and had food left over, ·as the Lord had said [in accordance with the word of the Lord].


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Naaman Is Healed Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Aram. He was ·honored [held in great favor] by his master and much respected, because the Lord used him to give victory to Aram. He was a ·mighty and brave man [valiant soldier], but he had ·a skin disease [leprosy; refers to a variety of skin diseases; ].


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The Arameans had gone out to raid the Israelites and had taken a little girl as a captive. This little girl served Naaman’s wife.


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She said to her mistress, “I wish my ·master [lord] would meet the prophet who lives in Samaria. He would cure him of his ·disease [leprosy; ].”


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Naaman went to the king and told him ·what the girl from Israel had said [according to this and according to that the girl said].


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The king of Aram said, “Go ahead, and I will send a letter to the king of Israel.” So Naaman left and took with him ·about seven hundred fifty pounds [ten talents] of silver, as well as ·one hundred fifty pounds [six thousand shekels] of gold and ten ·changes of clothes [sets of festal/formal robes].


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He brought the letter to the king of Israel, which read, “I am sending my servant Naaman to you so you can heal him of his ·skin disease [leprosy; ].”


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When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes [a sign of mourning or distress]. He said, “·I’m not God! I can’t kill and make alive again! [Am I God, to give life or take it away?] Why does this man send someone with ·a skin disease [leprosy; ] for me to heal? You can see that the king of Aram is trying to ·start trouble [pick a fight/quarrel] with me.”


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When Elisha, the man of God, heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, he sent the king this message: “Why have you torn your clothes? Let Naaman come to me. Then he will ·know [learn] there is a prophet in Israel.”


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Elisha sent Naaman a messenger who said, “Go and wash in the Jordan River seven times. Then your ·skin will be healed [flesh will be restored], and you will be ·clean [cleansed].”


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Naaman ·became angry [was provoked/aroused to anger] and left. He said, “I thought Elisha would surely come out and stand before me and call on the name of the Lord his God. I thought he would wave his hand over the place and heal the ·disease [leprosy; ].


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·The [Are not the…?] Abana and the Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, are better than all the waters of Israel. Why can’t I wash in them and ·become clean [be cleansed; both physically healed and ritually clean]?” So Naaman went away ·very angry [in a rage].


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Naaman’s servants came near and said to him, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do some ·great [very difficult] thing, wouldn’t you have done it? All the more reason then when he simply says, ‘Wash, and you will be clean [].’”


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So Naaman went down and dipped in the Jordan seven times, ·just as Elisha had said [in accordance with the word of the man of God]. Then his skin ·became new again [was restored], like the skin of a child. And he was clean.


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Naaman and all his ·group [company; brotherhood] returned to Elisha. He stood before Elisha and said, “Look, I now know there is no God in all the earth except in Israel. Now please accept a gift from me.”


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But Elisha said, “As surely as the Lord lives ·whom I serve [before whom I stand], I won’t accept anything.” Naaman urged him to take the gift, but he refused.


text:
Then Naaman said, “If you won’t take the gift, then please give me some soil—as much as two of my mules can carry. From now on I’ll not offer any burnt offering [] or sacrifice to any other gods but the Lord.


text:
But let the Lord pardon me for this: When my ·master [lord] goes into the ·temple [house] of Rimmon [a pagan deity] to worship, he leans on my arm. Then I must bow in that ·temple [house]. May the Lord pardon me when I do that.”


text:
when Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, thought, “My ·master [lord] has ·gone easy on [spared] this Naaman the Aramean by not taking what he brought. As surely as the Lord lives, I’ll run after him and get something from him.”


text:
So Gehazi ·went after [pursued; ran after] Naaman. When Naaman saw someone running after him, he got off the chariot to meet Gehazi. He asked, “Is ·everything all right [all well]?”


text:
Gehazi said, “Everything is ·all right [well]. My ·master [lord] has sent me. He said, ‘Two young men from the ·groups [company; brotherhood; sons] of prophets in the ·mountains [hill country] of Ephraim just came to me. Please give them ·seventy-five pounds [a talent] of silver and two changes of clothes.’”


text:
Naaman said, “Please take ·one hundred fifty pounds [two talents],” and he urged Gehazi to take it. He tied ·one hundred fifty pounds [two talents] of silver in two bags with two changes of clothes. Then he gave them to two of his servants to carry for Gehazi.


text:
When they came to the hill, Gehazi took these things from Naaman’s servants and ·put [hid; stored] them in the house. Then he let Naaman’s servants go, and they left.


text:
When he came in and stood before his ·master [lord], Elisha said to him, “Where have you been, Gehazi?” “I didn’t go anywhere,” he answered.


text:
But Elisha said to him, “·My spirit was [Did not my heart/spirit go…?] with you. I knew when the man ·turned [stepped down] from his chariot to meet you. ·This isn’t [Is this…?] a time to take money, clothes, ·olives, grapes [olive groves and vineyards], sheep, oxen, male servants, or female servants.


text:
So Naaman’s ·skin disease [leprosy; ] will ·come on [cling to] you and your ·children [descendants] forever.” When Gehazi left Elisha, he ·had the disease [was a leper; ] and was as white as snow.


text:
An Axhead Floats The ·groups [company; brotherhood; sons] of prophets said to Elisha, “The place where we ·meet [or are living] with you is too small for us.


text:
Let’s go to the Jordan River. There everyone can get a ·log [beam; pole], and let’s build a place there to ·live [meet].” Elisha said, “Go.”


text:
As one man was cutting down a tree, the head of his ax fell into the water. He yelled, “·Oh no [Alas], my ·master [lord]! I borrowed that ax!”


text:
·Elisha [The man of God] asked, “Where did it fall?” The man showed him the place. Then Elisha cut down a stick and threw it into the water, and it made the iron head float.


text:
Elisha and the Blinded Arameans The king of Aram was at war with Israel. He ·had [would have] a council meeting with his officers and ·said [say], “I will set up my camp in ·this [such and such a] place.”


text:
Elisha, the man of God, ·sent [would send] a message to the king of Israel, saying, “·Be careful [Beware]! Don’t pass that place, because the Arameans are going ·down [to attack/gather] there!”


text:
The king of Israel ·checked [would send word to] the place about which Elisha had warned him. Elisha warned him several times, so the king ·protected himself [was on his guard] there.


text:
The king of Aram was ·angry [greatly disturbed] about this. He called his officers together and demanded, “Tell me who of us is ·working for [siding with; he suspects a traitor] the king of Israel.”


text:
One of the officers said, “No one, my ·master [lord] and king. It’s Elisha, the prophet from Israel. He can tell ·you [the king of Israel] what you speak in your bedroom.”


text:
The king said, “Go and find him so I can send men and ·catch [capture; seize] him.” The report came back, “He is in Dothan.”


text:
Then the king sent horses, chariots, and many troops to Dothan. They arrived at night and surrounded the city.


text:
·Elisha’s [The man of God’s] servant got up early, and when he went out, he saw an army with horses and chariots all around the city. The servant said to Elisha, “·Oh no [Alas], my ·master [lord], what ·can [will] we do?”


text:
Elisha said, “Don’t be afraid. ·The army that fights for us is larger than the one against us [Those with us are more than those with them].”


text:
Then Elisha prayed, “Lord, open my servant’s eyes, and let him see.” The Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw that the ·mountain [hillside] was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.


text:
As the enemy came down toward Elisha, he prayed to the Lord, “·Make [Strike] these people blind.” So he made the Aramean army blind, ·as Elisha had asked [in accordance with the word of Elisha].


text:
Elisha said to them, “This is not the ·right road [way] or the ·right city [city]. Follow me and I’ll take you to the man you are looking for.” Then Elisha led them to Samaria [the city, not the region].


text:
After they entered Samaria, Elisha said, “Lord, open these men’s eyes so they can see.” So the Lord opened their eyes, and the Aramean army saw that they were inside the city of Samaria!


text:
When the king of Israel saw the Aramean army, he said to Elisha, “My father, should I kill them? Should I kill them?”


text:
Elisha answered, “Don’t kill them. ·You wouldn’t [Would you…?] kill people whom you captured with your sword and bow. Give them food and water, and let them eat and drink and then go home to their ·master [lord].”


text:
So he prepared a great feast for the Aramean army. After they ate and drank, the king sent them away, and they went home to their ·master [lord]. The ·soldiers [raiders] of Aram did not come anymore into the land of Israel.


text:
A Great Famine Later, Ben-Hadad king of Aram gathered his whole army and ·surrounded and attacked [besieged] Samaria.


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There was a ·shortage of food [great famine] in Samaria. ·It was so bad [or The siege lasted so long] that a donkey’s head sold for ·about two pounds [eighty shekels/or pieces] of silver, and ·half of a pint [a fourth of a kab] of dove’s dung sold for ·about two ounces [five shekels/or pieces] of silver.


text:
As the king of Israel was passing by on the wall, a woman yelled out to him, “Help me, my ·master [lord] and king!”


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The king said, “If the Lord doesn’t help you, how can I? Can I get help from the threshing floor or from the winepress [he has neither food nor drink to offer]?”


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Then the king said to her, “What is your ·trouble [complaint]?” She answered, “This woman said to me, ‘Give up your son so we can eat him today. Then we will eat my son tomorrow.’


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So we ·boiled [cooked] my son and ate him. Then the next day I said to her, ‘Give up your son so we can eat him.’ But she has hidden him.”


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When the king heard the woman’s words, he tore his clothes [a sign of mourning or distress]. As he walked along the wall, the people looked and saw he had on ·rough cloth [sackcloth; burlap] under his clothes [also a sign of mourning].


text:
He said, “May God ·punish me terribly [deal severely with me, and worse; do to me, and even more] if the head of Elisha son of Shaphat ·isn’t cut off from his body [remains on his shoulders] today [the king blames Elisha for the situation]!”


text:
The king sent a messenger to Elisha, who was sitting in his house with the elders [an indication that Elisha is more powerful than the king]. But before the messenger arrived, Elisha said to them, “See, this murderer is sending men to ·cut off [take away] my head. When the messenger arrives, shut the door and hold it; don’t let him in. ·The [Is not the…?] sound of his ·master’s [lord’s] feet is behind him.”


text:
Elisha was still talking with the leaders when the messenger arrived. The king said, “This ·trouble [misery; evil] has come from the Lord. Why should I wait for the Lord any longer?”


text:
Elisha said, “Listen to the Lord’s word. ·This is what the Lord says [Thus says the Lord]: ‘About this time tomorrow ·seven quarts [a measure/seah; the exact quantity of a seah is debated] of ·fine [choice] flour will be sold for ·two-fifths of an ounce of silver [a shekel], and ·thirteen quarts [two measures/seahs] of barley will be sold for ·two-fifths of an ounce of silver [a shekel; food would be readily available]. This will happen at the gate of Samaria [the common location of the marketplace].’”


text:
Then the officer ·who was close to the king [on whose arm the king was leaning] answered Elisha, “Even if the Lord opened windows in the sky [resulting in rain], that couldn’t happen.” Elisha said, “You will see it with your own eyes, but you will not eat any of it.”


text:
There were four men with ·a skin disease [leprosy; ] at the entrance to the city gate. They said to each other, “Why ·do [should] we sit here until we die?


text:
There is ·no food [famine] in the city. So if we go into the city, we will die there. If we stay here, we will die. So let’s go to the Aramean camp. If they ·let us live [spare us], we will live. If they kill us, we die.”


text:
So they got up at ·twilight [dusk] and went to the Aramean camp, but when they arrived at the edge of the camp, no one was there.


text:
The Lord had caused the Aramean army to hear the sound of chariots, horses, and a large army. They had said to each other, “The king of Israel has hired the Hittite and Egyptian kings to attack us!”


text:
So they got up and ran away in the ·twilight [dusk], ·leaving [abandoning] their tents, horses, and donkeys. They left the camp ·standing [just as it was] and ·ran [fled] for their lives.


text:
When the ·men with the skin disease [lepers; ] came to the edge of the camp, they went into one of the tents and ate and drank. They carried silver, gold, and clothes out of the camp and hid them. Then they came back and entered another tent. They carried things from this tent and hid them, also.


text:
Then they said to each other, “We’re ·doing wrong [not doing right]. ·Today we have [This is a day of] good news, but we are ·silent [keeping it to ourselves; holding our tongues]. If we wait until the sun comes up, we’ll be ·discovered [punished; found guilty]. Let’s go right now and tell the people in the king’s ·palace [household].”


text:
So they went and called to the gatekeepers of the city. They said, “We went to the Aramean camp, but no one is there; we didn’t hear anyone. The horses and donkeys were still tied up, and the tents ·were still standing [as they were].”


text:
The king got up in the night and said to his officers, “I’ll tell you what the Arameans are doing to us. They know we are starving. They have gone out of the camp to hide in the field. They’re saying, ‘When the Israelites come out of the city, we’ll capture them alive. Then we’ll enter the city.’”


text:
One of his officers answered, “Let some men take five of the horses that are still left in the city. These men are like all the Israelites who are left; they, like a multitude of Israelites who have already perished, are about to die. Let’s send them to see what has happened.”


text:
So the men took two chariots with horses. The king sent them after the Aramean army, saying, “Go and see what has happened.”


text:
The men followed the Aramean army as far as the Jordan River. The road was full of clothes and equipment that the Arameans had thrown away as they had hurriedly left. So the messengers returned and told the king.


text:
Then the people went out and ·took valuables from [plundered; ransacked] the Aramean camp. So ·seven quarts [a measure/seah] of fine flour were sold for ·two-fifths of an ounce of silver [a shekel], and ·thirteen quarts [two measures/seahs; ] of barley were sold for ·two-fifths of an ounce of silver [a shekel], ·just as the Lord had said [in accordance with the word of the Lord].


text:
The king ·chose [appointed] the officer ·who was close to him [on whose arm he leaned] to guard the gate, but the people trampled the officer to death. This happened just as ·Elisha [the man of God] had told the king when the king came to his house.


text:
He had said, “·Thirteen quarts [Two measures/seahs] of barley and ·seven quarts [a measure/seah]of fine flour will each sell for ·two-fifths of an ounce of silver [a shekel] about this time tomorrow at the gate of Samaria.”


text:
But the officer had answered, “Even if the Lord opened windows in the sky, that couldn’t happen.” And Elisha had told him, “You will see it with your own eyes, but you won’t eat any of it.”


text:
The Shunammite Regains Her Land Elisha spoke to the woman whose son he had ·brought back [restored] to life. He said, “Get up and go with your ·family [household]. ·Stay [Settle; Live; Sojourn] any place you can, because the Lord has called for a ·time without food [famine] that will last seven years.”


text:
So the woman got up and did as the man of God had said. She left with her ·family [household], and they ·stayed [settled; lived; sojourned] in the land of the Philistines for seven years.


text:
After seven years she returned from the land of the Philistines and went to ·beg [appeal to] the king for her house and land.


text:
The king was talking with Gehazi, the servant of the man of God. The king had said, “Please tell me all the great things Elisha has done.”


text:
Gehazi was telling the king how Elisha had ·brought [restored] a dead boy back to life. Just then the woman whose son Elisha had ·brought back [restored] to life came and ·begged [appealed to] the king for her house and land. Gehazi said, “My ·master [lord] and king, this is the woman, and this is the son Elisha ·brought back [restored] to life.”


text:
The king ·asked [questioned] the woman, and she told him about it. Then the king ·chose [appointed] an officer to help her. “·Give [Restore to] the woman everything that is hers,” the king said. “Give her all the ·money made [revenue] from her land from the day she left until now.”


text:
Ben-Hadad Is Killed Then Elisha went to Damascus, where Ben-Hadad king of Aram was sick. Someone told him, “The man of God has ·arrived [come all this way].”


text:
The king said to Hazael, “Take a gift in your hand and go meet him. ·Ask [Inquire of] the Lord through him if I will recover from my sickness.”


text:
So Hazael went to meet Elisha, taking with him a gift of forty camels loaded with ·every good thing [the finest wares] in Damascus. He came and stood before Elisha and said, “Your son [a term of respect, not literal] Ben-Hadad king of Aram sent me to you. He asks if he will recover from his sickness.”


text:
Elisha said to Hazael, “Go and tell Ben-Hadad, ‘You will surely recover,’ but the Lord has told me he will really die [perhaps indicating that Elisha knew that the king would soon die, but not from illness].”


text:
·Hazael stared at Elisha [or Elisha stared at Hazael; He stared at him] until he felt ·ashamed [uneasy]. Then Elisha cried.


text:
Hazael asked, “Why are you crying, my ·master [lord]?” Elisha answered, “Because I know what ·evil [harm; terrible things] you will do to the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel]. You will burn their ·strong, walled [fortified] cities with fire and kill their young men with the sword. You will ·throw [dash] their babies ·to the ground [or in pieces] and ·split [rip] open their pregnant women.”


text:
Hazael said, “·Am I a dog? How could I [or How could I, a mere dog,] ·do such things [or accomplish such great things]?” Elisha answered, “The Lord has shown me that you will be king over Aram.”


text:
Then Hazael left Elisha and ·came [returned] to his ·master [lord]. Ben-Hadad said to him, “What did Elisha say to you?” Hazael answered, “He told me that you will ·surely [certainly] recover.”


text:
But the next day Hazael took a blanket and ·dipped [soaked] it in water. Then he ·put [spread; held] it over Ben-Hadad’s face, and he died. So Hazael became king in Ben-Hadad’s place.


text:
Jehoram King of Judah While Jehoshaphat was king in Judah, Jehoram son of Jehoshaphat became king of Judah. This was during the fifth year Joram son of Ahab was king of Israel.


text:
Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he ·began to rule [became king], and he ·ruled [reigned] eight years in Jerusalem.


text:
He ·followed [walked in] the ways of the kings of Israel, just as the ·family [house] of Ahab had done, because he married Ahab’s daughter. Jehoram did ·what the Lord said was wrong [evil in the eyes/sight of the Lord].


text:
But the Lord ·would not [was unwilling to] destroy Judah ·because [for the sake] of his servant David. The Lord had promised ·that one of David’s descendants would always rule [to give a lamp to him and his descendants forever; a metaphor for the reign of a king; ; ; ].


text:
In Jehoram’s time Edom ·broke away from [revolted against] Judah’s ·rule [hand] and ·chose [set up] their own king.


text:
So Jehoram and all his chariots ·went [crossed over] to Zair. The Edomites surrounded him and his chariot commanders. Jehoram got up and attacked the Edomites at night, but his army ran away to their ·tents [homes].


text:
From then until now Edom has ·fought [been in revolt/rebellion] against the rule of Judah. At the same time Libnah also ·broke away from Judah’s rule [revolted; rebelled].


text:
The other acts of Jehoram and all the things he did ·are [are they not…?] written in the book of the ·history [chronicles; annals; ] of the kings of Judah.


text:
Jehoram ·died [lay down/slept with his fathers/ancestors] and was buried with his ·ancestors [fathers] in the City of David [Jerusalem], and Jehoram’s son Ahaziah ·ruled [became king] in his place.


text:
Ahaziah son of Jehoram ·became king of [began to reign/rule over] Judah during the twelfth year Joram son of Ahab was king of Israel.


text:
Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he ·ruled [reigned] one year in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Athaliah, a granddaughter of Omri king of Israel.


text:
Ahaziah ·followed [walked in] the ways of Ahab’s ·family [house]. He did ·what the Lord said was wrong [evil in the eyes/sight of the Lord], as Ahab’s ·family [house] had done, because he was a son-in-law to the house of Ahab.


text:
Ahaziah went with Joram son of Ahab to Ramoth in Gilead, where they fought against Hazael king of Aram. The Arameans wounded Joram.


text:
So King Joram returned to Jezreel to ·heal [recover] from the wound he had received from the Arameans at Ramoth when he fought Hazael king of Aram. Ahaziah son of Jehoram king of Judah went down to visit Joram son of Ahab at Jezreel, because he ·had been wounded [was ailing/ill].


text:
Jehu Is Chosen King At the same time, Elisha the prophet called a man from the ·groups [company; brotherhood; sons] of prophets. Elisha said, “·Get ready [Gird up your loins; ], and take this ·small bottle [flask] of olive oil in your hand. Go to Ramoth in Gilead.


text:
When you arrive, find Jehu son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi. Go in and make Jehu get up from among his ·brothers [companions], and take him to an ·inner [private] room.


text:
Then take the ·bottle [flask] and pour the oil on Jehu’s head and say, ‘·This is what the Lord says [Thus says the Lord]: I have ·appointed [anointed] you king over Israel.’ Then open the door and ·run away [flee]. Don’t wait!”


text:
When he arrived, he saw the officers of the army sitting together. He said, “Commander, I have a message for you.” Jehu asked, “For which one of us?” The young man said, “For you, commander.”


text:
Jehu got up and went into the house. Then the young prophet poured the olive oil on Jehu’s head and said to him, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel says: ‘I have ·appointed [anointed] you king over the Lord’s people Israel.


text:
You must ·destroy [strike down] the ·family [house] of Ahab your ·master [lord]. I will ·punish [have vengeance against] Jezebel for the ·deaths [blood] of my servants the prophets and ·for [for the blood of] all the Lord’s servants.


text:
All of Ahab’s ·family [house] must die. I will ·destroy [cut off] every ·male [one who urinates against the wall] child in Ahab’s ·family [house] in Israel, whether slave or free.


text:
I will make Ahab’s ·family [house] like the ·family [house] of Jeroboam son of Nebat and like the ·family [house] of Baasha son of Ahijah.


text:
The dogs will ·eat [devour] Jezebel at Jezreel, and no one will bury her.’” Then the young prophet opened the door and ·ran away [fled].


text:
When Jehu went back to his ·master’s [lord’s] officers, one of them said to Jehu, “Is everything all right? Why did this ·crazy man [madman] come to you?” Jehu answered, “You know ·the [that kind of] man and how he ·talks [babbles].”


text:
They answered, “·That’s not true [Liar]. Tell us.” Jehu said, “He said to me, ‘This is what the Lord says: I have ·appointed [anointed] you to be king over Israel.’”


text:
Then the officers hurried, and each man took off his own coat and put it on the stairs for Jehu [signifying submission]. They blew the trumpet and shouted, “Jehu is king!”


text:
Joram and Ahaziah Are Killed So Jehu son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi, ·made plans [conspired; plotted] against Joram. Now Joram and all Israel had been defending Ramoth in Gilead from Hazael king of Aram.


text:
But King Joram had to return to Jezreel to ·heal [recover] from the ·injuries [wounds] the Arameans had given him when he fought against Hazael king of Aram. Jehu said, “If you ·agree with this [want me to be king], don’t let anyone leave the city to tell the news in Jezreel.”


text:
Then he got into his chariot and set out for Jezreel, where Joram was resting. Ahaziah king of Judah had gone down to see him.


text:
The lookout was standing on the watchtower in Jezreel when he saw Jehu’s troops coming. He said, “I see ·some [a company of] soldiers!” Joram said, “Take a horseman and send him to meet them. Tell him to ask, ‘·Is all in order [Do you come in peace; Is it peace]?’”


text:
The horseman rode out to meet Jehu, and he said, “This is what the king says: ‘·Is all in order [Do you come in peace; Is it peace]?’” Jehu said, “·Why bother yourself with order [What is peace to you]? ·Come along [Fall in] behind me.” The lookout reported, “The messenger reached them, but he is not coming back.”


text:
Then Joram sent out a second horseman. This rider came to Jehu’s group and said, “This is what the king says: ‘·Is all in order [Do you come in peace; Is it peace]?’” Jehu answered, “·Why bother yourself with order [What is peace to you]? ·Come along [Fall in] behind me.”


text:
The lookout reported, “He reached them, but he is not coming back. The man in the chariot is driving like Jehu son of Nimshi. He drives ·as if he were crazy [like a madman/maniac]!”


text:
Joram said, “Get my chariot ready.” Then the servant got Joram’s chariot ready. Joram king of Israel and Ahaziah king of Judah went out, each in his own chariot, and met Jehu at the ·property of [plot of ground belonging to] Naboth the Jezreelite [].


text:
When Joram saw Jehu, he said, “·Is all in order [Do you come in peace; Is it peace], Jehu?” Jehu answered, “There will never be any ·order [peace] as long as your mother ·Jezebel worships idols and uses witchcraft [Jezebel’s prostitutions/harlotries and witchcraft/sorceries abound].”


text:
Joram turned the horses to run away and yelled to Ahaziah, “·It’s a trick [Treason; Treachery], Ahaziah!”


text:
Then Jehu drew his bow with all his strength and shot Joram between his shoulders. The arrow ·went through [pierced] Joram’s heart, and he ·fell [sank; slumped] down in his chariot.


text:
Jehu ordered Bidkar, his chariot officer, “Pick up Joram’s body, and throw it into the field of Naboth the Jezreelite. Remember when you and I rode together ·with [behind] Joram’s father Ahab. The Lord ·made this prophecy [pronounced this oracle; , ] against him:


text:
‘Yesterday I saw the blood of Naboth and his sons, says the Lord, so I will ·punish [repay] Ahab in his field, says the Lord.’ Take Joram’s body and throw it into the field, ·as the Lord has said [in accordance with the word of the Lord].”


text:
When Ahaziah king of Judah saw this, he ·ran away [fled] toward Beth Haggan. Jehu chased him, saying, “Shoot Ahaziah, too!” Ahaziah was wounded in his chariot ·on the way up to [at the Ascent of] Gur near Ibleam. He got as far as Megiddo but died there.


text:
Ahaziah’s servants carried his body in a chariot to Jerusalem and buried him with his ·ancestors [fathers] in his tomb in the City of David [Jerusalem].


text:
Death of Jezebel When Jehu came to Jezreel, Jezebel heard about it. She ·put on her eye makeup [painted her eyes] and ·fixed her hair [adorned her head]. Then she ·looked out [appeared/sat at] the window.


text:
When Jehu entered the city gate, Jezebel said, “·Have you come in peace [Is it peace], ·you Zimri [Zimri; a sarcastic reference to a previous king who had assassinated his predecessor; ], you who ·killed [murdered] your ·master [lord]?”


text:
Jehu looked up at the window and said, “Who is on my side? Who?” Two or three ·servants [officials] looked ·out the window [down] at Jehu.


text:
He said to them, “Throw her down.” So they threw Jezebel down, and the horses ·ran over [trampled] her. Some of her blood ·splashed [spattered] on the wall and on the horses.


text:
Jehu went into the house and ate and drank. Then he said, “Now see about this cursed woman. Bury her, because she is a king’s daughter.”


text:
When they came back and told Jehu, he said, “The ·Lord [word of the Lord] said this through his servant Elijah the Tishbite: ‘The dogs will eat Jezebel’s flesh at Jezreel [; ].


text:
Her body will be like ·manure [dung] on the field in the land at Jezreel. No one will be able to say that this is Jezebel.’”


text:
Families of Ahab and Ahaziah Killed Ahab had seventy sons in Samaria [the city, not the region]. Jehu wrote letters and sent them to Samaria—to the officers of the city and elders—and to the guardians of the sons of Ahab. Jehu said,


text:
“You have your ·master’s [lord’s] sons with you, and you have chariots, horses, a ·city with strong walls [fortified city], and weapons. When you get this letter,


text:
choose the best and most worthy person among your ·master’s [lord’s] sons, and make him king. Then fight for your ·master’s [lord’s] ·family [house].”


text:
But the officers and leaders of Jezreel were ·frightened [utterly terrified]. They said, “Two kings could not ·stand up to [resist] Jehu, so how can we?”


text:
The ·palace manager [steward of the house], the city ·governor [administrator], the ·leaders [elders], and the guardians sent a message to Jehu. “We are your servants,” they said. “We will do everything you tell us to do. We won’t make any man king, so do whatever ·you think is best [is good in your eyes/sight].”


text:
Then Jehu wrote a second letter, saying, “If you are on my side and will obey me, cut off the heads of your ·master’s [lord’s] sons and come to me at Jezreel tomorrow about this time.” Now the seventy sons of the king’s ·family [house] were with the leading men of the city who were ·their guardians [raising them].


text:
When the leaders received the letter, they took the king’s sons and ·killed [slaughtered] all seventy of them. They put their heads in baskets and sent them to Jehu at Jezreel.


text:
The messenger came to Jehu and told him, “They have brought the heads of the king’s sons.” Then Jehu said, “·Lay [Pile] the heads in two ·piles [heaps] at the city gate until morning.”


text:
In the morning, Jehu went out and stood before the people and said to them, “You are innocent. Look, I ·made plans [conspired; plotted] against my ·master [lord] and killed him. But who killed all these [Jehu might have been blaming the Samaritan officials, or perhaps was implying that God ordered the killing]?


text:
You should know that ·everything [nothing] the Lord said about Ahab’s ·family [house] will ·come true [fall to the ground/earth]. The Lord ·has spoken [spoke his word] through his servant Elijah, and the Lord has done what he said.”


text:
So Jehu killed everyone of Ahab’s ·family [house] in Jezreel who was still alive. He also killed all Ahab’s ·leading men [important officials], ·close [personal] friends, and priests. ·No one who had helped Ahab was left alive [He left no one to survive him].


text:
The Killing of Ahaziah’s Relatives Then Jehu left and went to Samaria by way of the road to Beth Eked of the Shepherds.


text:
There Jehu met some relatives of Ahaziah king of Judah. Jehu asked, “Who are you?” They answered, “We are relatives of Ahaziah. We have come down to ·get revenge for [or greet; visit] the families of the king and the king’s mother.”


text:
Then Jehu said, “Take them alive!” So they captured Ahaziah’s relatives alive and killed them at the ·well [pit] near Beth Eked—forty-two of them. Jehu ·did not leave anyone alive [spared no one].


text:
After Jehu left there, he met Jehonadab son of Recab [], who was also on his way to meet Jehu. Jehu greeted him and said, “·Are you as good a friend to me as I am to you [Are you as loyal to me as I am to you; Is your heart right, as my heart is with your heart]?” Jehonadab answered, “·Yes, I am [It is].” Jehu said, “If you are, then give me your hand.” So Jehonadab gave him his hand, and Jehu pulled him into the chariot.


text:
“Come with me,” Jehu said. “You can see ·how strong my feelings are [my zeal/devotion] for the Lord.” So Jehu had Jehonadab ride in his chariot.


text:
When Jehu came to Samaria, he killed all of Ahab’s ·family [house] in Samaria. He destroyed all those who were left, ·just as the Lord had told Elijah it would happen [in accordance with the word of the Lord spoken to Elijah].


text:
Baal Worshipers Killed Then Jehu gathered all the people together and said to them, “Ahab served Baal a little, but Jehu will serve Baal ·much [greatly].


text:
Now ·call for me [summon; assemble] all Baal’s prophets and priests and all the people who ·worship [serve] Baal. Don’t let anyone miss this meeting, because I have a great sacrifice for Baal. Anyone who is not there will not live.” But Jehu was ·tricking them [deceiving them; acting cunningly] so he could destroy ·the worshipers of [those who served] Baal.


text:
He said, “Prepare a ·holy [sacred; solemn] meeting for Baal.” So they ·announced [proclaimed] the meeting.


text:
Then Jehu sent word through all Israel, and all ·the worshipers of [who served] Baal came; not one stayed ·home [behind]. They came into the ·temple [house] of Baal, and the ·temple [house] was filled from one side to the other.


text:
Jehu said to the man who kept the robes, “Bring out ·robes [garments; vestments] for all ·the worshipers of [those who serve] Baal.” After he brought out ·robes [garments; vestments] for them,


text:
Jehu and Jehonadab son of Recab went into the ·temple [house] of Baal. Jehu said to ·the worshipers of [those who served] Baal, “Look around, and make sure there are no servants of the Lord with you. Be sure there are only ·worshipers of [those who serve] Baal.”


text:
Then they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings. Jehu had eighty men waiting outside. He had told them, “·Don’t let anyone escape. If you do, you [The one who allows any of these men who I have put in your hands to escape] must ·pay with [exchange] your own life.”


text:
As soon as Jehu finished offering the burnt offering, he ordered the guards and the ·captains [officers], “Go in and kill ·the worshipers of [those who serve] Baal. Don’t let anyone ·come out [escape].” So the guards and ·captains [officers] killed ·the worshipers of [those who served] Baal with the sword and threw their bodies out. Then they went to the inner rooms of the ·temple [house of Baal]


text:
and brought out the ·pillars [sacred poles/stone; used in worship] of the ·temple [house] of Baal and burned them.


text:
They ·tore down [smashed] the stone pillar of Baal, as well as the ·temple [house] of Baal. And they made it into a ·sewage pit [public toilet; latrine], as it is today.


text:
but he did not ·stop doing [turn/depart from] the sins Jeroboam son of Nebat had done. Jeroboam had led Israel to sin by worshiping the golden calves at Bethel and Dan.


text:
The Lord said to Jehu, “You have done well in ·obeying what I said was right [doing what was right in my eyes/sight]. You have done to the ·family [house] of Ahab ·as I wanted [all that was in my heart/mind]. Because of this, your ·descendants as far as your great-great-grandchildren [sons to the fourth generation] will ·be kings [sit on the throne] of Israel.”


text:
But Jehu was not careful to follow the ·teachings [law; torah] of the Lord, the God of Israel, with all his heart. He did not ·stop doing [turn/depart from] the same sins Jeroboam had done, by which he had led Israel to sin.


text:
At that time the Lord began to ·make Israel smaller [cut/trim off parts of Israel]. Hazael defeated the Israelites ·in all the land [throughout the territory] of Israel,


text:
taking all the land east of the Jordan known as the land of Gilead. (It was the region of Gad, Reuben, and Manasseh.) He took land from Aroer by the Arnon Ravine through Gilead to Bashan.


text:
The other things Jehu did—everything he did and all his ·victories [achievements; power]—·are [are they not…?] recorded in the book of the ·history [chronicles; annals; ] of the kings of Israel.


text:
Jehu ·died [lay down/slept with his fathers/ancestors] and was buried in Samaria, and his son Jehoahaz became king in his place.


text:
Athaliah and Joash When Ahaziah’s mother, Athaliah, ·saw [learned] that her son was dead, she ·killed [destroyed] all the royal ·family [offspring; in order to claim power herself; she was a granddaughter of Omri, king of Israel; ].


text:
But Jehosheba, King Jehoram’s daughter and Ahaziah’s sister, took Joash [about a year old], Ahaziah’s son [Joash was also known as Jehoash]. She stole him away from among the other sons of the king who were about to be murdered. She put Joash and his nurse in a bedroom to hide him from Athaliah, so he was not ·killed [murdered].


text:
He hid with her in the ·Temple [house] of the Lord for six years. During that time Athaliah ·ruled [reigned over] the land.


text:
In the seventh year Jehoiada sent for the ·commanders [captains] of groups of a hundred men, as well as the Carites [mercenaries, probably a palace guard like the Kerethites and the Pelethites; ; ]. He brought them together in the ·Temple [house] of the Lord and ·made [cut] an ·agreement [covenant; treaty] with them. There, in the ·Temple [house] of the Lord, he ·made them promise loyalty [put them under oath], and then he showed them the king’s son.


text:
He commanded them, “This is what you must do. A third of you who go on duty on the Sabbath will guard the king’s ·palace [house].


text:
A third of you will be at the Sur Gate, and another third will be at the gate behind the guard. This way you will guard the ·Temple [house].


text:
The two groups who go off duty on the Sabbath must ·protect [stand guard/watch over] the ·Temple [house] of the Lord for the king.


text:
·All of you must stand around [Surround] the king, with weapons in hand. Kill anyone who ·comes near [tries to break your ranks]. Stay ·close to [with] the king when he goes out and when he comes in.”


text:
The ·commanders [captains] over a hundred men ·obeyed [did] everything Jehoiada the priest had commanded. Each one took his men who came on duty on the Sabbath and those who went off duty on the Sabbath, and they came to Jehoiada the priest.


text:
He gave the commanders the spears and shields that had belonged to King David and that were kept in the ·Temple [house] of the Lord.


text:
Joash Becomes King Then each guard took his place with his weapons in his hand. ·There were guards [They stretched] from the ·south [right] side of the ·Temple [house] to the ·north [left] side. They stood by the altar and the ·Temple [house] and around the king.


text:
Jehoiada brought out the king’s son and put the crown on him and gave him a copy of the ·agreement [covenant; testimony]. They ·appointed him king and poured olive oil on [anointed] him. Then they clapped their hands and ·said [shouted], “Long live the king!”


text:
When Athaliah heard the noise of the guards and the people, she went to them at the ·Temple [house] of the Lord.


text:
She looked, and there was the king, standing by the pillar [a symbol of authority], as the custom was. The ·officers [commanders; captains] and trumpeters were standing beside him, and all the people of the land were ·very happy [rejoicing] and were blowing trumpets. Then Athaliah tore her clothes [a sign of mourning or distress] and screamed, “·Traitors! Traitors! [Treason! Treason!]”


text:
Jehoiada the priest gave orders to the ·commanders [captains] of a hundred men, who led the army. He said, “·Surround her with soldiers [Take her out under guard; Bring her out between the ranks] and kill with a sword anyone who follows her.” For he had said, “Don’t put Athaliah to death in the ·Temple [house] of the Lord.”


text:
So they ·caught [seized] her ·when she came [and took her] to the horses’ entrance near the ·palace [king’s house]. There she was put to death.


text:
Then Jehoiada ·made [cut] an ·agreement [covenant; treaty] between the Lord and the king and the people that they would be the Lord’s people. He also made an ·agreement [covenant; treaty] between the king and the people.


text:
All the people of the land went to the ·temple [house] of Baal and tore it down, smashing the altars and idols. They also killed Mattan, the priest of Baal, in front of the altars. Then Jehoiada the priest ·placed [stationed; posted] guards at the ·Temple [house] of the Lord.


text:
He took with him the ·commanders [captains] of a hundred men and the ·Carites [mercenaries; ], the royal bodyguards, as well as the guards and all the people of the land. Together they ·took [brought; escorted] the king out of the ·Temple [house] of the Lord and went into the ·palace [king’s house] through the gate of the guards. Then the king sat on the ·royal throne [throne of the kings].


text:
So all the people of the land ·were very happy [rejoiced], and Jerusalem ·had peace [was quiet/calm], because Athaliah had been put to death with the sword at the ·palace [king’s house].


text:
Joash’s Reign Joash became king of Judah in Jehu’s seventh year as king of Israel, and he ·ruled [reigned] for forty years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Zibiah, and she was from Beersheba.


text:
Joash did ·what the Lord said was right [right in the sight of the Lord] as long as Jehoiada the priest ·taught [instructed] him.


text:
But the ·places where gods were worshiped [high places; worship sites that became associated with pagan worship or inappropriate worship of God] were not removed; the people still made sacrifices and burned incense there.


text:
Joash Repairsthe Temple Joash said to the priests, “Take all the money brought as offerings to the ·Temple [house] of the Lord. This includes the money each person ·owes in taxes [is assessed] and the money ·each person promises [from personal vows] or ·brings freely [money brought voluntarily] to the Lord.


text:
Each priest will take the money from ·the people he serves [donors; or acquaintances; or the treasurers]. Then the priests must ·repair [restore] any damage they find in the ·Temple [house].”


text:
But by the twenty-third year Joash was king, the priests still had not ·repaired [restored] the ·Temple [house].


text:
So King Joash called for Jehoiada the priest and the other priests and said to them, “Why aren’t you ·repairing the damage of [restoring] the ·Temple [house]? Don’t take any more money from ·the people you serve [donors; or acquaintances; or the treasurers], but hand over the money for the ·repair [restoration] of the ·Temple [house].”


text:
The priests agreed not to take any more money from the people and not to ·repair [restore] the ·Temple [house] themselves.


text:
Jehoiada the priest took a box and made a hole in the ·top of it [lid]. Then he put it by the altar, on the right side as the people came into the ·Temple [house] of the Lord. The priests guarding the ·doorway [entrance; threshold] put all the money brought to the ·Temple [house] of the Lord into the box.


text:
Each time the priests saw that the box was full of money, the king’s royal secretary and the high priest came. They counted the money that had been brought to the ·Temple [house] of the Lord, and they put it into bags.


text:
Next they weighed the money and gave it to the people in charge of the work on the ·Temple [house]. With it they paid the carpenters and the builders who worked on the ·Temple [house] of the Lord,


text:
as well as the ·bricklayers [masons] and stonecutters. They also used the money to buy timber and cut stone to ·repair the damage of [restore] the ·Temple [house] of the Lord. It paid for ·everything [anything else that was used].


text:
The money brought into the ·Temple [house] of the Lord was not used to make silver cups, ·wick trimmers [snuffers], bowls, trumpets, or gold or silver vessels.


text:
They paid the money to the workers, who used it to ·repair [restore] the ·Temple [house] of the Lord.


text:
They did not ·demand to know how the money was spent [require an accounting], because the workers were honest.


text:
The money from the ·penalty [guilt] offerings and sin offerings was not brought into the ·Temple [house] of the Lord, because it belonged to the priests.


text:
Joash Saves Jerusalem About this time Hazael king of Aram attacked Gath and captured it. Then he ·went [set his face] to attack Jerusalem.


text:
Joash king of Judah took all the ·holy things [sacred objects; votive gifts] ·given [dedicated] by his ·ancestors [fathers], the kings of Judah—Jehoshaphat, Jehoram, and Ahaziah. He also took his own ·holy things [sacred objects; votive gifts] as well as the gold that was found in the treasuries of the ·Temple [house] of the Lord and the gold from the ·palace [king’s house]. Joash sent all this treasure to Hazael king of Aram, who ·turned away [withdrew] from Jerusalem.


text:
Everything else Joash did ·is [is it not…?] written in the book of the ·history [chronicles; annals; ] of the kings of Judah.


text:
His officers ·made plans [conspired; plotted] against him and ·killed [assassinated] him at Beth Millo on the road down to Silla.


text:
The officers who ·killed [assassinated] him were Jozabad son of Shimeath and Jehozabad son of Shomer. Joash was buried with his ·ancestors [fathers] in the City of David [Jerusalem], and Amaziah, his son, became king in his place.


text:
Jehoahaz King of Israel Jehoahaz son of Jehu became king over Israel in Samaria during the twenty-third year Joash son of Ahaziah was king of Judah. Jehoahaz ·ruled [reigned] seventeen years,


text:
and he did ·what the Lord said was wrong [evil in the eyes/sight of the Lord]. Jehoahaz ·did [followed] the same sins Jeroboam son of Nebat had done. Jeroboam had led Israel to sin, and Jehoahaz did not ·stop doing these same sins [depart/turn away from them].


text:
So the ·Lord was angry with [Lord’s anger burned/kindled against] Israel and handed them over to Hazael king of Aram and his son Ben-Hadad ·for a long time [or repeatedly].


text:
Then Jehoahaz ·begged [entreated; prayed to; sought the favor of] the Lord, and the Lord listened to him. The Lord had seen the ·troubles [oppression] of Israel; he saw how ·terribly [severely] the king of Aram was ·treating [oppressing] them.


text:
He gave Israel a ·man to save them [rescuer; savior; deliverer], and they escaped from the ·hand [grip; power] of the Arameans. The ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel] then lived in their own ·homes [tents] as they had before,


text:
but they still did not ·stop doing [depart/turn away from] these same sins that the ·family [house] of Jeroboam had done. He had led Israel to sin, and they ·continued doing those sins [walked in them]. The Asherah ·idol [pole; a sacred tree or pole dedicated to the goddess Asherah; ] also was left standing in Samaria.


text:
Nothing was left of Jehoahaz’s army except fifty horsemen, ten chariots, and ten thousand foot soldiers. The king of Aram had destroyed them and made them like ·chaff [dust at threshing time].


text:
Everything else Jehoahaz did and all his ·victories [achievements; power] ·are [are they not…?] written in the book of the ·history [chronicles; annals; ] of the kings of Israel.


text:
Jehoahaz ·died [lay down/slept with his fathers/ancestors] and was buried in Samaria, and his son Jehoash became king in his place.


text:
Jehoash King of Israel Jehoash son of Jehoahaz became king of Israel in Samaria during Joash’s thirty-seventh year as king of Judah. Jehoash ·ruled [reigned] sixteen years,


text:
and he did ·what the Lord said was wrong [evil in the eyes/sight of the Lord]. He did not ·stop doing [depart/turn away from] the same sins Jeroboam son of Nebat had done. Jeroboam had led Israel to sin, and Jehoash continued to do the same thing.


text:
Everything else he did and all his ·victories [achievements; power], including his war against Amaziah king of Judah, ·are [are they not…?] written in the book of the ·history [chronicles; annals; ] of the kings of Israel.


text:
Jehoash ·died [lay down/slept with his fathers/ancestors], and Jeroboam took his place on the throne. Jehoash was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel.


text:
The Death of Elisha At this time Elisha became sick. ·Before he died [or …with the illness of which he would die], Jehoash king of Israel went to Elisha and cried ·for [over] him. Jehoash said, “My father, my father! ·The chariots [or Chariot; a reference to Elisha as Israel’s defender; cf. ] of Israel and ·their [its] horsemen!”


text:
Then Elisha said to him, “Put your hand on the bow.” So Jehoash put his hand on the bow. Then Elisha put his hands on the king’s hands.


text:
Elisha said, “Open the east window.” So Jehoash opened the window. Then Elisha said, “Shoot,” and Jehoash shot. Elisha said, “The Lord’s arrow of victory, the arrow of victory over Aram! You will defeat the Arameans at Aphek until you ·destroy [make an end of] them.”


text:
Elisha said, “Take the arrows.” So Jehoash took them. Then Elisha said to him, “Strike the ground.” So Jehoash struck the ground three times and stopped.


text:
The man of God was ·angry [aroused/provoked to anger] with him. “You should have struck five or six times!” Elisha said. “Then you would have struck Aram until you had completely destroyed it. But now you will ·defeat it [strike down Aram] only three times.”


text:
Then Elisha died and was buried. At that time ·groups [bands] of Moabites would rob the land in the springtime.


text:
Once as some Israelites were burying a man, suddenly they saw a ·group [band] of Moabites coming. The Israelites threw the dead man into Elisha’s ·grave [tomb]. When the man touched Elisha’s bones, the man ·came back to life [revived] and stood on his feet.


text:
War with Aram During all the days Jehoahaz was king, Hazael king of Aram ·troubled [oppressed] Israel.


text:
But the Lord was ·kind [gracious] to the Israelites; he had ·mercy [compassion; pity] on them and helped them because of his ·agreement [covenant; treaty] with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. To this day he has ·never wanted [been unwilling] to destroy them or ·reject them [banish/cast them from his presence].


text:
During a war Hazael had taken some cities from Jehoahaz, Jehoash’s father. Now Jehoash took back those cities from Hazael’s son Ben-Hadad. He defeated Ben-Hadad three times and ·took back [recovered] the cities of Israel.


text:
Amaziah King of Judah Amaziah son of Joash became king of Judah during the second year Jehoash son of Jehoahaz was king of Israel.


text:
Amaziah was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he ·ruled [reigned] twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother was named Jehoaddin, and she was from Jerusalem.


text:
Amaziah did ·what the Lord said was right [right in the eyes/sight of the Lord]. He did everything his father Joash had done, but he did not do as his ·ancestor [father] David had done.


text:
The ·places where gods were worshiped [high places; ] were not removed, so the people still sacrificed and burned incense there.


text:
As soon as Amaziah took control of the kingdom, he executed the ·officers [officials] who had ·murdered [assassinated] his father the king.


text:
But he did not put to death the ·children [sons] of the ·murderers [assassins] because of the rule written in the Book of the ·Teachings [Law; torah] of Moses. The Lord had commanded: “·Parents [Fathers] must not be put to death ·when their children do wrong [for their sons], and ·children [sons] must not be put to death ·when their parents do wrong [for their fathers]. Each must ·die [put to death] for his own sins [].”


text:
In battle Amaziah killed ten thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt. He also took the city of Sela. He called it Joktheel, as it is still called today.


text:
Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash son of Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu, king of Israel. They said, “Come, let’s meet face to face [either a call for negotiations or a challenge to battle, but taken by Jehoash as the latter].”


text:
Then Jehoash king of Israel answered Amaziah king of Judah, “A thornbush in Lebanon sent a message to a cedar tree in Lebanon. It said, ‘Let your daughter marry my son.’ But then a wild ·animal [beast] from Lebanon came by, ·walking [trampling] on and crushing the thornbush.


text:
You have defeated Edom, ·but [and now] you have become ·proud [arrogant]. Stay at home and ·brag [or enjoy your victory/glory]. Don’t ·ask for [stir up] trouble, or you and Judah will ·be defeated [fall].”


text:
But Amaziah would not listen, so Jehoash king of Israel went ·to attack [up]. He and Amaziah king of Judah faced each other in battle at Beth Shemesh in Judah.


text:
At Beth Shemesh Jehoash king of Israel captured Amaziah king of Judah. (Amaziah was the son of Joash, who was the son of Ahaziah.) Jehoash went up to Jerusalem and ·broke down [demolished] the wall of Jerusalem from the Gate of Ephraim to the Corner Gate, which was about ·six hundred feet [four hundred cubits].


text:
He took all the gold and silver and all the utensils found in the ·Temple [house] of the Lord, and he took the treasuries of the ·palace [king’s house] and some hostages. Then he returned to Samaria.


text:
The other acts of Jehoash and his ·victories [achievements; power], including his war against Amaziah king of Judah, ·are [are they not…?] written in the book of the ·history [chronicles; annals; ] of the kings of Israel.


text:
Jehoash ·died [lay down/slept with his fathers/ancestors] and was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel, and his son Jeroboam became king in his place.


text:
Amaziah son of Joash, the king of Judah, lived fifteen years after the death of Jehoash son of Jehoahaz, the king of Israel.


text:
The other things Amaziah did ·are [are they not…?] written in the book of the ·history [chronicles; annals; ] of the kings of Judah.


text:
The people in Jerusalem ·made plans [conspired; plotted] against him. So he ·ran away [fled] to the town of Lachish, but they sent men after him to Lachish and killed him.


text:
They brought his body back on horses, and he was buried with his ·ancestors [fathers] in Jerusalem, in the city of David.


text:
Uzziah Becomes King Then all the people of Judah made Uzziah [also called Azariah] king in place of his father Amaziah. Uzziah was sixteen years old.


text:
He rebuilt the town of Elath and ·made it part of [restored it to] Judah again after Amaziah ·died [lay down/slept with his fathers/ancestors].


text:
Jeroboam King of Israel Jeroboam son of Jehoash became king of Israel in Samaria during the fifteenth year Amaziah was king of Judah. (Amaziah was the son of Joash.) Jeroboam ·ruled [reigned] forty-one years,


text:
and he did ·what the Lord said was wrong [evil in the eyes/sight of the Lord]. Jeroboam son of Nebat had led Israel to sin, and Jeroboam son of Jehoash did not ·stop doing [depart/turn away from] the same sins.


text:
Jeroboam ·won back [restored] Israel’s border from Lebo Hamath to the ·Dead Sea [Sea of Arabah]. This happened ·as [in accordance with the word of] the Lord, the God of Israel, ·had said [spoken] through his servant Jonah son of Amittai, the prophet from Gath Hepher.


text:
The Lord had not said he would ·completely destroy [blot out; eradicate] Israel from the world, so he ·saved [rescued; delivered] the Israelites through Jeroboam son of Jehoash.


text:
Everything else Jeroboam did—all his ·victories [achievements; power] and how he ·won back [recovered] from Judah the towns of Damascus and Hamath for Israel—·is [Is not all this…?] written in the book of the ·history [chronicles; annals; ] of the kings of Israel.


text:
Jeroboam ·died and was buried with his ancestors [lay down/slept with his fathers/ancestors], the kings of Israel. Jeroboam’s son Zechariah became king in his place.


text:
Uzziah King of Judah Uzziah son of Amaziah became king of Judah during Jeroboam’s twenty-seventh year as king of Israel.


text:
Uzziah was sixteen years old when he became king, and he ·ruled [reigned] fifty-two years in Jerusalem. His mother was named Jecoliah, and she was from Jerusalem.


text:
He did ·what the Lord said was right [right in the eyes/sight of the Lord], just as his father Amaziah had done.


text:
But the ·places where gods were worshiped [high places; ] were not removed, so the people still made sacrifices and burned incense there.


text:
The Lord struck Uzziah with ·a skin disease [leprosy; ], which he had until the day he died. So he had to live in a separate house. Jotham, the king’s son, was in charge of the ·palace [king’s house], and he ·governed [judged] the people of the land.


text:
All the other things Uzziah did ·are [are they not…?] written in the book of the ·history [chronicles; annals; ] of the kings of Judah.


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Uzziah ·died [lay down/slept with his fathers/ancestors] and was buried ·near his ancestors [with his ancestors/fathers] in the City of David [Jerusalem], and his son Jotham became king in his place.


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Zechariah King of Israel Zechariah son of Jeroboam was king over Israel in Samaria. He ·ruled [reigned] for six months during Uzziah’s [also called Azariah] thirty-eighth year as king of Judah.


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Zechariah did ·what the Lord said was wrong [evil in the eyes/sight of the Lord], just as his ·ancestors [fathers] had done. Jeroboam son of Nebat had led the people of Israel to sin, and Zechariah did not ·stop doing [depart/turn away from] the same sins.


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Shallum son of Jabesh ·made plans [conspired; plotted] against Zechariah and ·killed [assassinated] him in front of the people. Then Shallum became king in his place.


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The other acts of Zechariah ·are [are they not…?] written in the book of the ·history [chronicles; annals; ] of the kings of Israel.


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The Lord had told Jehu: “Your sons down to ·your great-great-grandchildren [the fourth generation; ] will be kings of Israel,” and ·the Lord’s word came true [so it was/happened].


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Shallum King of Israel Shallum son of Jabesh became king during Uzziah’s thirty-ninth year as king of Judah. Shallum ·ruled [reigned] for a month in Samaria.


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Then Menahem son of Gadi came up from Tirzah to Samaria and attacked Shallum son of Jabesh in Samaria. He ·killed [assassinated] him and became king in Shallum’s place.


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The other acts of Shallum and his ·secret plans [conspiracy; plot] ·are [are they not…?] written in the book of the ·history [chronicles; annals; ] of the kings of Israel.


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Menahem King of Israel Menahem ·started out from Tirzah and attacked Tiphsah, destroying the city and the area nearby [or destroyed Tiphsah and everyone in it and the surrounding region/countryside as far as Tirzah]. This was because the people had refused to open the city gate for him. He defeated them and ripped open all their pregnant women.


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Menahem son of Gadi became king over Israel during Uzziah’s thirty-ninth year as king of Judah. Menahem ·ruled [reigned] ten years in Samaria,


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and he did ·what the Lord said was wrong [evil in the eyes/sight of the Lord]. Jeroboam son of Nebat had led Israel to sin, and all the time Menahem was king, he did not ·stop doing [depart/turn away from] the same sins.


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Pul [another name for Tiglath-pileser] king of Assyria ·came to attack [invaded] the land. Menahem gave him ·about seventy-four thousand pounds [a thousand talents] of silver so Pul would support him ·and make his hold on the kingdom stronger [in tightening his grip/hold on royal power/the kingdom].


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Menahem ·taxed [exacted/extorted the money from] the rich in Israel to pay ·about one and one-fourth pounds [fifty shekels] of silver for each soldier to the king of Assyria. So the king left and did not stay in the land.


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Everything else Menahem did ·is [is it not…?] written in the book of the ·history [chronicles; annals; ] of the kings of Israel.


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Then Menahem ·died [lay down/slept with his fathers/ancestors], and his son Pekahiah became king in his place.


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Pekahiah King of Israel Pekahiah son of Menahem became king over Israel in Samaria during Uzziah’s [also called Azariah] fiftieth year as king of Judah. Pekahiah ·ruled [reigned] two years,


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and he did ·what the Lord said was wrong [evil in the eyes/sight of the Lord]. Jeroboam son of Nebat had led Israel to sin, and Pekahiah did not ·stop doing [depart/turn away from] the same sins.


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Pekah son of Remaliah was one of Pekahiah’s captains, and he ·made plans [conspired; plotted] against Pekahiah. He took fifty men of Gilead with him and ·killed [assassinated] Pekahiah, as well as Argob and Arieh, in the ·palace [king’s house] at Samaria. Then Pekah became king in Pekahiah’s place.


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Everything else Pekahiah did ·is [is it not…?] written in the book of the ·history [chronicles; annals; ] of the kings of Israel.


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Pekah King of Israel Pekah son of Remaliah became king over Israel in Samaria during Uzziah’s [also called Azariah] fifty-second year as king of Judah. Pekah ·ruled [reigned] twenty years,


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and he did ·what the Lord said was wrong [evil in the eyes/sight of the Lord]. Jeroboam son of Nebat had led Israel to sin, and Pekah did not ·stop doing [depart/turn away from] the same sins.


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Tiglath-pileser [also called Pul; ] was king of Assyria. He attacked while Pekah was king of Israel, capturing the cities of Ijon, Abel Beth Maacah, Janoah, Kedesh, and Hazor. He also captured Gilead and Galilee and all the land of Naphtali and carried the people away to Assyria as captives.


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Then Hoshea son of Elah ·made plans [conspired; plotted] against Pekah son of Remaliah and attacked and ·killed [assassinated] him. Then Hoshea became king in Pekah’s place during the twentieth year Jotham son of Uzziah was king.


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Everything else Pekah did ·is [is it not…?] written in the book of the ·history [chronicles; annals; ] of the kings of Israel.


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Jotham King of Judah Jotham son of Uzziah became king of Judah during the second year Pekah son of Remaliah was king of Israel.


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Jotham was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he ·ruled [reigned] sixteen years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jerusha daughter of Zadok.


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Jotham did ·what the Lord said was right [right in the eyes/sight of the Lord], just as his father Uzziah had done.


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But the ·places where gods were worshiped [high places; ] were not removed, and the people still made sacrifices and burned incense there. Jotham rebuilt the Upper Gate of the ·Temple [house] of the Lord.


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The other things Jotham did while he was king ·are [are they not…?] written in the book of the ·history [chronicles; annals; ] of the kings of Judah.


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Jotham ·died [lay down/slept with his fathers/ancestors] and was buried with his ·ancestors [fathers] in the City of David [Jerusalem], his ·ancestor [father]. Then Jotham’s son Ahaz became king in his place.


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Ahaz King of Judah Ahaz was the son of Jotham king of Judah. Ahaz became king of Judah in the seventeenth year Pekah son of Remaliah was king of Israel.


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Ahaz was twenty years old when he became king, and he ·ruled [reigned] sixteen years in Jerusalem. Unlike his ·ancestor [father] David, he did not do ·what the Lord his God said was right [right in the eyes/sight of the Lord his God].


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Ahaz ·did the same things the kings of Israel had done [walked in the way/path of the kings of Israel]. He even ·made his son pass through fire [sacrificed his son in the fire; a reference to human sacrifice]. He did the same ·hateful sins [detestable/abominable practices] as the nations had done whom the Lord had ·forced [driven] out of the land ahead of the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel].


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Ahaz offered sacrifices and burned incense at the ·places where gods were worshiped [high places: ], on the hills, and under every ·green [spreading] tree.


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Rezin king of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah, the king of Israel, came up to attack Jerusalem. They ·surrounded [besieged] Ahaz but could not ·defeat [conquer; overpower] him.


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At that time Rezin king of Aram ·took back [recovered] the city of Elath for Aram, and he forced out all the people of Judah. Then ·Edomites [Arameans] moved into Elath, and they still live there today.


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Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, saying, “I am your servant and your ·friend [vassal; son]. Come and ·save [rescue; deliver] me from the hand of the king of Aram and the king of Israel, who are attacking me.”


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Ahaz took the silver and gold that was in the ·Temple [house] of the Lord and in the treasuries of the ·palace [king’s house], and he sent these as a gift to the king of Assyria.


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So the king of Assyria listened to Ahaz. He attacked Damascus and captured it and ·sent all [exiled; deported] its people away to Kir. And he killed Rezin.


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Then King Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria. Ahaz saw an altar at Damascus, and he sent ·plans [a model] and a ·pattern [detailed plan] of this altar to Uriah the priest.


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So Uriah the priest built an altar, just like the plans King Ahaz had sent him from Damascus. Uriah finished the altar before King Ahaz came back from Damascus.


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When the king arrived from Damascus, he saw the altar and went ·near [up to it/onto it] and offered sacrifices on it [the building of this altar was an act of apostasy].


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He ·burned [offered; presented] his burnt offerings and grain offerings and poured out his drink offering. He also sprinkled the blood of his ·fellowship [or peace; well-being] offerings [] on the altar.


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Ahaz moved the bronze altar that was previously before the Lord at the front of the ·Temple [house]. It was between Ahaz’s altar [the new one] and the ·Temple [house] of the Lord [the Temple entrance], but he put it on the north side of his altar.


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King Ahaz commanded Uriah the priest, “On the ·large [great; the new one] altar ·burn [offer; present] the morning burnt offering [], the evening grain offering, the king’s burnt offering and ·grain [gift; tribute] offering [], and the whole burnt offering, the ·grain [gift; tribute] offering, and the drink offering for all the people of the land. Sprinkle on the altar all the blood of the burnt offering and of the sacrifice. But I will use the bronze altar to ·ask questions [inquire] of God.”


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Then King Ahaz ·took [cut] off the side panels from the bases and removed the ·washing bowls [basins] from the top of the ·bases [movable stands; portable water carts]. He also took the large bowl, which was called the Sea, off the bronze ·bulls [oxen] that held it up, and he put it on ·a [the] stone ·base [pavement; pediment].


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Ahaz took away the ·platform [dais; or canopy; covered portal] for the royal throne, which had been built at the ·Temple [house] of the Lord. He also took away the outside entrance for the king. He did these things because of the king of Assyria [to show deference and submission].


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The other things Ahaz did as king ·are [are they not…?] written in the book of the ·history [chronicles; annals; ] of the kings of Judah.


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Ahaz ·died [lay down/slept with his fathers/ancestors] and was buried with his ·ancestors [fathers] in the City of David [Jerusalem], and Ahaz’s son Hezekiah ·became king [reigned] in his place.


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Hoshea, Last King of Israel Hoshea son of Elah became king over Israel during Ahaz’s twelfth year as king of Judah. Hoshea ·ruled [reigned] in Samaria nine years.


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He did ·what the Lord said was wrong [evil in the eyes/sight of the Lord], but ·he was not as bad as [not like] the kings of Israel who had ·ruled [reigned] before him.


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Shalmaneser king of Assyria came to attack Hoshea. Hoshea had been Shalmaneser’s ·servant [vassal] and had ·made the payments to Shal-maneser that he had demanded [paid him tribute].


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But the king of Assyria found that Hoshea had betrayed him. Hoshea had ·made plans [conspired; plotted] against him by sending messengers to So, the king of Egypt. Hoshea had also ·stopped giving Shalmaneser the payments [offered no tribute to the king of Assyria], which he had paid every year in the past. For that, the king of Assyria put Hoshea in prison.


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Then the king of Assyria ·came and attacked [invaded] all the land of Israel. He ·surrounded [besieged] Samaria for three years.


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He ·defeated [captured] Samaria in the ninth year Hoshea was king, and he ·took [carried; exiled; deported] the Israelites away to Assyria. He settled them in Halah, in Gozan on the Habor River, and in the cities of the Medes.


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Israelites Punished for Sin All these things happened because the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel] had sinned against the Lord their God. He had brought them out of Egypt and had rescued them from the ·power [hand] of Pharaoh the king of Egypt [], but ·the Israelites [they] had ·honored [revered; feared] other gods [].


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They ·lived like [followed/walked in the practices of] the nations the Lord had ·forced [driven] out of the land ahead of them. They lived as their evil kings had shown them,


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secretly ·sinning [doing things that were not right] against the Lord their God. They ·built [set up] ·places to worship gods [high places; ] in all their cities, from the watchtower to the ·strong, walled [fortified] city.


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They put up ·stone [sacred] pillars to gods and Asherah ·idols [poles; a sacred tree or pole dedicated to the goddess Asherah; ; ] on every high hill and under every ·green [spreading] tree.


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The Israelites burned incense ·everywhere gods were worshiped [on all the high places; ], just as the nations who lived there before them had done, whom the Lord had ·forced [driven] out of the land. The Israelites did ·wicked [evil] things that ·made the Lord angry [aroused/provoked the Lord’s anger].


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The Lord used every prophet and seer to warn Israel and Judah. He said, “·Stop [Turn from] your evil ways and ·obey [keep; observe] my commands and laws. Follow all the ·teachings [law; torah] that I commanded your ·ancestors [fathers], the ·teachings [law; torah] that I gave you through my servants the prophets.”


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But the people would not listen. They were ·stubborn [stiff-necked], just as their ·ancestors [fathers] had been who did not ·believe [trust; have faith] in the Lord their God.


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They rejected the Lord’s laws and the ·agreement [covenant; treaty] he had ·made [cut] with their ·ancestors [fathers]. And they refused to listen to his warnings []. They worshiped ·useless [worthless; futile; vain] idols and became ·useless [worthless; futile; vain] themselves []. They did what the nations around them did, which the Lord had ·warned [commanded; ordered] them not to do [, ].


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The people ·rejected [forsook] all the commands of the Lord their God. They molded ·statues [cast images] of two calves [], and they made an Asherah ·idol [pole; a sacred tree or pole dedicated to the goddess Asherah; ; ]. They worshiped all the ·stars of the sky [forces/hosts of heaven; ] and served Baal.


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They ·made their sons and daughters pass through [sacrificed their sons and daughters in the] fire [; ; ] and tried to find out the future by magic and witchcraft []. They always chose to do ·what the Lord said was wrong [evil in the eyes/sight of the Lord], which ·made him angry [aroused/provoked him to anger].


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Because he was very angry with the people of Israel, he removed them from his ·presence [sight]. Only the tribe of Judah was left.


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Judah Is Also Guilty ·But even [Also] Judah did not ·obey [keep; observe] the commands of the Lord their God. They ·did what [followed/walked in the practices] the Israelites had done,


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so the Lord rejected all the ·people [descendants] of Israel. He ·punished [afflicted] them and ·let others destroy them [handed them over to plunderers/marauders]; he ·threw [banished; thrust] them out of his ·presence [sight].


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When the Lord ·separated [tore; ripped] them from the ·family [house] of David, the Israelites made Jeroboam son of Nebat their king. Jeroboam ·led [drew; enticed] the Israelites away from the Lord and led them to sin greatly [].


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So they ·continued to do [persisted; walked in] all the sins Jeroboam did. They did not ·stop doing [depart/turn away from] these sins


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until the Lord removed the Israelites from his ·presence [sight], just as he had ·said [warned; ; ] through all his servants the prophets. So the Israelites were ·taken out of [carried into exile/deported from] their land to Assyria, and they have been there to this day.


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The Beginning of the Samaritan People The king of Assyria brought people from Babylon, Cuthah, Avva, Hamath, and Sepharvaim and ·put [settled] them in the cities of Samaria to replace the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel]. These people took ·over [possession of] Samaria and lived in the cities.


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At first they did not ·worship [revere; fear] the Lord, so he sent lions among them which killed some of them.


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The king of Assyria was told, “You ·sent foreigners [deported/exiled/carried nations] into the cities of Samaria who do not know the ·law [custom] of the god of the land. This is why he has sent lions among them. The lions are killing them because they don’t know ·what the god wants [the law/custom of the god of the land].”


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Then the king of Assyria commanded, “Send back one of the priests you ·took away [carried into exile; deported]. Let him live there and teach the people ·what the god wants [the law/custom of the god of the land].”


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So one of the priests who had been carried ·away [into exile] from Samaria returned to live ·in [at] Bethel. And he taught the people how to ·honor [revere; fear] the Lord.


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But each nation made gods of its own and put them in the cities where they lived and in the ·temples [houses] ·where gods were worshiped [of the high places; ]. These ·temples [houses] had been built by the Samaritans.


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The people from Babylon made Succoth Benoth their god. The people from Cuthah ·worshiped [made] Nergal. The people of Hamath ·worshiped [made] Ashima.


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The Avvites ·worshiped [made] Nibhaz and Tartak. The Sepharvites burned their children in the fire, sacrificing them to Adrammelech and Anammelech, the gods of Sepharvaim.


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They also ·honored [revered; feared] the Lord, but they chose priests for the ·places where gods were worshiped [high places; ]. The priests were chosen from among themselves, and they ·made sacrifices [officiated at the temple/houses of the high places] for the people.


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The people ·honored [revered; feared] the Lord but also ·served [followed] their own gods, ·just as [in accordance with the customs of] the nations ·did from which they had been brought [from which they had been exiled].


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Even today they ·do as they did in the past [practice their former customs]. They do not ·worship [revere; fear] the Lord nor obey his ·rules [statutes; ordinances; requirements] and commands. They do not ·obey [worship nor observe] the ·teachings [law; torah] or the commands of the Lord, which he gave to the ·children [descendants] of Jacob, whom he had named Israel [].


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The Lord had made an ·agreement [covenant; treaty] with them and had commanded them, “Do not ·honor [revere; fear] other gods. Do not bow down to them or ·worship [serve] them or offer sacrifices to them.


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·Worship [Revere; Fear] the Lord who brought you up out of the land of Egypt with great power and ·strength [an outstretched arm]. Bow down to him and offer sacrifices to him.


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Always obey the rules, orders, ·teachings [law; torah], and commands he wrote for you. Do not ·honor [revere; fear] other gods.


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Do not forget the ·agreement [covenant; treaty] I made with you, and do not ·honor [revere; fear] other gods.


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Instead ·worship [revere; fear] the Lord your God, who will ·save [rescue; deliver] you from all your enemies.”


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But the Israelites did not listen. They ·kept on doing the same things they had done before [continued in their former practices/custom].


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So these nations ·honored [revered; feared] the Lord but also ·worshiped [served] their idols, and their children and grandchildren still do as their ·ancestors [fathers] did.


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Hezekiah King of Judah Hezekiah son of Ahaz king of Judah became king during the third year Hoshea son of Elah was king of Israel.


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Hezekiah was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he ·ruled [reigned] twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was ·Abijah [Abi; in she is called Abijah] daughter of Zechariah.


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Hezekiah did ·what the Lord said was right [right in the eyes/sight of the Lord], just as his ·ancestor [father] David had done.


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He removed the ·places where gods were worshiped [high places; ]. He smashed the stone pillars and ·cut down [smashed; broke] the Asherah ·idols [poles; a sacred tree or pole dedicated to the goddess Asherah; ]. Also the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel] had been burning incense to Nehushtan, the bronze ·snake [serpent] Moses had made []. But Hezekiah broke it into pieces.


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Hezekiah trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before him or after him.


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Hezekiah ·was loyal [clung; held fast; remained faithful/devoted] to the Lord and did not ·stop [depart from] following him; he ·obeyed [kept] the commands the Lord had given Moses.


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And the Lord was with Hezekiah, so he ·had success [prospered] in everything he did. He ·turned [rebelled] against the king of Assyria and stopped serving him [stopped paying tribute].


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Hezekiah defeated the Philistines ·all the way to [as far as] Gaza and its ·borders [territory], ·including [from] the watchtowers and the ·strong, walled [fortified] cities.


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The Assyrians Capture Samaria Shalmaneser king of Assyria surrounded Samaria and ·attacked [besieged] it in the fourth year Hezekiah was king. This was the seventh year Hoshea son of Elah was king of Israel.


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After three years the Assyrians captured Samaria. This was in the sixth year Hezekiah was king, which was Hoshea’s ninth year as king of Israel.


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The king of Assyria ·took [carried] the Israelites away to Assyria and settled them in Halah, in Gozan on the Habor River, and in the cities of the Medes.


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This happened because they did not obey the voice of the Lord their God. They broke his ·agreement [covenant; treaty] and did not obey all that Moses, the Lord’s servant, had commanded. They would not listen to the commands or do them.


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Assyria Attacks Judah During Hezekiah’s fourteenth year as king, Sennacherib king of Assyria attacked all the ·strong, walled [fortified] cities of Judah and captured them.


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Then Hezekiah king of Judah sent a message to the king of Assyria at Lachish. He said, “I have done wrong. ·Leave me alone [Withdraw from me], and I will ·pay [bear] anything you ·ask [impose].” So the king of Assyria made Hezekiah pay ·about twenty-two thousand pounds [three hundred talents] of silver and ·two thousand pounds [thirty talents] of gold.


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Hezekiah gave him all the silver that was in the ·Temple [house] of the Lord and in the ·palace [king’s house] treasuries.


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Hezekiah stripped all the gold that covered the doors and doorposts of the ·Temple [house] of the Lord. Hezekiah had ·put [overlaid] gold on these doors himself, but he gave it all to the king of Assyria.


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The king of Assyria sent out his supreme commander, his chief officer, and his field commander. They went with a large army from Lachish to King Hezekiah in Jerusalem. When they came near the ·waterway [aqueduct; conduit] from the upper pool on the road ·where people do their laundry [to the Fuller’s Field], they stopped.


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They called for the king, so the king sent Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah out to meet them. Eliakim son of Hilkiah was the ·palace [king’s house] manager, Shebna was the royal secretary, and Joah son of Asaph was the ·recorder [royal historian].


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The field commander said to them, “Tell Hezekiah this: “‘The great king, the king of Assyria, says: ·What can you trust in now [On what do you base your confidence; Where does this confidence come from]?


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You say you have ·battle plans [strategy; counsel] and ·power [strength] for war, but your words ·mean nothing [are empty]. Whom are you ·trusting [relying/counting on] for help so that you ·turn [rebel] against me?


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Look, you are depending on Egypt to help you, but Egypt is like a ·splintered [broken] ·walking stick [reed]. If you lean on it for help, it will stab your hand and ·hurt [pierce] you. So it will be with the king of Egypt for all those who depend on him.


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You might say, “We are depending on the Lord our God,” but ·Hezekiah [did not Hezekiah…?] destroyed the Lord’s altars and ·the places of worship [high places; ]. Hezekiah told Judah and Jerusalem, “You must worship only at this one altar in Jerusalem.”


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“‘Now make an ·agreement [covenant; treaty] with my ·master [lord], the king of Assyria: I will give you two thousand horses if you can find enough men to ride them [a taunt that Judah’s army was small].


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You cannot ·defeat [repel] one of my ·master’s [lord’s] least important officers, so why do you depend on Egypt to give you chariots and ·horsemen [charioteers]?


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·I have not [Do you think I have…?] come to attack and destroy this place without ·an order from the Lord [the Lord]. The Lord himself told me to come ·to [against] this country and destroy it.’”


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Then Eliakim son of Hilkiah, Shebna, and Joah said to the field commander, “Please speak to us in the Aramaic language. We understand it. Don’t speak to us in ·Hebrew [Judean], because the people on the city wall can hear you.”


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“No,” the commander said, “my ·master [lord] did not send me to tell these ·things [words] only to your ·master [lord] and you. He sent me to speak also to those people sitting on the wall who, like you, will have to eat their own dung and drink their own urine.”


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Then the commander stood and shouted loudly in ·the Hebrew language [Judean], “·Listen to what [Hear the word of] the great king, the king of Assyria, says!


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The king says you should not let Hezekiah ·fool [deceive; delude] you, because he can’t ·save [rescue; deliver] you from my ·power [hand].


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Don’t let Hezekiah ·talk [persuade] you into trusting the Lord by saying, ‘The Lord will surely ·save [rescue; deliver] us. This city won’t be handed over to the king of Assyria.’


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“Don’t listen to Hezekiah. The king of Assyria says, ‘Make peace with me, and come out of the city to me. Then everyone will be free to eat the fruit from his own grapevine and fig tree and to drink water from his own well.


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After that I will come and take you to a land like your own—a land with grain and new wine, bread and vineyards, olives, and honey. Choose to live and not to die [a promise that if they gave up, their resettlement would be pleasant]!’ “Don’t listen to Hezekiah. He is ·fooling [misleading] you when he says, ‘The Lord will ·save [rescue; deliver] us.’


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Has a god of any other nation ·saved [rescued; delivered] his people from the ·power [hand] of the king of Assyria?


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Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad? Where are the gods of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivvah? They did not ·save [rescue; deliver] Samaria from my power.


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Not one of all the gods of these countries has ·saved [rescued; delivered] his people from me. Neither can the Lord ·save [rescue; deliver] Jerusalem from my ·power [hand].”


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The people were silent. They didn’t answer the commander at all, because King Hezekiah had ordered, “Don’t answer him.”


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Then Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah tore their clothes [a sign of mourning or distress]. (Eliakim son of Hilkiah was the ·palace [king’s house] manager, Shebna was the royal secretary, and Joah son of Asaph was the ·recorder [royal historian].) The three men went to Hezekiah and told him what the field commander had said.


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Jerusalem Will Be Saved When King Hezekiah heard the message, he tore his clothes [a sign of mourning or distress] and put on ·rough cloth [sackcloth; burlap; also a sign of mourning]. Then he went into the ·Temple [house] of the Lord.


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Hezekiah sent Eliakim, the ·palace [king’s house] manager, and Shebna, the royal secretary, and the ·older [or elders of the] priests to Isaiah. They were all wearing ·rough cloth [sackcloth; burlap] when they came to Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz.


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They told Isaiah, “This is what Hezekiah says: Today is a day of ·sorrow [distress; trouble] and ·punishment [insults, rebuke] and ·disgrace [rejection], as when a child ·should [is ready to] be born, but the mother is not strong enough to give birth to it.


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The king of Assyria sent his field commander to ·make fun of [defy; ridicule; insult] the living God. Maybe the Lord your God will hear what the commander said and will ·punish [rebuke] him for it. So pray for the ·few of us who are left alive [remnant that is left].”


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he said to them, “Tell your ·master [lord] this: ·The Lord says [Thus says the Lord], ‘Don’t be afraid of what you have heard. Don’t be frightened by the words the servants of the king of Assyria have ·spoken [used to blaspheme] against me.


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Listen! I am going to put a spirit in the king of Assyria. He will hear a ·report [rumor; message] that will make him return to his own country, and I will cause him to ·die [fall] by the sword there.’”


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The field commander heard that the king of Assyria had left Lachish. When he went back, he found the king fighting against the city of Libnah.


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The king received a report that Tirhakah, the Cushite king of ·Egypt [Cush; present-day Ethiopia], was coming to attack him. When the king of Assyria heard this, he sent messengers to Hezekiah, saying,


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“Tell Hezekiah king of Judah: Don’t be ·fooled [deceived; deluded] by the god you trust. Don’t believe him when he says Jerusalem will not be handed over to the king of Assyria.


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You ·have heard [know] what the kings of Assyria have done. They have completely defeated every country, so do ·not [you…?] think you will be ·saved [rescued; delivered].


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Did the gods of those ·people [nations] ·save [rescue; deliver] them? My ·ancestors [fathers] destroyed them, defeating the cities of Gozan, Haran, and Rezeph, and the people of Eden living in Tel Assar.


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Hezekiah Prays to the Lord ·When [After] Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers and read it, he went up to the ·Temple [house] of the Lord. He spread the letter out before the Lord


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and prayed ·to [before] the Lord: “Lord, God of Israel, whose throne is ·between [above] the ·gold creatures with wings [cherubim; ], ·only you [you alone] are God of all the kingdoms of the earth. You made the heavens and the earth.


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·Hear [Extend/Incline your ear], Lord, and listen. Open your eyes, Lord, and see. Listen to the words Sennacherib has said to ·insult [defy; ridicule; mock] the living God.


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It is true, Lord, that the kings of Assyria have ·destroyed [devastated; laid waste to] these ·countries [nations] and their lands.


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They have thrown the gods of these nations into the fire, ·but [for] they were not gods at all but only wood and rock statues that people made. So the kings have destroyed them.


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Now, Lord our God, ·save [rescue; deliver] us from the king’s ·power [hand] so that all the kingdoms of the earth will know that you, Lord, ·are the only [alone are] God.”


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God Answers Hezekiah Then Isaiah son of Amoz sent a message to Hezekiah that said, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: I have heard your prayer to me about Sennacherib king of Assyria.


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This is ·what [the word] the Lord has said against Sennacherib: ‘The ·people of Jerusalem [virgin daughter of Zion] ·hate you [despises] and ·make fun of [mocks; scorns] you. The ·people [daughter] of Jerusalem ·laugh at you [tosses her head] ·as you run away [as you flee; or behind your back].


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·You have insulted me and spoken against me [Whom have you defied/ridiculed/mocked?]; ·you have raised your voice against me [Against whom have you raised your voice…]. ·You have a proud look on your face [and arrogantly lifted your eyes/gaze?]! Against the Holy One of Israel!


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You have sent your messengers to ·insult [defy; ridicule; mock] the Lord. You have said, “With my many chariots I have gone to the tops of the mountains, to the ·highest [or remotest] mountains of Lebanon. I have cut down its tallest cedars and its best ·pine [cypress] trees. I have gone to its farthest places and to its ·best [densest] forests.


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I have dug wells in foreign ·countries [lands] and drunk water there. By the soles of my feet, I have ·dried [stopped] up all the rivers of Egypt.”


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“‘King of Assyria, ·surely you have [have you not…?] heard. Long ago I, the Lord, ·planned [determined; ordained] these things. ·Long ago [In ancient times/days of old] I ·designed them [planned it], and now I have ·made them happen [brought them to pass]. I allowed you to turn those ·strong, walled [fortified] cities into piles of ·rocks [rubble; ruins].


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The people in those cities were ·weak [powerless; drained of strength]; they were ·frightened [dismayed] and ·put to shame [confused; confounded]. They were like grass in the field, like tender, young ·grass [shoots], like grass on the housetop that is ·burned [scorched] by the wind before it can grow.


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“‘I know ·when you rest [when you stand or sit; or where you are], when you come and go, and how you ·rage [rave] against me.


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Because you ·rage [rave] against me, and because I have heard your ·proud [arrogant] words, I will put my hook in your nose and my bit in your mouth. Then I will ·force you to leave my country [turn you back; make you retreat] the ·same way [road] you came.’


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“Then the Lord said, ‘Hezekiah, I will give you this sign: This year you will eat the grain that grows ·wild [of itself], and the second year you will eat what ·grows [springs] from that. But in the third year, ·plant grain [sow] and ·harvest it [reap]. Plant vineyards and eat their fruit.


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·Some of the people in [A remnant of] the ·family [house] of Judah will ·escape [survive]. ·Like plants that take root [They will put down roots below], ·they will grow strong and have many children [and will bear fruit above].


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A ·few people will come out of Jerusalem alive [remnant will spread out from Jerusalem]; ·a few from Mount Zion will live [and survivors out from Mount Zion]. The ·strong love [zeal] of the Lord All-Powerful will ·make this happen [accomplish this].’


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“So this is what the Lord says about the king of Assyria: ‘He will not enter this city or even shoot an arrow here. He will not fight against it with shields or build a ramp to ·attack the city walls [lay siege to it].


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He will ·return to his country [retreat] the same ·way [road] he came, and he will not enter this city,’ says the Lord.


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‘I will defend and ·save [rescue; deliver] this city for my sake and for the sake of David, my servant.’”


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The Angel of Death That night the ·angel [messenger] of the Lord went out and killed one hundred eighty-five thousand men in the Assyrian camp. When the people got up early the next morning, they saw all the dead bodies.


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One day as Sennacherib was worshiping in the ·temple [house] of his god Nisroch, his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer killed him with a sword. Then they escaped to the land of Ararat. So Sennacherib’s son Esarhaddon became king of Assyria.


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Hezekiah’s Illness At that time Hezekiah became so sick he ·almost died [was about to die]. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to see him and told him, “·This is what the Lord says [Thus says the Lord]: ·Make arrangements [Set your house in order] because you are going to die. You will not recover.”


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“Lord, please remember that I have always ·obeyed [walked before] you. I have ·given myself completely to you [served you wholeheartedly] and have done ·what you said was right [right in the eyes/sight of the Lord].” Then Hezekiah ·cried loudly [wept bitterly].


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“Go back and tell Hezekiah, the ·leader [ruler; prince] of my people: ‘This is what the Lord, the God of your ·ancestor [father] David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears, so I will heal you. Three days from now you will go up to the ·Temple [house] of the Lord.


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I will add fifteen years to your life. I will ·save [rescue; deliver] you and this city from [the hand of] the king of Assyria; I will ·protect [defend] the city for my sake and for the sake of my servant David.’”


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Then Isaiah said, “Make a ·paste [ointment; poultice] from figs.” So they made it and put it on Hezekiah’s boil, and he got well.


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Hezekiah had asked Isaiah, “What will be the sign that the Lord will heal me and that I will go up to the ·Temple [house] of the Lord on the third day?”


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Isaiah said, “The Lord will do what he ·says [promises]. This is the sign from the Lord to show you: Do you want the shadow to go forward ten steps or back ten steps?”


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Hezekiah answered, “It’s ·easy [normal] for the shadow to ·go forward [lengthen] ten steps. Instead, let it go back ten steps.”


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Then Isaiah the prophet called to the Lord, and the Lord brought the shadow ten steps back up the ·stairway [or dial; the shadows moved either on outside stairs or on a sundial] of Ahaz that it had gone down.


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Messengers from Babylon At that time Merodach-baladan son of Baladan was king of Babylon. He sent ·letters [greetings] and a gift to Hezekiah, because he had heard that Hezekiah ·was [had been] sick.


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Hezekiah ·listened to [received] the messengers, ·so [and] he showed them what was in his storehouses: the silver, gold, spices, ·expensive perfumes [precious oils], his ·swords and shields [armory], and all his ·wealth [treasures]. He showed them everything in his ·palace [house] and his kingdom.


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Then Isaiah the prophet went to King Hezekiah and asked him, “What did these men say? Where did they come from?” Hezekiah said, “They came from a faraway country—from Babylon.”


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So Isaiah asked him, “What did they see in your ·palace [house]?” Hezekiah said, “They saw everything in my ·palace [house]. I showed them all my ·wealth [treasuries; store houses].”


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‘·In the future to you [The time/day is coming when] everything in your ·palace [house] and everything your ·ancestors [fathers] have stored up until this day will be ·taken away [carried off] to Babylon. Nothing will be left,’ says the Lord.


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‘Some of your own ·children [sons], those ·who will be born to you [you will father], will be taken away. And they will become ·servants [eunuchs] in the palace of the king of Babylon.’”


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Hezekiah told Isaiah, “These words from the Lord that you have spoken are good.” He said this because he thought, “Why not? There will be peace and security in my lifetime.”


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Everything else Hezekiah did—all his ·victories [achievements; power], his work on the pool, his work on the tunnel to bring water into the city—·is [is it not…?] written in the book of the ·history [chronicles; annals; ] of the kings of Judah.


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Then Hezekiah ·died [lay down/slept with his fathers/ancestors], and his son Manasseh became king in his place.


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Manasseh King of Judah Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he ·was king [reigned] fifty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Hephzibah.


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He did ·what the Lord said was wrong [evil in the eyes/sight of the Lord]. He did the ·hateful things [detestable/abominable practices] the other nations had done—the nations that the Lord had ·forced [driven] out of the land ahead of the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel].


text:
Manasseh’s father, Hezekiah, had destroyed the ·places where gods were worshiped [high places; ], but Manasseh rebuilt them. He built altars for Baal, and he made an Asherah ·idol [pole; a sacred tree or pole dedicated to the goddess Asherah; ] as Ahab king of Israel had done. Manasseh also worshiped all the ·stars of the sky [hosts of heaven] and served them.


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The Lord had said about the ·Temple [house], “I will ·be worshiped [put my name] in Jerusalem,” but Manasseh built altars [pagan] in the ·Temple [house] of the Lord.


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He built altars to worship the ·stars [hosts of heaven] in the two courtyards of the ·Temple [house] of the Lord.


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He ·made his own son pass through fire [sacrificed his son in the fire; ]. He practiced ·magic [sorcery; soothsaying] and ·told the future by explaining signs and dreams [divination], and he ·got advice from [consulted] mediums and ·fortune-tellers [psychics; spiritualists]. He did ·many things the Lord said were wrong [much evil in the eyes/sight of the Lord], which ·made the Lord angry [aroused/provoked the Lord to anger].


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Manasseh carved an Asherah ·idol [pole; a sacred tree or pole dedicated to the goddess Asherah; ] and put it in the ·Temple [house]. The Lord had said to David and his son Solomon about the ·Temple [house], “I will ·be worshiped [put my name] forever in this ·Temple [house] and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen from all the tribes of Israel.


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I will never again make the ·Israelites [feet of Israel to] wander out of the land I gave their ·ancestors [fathers]. But they must ·obey [observe; do] everything I have commanded them and all the ·teachings [law; torah] my servant Moses gave them.”


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But the people did not listen. Manasseh led them to do more evil than the nations the Lord had destroyed ahead of the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel].


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“Manasseh king of Judah has done these ·hateful things [detestable/abominable practices]. He has done more ·evil [wickedness] than the Amorites before him. He also has led Judah to sin with his idols.


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So this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘I will bring ·so much trouble [such disaster/calamity] on Jerusalem and Judah that anyone who hears about it will ·be shocked [have tingling ears].


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I will stretch over Jerusalem the measuring line used for Samaria , and the plumb line used against Ahab’s ·family [house] will be used on Jerusalem. I will wipe out Jerusalem as a person wipes a dish and turns it upside down.


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I will ·throw away the rest of my people who are left [abandon/forsake/reject the remnant of my inheritance/heritage]. I will ·give them [hand them over; deliver them] to their enemies, and they will be ·robbed by all [the plunder and spoil of] their enemies,


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because my people did ·what I said was wrong [evil in my eyes/sight]. They have ·made me angry [aroused/provoked my anger] from the day their ·ancestors [fathers] left Egypt until ·now [today].’”


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Manasseh also ·killed [murdered] many innocent people, filling Jerusalem from one end to the other with their blood. This was besides the sin he led Judah to do; he led Judah to do ·what the Lord said was wrong [evil in the eyes/sight of the Lord].


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The other things Manasseh did as king, even the sin he did, ·are [are they not…?] written in the book of the ·history [chronicles; annals; ] of the kings of Judah.


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Manasseh ·died [lay down/slept with his fathers/ancestors] and was buried in the garden of his own ·palace [house], the garden of Uzza. Then Manasseh’s son Amon became king in his place.


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Amon King of Judah Amon was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he was king for two years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Meshullemeth daughter of Haruz, who was from Jotbah.


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Amon did ·what the Lord said was wrong [evil in the eyes/sight of the Lord], as his father Manasseh had done.


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He ·lived [followed; walked] in the same way his father had ·lived [followed; walked]: he ·worshiped [served] the idols his father had ·worshiped [served], and he ·bowed down before [worshiped] them.


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Amon ·rejected [abandoned; forsook] the Lord, the God of his ·ancestors [fathers], and did not ·follow [walk in] the ways of the Lord.


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Then the people of the land killed all those who had ·made plans [conspired; plotted] to kill King Amon, and they made his son Josiah king in his place.


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Everything else Amon did ·is [is it not…?] written in the book of the ·history [chronicles; annals; ] of the kings of Judah.


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Josiah King of Judah Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he ·ruled [reigned] thirty-one years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jedidah daughter of Adaiah, who was from Bozkath.


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Josiah did ·what the Lord said was right [right in the eyes/sight of the Lord]. He ·lived [walked] as his ·ancestor [father] David had ·lived [walked], and he did not ·stop doing what was right [turn aside/deviate to the right or to the left].


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In Josiah’s eighteenth year as king, he sent Shaphan to the ·Temple [house] of the Lord. Shaphan son of Azaliah, the son of Meshullam, was the royal secretary. Josiah said,


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“Go up to Hilkiah the high priest, and have him ·empty [count] out the money the ·gatekeepers [doorkeepers] have ·gathered [collected] from the people. This is the money they have brought into the ·Temple [house] of the Lord.


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Have him ·give [entrust] the money to the supervisors of the work on the ·Temple [house] of the Lord. They must pay the workers who ·repair [restore] the ·Temple [house] of the Lord—


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the carpenters, builders, and ·bricklayers [masons]. Also use the money to buy timber and ·cut [finished; dressed] stone to ·repair [restore] the ·Temple [house].


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They do not need to ·report [account for] how they use the money given to them, because they are working ·honestly [faithfully; conscientiously; ].”


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The Book of the Teachings Is Found Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the royal secretary, “I’ve found the Book of the ·Teachings [Law; torah] in the ·Temple [house] of the Lord.” He gave it to Shaphan, who read it.


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Then Shaphan the royal secretary went to the king and reported to Josiah, “Your ·officers [officials] have ·paid [emptied] out the money that was in the ·Temple [house] of the Lord. They have ·given [entrusted] it to the workers and supervisors at the ·Temple [house].”


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Then Shaphan the royal secretary told the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a ·book [scroll].” And Shaphan read from the ·book [scroll] to the king.


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When the king heard the words of the Book of the ·Teachings [Law; torah], he tore his clothes [a sign of mourning or distress].


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He gave orders to Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Acbor son of Micaiah, Shaphan the royal secretary, and Asaiah the king’s servant. These were the orders:


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“Go and ·ask [inquire of] the Lord about the words in the ·book [scroll] that was found. Ask for me, for all the people, and for all Judah. The Lord’s anger is burning ·greatly [fiercely] against us, because our ·ancestors [fathers] did not ·obey [listen to] the words of this ·book [scroll]; they did not do all the things written ·for us to do [concerning us].”


text:
So Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Acbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah went to talk to Huldah the prophetess. She was the wife of Shallum son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, who took care of the king’s ·clothes [wardrobe]. Huldah lived in Jerusalem, in the ·new area [New Quarter] of the city.


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She said to them, “·This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says [Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel]: Tell the man who sent you to me,


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‘This is what the Lord says: I will bring ·trouble to [disaster/evil on] this place and to the people living here, ·as it is written [in accordance with the words] in the ·book [scroll] which the king of Judah has read.


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The people of Judah have ·left [abandoned; forsaken] me and have burned incense to other gods. They have ·made me angry [aroused/provoked me to anger] by all that they have done. My anger burns against this place, and it will not be ·put out [quenched].’


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Tell the king of Judah, who sent you to ·ask [seek; inquire of] the Lord, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says about the words you heard:


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When you heard ·my words [what I spoke] against this place and its people, ·you became sorry for what you had done [your heart was touched/responsive/penitent/tender] and humbled yourself before me. I said they would be cursed and ·would be destroyed [desolated]. You tore your clothes [a sign of mourning or distress], and you ·cried in my presence [wept before me]. This is why I have heard you, says the Lord.


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So I will ·let you die [gather you to your fathers/ancestors], and you will be ·buried [gathered to your grave] in peace. You won’t see all the ·trouble [disaster; evil] I will bring to this place.’” So they took her message back to the king.


text:
The People Hear the Agreement Then the king ·gathered [summoned] all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem together.


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He went up to the ·Temple [house] of the Lord, and all the people from Judah and Jerusalem went with him. The priests, prophets, and all the people—·from the least important to the most important [both small/low and great/high]—went with him. He read to them all the words of the Book of the ·Agreement [Treaty; Covenant] that was found in the ·Temple [house] of the Lord.


text:
The king stood by the pillar and made an ·agreement [covenant; treaty] ·in the presence of [before] the Lord to follow the Lord and obey his commands, rules, and laws with his whole being, and to obey the words of the ·agreement [covenant; treaty] written in this ·book [scroll]. Then all the people ·promised to obey [pledged themselves to; entered into] the ·agreement [covenant; treaty].


text:
Josiah Destroys the Places for Idol Worship The king commanded Hilkiah the high priest and the priests of the ·next rank [second order] and the ·gatekeepers [doorkeepers] to bring out of the ·Temple [house] of the Lord ·everything [all the vessels/articles] made for Baal, Asherah, and all the ·stars of the sky [powers/hosts of heaven]. Then Josiah burned them outside Jerusalem in the ·open country [fields; terraces] of the Kidron Valley and carried their ashes to Bethel.


text:
The kings of Judah had ·chosen [appointed] priests for these gods. These priests burned incense in the ·places where gods were worshiped [high places; ] in the cities of Judah and the ·towns [area] around Jerusalem. They burned incense to Baal, the sun, the moon, the ·planets [constellations], and all the ·stars of the sky [hosts/powers of heaven]. But Josiah ·took those priests away [did away with/or exterminated those priests].


text:
He removed the Asherah ·idol [pole; a sacred tree or pole dedicated to the goddess Asherah; ] from the ·Temple [house] of the Lord and took it outside Jerusalem to the Kidron Valley, where he burned it and ·beat [ground] it into dust. Then he threw the dust on the graves of the common people.


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He also tore down the houses of the male prostitutes [] who were in the ·Temple [house] of the Lord, where the women ·did weaving [wove hangings/coverings/veils] for Asherah.


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King Josiah brought all the false priests from the cities of Judah. He ·ruined [desecrated; defiled] the ·places where gods were worshiped [high places; ], where the priests had burned incense, from Geba to Beersheba. He destroyed the ·places of worship [high places; ] at the entrance to the Gate of Joshua, the ·ruler [governor] of the city, on the left side of the city gate.


text:
The priests at the ·places where gods were worshiped [high places; ] were not allowed to ·serve [officiate; go up] at the Lord’s altar in Jerusalem. But they could eat ·bread made without yeast [unleaven bread] with their ·brothers [fellow priests].


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Josiah ·ruined [desecrated; defiled] Topheth, in the Valley of Ben Hinnom, so no one could ·sacrifice [pass through the fire] his son or daughter to Molech.


text:
Judah’s kings had ·placed [dedicated] horses to the sun at the front door of the ·Temple [house] of the Lord in the courtyard near the room of Nathan-Melech, an ·officer [official]. Josiah removed them and burned the chariots that were ·for sun worship also [dedicated to the sun].


text:
The kings of Judah had built altars on the ·roof [roofs were flat and served as an extra room] of the ·upstairs [upper] room of Ahaz. Josiah ·broke down [destroyed] these altars and the altars Manasseh had made in the two courtyards of the ·Temple [house] of the Lord. Josiah smashed them to pieces and threw their ·dust [rubble] into the Kidron Valley.


text:
King Josiah ·ruined [desecrated; defiled] the ·places where gods were worshiped [high places; ] east of Jerusalem, south of the Mount of ·Olives [or Corruption; or Destruction; so called because of the pagan sites]. Solomon king of Israel had built these places. One was for Ashtoreth, the ·hated goddess [detestable thing; abomination] of the Sidonians. One was for Chemosh, the ·hated god [detestable thing; abomination] of Moab. And one was for Molech, the ·hated god [detestable thing; abomination] of the Ammonites.


text:
Josiah smashed to pieces the ·stone [sacred] pillars they worshiped, and he cut down the Asherah ·idols [poles; a sacred tree or pole dedicated to the goddess Asherah; ]. Then he covered the places with human bones.


text:
Josiah also ·broke down [demolished] the altar at Bethel—the ·place of worship [high place; ] made by Jeroboam son of Nebat, who had led Israel to sin. Josiah burned that place, broke the stones of the altar into pieces, then ·beat [ground] them into dust. He also burned the Asherah ·idol [pole; ].


text:
When he turned around, he saw the ·graves [tombs] on the ·mountain [hillside]. He had the bones taken from the graves, and he burned them on the altar to ·ruin [desecrate; defile] it. This happened ·as the Lord had said it would [in accordance with the word of the Lord proclaimed] through the man of God [].


text:
Josiah asked, “What is that monument I see?” The people of the city answered, “It’s the grave of the man of God who came from Judah. This prophet announced the things you have done against the altar ·of [at] Bethel.”


text:
Josiah said, “Leave the grave alone. No one may ·move [disturb] this man’s bones.” So they left his bones and the bones of the prophet who had come from Samaria.


text:
The kings of Israel had built ·temples for worshiping gods [shrines/houses at the high places; ] in the cities of Samaria, which had ·caused the Lord to be angry [aroused/provoked the Lord to anger]. Josiah removed all those ·temples [shrines; houses] and did the same things as he had done at Bethel.


text:
He ·killed [slaughtered] all the priests of ·those places of worship [the high places; ]; he killed them on the altars and burned human bones on the altars. Then he went back to Jerusalem.


text:
Josiah Celebrates the Passover The king commanded all the people, “·Celebrate [Observe] the Passover to the Lord your God as it is written in this Book of the ·Agreement [Treaty; Covenant; ].”


text:
The Passover had not been ·celebrated [observed] like this since the judges ·led [ruled; judged] Israel. Nor had one like it happened ·while there were [in all the days/years of the] kings of Israel and kings of Judah.


text:
This Passover was ·celebrated [observed] to the Lord in Jerusalem in the eighteenth year of King Josiah’s rule.


text:
Josiah ·destroyed [removed; got rid of] the mediums, ·fortune-tellers [spiritualists], house gods, and idols. He also ·destroyed [removed; got rid of] all the ·hated gods [detestable/abominable practices] seen in the land of Judah and Jerusalem. This was to ·obey [fulfill; confirm] the words of the ·teachings [law; torah] written in the ·book [scroll] Hilkiah the priest had found in the ·Temple [house] of the Lord.


text:
There was no king like Josiah before or after him. He ·obeyed [turned to] the Lord with all his heart, soul, and strength [cf. , ; ], following all the ·Teachings [Law; torah] of Moses.


text:
Even so, the Lord did not ·stop [turn from] ·his strong and terrible [the heat of his great] anger. His anger burned against Judah because of all Manasseh had done to ·make him angry [provoke/arouse him to anger].


text:
The Lord said, “I will ·send [remove] Judah out of my sight, as I have ·sent Israel away [removed Israel]. I will ·reject [cast away] Jerusalem, which I chose. And I will take away the ·Temple [house] about which I said, ‘·I will be worshiped [My name will be] there.’”


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Everything else Josiah did ·is [is it not…?] written in the book of the ·history [chronicles; annals; ] of the kings of Judah.


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While Josiah was king, Pharaoh Neco king of Egypt went to help the king of Assyria at the Euphrates River. King Josiah marched out to fight against Neco, but at Megiddo, Neco ·faced [met] him and killed him.


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Josiah’s ·servants [officers] carried his body in a chariot from Megiddo to Jerusalem and buried him in his own ·grave [tomb]. Then the people of Judah ·chose [took] Josiah’s son Jehoahaz and ·poured olive oil on [anointed] him to make him king in his father’s place.


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Jehoahaz King of Judah Jehoahaz was twenty-three years old when he became king, and he ·was king [reigned] in Jerusalem for three months. His mother’s name was Hamutal, who was the daughter of Jeremiah from Libnah.


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Jehoahaz did ·what the Lord said was wrong [evil in the eyes/sight of the Lord], just as his ·ancestors [fathers] had done.


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·King [Pharaoh] Neco took Jehoahaz prisoner at Riblah in the land of Hamath so that Jehoahaz could not ·rule [reign] in Jerusalem. Neco ·made the people of Judah pay about [imposed a tribute of] ·seventy-five hundred pounds [one hundred talents] of silver and ·about seventy-five pounds [a talent] of gold.


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·King [Pharaoh] Neco made Josiah’s son Eliakim the king in place of Josiah his father. Then Neco changed Eliakim’s name to Jehoiakim [Eliakim means “God has established”; Jehoiakim means “Yahweh has established”; changing Eliakim’s name was a way Pharaoh asserted his authority over him]. But Neco took Jehoahaz to Egypt, where he died.


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Jehoiakim gave ·King Neco [Pharaoh] the silver and gold he demanded. Jehoiakim taxed the land and took silver and gold from the people of the land to give to ·King [Pharaoh] Neco. Each person had to pay ·his share [according to his wealth/assessment].


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Jehoiakim King of Judah Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he was king in Jerusalem for eleven years. His mother’s name was Zebidah daughter of Pedaiah, who was from Rumah.


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Jehoiakim did ·what the Lord said was wrong [evil in the eyes/sight of the Lord], just as his ·ancestors [fathers] had done.


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While Jehoiakim was king, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon attacked the land of Judah. So Jehoiakim became Nebu-chadnezzar’s ·servant [vassal] for three years. Then he turned against Nebuchadnezzar and ·broke away from his rule [rebelled].


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The Lord sent raiding ·parties [bands] from Babylon, Aram, Moab, and Ammon against Jehoiakim to destroy Judah. This happened ·as the Lord had said it would [in accordance with the word of the Lord spoken] through his servants the prophets.


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The Lord commanded this to happen to the people of Judah, to remove them from his ·presence [sight], because of all the sins of Manasseh.


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He had killed many innocent people and had filled Jerusalem with their blood. And the Lord would not forgive these sins.


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The other things that happened while Jehoiakim was king and all he did ·are [are they not…?] written in the book of the ·history [chronicles; annals; ] of the kings of Judah.


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Jehoiakim ·died [lay down/slept with his fathers/ancestors], and his son Jehoiachin became king in his place.


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The king of Egypt did not ·leave [march/venture out from] his land again, because the king of Babylon had captured all that belonged to the king of Egypt, from the brook of Egypt to the Euphrates River.


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Jehoiachin King of Judah Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he became king, and he ·was king [reigned] three months in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Nehushta daughter of Elnathan from Jerusalem.


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Jehoiachin did ·what the Lord said was wrong [evil in the eyes/sight of the Lord], just as his father had done.


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At that time the officers of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up to Jerusalem. When they reached the city, they ·attacked [besieged] it.


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Jehoiachin king of Judah surrendered to the king of Babylon, along with Jehoiachin’s mother, servants, nobles, and ·officers [officials]. So Nebuchadnezzar made Jehoiachin a prisoner in the eighth year he was king of Babylon.


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Nebuchadnezzar ·took [carried off] all the treasures from the ·Temple [house] of the Lord and from the ·palace [king’s house]. He ·cut up [stripped away] all the gold ·objects [vessels; articles] Solomon king of Israel had made for the ·Temple [house] of the Lord. This happened as the Lord had said it would.


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Nebuchadnezzar took ·away [into exile] all the people of Jerusalem, including all the ·leaders [commanders], all the ·wealthy people [nobles; or warriors], and all the craftsmen and ·metal workers [artisans]. There were ten thousand ·prisoners [captives] in all. Only the poorest people in the land were left.


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Nebuchadnezzar carried away Jehoiachin to Babylon, as well as the king’s mother and his wives, the ·officers [officials], and the ·leading men [elite] of the land. They were taken ·captive [into exile] from Jerusalem to Babylon.


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The king of Babylon also ·took [exiled] all seven thousand ·soldiers [men of valor], who were strong and ·able to fight in [fit for] war, and about a thousand craftsmen and ·metal workers [artisans]. Nebuchadnezzar ·took [exiled] them as ·prisoners [captives] to Babylon.


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Then he made Mattaniah, Jehoiachin’s uncle, king in Jehoiachin’s place. He also changed Mattaniah’s name to Zedekiah.


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Zedekiah King of Judah Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he became king, and he ·was king [reigned] in Jerusalem for eleven years. His mother’s name was Hamutal daughter of Jeremiah [not the prophet Jeremiah] from Libnah.


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Zedekiah did ·what the Lord said was wrong [evil in the eyes/sight of the Lord], just as Jehoiakim had done.


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All this happened in Jerusalem and Judah because the Lord was angry with them. Finally, he ·threw [banished; cast] them out of his presence. Zedekiah ·turned [rebelled] against the king of Babylon.


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The Fall of Jerusalem Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched against Jerusalem with his whole army during Zedekiah’s ninth year as king, on the tenth day of the tenth month [January 15, 588 bc]. He made a camp around the city and ·piled dirt against the city walls to attack it [built siege walls all around it].


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By ·the ninth day of the fourth month [July 18, 586 bc], the ·hunger [famine] was ·terrible [severe] in the city. There was no food for the people to eat.


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Then the wall of the city was breached, and the whole army ran away at night through the gate between the two walls by the king’s garden. ·While [Though] the Babylonians were still surrounding the city, Zedekiah and his men ran away toward the ·Jordan Valley [Arabah; a plain near Jericho, east of Jerusalem].


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But the Babylonian army chased King Zedekiah and caught up with him in the plains of Jericho. All of his army ·was scattered from [deserted] him,


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so they captured Zedekiah and took him to the king of Babylon at Riblah. There he passed sentence on Zedekiah.


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They ·killed [slaughtered] Zedekiah’s sons as he watched. Then they ·put [gouged] out his eyes and put bronze ·chains [shackles] on him and took him to Babylon.


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Nebuzaradan was the commander of the king’s special guards. This officer of the king of Babylon came to Jerusalem on ·the seventh day of the fifth month [August 14, 586 bc], in Nebuchadnezzar’s nineteenth year as king of Babylon.


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Nebuzaradan ·set fire to [burned down] the ·Temple [house] of the Lord and the ·palace [king’s house] and all the houses of Jerusalem. Every important building was burned.


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The whole Babylonian army, led by the commander of the king’s special guards, ·broke down [demolished] the walls around Jerusalem.


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Nebuzaradan, the commander of the guards, ·captured [carried into exile] the people left in Jerusalem, those who had ·surrendered [deserted] to the king of Babylon, and the rest of the people.


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But the commander of the guard left behind some of the poorest people of the land to ·take care of [work] the vineyards and fields.


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The Babylonians broke up the bronze pillars, the bronze stands, and the large bronze ·bowl [basin] called the Sea [] in the ·Temple [house] of the Lord. Then they carried the bronze to Babylon.


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They also took the pots, shovels, ·wick trimmers [snuffers], dishes, and all the bronze objects used to serve in the ·Temple [house].


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The commander of the king’s special guards took away the ·pans for carrying hot coals [censers], the ·bowls [basins], and everything made of ·pure [fine] gold or silver.


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There were two pillars and the large bronze Sea and the ·movable stands [water carts] which Solomon had made for the ·Temple [house] of the Lord. There was so much bronze that it could not be weighed.


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Each pillar was ·about twenty-seven feet [eighteen cubits; ] high. The bronze capital on top of the pillar was ·about four and one-half feet [three cubits] high. It was decorated with a ·net design and [latticework/network of] bronze pomegranates all around it. The other pillar also had a ·net design [latticework; network] and was like the first pillar.


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Judah Is Taken Prisoner The commander of the guards took some ·prisoners [captives]—Seraiah the chief priest, Zephaniah the priest next in rank, and the three ·doorkeepers [gatekeepers].


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Of the people who were still in the city, he took the officer in charge of the ·fighting men [soldiers], as well as five advisors to the king. He took the royal secretary who ·selected [conscripted] people for the army and sixty other men who were in the city.


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Nebuzaradan, the commander, took all these people and brought them to the king of Babylon at Riblah.


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There at Riblah, in the land of Hamath, the king had them killed. So the people of Judah were ·led away from their country as captives [sent into exile from their land].


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Gedaliah Becomes Governor Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon left some people in the land of Judah. He appointed Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, as governor.


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The army captains and their men heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah governor, so they came to Gedaliah at Mizpah. They were Ishmael son of Nethaniah, Johanan son of Kareah, Seraiah son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, Jaazaniah son of the Maacathite, and their men.


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Then Gedaliah ·promised [vowed/swore to] these army captains and their men, “Don’t be afraid of the Babylonian ·officers [officials]. Live in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and everything will go well for you.”


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In ·the seventh month [mid-autumn] Ishmael son of Nethaniah, son of Elishama from the king’s family, came with ten men and ·killed [assassinated; murdered] Gedaliah. They also killed the men of Judah and Babylon who were with Gedaliah at Mizpah.


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Then all the people, ·from the least important to the most important [both great/high and small/low], along with the army leaders, ran away to Egypt, because they were afraid of the Babylonians.


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Jehoiachin Is Set Free Jehoiachin king of Judah was ·held [exiled] in Babylon for thirty-seven years. In the thirty-seventh year Evil-Merodach became king of Babylon, and he let Jehoiachin out of prison on ·the twenty-seventh day of the twelfth month [April 2].


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Evil-Merodach spoke kindly to Jehoiachin and gave him a seat of honor above the seats of the other kings who were with him in Babylon.


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So Jehoiachin put ·away [aside] his prison clothes. For ·the rest [all the days] of his life, he ate ·at [in] the king’s ·table [presence].


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From Adam to Abraham Adam was the father of Seth [“was the father of” is added in ; the Hebrew simply lists names; “father” can also mean “ancestor”]. Seth was the father of Enosh. Enosh was the father of Kenan.


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Kenan was the father of Mahalalel. Mahalalel was the father of Jared. Jared was the father of Enoch.


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Enoch was the father of Methuselah. Methuselah was the father of Lamech, and Lamech was the father of Noah.


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Javan’s sons were Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim [his descendants were the people of Cyprus], and ·Rodanim [or Dodanim; ].


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Cush was the father of Nimrod, who ·grew up [was the first] to become a mighty warrior on the earth [].


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Shem’s sons were Elam, Asshur, Arphaxad, Lud, and Aram. Aram’s sons were Uz, Hul, Gether, and ·Meshech [or Mash; ].


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Eber had two sons. One son was named Peleg [“divided”], because the people on the earth were divided [into different language groups or districts] during his ·life [days]. Peleg’s brother was named Joktan.


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These ·were the sons [are the descendants/genealogies] of Isaac and Ishmael. Ishmael’s ·first son [firstborn] was Nebaioth. His other sons were Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam,


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Keturah, Abraham’s ·slave woman [concubine; a secondary wife], gave birth to Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. Jokshan’s sons were Sheba and Dedan.


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Midian’s sons were Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah. All these were descendants of Keturah [].


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Shobal’s sons were ·Alian [or Alvan; ], Manahath, Ebal, ·Shepho [or Shephi; ], and Onam. Zibeon’s sons were Aiah and Anah.


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The Kings of Edom These kings ·ruled [reigned] in Edom before there were kings in Israel []. Bela son of Beor was king of Edom, and his city was named Dinhabah.


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When Husham died, Hadad son of Bedad became king, and his city was named Avith. Hadad defeated Midian in the ·country [land; plains; field] of Moab.


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When Samlah died, Shaul became king. He was from Rehoboth ·by [on; near] the river [perhaps the Euphrates River].


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When Baal-Hanan died, Hadad became king, and his city was named ·Pau [Pai]. Hadad’s wife was named Mehetabel, and she was the daughter of Matred, who was the daughter of Me-Zahab.


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Then Hadad died. The ·leaders of the family groups [clan/tribal leaders; chiefs] of Edom were Timna, Alvah, Jetheth,


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Israel’s Family The sons of Israel [another name for Jacob] were Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun,


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Judah’s Family Judah’s sons were Er, Onan, and Shelah. A Canaanite woman, ·the daughter of Shua [or Bath-shua], was their mother. Judah’s ·first son [firstborn], Er, did ·what the Lord said was wicked [evil in the Lord’s sight/eyes], so the Lord ·put him to death [killed him].


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Carmi’s son was ·Achan [or Achar; “disaster”; ], ·who caused trouble for [the troubler of] Israel because he ·took [stole] ·things [plunder] that had been ·given to the Lord to be destroyed [set apart/devoted to the Lord; ].


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Ram was Amminadab’s father, and Amminadab was Nahshon’s father. Nahshon was the leader of the ·people [sons] of Judah.


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Their sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. Zeruiah’s three sons were ·Abishai [or Abshai; ], Joab, and Asahel.


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Caleb’s Family Caleb son of Hezron ·had [fathered] children by his wife Azubah and by Jerioth [possibly two names for the same woman]. Caleb and Azubah’s sons were Jesher, Shobab, and Ardon.


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Later, when Hezron was sixty years old, he married the daughter of Makir, Gilead’s father. Hezron ·had sexual relations with [went in to] Makir’s daughter, and she ·had [gave birth to] a son named Segub.


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Segub was the father of Jair. Jair ·controlled [held; owned; ruled] twenty-three cities in the ·country [land; territory] of Gilead.


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(But Geshur and Aram ·captured [took] the Towns of Jair, as well as Kenath and the ·small towns [villages] around it—sixty towns in all.) All these were descendants of Makir, the father of Gilead.


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After Hezron died ·in Caleb Ephrathah, his wife Abijah [or Caleb had sexual relations with Ephrath, his father Hezron’s wife, and she] ·had [gave birth to] his son, named Ashhur. Ashhur became the father of Tekoa.


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Jerahmeel’s Family Hezron’s ·first son [firstborn] was Jerahmeel. Jerahmeel’s sons were Ram, Bunah, Oren, Ozem, and Ahijah. Ram was Jerahmeel’s ·first son [firstborn].


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Jada was Shammai’s brother, and Jada’s sons were Jether and Jonathan. Jether died without having children.


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Sheshan let his daughter marry his ·servant [slave] Jarha, and she ·had [gave birth to] a son named Attai.


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Caleb’s Family Caleb was Jerahmeel’s brother. Caleb’s ·first son [firstborn] was Mesha. Mesha was the father of Ziph, and his son Mareshah was the father of Hebron.


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Caleb’s ·slave woman [concubine; a secondary wife] was named Ephah, and she ·was the mother of [gave birth to] Haran, Moza, and Gazez. Haran was the father of Gazez.


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Caleb had another ·slave woman [concubine; a secondary wife] named Maacah. She ·was the mother of [gave birth to] Sheber, Tirhanah,


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Shaaph, and Sheva. Shaaph was the father of Madmannah. Sheva was the father of Macbenah and Gibea. Caleb’s daughter was Acsah.


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These were Caleb’s descendants: Caleb’s son Hur was the ·first son [firstborn] of his mother Ephrathah [called Ephrath in ]. Hur’s sons were Shobal, Salma, and Hareph. Shobal was the father of Kiriath Jearim. Salma was the father of Bethlehem. And Hareph was the father of Beth Gader.


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and the ·family groups [clans] of Kiriath Jearim: the Ithrites, Puthites, Shumathites, and Mishraites. The Zorathites and the Eshtaolites ·came [descended; went forth] from the Mishraite people.


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Salma’s descendants were Bethlehem, the Netophathites, Atroth Beth Joab, half the Manahathites, and the Zorites.


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His descendants included the families who lived at Jabez, who ·wrote and copied important papers [were scribes]. They were called the Tirathites, Shimeathites, and Sucathites and were from the Kenite ·family group [clan] who came from Hammath. He was the father of the ·people living in [house of] Recab.


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David’s Family These are David’s sons who were born in Hebron. The first was Amnon [], whose mother was Ahinoam from Jezreel. The second son was Daniel, whose mother was Abigail from Carmel.


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The third son was Absalom, whose mother was Maacah daughter of Talmai, the king of Geshur. The fourth son was Adonijah [], whose mother was Haggith.


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The fifth son was Shephatiah, whose mother was Abital. The sixth son was Ithream, whose mother was Eglah.


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These six sons of David were born to him in Hebron, where David ruled for seven and one-half years. David ruled in Jerusalem thirty-three years.


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These were his children who were born in Jerusalem: ·Shammua [or Shimea; ], Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon—the four children of David and ·Bathsheba [or Bathshua; ], Ammiel’s daughter.


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David’s other nine children were Ibhar, ·Elishua [or Elishama; apparently not the same son as later in the list; ], ·Eliphelet [or Elpelet, ]; apparently not the same son as at the end of this list], Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.


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These were all of David’s sons, except for those born to his ·slave women [concubines; secondary wives]. Tamar was their sister.


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The Kings of Judah Solomon’s son was Rehoboam. Rehoboam’s son was Abijah. Abijah’s son was Asa. Asa’s son was Jehoshaphat.


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Jehoshaphat’s son was ·Jehoram [or Joram; a variant of the same name]. ·Jehoram’s [or Joram’s] son was Ahaziah. Ahaziah’s son was Joash.


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These were Josiah’s sons: His ·first son [firstborn] was Johanan, his second was Jehoiakim, his third was Zedekiah, and his fourth was Shallum.


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Jehoiakim was ·followed [succeeded] by ·Jehoiachin [or Jeconiah], and he was ·followed by [succeeded by his son] Zedekiah.


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David’s Descendants After the Babylonian Captivity ·Jehoiachin [or Jeconiah] was taken as a prisoner []. His sons were Shealtiel,


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Pedaiah’s sons were Zerubbabel and Shimei. Zerubbabel’s sons were Meshullam and Hananiah, and their sister was Shelomith.


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Hananiah’s descendants were Pelatiah and ·Jeshaiah, and the sons of Rephaiah, Arnan, Obadiah, and Shecaniah [or his son Jeshaiah, and Jeshaiah’s son Rephaiah, and Rephaiah’s son Arnan, and Arnan’s son Obadiah, and Obadiah’s son Shecaniah].


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Shecaniah’s son was Shemaiah. Shemaiah’s sons were Hattush, Igal, Bariah, Neariah, and Shaphat. There were six in all.


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Reaiah was Shobal’s son. Reaiah was the father of Jahath, and Jahath was the father of Ahumai and Lahad. They were the ·family groups [clans] of the Zorathite people.


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Hur was the ·oldest son [firstborn] of Caleb and his wife Ephrathah. Hur was the ·leader [father] of Bethlehem. His three sons were Etam, Penuel, and Ezer. Etam’s sons were Jezreel, Ishma, and Idbash. They had a sister named Hazzelelponi. Penuel was the father of Gedor, and Ezer was the father of Hushah.


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Naarah gave birth to Ahuzzam, Hepher, Temeni, and Haahashtari. These were the descendants of Naarah.


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and Koz. Koz was the father of Anub, Hazzobebah, and the Aharhel ·family group [clan]. Aharhel was the son of Harum.


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There was a man named Jabez, who was more ·respected [honorable; honored; known] than his brothers. His mother named him Jabez [sounds like the word for “pain”] because she said, “I was in much pain when I gave birth to him.”


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Jabez ·prayed [called/cried out] to the God of Israel, “·Please [Oh that/If only you would] ·do good things for me [bless me] and ·give me more land [enlarge/extend/expand my territory/border]. ·Stay [Keep your hand] with me, and ·don’t let anyone hurt me [keep me from harm/trouble]. ·Then […so that] I ·won’t have any [will be free from/not have to endure] pain.” And God ·did what Jabez had asked [granted/answered his request/prayer].


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Eshton was the father of Beth Rapha, Paseah, and Tehinnah. Tehinnah was the father of the people from the town of Nahash. These ·people were [are the men/descendants] from Recah.


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Meonothai was the father of Ophrah. Seraiah was the father of Joab. Joab was the ·ancestor of the people from [father/founder of] ·Craftsmen’s Valley [Geharashim], named that because they were ·craftsmen [artisans].


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Ezrah’s sons were Jether, Mered, Epher, and Jalon. Mered married Bithiah, the daughter of the king of Egypt. The children of Mered and Bithiah were Miriam, Shammai, and Ishbah. Ishbah was the father of Eshtemoa. Mered also had a wife from Judah, who gave birth to Jered, Heber, and Jekuthiel. Jered became the father of Gedor. Heber became the father of Soco. And Jekuthiel became the father of Zanoah.


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Hodiah’s wife was Naham’s sister. The sons of Hodiah’s wife were Eshtemoa and the father of Keilah. Keilah was from the Garmite people, and Eshtemoa was from the Maacathite people.


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Shelah was Judah’s son. Shelah’s sons were Er, Laadah, Jokim, the men from Cozeba, Joash, and Saraph. Er was the father of Lecah. Laadah was the father of Mareshah and the ·family groups [clans] of linen workers at Beth Ashbea. Joash and Saraph ·ruled [or married] in Moab ·and Jashubi [or but returned to] Lehem. ·The writings about this family are very old [This is from the ancient records/traditions].


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Shimei had sixteen sons and six daughters, but his brothers did not have many children, so ·there were not as many people in their family group as there were in [their clan did not grow large/multiply like the sons of] Judah.


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Beth Marcaboth, Hazar Susim, Beth Biri, and Shaaraim. They lived in these cities until ·David became king [David’s reign].


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There were also other villages as far away as ·Baalath [Baal]. ·This is where they lived [These were their settlements]. And they ·wrote the history of their family [kept genealogical records].


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The men in this list were leaders of their ·family groups [clans]: Meshobab, Jamlech, Joshah son of Amaziah, Joel, Jehu son of Joshibiah (Joshibiah was the son of Seraiah, who was the son of Asiel), Elioenai, Jaakobah, Jeshohaiah, Asaiah, Adiel, Jesimiel, Benaiah, and Ziza. (Ziza was the son of Shiphi, who was the son of Allon. Allon was the son of Jedaiah, who was the son of Shimri. And Shimri was the son of Shemaiah.) ·These families [Their father’s houses] grew very large.


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They went ·outside [to the entrance/outskirts of] the city of Gedor to the east side of the valley to look for pasture for their flocks.


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They found ·rich [fertile] and ·good [lush] pasture, and the land was ·open country [broad] and ·peaceful [undisturbed; untroubled] and quiet. Ham’s descendants had lived there ·in the past [formerly].


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These men ·who were [whose names are] listed came to Gedor while Hezekiah was king of Judah. They ·fought against [attacked] the Hamites, destroying their tents, and also ·against [attacked] the Meunites who lived there, and ·completely destroyed them [or put them under a curse of destruction]. So there are no Meunites there even today. Then these men ·began to live there [lived there in their place], because there was pasture for their flocks.


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Ishi’s sons, Pelatiah, Neariah, Rephaiah, and Uzziel, led five hundred of the Simeonites and attacked ·the people living in the mountains of Edom [the hill country of Seir; or Mount Seir].


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They ·killed [destroyed; defeated] the few Amalekites who were still alive. From that time until now these Simeonites have lived in Edom.


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Reuben’s Children Reuben was Israel’s [Jacob’s] ·first son [firstborn]. Reuben ·should have received the special privileges of the oldest son [was the firstborn], but he ·had sexual relations with his father’s slave woman [defiled his father’s bed; ]. So ·those special privileges [that birthright] were given to Joseph’s sons. (Joseph was a son of Israel [Jacob].) In the ·family history Reuben’s name [genealogical record he] is not listed as ·the first son [having the right of the firstborn].


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Judah became ·stronger than [predominant/prominent over] his brothers, and a leader came from his family [likely referring to David]. But ·Joseph’s family received the privileges that belonged to the oldest son [the birthright belonged to Joseph].


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These were the children of Joel: Shemaiah was Joel’s son. Gog was Shemaiah’s son. Shimei was Gog’s son.


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Beerah was Baal’s son. Beerah was a leader of the tribe of Reuben. Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria captured him and took him ·away [into exile/captivity].


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Joel’s ·brothers [relatives; kinsmen] and all his ·family groups [clans] are listed ·just as they are written in their family histories [according to their genealogical records]: Jeiel was the ·first [leader; chief], then Zechariah,


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and Bela. (Bela was the son of Azaz. Azaz was the son of Shema, and Shema was the son of Joel.) They lived in the area ·of [that stretches from] Aroer all the way to Nebo and Baal Meon.


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Bela’s people lived to the east—as far as the edge of the ·desert [wilderness], ·which is beside [that stretches to] the Euphrates River—because they had ·too [so] many cattle ·for [in] the land of Gilead.


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When Saul was king, Bela’s people fought a war against the Hagrite people ·and defeated them [who fell by their hand]. Then Bela’s people lived in the ·tents [settlements] that had belonged to the Hagrites in all the area east of Gilead.


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Gad’s Children The ·people from the tribe [sons] of Gad lived ·near [beside] the Reubenites. The Gadites lived in the area of Bashan all the way to Salecah.


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Joel was the ·main leader [chief], Shapham was second, and then Janai and Shaphat were leaders in Bashan.


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The seven ·relatives [brothers] in their ·families [clans] were Michael, Meshullam, Sheba, Jorai, Jacan, Zia, and Eber.


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They were the descendants of Abihail. Abihail was Huri’s son. Huri was Jaroah’s son. Jaroah was Gilead’s son. Gilead was Michael’s son. Michael was Jeshishai’s son. Jeshishai was Jahdo’s son, and Jahdo was the son of Buz.


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The Gadites lived in Gilead, Bashan and the small towns around it, and on all the pasturelands in the Plain of Sharon all the way to the borders.


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All these names were written in the ·family history [genealogical records] of Gad during the time Jotham was king of Judah and Jeroboam was king of Israel.


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Soldiers Skilled in War There were forty-four thousand seven hundred sixty ·soldiers [able-bodied/valiant men] from the tribes of Reuben and Gad and ·East [the half-tribe of] Manasseh who carried shields and swords and bows. They were ·skilled in war [trained for battle].


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The men from the tribes of Manasseh, Reuben, and Gad ·prayed [cried out] to God during the ·war [battle], asking him to help them. So he helped them because they trusted him. He handed over to them the Hagrites and all those who were with them.


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They took the animals that belonged to the Hagrites: fifty thousand camels, two hundred fifty thousand sheep, and two thousand donkeys. They also captured one hundred thousand people.


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Many Hagrites were killed because God helped the people of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh. Then they ·lived there [occupied their land/territory] until ·Babylon captured them and took them away [the exile/captivity; ].


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East Manasseh The many people of ·East [the half-tribe of] Manasseh lived in the area of Bashan all the way to Baal Hermon, Senir, and Mount Hermon.


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These were the ·family [clan] leaders: Epher, Ishi, Eliel, Azriel, Jeremiah, Hodaviah, and Jahdiel. They were ·all strong, brave [mighty warriors/men of valor], and ·famous men [men of reputation], and ·leaders in their families [head of their clans].


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But they ·sinned against [were unfaithful to] the God ·that their ancestors had worshiped [of their fathers]. They ·began worshiping [prostituted themselves to] the gods of the people in that land, ·and those were the people God was destroying [whom God had destroyed before them].


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So the God of Israel ·made Pul king of Assyria want to go to war [stirred up the spirit of Pul king of Assyria]. (Pul was also called Tiglath-pileser [ruled 744–727 bc].) He ·captured [carried into exile] the people of Reuben, Gad, and ·East [the half-tribe of] Manasseh, and he took them away to Halah, Habor, Hara, and near the Gozan River. They have lived there from that time until this day.


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Amram’s children were Aaron, Moses, and Miriam. Aaron’s sons were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar [; ].


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Johanan was the father of Azariah. (Azariah was a priest in the ·Temple [house] Solomon built in Jerusalem.)


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Jehozadak ·was forced to leave his home [went into exile] when the Lord sent Judah and Jerusalem into ·captivity [exile] under Nebu-chadnezzar [; ].


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Merari’s sons were Mahli and Mushi. This is a list of the ·family groups [clans] of Levi, ·listed by the name of the father of each group [by their fathers].


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Kohath’s ·son [descendant; the list differs from ] was Amminadab. Amminadab’s son was Korah. Korah’s son was Assir.


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Nahath’s son was Eliab. Eliab’s son was Jeroham. Jeroham’s son was Elkanah, and Elkanah’s son was Samuel.


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The Temple Musicians David ·chose [appointed; assigned] some people to be in charge of the music in the house of the Lord. They began their work after the ·Ark of the Agreement [Ark] was put there.


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They ·served by making music [ministered with song] at the ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle] (also called the Meeting Tent), and they served until Solomon built the ·Temple [house] of the Lord in Jerusalem. They ·followed the rules for their work [served according to the regulations].


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These are ·the musicians [those who served] and their sons: From ·Kohath’s family [the sons of the Kohathites] there was Heman the ·singer [musician]. Heman was Joel’s son. Joel was Samuel’s son.


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Amasai was Elkanah’s son. Elkanah was Joel’s son. Joel was Azariah’s son. Azariah was Zephaniah’s son.


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Zephaniah was Tahath’s son. Tahath was Assir’s son. Assir was Ebiasaph’s son. Ebiasaph was Korah’s son.


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There was Heman’s ·helper [assistant; or kinsman; brother] Asaph, whose group stood by Heman’s right side. Asaph was Berekiah’s son. Berekiah was Shimea’s son.


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Merari’s ·family [clan] were the ·helpers [assistants; or kinsmen; brothers;] of Heman and Asaph, and they stood by Heman’s left side. In this group was Ethan son of Kishi. Kishi was Abdi’s son. Abdi was Malluch’s son.


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·The other [Their brothers/kinsmen the] Levites ·served by doing their own special work [were appointed/assigned to other tasks/duties/service] in the ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle], the house of God.


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Aaron and his descendants offered the sacrifices on the altar of burnt offering [] and burned the incense on the altar of incense []. They offered the sacrifices that ·removed [made atonement for] the Israelites’ sins. They did all the work in the Most Holy Place ·and followed all the laws [according to all] that Moses, God’s servant, had commanded.


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These were Aaron’s sons: Eleazar was Aaron’s son. Phinehas was Eleazar’s son. Abishua was Phinehas’ son.


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Land for the Levites These are the ·places [settlements; areas] where Aaron’s descendants lived. His descendants from the Kohath ·family group [clan] received the first ·share of the land [or territory by means of sacred lots].


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but the fields farther from the city and the villages near Hebron were given to Caleb son of Jephunneh.


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So the descendants of Aaron were given Hebron, one of the cities of ·safety [refuge]. They also received the towns and pastures of Libnah, Jattir, Eshtemoa,


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They also received these towns and pastures from the tribe of Benjamin: Gibeon, Geba, Alemeth, and Anathoth. The Kohath ·family groups [clans; Aaron’s descendants] received a total of thirteen towns.


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The rest of the ·Kohath family group [sons of Kohath] was given ten towns from the ·family groups of West [the half-tribe of] Manasseh. The towns were chosen by ·throwing [sacred] lots.


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The Gershon ·family group [clan] received thirteen towns from the tribes of Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and the part of Manasseh living in Bashan.


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The ·Merari family group [sons/descendants of Merari] received twelve towns from the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Zebulun. Those towns were chosen by ·throwing [sacred] lots.


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The towns from the tribes of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin, ·which were named [previously mentioned], were chosen by ·throwing [sacred] lots.


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Some of the Kohath ·family groups [clans] received ·towns and pastures [territory] from the tribe of Ephraim.


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They received Shechem, one of the cities of ·safety [refuge; someone who accidentally killed another person could receive protection from those seeking revenge; ; ], with its pastures in the ·mountains [hill country] of Ephraim. They also received the towns and pastures of Gezer,


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The rest of the people in the Kohath ·family group [clan] received the towns of Aner and Bileam and their pastures from ·West [the half-tribe of] Manasseh.


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From ·East [the half-tribe of] Manasseh, the ·Gershon [or Gershom; ] ·family [clan] received the towns and pastures of Golan in Bashan and Ashtaroth.


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From the tribe of Issachar, the ·Gershon [or Gershom] family received the towns and pastures of Kedesh, Daberath, Ramoth, and Anem.


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From the tribe of Asher, the ·Gershon [or Gershom] ·family [clan] received the towns and pastures of Mashal, Abdon, Hukok, and Rehob.


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From the tribe of Naphtali, the ·Gershon [or Gershom] ·family [clan] received the towns and pastures of Kedesh in Galilee, Hammon, and Kiriathaim.


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The rest of the Levites, the people from the Merari ·family [clan], received from the tribe of Zebulun the towns and pastures of Jokneam, Kartah, Rimmono, and Tabor.


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From the tribe of Reuben, the Merari ·family [clan] received the towns and pastures of Bezer in the desert, Jahzah, Kedemoth, and Mephaath. (The tribe of Reuben lived east of the Jordan River, across from Jericho.)


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From the tribe of Gad, ·the Merari family [they] received the towns and pastures of Ramoth in Gilead, Mahanaim, Heshbon, and Jazer.


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Tola’s sons were Uzzi, Rephaiah, Jeriel, Jahmai, Ibsam, and Samuel, and they were leaders of their ·families [clans]. In the ·family [clan] ·history [genealogy] of Tola’s descendants, twenty-two thousand six hundred men were listed as ·fighting men [warriors; mighty men of valor] during the time ·David was king [of David].


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Uzzi’s son was Izrahiah. Izrahiah’s sons were Michael, Obadiah, Joel, and Isshiah. All five of them were ·leaders [chiefs].


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Their ·family [clan] ·history [genealogy] shows they had thirty-six thousand ·men [troops] ready to ·serve in [go to war with] the army, because they had many wives and children.


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The ·records [genealogy] of the ·family groups [clans] of Issachar show there were eighty-seven thousand ·fighting men [warriors; mighty men of valor].


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Bela had five sons: Ezbon, Uzzi, Uzziel, Jerimoth, and Iri, and they were leaders of their ·families [clans]. Their ·family [clan] ·history [genealogy] shows they had twenty-two thousand thirty-four ·fighting men [warriors; mighty men of valor].


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Beker’s sons were Zemirah, Joash, Eliezer, Elioenai, Omri, Jeremoth, Abijah, Anathoth, and Alemeth. They all were Beker’s sons.


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Their ·family [clan] ·history [genealogy] listed the ·family [clan] ·leaders [chiefs] and twenty thousand two hundred ·fighting men [warriors; mighty men of valor].


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Jediael’s son was Bilhan. Bilhan’s sons were Jeush, Benjamin, Ehud, Kenaanah, Zethan, Tarshish, and Ahishahar.


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All these sons of Jediael were leaders of their ·families [clans]. They had seventeen thousand two hundred ·fighting men [warriors; mighty men of valor] ready to ·serve in [go to war with] the army.


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The Shuppites and Huppites were descendants of Ir, and the Hushites were descendants of ·Aher [Ahiram; ].


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Naphtali’s Children Naphtali’s sons were ·Jahziel [or Jahzeel; ], Guni, Jezer, and ·Shillem [Shallum; , ]. They were Bilhah’s ·grandsons [descendants; Bilhah was Jacob’s concubine].


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Manasseh’s Children These are Manasseh’s descendants. Manasseh had an Aramean ·slave woman [concubine; a secondary wife], who ·was the mother of [gave birth to] Asriel and Makir. Makir was Gilead’s father.


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Makir took a wife from the Huppites and Shuppites. His sister was named Maacah. His second son was named Zelophehad, and he had only daughters.


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Makir’s wife Maacah ·had [gave birth to] a son whom she named Peresh. Peresh’s brother was named Sheresh. Sheresh’s sons were Ulam and Rakem.


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Ulam’s son was Bedan. These were the sons of Gilead, who was the son of Makir. Makir was Manasseh’s son.


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Ephraim’s Children These are the names of Ephraim’s descendants. Ephraim’s son was Shuthelah. Shuthelah’s son was Bered. Bered’s son was Tahath. Tahath’s son was Eleadah. Eleadah’s son was Tahath.


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Tahath’s son was Zabad. Zabad’s son was Shuthelah. Ezer and Elead went to Gath to steal ·cows and sheep [cattle; livestock; the term “cattle” can refer to various domesticated animals] and were killed by some men who grew up in that city.


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Their father Ephraim ·cried [mourned] for them many days, and his ·family [relatives; brothers] came to ·comfort [console] him.


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Then he ·had sexual relations with [slept with; went in to] his wife again. She became pregnant and gave birth to a son whom Ephraim named Beriah [sounds like “trouble”] because of the ·trouble [disaster; tragedy] that had ·happened to his family [come upon his house].


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Ephraim’s descendants lived in these lands and towns: Bethel and the villages near it, Naaran on the east, Gezer and the villages near it on the west, and Shechem and the villages near it all the way to Ayyah and its villages.


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Along the borders of Manasseh’s land were the towns of Beth Shan, Taanach, Megiddo, and Dor, and the villages near them. The descendants of Joseph son of Israel [Jacob] lived in these towns.


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Japhlet’s brother was ·Shemer [or Shomer; ]. Shemer’s sons were Rohgah, ·Hubbah [or Jachbah; the text says Jachbah; the marginal reading has Hubbah], and Aram.


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All these men were descendants of Asher and leaders of their ·families [clans]. They were ·powerful warriors [mighty men of valor] and ·outstanding leaders [chief of princes]. Their ·family history [genealogical record] lists that they had twenty-six thousand soldiers ready to ·serve in [go to war with] the army.


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The Family History of King Saul Benjamin was the father of Bela, his ·first son [firstborn]. Ashbel was his second son, Aharah was his third,


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These were the descendants of Ehud and leaders of their ·families [clans] in Geba. They were ·forced to move [exiled; deported] to Manahath.


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Ehud’s descendants were Naaman, Ahijah, and ·Gera [or Geba]. ·Gera [or Geba] ·forced them to leave [led them into exile]. He was the father of Uzza and Ahihud.


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Shaharaim and his wife Hushim had sons named Abitub and Elpaal. In Moab, Shaharaim ·divorced [sent away] his wives Hushim and Baara. Shaharaim and his wife Hodesh had these sons: Jobab, Zibia, Mesha, Malcam, Jeuz, Sakia, and Mirmah. They were leaders of their ·families [clans].


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Elpaal’s sons were Eber, Misham, Shemed, Beriah, and Shema. Shemed built the towns of Ono and Lod and the villages around them. Beriah and Shema were leaders of the ·families [clans] living in Aijalon, and they ·forced out [drove out; routed] the people who lived in Gath.


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The ·family histories [genealogical records] show that all these men were leaders of their ·families [clans] and lived in Jerusalem.


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and Mikloth. Mikloth was the father of Shimeah. These sons also lived ·near [with; across from] their relatives in Jerusalem.


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Ner was the father of Kish. Kish was the father of Saul, and Saul was the father of Jonathan, Malki-Shua, Abinadab, and Esh-Baal [Ishbosheth; ].


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Ahaz was the father of Jehoaddah. Jehoaddah was the father of Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri. Zimri was the father of Moza.


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Moza was the father of Binea. Raphah was Binea’s son. Eleasah was Raphah’s son, and Azel was Eleasah’s son.


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Azel had six sons: Azrikam, ·Bokeru [or the firstborn], Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, and Hanan. All these were Azel’s sons.


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Azel’s brother was Eshek. Eshek’s ·first son [firstborn] was Ulam, his second was Jeush, and Eliphelet was his third.


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Ulam’s sons were mighty ·warriors [men of valor] and good archers. They had many sons and grandsons—one hundred fifty of them in all. All these men were Benjamin’s descendants.


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The People in Jerusalem The names of all the people of Israel were listed in their ·family histories [genealogical records], and those ·family histories [genealogical records] were put in the ·book [scroll] of the kings of Israel. The people of Judah were captured and ·forced to go [exiled] to Babylon [; ], because ·they were not faithful to God [of their unfaithfulness/infidelity].


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The first people to come back and live in their own lands and towns were some Israelites, priests, Levites, and ·Temple [house] servants.


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People from the tribes of Judah, Benjamin, Ephraim, and Manasseh lived in Jerusalem. This is a list of those people.


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There was Uthai son of Ammihud. (Ammihud was Omri’s son. Omri was Imri’s son. Imri was Bani’s son. Bani was a descendant of Perez, and Perez was Judah’s son.)


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Of the Shilonite people there were Asaiah and his sons. Asaiah was the ·oldest son [firstborn] in his family.


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Of the Zerahite people there were Jeuel and other relatives of Zerah. There were six hundred ninety ·of them [or families] in all.


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From the ·tribe [sons] of Benjamin there was Sallu son of Meshullam. (Meshullam was Hodaviah’s son, and Hodaviah was Hassenuah’s son.)


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There was also Ibneiah son of Jeroham and Elah son of Uzzi. (Uzzi was Micri’s son.) And there was Meshullam son of Shephatiah. (Shephatiah was Reuel’s son, and Reuel was Ibnijah’s son.)


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The ·family history [genealogical record] of Benjamin lists nine hundred fifty-six ·people [or families] living in Jerusalem, and all these were leaders of their ·families [clans].


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Azariah son of Hilkiah. (Hilkiah was Meshullam’s son. Meshullam was Zadok’s son. Zadok was Meraioth’s son. Meraioth was Ahitub’s son. Ahitub was the officer ·responsible for [in charge of] the ·Temple [house] of God.)


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Also there was Adaiah son of Jeroham. (Jeroham was Pashhur’s son, and Pashhur was Malkijah’s son.) And there was Maasai son of Adiel. (Adiel was Jahzerah’s son. Jahzerah was Meshullam’s son. Meshullam was Meshillemith’s son, and Meshillemith was Immer’s son.)


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There were one thousand seven hundred sixty priests. They were leaders of their ·families [clans], and they were ·responsible [capable] for serving in the ·Temple [house] of God.


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Of the Levites there was Shemaiah son of Hasshub. (Hasshub was Azrikam’s son, and Azrikam was Hashabiah’s son. Hashabiah was ·from the family [a descendant; of the sons of] of Merari.)


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There were also Bakbakkar, Heresh, Galal, and Mattaniah son of Mica. (Mica was Zicri’s son, and Zicri was Asaph’s son.)


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There was also Obadiah son of Shemaiah. (Shemaiah was Galal’s son, and Galal was Jeduthun’s son.) And there was Berekiah son of Asa. (Asa was the son of Elkanah, who lived in the ·villages [area] of the Netophathites.)


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Of the gatekeepers there were Shallum, Akkub, Talmon, Ahiman, and their relatives. Shallum was ·their leader [the chief].


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These gatekeepers ·from [for] the ·tribe [camp] of Levi ·still stand [or previously stood] next to the King’s Gate on the east side of the city.


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Shallum was Kore’s son. Kore was Ebiasaph’s son, and Ebiasaph was Korah’s son. Shallum and his relatives from the ·family [clan] of Korah were gatekeepers and were ·responsible for [in charge of] guarding the ·gates of the Temple [threshold of the tent/sanctuary/Tabernacle]. Their ancestors had also been ·responsible for [in charge of] guarding the entrance to the ·Temple [camp; dwelling] of the Lord.


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In the past Phinehas, Eleazar’s son, was ·in charge of the [the leader of the] gatekeepers, and the Lord was with Phinehas.


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Zechariah son of Meshelemiah was the gatekeeper at the entrance to the ·Temple [tent of meeting; Tabernacle].


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In all, two hundred twelve men were chosen ·to guard the gates [as gatekeepers at the thresholds], and their names were written in their ·family histories [genalogical records] in their villages. David and Samuel the ·seer [prophet] chose these men because they were ·dependable [trustworthy].


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The gatekeepers and their descendants ·had to guard [were in charge of] the gates of the ·Temple [house] of the Lord when it was a tent.


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The gatekeepers’ relatives who lived in the villages had to come and help them at times. ·Each time they came they helped the gatekeepers for [or They came in every] seven days.


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Because they were ·dependable [trustworthy], four gatekeepers were made the leaders of all the gatekeepers. They were Levites, and they were ·responsible for [in charge of] the ·rooms [storerooms] and ·treasures [treasuries] in the ·Temple [house] of God.


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They stayed up all night guarding the ·Temple [house] of God because that was their responsibility, and they opened it every morning.


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Some of the gatekeepers were ·responsible for [in charge of] the utensils ·used in the Temple services [of service]. They counted these utensils when people took them out and when they brought them back.


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Other gatekeepers were chosen to take care of the furniture and utensils in the ·Holy Place [sanctuary]. They also took care of the flour, wine, oil, ·incense [frankincense], and spices,


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There was a Levite named Mattithiah who was ·dependable and had the job of [entrusted with] baking the ·bread used for the offerings [flat/unleaven bread; ; ]. He was the ·first son [firstborn] of Shallum, ·who was from the family of Korah [the Korahite].


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Some of ·the gatekeepers [their relatives] from the Kohath ·family [clan] had the job of preparing the ·special bread that was put on the table [showbread] every Sabbath day.


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Some of the Levites were ·musicians in the Temple [singers]. The leaders of these ·families [clans] stayed in the ·rooms of the Temple [chambers]. Since they were on duty day and night, they did not do other ·work in the Temple [service].


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These are the leaders of the Levite ·families [clans]. Their names were listed in their ·family histories [genealogical records], and they lived in Jerusalem.


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Ner was Kish’s father. Kish was Saul’s father. Saul was the father of Jonathan, Malki-Shua, Abinadab, and ·Esh-Baal [or Ishbosheth; ].


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Ahaz was Jadah’s father. Jadah was the father of Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri. Zimri was Moza’s father.


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Moza was Binea’s father. Rephaiah was Binea’s son. Eleasah was Rephaiah’s son, and Azel was Eleasah’s son.


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Azel had six sons: Azrikam, ·Bokeru [or the firstborn], Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, and Hanan. They were Azel’s sons.


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The Death of King Saul The Philistines ·fought against [attacked] Israel, and the Israelites ran away from them. Many Israelites ·were killed [were slaughtered; fell dead] on Mount Gilboa.


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The Philistines ·fought hard against [hotly pursued; closed in on] Saul and his sons, killing his sons Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malki-Shua.


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The fighting was ·heavy [fierce] around Saul, and the archers ·shot him with their arrows [found him] and wounded him.


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Then Saul said to ·the officer who carried his armor [his armor bearer], “·Pull out [Draw; Take] your sword and ·stab me [run me through]. If you don’t, these Philistines who are not circumcised will come and ·hurt [abuse] me.” But Saul’s ·officer [armor bearer] refused, because he was ·afraid [terrified]. So Saul took his own sword and ·threw himself [fell] on it.


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When the Israelites living in the valley saw that their army had ·run away [fled] and that Saul and his sons were dead, they ·left [abandoned] their towns and ·ran away [fled]. Then the Philistines came and ·settled in [occupied] them.


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The next day when the Philistines came to strip the dead soldiers, they found Saul and his sons ·dead [fallen] on Mount Gilboa.


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The Philistines stripped Saul’s body and took his head and his armor. Then they sent messengers through ·all their country [the land of the Philistines] to tell the good news to their idols and to their people.


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The Philistines put Saul’s armor in the ·temple [house] of their ·idols [gods] and hung his head in the ·temple [house] of Dagon.


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So the ·brave [valiant] men of Jabesh went and got the bodies of Saul and his sons and brought them to Jabesh. They buried their bones under the oak tree in Jabesh [evidently a major landmark]. Then the people of Jabesh fasted for seven days.


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Saul died because he was not faithful to the Lord and ·did not obey [acted unfaithfully against the word of] the Lord. He even went to a medium and asked her for ·advice [counsel]


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instead of asking the Lord. This is why the Lord put Saul to death and ·gave [turned over] the kingdom to Jesse’s son David.


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David Becomes King Then the people of Israel ·came to [gathered before; joined] David at the town of Hebron and said, “Look, we are your own ·family [bone and flesh].


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In the past, even when Saul was king, you were the one who led Israel ·in battle [out and brought it in]. The Lord your God said to you, ‘You will be the shepherd for my people Israel. You will be their leader.’”


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So all the elders of Israel came to King David at Hebron. He made an ·agreement [covenant; treaty] with them in Hebron ·in the presence of [before] the Lord. Then they ·poured oil on [anointed] David to make him king over Israel. ·The Lord had promised through Samuel that this would happen [This was according to the word of the Lord through Samuel].


text:
David Captures Jerusalem David and all the Israelites went to the city of Jerusalem. ·At that time Jerusalem was called […that is,] Jebus, and the people living there were named Jebusites.


text:
They said to David, “You can’t ·get inside our city [enter here].” But David ·did take the city of Jerusalem with its strong walls [captured the stronghold/fortress of Zion], and it became the City of David.


text:
David had said, “The person who ·leads the [or is the first to] ·attack against [kill one of] the Jebusites will become ·the commander over all my army [commander-in-chief].” Joab son of Zeruiah ·led the attack [went up first], so he became ·the commander of the army [chief].


text:
Then David made his home in the ·strong, walled city [stronghold; fortress], which is why it ·was named [is called] the City of David.


text:
David rebuilt the city, beginning ·where the land was filled in [with the terraces; the Millo] and going to the ·wall that was around the city [surrounding area/walls]. Joab ·repaired [restored; rebuilt] the other parts of the city.


text:
David became ·stronger and stronger [greater and greater], and the Lord ·All-Powerful [of Heaven’s Armies; of hosts] was with him.


text:
David’s Mighty Warriors ·This is a list of the leaders [These are the chiefs/heads] over David’s ·warriors [mighty men] who ·helped make David’s kingdom strong [or strongly supported his kingdom]. All the people of Israel also supported David’s kingdom, ·just as the Lord had promised [according to the word of the Lord].


text:
This is a ·list [record; account; roll] of David’s ·warriors [mighty men]: Jashobeam was from the Hacmonite people. He was the head of the ·Three [or Thirty; or officers; David’s most elite soldiers; ; ]. He used his spear to fight three hundred men at one time, and he killed them all.


text:
Eleazar was with David at Pas Dammim when the Philistines came there to fight. There was a field of barley at that place. The Israelites ·ran away [fled] from the Philistines,


text:
but they ·stopped [took a stand; held their ground] in the middle of that field and ·fought for [defended] it and killed the Philistines. The Lord ·gave them [rescued/saved them with] a great victory.


text:
Once, three of the Thirty, David’s chief soldiers, came down to him at the ·rock [cliff face] by the cave near Adullam. At the same time the Philistine army had camped in the Valley of Rephaim.


text:
At that time David was in a stronghold, and ·some of the Philistines [a Philistine detachment/garrison] were in Bethlehem.


text:
David had a ·strong desire [craving; longing] for some water. He said, “Oh, I wish someone would get me water from the well near the city gate of Bethlehem!”


text:
So the Three broke through the Philistine ·army [camp; lines] and took water from the well near the city gate in Bethlehem. Then they brought it to David, but he refused to drink it. He poured it out ·before [as an offering to] the Lord,


text:
saying, “·May God keep me from drinking [God forbid that I drink] this water! ·It would be like drinking [Should I drink…?] the blood of the men who risked their lives to bring it to me!” So David refused to drink it. These were the ·brave things [kind of things] that the three warriors did.


text:
Abishai brother of Joab was the ·captain [leader; chief] of the Three. Abishai fought three hundred soldiers with his spear and killed them. He ·became as famous as [had a name as did] the ·Three [or Thirty; or officers; ]


text:
and was more honored than the ·Three [or Thirty]. He became their commander even though he was not ·one of [or equal to] them.


text:
Benaiah son of Jehoiada was a brave fighter from Kabzeel who did mighty things. He killed ·two of the best warriors [or the two sons of Ariel] from Moab. He also went down into a pit and killed a lion on a snowy day.


text:
Benaiah killed an Egyptian who was ·about seven and one-half feet [five cubits] tall and had a spear ·as large as [like] a weaver’s ·rod [beam]. Benaiah had a ·club [staff], but he ·grabbed [wrenched] the spear from the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with his own spear.


text:
·These [Such] were the things Benaiah son of Jehoiada did. He ·was as famous as [had a name as well as] the Three.


text:
He received more honor than the Thirty, but he did not become a member of the Three. David ·made [appointed] him ·leader [captain] of his bodyguards.


text:
The Thirty Chief Soldiers These were also mighty warriors: Asahel brother of Joab; Elhanan son of Dodo from Bethlehem;


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·Hurai [or Hiddai; ] from the ·ravines [valleys; or brooks] of Gaash; ·Abiel [or Abi-Albon; ] the Arbathite;


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the sons of ·Hashem [or Jashen; cf. ] the Gizonite; Jonathan son of ·Shagee [or Shammah; ] the Hararite;


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Ahiam son of ·Sacar [or Sharar; ] the Hararite; ·Eliphal son of Ur [or Eliphelet son of Ahasbai the Maacathite; ];


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Zelek the Ammonite; Naharai the Berothite, the ·officer who carried the armor [armor bearer] for Joab son of Zeruiah;


text:
Adina son of Shiza the Reubenite, who was the ·leader [chief] of the Reubenites, and his thirty soldiers;


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Warriors Join David These were the men who came to David at Ziklag when David was ·hiding [banished; kept away] from Saul son of Kish. They were among the ·warriors [champions] who helped David in battle.


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They ·came [were armed/equipped] with bows for weapons and could use either their right or left hands to shoot arrows or to sling rocks. They were Saul’s relatives from the tribe of Benjamin.


text:
Ahiezer was their ·leader [chief], and there was Joash. (Ahiezer and Joash were sons of Shemaah, who was from the town of Gibeah.) There were also Jeziel and Pelet, the sons of Azmaveth. There were Beracah and Jehu from the town of Anathoth.


text:
And there was Ishmaiah from the town of Gibeon; he was one of the Thirty. In fact, he was the leader of the Thirty. There were Jeremiah, Jahaziel, Johanan, and Jozabad from Gederah.


text:
There were Elkanah, Isshiah, Azarel, Joezer, and Jashobeam from the ·family group of Korah [Korahites].


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Part of the people of Gad joined David at his stronghold in the ·desert [wilderness]. They were ·brave warriors [mighty men of valor] trained for war and ·skilled [expert] with shields and spears. They ·were as fierce as [had faces of] lions and as ·fast [swift; or nimble] as gazelles over the hills.


text:
They were the ·commanders [leaders; captains] of the army from Gad. The least of these leaders ·was in charge of [or was a match for; could take on; was equal to] a hundred soldiers, and the greatest ·was in charge of [or was a match for; could take on; was equal to] a thousand.


text:
They crossed the Jordan River and ·chased away [drove out; put to flight] the people living in the ·valleys [lowlands], to the east and to the west. This happened in the first month of the year when the Jordan ·floods the valley [was overflowing its banks].


text:
·Other people from the tribes [Some of the sons] of Benjamin and Judah also came to David at his stronghold.


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David went out to meet them and said to them, “If you have come peacefully to help me, ·I welcome you. Join me. […I am your friend; or we will make an alliance; my heart will be united with you]. But if you have come to ·turn me over to my enemies [betray me to my adversaries], even though I have ·done nothing wrong [no violence in my hands], the God of our ·ancestors [fathers] will see this and ·punish you [judge/decide].”


text:
Then the Spirit ·entered [came upon; clothed] Amasai, the ·leader [chief] of the Thirty, and he said: “We ·belong to you [are yours], David. We are with you, son of Jesse. ·Success, success [Peace and prosperity] to you. ·Success [Peace] to those who help you, because your God helps you.” So David ·welcomed [received] these men and made them ·leaders [captains] of his ·army [fighters; raiders].


text:
Some of the men from Manasseh also ·joined [defected/deserted to] David when he went with the Philistines to fight Saul. But David and his men did not really help the Philistines. After ·talking about it [consultation], the Philistine leaders decided to send David away. They said, “If David ·goes [defects; deserts] back to his master Saul, ·we will be killed [it will be our heads].”


text:
These are the men from Manasseh who ·joined [defected/deserted to] David when he went to Ziklag: Adnah, Jozabad, Jediael, Michael, Jozabad, Elihu, and Zillethai. Each of them was a ·leader [captain; chief] of a thousand men from Manasseh.


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All these men of Manasseh were ·brave soldiers [mighty men of valor], and they helped David fight against ·groups of men who went around the country robbing people [raiding bands]. These soldiers became ·commanders [captains] in David’s army.


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Every day more men ·joined [came to help] David, and his army became ·large [great], like the army of God.


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Others Join David at Hebron These are the numbers of the soldiers ·ready [armed] for battle who ·joined [came to] David at Hebron. They came to help turn the kingdom of Saul over to David, ·just as the Lord had said [according to the word of the Lord].


text:
There were sixty-eight hundred armed ·men from [descendants/sons of] Judah, carrying shields and spears.


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There were seventy-one hundred men from Simeon. They were ·warriors [mighty men of valor] ready for war.


text:
Jehoiada, a leader from Aaron’s family, was in that group. There were thirty-seven hundred with him.


text:
Zadok was also in that group. He was a ·strong [brave] young warrior, and with him came twenty-two leaders from his ·family [father’s house].


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There were three thousand men from Benjamin, who were Saul’s ·relatives [kinsmen; brothers]. Most of them had ·remained loyal [kept their allegiance] to Saul’s ·family [house] until then.


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There were twenty thousand eight hundred ·men from [sons of] Ephraim. They were brave warriors and were famous men in their ·own family groups [clans].


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There were eighteen thousand men from ·West [the half-tribe of] Manasseh. Each one was ·especially chosen [designated by name] to make David king.


text:
There were two hundred leaders from Issachar. They knew what Israel should do, and they ·knew the right time to do it [or understood the times]. Their ·relatives [kinsmen; brothers] were with them and under their command.


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There were fifty thousand men from Zebulun. They were ·trained [skilled] soldiers and ·knew how to use [equipped with] every kind of weapon of war. They followed David ·completely [with undivided loyalty/heart].


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There were one thousand ·officers [commanders; captains] from Naphtali. They had thirty-seven thousand soldiers with them who carried shields and spears.


text:
There were one hundred twenty thousand soldiers from the east side of the Jordan River from the people of Reuben, Gad, and ·East [the half-tribe of] Manasseh. They had every kind of weapon.


text:
All these fighting men were ready to go to war. They came to Hebron ·fully agreed [determined; with a complete/perfect heart] to make David king of all Israel. All the other Israelites also ·agreed [were of one mind] to make David king.


text:
They spent three days there with David, eating and drinking, because their ·relatives [kinsmen; brothers] had prepared food for them.


text:
Also, their neighbors came from as far away as Issachar, Zebulun, and Naphtali, bringing food on donkeys, camels, mules, and oxen. They brought much flour, fig cakes, raisins, wine, oil, ·cows [oxen; cattle], and sheep, because ·the people of Israel were very happy [there was great joy in Israel].


text:
Bringing Back the Ark David ·talked with [consulted] all the officers of his army, the ·commanders [captains; leaders] of a hundred men and the ·commanders [captains; leaders] of a thousand men.


text:
Then David ·called the people of Israel together and said [said to the whole assembly of Israel], “If you ·think it is a good idea [approve], and if it is ·what the Lord our God wants [the will of/from the Lord our God], let’s send a message. Let’s tell our ·fellow Israelites [kinsmen; brothers] in all the ·areas [land] of Israel and the priests and Levites living with them in their towns and pastures to come and ·join [meet] us.


text:
Let’s bring the Ark of our God back to us. We did not ·use it to ask God for help [inquire of it] while Saul was king.”


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All the people agreed ·with David [to do so], because they all thought it was the right thing to do.


text:
So David ·gathered [summoned; assembled] all the Israelites, from the Shihor River in Egypt to ·Lebo [or The Entrance/Pass of] Hamath, to bring the Ark of God back from the town of Kiriath Jearim.


text:
David and all the Israelites with him went to Baalah of Judah, which is Kiriath Jearim, to get the Ark of God the Lord. God’s throne is ·between [above; on] the ·golden, winged creatures on the Ark [cherubim], and the Ark is called by his name.


text:
The people carried the Ark of God from Abinadab’s house on a new cart, and Uzzah and Ahio guided it.


text:
David and all the Israelites were celebrating ·in the presence of [before] God. With all their ·strength [might] they were singing and playing lyres, harps, ·tambourines [timbrels], cymbals, and trumpets.


text:
When David’s men came to the threshing floor of Kidon, the oxen stumbled, and Uzzah reached out his hand to ·steady [hold] the Ark.


text:
The ·Lord was angry with [the Lord’s anger burned against] Uzzah and ·killed him [struck him dead], because he had touched the Ark. So Uzzah died there ·in the presence of [before] God.


text:
David was angry because the ·Lord had punished Uzzah in his anger [Lord’s anger had burst/broken out against Uzzah]. Now that place is called Perez-uzzah [“the outburst against Uzzah”].


text:
So David did not take the Ark with him to the City of David [Jerusalem]. Instead, he took it to the house of Obed-Edom who was from Gath.


text:
The Ark of God stayed with Obed-Edom’s ·family [household] in his house for three months, and the Lord blessed Obed-Edom’s ·family [household] and everything he owned.


text:
David’s Kingdom Grows Hiram king of the city of Tyre sent messengers to David. He also sent cedar logs, bricklayers, and carpenters to build a ·palace [house] for David.


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Then David ·knew [understood; realized] that the Lord really had ·made [confirmed; established] him king of Israel and that he had made his kingdom ·great [highly exalted]. The Lord did this ·because he loved [for the sake of] his people Israel.


text:
David ·married more women [took more wives] in Jerusalem and ·had [fathered] more sons and daughters.


text:
David Defeats the Philistines When the Philistines heard that David had been ·made [anointed] king of all Israel, they went ·to look [in full force to search] for him. But David heard about it and went out ·to fight [against] them.


text:
David ·asked [inquired of; perhaps by means of the Urim and Thummim; ] God, “Should I go ·and attack [against] the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?” The Lord answered him, “Go, I will hand them over to you.”


text:
So David and his men went up to the town of Baal Perazim and defeated the Philistines. David said, “Like a flood of water, God has used me to break through my enemies.” So that place was named Baal Perazim [“Lord who bursts through”].


text:
David ·prayed to [inquired of] God again [], and God answered him, saying, “Don’t attack the Philistines ·from the front [straight on; directly]. Instead, ·go [circle] around them and attack them ·in front of the balsam [or near the poplar] trees.


text:
When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the ·balsam [or poplar] trees, then attack. I, God, will have gone out before you to ·defeat [strike down] the Philistine army.”


text:
David did as God commanded, and he and his men ·defeated [struck down] the Philistine army all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.


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So David became famous in ·all the countries [every land], and the Lord made all nations afraid of him.


text:
The Ark Is Brought to Jerusalem David built ·houses [buildings] for himself in the City of David [Jerusalem]. Then he prepared a place for the Ark of God, and he set up a tent for it.


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David said, “Only the Levites may carry the Ark of God. The Lord chose them to carry the Ark of the Lord and to ·serve [minister to/for] him forever.”


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David ·called [summoned; assembled] all the people of Israel to come to Jerusalem. He wanted to bring the Ark of the Lord to the place he had ·made [prepared] for it.


text:
There were one hundred twenty ·people from [sons of] Kohath’s ·family group [clan], with Uriel as their ·leader [chief].


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There were two hundred twenty ·people from [sons of] Merari’s ·family group [clan], with Asaiah as their ·leader [chief].


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There were one hundred thirty ·people from [sons of] ·Gershon’s [or Gersom’s; ] ·family group [clan], with Joel as their ·leader [chief].


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There were two hundred ·people from [sons of] Elizaphan’s ·family group [clan], with Shemaiah as their ·leader [chief].


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There were eighty ·people from [sons of] Hebron’s ·family group [clan], with Eliel as their ·leader [chief].


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And there were one hundred twelve ·people from [sons of] Uzziel’s ·family group [clan], with Amminadab as their ·leader [chief].


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Then David ·asked [called for; summoned] the priests Zadok and Abiathar and these Levites to come to him: Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel, and Amminadab.


text:
David said to them, “You are the leaders of the ·families [clans] of Levi. You and the other Levites must ·give yourselves for service [consecrate/purify/sanctify yourselves] to the Lord, so that you can bring up the Ark of the Lord, the God of Israel, to the place I have ·made [prepared] for it.


text:
The first time we did not ask the Lord ·how [the proper/lawful way] to carry it. You Levites didn’t carry it, so the Lord our God ·punished [burst/broke out against] us.”


text:
Then the priests and Levites ·prepared themselves for service to the Lord [consecrated/purified/sanctified themselves] so they could ·carry [bring up] the Ark of the Lord, the God of Israel.


text:
The Levites used special poles to carry the Ark of God on their shoulders, as Moses had ·commanded [ordered; instructed], ·just as the Lord had said they should [according to the word of the Lord].


text:
David ·told [commanded; ordered] the ·leaders [chiefs] of the Levites to appoint their ·relatives [kinsmen; brothers] as ·singers [musicians] to play their lyres, harps, and cymbals and to ·sing happy songs [play/sing joyfully].


text:
So the Levites appointed Heman and his ·relatives [kinsmen; brothers] Asaph and Ethan. Heman was Joel’s son. Asaph was Berekiah’s son. And Ethan, from the Merari ·family group [clan], was Kushaiah’s son.


text:
There was also a second ·group [rank; possibly assistants] of Levites: Zechariah, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-Edom, and Jeiel. They were the Levite ·guards [gatekeepers].


text:
Zechariah, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Maaseiah, and Benaiah played ·the lyres [harps] according to alamoth [possibly indicating to be sung by a soprano; ].


text:
Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-Edom, Jeiel, and Azaziah played the ·harps [lyres] according to ·sheminith [eighth; a reference to an eight-stringed instrument or perhaps to the manner of singing; ; ].


text:
The Levite leader Kenaniah was in charge of the singing, because he was ·very good at it [highly skilled; very knowledgeable].


text:
The priests Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah, and Eliezer had the job of blowing trumpets ·in front of [before] the Ark of God. Obed-Edom and Jehiah were also ·guards [gatekeepers] for the Ark.


text:
David, the ·leaders [elders] of Israel, and the ·commanders [captains] of a thousand soldiers went to ·get [bring up] the Ark of the ·Agreement [Treaty; Covenant] with the Lord. They all went to bring the Ark from Obed-Edom’s house with great ·joy [celebration].


text:
Because God helped the Levites who carried the Ark of the ·Agreement [Testimony; Treaty; Covenant] with the Lord, they sacrificed seven bulls and seven ·male sheep [rams].


text:
All the Levites who carried the Ark, and Kenaniah, the man in charge of the singing, and all the singers wore robes of fine linen. David also wore a robe of fine linen and a ·holy vest of fine linen [ephod; ].


text:
So all the people of Israel brought up the Ark of the ·Agreement [Testimony; Treaty; Covenant] with the Lord. They shouted, blew horns and trumpets, and played cymbals, lyres, and harps.


text:
As the Ark of the ·Agreement [Testimony; Treaty; Covenant] with the Lord entered the City of David [Jerusalem], Saul’s daughter Michal watched from a window. When she saw King David ·dancing [leaping] and celebrating, she hated him in her heart.


text:
They brought the Ark of God and put it ·inside [in the middle of] the tent that David had set up for it. Then they offered burnt offerings [] and ·fellowship [or peace; well-being] offerings [] to God.


text:
When David had finished ·giving [sacrificing; offering] the burnt offerings [] and ·fellowship [or peace; well-being] offerings [], he blessed the people in the name of the Lord.


text:
The Ministry of the Levites Then David appointed some of the Levites to ·serve [minister] before the Ark of the Lord. They had the job of ·leading the worship [celebrating; extolling; invoking; offering prayers] and giving thanks and praising the Lord, the God of Israel.


text:
Asaph, who played the cymbals, was the ·leader [chief]. Zechariah was second to him. The other Levites were Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-Edom, and Jeiel. They played the lyres and harps.


text:
Benaiah and Jahaziel were priests who ·blew [played] the trumpets regularly before the Ark of the ·Agreement [Testimony; Treaty; Covenant] ·with [of] God.


text:
That day David first ·gave [assigned; appointed] Asaph and his ·relatives [kinsmen; brothers] ·the job of singing praises [this song of thanksgiving; correspond to ] to the Lord.


text:
David’s Song of Thanks Give thanks to the Lord and ·pray to him [call upon his name]. ·Tell [Make known among; Proclaim to] the ·nations [world; peoples] ·what he has done [his deeds/accomplishments].


text:
Sing to him; ·sing praises [make music] to him. Tell about all his ·miracles [wonders; wonderful acts/works].


text:
·Be glad that you are his [Glory/Exult/Take pride in his holy name]; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord ·be happy [rejoice].


text:
·Depend on [Search for] the Lord and his strength; ·always go to him for help [seek his presence/face continually].


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Remember the ·miracles [wonders; wonderful acts/works] he has ·done [performed], his ·marvels [miracles; mighty acts], and his ·decisions [judgments he pronounced/from his mouth].


text:
You are the ·descendants [seed] of his servant, Israel; you are the ·children [sons] of Jacob, his chosen ·people [ones].


text:
He is the Lord our God. His ·laws [judgments; justice] are ·for [or in; throughout] all the ·world [earth; land].


text:
·He will keep [or Remember] his ·agreement [treaty; covenant] forever; ·he will keep his promises always [the commitment/promise/word he made/commanded for a thousand generations].


text:
He will keep the ·agreement [covenant; treaty] he made with Abraham and the ·promise he made [oath/vow he swore] to Isaac.


text:
He made it a law ·for the people of [to] Jacob; he made it an ·agreement [treaty; covenant] with Israel to last forever.


text:
He said, “I will give the land of Canaan to you, ·to belong to you [as the portion you will inherit].”


text:
But he did not let anyone ·hurt [oppress] them; he ·warned kings not to harm them [rebuked/admonished kings].


text:
·Tell [Declare to] the nations about his glory [his manifest presence]; tell all ·peoples [the nations] the ·miracles [wonders; wonderful acts/works] he does.


text:
The Lord is great; ·he should be praised [most worthy of praise; and greatly to be praised]. He should be ·respected more than [feared above] all gods.


text:
·He has glory and majesty [Splendor/Honor and majesty surround/are before him]; ·he has power and joy in [strength and joy are in/fill] his ·Temple [place].


text:
·Praise [Recognize; Give what’s due to; Ascribe to] the Lord, all nations on earth. ·Praise [Recognize; Give what’s due to; Ascribe to] the Lord’s glory and ·power [strength];


text:
·praise [recognize; give what’s due to; ascribe to] the glory of the Lord’s name. Bring an offering and come ·to him [before him; into his presence]. Worship the Lord ·because he is holy [in his holy splendor].


text:
Tremble before him, ·everyone on [all the] earth. The earth is ·set [firmly established], and it cannot be moved.


text:
Let the ·skies [heavens] rejoice and the earth be glad. Let ·people [the nations] everywhere say, “The Lord ·is king [reigns]!”


text:
Let the sea and everything in it ·shout [roar; thunder]; let the fields and everything in them ·rejoice [exult; celebrate; be jubilant].


text:
Then the trees of the forest will ·sing [shout; cry out] for joy before the Lord. ·They will sing because [For] he is coming to judge the ·world [earth].


text:
Thank the Lord because he is good. His ·love [steadfast love; lovingkindness] ·continues [endures] forever.


text:
Say to him, “Save us, God ·our Savior [of our salvation], and ·bring us back and save [gather and rescue] us from ·other [the] nations. Then we will thank ·you [your holy name] and ·will gladly praise you [glory in your praise].”


text:
·Praise [Blessed be] the Lord, the God of Israel. ·He always was and always will be [… from everlasting to everlasting]. All the people said “Amen” and praised the Lord.


text:
Then David left Asaph and ·the other Levites [his relatives/kinsmen/brothers] there ·in front of [before] the Ark of the ·Agreement [Testimony; Treaty; Covenant] ·with [of] the Lord. They were to ·serve [minister] there ·every day [as each day’s work required].


text:
David also left Obed-Edom and sixty-eight ·other Levites [relatives; kinsmen; brothers] to serve with them. Hosah and Obed-Edom son of Jeduthun were ·guards [gatekeepers].


text:
David left Zadok the priest and ·the other priests who served with him in front of [his relatives/kinsmen/brothers before] the ·Tent [Tabernacle] of the Lord at the ·place of worship [high place] in Gibeon.


text:
Every morning and evening they offered burnt offerings [] to the Lord on the altar of burnt offerings, ·following [according to] ·the rules written in the Teachings [everything written in the Law] of the Lord, which he had ·given [commanded] Israel.


text:
With them were Heman and Jeduthun and the rest chosen by name to ·sing praises [give thanks] to the Lord because his ·love [steadfast love; lovingkindness] ·continues [endures] forever.


text:
Heman and Jeduthun ·also had the job of playing the [or had with them] trumpets and cymbals and other musical instruments ·when songs were sung to God [for sacred songs]. Jeduthun’s sons guarded the gates.


text:
Then all the people left for their homes, and David also went home to bless ·the people in his home [his household].


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God’s Promise to David When David ·moved [had settled] into his ·palace [house], he said to Nathan the prophet, “·Look [Behold], I am living in a ·palace [house] made of cedar, but the Ark of the ·Agreement [Testimony; Treaty; Covenant] with the Lord ·sits in [is under] a tent.”


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Nathan said to David, “Do ·what you want to do [whatever you have in mind], because God is with you.”


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“Go and tell David my servant, ‘·This is what the Lord says [Thus says the Lord]: You are not the person to build a house for me to live in.


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From the time I brought Israel ·out of [up from] Egypt until now I have not lived in a house. I have moved from one tent site to another and ·from one place to another [or lived in a Tabernacle].


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As I have ·moved [walked] with the Israelites to different places, ·I have never [have I ever…?] said to the ·leaders [judges of Israel], whom I commanded to ·take care of [shepherd] my people, “Why haven’t you built me a house of cedar?” ’


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“Now, tell my servant David: ‘This is what the Lord ·All-Powerful [of Heaven’s Armies; of hosts] says: I took you from the pasture and from ·tending [following] the sheep and made you ·king [ruler; leader] of my people Israel.


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I have been with you everywhere you have gone. I have ·defeated [destroyed; cut off] your enemies for you. I will make you ·as famous as any of [a name like the name of] the great people on the earth.


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I will ·choose [provide; appoint] a place for my people Israel, and I will plant them so they can live in their own homes. They will not be ·bothered [disturbed; moved] anymore. ·Wicked [Evil] people will no longer ·hurt [oppress] them as they have in the past


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·when I chose [beginning when I appointed] judges for my people Israel. I will ·defeat [subdue] all your enemies. “‘I tell you that the Lord will ·make your descendants kings of Israel after [build a house for] you.


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When ·you die [your days are over/fulfilled] and join your ·ancestors [fathers], I will ·make [raise up] one of your descendants—one of your sons [Solomon]—the new king, and I will ·set up [establish; secure] his kingdom.


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He will build a house [the Temple] for me, and I will ·let his kingdom rule always [establish/secure his throne forever].


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I will be his father, and he will be my son [; ]. I took away my ·love [steadfast love; lovingkindness] from Saul, who ruled before you, but I will never ·stop loving your son [take it away from him].


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I will ·put him in charge of [confirm him in] my house and kingdom forever. His ·family [throne] will ·rule [be established/secure] forever.’”


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David Prays to God Then King David went in and sat ·in front of [before] the Lord. David said, “Lord God, who am I? What is my ·family [house] that you have brought me ·to this point [this far]?


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But that was ·not enough for you [a small thing in your eyes], God. You have ·also made promises about my future family [spoken about your servant’s house in the distant future]. Lord God, you have treated me like a ·very important [great; exalted] person.


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Lord, you have done this wonderful thing for ·my [your servant’s] sake ·and because you wanted to [according to your will/heart]. You have done all these great things and made them known.


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“There is ·no one [none] like you, Lord. There is no God except you. ·We have heard all this ourselves […as all that we’ve heard with our own ears confirms]!


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·There is no nation [And is there another nation…?] like your people Israel. ·They are the only people on earth that [What other nation on earth did…?] God chose to be his own. You made ·your name well known [a name for yourself] by the great and ·wonderful [awesome; terrible] things you did for them. You went ahead of them and ·forced other [drove out] nations. You ·freed [redeemed] your people from slavery in Egypt.


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You made the people of Israel your very own people forever, and, Lord, you ·are [became; have become] their God.


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“Lord, ·keep the promise [let the word be established/secure] forever that you ·made [spoke] about my ·family [house] and me, your servant. Do what you have ·said [spoken].


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·Then you will be honored always [May your name be established and honored/exalted/magnified forever], and people will say, ‘The Lord ·All-Powerful [of Heaven’s Armies; of hosts], the God over Israel, is Israel’s God!’ And the ·family [house] of your servant David will ·continue [be established/secure] before you.


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“My God, you have told me that you ·would make my family great [build for your servant a house]. So I, your servant, ·am brave enough [have found courage] to pray to you.


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·You have chosen [It has pleased you] to bless my ·family [house]. Let it continue before you always. Lord, you have blessed ·my family [it], ·so it will [let it] ·always [forever] be blessed.”


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David Defeats Nations Later, David defeated the Philistines, ·conquered [subdued] them, and took the city of Gath and the surrounding towns from the Philistines.


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He also defeated the people of Moab. So the people of Moab became ·servants [subjects] of David and ·gave him the payment he demanded [paid tribute money].


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David also defeated Hadadezer king of Zobah all the way to the town of Hamath as he ·tried to spread his kingdom to [extended his authority/rule to; or set up his boundary marker at; extended his hand; the Hebrew word can mean control or, less often, monument] the Euphrates River.


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David captured one thousand of his chariots, seven thousand ·charioteers [horsemen], and twenty thousand foot soldiers. He ·crippled [hamstrung] all but a hundred of the chariot horses.


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Arameans from Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, but David killed twenty-two thousand of them.


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Then David put ·groups of soldiers [garrisons] in Damascus in Aram. The Arameans became David’s ·servants [subjects] and ·gave him the payments he demanded [brought him tribute]. So the Lord gave David victory everywhere he went.


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David took the shields of gold that had belonged to Hadadezer’s ·officers [guards; servants] and brought them to Jerusalem.


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David also took many things made of bronze from Tebah and Cun, which had been cities under Hadadezer’s control. Later, Solomon used this bronze to make things for the ·Temple [house]: the large bronze bowl, which was called the Sea [], the pillars [], and other bronze utensils.


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·Toi [Tou] king of Hamath heard that David had ·defeated all the [destroyed the entire] army of Hadadezer king of Zobah.


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So Toi sent his son ·Hadoram [Joram, ] to greet and congratulate King David for defeating Hadadezer. (Hadadezer had been at war with Toi.) Hadoram brought items made of gold, silver, and bronze.


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King David ·gave [dedicated] them to the Lord, along with the silver and gold he had taken from these nations: ·Edom [Aram, , ], Moab, the Ammonites, the Philistines, and Amalek.


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Abishai son of Zeruiah killed eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt [this victory is attributed to David in ].


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David put ·groups of soldiers [garrsions] in Edom, and all the Edomites became his ·servants [subjects]. The Lord gave David victory everywhere he went.


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David’s Important Officers David ·was king [reigned] over all of Israel, and he did what was ·fair [just] and ·right [righteous] for all his people.


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Joab son of Zeruiah was commander over the army. Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the ·recorder [secretary; royal historian].


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Zadok son of Ahitub and Abiathar son of Ahimelech were priests. ·Shavsha [or Seriah; ] was the royal ·secretary [scribe].


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Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Kerethites and Pelethites [foreign mercenaries who served as the king’s bodyguards]. And David’s sons were ·important officers who served [chief officials/assistants] at his side.


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War with the Ammonites and Arameans When Nahash king of the Ammonites died, his son became king after him.


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David said, “Nahash ·was loyal [showed kindness] to me, so I will ·be loyal [show kindness] to his son Hanun.” So David sent messengers to ·comfort [express sympathy to] Hanun about his father’s death. David’s officers went to the land of the Ammonites to ·comfort [express sympathy to] Hanun.


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But the Ammonite ·leaders [officials; commanders] said to Hanun, “Do you think David wants to honor your father by sending men to ·comfort you [express sympathy]? No! David sent them to ·study [search; explore] the land and ·capture [conquer; overthrow] it and spy it out.”


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So Hanun ·arrested [seized] David’s officers. He shaved their beards and cut off their clothes at the ·hips [buttocks; both intended to shame them]. Then he sent them away.


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When the people told David what had happened to ·his officers [the men], he sent messengers to meet them, because they were ·very ashamed [greatly humiliated]. King David said, “Stay in Jericho until your beards have grown back. Then come home.”


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·The Ammonites knew that they had insulted [When the Ammonites realized they had become disgusting/a stench to] David. So Hanun and the Ammonites sent ·about seventy-four thousand pounds [one thousand talents] of silver to hire chariots and chariot drivers from ·northwest Mesopotamia [Aram-naharaim], Aram Maacah, and Zobah.


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The Ammonites hired thirty-two thousand chariots and the king of Maacah and his ·army [people]. So they came and set up camp near the town of Medeba. The Ammonites themselves ·came out of [assembled/mustered from] their towns and got ready for battle.


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When David heard about this, he sent Joab with the ·whole army [entire army of warriors/mighty men].


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The Ammonites came out and ·prepared for battle [drew up in battle lines] at the city ·gate [entrance]. The kings who had come to help were out in the ·field [open country] by themselves.


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Joab saw that there were enemies both in front of him and behind him. So he chose some of the ·best [elite] soldiers of Israel and ·sent them out to fight [deployed/arrayed them against] the ·Arameans [or Ammonites, ].


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Joab put the rest of the army under the command of Abishai, his brother. ·Then they went out to fight the Ammonites [or …who was to attack the Ammonites; possibly Joab attacked the Arameans and Abishai attacked the Ammonites].


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Joab said to Abishai, “If the Arameans are too strong for me, you must help me. Or, if the Ammonites are too strong for you, I will help you.


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Be ·strong [brave; courageous]. We must fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. The Lord will do what ·he thinks is right [is good in his sight].”


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Then Joab and the army with him went to attack the Arameans, and the Arameans ·ran away [fled before him].


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When the Ammonites saw that the Arameans were ·running away [fleeing], they also ·ran away [fled] from Joab’s brother Abishai and ·went back [retreated] to their city. So Joab went back to Jerusalem.


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When the Arameans saw that Israel had defeated them, they sent messengers to bring other Arameans from ·east of the Euphrates [beyond the] River. Their leader was ·Shophach [or Shobach; ], the commander of Hadadezer’s army.


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When David heard about this, he ·gathered [mobilized; mustered] all the Israelites, and they crossed over the Jordan River. He ·prepared [positioned; deployed] them for battle, facing the Arameans. The Arameans fought with him,


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but they ·ran away [fled] from the Israelites. David killed seven thousand [seven hundred in ] Aramean chariot drivers and forty thousand Aramean foot soldiers. He also killed ·Shophach [or Shobach, ], the commander of the Aramean army.


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When ·those who served [the subjects/vassals of] Hadadezer saw that the Israelites had defeated them, they made peace with David and ·served him [became his subjects]. So the Arameans ·refused [were unwilling] to help the Ammonites again.


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Joab Destroys the Ammonites In the ·spring [turning of the year], the time of year when kings normally went out to ·battle [war], Joab led out the army of Israel. But David stayed in Jerusalem. The army of Israel ·destroyed [ravaged; laid waste] the land of Ammon and went to the city of Rabbah and ·attacked it [lay siege to it; tore it down].


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David took the crown off the head of ·their king [or Milcom; the god of the Ammonites], and had it placed on his own head. That gold crown weighed ·about seventy-five pounds [one talent], and it ·had valuable gems in it [was set with precious stones]. And David took ·many valuable things [a great amount of plunder/spoil] from the city.


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He also brought out the people of the city and forced them to work [enslaved them] with saws, iron picks, and axes. David did this to all the Ammonite cities. Then David and all his army returned to Jerusalem.


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Philistine Giants Are Killed Later, at Gezer [Gob in ], war broke out with the Philistines. Sibbecai the Hushathite killed ·Sippai [or Saph; ], who was one of the descendants of the Rephaites. So those Philistines were ·defeated [subdued; subjugated].


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Later, there was another battle with the Philistines. Elhanan son of Jair killed Lahmi, the brother of Goliath, who was from the town of Gath. His spear was as ·large [thick] as a weaver’s ·rod [beam; ].


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At Gath another battle took place. A huge man was there; he had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot—twenty-four fingers and toes in all. This man also was ·one of the sons of Rapha [or a descendant of the giants].


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When he ·spoke against [taunted; defied] Israel, Jonathan son of Shimea, David’s brother, killed him.


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These descendants ·of Rapha [from the giants] from Gath were killed by David and his ·men [warriors].


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David Counts the Israelites ·Satan was against [or An adversary opposed] Israel, and he ·caused [incited] David to ·count [take a census of; doing so implied trust in themselves rather than in God] the people of Israel.


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So David said to Joab and the commanders of the troops, “Go and ·count [take a census of] all the Israelites from Beersheba to Dan [the whole expanse of Israel from south to north]. Then tell me so I will know how many there are.”


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But Joab said, “May the Lord give the ·nation [or army] a hundred times more people. My ·master [lord] the king, ·all the Israelites are [are they not all…?] your servants. Why do you want to do this, my master? ·You will make Israel guilty of sin [Why should you bring guilt/judgment to Israel?].”


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But the ·king commanded [king’s word/edict prevailed despite] Joab, so Joab left and went through all Israel. Then he returned to Jerusalem.


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Joab gave the ·list [number] of the ·people [soldiers; warriors] to David. There were one million one hundred thousand men in all of Israel who could use the sword, and there were four hundred seventy thousand men in Judah who could use the sword.


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But Joab did not count the tribes of Levi and Benjamin, because he ·didn’t like [was repulsed/disgusted/distressed by] King David’s order.


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David had done something ·God had said was wrong [that displeased/offended God], so God ·punished [attacked; struck] Israel [taking a census of the army indicated confidence in military strength].


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Then David said to God, “I have sinned greatly by what I have done! Now, I beg you to ·forgive me, [take away the guilt/iniquity of] your servant, because I have been very foolish.”


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“Go and tell David, ‘·This is what the Lord says [Thus says the Lord]: I offer you three ·choices [things]. Choose one of them and I will ·do it [inflict it on you].’”


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So Gad went to David and said to him, “·This is what the Lord says [Thus says the Lord]: ‘·Choose for yourself [Take your choice:]


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three years of ·hunger [famine]. Or choose three months of ·running from [being swept away by] your enemies as they ·chase [overtake] you with their swords. Or choose three days of ·punishment from [the sword of] the Lord, in which a ·terrible disease [plague; pestilence] will spread through the ·country [land]. The angel of the Lord will go through Israel ·destroying [ravaging] the people.’ Now, David, decide ·which of these things [what answer] I should ·tell [give] the Lord who sent me.”


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David said to Gad, “I am in ·great trouble [deep distress; a desperate situation]. Let ·the Lord punish me [me fall into the hand of the Lord], because the Lord is very merciful. Don’t let ·my punishment come from [me fall into the hand of] human beings.”


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So the Lord sent a ·terrible disease [plague; pestilence] on Israel, and seventy thousand people died.


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God sent an angel to destroy Jerusalem, but when the angel ·started [was about/preparing] to destroy it, the Lord saw it and ·felt very sorry about the terrible things that had happened [relented regarding the disaster/calamity]. So he said to the angel who was destroying, “That is enough! ·Put down your arm [Withhold your hand]!” The angel of the Lord was then standing at the threshing floor of ·Araunah [or Ornan; or Aravna; ] the Jebusite.


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David looked up and saw the angel of the Lord ·in the sky [standing between earth and heaven], with his drawn sword in this hand ·pointing toward [extended over] Jerusalem. Then David and the ·elders [leaders] bowed facedown on the ground. They were wearing ·rough cloth [sackcloth; burlap; a sign of grief or repentance].


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David said to God, “·I am [Am not I…?] the one who sinned and did wrong. I gave the order for the ·people to be counted [census]. ·These people only followed me like sheep. They did nothing wrong. [These sheep—what have they done?] Lord my God, please ·punish [let your hand fall on] me and my ·family [father’s house], but ·stop the terrible disease that is killing [lift the plague from] your people.”


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Then the angel of the Lord ·told [ordered; commanded] Gad to tell David that he should build an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of ·Araunah [or Ornan; or Aravna; ] the Jebusite.


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So David ·did what Gad told him to do, [went up as Gad had spoken/instructed/commanded] in the name of the Lord.


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·Araunah [or Ornan; or Aravna; ] was ·separating the wheat from the straw [threshing wheat]. When he turned around, he saw the angel. Araunah’s four sons who were with him hid themselves.


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David came to Araunah, and when Araunah saw him, he left the threshing floor and bowed facedown on the ground before David.


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David said to him, “·Sell me [Let me have] your threshing floor so I can build an altar to the Lord here. Then the ·terrible disease will stop [plague will be lifted from the people]. ·Sell it to me for the full price [I’ll pay top price; Full silver].”


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·Araunah [or Ornan; or Aravna; ] said to David, “Take this threshing floor. My master the king, do ·anything you want [whatever is good in your eyes]. Look, I will also give you oxen for the whole burnt offerings [], the threshing ·boards [sledges; sleds] for the wood, and wheat for the ·grain [gift; tribute] offering []. I give everything to you.”


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But King David answered Araunah, “No, I ·will pay [insist on paying] the full price for the land. I won’t take anything that is yours and give it to the Lord. I won’t offer a burnt offering [] that costs me nothing.”


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So David paid ·Araunah [or Ornan; or Aravna; ] ·about fifteen pounds [six hundred shekels] of gold for the place.


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David built an altar to the Lord there [the site of the future Temple; ] and offered whole burnt offerings [] and ·fellowship [or peace; well-being] offerings []. David ·prayed to [called on] the Lord, and he answered him by sending down fire from heaven on the altar of burnt offering.


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When David saw that the Lord had answered him on the threshing floor of ·Araunah [or Ornan; or Aravna; ], he offered sacrifices there.


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The ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle] that Moses made while the Israelites were in the ·desert [wilderness] and the altar of burnt offerings [] were in Gibeon at the ·place of worship [high place].


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But David could not go ·to the Holy Tent to speak with [before it to inquire of] God, because he was ·afraid [terrified] of the sword of the angel of the Lord.


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David said, “The ·Temple [house] of the Lord God and the altar for Israel’s burnt offerings [] will be here.”


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David Makes Plans for the Temple So David ordered all ·foreigners [sojourners; resident aliens] living in Israel to gather together. From that group David ·chose [appointed; assigned] stonecutters to cut stones to be used in building the ·Temple [house] of God.


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David supplied a large amount of iron to be used for making nails and ·hinges [clamps; braces; fittings] for the gate doors. He also supplied more bronze than could be weighed,


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and he supplied more cedar logs than could be counted. ·Much of the [Great quantities of] cedar had been brought to David by the people from Sidon and Tyre.


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David said, “We should build a ·great [exceedingly magnificent] ·Temple [house] for the Lord, which will be famous everywhere for its ·greatness and beauty [splendor; gloriousness]. But my son Solomon is young and ·inexperienced [tender], so I will make preparations for it.” So David got many of the materials ready before he died.


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Then David called for his son Solomon and ·told [commanded; charged] him to build the ·Temple [house] for the Lord, the God of Israel.


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David said to him, “My son, I ·wanted [intended; planned; had my heart set] to build a ·temple [house] ·for worshiping [to the name of] the Lord my God.


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But the Lord spoke his word to me, ‘David, you have ·killed many people [shed much blood]. You have fought ·many [great] wars. You cannot build a ·temple [house] ·for worship to me [to my name], because you have ·killed many people [shed so much blood on the earth in my sight; he completed the conquest of Canaan].


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But, you will have a son, a man of ·peace [rest]. I will give him rest from all his enemies around him. His name will be Solomon [a name derived from shalom, “peace”], and I will give Israel peace and quiet ·while he is king [in his days].


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Solomon will build a ·temple [house] for ·worship to me [my name]. He will be my son, and I will be his father [; ]. I will ·make his kingdom strong; someone from his family will rule [establish/secure his throne over] Israel forever.’”


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David said, “Now, my son, may the Lord be with you and give you success. May you build a ·temple [house] for the Lord your God, as he ·said [announced; promised] you would.


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When he makes you the king of Israel, may the Lord give you ·wisdom [discretion] and understanding so you will be able to ·obey [keep; observe] the ·teachings [law; instructions] of the Lord your God.


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Be careful to obey the ·rules [statutes; ordinances; requirements] and laws the Lord ·gave [commanded] Moses for Israel. If you obey them, you will ·have success [prosper]. Be strong and brave. Don’t be afraid or ·discouraged [dismayed].


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“Solomon, I have ·worked hard getting many of the materials [taken great pains to provide] for building the ·Temple [house] of the Lord. I have supplied ·about seven and one-half million pounds [one hundred thousand talents] of gold, ·about seventy-five million pounds [one million talents] of silver, so much bronze and iron it cannot be weighed, and wood and stone. You may add to them.


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You have many workmen—stonecutters, ·bricklayers [stonemasons], carpenters, and ·people skilled [craftsmen; artisans] in every kind of work.


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They are skilled in working with gold, silver, bronze, and iron. You have more craftsmen than can be counted. ·Now begin the [Set to] work, and may the Lord be with you.”


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David said to them, “The Lord your God is with you. He has given you ·rest from our enemies [peace on every side; ]. He has handed over to me the people living around us. The Lord and his people ·are in control of [have subdued] this land.


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Now ·give yourselves completely to obeying [devote your heart/mind and soul to seeking] the Lord your God. Build the ·holy place [sanctuary] of the Lord God; build the ·Temple [house] ·for worship to the Lord [to honor the Lord’s name]. Then bring the Ark of the ·Agreement [Testimony; Treaty; Covenant] with the Lord and the holy ·items [vessels; articles] that belong to God into the ·Temple [house].”


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The Levites After David ·had lived long [was full of years] and was old, he made his son Solomon the new king of Israel.


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David said, “Of these, twenty-four thousand Levites will ·direct [oversee; supervise] the work of the ·Temple [house] of the Lord, six thousand Levites will be ·officers [officials] and judges,


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four thousand Levites will be gatekeepers, and four thousand Levites will praise the Lord with musical instruments I made for ·giving praise [worship].”


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David separated the Levites into three groups that were led by Levi’s three sons: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.


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Shimei’s sons were Shelomoth, Haziel, and Haran. These three sons were leaders of Ladan’s ·families [clans].


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Jahath was the ·first son [eldest; chief; family leader], and Ziza was the second son. But Jeush and Beriah did not have many children, so they were counted as if they were one family, with one ·assignment [responsibility].


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Amram’s sons were Aaron and Moses. Aaron and his descendants were ·chosen to be special [set apart] forever. They were chosen to ·prepare [dedicate; sanctify] the holy things, to ·offer sacrifices [burn incense] before the Lord, and to ·serve [minister to] him. They were to ·give [pronounce] blessings in his name forever.


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Eliezer’s ·first [oldest; chief] son was Rehabiah. Eliezer had no other sons, but Rehabiah had many sons.


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Hebron’s ·first [oldest; chief] son was Jeriah, his second was Amariah, his third was Jahaziel, and his fourth was Jekameam.


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Eleazar died without sons; he had only daughters. Eleazar’s daughters married their cousins, the sons of Kish.


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The Levites’ Work These were Levi’s descendants listed by ·their families [clans]. They were the leaders of families. Each person who was twenty years old or older was ·listed [counted]. They served in the Lord’s ·Temple [house].


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David had said, “The Lord, the God of Israel, has given ·rest [peace] to his people. He ·has come to live [dwells] in Jerusalem forever.


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So the Levites don’t need to carry the ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle] or any of the ·things [articles; objects] used in its services anymore.”


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The Levites had the ·job [duty; office] of ·helping [assisting] Aaron’s descendants in the service of the ·Temple [house] of the Lord. They cared for the ·Temple [house] ·courtyard [courts] and side rooms, and they ·made all the holy things pure [ceremonially purified all holy/sacred things]. Their job was to serve in the ·Temple [house] of God.


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They were ·responsible for [in charge of] putting the ·holy bread [showbread] on the table, for the choice flour in the grain offerings, for the ·bread made without yeast [unleaven bread/wafers], for the ·baking and mixing [or the round cakes], and for the measuring of quantity or size.


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The Levites also stood every morning and gave thanks and praise to the Lord. They also did this every evening.


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The Levites offered all the burnt offerings [] to the Lord on the ·special days of rest [sabbaths], at the New Moon festivals [; ; ; ; ; ; ; ], and at all appointed feasts. They served before the Lord ·every day [continually]. They were to follow the rules for how many Levites should serve each time.


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So the Levites ·took care [were in charge] of the ·Meeting Tent [Tabernacle] and the ·Holy Place [sanctuary]. And they helped their relatives, Aaron’s descendants, with the services at the ·Temple [house] of the Lord.


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The Groups of the Priests These were the ·groups [divisions; orders] of Aaron’s sons: Aaron’s sons were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.


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But Nadab and Abihu died before their father did [], and they had no sons. So Eleazar and Ithamar served as the priests.


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David, with the help of Zadok, a descendant of Eleazar, and Ahimelech, ·a descendant of Ithamar, separated their [Aaron’s] ·family groups [descendants] into two different groups according to their ·various duties [assigned responsibilities/offices].


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There were more ·leaders [chiefs] from Eleazar’s ·family [descendants] than from Ithamar’s—sixteen ·leaders [heads of their clans] from Eleazar’s ·family [descendants] and eight ·leaders [heads of their clans] from Ithamar’s ·family [descendants].


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Men were ·chosen [divided; allocated; organized] ·impartially [or similarly] from Eleazar’s and Ithamar’s ·families [descendants] by throwing lots. Some men ·from each family were chosen to be in charge [were officials] of the ·Holy Place [sanctuary], and some were ·chosen to serve as priests [officials of God].


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Shemaiah son of Nethanel, ·from the tribe [son] of Levi, was the ·secretary [recorder; scribe]. He recorded the names of those descendants in ·front [the presence] of King David, the ·officers [officials; leaders], Zadok the priest, Ahimelech son of Abiathar, and the leaders of the ·families [clans] of the priests and Levites. The work was divided by lots among the ·families [clans] of Eleazar and Ithamar.


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These were ·the groups chosen to serve [or their appointed duties; the order of their serving] in the ·Temple [house] of the Lord. They obeyed the ·rules [procedures; regulations] given them by Aaron, just as the Lord, the God of Israel, had commanded him.


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The Other Levites These are the names of the rest of Levi’s descendants: Shubael was a descendant of Amram, and Jehdeiah was a descendant of Shubael.


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Hebron’s ·first son was [descendants included] Jeriah, Amariah was his second, Jahaziel was his third, and Jekameam was his fourth.


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Mushi’s ·sons were [descendants included] Mahli, Eder, and Jerimoth. These are the Levites, listed by their ·families [clans].


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They ·were chosen for special jobs by throwing [cast] lots in front of King David, Zadok, Ahimelech, the leaders of the ·families [clans] of the priests, and the Levites. They did this just as their relatives, Aaron’s descendants, had done. The families of the oldest brother and the youngest brother were treated the same.


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The Music Groups David and the ·commanders [officers] of the army chose some of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun to ·preach [proclaim; prophesy] and play harps, lyres, and cymbals. Here is a list of the men who ·served in this way [performed/were assigned these services]:


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Asaph’s sons who served were Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asarelah. King David ·chose [directed] Asaph to ·preach [proclaim; prophesy], and Asaph directed his sons.


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Jeduthun’s sons who served were Gedaliah, ·Zeri [or Izri; ], Jeshaiah, Shimei [name not included in most manuscripts], Hashabiah, and Mattithiah. There were six of them, and Jeduthun directed them. He ·preached [proclaimed; prophesied] and used a harp to give thanks and praise to the Lord.


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Heman’s sons who served were Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shubael, Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, Romamti-Ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, and Mahazioth.


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All these were sons of Heman, David’s ·seer [prophet]. God promised to ·make Heman strong, so Heman had [exalt/honor him with] many sons. God gave him fourteen sons and three daughters.


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Heman directed all his sons in ·making music [singing] for the ·Temple [house] of the Lord with cymbals, lyres, and harps; that was their way of serving in the ·Temple [house] of God. King David ·was in charge of [directed; supervised] Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman.


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These men and their relatives were trained and skilled in ·making music for [singing to] the Lord. There were two hundred eighty-eight ·of them [with these skills; experts].


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Everyone threw lots ·to choose the time his family was to serve at the Temple [for their duties]. The ·young [small] and the ·old [great], the teacher and the student, had to throw lots.


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First, the lot fell to Joseph, from the ·family [clan] of Asaph [the number twelve needs to be understood here, as in the following verses, to make the total come to the stated 288]. Second, twelve men were chosen from Gedaliah, his sons and ·relatives [kinsmen; brothers].


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Seventh, twelve men were chosen from ·Jesarelah [or Asarelah; ], his sons and ·relatives [kinsmen; brothers].


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Eleventh, twelve men were chosen from ·Azarel [or Uzziel; ], his sons and ·relatives [kinsmen; brothers].


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Twenty-fourth, twelve men were chosen from Romamti-Ezer, his sons and ·relatives [kinsmen; brothers].


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The Gatekeepers These are the ·groups [divisions; orders] of the gatekeepers. From the ·family [clan] of Korah, there was Meshelemiah son of Kore, who was from Asaph’s ·family [descendants].


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Meshelemiah had sons. Zechariah was his ·first son [firstborn], Jediael was second, Zebadiah was third, Jathniel was fourth,


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Obed-Edom had sons. Shemaiah was his ·first son [firstborn], Jehozabad was second, Joah was third, Sacar was fourth, Nethanel was fifth,


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Obed-Edom’s son Shemaiah also had sons. They ·were leaders in [ruled over] their father’s ·family [house] because they were ·capable men [highly respected; mighty men of valor].


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Shemaiah’s sons were Othni, Rephael, Obed and Elzabad, whose ·brothers [relatives] Elihu and Semakiah were ·skilled workers [or valiant men; or also respected].


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All these were Obed-Edom’s descendants. They and their sons and ·relatives [brothers; grandsons] were capable men and ·strong [well-qualified] workers. Obed-Edom had sixty-two ·descendants [relatives] in all.


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Meshelemiah had sons and ·relatives [brothers] who were ·skilled workers [capable/respected men]. In all, there were eighteen.


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From the Merari ·family [clan], Hosah had sons. Shimri, although not the oldest son, was chosen by his father to be in charge.


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Hilkiah was his second son, Tabaliah was third, and Zechariah was fourth. In all, Hosah had thirteen sons and ·relatives [brothers].


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These were the leaders of the ·groups [divisions; orders] of gatekeepers, and they served in the ·Temple [house] of the Lord, as did their ·relatives [brothers].


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By throwing lots, each ·family [clan] chose a gate to guard. ·Young [Small] and ·old [great] threw lots.


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·Meshelemiah [or Shelemiah; ] was chosen by lot to guard the East Gate. Then lots were ·thrown [cast] for Meshelemiah’s son Zechariah. He was a ·wise counselor [prudent advisor] and was chosen for the North Gate.


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Obed-Edom was ·chosen for [allotted] the South Gate, and Obed-Edom’s sons were ·chosen to guard [allotted] the storehouse.


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Shuppim and Hosah were chosen for the West Gate and the Shalleketh Gate on the ·upper [ascending] road [to the Temple]. ·Guards stood side by side with guards [or Guard duty was evenly divided; A guard alongside a guard].


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Six Levites stood guard every day at the East Gate; four stood guard every day at the North Gate; four stood guard every day at the South Gate; and two at a time guarded the storehouse.


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There were two guards at the ·western court [colonnade; Parbar; the gateway leading up to the Temple] and four guards on the road.


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These were the ·groups [divisions; orders] of the gatekeepers from the ·families [clans; sons] of Korah and Merari.


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Other Leaders ·Other [Their fellow/brother] Levites were ·responsible for guarding [in charge of] the treasuries of the ·Temple [house] of God and for the ·places where the holy items were kept [treasuries of dedicated/consecrated gifts].


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·Ladan [or Libni] was Gershon’s son and the ancestor of several ·family groups [clans]. ·Jehiel [or Jehieli; ] was a ·leader [chief] of one of the ·family groups [clans].


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His sons were Zetham and Joel his brother, and they were ·responsible for [in charge of] the treasuries of the ·Temple [house] of the Lord.


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Shubael, the descendant of Gershom, who was Moses’ son, was the ·leader [chief] ·responsible for [in charge of] the treasuries.


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These were Shubael’s relatives from Eliezer: Eliezer’s son Rehabiah, Rehabiah’s son Jeshaiah, Jeshaiah’s son Joram, Joram’s son Zicri, and Zicri’s son Shelomith.


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Shelomith and his relatives were ·responsible for [in charge of] ·everything that had been collected for the Temple [the treasuries of dedicated/consecrated gifts collected] by King David, by the heads of ·families [clans], by the commanders of a thousand men and of a hundred men, and by other army ·commanders [officers].


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They also ·gave [dedicated] some of the ·things they had [plunder; spoil] taken in wars to be used in repairing the ·Temple [house] of the Lord.


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Shelomith and his relatives took care of all the ·holy items [dedicated/consecrated gifts]. Some had been given by Samuel the ·seer [prophet], Saul son of Kish, Abner son of Ner, and Joab son of Zeruiah.


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Kenaniah was from the Izhar ·family [clan]. He and his sons worked outside the ·Temple [house] as officers and judges in Israel.


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Hashabiah was from the Hebron ·family [clan]. He and his relatives were ·responsible for [in charge of] the Lord’s work and ·the king’s business [served the king] in Israel west of the Jordan River. There were seventeen hundred ·skilled [capable; respected] men in Hashabiah’s group.


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The ·history [genealogy] of the Hebron ·family [clan] shows that Jeriah was their ·leader [chief]. In David’s fortieth year ·as king [of reign], the ·records [genealogies] were searched, and some ·capable [skilled; respected] men of the Hebron ·family [clan] were found living at Jazer in Gilead.


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Jeriah had twenty-seven hundred relatives who were ·capable [skilled; respected] men and leaders of families. King David ·gave them the responsibility of directing [put them in charge of] the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and ·East [the half-tribe of] Manasseh in God’s work and the king’s ·business [service].


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Army Divisions This is the list of the Israelites who served the king in the army. Each division was on duty one month each year. There were leaders of ·families [clans], commanders of a thousand men, commanders of a hundred men, and other officers. Each division had twenty-four thousand men.


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Jashobeam son of Zabdiel was in charge of the first division for the first month. There were twenty-four thousand men in his division.


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Jashobeam, one of the descendants of Perez, was ·leader [chief; commander] of all the army officers for the first month.


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Dodai, from the Ahohites, was in charge of the division for the second month. Mikloth was a ·leader [chief; commander] in the division. There were twenty-four thousand men in Dodai’s division.


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The third commander, for the third month, was Benaiah son of Jehoiada the priest. There were twenty-four thousand men in his division.


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He was the Benaiah who was one of the Thirty []. Benaiah was a ·brave [mighty] warrior who led those men. Benaiah’s son Ammizabad was in charge of Benaiah’s division.


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The fourth commander, for the fourth month, was Asahel, the brother of Joab. Later, Asahel’s son Zebadiah ·took his place as commander [succeeded him]. There were twenty-four thousand men in his division.


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The fifth commander, for the fifth month, was Shamhuth, from Izrah’s ·family [clan]. There were twenty-four thousand men in his division.


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The sixth commander, for the sixth month, was Ira son of Ikkesh from the town of Tekoa. There were twenty-four thousand men in his division.


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The seventh commander, for the seventh month, was Helez. He was from the Pelonites and a descendant of Ephraim. There were twenty-four thousand men in his division.


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The eighth commander, for the eighth month, was Sibbecai. He was from Hushah and was from Zerah’s ·family [clan]. There were twenty-four thousand men in his division.


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The ninth commander, for the ninth month, was Abiezer. He was from Anathoth in Benjamin. There were twenty-four thousand men in his division.


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The tenth commander, for the tenth month, was Maharai. He was from Netophah and was from Zerah’s ·family [clan]. There were twenty-four thousand men in his division.


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The eleventh commander, for the eleventh month, was Benaiah. He was from Pirathon in Ephraim. There were twenty-four thousand men in his division.


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The twelfth commander, for the twelfth month, was Heldai. He was from Netophah and was from Othniel’s ·family [clan]. There were twenty-four thousand men in his division.


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Leaders of the Tribes These were ·the leaders [in charge] of the tribes of Israel. Eliezer son of Zicri was over the tribe of Reuben. Shephatiah son of Maacah was over the tribe of Simeon.


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Elihu, one of David’s brothers, was over the tribe of Judah. Omri son of Michael was over the tribe of Issachar.


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Ishmaiah son of Obadiah was over the tribe of Zebulun. Jerimoth son of Azriel was over the tribe of Naphtali.


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Hoshea son of Azaziah was over the tribe of Ephraim. Joel son of Pedaiah was over ·West [the half-tribe of] Manasseh.


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Iddo son of Zechariah was over ·East Manasseh [the half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead]. Jaasiel son of Abner was over the tribe of Benjamin.


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Azarel son of Jeroham was over the tribe of Dan. These were the ·leaders [chiefs; commanders] of the tribes of Israel.


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The Lord had promised to make the Israelites as ·many [numerous] as the stars ·in the sky [of heaven; ; ; ]. So David did not count those younger than twenty years old.


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Joab son of Zeruiah began ·to count [the census of] the people, but he did not finish. ·God became angry with [Wrath came upon] Israel for counting the people, so the number of the people was not put in the ·history book about [chronicles/annals of] King David.


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The King’s Directors Azmaveth son of Adiel was in charge of the royal ·storehouses [treasuries]. Jonathan son of Uzziah was in charge of the ·storehouses [treasuries] in the country, towns, villages, and ·towers [fortresses].


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Shimei, from the town of Ramah, was in charge of the vineyards. Zabdi, from Shapham, was in charge of storing the wine that came from the vineyards.


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Baal-Hanan, from Geder, was in charge of the olive trees and sycamore trees in the ·western hills [Shephelah]. Joash was in charge of storing the olive oil.


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Shitrai, from Sharon, was in charge of the herds that ·fed [grazed] in the Plain of Sharon. Shaphat son of Adlai was in charge of the ·herds [cattle] in the valleys.


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Obil, an Ishmaelite, was in charge of the camels. Jehdeiah, from Meronoth, was in charge of the donkeys.


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Jaziz, from the Hagrites, was in charge of the flocks. All these men were the ·officers who took care [officials/overseers in charge] of King David’s property.


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Jonathan was David’s uncle, and he ·advised [counseled] David. Jonathan was a ·wise man [man of understanding/insight] and a ·teacher of the law [scribe]. Jehiel son of Hacmoni ·took care of [taught; tutored] the king’s sons.


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Ahithophel ·advised [counseled] the king. Hushai, from the Arkite people, was the king’s ·friend [confidant].


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Jehoiada and Abiathar later took Ahithophel’s place in ·advising [counseling] the king. Jehoiada was Benaiah’s son. Joab was the commander of the king’s army.


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David’s Plans for the Temple David ·commanded [summoned] all the ·leaders [officials] of Israel to come to Jerusalem. There were the ·leaders [officials; commanders; chiefs] of the tribes, ·commanders [officers] of the army divisions serving the king, commanders of a thousand men and of a hundred men, ·leaders [officials; overseers] who took care of the property and animals that belonged to the king and his sons, ·men over the palace [palace officials], the ·powerful [mighty] men, and all the ·brave [valiant] warriors.


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King David stood up and said, “Listen to me, my ·relatives [brothers] and my people. I ·wanted [intended; planned; had my heart set] to build a place to keep the Ark of the ·Agreement [Testimony; Treaty; Covenant] with the Lord. I wanted it to be God’s footstool. So I made ·plans [preparations] to build ·a temple [it].


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But God said to me, ‘You must not build a ·temple [house] for ·worshiping me [my name/Name], because you are a ·soldier [man of war] and have ·killed many people [shed blood; he completed the conquest of Canaan].’


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“·But [Yet; Nevertheless] the Lord, the God of Israel, chose me from my whole ·family [clan; father’s house] to be king of Israel forever. He chose the tribe of Judah to ·lead [rule], and from the ·people [house] of Judah, he chose my father’s ·family [clan; house]. From ·that family [my father’s sons] God was pleased to make me king ·of [over all] Israel.


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The Lord has given me many sons, and from those sons he has chosen Solomon to ·be the new king [sit on the throne] of Israel. Israel is the Lord’s kingdom.


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The Lord said to me, ‘Your son Solomon will build my ·Temple [house] and ·its courtyards [my courts]. I have chosen Solomon to be my son, and I will be his father.


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He is obeying my laws and commands now. If he continues ·to obey them [resolutely; unswervingly], I will ·make his kingdom strong [establish/secure his kingdom] forever.’”


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David said, “Now, in ·front [the sight] of all Israel, the assembly of the Lord, and in the hearing of God, I tell you these things: Be careful to ·obey [observe; follow] all the commands of the Lord your God. Then you will ·keep [possess] this good land and ·pass it on [leave it as an inheritance] to your ·descendants [children] forever.


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“And you, my son Solomon, ·accept [acknowledge; know] the God of your father. Serve him ·completely and willingly [with your whole heart and a willing mind/spirit], because the Lord ·knows what is in everyone’s mind [searches every heart]. He understands ·everything you think [every desire/motive and thought]. If you ·go to him for help [seek him], ·you will get an answer [you will find him; or he will let you find him]. But if you ·turn away from [abandon; forsake] him, he will ·leave [reject] you forever.


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Solomon, ·you must understand this [see now]. The Lord has chosen you to build ·the Temple [a house] as his ·holy place [sanctuary]. Be strong and ·finish the job [do it; go to work].”


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Then David gave his son Solomon the plans for ·building the Temple [the porch/portico]. They included its buildings, its storerooms, its upper rooms, its inside rooms, and the ·place where the people’s sins were removed [room for atonement/the mercy seat].


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David gave him plans for everything he had in mind: the courtyards around the Lord’s ·Temple [house] and all the rooms around it, the ·Temple treasuries [storehouses of God’s house], and the ·treasuries [storehouse] of the ·holy items used in the Temple [dedicated/consecrated things/gifts].


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David gave Solomon directions for the ·groups [divisions; orders] of the priests and Levites, and for all the work of serving in the ·Temple [house] of the Lord, and about the ·items [utensils] to be used for service in the ·Temple [house] of the Lord


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that were made of gold or silver. David told Solomon ·how much [the weight of] gold or silver to use to make each thing.


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David told him ·how much [the weight of] gold to use for each gold lampstand and its lamps and ·how much [the weight of] silver to use for each silver lampstand and its lamps according to how the lampstands were to be used .


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David told ·how much [the weight of] gold to use for each table that held the ·holy [show] bread and ·how much [the weight of] silver to use for the silver tables.


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He told ·how much [the weight of] pure gold to use to make the forks, ·bowls [basins], and pitchers and ·how much [the weight of] gold to use to make each gold ·dish [bowl]. He told ·how much [the weight of] silver to use to make each silver ·dish [bowl]


text:
and ·how much [the weight of] pure gold to use for the altar of incense. He also gave Solomon the plans for the ·chariot [or seat] of the ·golden creatures [cherubim] that spread their wings over the Ark of the ·Agreement [Testimony; Treaty; Covenant] with the Lord.


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David said, “All these plans were written with the Lord ·guiding [directing] me. He ·helped me understand [made clear to me; gave me insight into/understanding of] everything in the plans.”


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David also said to his son Solomon, “Be strong and brave, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, because the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or ·leave [abandon; forsake] you until all the work for the service of the ·Temple [house] of the Lord is finished.


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The ·groups [divisions; orders] of the priests and Levites are ready for all the ·work on [service of] the ·Temple [house] of God. Every skilled worker is ready to help you with all the work. The ·leaders [officials] and all the ·people [nation] will ·obey every command you give [be at your command].”


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Gifts for Building the Temple King David said to ·all the Israelites who were gathered [the entire assembly], “God chose my son Solomon, who is young and ·hasn’t yet learned what he needs to know [inexperienced], ·but [and] the ·work is important [task is great/huge]. This ·palace [temple] is not for ·people [mortals]; it is for the Lord God.


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I have ·done my best [made every effort; according to all my strength] to prepare for building the ·Temple [house] of my God. I have given gold for the things made of gold and silver for the things made of silver. I have given bronze for the things made of bronze and iron for the things made of iron. I have given wood for the things made of wood and onyx for the settings. I have given turquoise gems of many different colors, ·valuable [precious] stones, and ·white marble [alabaster]. I have given all these things in ·abundance [great quantities].


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I have already given this for the ·Temple [house], but because of my ·devotion to [commitment to; delight in] the ·Temple [house] of my God, I am also giving my own treasures of gold and silver.


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I am giving ·about two hundred twenty thousand pounds [three thousand talents] of gold from Ophir and ·about five hundred twenty thousand pounds [seven thousand talents] of ·pure [refined] silver. They will be used to ·cover [overlay] the walls of the buildings


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and for all the gold and silver work to be done by the craftsmen. Now, who is ·ready [willing] to ·give himself [consecrate/devote yourself] to the service of the Lord today [by also making an offering]?”


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The ·family [clan] leaders and the ·leaders [chiefs; heads] of the tribes of Israel, the commanders of a thousand men and of a hundred men, and the ·leaders [officials; overseers] ·responsible for [in charge of] the king’s work gave willingly.


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They donated ·about three hundred eighty thousand pounds [five thousand talents] of gold, ·about seven hundred fifty thousand pounds [ten thousand darics] of silver, ·about one million three hundred fifty thousand pounds [eighteen thousand talents] of bronze, and ·about seven million five hundred thousand pounds [one hundred thousand talents] of iron to the ·Temple [house] of God.


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People who had ·valuable gems [precious stones] gave them to the treasury of the ·Temple [house] of the Lord, under the care of Jehiel, from the Gershon ·family [clan].


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The leaders gave ·willingly and completely [freely and wholeheartedly] to the Lord. The people rejoiced to see their leaders give so gladly, and King David was also ·very happy [filled with joy].


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David’s Prayer David ·praised [blessed] the Lord in ·front [the presence] of all the ·people who were gathered [assembly]. He said: “We ·praise [bless] you, Lord, God of our father Israel, forever and ever.


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Lord, ·you are great and powerful [yours is the greatness and power]. You have glory, victory, and ·honor [majesty; splendor]. Everything in heaven and on earth belongs to you. ·The kingdom [Sovereignty; Dominion] belongs to you, Lord; you are ·the ruler [head; exalted] over everything.


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·Riches [Wealth] and honor come from you. You rule everything. ·You have the [In your hand is] power and ·strength [might] to make ·anyone [everyone] great and strong.


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“·These things did not really come from me and my people. [But who am I and who are my people that we have this much to give?] Everything comes from you; we have given you back what ·you [your hand] gave us.


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We are like ·foreigners [aliens; sojourners] and ·strangers [transients; nomads], as our ·ancestors [fathers] were. Our ·time [days] on earth is like a shadow. There is no ·hope [or security].


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Lord our God, we have gathered all this abundance to build your ·Temple [house] for ·worship to you [your holy name/Name]. But everything has come from ·you [your hand]; everything belongs to you.


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I know, my God, that you ·test [examine; search] people’s hearts. You ·are happy when people do what is right [delight/rejoice in integrity/uprightness]. I ·was happy to [willingly; freely] give all these things, and I gave with ·an honest heart [pure motives]. Your people gathered here ·are happy to [willingly] give to you, and I rejoice to see their giving.


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Lord, you are the God of our ·ancestors [fathers], the God of Abraham, Isaac, and ·Jacob [Israel]. ·Make your people want to serve you always [Keep these motives always in their heart], and ·make them want to obey you [direct their heart toward you].


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Give my son Solomon a ·desire to serve you [perfect heart; undivided mind; whole heart]. Help him always obey your commands, laws, and rules. Help him build ·the Temple [this temple/palace] for which I have ·prepared [provided].”


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Then David said to all the ·people who were gathered [assembly], “·Praise [Bless] the Lord your God.” So they all ·praised [blessed] the Lord, the God of their ·ancestors [fathers], and they bowed to the ground ·to give honor to [and prostrated themselves before] the Lord and the king.


text:
Solomon Becomes King The next day the people sacrificed to the Lord. They offered burnt offerings [] to him of a thousand bulls, a thousand ·male sheep [rams], and a thousand male lambs. They also brought ·drink offerings [libations]. Many sacrifices were made for all the people of Israel.


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That day the people ·ate and drank [feasted] with much joy, ·and the Lord was with them [before the Lord]. And they ·made [designated; acknowledged] David’s son Solomon king for the second time. They ·poured olive oil on Solomon to appoint [anointed] him king ·in the presence of [before] the Lord. And they ·poured oil on Zadok to appoint him [anointed Zadok] as priest.


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Then Solomon sat on the Lord’s throne as king and took his father David’s place. Solomon ·was very successful [prospered], and all the people of Israel obeyed him.


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All the ·leaders [officials; chiefs] and ·soldiers [mighty warriors] and King David’s sons ·accepted Solomon as king and promised to obey him [pledged their allegiance to King Solomon].


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The Lord ·made Solomon great before [exalted Solomon in the sight of] all the Israelites and gave him greater royal ·splendor [majesty] than any king before him in Israel.


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David died when he was old. He had lived a good, long life ·and had received many [full of] riches and honors. His son Solomon ·became king after him [reigned in his place].


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·Everything David did as king [The acts/events of King David], from ·beginning to end [first to last], is ·recorded [written] in the ·records [chronicles; annals] of Samuel the ·seer [prophet], the ·records [chronicles; annals] of Nathan the prophet, and the ·records [chronicles; annals] of Gad the ·seer [prophet].


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Those writings tell what David did ·as king of Israel [during his reign]. They tell about his power and what happened to him and to Israel and to all the kingdoms ·around them [of the earth/land].


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Solomon Asks for Wisdom Solomon, David’s son, ·became a powerful king [solidified/secured/established his kingdom/royal authority; strengthened himself over his kingdom], because the Lord his God was with him and ·made him very great [exalted/magnified/empowered him].


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Solomon spoke to all the people of Israel—the ·commanders [officers] of thousands of men and of hundreds of men, the judges, every leader in all Israel, and the ·leaders [heads] of the ·families [clans].


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Then Solomon and all the ·people [assembly] with him went to the ·place of worship [high place] at the town of Gibeon. God’s ·Meeting Tent [Tabernacle], which Moses the Lord’s servant had made in the ·desert [wilderness], was there.


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David had brought the Ark of God from Kiriath Jearim to Jerusalem, where he had ·made [prepared] a place for it and had set up a tent for it [].


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But the bronze altar that Bezalel son of Uri, who was the son of Hur, had made was in Gibeon in front of the ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle]. So Solomon and the ·people [assembly] worshiped there.


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Solomon went up to the bronze altar ·in the presence of [before] the Lord at the ·Meeting Tent [Tabernacle] and ·offered [sacrificed] a thousand burnt offerings on it.


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Solomon answered, “You have ·been very kind [shown/demonstrated loyalty/unfailing love] to my father David, and you have made me king in his place.


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Now, Lord God, ·may your promise to my father David come true [or your promise to my father David has been fulfilled]. You have made me king of a ·people [nation] ·who are as many [as numerous] as the dust of the earth [].


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Now give me wisdom and knowledge so I can lead these people, ·because no one can rule them without your help [for who can rule/govern this great people/nation of yours?].”


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God said to Solomon, “You have not asked for wealth or riches or ·honor [fame], or for the ·death of your enemies [life of those who hate you], or for a long life. ·But since [Because] you have asked for wisdom and knowledge to ·lead [rule; govern] my people, over whom I have made you king,


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I will give you wisdom and knowledge. I will also give you more wealth, riches, and ·honor [fame] than any king who has lived before you or any who will live after you.”


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Then Solomon left the ·place of worship [high place], the ·Meeting Tent [Tabernacle], at Gibeon and went back to Jerusalem. There King Solomon ·ruled [reigned] over Israel.


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Solomon’s Wealth Solomon ·had [gathered; amassed; accumulated] fourteen hundred chariots and twelve thousand horses. He kept some in ·special cities for the chariots [chariot cities], and others he kept with him in Jerusalem.


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In Jerusalem Solomon made silver and gold as ·plentiful [common] as stones and cedar trees as ·plentiful [common] as the ·fig [sycamore-fig] trees on the ·western hills [Shephelah].


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He imported horses from Egypt and ·Kue [Cilicia; present-day southern Turkey]; his traders bought them in ·Kue [Cilicia] for the ·prevailing [usual; standard] price.


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They imported chariots from Egypt for ·about fifteen pounds [six hundred shekels] of silver apiece, and horses cost ·nearly four pounds of silver [one hundred fifty] apiece. Then they ·sold [exported] the horses and chariots to all the kings of the Hittites and the Arameans.


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Solomon Prepares for the Temple Solomon decided to build a ·temple [house] ·as a place to worship [for the name of] the Lord and also a ·palace [royal house] for himself.


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He ·chose [assigned; conscripted] seventy thousand men ·to carry loads [as common laborers], eighty thousand men to ·cut [quarry] stone in the hill country, and thirty-six hundred men to ·direct the workers [supervise/oversee them].


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Solomon sent this message to ·Hiram [or Huram; variants of the same name; calls him Hiram; the Hebrew text here reads Huram] king of the city of Tyre: “·Help me as you helped [Do as you did for] my father David by sending him cedar logs so he could build himself a ·palace [house] to live in.


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I ·will [am about to] build a ·temple [house] for ·worshiping [the name of] the Lord my God, and I will ·give [dedicate] this ·temple [house] to him. There we will ·burn sweet-smelling spices [offer fragrant incense] ·in his presence [before him]. We will continually set out the ·holy bread [showbread] in God’s presence. And we will burn sacrifices every morning and evening, on Sabbath days and New Moons, and on the other feast days ·commanded [appointed; prescribed] by the Lord our God. This ·is a rule for Israel to obey forever [permanently in/upon Israel].


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“The ·temple [house] I ·build [am about to build] will be great, because our God is greater than all gods.


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But ·no one can really [who is able to…?] build a house for our God. Not even the highest of heavens can ·hold [contain] him. ·How then can I [So who am I to] build a ·temple [house] for him except as a place to burn ·sacrifices [or incense; what is being burned is not indicated] to him?


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“Now send me a man skilled in working with gold, silver, bronze, and iron, and with purple, ·red [crimson], and ·blue thread [violet cloth]. He must also know how to make engravings. He will work with my skilled craftsmen in Judah and Jerusalem, whom my father David ·chose [provided].


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“Also send me cedar, ·pine [cypress; juniper; evergreens], and ·juniper logs [sandalwood/algum timber] from Lebanon. I know your servants are ·experienced [skilled; adept] at cutting down the trees in Lebanon, and my servants will help them.


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Send me a ·lot [vast amount] of wood, because the ·temple [house] I am going to build will be large and ·wonderful [magnificent].


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I will give your servants who cut the wood ·one hundred twenty-five thousand bushels [twenty thousand kors] of wheat, ·one hundred twenty-five thousand bushels [twenty thousand kors] of barley, ·one hundred fifteen thousand gallons [twenty thousand baths] of wine, and ·one hundred fifteen thousand gallons [twenty thousand baths] of oil.”


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Then ·Hiram [or Huram; ] king of Tyre answered Solomon with this letter: “Solomon, because the Lord loves his people, he ·chose [made] you to be their king.”


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·Hiram [or Huram; ] also said: “·Praise [Blessed be] the Lord, the God of Israel, who made ·heaven [the sky] and earth! He has given King David a wise son, ·one [endowed; gifted] with ·wisdom [discernment; intelligence; discretion] and ·understanding [insight], who will build a ·temple [house] for the Lord and a ·palace [house] for himself.


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His mother was from the people of Dan, and his father was from Tyre. Huram-Abi is ·skilled [trained; knowledgeable] in working with gold, silver, bronze, iron, stone, and wood, and with purple, ·blue [violet], and ·red thread [crimson cloth/yarn], and ·expensive [fine] linen. He is skilled in making engravings and can ·make [execute] any design ·you show [given to] him. He will help your ·craftsmen [artisans] and the craftsmen of your father David.


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We will cut as much wood from Lebanon as you need and will bring it on rafts by sea to Joppa. Then you may ·carry [haul; transport] it to Jerusalem.”


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Solomon ·counted [numbered; took a census of] all the foreigners living in Israel. (This was after the time his father David had counted the people [; ].) There were one hundred fifty-three thousand six hundred foreigners.


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Solomon ·chose [assigned; conscripted] seventy thousand of them ·to carry loads [as common laborers], eighty thousand of them to ·cut [quarry] stone in the mountains, and thirty-six hundred of them to ·direct [supervise; oversee] the workers and to keep the people working.


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Solomon Builds the Temple Then Solomon began to build the ·Temple [house] of the Lord in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah []. This was where the Lord had appeared to David, Solomon’s father. Solomon built the ·Temple [house] on the place David had prepared on the threshing floor of ·Araunah [or Ornan; , ] the Jebusite.


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Solomon began building in the ·second month [or second day of the second month; midspring] of the fourth year ·he ruled Israel [of his reign].


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Solomon used ·these measurements [or this foundation] for building the ·Temple [house] of God. It was ·ninety feet [sixty cubits] long and ·thirty feet [twenty cubits] wide, using the old ·measurement [standard].


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The ·porch [portico; vestibule; entry room] in front of the main ·room [hall] of the ·Temple [house] was ·thirty feet [twenty cubits] long and ·thirty feet [twenty cubits; or one hundred twenty cubits] high. He ·covered [overlaid] the ·inside of the porch [main hall; nave] with ·pure [fine] gold.


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He put panels of ·pine [cypress; juniper; evergreens] on the walls of the ·main room [main hall; nave] and ·covered [overlaid] them with ·pure [fine] gold. Then he ·put [decorated/ornamented it with] designs of palm trees and chains in the gold.


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He ·put [overlaid] gold on the ·Temple’s [house’s] ceiling beams, ·doorposts [thresholds], walls, and doors, and he carved ·creatures with wings [cherubim] on the walls.


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Then he made the ·Most Holy Place [Holy of Holies]. It was ·thirty feet [twenty cubits] long and ·thirty feet [twenty cubits] wide, ·as wide as [corresponding to the width of] the ·Temple [house]. He ·covered [overlaid] its walls with ·about forty-six thousand pounds [six hundred talents] of ·pure [fine] gold.


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The gold nails weighed ·over a pound [fifty shekels]. He also ·covered [overlaid] the upper rooms with gold.


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He ·made [sculpted; modeled] two ·creatures with wings [cherubim] for the ·Most Holy Place [Holy of Holies] and ·covered [overlaid] them with gold.


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The wings of the ·gold creatures [cherubim] were ·thirty feet [twenty cubits] across. One wing of one creature was ·seven and one-half feet [five cubits] long and touched the ·Temple [house] wall. The creature’s other wing was also ·seven and one-half feet [five cubits] long, and it touched a wing of the second ·creature [cherub].


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One wing of the second creature touched the other side of the room and was also ·seven and one-half feet [five cubits] long. The second creature’s other wing touched the first creature’s wing, and it was also ·seven and one-half feet [five cubits] long.


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Together, the creatures’ wings were ·thirty feet [twenty cubits] across. The creatures stood on their feet, facing the ·main room [main hall; nave].


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He made the ·curtain [veil] of ·blue [violet], purple, and ·red thread [crimson cloth/yarn], and ·expensive [fine] linen, and he ·put [worked; embroidered] designs of ·creatures with wings [cherubim] in it.


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The Pillars and Furnishings for the Temple He made two pillars to stand in front of the ·Temple [house]. They were ·about fifty-two feet [thirty-five cubits; possibly the combined length of the two] tall, and the capital on top of each pillar was over ·seven feet [five cubits] tall.


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He made ·a net of [interwoven] chains and put them on the tops of the pillars. He made a hundred pomegranates and put them on the chains.


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Then he put the pillars up in front of the Temple. One pillar stood on the ·south [right] side, the other on the ·north [left]. He named the ·south [right] pillar Jachin [“he establishes”] and the ·north [left] pillar Boaz [“in him is strength”].


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He made a bronze altar ·thirty feet [twenty cubits] long, ·thirty feet [twenty cubits] wide, and ·fifteen feet [ten cubits] tall.


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Then he made from ·bronze [cast metal] a large round ·bowl [basin], which was called the Sea [symbol of chaos subdued; ]. It was ·forty-five feet [thirty cubits] ·around [in circumference], ·fifteen feet [ten cubits] ·across [from rim to rim], and ·seven and one-half feet [five cubits] ·deep [high].


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There were ·carvings [figures; images] of ·bulls [oxen] under the rim of the bowl—ten ·bulls [oxen] every ·eighteen inches [cubit]. They were in two rows and were ·made [cast] in one piece with the bowl.


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The bowl rested on the backs of twelve bronze ·bulls [oxen] ·that faced outward from the center of the bowl [all their hindquarters were toward the inside]. Three ·bulls [oxen] faced north, three faced west, three faced south, and three faced east.


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The sides of the bowl were ·four inches [four fingers; a handbreadth] thick, and it held ·about seventeen thousand five hundred gallons [three thousand baths]. The rim of the bowl was like the rim of a cup ·or like [and resembled] a lily blossom.


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He made ten ·smaller bowls [basins] and put five on the ·south [right] side and five on the ·north [left]. They were for ·washing [rinsing] the ·animals [or utensils; things] for the burnt offerings [], but the ·large bowl [Sea; ] was for the priests to wash in.


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He ·made [cast] ten lampstands of gold, ·following the plans [according to the specifications]. He put them in the Temple, five on the ·south [right] side and five on the ·north [left].


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He made ten tables and put them in the Temple, five on the ·south [right] side and five on the ·north [left]. And he used gold to ·make [mold] a hundred other ·bowls [basins].


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He also made the priests’ courtyard and the large courtyard. He made the doors that opened to the courtyard and ·covered [overlaid] them with bronze.


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Huram also made ·bowls [pots; pails; washbasins], shovels, and ·small [or sprinkling] bowls. So he finished his work for King Solomon on the ·Temple [house] of God:


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two pillars; two ·large bowls for the [bowl-shaped] capitals on top of the pillars; two ·nets [networks of interwoven chains] to cover the two ·large bowls for the [bowl-shaped] capitals on top of the pillars;


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four hundred pomegranates for the ·two nets [chains] (there were two rows of pomegranates for each ·net [chain] covering the ·bowls for the [bowl-shaped] capitals on top of the pillars);


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the ·pots [pails; ash buckets], shovels, ·forks [meat hooks], and all the ·things to go with them [related articles/utensils]. All the things that Huram-Abi made for King Solomon for the ·Temple [house] of the Lord were made of ·polished [burnished] bronze.


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Solomon had so many things made that the total weight of all the bronze ·was never known [could not be/was not calculated].


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Solomon also made all the ·things [furnishings] for God’s ·Temple [house]: the golden altar; tables which held the bread ·that shows God’s people are in his presence [of Presence; ];


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the lampstands and their lamps of ·pure [solid] gold, to burn in front of the ·Most Holy Place [inner sanctuary] as ·planned [prescribed; specified];


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the pure gold ·wick trimmers [lamp snuffers], small bowls, pans, and dishes ·used to carry coals [and incense burners/censers], the gold doors for the ·Temple [house], and the inside doors of the ·Most Holy Place [Holy of Holies] and of the ·main room [main hall; nave].


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Finally all the work Solomon did for the ·Temple [house] of the Lord was finished. He brought in everything his father David had ·set apart [dedicated] for the ·Temple [house]—all the silver and gold and other ·articles [utensils]. And he ·put [stored] everything in the treasuries of God’s ·Temple [house].


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The Ark Is Brought into the Temple Solomon ·called for [summoned; assembled; convened] the elders of Israel, the heads of the tribes, and the ·leaders [chiefs] of the ·families [clans] to come to him in Jerusalem. He wanted them to bring the Ark of the ·Agreement [Covenant; Treaty; Testimony] with the Lord from ·the older part of the city [the city of David, that is, Zion].


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So all the Israelites came together with the king during the festival in the seventh month [the Festival of Shelters or Tabernacles or Booths held in early autumn].


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They ·carried [brought up] the ·Ark of the Agreement [ark; ], the ·Meeting Tent [Tabernacle], and the ·holy utensils [sacred furnishings] in it; the ·priests and the Levites [Levitical priests] brought them up.


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King Solomon and all the ·Israelites [congregation/community of Israel] gathered before the ·Ark of the Agreement [ark] and sacrificed so many sheep and ·bulls [oxen] no one could count or record them.


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Then the priests put the Ark of the ·Agreement [covenant; treaty; Testimony] with the Lord in its place inside the inner sanctuary of the ·Temple [house], the ·Most Holy Place [Holy of Holies], under the wings of the ·golden creatures [cherubim].


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The wings of ·these creatures [cherubim] were spread out over the place for the Ark, ·covering [forming a canopy over] it and its carrying poles.


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The carrying poles were so long that anyone standing in the ·Holy Place [inner sanctuary] in front of the ·Most Holy Place [Holy of Holies] could see the ends of the poles. But no one could see them from outside the Holy Place. The poles are still there today.


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The only things inside the Ark were two stone tablets [inscribed with the Ten Commandments] that Moses had put in the Ark at ·Mount Sinai [Horeb]. That was where the Lord made his ·agreement [covenant; treaty] with the Israelites after they came out of Egypt.


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Then all the priests ·left [came out of; withdrew from] the Holy Place. (All the priests ·from each group [regardless of their divisions/orders; or whether they were serving that day or not] had ·made themselves ready to serve the Lord [consecrated/purified/sanctified themselves].)


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All the Levite ·musicians [singers]—Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun [all associated with certain psalms; see titles of , (Asaph), (Heman), , , (Jeduthun)], and all their sons and ·relatives [kinsmen; brothers]—stood on the east side of the altar. They were dressed in ·white [fine] linen and played cymbals, harps, and lyres. ·With [Accompanying] them were one hundred twenty priests who blew trumpets.


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Those who blew the trumpets and those who sang ·together sounded like one person [performed in unison] as they praised and thanked the Lord. They sang ·as others played their [accompanied by] trumpets, cymbals, and other instruments. They praised the Lord with this song: “He is good; his ·love [unfailing love; lovingkindness; loyalty] ·continues [endures] forever [].” Then the ·Temple [house] of the Lord was filled with a cloud.


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The priests could not continue their ·work [service] because of the cloud, because the Lord’s ·glory [splendor] filled the ·Temple [house] of God.


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Solomon Speaks to the People Then Solomon said, “The Lord said he would live in the ·dark cloud [thick cloud; thick cloud of darkness].


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Lord, I have built a ·wonderful [magnificent; glorious; lofty] ·Temple [house] for you—a place for you to ·live [dwell] forever.”


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While all the ·Israelites [community of Israel] were standing there, King Solomon turned to them and blessed them.


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Then he said, “·Praise [Bless] the Lord, the God of Israel. He has ·done [fulfilled with his hand] what he ·promised [spoke] to my father David []. The Lord said,


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‘Since the ·time [day] I brought my people out of Egypt, I have not chosen a city in any tribe of Israel where a ·Temple [house] will be built for ·me [my name to be there]. I did not choose a man to ·lead [rule] my people Israel.


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But now I have chosen Jerusalem ·as the place I am to be worshiped [for my name to be], and I have chosen David to ·lead [rule] my people Israel.’


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“My father David wanted to build a ·Temple [house] for ·the [the name of the] Lord, the God of Israel.


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But the Lord said to my father David, ‘·It was good that you [You did well to have] wanted to build a ·Temple [house] for me.


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But you are not the one to build it. Your son, who ·comes from your own body [will be born to you], is the one who will build ·my Temple [the house for my name].’


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“Now the Lord has ·kept his promise [established the word he spoke]. I am the king now in place of David my father. Now I ·rule [sit on the throne of] Israel as the Lord promised, and I have built the ·Temple [house] for ·the [the name of the] Lord, the God of Israel.


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There I have put the Ark, in which is the ·Agreement [covenant; treaty] the Lord made with the ·Israelites [people of Israel].”


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Solomon’s Prayer Then Solomon stood ·facing [before] the Lord’s altar, ·and all the Israelites were standing behind him [in the presence of the assembly/community of Israel]. He ·spread out [lifted] his hands.


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He had made a bronze platform ·seven and one-half feet [five cubits] long, ·seven and one-half feet [five cubits] wide, and ·seven and one-half feet [five cubits] high, and he had placed it in the middle of the outer courtyard. Solomon stood on the platform. Then he kneeled in front of all the ·people [assembly; community] of Israel gathered there, and he spread out his hands toward ·the sky [heaven].


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He said, “Lord, God of Israel, there is no god [no true God] like you in heaven or on earth. You keep your ·agreement of love with [covenant/treaty and show unfailing love/loyalty to] your servants who ·truly follow [wholeheartedly/devotedly walk before] you.


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You have kept the promise you made to your servant David, my father. You spoke it with your own mouth and finished it with your hands today.


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“Now, Lord, God of Israel, keep the promise you made to your servant David, my father. You said, ‘If your sons ·are careful [guard their steps] ·to obey my teachings [and walk in my laws] as you have ·obeyed [walked], ·there will always be someone from your family [you will never fail to have someone] ·ruling [sitting on the throne of] Israel.’


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Now, Lord, God of Israel, ·please continue to keep that promise you made [fulfill this word you have spoken] to your servant.


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“But, ·God, can you [will God] really live here on the earth with ·people [mortals]? The ·sky and the highest place in heaven [heavens, even the highest heavens,] cannot contain you. ·Surely this house which I have built cannot contain you [How much less this temple/house I have built].


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But ·please listen [listen favorably; attend] to my prayer and my request, because I am your servant. Lord my God, hear this ·prayer [cry] your servant prays to you.


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Day and night please watch over this ·Temple [house] where you have said you would ·be worshiped [put your name]. Hear the prayer I pray facing this place.


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Hear ·my prayers and the prayers of [the pleas/entreaties/supplications of your servant and] your people Israel when we pray facing this place. Hear from your home in heaven, and when you hear, forgive us.


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“If someone ·wrongs another person [sins against his neighbor], he will be brought to the altar in this ·Temple [house]. If he swears an oath [that he is innocent],


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then hear in heaven and act. Judge ·the case [between your servants; the accuser and the accused], ·punish [condemn; repay] the guilty, but ·declare that [justify; acquit] the ·innocent person is not guilty [righteous because of their innocence/righteousness].


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“·When [If] your people, the Israelites, sin against you, their enemies will defeat them. But if they ·come back [return] to you and ·praise you [acknowledge/confess your name] and pray and ·appeal [make supplication] to you in this ·Temple [house],


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then ·listen [hear] from heaven. Forgive the sin of your people Israel, and bring them back to the land you gave to them and their ·ancestors [fathers].


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“When they sin against you, you will ·stop the rain from falling on their land [shut up the heavens/sky and stop the rain]. Then they will pray, facing this place and ·praising you [acknowledge/confess your name]; they will stop sinning ·when [because] you ·make them suffer [punish/afflict them].


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When this happens, hear their prayer in heaven, and forgive the sins of your servants, the Israelites. Teach them ·to do what is right [the right way to live; the good way in which they should walk]. Then please send rain to ·this [your] land you have given ·particularly to them [to your people as an inheritance/special possession].


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“·At times the land will get so dry that no food will grow [If there is famine in the land…], or ·a great sickness will spread among the people [a plague; pestilence…]. ·Sometimes […or if…] the crops will be destroyed by blight, mildew, locusts, or grasshoppers. ·Your […or if…] people will be attacked in their cities by their enemies, or will become sick.


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·When any of these things [—whatever plague/disaster or disease] happens, ·the […and if the…] people will ·become truly sorry [pray about their troubles/affliction and pain/sorrows…]. ·If […and] your people spread their hands in prayer toward this ·Temple [house],


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then hear their prayers from your home in heaven. Forgive and ·treat [deal with] each person as he ·should be treated [deserves] because you know what is in a person’s heart. Only you know ·what is in people’s hearts [the human heart].


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Then the people will ·respect [fear; revere; honor] and ·obey you [walk in your ways] as long as they live in this land you gave our ·ancestors [fathers].


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“People who are not Israelites, foreigners from other lands, will hear about your ·greatness [great name] and ·power [mighty hand and outstretched arm]. They will come from far away to pray ·at this Temple [toward this house].


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Then hear from your home in heaven, and ·do [grant; answer] whatever they ask you. Then ·people everywhere [all the peoples of the earth] will know ·you [your name] and ·respect [fear; revere; acknowledge] you, just as your people Israel do. Then everyone will know that I built this ·Temple [house] as a place to ·worship you [bear your name].


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“When your people go out to fight their enemies ·along some road on which [by whichever way] you send them, your people will pray to you, ·facing [toward] this city which you have chosen and the ·Temple [house] I have built for ·you [your name].


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Then hear in heaven their prayers and their ·plea [supplication], and ·do what is right [uphold their cause; vindicate them].


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“·Everyone sins, so your people will also sin against you [When/If your people sin against you—for there is no one who does not sin—…]. You will become angry with them and will ·hand them over [deliver them] to their enemies. Their enemies will capture them and take them away to a country far or near.


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·Your people will be sorry for their sins [If they stop and think/come to their senses…] when they are held as ·prisoners [captives] in another country. ·They will be sorry […and they repent…] and ·pray [plead; make supplication] to you in the land ·where they are held as prisoners [of their captivity], saying, ‘We have sinned. We have done ·wrong [evil] and acted wickedly.’


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·They will truly turn back to you […and they return to you with all their heart and soul/being] in the land where they are captives. ·They will […and they] pray, ·facing this [toward the] land you gave their ·ancestors [fathers], this city you have chosen, and the ·Temple [house] I have built for ·you [your name…].


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Then hear their prayers and their ·plea [supplication] from your home in heaven, and ·do what is right [uphold their cause; vindicate them]. Forgive your people who have sinned against you.


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“Now, my God, ·look at us. Listen […may your eyes be open and your ears attentive] to the prayers we pray in this place.


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Now, ·rise [ascend], Lord God, and ·come to [enter] your resting place. Come with the ·Ark of the Agreement that shows your strength [ark of your might/power]. Let your priests ·receive [be clothed with] your salvation, Lord God, and may your ·holy people [godly/faithful ones] ·be happy because of your goodness [rejoice in what is good].


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Lord God, do not ·reject [turn away from] your ·appointed [anointed] ·one [or ones]. Remember your ·love [unfailing love; lovingkindness; loyalty] for your servant David [, ].”


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The Temple Is Given to the Lord When Solomon finished praying, fire came down from ·the sky [heaven] and ·burned up [consumed] the burnt offering and the sacrifices. The Lord’s ·glory [splendor] filled the ·Temple [house].


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The priests could not enter the ·Temple [house] of the Lord, because the Lord’s ·glory [splendor] filled it.


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When all the people of Israel saw the fire come down and the Lord’s ·glory [splendor] on the ·Temple [house], they bowed down on the pavement with their faces to the ground. They worshiped and ·thanked [praised] the Lord, saying, “He is good; his ·love [unfailing love; lovingkindness; loyalty] ·continues [endures] forever [].”


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King Solomon ·offered [sacrificed] a sacrifice of twenty-two thousand ·cattle [oxen] and one hundred twenty thousand sheep. So the king and all the people ·gave [dedicated] the ·Temple [house] to God.


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The priests stood ·ready to do their work [in their places/positions/posts]. The Levites also stood with the instruments of the Lord’s music that King David had made for praising the Lord. The priests and Levites were ·saying [singing], “His ·love [unfailing love; lovingkindness; loyalty] ·continues [endures] forever [].” The priests, who stood across from the Levites, blew their trumpets, and all the Israelites were standing.


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Solomon ·made holy [consecrated] the middle part of the courtyard, which is in front of the ·Temple [house] of the Lord. There he ·offered [sacrificed] whole burnt offerings and the fat of the ·fellowship [peace] offerings. He ·offered [sacrificed] them in the courtyard, because the bronze altar he had made could not hold the burnt offerings [], ·grain [gift; tribute] offerings [], and fat [].


text:
Solomon and all the Israelites ·celebrated [kept; observed] the festival [of Shelters/Tabernacles/Booths] for seven days. There ·were many people [was a great assembly/congregation], and they came from as far away as Lebo Hamath [in the north] and the brook of Egypt [in the south].


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For seven days they celebrated ·giving [the dedication of] the altar. Then they ·celebrated [kept; observed] the festival for seven days. On the eighth day they had a ·meeting [solemn assembly; closing ceremony].


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On the twenty-third day of the seventh month Solomon sent the people home, full of joy. They were ·happy [content; glad; good of heart] because the Lord had been so good to David, Solomon, and his people Israel.


text:
The Lord Appears to Solomon Solomon finished the ·Temple [house] of the Lord and his royal ·palace [house]. He had success in ·doing [completing; accomplishing] everything he planned in the ·Temple [house] of the Lord and his own ·palace [house].


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Then the Lord appeared to Solomon at night and said to him, “I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself to be a ·Temple [house] ·for [of] sacrifices.


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“·I may [If I…] ·stop the sky [shut the heavens] from sending rain. ·I may […or if I…] command the locusts to ·destroy [devour] the land. ·I may […or if I…] send ·sicknesses [plague; pestilence] to my people.


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Then if my people, who ·are called by my name [belong to me], will humble themselves, if they will pray and seek ·me [my face] and stop their evil ways, I will hear them from heaven. I will forgive their sin, and I will ·heal [restore] their land.


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Now ·I will see them, and I will listen [my eyes will be open and my ears attentive; ] to the prayers prayed in this place.


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I have chosen this ·Temple [house] and ·made it holy [consecrated/purified/sanctified it]. So ·I will be worshiped [my name will be] there forever. Yes, ·I will always watch over it and love it [my eyes and my heart will be there forever].


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“But you must ·serve [walk before] me as your father David did. You must ·obey [do] all I have commanded and keep my laws and rules.


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If you do, I will ·make your kingdom strong [secure/establish your throne/dynasty]. This is the ·agreement [covenant; treaty] I made with your father David, saying, ‘·Someone from your family will always [You will not fail to have a successor to] rule in Israel [; ].’


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“But ·you must follow me and obey the [if any of you turn away from me and abandon/forsake my…] laws and commands I have given you, and you must not serve or worship other gods.


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If you do, I will ·take the Israelites out of [uproot you from] my land, the land I have given ·you [them], and I will ·leave [reject; disown; abandon] this ·Temple [house] that I have ·made holy [consecrated/purified/sanctified for my name]. All the nations will ·make fun of [mock] it and ·speak evil about [ridicule] it.


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This ·Temple [house] is ·honored [exalted] now, but then, everyone who passes by will be ·shocked [appalled]. They will ask, ‘Why did the Lord do this terrible thing to this land and this ·Temple [house]?’


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People will answer, ‘This happened because they ·left [abandoned; forsook] the Lord, the God of their ·ancestors [fathers], the God who brought them out of Egypt. They ·decided to follow [embraced; adopted] other gods and worshiped and served them, so he brought all this ·disaster [calamity] on them.’”


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Solomon’s Other Achievements By the end of twenty years, Solomon had built the ·Temple [house] of the Lord and the royal ·palace [house].


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Solomon then rebuilt the towns that ·Hiram [or Huram; ] had given him, and Solomon sent Israelites to live in them.


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Solomon also built the town of Tadmor in the ·desert [wilderness], and he built all the towns in Hamath as ·towns for storing grain and supplies [supply centers; storage cities].


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He rebuilt the towns of Upper Beth Horon and Lower Beth Horon, ·protecting [fortifying] them with strong walls, gates, and bars in the gates.


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He also rebuilt the town of Baalath. And he built all the other ·towns for storage [supply centers; storage cities] and all the cities for his chariots and horses. He built all he ·wanted [desired] in Jerusalem, Lebanon, and ·everywhere he ruled [throughout his kingdom/realm].


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·There were other people [Others survived] in the land who were not Israelites—the Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites.


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They were descendants of the ·people [nations] that the Israelites had not destroyed. Solomon ·forced [conscripted] them to be ·slave workers [forced labor], as is still true today.


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But Solomon did not ·make slaves of [impose forced labor on] the Israelites. They were his soldiers, ·chief captains [officers], commanders of his chariots, and his ·chariot drivers [or cavalry].


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These were his most important officers. There were two hundred fifty of them to ·direct [supervise; be in charge of] the people.


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Solomon brought the daughter of the king of Egypt from the ·older part of Jerusalem [City of David] to the ·palace [house] he had built for her. Solomon said, “My wife must not live in King David’s ·palace [house], because the places where the Ark of the ·Agreement [Lord] has ·been [entered] are ·holy [consecrated; purified; sanctified].”


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Then Solomon ·offered [sacrificed] burnt offerings [] to the Lord on the altar he had built for the Lord in front of the ·Temple [house] ·porch [portico; vestibule; entry room].


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He ·offered [sacrificed] sacrifices ·every day [according to the daily requirements/rule] as Moses had commanded. They were ·offered [sacrificed] on the Sabbath days, New Moons, and the three yearly feasts—the ·Feast [Festival] of Unleavened Bread, the ·Feast [Festival] of Weeks, and the ·Feast [Festival] of ·Shelters [Tabernacles; Booths].


text:
Solomon followed his father David’s instructions and ·chose [appointed] the ·groups [divisions; orders] of priests for their service and the Levites ·to lead the [for their duties/offices of] praise and to help the priests do their daily work. And he ·chose [appointed] the gatekeepers by their ·groups [divisions] to serve at each gate, as David, the man of God, had commanded.


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They ·obeyed all of [did not deviate from] Solomon’s commands to the priests and Levites, as well as his commands about the ·treasuries [storehouses].


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All Solomon’s work was done as he had ·said [ordered] from the day the foundation of the ·Temple [house] of the Lord was begun, until it was finished. So the ·Temple [house] was ·finished [completed].


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Then Solomon went to the towns of Ezion Geber and Elath near the ·Red Sea [coast] in the land of Edom.


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·Hiram [or Huram; ] sent ships to Solomon that were commanded by his own men, who ·were skilled sailors [knew the sea]. ·Hiram’s [or Huram’s] men went with Solomon’s men to Ophir and brought back ·about thirty-four thousand pounds [450 talents] of gold to King Solomon.


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The Queen of Sheba Visits When the queen of Sheba heard about Solomon’s fame, she came to Jerusalem to ·test [challenge] him with ·hard questions [difficult riddles]. She ·had a large group of servants with her [came with very great strength; possibly referring to her large retinue or great wealth] and camels carrying spices, ·jewels [precious stones], and much gold. When she came to Solomon, she talked with him about all she had ·in mind [on her heart/mind],


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and Solomon answered all her questions. Nothing was ·too hard for him to [hidden from him that he could not] explain to her.


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The queen of Sheba ·saw [realized; observed] that Solomon was very wise. She saw the ·palace [house] he had built,


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the food on his table, ·his many officers [the organization/attendance of his officials], the palace servants and their ·good [fine; splendid] clothes, the ·servants who served Solomon his wine [cupbearers] and their ·good [fine; splendid] clothes. She saw the whole burnt offerings [] he made in the ·Temple [house] of the Lord. All these things ·amazed her [overwhelmed her; took her breath away].


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So she said to King Solomon, “What I heard in my own country about your ·achievements [wise sayings; words] and wisdom is true.


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I did not believe it then, but now I have come and seen it with my own eyes. I was not told even half of your great wisdom! You ·are much greater than [surpass/exceed what] I had heard.


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Your people and officials are very ·lucky [happy; fortunate; blessed], because in ·always serving [continually standing before] you, they are able to hear your wisdom.


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·Praise [Blessed be] the Lord your God who ·was pleased to make you king [delights in you]. He has put you on his throne to ·rule [reign] for the Lord your God, because your God loves the people of Israel and ·supports [upholds; secures; establishes] them forever. He has made you king over them to ·keep justice and to rule fairly [rule/act with justice and righteousness].”


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Then she gave the king ·about nine thousand pounds [120 talents] of gold and many spices and ·jewels [precious stones]. No one had ever given such spices as the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.


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·Hiram’s [or Huram’s; ] men and Solomon’s men brought gold from Ophir [perhaps a region in southern Arabia], ·juniper wood [sandalwood; algum], and ·jewels [precious stones].


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King Solomon used the ·juniper wood [sandalwood; algum] to build steps for the ·Temple [house] of the Lord and the ·palace [house] and to make lyres and harps for the ·musicians [singers]. No one in Judah had ever seen ·such beautiful things as these [anything like them].


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King Solomon gave the queen of Sheba everything she ·wanted [desired] and asked for, even more than she had brought to him. Then she and her servants returned to her own country.


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Solomon’s Wealth Every year King Solomon received ·about fifty thousand pounds [666 talents] of gold.


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Besides that, he also received gold from traders and merchants. All the kings of Arabia and the governors of the land also brought gold and silver to Solomon.


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King Solomon made two hundred large shields of hammered gold, each of which contained ·about seven and one-half pounds [six hundred shekels] of hammered gold.


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He also made three hundred smaller shields of hammered gold, each of which contained ·about four pounds [three hundred shekels] of gold. The king put them in the ·Palace [house] of the Forest of Lebanon [; , ].


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The throne had six steps on it and an attached gold footstool. There were armrests on both sides of the ·chair [seat], and each armrest had a lion beside it.


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All of Solomon’s drinking cups, as well as the ·dishes [vessels; utensils] in the ·Palace [house] of the Forest of Lebanon, were made of pure gold. In Solomon’s time ·people did not think silver was valuable [silver was considered worthless].


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King Solomon had many ships that ·he sent out to trade [went to Tarshish; in present-day Spain, hence a large, seagoing trading ship], with ·Hiram’s [or Huram’s; ] men as the crews. Every three years the ships returned, bringing back gold, silver, ivory, apes, and ·baboons [or peacocks].


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All the kings of the earth ·wanted to see [sought audience with; came to consult] Solomon and listen to the wisdom God had given him.


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Year after year everyone who came brought gifts of silver and gold, ·clothes [robes], weapons, spices, horses, and mules.


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Solomon had four thousand stalls for horses and chariots, and he had twelve thousand ·horses [or horsemen; cavalry]. He kept some in ·special cities for the chariots [chariot cities], and others he kept with him in Jerusalem.


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Solomon ·ruled [reigned] over all the ·kingdoms [kings] from the Euphrates River to the land of the Philistines, as far as the border of Egypt [].


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In Jerusalem the king made silver as common as stones and cedar trees as plentiful as the ·fig [sycamore-fig] trees ·on the western hills [in the Shephelah].


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Solomon’s Death ·Everything else Solomon did [The rest of the events/acts/history of Solomon’s reign], from ·the beginning to the end [first to last], ·is [are they not…?] written in the ·records [history; annals] of Nathan the prophet, and in the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite, and in the visions of Iddo the ·seer [prophet], who wrote about Jeroboam, Nebat’s son [some consider these titles of writings].


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Then Solomon ·died [lay down/slept with his fathers/ancestors] and was buried in the city of David [Jerusalem], his father. And Solomon’s son Rehoboam became king in his place.


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Israel Turns Against Rehoboam Rehoboam went to Shechem, where all the Israelites had gone to make him king.


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Jeroboam son of Nebat was in Egypt, where he had ·gone to escape [fled] from King Solomon. When Jeroboam heard about Rehoboam being made king, he returned from Egypt.


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After the people ·sent for [summoned; sent and called for] him, he and the people went to Rehoboam and said to him,


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“Your father ·forced us to work very hard [made our yoke heavy]. Now, ·make it easier for us, and don’t make us work as he did [lighten the hard labor and heavy yoke of your father]. Then we will serve you.”


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King Rehoboam ·asked [consulted] the elders who had advised Solomon during his lifetime, “How do you ·think I should [advise/counsel me to] answer these people?”


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They answered, “·Be kind [If you are fair] to these people. If you please them and give them a ·kind [cordial] answer, they will serve you always.”


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But Rehoboam rejected ·this advice [the advice/counsel of the elders]. Instead, he ·asked [consulted] the young men who had grown up with him and who ·served as his advisers [served/attended him].


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Rehoboam asked them, “What is your ·advice [counsel]? How should we answer these people who said to me, ‘·Don’t make us work as hard as your father did’ [Lighten the yoke your father put on us]?”


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The young men who had grown up with him answered, “The people said to you, ‘Your father ·forced us to work very hard [made our yoke heavy]. Now make our work ·easier [lighter].’ You should tell them, ‘My little ·finger [one] is ·bigger than my father’s legs [thicker than my father’s loins/waist].


text:
·He forced you to work hard [My father laid a heavy yoke on you], but I will ·make you work even harder [add to your yoke]. My father ·beat [scourged; disciplined] you with whips, but I will ·beat [scourge; discipline] you with ·whips that have sharp points [scorpions; either a metaphor or an especially painful kind of whip].’”


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Rehoboam had told the people, “Come back to me in three days.” So after three days Jeroboam and all the people returned to Rehoboam.


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King Rehoboam spoke ·cruel words [harshly] to them, because he had rejected the ·advice [counsel] of the elders.


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He followed the ·advice [counsel] of the young men and said, “My father ·forced you to work hard [laid a heavy yoke on you], but I will ·make you work even harder [add to your yoke]. My father beat you with whips, but I will ·beat [scourge; discipline] you with ·whips that have sharp points [scorpions; ].”


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So the king ·did not [refused to] listen to the people. God caused this ·to happen [turn of events] so that the Lord could ·keep the promise he had made [fulfill/establish the word he spoke] to Jeroboam son of Nebat through Ahijah, a prophet from Shiloh.


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When all the Israelites saw that the king refused to listen to them, they said to the king, “·We have no share [What share/part/portion have we…?] in David [in David’s dynasty]! We have no ·part [inheritance; interest; heritage] in the son of Jesse! People of Israel, ·let’s go to our own homes [each one to your tents]! Let David’s son ·rule his own people [look after your own house; that is, the tribe of Judah].” So all the Israelites ·went home [left for their tents].


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·Adoniram [or Hadoram] was in charge of the ·forced labor [labor force]. When Rehoboam sent him to the people, they ·threw stones at him until he died [stoned him to death]. But King Rehoboam ·ran to his [hurriedly jumped into his] chariot and ·escaped [fled] to Jerusalem.


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When Rehoboam arrived in Jerusalem, he ·gathered [summoned; mobilized; mustered] one hundred eighty thousand ·of the best [skilled; select] ·soldiers [warriors] from Judah and Benjamin. He wanted to fight Israel to ·take back [restore] his kingdom.


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“Speak to Solomon’s son Rehoboam, the king of Judah, and to all the Israelites living in Judah and Benjamin. Say to them,


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‘The Lord says you must not ·go to war against your brothers [fight against your relatives/kinsmen]. Every one of you should go home, because ·I made all these things happen [this thing is from me].’” So they ·obeyed [listened to; heeded] the Lord’s ·command [words] and turned back and did not attack Jeroboam.


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Rehoboam Makes Judah Strong Rehoboam lived in Jerusalem and built ·strong [fortified] cities in Judah for defense.


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When Rehoboam ·made those cities strong [strengthened the fortresses/their defenses], he put ·commanders [officers] and ·supplies [stores] of food, oil, and wine in them.


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Also, Rehoboam put shields and spears in all the cities and made them very strong. Rehoboam kept the people of Judah and Benjamin under his control.


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The Levites even ·left [abandoned] their pasturelands and property and came to Judah and Jerusalem, because Jeroboam and his sons ·refused to let them serve [rejected/excluded them from serving] as priests to the Lord.


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Jeroboam ·chose [appointed] his own priests for the ·places of worship [high places; worship sites associated with pagan worship or inappropriate worship of God] and for the ·goat [goat-demon; satyr] and calf idols he had made.


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There were people from all the tribes of Israel who ·wanted to obey [set their hearts to seek] the Lord, the God of Israel. So they went to Jerusalem with the Levites to sacrifice to the Lord, the God of their ·ancestors [fathers].


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These people made the kingdom of Judah strong, and they supported Solomon’s son Rehoboam for three years. During this time they ·lived [walked in] the way ·David and Solomon had lived [of David and Solomon].


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Rehoboam’s Family Rehoboam married Mahalath, the daughter of Jerimoth and Abihail. Jerimoth was David’s son, and Abihail was the daughter of Eliab, Jesse’s son.


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Then Rehoboam married Absalom’s daughter Maacah, and she ·gave [bore] Rehoboam these children: Abijah, Attai, Ziza, and Shelomith.


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Rehoboam loved Maacah more than his other wives and ·slave women [concubines; secondary wives]. Rehoboam had eighteen wives and sixty ·slave women [concubines] and was the father of twenty-eight sons and sixty daughters.


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Rehoboam ·chose [appointed] Abijah son of Maacah to be ·the leader [head; crown prince] of his own brothers, because he planned to make Abijah king [his successor].


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Rehoboam acted wisely. He spread his sons through all the areas of Judah and Benjamin [both giving them responsibilities and dispersing/diluting their power], sending them to every ·strong, walled [fortified] city. He gave plenty of supplies to his sons, and he also ·found wives [sought/acquired many wives] for them.


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Shishak Attacks Jerusalem After Rehoboam’s kingdom was ·set up [secure; consolidated; established] and he became strong, he and the people of Judah ·stopped obeying [abandoned; forsook] the ·teachings [instructions; laws] of the Lord.


text:
During the fifth year Rehoboam was king, Shishak king of Egypt attacked Jerusalem, because Rehoboam and the people were unfaithful to the Lord.


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Shishak had twelve hundred chariots and sixty thousand ·horsemen [or horses]. He brought troops of ·Libyans [Lubim], Sukkites, and Cushites [Ethiopians] from Egypt with him, so many they couldn’t be counted.


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Shishak captured the ·strong, walled [fortified] cities of Judah and ·came as far as [advanced on/to] Jerusalem.


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Then Shemaiah the prophet came to Rehoboam and the ·leaders [officers; officials] of Judah who had gathered in Jerusalem because they were afraid of Shishak. Shemaiah said to them, “This is what the Lord says: ‘You have ·left [abandoned; forsaken] me, so now I will ·leave you to face Shishak alone [abandon/forsake you to Shishak].’”


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Then the ·leaders [officers; officials] of ·Judah [Israel; sometimes the name Israel refers specifically to Judah] and King Rehoboam ·were sorry for what they had done [humbled themselves]. They said, “The Lord ·does what is right [is just/fair/righteous].”


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When the Lord saw they ·were sorry for what they had done [humbled themselves], the Lord spoke his word to Shemaiah, saying, “·The king and the leaders are sorry [They have humbled themselves]. So I will not destroy them but will ·save [rescue; deliver] them soon. I will not use Shishak to ·punish Jerusalem in [pour out on Jerusalem] my anger.


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But the people of Jerusalem will become Shishak’s ·servants [subjects; slaves] so they may learn the difference between serving me and serving the ·kings [kingdoms] of other nations.”


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Shishak king of Egypt attacked Jerusalem and took the treasures from the ·Temple [house] of the Lord and the king’s ·palace [house]. He took everything, even the gold shields Solomon had made.


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So King Rehoboam made bronze shields to take their place and ·gave [entrusted] them to the ·commanders [officers] of the guards for the ·palace gates [doors of the king’s house].


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Whenever the king went to the ·Temple [house] of the Lord, the guards went with him, carrying the shields. Later, they would put them back in the guardroom.


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When Rehoboam ·was sorry for what he had done [humbled himself], the Lord held his anger back and did not ·fully [completely] destroy Rehoboam. ·There was some [or Conditions/Things were] good in Judah.


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King Rehoboam ·made himself a strong king [strengthened/established himself] in Jerusalem. He was forty-one years old when he became king, and he ·was king [reigned] in Jerusalem for seventeen years. Jerusalem is the city that the Lord chose from all the tribes of Israel in which ·he was to be worshiped [to put his name]. Rehoboam’s mother was Naamah from the country of Ammon.


text:
The ·things Rehoboam did as king [events/acts/history of Rehoboam], from ·the beginning to the end [first to last], ·are [are they not…?] written in the ·records [annals] of Shemaiah the prophet and Iddo the ·seer [prophet], in the ·family histories [genealogical records]. There were continual wars between Rehoboam and Jeroboam.


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Rehoboam ·died [lay down/slept with his fathers/ancestors] and was buried in the City of David [Jerusalem], and his son Abijah became king in his place.


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Abijah King of Judah Abijah became the king of Judah during the eighteenth year Jeroboam was king of Israel.


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Abijah ·ruled [reigned] in Jerusalem for three years. His mother was Maacah daughter of Uriel from the town of Gibeah. And there was war between Abijah and Jeroboam.


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Abijah led an army of four hundred thousand ·capable [skilled; valiant] soldiers into battle, and Jeroboam prepared to fight him with eight hundred thousand ·capable [skilled; valiant] soldiers.


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Abijah stood on Mount Zemaraim in the mountains of Ephraim and said, “Jeroboam and all Israel, listen to me!


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·You should know [Do you not know/realize…?] that the Lord, the God of Israel, gave David and his sons the right to ·rule [reign over] Israel forever by an ·agreement [covenant; treaty] of salt [; ].


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But Jeroboam son of Nebat, one of the ·officers [officials] of Solomon, David’s son, ·turned [rebelled] against his master.


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Then ·worthless [empty], ·evil men [scoundrels] joined Jeroboam against Rehoboam, Solomon’s son. He was young and ·didn’t know what to do [inexperienced; indecisive], so he could not ·stop [resist; stand up to] them.


text:
“Now you ·people are making plans against [propose to resist/stand against] the Lord’s kingdom, which belongs to David’s sons. ·There are many of you [You are a vast army], and you have the gold calves Jeroboam made for you as gods.


text:
·You have [Have you not…?] thrown out the Levites and the Lord’s priests, Aaron’s sons. You have ·chosen [appointed] your own priests [rather than God appointing them] as people in other ·countries [lands; nations] do. Anyone who comes with a young bull and seven ·male sheep [rams] can become a priest of idols that are not gods [that is, they buy or bribe their way into the priesthood].


text:
“But as for us, the Lord is our God; we have not ·left [abandoned; forsaken] him. The priests who serve the Lord are Aaron’s ·sons [descendants], and the Levites ·help [assist; attend] them.


text:
They ·offered [sacrificed] burnt offerings and ·sweet-smelling [fragrant] incense to the Lord every morning and evening. They put the ·bread [showbread] on the ·special [holy; ritually clean] table [in the Temple]. And they light the lamps on the gold lampstand every evening. We obey the command of the Lord our God, but you have ·left [abandoned; forsaken] him.


text:
God himself is with us as our ·ruler [head]. His priests blow the trumpet to ·call us to war [sound the alarm] against you. Men of Israel, don’t fight against the Lord, the God of your ·ancestors [fathers], because you won’t succeed.”


text:
But Jeroboam had sent some troops to ·sneak behind Judah’s army [ambush from behind]. So while Jeroboam was ·in front of [confronting] Judah’s army, ·Jeroboam’s soldiers [the ambushers] were behind them.


text:
When the soldiers of Judah turned around, they saw Jeroboam’s army attacking both in front and back. So they cried out to the Lord, and the priests blew the trumpets.


text:
Then the men of Judah ·gave [shouted out] a battle cry. When they shouted, God ·caused Jeroboam and the army of Israel to run away from [routed/defeated Jeroboam and all Israel before] Abijah and the army of Judah.


text:
When the army of Israel ·ran away from the men of [fled before] Judah, God handed them over to Judah.


text:
Abijah’s army ·struck [inflicted a great slaughter on] Israel so that five hundred thousand of Israel’s ·best [select] men were killed.


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So at that time the people of Israel were ·defeated [subdued]. And the people of Judah ·won [conquered; prevailed], because they ·depended on [trusted] the Lord, the God of their ·ancestors [fathers].


text:
Abijah’s army chased Jeroboam’s army and captured from him the towns of Bethel, Jeshanah, and Ephron, and the small villages near them.


text:
Jeroboam never ·became strong [regained his power] again while Abijah was alive. The Lord struck Jeroboam, and he died.


text:
But Abijah ·became strong [grew more powerful]. He married fourteen women and was the father of twenty-two sons and sixteen daughters.


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·Everything else Abijah did [The rest of the events/acts/history of Abijah]—what he said and what he did—is recorded in the ·writings [commentary; treatise] of the prophet Iddo.


text:
Abijah ·died [lay down/slept with his fathers/ancestors] and was buried in the City of David [Jerusalem]. His son Asa became king in his place, and there was ·peace in the country [rest in the land] for ten years during Asa’s time.


text:
He removed the foreign altars and the ·places where gods were worshiped [high places; ]. He smashed the ·stone pillars that honored other gods [pillars], and he ·tore [cut] down the Asherah [a Canaanite fertility goddess] ·idols [poles; ; ; ; , , ; ].


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Asa commanded the people of Judah to ·follow [seek] the Lord, the God of their ·ancestors [fathers], and to obey his ·teachings [instructions; laws] and commandments.


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He also removed the ·places where gods were worshiped [high places; ] and the incense altars from every town in Judah. So the kingdom ·had peace [was undisturbed] while Asa was king.


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Asa built ·strong, walled [fortified] cities in Judah ·during the time of peace [while the land was undisturbed]. He had no war in these years, because the Lord gave him ·peace [rest].


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Asa said to the people of Judah, “Let’s ·build up [fortify] these towns and put walls around them. Let’s make towers, gates, and bars in the gates. This country is still ours, because we have ·obeyed [sought] the Lord our God. We have ·followed [sought] him, and he has given us ·peace all around [rest on every side].” So they built and ·had success [prospered].


text:
Asa had an army of three hundred thousand men from Judah and two hundred eighty thousand men from Benjamin. The men from Judah carried large shields and spears. The men from Benjamin carried small shields and bows. All of them were ·brave fighting men [valiant/skilled warriors].


text:
Then Zerah from ·Cush [Ethiopia] came out to fight them with an ·enormous army [army of one million men; a thousand thousands] and three hundred chariots. They ·came as far as [advanced to] the town of Mareshah.


text:
So Asa went out to fight Zerah and ·prepared for battle [took battle positions] in the Valley of Zephathah at Mareshah.


text:
Asa called out to the Lord his God, saying, “Lord, only you can help ·weak people [the powerless] against the ·strong [mighty; many]. Help us, Lord our God, because we ·depend on [trust in; rely on] you. We fight against this ·enormous army [multitude] in your name. Lord, you are our God. Don’t let ·anyone [man; mortals] ·win [prevail] against you.”


text:
So the Lord ·defeated [routed; struck down] the ·Cushites [Ethiopians] ·when Asa’s army from Judah attacked them [before Asa and Judah], and the Cushites ·ran away [fled].


text:
Asa’s army chased them as far as the town of Gerar. So many ·Cushites [Ethiopians] were killed that ·the army could not fight again [they could not recover]; they were ·crushed [shattered; destroyed] by the Lord and his army. Asa and his army carried ·many valuable things away from the enemy [off a great amount of plunder].


text:
They destroyed all the towns ·near [around] Gerar, because the ·people living in these towns were afraid of the Lord [terror/dread of the Lord came upon them]. Since these towns had ·many valuable things [a lot of loot/plunder], Asa’s army ·took them away [looted/plundered/despoiled them].


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Asa’s army also attacked the ·camps where the shepherds lived [herdsmen] and took many ·sheep [flocks] and camels. Then they returned to Jerusalem.


text:
Azariah went to meet Asa and said, “Listen to me, Asa and all you people of Judah and Benjamin. The Lord ·is [will be] with you when you are with him. If you ·obey [seek] him, you will find him, but if you ·leave [abandon; forsake] him, he will ·leave [abandon; forsake] you.


text:
For a long time Israel was without the true God and without a priest to ·teach [instruct] them and without the ·teachings [instructions; laws].


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But ·when they were in trouble [in their distress], they turned to the Lord, the God of Israel. They ·looked for [sought] him and found him.


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In those days no one could travel safely. There was ·much trouble [turmoil; total chaos] in ·all the nations [every land].


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One nation would ·destroy [crush] another nation, and one city would ·destroy [crush] another city, because God ·troubled [confused] them with all kinds of distress.


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But you should be strong. Don’t ·give up [be discouraged], because you will be rewarded for your good work.”


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Asa ·felt brave [was encouraged] when he heard these words and the ·message [prophecy] from Azariah son of Oded the prophet. So he removed the ·hateful [detestable; abominable] idols from all the land of Judah and Benjamin and from the towns he had captured in the hills of Ephraim. He ·repaired [restored] the Lord’s altar that was in front of the ·porch [portico; vestibule; entry room] of the ·Temple [house] of the Lord.


text:
Then Asa gathered all the people from Judah and Benjamin and from the tribes of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon who were living in Judah. Many people ·came [defected; deserted] to Asa even from Israel, ·because [when] they saw that the Lord, Asa’s God, was with him.


text:
Asa and these people ·gathered [assembled] in Jerusalem in the third month [late spring] of the fifteenth year of Asa’s ·rule [reign].


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·At that time [On that day] they sacrificed to the Lord seven hundred ·bulls [oxen] and seven thousand sheep and goats from the ·valuable things Asa’s army had taken from their enemies [plunder/spoil they had brought back].


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Then they made an ·agreement [covenant; treaty] to ·obey [seek] the Lord, the God of their ·ancestors [fathers], with their whole ·being [heart and soul].


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Anyone who refused to ·obey [seek] the Lord, the God of Israel, was to be ·killed [executed; put to death]. It did not matter if that person was ·important [great] or ·unimportant [small], a man or woman.


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Then Asa and the people ·made a promise before [swore allegiance/an oath/a vow to] the Lord, shouting with a loud voice and blowing trumpets and sheep’s horns.


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All the people of Judah ·were happy about [rejoiced over] the ·promise [vow; oath], because they had ·promised [vowed; sworn] with all their heart. They ·looked for [earnestly sought] God and found him. So the Lord gave them ·peace [rest] ·in all the country [on every side].


text:
The Removal of Maacah King Asa also removed Maacah, his ·grandmother [mother], from being queen mother, because she had made a ·terrible [obscene; repulsive; loathsome; abominable] Asherah ·idol [pole; ]. Asa cut down that idol, ·smashed it into pieces, [and crushed] and burned it in the Kidron Valley.


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But the ·places of worship to gods [high places; ] were not removed from ·Judah [Israel; ]. Even so, Asa was ·faithful [wholeheartedly loyal/devoted] all his life.


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Asa brought into the ·Temple [house] of God the ·gifts [dedicated/holy things] he and his father had given: silver, gold, and ·utensils [articles].


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Asa’s Last Years In the thirty-sixth year of Asa’s ·rule [reign], Baasha king of Israel ·attacked [invaded] Judah. He ·made the town of Ramah strong [fortified Ramah] so he could keep people from leaving or entering Judah, Asa’s ·country [territory].


text:
Asa took silver and gold from the treasuries of the ·Temple [house] of the Lord and out of his own ·palace [house]. Then he sent it with ·messengers [this message] to Ben-Hadad king of Aram, who lived in Damascus. Asa said,


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“Let there be a ·treaty [alliance] between you and me as there was between my father and your father. I am sending you silver and gold. Break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel so he will ·leave [withdraw from] my land.”


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Ben-Hadad ·agreed with [listened to] King Asa and sent the ·commanders [officers] of his armies ·to attack [against] the towns of Israel. They ·defeated the towns of [conquered] Ijon, Dan, and Abel Beth Maacah, and all the ·towns in Naphtali where treasures were stored [storage/supply cities of Naphtali].


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When Baasha heard about this, he stopped ·building up [fortifying] Ramah and ·left [abandoned; ceased] his work.


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Then King Asa brought all the people of Judah to Ramah, and they carried away the ·rocks [stones] and ·wood [timber] that Baasha had used. And they used them to ·build up [fortify] Geba and Mizpah.


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At that time Hanani the ·seer [prophet] came to Asa king of Judah and said to him, “You ·depended on [trusted; relied on] the king of Aram to help you and not on the Lord your God. So the king of Aram’s army escaped from you.


text:
·The Cushites and Libyans had [Did not the Ethiopians and Lubim have…?] a large and powerful army and many chariots and horsemen. But you ·depended on [trusted; relied on] the Lord to help you, so he handed them over to you.


text:
·The Lord searches [The eyes of the Lord search] ·all [throughout] the earth for people ·who have given themselves completely to him [whose hearts are completely his/committed to him]. He wants to strengthen them. Asa, you did a foolish thing, so from now on you will have wars.”


text:
Asa was angry with Hanani the ·seer [prophet] because of what he had said; he was so ·angry [enraged] that he put Hanani in prison. And Asa ·was cruel to [oppressed] some of the people at the same time.


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·Everything Asa did as king [The events/acts/history of Asa’s reign], from ·the beginning to the end [first to last], is written in the ·book [scroll] of the kings of Judah and Israel.


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In the thirty-ninth year of his ·rule [reign], Asa got a disease in his feet. Though his disease was very bad, he did not ·ask for help from [seek] the Lord, but only ·from the doctors [the physicians].


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Then Asa was buried [lay down; rested] with his ·ancestors [fathers], having died in the forty-first year of his ·rule [reign].


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The people buried Asa in the tomb he had ·made [carved out] for himself in Jerusalem. They laid him on a ·bed filled [bier covered] with spices and ·different kinds of [assorted] mixed perfumes, and they made a large funeral fire to honor him.


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Jehoshaphat King of Judah Jehoshaphat, Asa’s son, became king of Judah in his place. Jehoshaphat ·made Judah strong so they could fight [strengthened himself] against Israel.


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He put ·troops [garrisons] in all the ·strong, walled [fortified] cities of Judah, in the land of Judah, and in the towns of Ephraim that his father Asa had captured.


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The Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he ·lived as his ancestor David had lived when he first became king [followed the earlier example/ways of his ancestor/father David]. Jehoshaphat did not ·ask for help from [seek; consult] the Baal idols,


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but ·from [sought; consulted] the God of his father. He ·obeyed [walked in] God’s commands and did not ·live as the people of Israel lived [behave like Israel].


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The Lord ·made Jehoshaphat a strong king over Judah [secured/established the kingdom under his control/hand]. All the people of Judah brought ·gifts [tribute] to Jehoshaphat, so he had much wealth and ·honor [esteem].


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·He wanted very much to obey [His heart was devoted/committed to the ways of] the Lord. He also removed the ·places for worshiping gods [high places; ] and the Asherah ·idols [poles; ] from Judah.


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During the third year of his ·rule [reign], Jehoshaphat sent his ·officers [officials] to teach in the towns of Judah. These ·officers [officials] were Ben-Hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah.


text:
Jehoshaphat sent with them these Levites: Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tob-Adonijah. He also sent the priests Elishama and Jehoram.


text:
·These leaders, Levites, and priests [They] taught the people in Judah. They took the ·Book [scroll] of the ·Teachings [instructions; laws] of the Lord and went through all the towns of Judah and taught the people.


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The ·nations near Judah were afraid of the Lord [fear/dread of the Lord was on/seized the surrounding kingdoms], so they did not start a war against Jehoshaphat.


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Some of the Philistines brought ·gifts [tribute] and silver to Jehoshaphat. Some Arabs brought him flocks: seventy-seven hundred sheep and seventy-seven hundred goats.


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Jehoshaphat grew more and more powerful. He built ·strong, walled cities [fortresses] and ·towns for storing supplies [storage cities] in Judah.


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He kept many supplies in the towns of Judah, and he kept ·trained soldiers [skilled warriors] in Jerusalem.


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These soldiers were ·listed [enrolled; divided] by ·families [clans]. From the ·families [clans] of Judah, these were the ·commanders [officers] of groups of a thousand men: Adnah was the commander of three hundred thousand skilled soldiers;


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Amasiah was the commander of two hundred thousand skilled soldiers. Amasiah son of Zicri had volunteered to serve the Lord.


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These were the ·commanders [officers] from the ·families [clans] of Benjamin: Eliada, a brave soldier, had two hundred thousand soldiers ·who used [armed/equipped with] bows and shields.


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All these soldiers served King Jehoshaphat. The king also put other men in the ·strong, walled [fortified] cities through all of Judah.


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Micaiah Warns King Ahab Jehoshaphat had much wealth and ·honor [esteem], and he made an ·agreement [alliance] with King Ahab through marriage [his son married Athaliah, Ahab’s daughter; ].


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A few years later Jehoshaphat went to visit Ahab in Samaria. Ahab ·sacrificed [slaughtered] many sheep and ·cattle [oxen] ·as a great feast to honor Jehoshaphat [for him] and the ·people [officials] with him. He ·encouraged [enticed; persuaded; induced] Jehoshaphat to attack Ramoth in Gilead.


text:
Ahab king of Israel asked Jehoshaphat king of Judah, “Will you go with me to attack Ramoth in Gilead?” Jehoshaphat answered, “I ·will go [am one] with you, and my ·soldiers [people] are ·yours [your people]. We will join you in the battle.”


text:
Jehoshaphat also said to Ahab, “But first we should ·ask if this is the Lord’s will [seek/inquire about the word/counsel of the Lord].”


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So ·King Ahab [the king of Israel] ·called [assembled; summoned] four hundred prophets together and asked them, “Should we go to war against Ramoth in Gilead or ·not [hold back]?” They answered, “Go, because God will hand them over to you.”


text:
Then King Ahab said to Jehoshaphat, “There is one other prophet. We could ·ask [inquire of] the Lord through him, but I hate him. He never prophesies anything good about me, but always ·something bad [evil; disaster]. He is Micaiah son of Imlah.” Jehoshaphat said, “King Ahab, you shouldn’t say ·that [such things]!”


text:
Ahab king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah ·had on [were arrayed/dressed in] their royal robes and were sitting on their thrones at the threshing floor, near the entrance to the gate of Samaria. All the prophets were ·standing before them speaking their messages [prophesying before them].


text:
Zedekiah son of Kenaanah had made some iron horns. He said to Ahab, “·This is what the Lord says [Thus says the Lord]: ‘You will use these horns to ·fight [gore] the Arameans until they are destroyed.’”


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All the other prophets ·said [prophesied] the same thing, “Attack Ramoth in Gilead and ·win [triumph; be victorious], because the Lord will hand the Arameans over to you.”


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The messenger who had gone to ·get [summon] Micaiah said to him, “All the other prophets are ·saying King Ahab will win [speaking favorably with one voice for the king]. ·You should agree with them and give the king a good answer [Let your word be like theirs and speak favorably].”


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But Micaiah answered, “As surely as the Lord lives, I ·can tell him [will speak] only what my God says.”


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When Micaiah came to Ahab, the king asked him, “Micaiah, should we attack Ramoth in Gilead or ·not [hold back]?” Micaiah answered, “Attack and win! They will be handed over to you [He was keeping his vow to speak what God said because this lie was what God wanted him to say to Ahab].”


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But Ahab said to Micaiah, “How many times ·do I have to tell you [must I make you swear] to speak only the truth to me in the name of the Lord?” [Micaiah’s tone was likely sarcastic.]


text:
So Micaiah answered, “I saw ·the army of [all] Israel scattered over the hills like sheep without a shepherd. The Lord said, ‘They have no ·leaders [master; implying that their king had been killed]. They should go home ·and not fight [in peace].’”


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Then Ahab king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “·I told [Didn’t I tell…?] you! He never prophesies anything good about me, but only ·bad [evil; disaster].”


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But Micaiah said, “Hear the ·message from [word of] the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on his throne with ·his heavenly army standing [all the host of heaven] on his right and on his left.


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The Lord said, ‘Who will ·trick [entice; deceive] King Ahab of Israel into attacking Ramoth in Gilead where he will ·be killed [fall]?’ “Some ·said [suggested] one thing; some ·said [suggested] another.


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Then one spirit came and stood before the Lord and said, ‘I will ·trick [entice; deceive] him.’ “The Lord asked, ‘How will you do it?’


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“The spirit answered, ‘I will go ·to Ahab’s prophets and make them tell lies [and be a lying/deceiving spirit in the mouths of all his prophets].’ “So the Lord said, ‘You will succeed in ·tricking [enticing; deceiving] him. Go and do it.’”


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Micaiah said, “Ahab, the Lord has ·made your prophets lie to you [put a lying/deceiving spirit in the mouths of your prophets], and the Lord has ·decided that disaster should come to you [pronounced your doom].”


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Then Zedekiah son of Kenaanah went up to Micaiah and slapped him ·in the face [on the cheek]. Zedekiah said, “·Has [How is it that] the Lord’s Spirit left me to speak through you?”


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Micaiah answered, “You will find out on the day you go to hide in an ·inside [secret] room [when the predicted disaster would strike].”


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Tell them I said to put this man in prison and give him only bread and water until I return ·safely [in peace] from the battle.”


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Micaiah said, “Ahab, if you come back safely from the battle, the Lord has not spoken through me. ·Remember my words [Listen], all you people!”


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Ahab Is Killed So Ahab king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah ·went to [attacked] Ramoth in Gilead.


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King Ahab said to Jehoshaphat, “I will go into battle, but I will ·wear other clothes so no one will recognize me [disguise myself]. But you wear your royal ·clothes [robes].” So Ahab ·wore other clothes [disguised himself], and they went into battle.


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The king of Aram ordered his chariot ·commanders [officers], “Don’t fight with anyone—·important [great] or ·unimportant [small]—·except [but only with] the king of Israel.”


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When these ·commanders [officers] saw Jehoshaphat, they ·thought he was [said, “There is…”] the king of Israel, so they turned to attack him. But Jehoshaphat ·began shouting [cried/called out; either for help or with his war cry], and the Lord ·helped [saved] him. God ·turned [drew; lured; diverted] the chariot ·commanders [officers] away from Jehoshaphat.


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·By chance [Randomly; In innocence], a soldier shot an arrow which hit Ahab king of Israel between the ·pieces [joints; plates] of his armor. King Ahab said to his chariot driver, “Turn around and get me out of the battle, because I am ·hurt [badly wounded]!”


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The battle ·continued [raged] all day. King Ahab ·held [propped] himself up in his chariot and faced the Arameans until evening. Then he died at sunset.


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Jehu son of Hanani, a ·seer [prophet], went out to meet him and said to the king, “·Why did [Should] you help evil people? ·Why do [Should] you love those who hate the Lord [a reference to his ill-advised alliance with Ahab]? That is the reason the ·Lord is angry with [wrath of the Lord is on] you.


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But there is some good in you. You took the Asherah ·idols [poles; ] out of this ·country [land], and you have ·tried to obey [your heart set on seeking] God.”


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Jehoshaphat Chooses Judges Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem. He went out again ·to be with [among] the people, from Beersheba to the mountains of Ephraim, and he ·turned [brought] them back to the Lord, the God of their ·ancestors [fathers].


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Jehoshaphat appointed judges in all the land, in each of the ·strong, walled [fortified] cities of Judah.


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Jehoshaphat said to them, “·Watch [Consider; Think carefully about] what you do, because you are not judging ·for [for the sake of] people but for the Lord. He will be with you when you ·make a decision [give a verdict; pronounce judgment].


text:
Now let each of you ·fear [respect] the Lord [] ·Watch what you do [Judge/Decide carefully/with integrity], because the Lord our God ·wants people to be fair [does not tolerate injustice/unrighteousness…]. ·He wants all people to be treated the same […or partiality], ·and he doesn’t want decisions influenced by money […or taking of bribes].”


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And in Jerusalem Jehoshaphat appointed some of the Levites, priests, and ·leaders [heads] of Israelite ·families [clans] to be judges. They were to ·decide [judge] cases about the law of the Lord and settle ·problems [disputes] between the people who lived in Jerusalem.


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Jehoshaphat ·commanded [instructed; charged] them, “You must ·always serve the Lord completely [act faithfully and wholeheartedly], and you must fear him.


text:
Your ·people [kinsmen; brothers] living in the cities will bring you cases about ·killing [murder; violent crime; between blood pertaining to blood], about the ·teachings [laws], commands, rules, or some other ·law [regulation]. In all these cases you must warn the people not to sin against the Lord. If you don’t, ·he will be angry with [wrath will come on] you and your ·people [kinsmen; brothers]. But if you warn them, you won’t ·be guilty [sin].


text:
“Amariah, the ·leading [chief; high] priest, will be over you in all cases about the Lord [in matters of God’s law]. Zebadiah son of Ishmael, a leader in the ·tribe [house] of Judah, will be over you in all cases about the king [civil cases]. Also, the Levites will serve as ·officers [officials; of the court] for you. Have ·courage [confidence]. May the Lord be with those who do what is right.”


text:
Jehoshaphat Faces War Later the Moabites, Ammonites, and some Meunites came to start a war with Jehoshaphat.


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Messengers came and told Jehoshaphat, “A ·large army [vast horde; great multitude] is coming against you from ·Edom [beyond the sea; the Dead Sea]. They are already in Hazazon Tamar (that is, En Gedi)!”


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Jehoshaphat was ·afraid [alarmed], so he decided to ·ask the Lord what to do [seek the Lord]. He announced that everyone in Judah should fast.


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The people of Judah ·came together [assembled] to ·ask the Lord for help [seek the Lord]; they came from every town in Judah.


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The ·people [assembly] of Judah and Jerusalem met in front of the new courtyard in the ·Temple [house] of the Lord. Then Jehoshaphat stood up,


text:
and he said, “Lord, God of our ·ancestors [fathers], ·you are the [are you not…?] God in heaven. ·You [Do you not…?] rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. You have power and strength in your hand, so no one can ·stand against [withstand; resist] you.


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Our God, ·you forced [did you not drive…?] out the people who lived in this land ·as your people Israel moved in [before your people Israel]. And you gave this land forever to the descendants of your friend Abraham.


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‘If ·trouble [disaster; evil] comes upon us, or ·war [the sword], ·punishment [judgment; this term should perhaps be combined with the previous one to read “the sword of judgment”], ·sickness [plague; pestilence], or ·hunger [famine], we will stand before you and before this ·Temple [house] ·where you have chosen to be worshiped [for your name is in this house]. We will cry out to you ·when we are in trouble [in our distress]. Then you will hear and ·save [rescue; deliver] us.’


text:
“But now here are men from Ammon, Moab, and ·Edom [Mount Seir]. You wouldn’t let the Israelites ·enter [invade] their lands when the Israelites came from Egypt. So the Israelites ·turned away [bypassed/went around them] and did not destroy them.


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But see how they repay us! They have come to force us out of your ·land [possession], which you gave us as our ·own [inheritance].


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Our God, ·punish those people [will you not judge them?]. We have no power against this ·large army [vast horde; great multitude] that is attacking us. We don’t know what to do, so ·we look to you for help [our eyes are on you].”


text:
Then the Spirit of the Lord ·entered [came on] Jahaziel. (Jahaziel was Zechariah’s son. Zechariah was Benaiah’s son. Benaiah was Jeiel’s son, and Jeiel was Mattaniah’s son.) Jahaziel, a Levite and a descendant of Asaph, stood up in the ·meeting [assembly].


text:
He said, “Listen to me, King Jehoshaphat and all you people living in Judah and Jerusalem. ·The Lord says this [Thus says the Lord] to you: ‘Don’t be afraid or ·discouraged [dismayed] because of this ·large army [vast horde; great multitude]. The battle is not your battle, it is God’s.


text:
Tomorrow go down ·there and fight those people [against them]. They will come up through the ·Pass [ascent] of Ziz. You will find them at the end of the ·ravine [valley] that ·leads [opens] to the ·Desert [wilderness] of Jeruel.


text:
You won’t need to fight in this battle. Just ·stand strong in your places [take your positions], and you will see the ·Lord save you [salvation/deliverance/rescue of the Lord]. Judah and Jerusalem, don’t be afraid or ·discouraged [dismayed], because the Lord is with you. So go out ·against those people [to face them] tomorrow.’”


text:
Jehoshaphat bowed facedown on the ground. All the people of Judah and Jerusalem bowed down before the Lord and worshiped him.


text:
Then some Levites from the Kohathite and Korahite people stood up and praised the Lord, the God of Israel, with very loud ·voices [shouts].


text:
Jehoshaphat’s army went out into the ·Desert [wilderness] of Tekoa early in the morning. As they were starting out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, people of Judah and Jerusalem. ·Have faith [Trust; Believe] in the Lord your God, and you will ·stand strong [be secure/safe/established]. ·Have faith [Trust; Believe] in his prophets, and you will succeed.”


text:
Jehoshaphat ·listened to the advice of [consulted/conferred with] the people. Then he ·chose [appointed] men to be singers to the Lord, to praise him ·because he is holy and wonderful [for his holy splendor; or in their holy/sacred vestments/robes]. As they ·marched in front [went ahead] of the army, they said, “·Thank [Give thanks to; Praise] the Lord, because his ·love [unfailing love; lovingkindness; loyalty] ·continues [endures] forever [].”


text:
As they began to sing and praise God, the Lord set ambushes for the people of Ammon, Moab, and ·Edom [Mount Seir] who had come to attack Judah. And they were ·defeated [routed].


text:
The Ammonites and Moabites attacked ·the Edomites [those from Mount Seir], ·destroying [annihilating] them completely. After they had ·killed [finished off] the Edomites, they killed each other.


text:
When the men from Judah came to ·a place where they could see [the lookout point in] the ·desert [wilderness], they looked ·at the enemy’s large army [toward the vast horde; great multitude]. But they only saw ·dead bodies [corpses] lying on the ground; no one had escaped.


text:
When Jehoshaphat and his army came to ·take [gather; carry off] their ·valuables [plunder; spoil; booty], they found many supplies, much clothing, and other valuable things. There was more than they could carry away; there was so much it took three days to gather it all.


text:
On the fourth day Jehoshaphat and his army met in the Valley of Beracah [“blessing”] and ·praised [blessed] the Lord. That is why that place has been called the Valley of Beracah [“blessing”] to this day.


text:
Then Jehoshaphat led all the men from Judah and Jerusalem back to Jerusalem. The Lord had ·made them happy because their enemies were defeated [given them cause to rejoice over their enemies].


text:
When all the kingdoms of the lands around them heard how the Lord had fought Israel’s enemies, ·they feared God [the terror/dread of God came upon them].


text:
So Jehoshaphat’s kingdom was at ·peace [rest]. His God gave him ·peace from all the countries around him [rest on every side].


text:
Jehoshaphat’s Rule Ends Jehoshaphat ·ruled [reigned] over the country of Judah. He was thirty-five years old when he became king, and he ·ruled [reigned] in Jerusalem for twenty-five years. His mother’s name was Azubah daughter of Shilhi.


text:
Jehoshaphat ·was good like [walked in the way of] his father Asa, and he did what ·the Lord said was right [was right/pleasing in the eyes/sight of the Lord].


text:
But the ·places where gods were worshiped [high places; ] were not removed, and the people ·did not really want to follow [had not committed/devoted themselves to; had not set their hearts on] the God of their ·ancestors [fathers].


text:
The other things Jehoshaphat did as king, from ·the beginning to the end [first to last], ·are [are they not…?] written in the records of Jehu son of Hanani, which are in the ·book [scroll] of the kings of Israel.


text:
Later, Jehoshaphat king of Judah made a ·treaty [alliance] with Ahaziah king of Israel, which was a ·wrong [wicked; evil] thing to do.


text:
Jehoshaphat agreed with Ahaziah to build ·trading ships [ships to go to Tarshish; in present-day Spain, hence a large, seagoing trading ship], which they built in the town of Ezion Geber.


text:
Then Eliezer son of Dodavahu from the town of Mareshah ·spoke [prophesied] against Jehoshaphat. He said, “Jehoshaphat, because you ·joined [allied] with Ahaziah, the Lord will destroy what you have made.” The ships were wrecked so they could not sail out to trade.


text:
Jehoshaphat ·died [lay down/slept with his fathers/ancestors] and was buried with his ·ancestors [fathers] in the City of David [Jerusalem]. Then his son Jehoram became king in his place.


text:
Jehoram’s brothers were Azariah, Jehiel, Zechariah, Azariahu, Michael, and Shephatiah. They were the sons of Jehoshaphat king of ·Judah [Israel; ].


text:
Jehoshaphat gave his sons many gifts of silver, gold, and ·valuable [precious] things, and he gave them ·strong, walled [fortified] cities in Judah. But Jehoshaphat gave the kingdom to Jehoram, because he was the ·first son [firstborn].


text:
Jehoram King of Judah When Jehoram took control of his father’s kingdom and ·made himself secure [established himself], he killed all his brothers with the sword and also killed some of the ·leaders [officials] of Judah.


text:
He was thirty-two years old when he began to ·rule [reign], and he ·ruled [reigned] eight years in Jerusalem.


text:
He ·followed [walked] in the ways of the kings of Israel, just as the ·family [house] of Ahab had done, because he married Ahab’s daughter. Jehoram did ·what the Lord said was wrong [evil in the Lord’s sight/eyes].


text:
But the Lord would not destroy David’s ·family [house] because of the ·agreement [covenant; treaty] he had made with David. He had promised ·that one of David’s descendants would always rule [to give a lamp to David and his descendants/sons forever; here a lamp symbolizes a dynasty].


text:
In Jehoram’s time, Edom ·broke away from [revolted/rebelled against] Judah’s ·rule [reign] and ·chose [set up] their own king.


text:
So Jehoram went to Edom with all his ·commanders [officers] and chariots. The Edomites surrounded him and his chariot ·commanders [officers], but Jehoram got up and attacked the Edomites at night [the implication is that Jehoram is victorious, but the next verse suggests otherwise; see ].


text:
From then until now the country of Edom has ·fought against [been free from] the ·rule [reign] of Judah. At the same time the people of Libnah also ·broke away from [rebelled/revolted against] Jehoram because Jehoram ·left [abandoned; forsook] the Lord, the God of his ·ancestors [fathers].


text:
Jehoram also built ·places to worship gods [high places; ] on the hills in Judah. He led the people of Jerusalem to ·sin [commit adultery; play the harlot], and he led the people of Judah ·away from the Lord [astray].


text:
Then Jehoram received this letter from Elijah the prophet: ·This is what the Lord says [Thus says the Lord], the God of your ·ancestor [father] David, “Jehoram, you have not ·lived as [walked in the ways of] your father Jehoshaphat and Asa king of Judah.


text:
But you have ·lived as the kings of Israel lived [walked in the way of the kings of Israel], leading the people of Judah and Jerusalem to ·sin against God [commit adultery; play the harlot], as Ahab and his ·family [house] did. You have killed your brothers, your own family, and they were better than you.


text:
So now the Lord is about to ·punish [severely strike] your people, your children, your wives, and everything you own.


text:
You will have a terrible disease in your ·intestines [bowels] that will become worse every day until your intestines ·come out [protrude].”


text:
The Lord caused the Philistines and the Arabs who lived near the ·Cushites [Ethiopians] to be ·angry with [stirred in their spirits against] Jehoram.


text:
So the Philistines and Arabs attacked and invaded Judah and carried away all the wealth of Jehoram’s ·palace [house], as well as his sons and wives. Only Jehoram’s youngest son, Ahaziah, was left.


text:
Jehoram Dies After these things happened, the Lord ·gave Jehoram [struck/afflicted/smote him with] a disease in his ·intestines [bowels] that could not be cured.


text:
After he was sick for two years, Jehoram’s ·intestines [bowels] ·came out [protruded] because of the disease, and he died in ·terrible pain [agony]. The people did not make a funeral fire to honor Jehoram as they had done for his ·ancestors [fathers].


text:
Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he ·ruled [reigned] eight years in Jerusalem. No one ·was sad [regretted] when he died. He was buried in the City of David [Jerusalem], but not in the ·graves for [tombs of] the kings.


text:
Ahaziah King of Judah The people of Jerusalem ·chose [made] Ahaziah, Jehoram’s youngest son, to be king in his place. The ·robbers [raiders; marauders] who had come with the Arabs to attack Jehoram’s camp had killed all of Jehoram’s older sons. So Ahaziah began to ·rule [reign over] Judah.


text:
Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he ·ruled [reigned] one year in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Athaliah, a granddaughter of Omri.


text:
Ahaziah ·followed [walked in] the ways of Ahab’s ·family [house], because his mother ·encouraged [counseled; advised] him to do ·wrong [evil].


text:
Ahaziah did ·what the Lord said was wrong [evil in the Lord’s sight/eyes], as Ahab’s ·family [house] had done. They ·gave advice to Ahaziah [were his counselors] after his father died, ·and their bad advice led to his death [leading to his destruction].


text:
Following their ·advice [counsel], Ahaziah went with Joram son of Ahab to Ramoth in Gilead, where they fought against Hazael king of Aram. The Arameans wounded Joram.


text:
So Joram returned to Jezreel to heal from the wounds he received at Ramoth when he fought Hazael king of Aram. Ahaziah son of Jehoram and king of Judah went down to visit Joram son of Ahab at Jezreel because he had been ·wounded [sick].


text:
Ahaziah Dies God caused Ahaziah’s ·death [downfall] when he went to visit Joram. Ahaziah arrived and went out with Joram to ·meet [fight] Jehu son of Nimshi, whom the Lord had ·appointed [anointed] to destroy Ahab’s ·family [house].


text:
While Jehu was ·punishing [executing judgment against] Ahab’s ·family [house], he found the ·leaders [officials] of Judah and the sons of Ahaziah’s ·relatives [brothers] who served Ahaziah, and Jehu killed them all [].


text:
Then Jehu ·looked [searched] for Ahaziah. Jehu’s men caught him hiding in Samaria, so they brought him to Jehu. Then they killed and buried him. They said, “Ahaziah is a descendant of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat ·obeyed [sought] the Lord with all his heart.” No one in Ahaziah’s ·family [house] ·had the power [was strong enough] to take control of the kingdom of Judah.


text:
Athaliah and Joash When Ahaziah’s mother, Athaliah, saw that her son was dead, she ·killed [destroyed] all the royal ·family [line] of the house of Judah.


text:
But Jehosheba, King Jehoram’s daughter, took Joash, Ahaziah’s son. She stole him from among the other sons of the king who were going to be ·murdered [executed] and put him and his nurse in a bedroom. So Jehosheba, who was King Jehoram’s daughter and Ahaziah’s sister and the wife of Jehoiada the priest, hid Joash so Athaliah could not ·kill [execute] him.


text:
He hid with them in the ·Temple [house] of God for six years. During that time Athaliah ·ruled [reigned over] the land.


text:
In the seventh year Jehoiada ·decided to do something [summoned his courage/strength]. He made an ·agreement [covenant; pact] with the ·commanders [officers] of the groups of a hundred men: Azariah son of Jeroham, Ishmael son of Jehohanan, Azariah son of Obed, Maaseiah son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat son of Zicri.


text:
They went throughout Judah and ·gathered [summoned; assembled] the Levites from all the towns, and they gathered the ·leaders [heads] of the ·families [clans] of ·Judah [Israel; ]. Then they went to Jerusalem.


text:
All the people together made an ·agreement [covenant; pact] with the king in the ·Temple [house] of God. Jehoiada said to them, “The king’s son will ·rule [reign], as the Lord ·promised [has spoken] about David’s ·descendants [sons].


text:
Now this is what you must do: You priests and Levites ·go [or who go…] on duty on the Sabbath. A third of you will ·guard the doors [be gatekeepers].


text:
A third of you will be at the king’s ·palace [house], and a third of you will be at the Foundation Gate. All the other people will stay in the courtyards of the ·Temple [house] of the Lord.


text:
Don’t let anyone ·come into [enter] the ·Temple [house] of the Lord except the priests and Levites ·who serve [on duty]. They may come because they ·have been made ready to serve the Lord [are holy/consecrated/set apart], but all the others must ·do the job the Lord has given them [obey the Lord’s instructions].


text:
The Levites must ·stay near [surround] the king, each man with his weapon in his hand. If anyone tries to enter the ·Temple [house], kill him. Stay close to the king when he goes in and when he goes out.”


text:
Joash Becomes King The Levites and all the people of Judah obeyed everything Jehoiada the priest ·had commanded [ordered]. He did not ·excuse [dismiss; release] anyone from the ·groups [divisions] of the priests. So each commander took his men who came on duty on the Sabbath ·with [as well as] those who went off duty on the Sabbath.


text:
Jehoiada gave the ·commanders [officers] of a hundred men the spears and the large and small shields that had belonged to King David and that were kept in the ·Temple [house] of God.


text:
Then Jehoiada ·told the soldiers where to stand [stationed/positioned all the people] with weapon in hand. There were guards from the ·south [right] side of the ·Temple [house] to the ·north [left] side. They stood by the altar and the ·Temple [house] and around the king.


text:
Jehoiada and his sons brought out the king’s son and put the crown on him and gave him a copy of the ·agreement [covenant; treaty]. Then they ·appointed [anointed] him king and shouted, “Long live the king!”


text:
When Athaliah heard the noise of the people running and ·praising [cheering] the king, she ·went to them [joined the crowd] at the ·Temple [house] of the Lord.


text:
She looked, and there was the king standing by his pillar at the entrance [a symbolic place of authority]. The ·officers [commanders] and the trumpeters were standing beside him, and all the people of the land were ·happy [rejoicing] and blowing trumpets. The singers were playing musical instruments and leading the ·praises [celebration]. Then Athaliah tore her clothes [a sign of mourning or distress] and screamed, “·Traitors! Traitors! [Treason! Treason!]”


text:
Jehoiada the priest sent out the ·commanders [officers] of a hundred men, who ·led [were in charge of] the army. He said, “Surround her with soldiers and take her out of the ·Temple [house] area. Kill with a sword anyone who follows her.” He had said, “Don’t put Athaliah to death in the ·Temple [house] of the Lord.”


text:
So they ·caught [seized] her ·when she came [or and took her] to the entrance of the Horse Gate near the ·palace [house]. There they put her to death.


text:
Then Jehoiada made an ·agreement [covenant; treaty] with the people and the king that they would be ·the Lord’s special people [a people for the Lord].


text:
All the people went to the ·Temple [house] of Baal and tore it down, ·smashing [demolishing] the altars and ·idols [images]. They killed Mattan, the priest of Baal, in front of the altars.


text:
Then Jehoiada chose the priests, who were Levites, to be ·responsible for [in charge of] the ·Temple [house] of the Lord. David had ·given [assigned] them duties in the ·Temple [house] of the Lord. They were to ·offer [sacrifice] the burnt offerings [] to the Lord as the ·Teachings [law] of Moses commanded, and they were to ·offer [sacrifice] them with much joy and singing as David had ·commanded [ordered; instructed].


text:
Jehoiada ·put [stationed; positioned] guards at the gates of the ·Temple [house] of the Lord so that anyone who was ·unclean [defiled; ritually] in any way could not enter.


text:
Jehoiada took with him the ·commanders [officers] of a hundred men, the ·important men [nobles], the rulers of the people, and all the people of the land to ·take [lead; escort] the king out of the ·Temple [house] of the Lord. They went through the Upper Gate into the ·palace [house], and then they seated the king on the throne.


text:
So all the people of the land ·were very happy [rejoiced], and Jerusalem ·had peace [was quiet], because Athaliah had been put to death with the sword.


text:
Joash Repairs the Temple Joash was seven years old when he became king, and he ·ruled [reigned] forty years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Zibiah, and she was from Beersheba.


text:
Joash did what ·the Lord said was right [was pleasing/proper in the eyes/sight of the Lord] ·as long as Jehoiada the priest was alive [all the days of Jehoiada the priest].


text:
He ·called [assembled; summoned] the priests and the Levites together and said to them, “Go to the towns of Judah and gather the annual offering. Use it to repair the ·Temple [house] of your God. Do this ·now [quickly; immediately].” But the Levites ·did not hurry [delayed].


text:
So King Joash ·called for [summoned] Jehoiada the leading priest and said to him, “Why haven’t you made the Levites bring in from Judah and Jerusalem the tax money that Moses, the Lord’s servant, and the people of Israel used for the ·Holy Tent [tent/tabernacle of the testimony/covenant]?”


text:
In the past the sons of wicked Athaliah had broken into the ·Temple [house] of God and used its ·holy things [sacred/dedicated objects] for worshiping the Baal idols.


text:
King Joash commanded that a ·box for contributions [chest] be made. They put it outside, at the gate of the ·Temple [house] of the Lord.


text:
Then the Levites made an ·announcement [proclamation; edict] in Judah and Jerusalem, telling people to bring to the Lord the ·tax money [levy] Moses, the servant of God, had made the Israelites give while they were in the ·desert [wilderness].


text:
All the ·officers [leaders; officials] and people ·were happy to bring [rejoiced and brought] their ·money [levies; contributions], and they put it in the box until the box was full.


text:
When the Levites would take the box to the king’s ·officers [officials; accountants], they would see that ·it was full [there was a lot] of money. Then the king’s ·royal secretary [scribe] and the ·leading [chief; high] priest’s officer would come and ·take out the money [empty the chest] and return ·the box [it] to its place. They did this ·often [day after day] and gathered much money.


text:
King Joash and Jehoiada gave the money to the people who worked on the ·Temple [house] of the Lord. And they hired ·stoneworkers [masons] and carpenters to ·repair [restore] the ·Temple [house] of the Lord. They also hired people to work with iron and bronze to ·repair [restore] the ·Temple [house].


text:
The people worked hard, and the work to ·repair [restore] the ·Temple [house] ·went well [progressed]. They ·rebuilt [restored] the ·Temple [house] of God ·to be as it was before [according to its original design/specifications], but even stronger.


text:
When the workers finished, they brought the money that was left to King Joash and Jehoiada. They used that money to make ·utensils [articles] for the ·Temple [house] of the Lord, ·utensils [articles] for the service in the ·Temple [house] and for the burnt offerings [], and ·bowls [pans; ladles] and other ·utensils [articles] from gold and silver. Burnt offerings [] were ·given every day [offered/sacrificed continually] in the ·Temple [house] of the Lord ·while Jehoiada was alive [all the days of Jehoiada].


text:
Jehoiada grew old and ·lived many years [full of days]. Then he died when he was one hundred thirty years old.


text:
Jehoiada was buried in the City of David [Jerusalem] with the kings, because he had done much good in Judah for God and his ·Temple [house].


text:
Joash Does Evil After Jehoiada died, the ·officers [officials] of Judah came and bowed down to King Joash, and he listened to ·them [their advice].


text:
The king and these leaders ·stopped worshiping in [abandoned] the ·Temple [house] of the Lord, the God of their ·ancestors [fathers]. Instead, they began to ·worship [serve] the Asherah ·idols [poles; ] and other idols. Because ·they did wrong [of their sin/guilt], ·God was angry with [wrath came upon] the people of Judah and Jerusalem.


text:
Even though the Lord sent prophets to the people to turn them back to him and even though the prophets ·warned [testified against] them, they refused to listen.


text:
Then the Spirit of God ·entered [came upon] Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest. Zechariah stood before the people and said, “·This is what God says [Thus says God]: ‘Why do you ·disobey [violate; transgress] the Lord’s commands? You will not ·be successful [prosper; succeed]. Because you have ·left [abandoned; forsaken] the Lord, he has also ·left [abandoned; forsaken] you.’”


text:
But ·the king and his officers made plans [they conspired; plotted] against Zechariah. At the king’s command they ·threw stones at [stoned] him in the courtyard of the ·Temple [house] of the Lord until he died.


text:
King Joash did not remember Jehoiada’s ·kindness [loyalty; devotion] to him, so Joash ·killed [murdered] Zechariah, Jehoiada’s son. ·Before [As] Zechariah died, he said, “May the Lord ·see what you are doing and punish you [see and avenge].”


text:
Aramea Attacks Judah At the ·end [turning; spring] of the year, the Aramean army came against Joash. They attacked Judah and Jerusalem, killed all the ·leaders [officials] of the people, and sent all the ·valuable things [plunder; spoil; booty] to their king in Damascus.


text:
The Aramean army came with only a small group of men, but the Lord handed over to them a very large army from Judah, because the people of Judah had ·left [abandoned; forsaken] the Lord, the God of their ·ancestors [fathers]. So Joash was ·punished [judged].


text:
When the Arameans left, Joash was badly wounded. His own ·officers [officials] made plans against him because ·he had killed [of the shed blood of] Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest. So they ·killed [murdered] Joash in his own bed. He died and was buried in the City of David [Jerusalem] but not in the ·graves [tombs] of the kings.


text:
The ·officers who made plans [conspirators; plotters] against Joash were Jozabad and Jehozabad. Jozabad was the son of Shimeath, a woman from Ammon. And Jehozabad was the son of Shimrith, a woman from Moab.


text:
The story of Joash’s sons, the ·great [or many] ·prophecies [oracles] against him, and how he ·repaired [restored] the ·Temple [house] of God ·are [are they not…?] written in the ·book [scroll] of the kings. Joash’s son Amaziah became king in his place.


text:
Amaziah King of Judah Amaziah was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he ·ruled [reigned] for twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jehoaddin, and she was from Jerusalem.


text:
Amaziah did what ·the Lord said was right [was pleasing/proper in the eyes/sight of the Lord], but ·he did not really want to obey him [not wholeheartedly].


text:
As soon as Amaziah ·took strong [secured; established] control of the kingdom, he executed the officers who had ·murdered [assassinated] his father the king.


text:
But Amaziah did not put to death their children. He obeyed what was written in the law in the ·Book [scroll] of Moses, where the Lord commanded, “·Parents [Fathers] must not be put to death ·when their children do wrong [for sons], and ·children [sons] must not be put to death ·when their parents do wrong [for fathers]. Each must die for his own sins [].”


text:
Amaziah ·gathered [summoned; assembled] the people of Judah together. He ·grouped [assigned] all the people of Judah and Benjamin by ·families [clans], and he put commanders over groups of a thousand and over groups of a hundred. He ·counted [took a census of] the men who were twenty years old and older. In all there were three hundred thousand soldiers ready to fight and ·skilled [trained] with spears and shields.


text:
Amaziah also hired one hundred thousand skilled soldiers from Israel for ·about seventy-five hundred pounds [one hundred talents] of silver.


text:
But a man of God [prophet] came to Amaziah and said, “My king, don’t let the army of Israel go with you. The Lord is not with Israel or any of the people from the tribe of Ephraim.


text:
You can ·make yourself strong for war [fight bravely/well], but God will ·defeat you [cause you to stumble before the enemy]. He has the power to help you or to ·defeat you [cause you to stumble].”


text:
Amaziah said to the man of God, “But what about the ·seventy-five hundred pounds [one hundred talents] of silver I paid to the Israelite army?” The man of God answered, “The Lord can give you much more than that.”


text:
So Amaziah ·sent the Israelite [discharged/dismissed the] army back home to Ephraim. ·They were very angry with [Their anger burned against] the people of Judah and went home ·angry [incensed; in a rage].


text:
Then Amaziah ·became very brave [summoned his courage] and led his army to the Valley of Salt in the country of Edom. There Amaziah’s army killed ten thousand ·Edomites [sons of Seir].


text:
The army of Judah also captured ten thousand alive and took them to the top of a cliff and threw them off so that they ·split open [were dashed to pieces].


text:
At the same time the Israelite troops that Amaziah had not let fight in the war ·were robbing [raided] towns in Judah. From Samaria to Beth Horon they killed three thousand people and took ·many valuable things [much plunder/spoil/booty].


text:
When Amaziah came home after ·defeating [slaughtering] the Edomites, he brought back the ·idols they worshiped [gods of the sons of Seir] and ·started to worship them himself [set them up as his own gods]. He bowed down to them and ·offered sacrifices [burned incense] to them.


text:
The ·Lord was very angry with [Lord’s anger burned against] Amaziah, ·so [and] he sent a prophet to him who said, “Why have you asked their gods for help? They could not even ·save [rescue; deliver] their own people from ·you [your hand]!”


text:
As the prophet spoke, Amaziah said to him, “·We never gave you the job of advising the king [Who made you the royal counselor?]. Stop, or you will be killed.” The prophet stopped speaking except to say, “I know that God has ·decided [advised/counseled himself; a play on words since the king had rejected God’s counsel through the prophet] to destroy you because you have done this. You did not listen to my ·advice [counsel].”


text:
Amaziah king of Judah ·talked with those who advised him [took counsel; sought advice]. Then he sent a message to Jehoash son of Jehoahaz, who was the son of Jehu king of Israel. Amaziah said to Jehoash, “Come, let’s meet face to face [possibly a call to negotiate, but more likely a challenge to battle].”


text:
Then Jehoash king of Israel answered Amaziah king of Judah, “A ·thornbush [thistle] in Lebanon sent a message to a cedar tree in Lebanon. It said, ‘Let your daughter marry my son.’ But then a wild animal from Lebanon came by, ·walking on and crushing [trampling] the ·thornbush [thistle].


text:
You say to yourself that you have defeated Edom, but ·you have become proud [your heart is lifted up], and you brag. But you stay at home! Don’t ask for trouble, or you and Judah will ·be defeated [fall].”


text:
But Amaziah would not listen. God caused this to happen so that Jehoash would defeat Judah, because Judah ·asked for help from [sought; followed] the gods of Edom.


text:
So Jehoash king of Israel went to attack. He and Amaziah king of Judah faced each other at Beth Shemesh in Judah.


text:
At Beth Shemesh Jehoash king of Israel captured Amaziah king of Judah. (Amaziah was the son of Joash, who was the son of Ahaziah.) Then Jehoash brought him to Jerusalem. Jehoash broke down the wall of Jerusalem, from the Gate of Ephraim to the Corner Gate, ·about six hundred feet [four hundred cubits].


text:
He took all the gold and silver and all the ·utensils [articles] from the ·Temple [house] of God that Obed-Edom had taken care of. He also took the treasures from the ·palace [house] and some hostages. Then he returned to Samaria.


text:
The ·other things Amaziah did as king [rest of the events/acts/history of Amaziah], from ·the beginning to the end [first to last], ·are [are they not…?] written in the ·book [scroll] of the kings of Judah and Israel.


text:
When Amaziah ·stopped obeying [turned away from] the Lord, the people in Jerusalem ·made plans [conspired; plotted] against him. So he ·ran away [fled] to the town of Lachish, but they sent men after him to Lachish and killed him there.


text:
They brought his body back on horses, and he was buried with his ·ancestors [fathers] in the city of ·Judah [or David; see ].


text:
Uzziah King of Judah Then all the people of Judah made Uzziah [also called Azariah] king in place of his father Amaziah. Uzziah was sixteen years old.


text:
He rebuilt the town of Elath and made it part of Judah again after Amaziah ·died [lay down/slept with his fathers/ancestors].


text:
Uzziah was sixteen years old when he became king, and he ·ruled [reigned] fifty-two years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jecoliah, and she was from Jerusalem.


text:
He did what ·the Lord said was right [was pleasing/proper in the eyes/sight of the Lord], just as his father Amaziah had done [in the beginning].


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Uzziah ·obeyed [sought] God while Zechariah was alive, because he taught Uzziah how to ·respect and obey [fear] God []. And as long as Uzziah ·obeyed [sought] the Lord, God ·gave him success [made him prosper].


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Uzziah fought a war against the Philistines. He tore down the walls around their towns of Gath, Jabneh, and Ashdod and built new towns near Ashdod and in other places among the Philistines.


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Also, the Ammonites ·made the payments Uzziah demanded [paid tribute to Uzziah]. He was very powerful, so his ·name became famous all the way [fame spread/extended] to the border of Egypt.


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Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the Corner Gate, the Valley Gate, and ·where the wall turned [at the angle of the wall], and he ·made them strong [fortified them].


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He also built towers in the ·desert [wilderness] and dug many ·wells [cisterns], because he had many cattle ·on the western hills [in the Shephelah] and in the plains. He had people who worked his fields and vineyards in the hills and in ·the fertile lands [or Carmel], because he loved the ·land [soil].


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Uzziah had an army of trained soldiers. They were counted and put in ·groups [divisions; units] by Jeiel the ·royal secretary [scribe] and Maaseiah the ·officer [official]. Hananiah, one of the king’s ·commanders [officers], ·was their leader [directed them].


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They ·were in charge of [commanded] an army of three hundred seven thousand five hundred men who ·fought with great power [or were a powerful force] to help the king against the enemy.


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In Jerusalem Uzziah made ·cleverly [expertly; carefully] designed ·devices [machines]. These ·devices [machines] on the towers and corners of the city walls were used to shoot arrows and large rocks. So Uzziah became famous in faraway places, because he ·had much help until he became [was marvelously/tremendously helped to become] powerful.


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Uzziah’s Downfall But when Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his ·ruin [downfall]. He was unfaithful to the Lord his God; he went into the ·Temple [house] of the Lord to burn incense on the altar for incense [which only priests should do].


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Azariah and eighty other brave priests who served the Lord followed Uzziah into the ·Temple [house].


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They ·told him he was wrong [confronted the king] and said to him, “·You don’t have the right [It is not for you, Uzziah,] to burn incense to the Lord. Only the priests, Aaron’s descendants, should burn the incense, because they have been ·made holy [consecrated; set apart]. ·Leave this holy place [Get out of the sanctuary]. You have ·been unfaithful [sinned; disobeyed], and the Lord God will not honor you for this.”


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Uzziah was standing beside the altar for incense in the ·Temple [house] of the Lord, and in his hand was a ·pan for burning incense [censer]. He was ·very angry [furious] with the priests. As he was standing in front of the priests, ·a skin disease [leprosy; the term does not refer to modern leprosy (Hansen’s disease), but to various skin disorders; ] broke out on his forehead.


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Azariah, the leading priest, and all the other priests looked at him and saw the ·skin disease [leprosy] on his forehead. So they hurried him out of the ·Temple [house]. Uzziah also rushed to get out, because the Lord ·was punishing [had struck/afflicted] him.


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So King Uzziah had ·the skin disease [leprosy] until the day he died. He had to live in a separate house and could not enter the ·Temple [house] of the Lord. His son Jotham was in charge of the ·palace [house], and he ·governed [ruled over; judged] the people of the land.


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The ·other things Uzziah did as king [rest of the events/acts/history of Uzziah’s reign], from ·beginning to end [first to last], were written down by the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz.


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Uzziah ·died [lay down/slept with his fathers/ancestors] and was buried near his ·ancestors [fathers] in a ·graveyard [burial field] that belonged to the kings. This was because people said, “He ·had a skin disease [was a leper; ].” And his son Jotham became king in his place.


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Jotham King of Judah Jotham was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he ·ruled [reigned] sixteen years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jerusha daughter of Zadok.


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Jotham did what ·the Lord said was right [was pleasing/proper in the eyes/sight of the Lord], just as his father Uzziah had done. But Jotham did not enter the ·Temple [house] of the Lord [a reference to Uzziah’s sin, ]. But the people continued ·doing wrong [sinning; in their corrupt practices].


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Jotham rebuilt the Upper Gate of the ·Temple [house] of the Lord, and he added greatly to the wall at Ophel.


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He also built towns in the hill country of Judah, as well as ·walled cities [fortresses] and towers in the forests.


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Jotham also fought the king of the Ammonites and ·defeated [conquered] them. So each year for three years they ·gave [paid] Jotham ·about seventy-five hundred pounds [one hundred talents] of silver, ·about sixty-two thousand bushels [ten thousand kors] of wheat, and ·about sixty-two thousand bushels [ten thousand kors] of barley.


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Jotham became powerful, because he ·always obeyed [walked purposefully before; ordered his ways before] the Lord his God.


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The ·other things Jotham did while he was king [rest of the events/acts/history of Jotham’s reign] and all his wars ·are [are they not…?] written in the ·book [scroll] of the kings of Israel and Judah.


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Jotham was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he ·ruled [reigned] sixteen years in Jerusalem.


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Jotham ·died [lay down/slept with his fathers/ancestors] and was buried in the City of David [Jerusalem]. Then Jotham’s son Ahaz became king in his place.


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Ahaz King of Judah Ahaz was twenty years old when he became king, and he ·ruled [reigned] sixteen years in Jerusalem. Unlike his ·ancestor [father] David, he did not do what ·the Lord said was right [was pleasing/proper in the eyes/sight of the Lord].


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Ahaz ·did the same things as [walked in the ways of] the kings of Israel. He made ·metal [cast; molten] ·idols [images] to worship Baal.


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He ·burned incense [offered sacrifices] in the Valley of Ben Hinnom and ·made [sacrificed] his children ·pass through [in] the fire. He ·did [followed] the ·same hateful sins [detestable/abominable practices] as the nations had done whom the Lord had ·forced [driven] out of the land ahead of the Israelites.


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Ahaz ·offered [sacrificed] sacrifices and burned incense at the ·places where gods were worshiped [high places; ], and on the hills, and under every green tree.


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So the Lord his God handed over Ahaz to the king of Aram. The Arameans defeated Ahaz and ·took [deported] many people of Judah as ·prisoners [captives] to Damascus. He also handed over Ahaz to Pekah king of Israel, ·and Pekah’s army killed many soldiers of Ahaz [who inflicted heavy casualties on him].


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Pekah son of Remaliah killed one hundred twenty thousand ·brave [skilled] soldiers from Judah in one day. Pekah defeated them because they had ·left [abandoned; forsaken] the Lord, the God of their ·ancestors [fathers].


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Zicri, a mighty warrior from Ephraim, killed King Ahaz’s son Maaseiah. He also killed Azrikam, the ·officer [commander] in charge of the ·palace [house], and Elkanah, who was second in command to the king.


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The Israelite army captured two hundred thousand of their own relatives. They took women, sons and daughters, and ·many valuable things [much plunder/spoil/booty] from Judah and carried ·them [it] back to Samaria.


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But a prophet of the Lord named Oded was there. He met the Israelite army when it returned to Samaria and said to them, “The Lord, the God of your ·ancestors [fathers], handed Judah over to you, because he was angry with them. But ·God has seen the cruel way you killed them [you slaughtered them in a rage that has reached to heaven].


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Now you plan to make the people of Judah and Jerusalem your slaves, but ·you also have sinned [what about your own sins/transgressions…?] against the Lord your God.


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Now listen to me. Send back ·your brothers and sisters whom you captured [the captives you have taken from your brothers], because the ·Lord is very angry with you [fierce anger of the Lord burns against you].”


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Then some of the ·leaders [officials] in Ephraim—Azariah son of Jehohanan, Berekiah son of Meshillemoth, Jehizkiah son of Shallum, and Amasa son of Hadlai—·met [confronted; rose against] the Israelite soldiers coming home from ·war [battle].


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They warned the soldiers, “Don’t bring the ·prisoners [captives] from Judah here. If you do, we will ·be guilty of sin against the Lord, and that will make our sin and guilt even worse [add to our sins and guilt before the Lord]. Our guilt is already so great that ·he is angry with [his fierce anger is burning against] Israel.”


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So the soldiers left the ·prisoners [captives] and ·valuable things [plunder; spoil; booty] in front of the ·officers [officials] and ·people there [the entire assembly].


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The ·leaders [men] who were named took the ·prisoners [captives] and gave those who were naked clothes from ·what the Israelite army had taken [the plunder/spoil/booty]. They gave the ·prisoners [captives] clothes, sandals, food, drink, and ·medicine [oil for their wounds; anointed them]. They put the weak on donkeys and took them back to their ·families [brothers] in Jericho, the city of palm trees. Then they returned home to Samaria.


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More Attacks At that time the Edomites came again and attacked Judah and carried away ·prisoners [captives]. So King Ahaz sent to the king of Assyria for help.


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The Philistines also ·robbed [raided; invaded] the towns in the ·western hills [Shephelah] and in ·southern [the Negev of] Judah. They captured the towns of Beth Shemesh, Aijalon, Gederoth, Soco, Timnah, and Gimzo, and the villages around them. Then the Philistines ·lived [settled] in those towns.


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The Lord ·brought trouble on [humbled; humiliated; or subdued] Judah because Ahaz their king ·led the people of Judah to sin [acted without restraint/irresponsibly], and he was ·very [completely; utterly] unfaithful to the Lord.


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Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria came to Ahaz, but he ·gave Ahaz trouble instead of help [oppressed him rather than helped him].


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Ahaz ·took some valuable things from [plundered] the ·Temple [house] of the Lord, from the ·palace [house], and from the ·princes [officials], and he gave them to the king of Assyria, but it did not help.


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He ·offered [sacrificed] sacrifices to the gods of the people of Damascus, who had defeated him. He thought, “The gods of the kings of Aram helped them. If I ·offer [sacrifice] sacrifices to them, they ·will [may] help me also.” But this brought ·ruin to [the downfall of] Ahaz and all Israel.


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Ahaz gathered the ·things [articles; utensils] from the ·Temple [house] of God and ·broke [cut] them into pieces. Then he closed the doors of the ·Temple [house] of the Lord. He made himself altars [to pagan gods] and put them on every street corner in Jerusalem.


