Ifrael revolteth from Rehoboam. II. CHRONICLES. His strength, wives, &e. Jeroboam and all Israel came and t 18 Then king Rehoboam sent Hadospake to Rehoboam, saying, ram that was over the tribute; and 4 Thy father made our yoke grtev-the children of Israel stoned him with ous: now therefore ease thou some- stones, that he died. But king Rebowhat the grievous servitude of thy boam made speed to get him up to his father, and his heavy yoke that he chariot, to dee to Jerusalem. put upon us, and we will serve thee. 5 And he said unto them, Come again unto me after three days. And the people departed. 6 And king Rehoboam took counsel with the old men that had stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, saying, What counsel give ye me to return answer to this people? 7 And they spake unto him, saying, If thou be kind to this people, and please them, and speak good words to them, they will be thy servants for ever. 8 But he forsook the counsel which the old men gave him, and took counsel with the young men that were brought up with him, that stood before him. 9 And he said unto them, 'What advice give ye that we may return answer to this people, which have spoken to me, saying, Ease somewhat the yoke that thy father did put upon us? 10 And the young men that were brought up with him spake unto hini, saying, Thus shalt thou answer the people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it somewhat lighter for us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father's loins. 11 For whereas my father put a heavy yoke upon you, I will put more to your yoke: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions. 12 So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam on the third day, as the king bade, saying, Come again to me on the third day. 13 And the king answered them roughly; and king Rehoboam forsook the counsel of the old men, 14 And answered them after the advice of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add thereto my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions. 15 So the king hearkened not unto the people: for the cause was of God, that the LORD might perform his word, which he spake by the hand of Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboain the son of Nebat. 19 And Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day. CHAP. XI. AND ND when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he gathered of the house of Judah and Benjamin an bun dred and fourscore thousand chosen men, which were warriors, to fight against Israel, that he might bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam. 2 But the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying, 3 Speak unto Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, saying, 4 Thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren: return every man to his house: for this thing is done of me. And they obeyed the words of the LORD, ane returned from going against Jeroboam. 5 And Rehoboam dwelt in Jerusalem, and built cities for defence in Judah. 6 He built even Beth-lehem, and Etam, and Tekoa, 7 And Beth-zur, and Shocho, and Adullam, 8 And Gath, and Mareshab, and Ziph, And Adoraim, and Lachish, and Azekah, 10 And Zorah, and Ajalon, and Hebron, which are in Judah and in Benjamin, fenced cities. 11 And he fortified the strong holds, and put captains in them, and store of victual, and of oil and wine. 12 And in every several city he put shields and spears, and made them exceeding strong, having Judah and Benjamin on his side. 13 And the priests and the Levites that were in all Israel resorted to him out of all their coasts. 14 For the Levites left their suburbs and their possessions, and came to Judah and Jerusalem: for Jeroboam and his sons bad cast them off from executing the priest's office unto the LORD: 15 And he ordained him priests for the high places, and for the devils, and for the calves which he had made. 16 And after them out of all the tribes of Israel, such as set their hearts to seek the LORD God of Israel came to Jerusalem, to sacrifice unto the LORD God of their fathers. 16 And when all Israel saw that the king would not hearken unto them, 17 So they strengthened the kingthe people answered the king, saying, dom of Judah, and made Rehoboamr What portion have we in David and the son of Solomon strong, three we have none inheritance in the son years: for three years they walked of Jesse: every man to your tents, Oin the way of David and Solomon. Israel: and now, David, see to thine 18 And Rehoboam took him Mahaown house. So all Israel went to their tents. 17 But as for the children of Israel that dwelt in the cities of Judah, ReLoboam reigned over them. lath the daughter of Jerimoth the son of David to wife, and Abihail the daughter of Eliab the son of Jesse: 19 Which bare bim children; Jeush, and Shamariah, and Zahain. Shashak spoileth Jerusalem, CHAP. XI, XIII. Abijah succeedeth Rehoboam. And after her be took Maachah 11 And when the king entered into the daughter of Absalom; which bare the house of the LORD, the guard him Abijab, and Attai, and Ziza, and came and fetched them, and brought Shelomith. them again into the guard-chamber. 21 And Rehoboam loved Maachah the daughter of Absalom above all his wives and his concubines: (for he took eighteen wives, and threescore concubines; and begat twenty and eight sons, and threescore daughters.) 22 And Rehoboam made Abijab the son of Maachah the chief, to be ruler Among his brethren: for he thought to make him king. 23 And be dealt wisely, and dispersed of all bis children throughout all the countries of Judah and Benjamin, unto every fenced city: and he gave them victual in abundance. And he desired many wives. CHAP. XII. AND it came to pass, when Reboboam had established the kingdom, and had strengthened himself, he forsook the law of the LORD, and all Israel with him.. 2 And it came to pass, that in the fifth year of king Rehoboam Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalein, because they had transgressed against the LORD, 3 With twelve hundred chariots, and threescore thousand horsemen and the people were without number that came with him out of Egypt; the Lubims, the Sukkiims, and the Ethiopians. 4 And he took the fenced cities which pertained to Judah, and came to Jerusalem. 5 Then came Shemaiah the prophet to Rehoboam, and to the princes of Judah, that were gathered together to Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said unto them, Thus saith the LORD, Ye have forsaken me, and therefore have I also left you in the hand of Shishak. 6 Whereupon the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves; and they said, The LORD is righteous. 7 And when the LORD saw that they Bumbled themselves, the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah, saying, They bave humbled themselves; therefore I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance; and my wrath shall not be poured out upon Jerusaem by the hand of Shishak. 8 Nevertheless they shall be his ser vants; that they may know my service, and the service of the kingdoms of the countries. 9 So Shishak kmg of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, and took away the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king's house; he took all he carried away also the shelds of gold which Solomon had made. 10 Instead of which king Rehoboam made shields of brass, and committed them to the hands of the chief of the guard, that kept the entrance of the King's house. 12 And when he humbled himself, the wrath of the LORD turned from him, that he would not destroy hima altogether and also in Judah things went well. 13 So king Rehoboam strengthened himself in ferusalem, and reigned: for Rehoboam was one and forty years old when he began to reign, and he reign. ed seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the LORD had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, to put his name there. And his mother's name was Naamal an Ammonitess. 14 And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD. 15 Now the acts of Rehoboam, first and last, are they not written in the book of Shemaiab the prophet, and of Iddo the seer, concerning genealogies? And there were wars between Rehoboamn and Jeroboam continually. 16 And Rehoboam slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David; and Abijah his son reigned in his stead. CHAP. XIII. 2 He reigned three years in Jeru.. salem. His mother's name also was Michaiah the daughter of Uriel of Gibeab. And there was war between Abijah and Jeroboam. 3 And Abijah set the battle in array with an army of valiant men of war, even four hundred thousand chosen men: Jeroboam also set the battle in array against him with eight hundred thousand chosen men, being mighty men of valour. 4 And Abijab stood up upon mount Zemaraim, which is in mount Ephraim, and said, Hear me, thou Jeroboam, and all Israel; 5 Ought ye not to know that the LORD God of Israel gave the kingdorn over Israel to David for ever, even to him and to his sons by a covenant of salt? 6 Yet Jeroboam the son of Nebat, the servant of Solomon the son of David, is risen up, and hath rebelled against his lord. 7 And there are gathered unto him vain men, the children of Belial, and have strengthened themselves against Rehoboam the son of Solomon, when Rehoboam was young and tenderhearted, and could not withstand them. 8 And now ye think to withstand the kingdom of the LORD in the band of the sons of David; and ye be a great multitude, and there are with you golden calves, which Jeroboam made you for gods. 9 Have ye not cast out the priests of the LORD, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites, and have made you priesta after the manner of the nations of Asa overcometh Zerah. ether lands? so that whosoever cometh, and right in the eyes of the LORD his to consecrate himself with a young God: bullock and seven rams, the same may be a priest of them that are no gods.. Alijah overcometh Jeroboam. 11. CHRONICLES. 10 But as for us, the LORD is our God, and we have not forsaken him; and the priests, which minister unto the LORD, are the sons of Aaron, and the Levites wait upon their business: 11 And they burn unto the LORD every morning and every evening burnt-sacrifices and sweet incense: the shew-bread also set they in order upon the pure table; and the candlestick of gold with the lamps thereof, to burn every evening for we keep the charge of the LORD our God; but ye have forsaken him. 12 And behold, God himself is with us for our captain, and his priests with sounding trumpets to cry alarm against you. O children of Israel, fight ye not against the LORD God of your fathers; for ye shall not prosper. 13 But Jeroboam caused an ambushment to come about bebind them so they were before Judah, and the ambushment was behind them. 14 And when Judah looked back, bebold, the battle was before and behind and they cried unto the LORD, and the priests sounded with the trumpets. 15 Then the men of Judah gave a shout and as the men of Judah shouted, it came to pass, that God. smote Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah. 16 And the children of Israel fled before Judab and God delivered them into their band. 17 And Abijah and his people slew them with a great slaughter: so there fell down slain of Israel five hundred thousand chosen men. 18 Thus the children of Israel were brought under at that time, and the children of Judah prevailed, because they relied upon the LORD God of their fathers. 19 And Abijah pursued after Jeroboam, and took cities from him, Bethel with the towns thereof, and Jesbanah with the towns thereof, and Ephraim with the towns thereof. 20 Neither did Jeroboam recover strength again in the days of Abijah: and the LORD struck him, and be died. 21 But Abijah waxed mighty, and married fourteen wives, and begat twenty and two sons, and sixteen daughters. 22 And the rest of the acts of Abijab, and his ways, and his sayings, are written in the story of the prophet Iddo. CHAP. XIV. 3 For he took away the altars of the strange gods, and the high places, and brake down the inages, and cut down the groves 4 And commanded Judah to seek the LORD God of their fathers, and to do the law and the commandment. 5 Also he took away out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the images and the kingdom was quiet before him. 6 And he built fenced cities in Judah: for the land had rest, and he had no war in those years; because the LORD had given him rest. 7 Therefore he said unto Judah, Let us build these cities, and make about them walls, and towers, gates, and bars, while the land is yet before us, because we have sought the LORD our God, we have sought him, and he hath given us rest on every side. So they built and prospered. 8 And Asa had an army of men that bare targets and spears out of Judah three hundred thousand and out of Benjamin, that bare shields and drew bows, two hundred and fourscore thousand all these were mighty men of valour. 9 And there came out against them Zerah the Ethiopian with an host of a thousand thousand, and three hundred chariots; and came unto Maresbah. 10 Then Asa went out against him, and they set the battle in array in the valley of Zephatbah at Mareshah. 11 And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said, LORD, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O LORD, thou art our God; let not man prevail against thee. 12 So the LORD smote the Ethiopians before Asa, and before Judah; and the Ethiopians fled. 13 And Asa and the people that were with him pursued them unto Gerar: and the Ethiopians were overthrown, that they could not recover themselves; for they were destroyed before the LORD, and before his host and they carried away very much spoil. 14 And they smote all the cities round about Gerar; for the fear of the LORD came upon them: and they spoiled all the cities; for there was exceeding much spoil in them. 15 They smote also the tents of cattle, and carried away sheep and camels in abundance, and returned to Jerusalem. CHAP. XV. AND the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded : 2 And be went out to meet Asa, and So Abijah slept with his fathers, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and they buried him in the city of all Judah and Benjamin; The LORD is David and Asa his son reigned in bis with you, while ye be with him; and stead. In his days the land was quiet if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will ten years. 2 And Asa did that which was good' forsake you. Asa's sickness and death. reign of Asa, Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah, and built Ramah, to the intent that he might let none go out or come in to Asa king of Judah. 3 Now for a long season Israel hath been without the true God, and with-IN the six and thirtieth year of the out a teaching priest, and without law. 4 But when they in their trouble did turn unto the LORD God of Israel, and sought him, he was found of them. 5 And in those times there was no peace to him that went out, nor to him that came in, but great vexations were upon all the inhabitants of the countries. 6 And nation was destroyed of nation, and city of city: for God did vex them with all adversity. 7 Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak; for your work shall be rewarded. 2 Then Asa brought out silver and gold out of the treasures of the house of the LORD and of the king's house, and sent to Ben-nadad king of Syria, that dwelt at Damascus, saying, 3 There is a league between me and thee, as there was between my father and thy father: behold, I have sent thee silver and gold; go, break thy league with Baasha king of Israel, that he may depart from me. 8 ¶ And when Asa heard these words, and the prophecy of Oded the 4 And Ben-hadad hearkened unto prophet, he took courage, and put king Asa, and sent the captains of his away the abominable idols out of armies against the cities of Israel; all the land of Judah and Benjamin, and they smote ljon, and Dan, and and out of the cities which he had Abel-maim, and all the store cities of taken from mount Ephraim, and re-Naphtali. newed the altar of the LORD that was before the porch of the LORD. 9 And he gathered all Judab and Benjamin, and the strangers with them out of Ephraim and Manasseh, and out of Simeon: for they fell to him out of Israel in abundance, when they saw that the LORD his God was with him. 10 So they gathered themselves together at Jerusalem in the third month, in the fifteenth year of the reign of Asa. 11 And they offered unto the LORD the same time, of the spoil which they nad brought, seven hundred oxen and seven thousand sheep. 12 And they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul; 13 That whosoever would not seek the LORD God of Israel should be put to death, whether small or great, whether inan or woman. 14 And they sware unto the LORD with a loud voice, and with shouting, and with trumpets, and with cornets. 15 And all Judah rejoiced at the oath for they had sworn with all their heart, and sought him with their whole desire; and he was found of them and the LORD gave them rest round about. 16 And also concerning Maachab the mother of Asa the king, he removed her from being queen, because she bar made an idol in a grove and Asa cut down her idol, and stamped it, and burnt it at the brook Kidron. 17 But the high places were not. taken away out of Israel: nevertheless the heart of Asa was perfect all bis days 18 And he brought into the house of God the things that his father had dedicated, and that he himself had dedicated, silver, and gold, and vessels. 19 And there was no more war unto the five and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa. 5 And it came to pass, when Baasba heard it, that he left off building of Ramah, and let his work cease. 6 Then Asa the king took all Judah; and they carried away the stones of Ramah, and the timber thereof, wherewith Baasha was building; and he built therewith Geba and Mizpah. 7 And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him, Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the LORD thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand. 8 Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubims a huge host, with very many chariots and horsemen? yet, because thou didst rely on the LORD, he delivered them into thine hand. 9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars. 10 Then Asa was wroth with the seer; and put him in a prison house; for he was in a rage with him because of this thing. And Asa oppressed some of the people the same time. 11 And behold, the acts of Asa, first and last, lo, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel, 12 And Asa in the thirty and nintb year of his reign was diseased in bis feet, until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the LORD, but to the physicians. 13 And Asa slept with his fathers, and died in the one and fortieth year of his reign. 14 And they buried him in his own sepulchres, which he had made for himself in the city of David, and laid him in the bed which was filled with sweet odours and divers kinds of spices, prepared by the apothecaries' art: and they made a very great burning for hum. ND Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead, and strengthened bimself against Israel. Ahab's false prophets. man of valour, and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand. 18 And next him was Jehozabad, 2 And he placed forces in all the and with him an bundred and fourscore fenced cities of Judah, and set garri-thousand ready prepared for the war. sons in the land of Judah, and in the cities of Ephraim, which Asa his father had taken. 3 And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim; 4 But sought to the LORD God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel. 5 Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his band; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents: and he had riches and honour in abundance. 6 And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD: moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah. 19 These waited on the king, besides those whoin the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah. CHAP. XVIII. NOW Jehoshaphat had riches and honour in abundance, and joined affinity with Ahab. 2 And after certain years he went down to Ahab to Samaria. And Abab killed sheep and oxen for him in abundance, and for the people that he had with him, and persuaded him to go up with him to Ramoth-gilead. 3 And Ahab king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat king of Judah, Wilt thou go with me to Ramoth-gilead? And he answered him, I am as thou art, and my people as thy people, and we will be with thee in the war. 4 And Jehoshaphat said unto the 7 Also in the third year of his reign king of Israel, Inquire, I pray thee, at he sent to his princes, even to Ben- the word of the LORD to-day. bail, and to Obadiah, and to Zecha- 5 Therefore the king of Israel ga riah, and to Nethaneel, and to Mi-thered together of prophets four hunchaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah.dred men, and said unto them, Shall 8 And with them he sent Levites, we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or even Shemaiah, and Nethaniah, and shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; Zebadiah, and Asahel, and Shemira- for God will deliver it into the king's moth, and Jehonathan, and Adonijah, hand. and Tobijah, and Tob-adonijah, Levites; and with them Elishaina and Jehoram, priests. 6 But Jehoshaphat said, Is not here a prophet of the LORD sides, that we might inquire of hin 9 And they taught in Judah, and 7 And the king of Israel said u had the book of the law of the LORD Jehoshaphat, There is yet one inan, with them, and went about through-whom we may inquire of the LORIM out all the cities of Judah, and taught the people. but I hate him; for he never prophesieth good unto me, but always evil: the same is Micaiah, the son of Imla. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so. 10 And the fear of the LORD fel! upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat. 8 And the king of Israel called for 11 Also some of the Philistines brought one of his officers, and said, Fetch Jehoshaphat presents, and tribute sil-quickly Micaiah the son of Imla. ver; and the Arabians brought him flocks, seven thousand and seven hundred rams, and seven thousand and seven hundred he-goats. 12 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly; and he built in Judah castles, and cities of store. 13 And he had much business in the cities of Judah and the men of war, mighty men of valour, were in Jerusalem. 9 And the king of Israel and Jeboshaphat king of Judah sat either of them on his throne, clothed in their robes, and they sat in a void place at the entering in of the gate of Samaria: and all the prophets prophesied before them. 10 And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah had made him horns of iron, and said, Thus saith the LORD, With these thou shalt push Syria until they be consumed. 14 And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their 11 And all the prophets prophesied fathers of Judah, the captains of so, saying, Go up to Ramoth-gilead, thousands: Adnah the chief, and with and prosper for the LORD shall dehim mighty men of valour three hun-liver it into the hand of the king. dred thousand. 2 And the messenger that went to 15 And next to him was Jehohanan | call Micaiah spake to him, saying, the captain, and with him two hum- Behold, the words of the prophets dred and fourscore thousand. declare good to the king with one assent; let thy word therefore, pray thee, be like one of theirs, and speak thou good. 16 And next to him was Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself unto the LORD; and with him two hundred thousand mighty. men of valour. 13 And Micaiah said, As the LORD liveth, even what iny God saith, that 17 And of Benjamin; Eliada a mighty will speak. |