2 Chronicles 18 — GNB

A Prophet Reprimands Jehoshaphat

War against Edom

Preparations for Passover

Hezekiah Reforms Religious Life

The Assyrians Threaten Jerusalem

(2 Kings 18.13-37; 19.14-19,35-37; Isaiah 36.1-22; 37.8-38)

King Manasseh of Judah

King Josiah of Judah

¹ When King Jehoshaphat of Judah became rich and famous, he arranged a marriage between a member of his family and the family of King Ahab of Israel.

King Jehoram of Judah

² A number of years later Jehoshaphat went to the city of Samaria to visit Ahab. To honor Jehoshaphat and those with him, Ahab had a large number of sheep and cattle slaughtered for a feast. He tried to persuade Jehoshaphat to join him in attacking the city of Ramoth in Gilead.

The Purification of the Temple

Josiah Attacks Pagan Worship

³ He asked, “Will you go with me to attack Ramoth?” Jehoshaphat replied, “I am ready when you are, and so is my army. We will join you.”

Jehoshaphat's Reforms

⁴ Then he added, “But first let's consult the Lord.”

War against Edom

War with Syria and Israel

⁵ So Ahab called in the prophets, about four hundred of them, and asked them, “Should I go and attack Ramoth, or not?” “Attack it,” they answered. “God will give you victory.” ⁶ But Jehoshaphat asked, “Isn't there another prophet through whom we can consult the Lord?” ⁷ Ahab answered, “There is one more, Micaiah son of Imlah. But I hate him because he never prophesies anything good for me; it's always something bad.” “You shouldn't say that!” Jehoshaphat replied.

The Book of the Law Is Discovered

⁸ So King Ahab called in a court official and told him to go and get Micaiah at once.

The Prophet Oded

⁹ The two kings, dressed in their royal robes, were sitting on their thrones at the threshing place just outside the gate of Samaria, and all the prophets were prophesying in front of them.

Queen Athaliah of Judah

Manasseh Repents

¹⁰ One of them, Zedekiah son of Chenaanah, made iron horns and said to Ahab, “This is what the Lord says, ‘With these you will fight the Syrians and totally defeat them.’” ¹¹ All the other prophets said the same thing. “March against Ramoth and you will win,” they said. “The Lord will give you victory.” ¹² Meanwhile, the official who had gone to get Micaiah said to him, “All the other prophets have prophesied success for the king, and you had better do the same.”

Passover Is Celebrated

¹³ But Micaiah answered, “By the living Lord I will say what my God tells me to!” ¹⁴ When he appeared before King Ahab, the king asked him, “Micaiah, should King Jehoshaphat and I go and attack Ramoth, or not?” “Attack!” Micaiah answered. “Of course you'll win. The Lord will give you victory.”

Jehoiada's Policies Are Reversed

¹⁵ But Ahab replied, “When you speak to me in the name of the Lord, tell the truth! How many times do I have to tell you that?”

Jehoiada's Reforms

Uzziah Is Punished for His Pride

Ahaz Asks Assyria for Help

¹⁶ Micaiah answered, “I can see the army of Israel scattered over the hills like sheep without a shepherd. And the Lord said, ‘These men have no leader; let them go home in peace.’”

War against Israel

¹⁷ Ahab said to Jehoshaphat, “I told you that he never prophesies anything good for me; it's always something bad!”

The Temple Is Rededicated

The End of Manasseh's Reign

(2 Kings 21.17, 18)

¹⁸ Micaiah went on: “Now listen to what the Lord says! I saw the Lord sitting on his throne in heaven, with all his angels standing beside him. ¹⁹ The Lord asked, ‘Who will deceive Ahab so that he will go and get killed at Ramoth?’ Some of the angels said one thing, and others said something else, ²⁰ until a spirit stepped forward, approached the Lord, and said, ‘I will deceive him.’ ‘How?’ the Lord asked. ^*

King Amon of Judah

²¹ The spirit replied, ‘I will go and make all of Ahab's prophets tell lies.’ The Lord said, ‘Go and deceive him. You will succeed.’”

The Sins of Ahaz

²² And Micaiah concluded: “This is what has happened. The Lord has made these prophets of yours lie to you. But he himself has decreed that you will meet with disaster!”

The End of Joash's Reign

A Second Celebration

²³ Then the prophet Zedekiah went up to Micaiah, slapped his face, and asked, “Since when did the Lord's spirit leave me and speak to you?”

Hezekiah's Illness and Pride

²⁴ “You will find out when you go into some back room to hide,” Micaiah replied. ²⁵ Then King Ahab ordered one of his officers, “Arrest Micaiah and take him to Amon, the governor of the city, and to Prince Joash. ²⁶ Tell them to throw him in prison and to put him on bread and water until I return safely.”

Hezekiah's Wealth and Splendor

²⁷ “If you return safely,” Micaiah exclaimed, “then the Lord has not spoken through me!” And he added, “Listen, everyone, to what I have said!”

The Death of Ahab

²⁸ Then King Ahab of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah went to attack the city of Ramoth in Gilead.

Josiah Makes a Covenant to Obey the \nd Lord\nd*

²⁹ Ahab said to Jehoshaphat, “As we go into battle, I will disguise myself, but you wear your royal garments.” So the king of Israel went into battle in disguise. ³⁰ The king of Syria had ordered his chariot commanders to attack no one else except the king of Israel.

The End of Jehoshaphat's Reign

³¹ So when they saw King Jehoshaphat, they all thought that he was the king of Israel, and they turned to attack him. But Jehoshaphat gave a shout, and the Lord God rescued him and turned the attack away from him. ^*

The End of Hezekiah's Reign

(2 Kings 20.20, 21)

³² The chariot commanders saw that he was not the king of Israel, so they stopped pursuing him. ³³ By chance, however, a Syrian soldier shot an arrow which struck King Ahab between the joints of his armor. “I'm wounded!” he cried out to his chariot driver. “Turn around and pull out of the battle!” ³⁴ While the battle raged on, King Ahab remained propped up in his chariot, facing the Syrians. At sunset he died.

The Prophet Micaiah Warns Ahab

A Prophet Reprimands Jehoshaphat

War against Edom

King Ahaziah of Judah

The Revolt against Athaliah

King Joash of Judah

King Amaziah of Judah

King Uzziah of Judah

King Jotham of Judah

King Ahaz of Judah

King Hezekiah of Judah

Preparations for Passover

Hezekiah Reforms Religious Life

The Assyrians Threaten Jerusalem

(2 Kings 18.13-37; 19.14-19,35-37; Isaiah 36.1-22; 37.8-38)

King Manasseh of Judah

King Josiah of Judah

¹ King Jehoshaphat of Judah returned safely to his palace in Jerusalem.

King Jehoram of Judah

² A prophet, Jehu son of Hanani, went to meet the king and said to him, “Do you think it is right to help those who are wicked and to take the side of those who hate the Lord? What you have done has brought the Lord's anger on you.

The Purification of the Temple

Josiah Attacks Pagan Worship

³ But even so, there is some good in you. You have removed all the symbols of the goddess Asherah which people worshiped, and you have tried to follow God's will.”

Jehoshaphat's Reforms

⁴ Even though King Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem, he traveled regularly among the people, from Beersheba in the south to the edge of the hill country of Ephraim in the north, in order to call the people back to the Lord, the God of their ancestors.

War against Edom

War with Syria and Israel

⁵ He appointed judges in each of the fortified cities of Judah ⁶ and instructed them: “Be careful in pronouncing judgment; you are not acting on human authority, but on the authority of the Lord, and he is with you when you pass sentence. ⁷ Honor the Lord and act carefully, because the Lord our God does not tolerate fraud or partiality or the taking of bribes.”

The Book of the Law Is Discovered

⁸ In Jerusalem Jehoshaphat appointed Levites, priests, and some of the leading citizens as judges in cases involving a violation of the Law of the Lord or legal disputes between inhabitants of the city.

The Prophet Oded

⁹ He gave them the following instructions: “You must perform your duties in reverence for the Lord, faithfully obeying him in everything you do.

Queen Athaliah of Judah

Manasseh Repents

¹⁰ Whenever your fellow citizens from any of the cities bring before you a case of homicide or any other violation of a law or commandment, you must instruct them carefully how to conduct themselves during the trial, so that they do not become guilty of sinning against the Lord. Unless you do, you and your fellow citizens will feel the force of the Lord's anger. But if you do your duty, you will not be guilty. ¹¹ Amariah the High Priest will have final authority in all religious cases, and Zebadiah son of Ishmael, governor of Judah, will have final authority in all civil cases. The Levites have the responsibility of seeing that the decisions of the courts are carried out. Be courageous and carry out these instructions, and may the Lord be on the side of the right!”

The Prophet Micaiah Warns Ahab

A Prophet Reprimands Jehoshaphat

War against Edom

King Ahaziah of Judah

The Revolt against Athaliah

King Joash of Judah

King Amaziah of Judah

King Uzziah of Judah

King Jotham of Judah

King Ahaz of Judah

King Hezekiah of Judah

Preparations for Passover

Hezekiah Reforms Religious Life

The Assyrians Threaten Jerusalem

(2 Kings 18.13-37; 19.14-19,35-37; Isaiah 36.1-22; 37.8-38)

King Manasseh of Judah

King Josiah of Judah

¹ Some time later the armies of Moab and Ammon, together with their allies, the Meunites, invaded Judah.

King Jehoram of Judah

² Some messengers came and announced to King Jehoshaphat: “A large army from Edom has come from the other side of the Dead Sea to attack you. They have already captured Hazazon Tamar.” (This is another name for Engedi.)

The Purification of the Temple

Josiah Attacks Pagan Worship

³ Jehoshaphat was frightened and prayed to the Lord for guidance. Then he gave orders for a fast to be observed throughout the country.

Jehoshaphat's Reforms

⁴ From every city of Judah people hurried to Jerusalem to ask the Lord for guidance,

War against Edom

War with Syria and Israel

⁵ and they and the people of Jerusalem gathered in the new courtyard of the Temple. King Jehoshaphat went and stood before them ⁶ and prayed aloud, “O Lord God of our ancestors, you rule in heaven over all the nations of the world. You are powerful and mighty, and no one can oppose you. ⁷ You are our God. When your people Israel moved into this land, you drove out the people who were living here and gave the land to the descendants of Abraham, your friend, to be theirs forever.

The Book of the Law Is Discovered

⁸ They have lived here and have built a temple to honor you, knowing

The Prophet Oded

⁹ that if any disaster struck them to punish them—a war, an epidemic, or a famine—then they could come and stand in front of this Temple where you are worshiped. They could pray to you in their trouble, and you would hear them and rescue them.

Queen Athaliah of Judah

Manasseh Repents

¹⁰ “Now the people of Ammon, Moab, and Edom have attacked us. When our ancestors came out of Egypt, you did not allow them to enter those lands, so our ancestors went around them and did not destroy them. ¹¹ This is how they repay us—they come to drive us out of the land that you gave us. ¹² You are our God! Punish them, for we are helpless in the face of this large army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but we look to you for help.”

Passover Is Celebrated

¹³ All the men of Judah, with their wives and children, were standing there at the Temple. ¹⁴ The spirit of the Lord came upon a Levite who was present in the crowd. His name was Jahaziel son of Zechariah; he was a member of the clan of Asaph and was descended from Asaph through Mattaniah, Jeiel, and Benaiah.

Jehoiada's Policies Are Reversed

¹⁵ Jahaziel said, “Your Majesty and all you people of Judah and Jerusalem, the Lord says that you must not be discouraged or be afraid to face this large army. The battle depends on God, not on you.

Jehoiada's Reforms

Uzziah Is Punished for His Pride

Ahaz Asks Assyria for Help

¹⁶ Attack them tomorrow as they come up the pass at Ziz. You will meet them at the end of the valley that leads to the wild country near Jeruel.

War against Israel

¹⁷ You will not have to fight this battle. Just take up your positions and wait; you will see the Lord give you victory. People of Judah and Jerusalem, do not hesitate or be afraid. Go out to battle, and the Lord will be with you!”

The Temple Is Rededicated

The End of Manasseh's Reign

(2 Kings 21.17, 18)

¹⁸ Then King Jehoshaphat bowed low, with his face touching the ground, and all the people bowed with him and worshiped the Lord. ¹⁹ The members of the Levite clans of Kohath and Korah stood up and with a loud shout praised the Lord, the God of Israel. ²⁰ Early the next morning the people went out to the wild country near Tekoa. As they were starting out, Jehoshaphat addressed them with these words: “People of Judah and Jerusalem! Put your trust in the Lord your God, and you will stand your ground. Believe what his prophets tell you, and you will succeed.” ^*

King Amon of Judah

²¹ After consulting with the people, the king ordered some musicians to put on the robes they wore on sacred occasions and to march ahead of the army, singing: “Praise the Lord! His love is eternal!”

The Sins of Ahaz

²² When they began to sing, the Lord threw the invading armies into a panic.

The End of Joash's Reign

A Second Celebration

²³ The Ammonites and the Moabites attacked the Edomite army and completely destroyed it, and then they turned on each other in savage fighting.

Hezekiah's Illness and Pride

²⁴ When the Judean army reached a tower that was in the desert, they looked toward the enemy and saw that they were all lying on the ground dead. Not one had escaped. ²⁵ Jehoshaphat and his troops moved in to take the loot, and they found many cattle, supplies, clothing, and other valuable objects. They spent three days gathering the loot, but there was so much that they could not take everything. ²⁶ On the fourth day they assembled in Beracah Valley and praised the Lord for all he had done. That is why the valley is called “Beracah.”

Hezekiah's Wealth and Splendor

²⁷ Jehoshaphat led his troops back to Jerusalem in triumph, because the Lord had defeated their enemies.

The Death of Ahab

²⁸ When they reached the city, they marched to the Temple to the music of harps and trumpets.

Josiah Makes a Covenant to Obey the \nd Lord\nd*

²⁹ Every nation that heard how the Lord had defeated Israel's enemies was terrified, ³⁰ so Jehoshaphat ruled in peace, and God gave him security on every side.

The End of Jehoshaphat's Reign

³¹ Jehoshaphat had become king of Judah at the age of thirty-five and had ruled in Jerusalem for twenty-five years. His mother was Azubah, the daughter of Shilhi. ^*

The End of Hezekiah's Reign

(2 Kings 20.20, 21)

³² Like his father Asa before him, he did what was right in the sight of the Lord; ³³ but the pagan places of worship were not destroyed. The people still did not turn wholeheartedly to the worship of the God of their ancestors. ³⁴ Everything else that Jehoshaphat did, from the beginning of his reign to its end, is recorded in The History of Jehu Son of Hananiwhich is a part of The History of the Kings of Israel. ³⁵ At one time King Jehoshaphat of Judah made an alliance with King Ahaziah of Israel, who did many wicked things. ³⁶ At the port of Eziongeber they built ocean-going ships. ³⁷ But Eliezer son of Dodavahu, from the town of Mareshah, warned Jehoshaphat, “Because you have made an alliance with Ahaziah, the Lord will destroy what you have built.” And the ships were wrecked and never sailed.

The Prophet Micaiah Warns Ahab

A Prophet Reprimands Jehoshaphat

War against Edom

King Ahaziah of Judah

The Revolt against Athaliah

King Joash of Judah

King Amaziah of Judah

King Uzziah of Judah

King Jotham of Judah

King Ahaz of Judah

King Hezekiah of Judah

Preparations for Passover

Hezekiah Reforms Religious Life

The Assyrians Threaten Jerusalem

(2 Kings 18.13-37; 19.14-19,35-37; Isaiah 36.1-22; 37.8-38)

King Manasseh of Judah

King Josiah of Judah

¹ Jehoshaphat died and was buried in the royal tombs in David's City and his son Jehoram succeeded him as king.

King Jehoram of Judah

² Jehoram son of King Jehoshaphat of Judah had six brothers: Azariah, Jehiel, Zechariah, Azariahu, Michael, and Shephatiah.

The Purification of the Temple

Josiah Attacks Pagan Worship

³ Their father gave them large amounts of gold, silver, and other valuable possessions, and placed each one in charge of one of the fortified cities of Judah. But because Jehoram was the oldest, Jehoshaphat made him his successor.

Jehoshaphat's Reforms

⁴ When Jehoram was in firm control of the kingdom, he had all his brothers killed, and also some Israelite officials.

War against Edom

War with Syria and Israel

⁵ Jehoram became king at the age of thirty-two, and he ruled in Jerusalem for eight years. ⁶ He followed the wicked example of King Ahab and the other kings of Israel, because he had married one of Ahab's daughters. He sinned against the Lord, ⁷ but the Lord was not willing to destroy the dynasty of David, because he had made a covenant with David and promised that his descendants would always continue to rule.

The Book of the Law Is Discovered

⁸ During Jehoram's reign Edom revolted against Judah and became an independent kingdom.

The Prophet Oded

⁹ So Jehoram and his officers set out with chariots and invaded Edom. There the Edomite army surrounded them, but during the night they managed to break out and escape.

Queen Athaliah of Judah

Manasseh Repents

¹⁰ Edom has been independent of Judah ever since. During this same period the city of Libnah also revolted, because Jehoram had abandoned the Lord, the God of his ancestors. ¹¹ He even built pagan places of worship in the Judean highlands and led the people of Judah and Jerusalem to sin against the Lord. ¹² The prophet Elijah sent Jehoram a letter, which read as follows: “The Lord, the God of your ancestor David, condemns you, because you did not follow the example of your father, King Jehoshaphat, or that of your grandfather, King Asa.

Passover Is Celebrated

¹³ Instead, you have followed the example of the kings of Israel and have led the people of Judah and Jerusalem into being unfaithful to God, just as Ahab and his successors led Israel into unfaithfulness. You even murdered your brothers, who were better men than you are. ¹⁴ As a result, the Lord will severely punish your people, your children, and your wives, and will destroy your possessions.

Jehoiada's Policies Are Reversed

¹⁵ You yourself will suffer a painful intestinal disease that will grow worse day by day.”

Jehoiada's Reforms

Uzziah Is Punished for His Pride

Ahaz Asks Assyria for Help

¹⁶ Some Philistines and Arabs lived near where some Ethiopians had settled along the coast. The Lord caused them to go to war against Jehoram.

War against Israel

¹⁷ They invaded Judah, looted the royal palace, and carried off as prisoners all the king's wives and sons except Ahaziah, his youngest son.

The Temple Is Rededicated

The End of Manasseh's Reign

(2 Kings 21.17, 18)

¹⁸ Then after all this, the Lord brought on the king a painful disease of the intestines. ¹⁹ For almost two years it grew steadily worse until finally the king died in agony. His subjects did not light a bonfire in mourning for him as had been done for his ancestors. ²⁰ Jehoram had become king at the age of thirty-two and had ruled in Jerusalem for eight years. Nobody was sorry when he died. They buried him in David's City, but not in the royal tombs. ^*

The Prophet Micaiah Warns Ahab

A Prophet Reprimands Jehoshaphat

War against Edom

King Ahaziah of Judah

The Revolt against Athaliah

King Joash of Judah

King Amaziah of Judah

King Uzziah of Judah

King Jotham of Judah

King Ahaz of Judah

King Hezekiah of Judah

Preparations for Passover

Hezekiah Reforms Religious Life

The Assyrians Threaten Jerusalem

(2 Kings 18.13-37; 19.14-19,35-37; Isaiah 36.1-22; 37.8-38)

King Manasseh of Judah

King Josiah of Judah

¹ Some Arabs had led a raid and killed all of King Jehoram's sons except Ahaziah, the youngest. So now the people of Jerusalem made Ahaziah king as his father's successor.

King Jehoram of Judah

² -3 Ahaziah became king at the age of twenty-two, and he ruled in Jerusalem for one year. Ahaziah also followed the example of King Ahab's family, since his mother Athaliah—the daughter of King Ahab and granddaughter of King Omri of Israel—gave him advice that led him into evil.

Jehoshaphat's Reforms

⁴ He sinned against the Lord, because after his father's death other members of King Ahab's family became his advisers, and they led to his downfall.

War against Edom

War with Syria and Israel

⁵ Following their advice, he joined King Joram of Israel in a war against King Hazael of Syria. The armies clashed at Ramoth in Gilead, and Joram was wounded in battle. ⁶ He returned to the city of Jezreel to recover from his wounds, and Ahaziah went there to visit him. ⁷ God used this visit to Joram to bring about Ahaziah's downfall. While Ahaziah was there, he and Joram were confronted by a man named Jehu son of Nimshi, whom the Lord had chosen to destroy the dynasty of Ahab.

The Book of the Law Is Discovered

⁸ As Jehu was carrying out God's sentence on the dynasty, he came across a group made up of Judean leaders and of Ahaziah's nephews that had accompanied Ahaziah on his visit. Jehu killed them all.

The Prophet Oded

⁹ A search was made for Ahaziah, and he was found hiding in Samaria. They took him to Jehu and put him to death. But they did bury his body out of respect for his grandfather King Jehoshaphat, who had done all he could to serve the Lord. No member of Ahaziah's family was left who could rule the kingdom.

Queen Athaliah of Judah

Manasseh Repents

¹⁰ As soon as King Ahaziah's mother Athaliah learned of her son's murder, she gave orders for all the members of the royal family of Judah to be killed. ¹¹ Ahaziah had a half sister, Jehosheba, who was married to a priest named Jehoiada. She secretly rescued one of Ahaziah's sons, Joash, took him away from the other princes who were about to be murdered and hid him and a nurse in a bedroom at the Temple. By keeping him hidden, she saved him from death at the hands of Athaliah. ¹² For six years he remained there in hiding, while Athaliah ruled as queen.

The Prophet Micaiah Warns Ahab

A Prophet Reprimands Jehoshaphat

War against Edom

King Ahaziah of Judah

The Revolt against Athaliah

King Joash of Judah

King Amaziah of Judah

King Uzziah of Judah

King Jotham of Judah

King Ahaz of Judah

King Hezekiah of Judah

Preparations for Passover

Hezekiah Reforms Religious Life

The Assyrians Threaten Jerusalem

(2 Kings 18.13-37; 19.14-19,35-37; Isaiah 36.1-22; 37.8-38)

King Manasseh of Judah

King Josiah of Judah

¹ After waiting six years Jehoiada the priest decided that it was time to take action. He made a pact with five army officers: Azariah son of Jeroham, Ishmael son of Jehohanan, Azariah son of Obed, Maaseiah son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat son of Zichri.

King Jehoram of Judah

² They traveled to all the cities of Judah and brought back with them to Jerusalem the Levites and all the heads of the clans.

The Purification of the Temple

Josiah Attacks Pagan Worship

³ They all gathered in the Temple, and there they made a covenant with Joash, the king's son. Jehoiada said to them, “Here is the son of the late king. He is now to be king, as the Lord promised that King David's descendants would be.

Jehoshaphat's Reforms

⁴ This is what we will do. When the priests and Levites come on duty on the Sabbath, one third of them will guard the Temple gates,

War against Edom

War with Syria and Israel

⁵ another third will guard the royal palace, and the rest will be stationed at the Foundation Gate. All the people will assemble in the Temple courtyard. ⁶ No one is to enter the Temple buildings except the priests and the Levites who are on duty. They may enter, because they are consecrated, but the rest of the people must obey the Lord's instructions and stay outside. ⁷ The Levites are to stand guard around the king, with their swords drawn, and are to stay with the king wherever he goes. Anyone who tries to enter the Temple is to be killed.”

The Book of the Law Is Discovered

⁸ The Levites and the people of Judah carried out Jehoiada's instructions. The men were not dismissed when they went off duty on the Sabbath, so the commanders had available both those coming on duty and those going off.

The Prophet Oded

⁹ Jehoiada gave the officers the spears and shields that had belonged to King David and had been kept in the Temple.

Queen Athaliah of Judah

Manasseh Repents

¹⁰ He stationed the men with drawn swords all around the front of the Temple, to protect the king. ¹¹ Then Jehoiada led Joash out, placed the crown on his head, and gave him a copy of the laws governing kingship. And so he was made king. Jehoiada the priest and his sons anointed Joash, and everyone shouted, “Long live the king!” ¹² Athaliah heard the people cheering for the king, so she hurried to the Temple, where the crowd had gathered.

Passover Is Celebrated

¹³ There she saw the new king at the Temple entrance, standing by the column reserved for kings and surrounded by the army officers and the trumpeters. All the people were shouting joyfully and blowing trumpets, and the Temple musicians with their instruments were leading the celebration. She tore her clothes in distress and shouted, “Treason! Treason!” ¹⁴ Jehoiada did not want Athaliah killed in the Temple area, so he called out the army officers and said, “Take her out between the rows of guards, and kill anyone who tries to rescue her.”

Jehoiada's Policies Are Reversed

¹⁵ They seized her, took her to the palace, and there at the Horse Gate they killed her.

Jehoiada's Reforms

Uzziah Is Punished for His Pride

Ahaz Asks Assyria for Help

¹⁶ The priest Jehoiada had King Joash and the people join him in making a covenant that they would be the Lord's people.

War against Israel

¹⁷ Then they all went to the temple of Baal and tore it down. They smashed the altars and idols there and killed Mattan, the priest of Baal, in front of the altars.

The Temple Is Rededicated

The End of Manasseh's Reign

(2 Kings 21.17, 18)

¹⁸ Jehoiada put the priests and Levites in charge of the work of the Temple. They were to carry out the duties assigned to them by King David and to burn the sacrifices offered to the Lord in accordance with the Law of Moses. They were also in charge of the music and the celebrations. ¹⁹ Jehoiada also put guards on duty at the Temple gates to keep out anyone who was ritually unclean. ²⁰ The army officers, the leading citizens, the officials, and all the rest of the people joined Jehoiada in a procession that brought the king from the Temple to the palace. They entered by the main gate, and the king took his place on the throne. ^*

King Amon of Judah

²¹ All the people were filled with happiness, and the city was quiet, now that Athaliah had been killed.

The Prophet Micaiah Warns Ahab

A Prophet Reprimands Jehoshaphat

War against Edom

King Ahaziah of Judah

The Revolt against Athaliah

King Joash of Judah

King Amaziah of Judah

King Uzziah of Judah

King Jotham of Judah

King Ahaz of Judah

King Hezekiah of Judah

Preparations for Passover

Hezekiah Reforms Religious Life

The Assyrians Threaten Jerusalem

(2 Kings 18.13-37; 19.14-19,35-37; Isaiah 36.1-22; 37.8-38)

King Manasseh of Judah

King Josiah of Judah

¹ Joash became king of Judah at the age of seven, and he ruled in Jerusalem for forty years. His mother was Zibiah from the city of Beersheba.

King Jehoram of Judah

² He did what was pleasing to the Lord as long as Jehoiada the priest was alive.

The Purification of the Temple

Josiah Attacks Pagan Worship

³ Jehoiada chose two wives for King Joash, and they bore him sons and daughters.

Jehoshaphat's Reforms

⁴ After he had been king for a while, Joash decided to have the Temple repaired.

War against Edom

War with Syria and Israel

⁵ He ordered the priests and the Levites to go to the cities of Judah and collect from all the people enough money to make the annual repairs on the Temple. He told them to act promptly, but the Levites delayed, ⁶ so he called in Jehoiada, their leader, and demanded, “Why haven't you seen to it that the Levites collect from Judah and Jerusalem the tax which Moses, the servant of the Lord, required the people to pay for support of the Tent of the Lord's presence?” ( ⁷ The followers of Athaliah, that corrupt woman, had damaged the Temple and had used many of the sacred objects in the worship of Baal.)

The Book of the Law Is Discovered

⁸ The king ordered the Levites to make a box for contributions and to place it at the Temple gate.

The Prophet Oded

⁹ They sent word throughout Jerusalem and Judah for everyone to bring to the Lord the tax which Moses, God's servant, had first collected in the wilderness.

Queen Athaliah of Judah

Manasseh Repents

¹⁰ This pleased the people and their leaders, and they brought their tax money and filled the box with it. ¹¹ Every day the Levites would take the box to the royal official who was in charge of it. Whenever it was full, the royal secretary and the High Priest's representative would take the money out and return the box to its place. And so they collected a large sum of money. ¹² The king and Jehoiada would give the money to those who were in charge of repairing the Temple, and they hired stonemasons, carpenters, and metalworkers to make the repairs.

Passover Is Celebrated

¹³ All of them worked hard, and they restored the Temple to its original condition, as solid as ever. ¹⁴ When the repairs were finished, the remaining gold and silver was given to the king and Jehoiada, who used it to have bowls and other utensils made for the Temple. As long as Jehoiada was alive, sacrifices were offered regularly at the Temple.

Jehoiada's Policies Are Reversed

¹⁵ After reaching the very old age of a hundred and thirty, he died.

Jehoiada's Reforms

Uzziah Is Punished for His Pride

Ahaz Asks Assyria for Help

¹⁶ They buried him in the royal tombs in David's City in recognition of the service he had done for the people of Israel, for God, and for the Temple.

War against Israel

¹⁷ But once Jehoiada was dead, the leaders of Judah persuaded King Joash to listen to them instead.

The Temple Is Rededicated

The End of Manasseh's Reign

(2 Kings 21.17, 18)

¹⁸ And so the people stopped worshiping in the Temple of the Lord, the God of their ancestors, and began to worship idols and the images of the goddess Asherah. Their guilt for these sins brought the Lord's anger on Judah and Jerusalem. ¹⁹ The Lord sent prophets to warn them to return to him, but the people refused to listen. ²⁰ Then the spirit of God took control of Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest. He stood where the people could see him and called out, “The Lord God asks why you have disobeyed his commands and are bringing disaster on yourselves! You abandoned him, so he has abandoned you!” ^*

King Amon of Judah

²¹ King Joash joined in a conspiracy against Zechariah, and on the king's orders the people stoned Zechariah in the Temple courtyard.

The Sins of Ahaz

²² The king forgot about the loyal service that Zechariah's father Jehoiada had given him, and he had Zechariah killed. As Zechariah was dying, he called out, “May the Lord see what you are doing and punish you!”

The End of Joash's Reign

A Second Celebration

²³ When autumn came that year, the Syrian army attacked Judah and Jerusalem, killed all the leaders, and took large amounts of loot back to Damascus.

Hezekiah's Illness and Pride

²⁴ The Syrian army was small, but the Lord let them defeat a much larger Judean army because the people had abandoned him, the Lord God of their ancestors. In this way King Joash was punished. ²⁵ He was severely wounded, and when the enemy withdrew, two of his officials plotted against him and killed him in his bed to avenge the murder of the son of Jehoiada the priest. He was buried in David's City, but not in the royal tombs. ( ²⁶ Those who plotted against him were Zabad, the son of an Ammonite woman named Shimeath, and Jehozabad, the son of a Moabite woman named Shimrith.)

Hezekiah's Wealth and Splendor

²⁷ The commentary on the book of Kingscontains the stories of the sons of Joash, the prophecies spoken against him, and the record of how he rebuilt the Temple. His son Amaziah succeeded him as king.

The Prophet Micaiah Warns Ahab

A Prophet Reprimands Jehoshaphat

War against Edom

King Ahaziah of Judah

The Revolt against Athaliah

King Joash of Judah

King Amaziah of Judah

King Uzziah of Judah

King Jotham of Judah

King Ahaz of Judah

King Hezekiah of Judah

Preparations for Passover

Hezekiah Reforms Religious Life

The Assyrians Threaten Jerusalem

(2 Kings 18.13-37; 19.14-19,35-37; Isaiah 36.1-22; 37.8-38)

King Manasseh of Judah

King Josiah of Judah

¹ Amaziah became king at the age of twenty-five, and he ruled in Jerusalem for twenty-nine years. His mother was Jehoaddin from Jerusalem.

King Jehoram of Judah

² He did what was pleasing to the Lord, but did it reluctantly.

The Purification of the Temple

Josiah Attacks Pagan Worship

³ As soon as he was firmly in power, he executed the officials who had murdered his father.

Jehoshaphat's Reforms

⁴ He did not, however, execute their children, but followed what the Lord had commanded in the Law of Moses: “Parents are not to be put to death for crimes committed by their children, and children are not to be put to death for crimes committed by their parents; people are to be put to death only for crimes they themselves have committed.”

War against Edom

War with Syria and Israel

⁵ King Amaziah organized all the men of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin into army units, according to the clans they belonged to, and placed officers in command of units of a thousand and units of a hundred. This included all men twenty years of age or older, 300,000 in all. They were picked troops, ready for battle, skilled in using spears and shields. ⁶ In addition, he hired 100,000 soldiers from Israel at a cost of about four tons of silver. ⁷ But a prophet went to the king and said to him, “Don't take these Israelite soldiers with you. The Lord is not with these people from the Northern Kingdom.

The Book of the Law Is Discovered

⁸ You may think that they will make you stronger in battle, but it is God who has the power to give victory or defeat, and he will let your enemies defeat you.”

The Prophet Oded

⁹ Amaziah asked the prophet, “But what about all that silver I have already paid for them?” The prophet replied, “The Lord can give you back more than that!”

Queen Athaliah of Judah

Manasseh Repents

¹⁰ So Amaziah sent the hired troops away and told them to go home. At this they went home, bitterly angry with the people of Judah. ¹¹ Amaziah summoned up his courage and led his army to Salt Valley. There they fought and killed ten thousand Edomite soldiers ¹² and captured another ten thousand. They took the prisoners to the top of the cliff at the city of Sela and threw them off, so that they were killed on the rocks below.

Passover Is Celebrated

¹³ Meanwhile the Israelite soldiers that Amaziah had not allowed to go into battle with him attacked the Judean cities between Samaria and Beth Horon, killed three thousand men, and captured quantities of loot. ¹⁴ When Amaziah returned from defeating the Edomites, he brought their idols back with him, set them up, worshiped them, and burned incense to them.

Jehoiada's Policies Are Reversed

¹⁵ This made the Lord angry, so he sent a prophet to Amaziah. The prophet demanded, “Why have you worshiped foreign gods that could not even save their own people from your power?”

Jehoiada's Reforms

Uzziah Is Punished for His Pride

Ahaz Asks Assyria for Help

¹⁶ “Since when,” Amaziah interrupted, “have we made you adviser to the king? Stop talking, or I'll have you killed!” The prophet stopped, but not before saying, “Now I know that God has decided to destroy you because you have done all this and have ignored my advice.”

War against Israel

¹⁷ King Amaziah of Judah and his advisers plotted against Israel. He then sent a message to King Jehoash of Israel, who was the son of Jehoahaz and grandson of Jehu, challenging him to fight.

The Temple Is Rededicated

The End of Manasseh's Reign

(2 Kings 21.17, 18)

¹⁸ Jehoash sent this answer to Amaziah: “Once a thorn bush in the Lebanon Mountains sent a message to a cedar: ‘Give your daughter in marriage to my son.’ A wild animal passed by and trampled the bush down. ¹⁹ Now Amaziah, you boast that you have defeated the Edomites, but I advise you to stay at home. Why stir up trouble that will only bring disaster on you and your people?” ²⁰ But Amaziah refused to listen. It was God's will for Amaziah to be defeated, because he had worshiped the Edomite idols. ^*

King Amon of Judah

²¹ So King Jehoash of Israel went into battle against King Amaziah of Judah. They met at Beth Shemesh in Judah,

The Sins of Ahaz

²² the Judean army was defeated, and the soldiers fled to their homes.

The End of Joash's Reign

A Second Celebration

²³ Jehoash captured Amaziah and took him to Jerusalem. There he tore down the city wall from Ephraim Gate to the Corner Gate, a distance of two hundred yards.

Hezekiah's Illness and Pride

²⁴ He took back to Samaria as loot all the gold and silver in the Temple, the Temple equipment guarded by the descendants of Obed Edom, and the palace treasures. He also took hostages with him. ²⁵ King Amaziah of Judah outlived King Jehoash of Israel by fifteen years. ²⁶ All the other things that Amaziah did from the beginning to the end of his reign are recorded in The History of the Kings of Judah and Israel.

Hezekiah's Wealth and Splendor

²⁷ Ever since the time when he rebelled against the Lord, there had been a plot against him in Jerusalem. Finally he fled to the city of Lachish, but his enemies followed him there and killed him.

The Death of Ahab

²⁸ His body was carried to Jerusalem on a horse, and he was buried in the royal tombs in David's City.

The Prophet Micaiah Warns Ahab

A Prophet Reprimands Jehoshaphat

War against Edom

King Ahaziah of Judah

The Revolt against Athaliah

King Joash of Judah

King Amaziah of Judah

King Uzziah of Judah

King Jotham of Judah

King Ahaz of Judah

King Hezekiah of Judah

Preparations for Passover

Hezekiah Reforms Religious Life

The Assyrians Threaten Jerusalem

(2 Kings 18.13-37; 19.14-19,35-37; Isaiah 36.1-22; 37.8-38)

King Manasseh of Judah

King Josiah of Judah

¹ All the people of Judah chose Amaziah's sixteen-year-old son Uzziah to succeed his father as king. (

King Jehoram of Judah

² It was after the death of Amaziah that Uzziah recaptured Elath and rebuilt the city.)

The Purification of the Temple

Josiah Attacks Pagan Worship

³ Uzziah became king at the age of sixteen, and he ruled in Jerusalem for fifty-two years. His mother was Jecoliah from Jerusalem.

Jehoshaphat's Reforms

⁴ Following the example of his father, he did what was pleasing to the Lord.

War against Edom

War with Syria and Israel

⁵ As long as Zechariah, his religious adviser, was living, he served the Lord faithfully, and God blessed him. ⁶ Uzziah went to war against the Philistines. He tore down the walls of the cities of Gath, Jamnia, and Ashdod, and built fortified cities near Ashdod and in the rest of Philistia. ⁷ God helped him defeat the Philistines, the Arabs living at Gurbaal, and the Meunites.

The Book of the Law Is Discovered

⁸ The Ammonites paid tribute to Uzziah, and he became so powerful that his fame spread even to Egypt.

The Prophet Oded

⁹ Uzziah strengthened the fortifications of Jerusalem by building towers at the Corner Gate, at the Valley Gate, and where the wall turned.

Queen Athaliah of Judah

Manasseh Repents

¹⁰ He also built fortified towers in the open country and dug many cisterns, because he had large herds of livestock in the western foothills and plains. Because he loved farming, he encouraged the people to plant vineyards in the hill country and to farm the fertile land. ¹¹ He had a large army ready for battle. Its records were kept by his secretaries Jeiel and Maaseiah under the supervision of Hananiah, a member of the king's staff. ¹² The army was commanded by 2,600 officers.

Passover Is Celebrated

¹³ Under them were 307,500 soldiers able to fight effectively for the king against his enemies. ¹⁴ Uzziah supplied the army with shields, spears, helmets, coats of armor, bows and arrows, and stones for slinging.

Jehoiada's Policies Are Reversed

¹⁵ In Jerusalem his inventors made equipment for shooting arrows and for throwing large stones from the towers and corners of the city wall. His fame spread everywhere, and he became very powerful because of the help he received from God.

Jehoiada's Reforms

Uzziah Is Punished for His Pride

Ahaz Asks Assyria for Help

¹⁶ But when King Uzziah became strong, he grew arrogant, and that led to his downfall. He defied the Lord his God by going into the Temple to burn incense on the altar of incense.

War against Israel

¹⁷ Azariah the priest, accompanied by eighty strong and courageous priests, followed the king

The Temple Is Rededicated

The End of Manasseh's Reign

(2 Kings 21.17, 18)

¹⁸ to resist him. They said, “Uzziah! You have no right to burn incense to the Lord. Only the priests who are descended from Aaron have been consecrated to do this. Leave this holy place. You have offended the Lord God, and you no longer have his blessing.” ¹⁹ Uzziah was standing there in the Temple beside the incense altar and was holding an incense burner. He became angry with the priests, and immediately a dreaded skin disease broke out on his forehead. ²⁰ Azariah and the other priests stared at the king's forehead in horror and then forced him to leave the Temple. He hurried to get out, because the Lord had punished him. ^*

King Amon of Judah

²¹ For the rest of his life King Uzziah was ritually unclean because of his disease. Unable to enter the Temple again, he lived in his own house, relieved of all duties, while his son Jotham governed the country.

The Sins of Ahaz

²² The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz recorded all the other things that King Uzziah did during his reign.

The End of Joash's Reign

A Second Celebration

²³ Uzziah died and was buried in the royal burial ground, but because of his disease he was not buried in the royal tombs. His son Jotham succeeded him as king.

The Prophet Micaiah Warns Ahab

A Prophet Reprimands Jehoshaphat

War against Edom

King Ahaziah of Judah

The Revolt against Athaliah

King Joash of Judah

King Amaziah of Judah

King Uzziah of Judah

King Jotham of Judah

King Ahaz of Judah

King Hezekiah of Judah

Preparations for Passover

Hezekiah Reforms Religious Life

The Assyrians Threaten Jerusalem

(2 Kings 18.13-37; 19.14-19,35-37; Isaiah 36.1-22; 37.8-38)

King Manasseh of Judah

King Josiah of Judah

¹ Jotham became king at the age of twenty-five, and he ruled in Jerusalem for sixteen years. His mother was Jerushah, the daughter of Zadok.

King Jehoram of Judah

² He did what was pleasing to the Lord, just as his father had done; but unlike his father he did not sin by burning incense in the Temple. The people, however, went on sinning.

The Purification of the Temple

Josiah Attacks Pagan Worship

³ It was Jotham who built the North Gate of the Temple and did extensive work on the city wall in the area of Jerusalem called Ophel.

Jehoshaphat's Reforms

⁴ In the mountains of Judah he built cities, and in the forests he built forts and towers.

War against Edom

War with Syria and Israel

⁵ He fought against the king of Ammon and his army and defeated them. Then he forced the Ammonites to pay him the following tribute each year for three years: four tons of silver, fifty thousand bushels of wheat, and fifty thousand bushels of barley. ⁶ Jotham grew powerful because he faithfully obeyed the Lord his God. ⁷ The other events of Jotham's reign, his wars, and his policies, are all recorded in The History of the Kings of Israel and Judah.

The Book of the Law Is Discovered

⁸ Jotham was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he ruled in Jerusalem for sixteen years.

The Prophet Oded

⁹ He died and was buried in David's City and his son Ahaz succeeded him as king.

The Prophet Micaiah Warns Ahab

A Prophet Reprimands Jehoshaphat

War against Edom

King Ahaziah of Judah

The Revolt against Athaliah

King Joash of Judah

King Amaziah of Judah

King Uzziah of Judah

King Jotham of Judah

King Ahaz of Judah

King Hezekiah of Judah

Preparations for Passover

Hezekiah Reforms Religious Life

The Assyrians Threaten Jerusalem

(2 Kings 18.13-37; 19.14-19,35-37; Isaiah 36.1-22; 37.8-38)

King Manasseh of Judah

King Josiah of Judah

¹ Ahaz became king at the age of twenty, and he ruled in Jerusalem for sixteen years. He did not follow the good example of his ancestor King David; instead, he did what was not pleasing to the Lord

King Jehoram of Judah

² and followed the example of the kings of Israel. He had metal images of Baal made,

The Purification of the Temple

Josiah Attacks Pagan Worship

³ burned incense in Hinnom Valley, and even sacrificed his own sons as burnt offerings to idols, imitating the disgusting practice of the people whom the Lord had driven out of the land as the Israelites advanced.

Jehoshaphat's Reforms

⁴ At the pagan places of worship, on the hills, and under every shady tree Ahaz offered sacrifices and burned incense.

War against Edom

War with Syria and Israel

⁵ -6 Because King Ahaz sinned, the Lord his God let the king of Syria defeat him and take a large number of Judeans back to Damascus as prisoners. The Lord also let the king of Israel, Pekah son of Remaliah, defeat Ahaz and kill 120,000 of the bravest Judean soldiers in one day. The Lord, the God of their ancestors, permitted this to happen, because the people of Judah had abandoned him. ⁷ An Israelite soldier named Zichri killed King Ahaz' son Maaseiah, the palace administrator Azrikam, and Elkanah, who was second in command to the king.

The Book of the Law Is Discovered

⁸ Even though the Judeans were their own relatives, the Israelite army captured 200,000 women and children as prisoners and took them back to Samaria, along with large amounts of loot.

The Prophet Oded

⁹ A man named Oded, a prophet of the Lord, lived in the city of Samaria. He met the returning Israelite army with its Judean prisoners as it was about to enter the city, and he said, “The Lord God of your ancestors was angry with Judah and let you defeat them, but now he has heard of the vicious way you slaughtered them.

Queen Athaliah of Judah

Manasseh Repents

¹⁰ And now you intend to make the men and women of Jerusalem and Judah your slaves. Don't you know that you also have committed sins against the Lord your God? ¹¹ Listen to me! These prisoners are your brothers and sisters. Let them go, or the Lord will punish you in his anger.” ¹² Four of the leading men of the Northern Kingdom, Azariah son of Jehohanan, Berechiah son of Meshillemoth, Jehizkiah son of Shallum, and Amasa son of Hadlai also opposed the actions of the army.

Passover Is Celebrated

¹³ They said, “Don't bring those prisoners here! We have already sinned against the Lord and made him angry enough to punish us. Now you want to do something that will increase our guilt.” ¹⁴ So then the army handed the prisoners and the loot over to the people and their leaders,

Jehoiada's Policies Are Reversed

¹⁵ and the four men were appointed to provide the prisoners with clothing from the captured loot. They gave them clothes and sandals to wear, gave them enough to eat and drink, and put olive oil on their wounds. Those who were too weak to walk were put on donkeys, and all the prisoners were taken back to Judean territory at Jericho, the city of palm trees. Then the Israelites returned home to Samaria.

Jehoiada's Reforms

Uzziah Is Punished for His Pride

Ahaz Asks Assyria for Help

¹⁶ -17 The Edomites began to raid Judah again and captured many prisoners, so King Ahaz asked Tiglath Pileser, the emperor of Assyria, to send help.

The Temple Is Rededicated

The End of Manasseh's Reign

(2 Kings 21.17, 18)

¹⁸ At this same time the Philistines were raiding the towns in the western foothills and in southern Judah. They captured the cities of Beth Shemesh, Aijalon, and Gederoth, and the cities of Soco, Timnah, and Gimzo with their villages, and settled there permanently. ¹⁹ Because King Ahaz of Judah had violated the rights of his people and had defied the Lord, the Lord brought troubles on Judah. ²⁰ The Assyrian emperor, instead of helping Ahaz, opposed him and caused him trouble. ^*

King Amon of Judah

²¹ So Ahaz took the gold from the Temple, the palace, and the homes of the leaders of the people, and gave it to the emperor, but even this did not help.

The Sins of Ahaz

²² When his troubles were at their worst, that man Ahaz sinned against the Lord more than ever.

The End of Joash's Reign

A Second Celebration

²³ He offered sacrifices to the gods of the Syrians, who had defeated him. He said, “The Syrian gods helped the kings of Syria, so if I sacrifice to them, they may help me too.” This brought disaster on him and on his nation.

Hezekiah's Illness and Pride

²⁴ In addition, he took all the Temple equipment and broke it in pieces. He closed the Temple and set up altars in every part of Jerusalem. ²⁵ In every city and town in Judah he built pagan places of worship, where incense was to be burned to foreign gods. In this way he brought on himself the anger of the Lord, the God of his ancestors. ²⁶ All the other events of his reign, from beginning to end, are recorded in The History of the Kings of Judah and Israel.

Hezekiah's Wealth and Splendor

²⁷ King Ahaz died and was buried in Jerusalem, but not in the royal tombs. His son Hezekiah succeeded him as king.

The Prophet Micaiah Warns Ahab

A Prophet Reprimands Jehoshaphat

War against Edom

King Ahaziah of Judah

The Revolt against Athaliah

King Joash of Judah

King Amaziah of Judah

King Uzziah of Judah

King Jotham of Judah

King Ahaz of Judah

King Hezekiah of Judah

Preparations for Passover

Hezekiah Reforms Religious Life

The Assyrians Threaten Jerusalem

(2 Kings 18.13-37; 19.14-19,35-37; Isaiah 36.1-22; 37.8-38)

King Manasseh of Judah

King Josiah of Judah

¹ Hezekiah became king of Judah at the age of twenty-five, and he ruled in Jerusalem for twenty-nine years. His mother was Abijah, the daughter of Zechariah.

King Jehoram of Judah

² Following the example of his ancestor King David, he did what was pleasing to the Lord.

The Purification of the Temple

Josiah Attacks Pagan Worship

³ In the first month of the year after Hezekiah became king, he reopened the gates of the Temple and had them repaired.

Jehoshaphat's Reforms

⁴ He assembled a group of priests and Levites in the east courtyard of the Temple

War against Edom

War with Syria and Israel

⁵ and spoke to them there. He said, “You Levites are to consecrate yourselves and purify the Temple of the Lord, the God of your ancestors. Remove from the Temple everything that defiles it. ⁶ Our ancestors were unfaithful to the Lord our God and did what was displeasing to him. They abandoned him and turned their backs on the place where he dwells. ⁷ They closed the doors of the Temple, let the lamps go out, and failed to burn incense or offer burnt offerings in the Temple of the God of Israel.

The Book of the Law Is Discovered

⁸ Because of this the Lord has been angry with Judah and Jerusalem, and what he has done to them has shocked and frightened everyone. You know this very well.

The Prophet Oded

⁹ Our fathers were killed in battle, and our wives and children have been taken away as prisoners.

Queen Athaliah of Judah

Manasseh Repents

¹⁰ “I have now decided to make a covenant with the Lord, the God of Israel, so that he will no longer be angry with us. ¹¹ My sons, do not lose any time. You are the ones that the Lord has chosen to burn incense to him and to lead the people in worshiping him.” ¹² -14 The following Levites were there:
From the clan of Kohath, Mahath son of Amasai and Joel son of Azariah
From the clan of Merari, Kish son of Abdi and Azariah son of Jehallelel
From the clan of Gershon, Joah son of Zimmah and Eden son of Joah
From the clan of Elizaphan, Shimri and Jeuel
From the clan of Asaph, Zechariah and Mattaniah
From the clan of Heman, Jehuel and Shimei
From the clan of Jeduthun, Shemaiah and Uzziel

Jehoiada's Policies Are Reversed

¹⁵ These men assembled their fellow Levites, and they all made themselves ritually clean. Then, as the king had commanded them to do, they began to make the Temple ritually clean, according to the Law of the Lord.

Jehoiada's Reforms

Uzziah Is Punished for His Pride

Ahaz Asks Assyria for Help

¹⁶ The priests went inside the Temple to purify it, and they carried out into the Temple courtyard everything that was ritually unclean. From there the Levites took it all outside the city to Kidron Valley.

War against Israel

¹⁷ The work was begun on the first day of the first month, and by the eighth day they had finished it all, including the entrance room to the Temple. Then they worked for the next eight days, until the sixteenth of the month, preparing the Temple for worship.

The Temple Is Rededicated

The End of Manasseh's Reign

(2 Kings 21.17, 18)

¹⁸ The Levites made the following report to King Hezekiah: “We have completed the ritual purification of the whole Temple, including the altar for burnt offerings, the table for the sacred bread, and all their equipment. ¹⁹ We have also brought back all the equipment which King Ahaz took away during those years he was unfaithful to God, and we have rededicated it. It is all in front of the Lord's altar.” ²⁰ Without delay King Hezekiah assembled the leading men of the city, and together they went to the Temple. ^*

King Amon of Judah

²¹ As an offering to take away the sins of the royal family and of the people of Judah and to purify the Temple, they took seven bulls, seven sheep, seven lambs, and seven goats. The king told the priests, who were descendants of Aaron, to offer the animals as sacrifices on the altar.

The Sins of Ahaz

²² The priests killed the bulls first, then the sheep, and then the lambs, and sprinkled the blood of each sacrifice on the altar.

The End of Joash's Reign

A Second Celebration

²³ Finally they took the goats to the king and to the other worshipers, who laid their hands on them.

Hezekiah's Illness and Pride

²⁴ Then the priests killed the goats and poured their blood on the altar as a sacrifice to take away the sin of all the people, for the king had commanded that burnt offerings and sin offerings be made for all Israel. ²⁵ The king followed the instructions that the Lord had given to King David through Gad, the king's prophet, and through the prophet Nathan; he stationed Levites in the Temple, with harps and cymbals, ²⁶ instruments like those that King David had used. The priests also stood there with trumpets.

Hezekiah's Wealth and Splendor

²⁷ Hezekiah gave the order for the burnt offering to be presented; and as the offering began, the people sang praise to the Lord, and the musicians began to play the trumpets and all the other instruments.

The Death of Ahab

²⁸ Everyone who was there joined in worship, and the singing and the rest of the music continued until all the sacrifices had been burned.

Josiah Makes a Covenant to Obey the \nd Lord\nd*

²⁹ Then King Hezekiah and all the people knelt down and worshiped God. ³⁰ The king and the leaders of the nation told the Levites to sing to the Lord the songs of praise that were written by David and by Asaph the prophet. So everyone sang with great joy as they knelt and worshiped God.

The End of Jehoshaphat's Reign

³¹ Hezekiah said to the people, “Now that you are ritually clean, bring sacrifices as offerings of thanksgiving to the Lord.” They obeyed, and some of them also voluntarily brought animals to be sacrificed as burnt offerings. ^*

The End of Hezekiah's Reign

(2 Kings 20.20, 21)

³² They brought 70 bulls, 100 sheep, and 200 lambs as burnt offerings for the Lord; ³³ they also brought 600 bulls and 3,000 sheep as sacrifices for the people to eat. ³⁴ Since there were not enough priests to kill all these animals, the Levites helped them until the work was finished. By then more priests had made themselves ritually clean. (The Levites were more faithful in keeping ritually clean than the priests were.) ³⁵ In addition to offering the sacrifices that were burned whole, the priests were responsible for burning the fat that was offered from the sacrifices which the people ate, and for pouring out the wine that was presented with the burnt offerings. And so worship in the Temple was begun again. ³⁶ King Hezekiah and the people were happy, because God had helped them to do all this so quickly.

The Prophet Micaiah Warns Ahab

A Prophet Reprimands Jehoshaphat

War against Edom

King Ahaziah of Judah

The Revolt against Athaliah

King Joash of Judah

King Amaziah of Judah

King Uzziah of Judah

King Jotham of Judah

King Ahaz of Judah

King Hezekiah of Judah

Preparations for Passover

Hezekiah Reforms Religious Life

The Assyrians Threaten Jerusalem

(2 Kings 18.13-37; 19.14-19,35-37; Isaiah 36.1-22; 37.8-38)

King Manasseh of Judah

King Josiah of Judah

¹ -3 The people had not been able to celebrate the Passover Festival at the proper time in the first month, because not enough priests were ritually clean and not many people had assembled in Jerusalem. So King Hezekiah, his officials, and the people of Jerusalem agreed to celebrate it in the second month, and the king sent word to all the people of Israel and Judah. He took special care to send letters to the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, inviting them to come to the Temple in Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover in honor of the Lord, the God of Israel.

Jehoshaphat's Reforms

⁴ The king and the people were pleased with their plan,

War against Edom

War with Syria and Israel

⁵ so they invited all the Israelites, from Dan in the north to Beersheba in the south, to come together in Jerusalem and celebrate the Passover according to the Law, in larger numbers than ever before. ⁶ Messengers went out at the command of the king and his officials through all Judah and Israel with the following invitation: “People of Israel, you have survived the Assyrian conquest of the land. Now return to the Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and he will return to you. ⁷ Do not be like your ancestors and your Israelite relatives who were unfaithful to the Lord their God. As you can see, he punished them severely.

The Book of the Law Is Discovered

⁸ Do not be stubborn as they were, but obey the Lord. Come to the Temple in Jerusalem, which the Lord your God has made holy forever, and worship him so that he will no longer be angry with you.

The Prophet Oded

⁹ If you return to the Lord, then those who have taken your relatives away as prisoners will take pity on them and let them come back home. The Lord your God is kind and merciful, and if you return to him, he will accept you.”

Queen Athaliah of Judah

Manasseh Repents

¹⁰ The messengers went to every city in the territory of the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, and as far north as the tribe of Zebulun, but people laughed at them and made fun of them. ¹¹ Still, there were some from the tribes of Asher, Manasseh, and Zebulun who were willing to come to Jerusalem. ¹² God was also at work in Judah and united the people in their determination to obey his will by following the commands of the king and his officials.

Passover Is Celebrated

¹³ A great number of people gathered in Jerusalem in the second month to celebrate the Festival of Unleavened Bread. ¹⁴ They took all the altars that had been used in Jerusalem for offering sacrifices and burning incense and threw them into Kidron Valley.

Jehoiada's Policies Are Reversed

¹⁵ And on the fourteenth day of the month they killed the lambs for the Passover sacrifice. The priests and Levites who were not ritually clean became so ashamed that they dedicated themselves to the Lord, and now they could sacrifice burnt offerings in the Temple.

Jehoiada's Reforms

Uzziah Is Punished for His Pride

Ahaz Asks Assyria for Help

¹⁶ They took their places in the Temple according to the instructions in the Law of Moses, the man of God. The Levites gave the blood of the sacrifices to the priests, who sprinkled it on the altar.

War against Israel

¹⁷ Because many of the people were not ritually clean, they could not kill the Passover lambs, so the Levites did it for them and dedicated the lambs to the Lord.

The Temple Is Rededicated

The End of Manasseh's Reign

(2 Kings 21.17, 18)

¹⁸ In addition, many of those who had come from the tribes of Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun had not performed the ritual of purification, and so they were observing Passover improperly. King Hezekiah offered this prayer for them: ¹⁹ “O Lord, the God of our ancestors, in your goodness forgive those who are worshiping you with all their heart, even though they are not ritually clean.” ²⁰ The Lord answered Hezekiah's prayer; he forgave the people and did not harm them. ^*

King Amon of Judah

²¹ For seven days the people who had gathered in Jerusalem celebrated the Festival of Unleavened Bread with great joy, and day after day the Levites and the priests praised the Lord with all their strength.

The Sins of Ahaz

²² Hezekiah praised the Levites for their skill in conducting the worship of the Lord. After the seven days during which they offered sacrifices in praise of the Lord, the God of their ancestors,

The End of Joash's Reign

A Second Celebration

²³ they all decided to celebrate for another seven days. So they celebrated with joy.

Hezekiah's Illness and Pride

²⁴ King Hezekiah contributed 1,000 bulls and 7,000 sheep for the people to kill and eat, and the officials gave them another 1,000 bulls and 10,000 sheep. A large number of priests went through the ritual of purification. ²⁵ So everyone was happy—the people of Judah, the priests, the Levites, the people who had come from the north, and the foreigners who had settled permanently in Israel and Judah. ²⁶ The city of Jerusalem was filled with joy, because nothing like this had happened since the days of King Solomon, the son of David.

Hezekiah's Wealth and Splendor

²⁷ The priests and the Levites asked the Lord's blessing on the people. In his home in heaven God heard their prayers and accepted them.

The Prophet Micaiah Warns Ahab

A Prophet Reprimands Jehoshaphat

War against Edom

King Ahaziah of Judah

The Revolt against Athaliah

King Joash of Judah

King Amaziah of Judah

King Uzziah of Judah

King Jotham of Judah

King Ahaz of Judah

King Hezekiah of Judah

Preparations for Passover

Hezekiah Reforms Religious Life

The Assyrians Threaten Jerusalem

(2 Kings 18.13-37; 19.14-19,35-37; Isaiah 36.1-22; 37.8-38)

King Manasseh of Judah

King Josiah of Judah

¹ After the festival ended, all the people of Israel went to every city in Judah and broke the stone pillars, cut down the symbols of the goddess Asherah, and destroyed the altars and the pagan places of worship. They did the same thing throughout the rest of Judah, and the territories of Benjamin, Ephraim, and Manasseh; then they all returned home.

King Jehoram of Judah

² King Hezekiah reestablished the organization of the priests and Levites, under which they each had specific duties. These included offering the burnt offerings and the fellowship offerings, taking part in the Temple worship, and giving praise and thanks in the various parts of the Temple.

The Purification of the Temple

Josiah Attacks Pagan Worship

³ From his own flocks and herds he provided animals for the burnt offerings each morning and evening, and for those offered on the Sabbath, at the New Moon Festival, and at the other festivals which are required by the Law of the Lord.

Jehoshaphat's Reforms

⁴ In addition, the king told the people of Jerusalem to bring the offerings to which the priests and the Levites were entitled, so that they could give all their time to the requirements of the Law of the Lord.

War against Edom

War with Syria and Israel

⁵ As soon as the order was given, the people of Israel brought gifts of their finest grain, wine, olive oil, honey, and other farm produce, and they also brought the tithes of everything they had. ⁶ All the people who lived in the cities of Judah brought tithes of their cattle and sheep, and they also brought large quantities of gifts which they dedicated to the Lord their God. ⁷ The gifts started arriving in the third month and continued to pile up for the next four months.

The Book of the Law Is Discovered

⁸ When King Hezekiah and his officials saw how much had been given, they praised the Lord and praised his people Israel.

The Prophet Oded

⁹ The king spoke to the priests and the Levites about these gifts,

Queen Athaliah of Judah

Manasseh Repents

¹⁰ and Azariah the High Priest, a descendant of Zadok, said to him, “Since the people started bringing their gifts to the Temple, there has been enough to eat and a large surplus besides. We have all this because the Lord has blessed his people.” ¹¹ On the king's orders they prepared storerooms in the Temple area ¹² and put all the gifts and tithes in them for safekeeping. They placed a Levite named Conaniah in charge and made his brother Shimei his assistant.

Passover Is Celebrated

¹³ Ten Levites were assigned to work under them: Jehiel, Azaziah, Nahath, Asahel, Jerimoth, Jozabad, Eliel, Ismachiah, Mahath, and Benaiah. All this was done under the authority of King Hezekiah and Azariah the High Priest. ¹⁴ Kore son of Imnah, a Levite who was chief guard at the East Gate of the Temple, was in charge of receiving the gifts offered to the Lord and of distributing them.

Jehoiada's Policies Are Reversed

¹⁵ In the other cities where priests lived, he was faithfully assisted in this by other Levites: Eden, Miniamin, Jeshua, Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah. They distributed the food equally to their fellow Levites according to what their duties were,

Jehoiada's Reforms

Uzziah Is Punished for His Pride

Ahaz Asks Assyria for Help

¹⁶ and not by clans. They gave a share to all males thirty years of age or older who had daily responsibilities in the Temple in accordance with their positions.

War against Israel

¹⁷ The priests were assigned their duties by clans, and the Levites twenty years of age or older were assigned theirs by work groups.

The Temple Is Rededicated

The End of Manasseh's Reign

(2 Kings 21.17, 18)

¹⁸ They were all registered together with their wives, children, and other dependents, because they were required to be ready to perform their sacred duties at any time. ¹⁹ Among the priests who lived in the cities assigned to Aaron's descendants or in the pasture lands belonging to these cities, there were responsible men who distributed the food to all the males in the priestly families and to everyone who was on the rolls of the Levite clans. ²⁰ Throughout all Judah, King Hezekiah did what was right and what was pleasing to the Lord his God. ^*

King Amon of Judah

²¹ He was successful, because everything he did for the Temple or in observance of the Law, he did in a spirit of complete loyalty and devotion to his God.

The Prophet Micaiah Warns Ahab

A Prophet Reprimands Jehoshaphat

War against Edom

King Ahaziah of Judah

The Revolt against Athaliah

King Joash of Judah

King Amaziah of Judah

King Uzziah of Judah

King Jotham of Judah

King Ahaz of Judah

King Hezekiah of Judah

Preparations for Passover

Hezekiah Reforms Religious Life

The Assyrians Threaten Jerusalem

(2 Kings 18.13-37; 19.14-19,35-37; Isaiah 36.1-22; 37.8-38)

King Manasseh of Judah

King Josiah of Judah

¹ After these events, in which King Hezekiah served the Lord faithfully, Sennacherib, the emperor of Assyria, invaded Judah. He besieged the fortified cities and gave orders for his army to break their way through the walls.

King Jehoram of Judah

² When Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib intended to attack Jerusalem also,

The Purification of the Temple

Josiah Attacks Pagan Worship

³ -4 he and his officials decided to cut off the supply of water outside the city in order to keep the Assyrians from having any water when they got near Jerusalem. The officials led a large number of people out and stopped up all the springs, so that no more water flowed out of them.

War against Edom

War with Syria and Israel

⁵ The king strengthened the city's defenses by repairing the wall, building towers on it, and building an outer wall. In addition, he repaired the defenses built on the land that was filled in on the east side of the old part of Jerusalem. He also had a large number of spears and shields made. ⁶ He placed all the men in the city under the command of army officers and had them assemble in the open square at the city gate. He said to them, ⁷ “Be determined and confident, and don't be afraid of the Assyrian emperor or of the army he is leading. We have more power on our side than he has on his.

The Book of the Law Is Discovered

⁸ He has human power, but we have the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles.” The people were encouraged by these words of their king.

The Prophet Oded

⁹ Some time later, while Sennacherib and his army were still at Lachish, he sent the following message to Hezekiah and the people of Judah who were with him in Jerusalem:

Queen Athaliah of Judah

Manasseh Repents

¹⁰ “I, Sennacherib, Emperor of Assyria, ask what gives you people the confidence to remain in Jerusalem under siege. ¹¹ Hezekiah tells you that the Lord your God will save you from our power, but Hezekiah is deceiving you and will let you die of hunger and thirst. ¹² He is the one who destroyed the Lord's shrines and altars and then told the people of Judah and Jerusalem to worship and burn incense at one altar only.

Passover Is Celebrated

¹³ Don't you know what my ancestors and I have done to the people of other nations? Did the gods of any other nation save their people from the emperor of Assyria? ¹⁴ When did any of the gods of all those countries ever save their country from us? Then what makes you think that your god can save you?

Jehoiada's Policies Are Reversed

¹⁵ Now don't let Hezekiah deceive you or mislead you like that. Don't believe him! No god of any nation has ever been able to save his people from any Assyrian emperor. So certainly this god of yours can't save you!”

Jehoiada's Reforms

Uzziah Is Punished for His Pride

Ahaz Asks Assyria for Help

¹⁶ The Assyrian officials said even worse things about the Lord God and Hezekiah, the Lord's servant.

War against Israel

¹⁷ The letter that the emperor wrote defied the Lord, the God of Israel. It said, “The gods of the nations have not saved their people from my power, and neither will Hezekiah's god save his people from me.”

The Temple Is Rededicated

The End of Manasseh's Reign

(2 Kings 21.17, 18)

¹⁸ The officials shouted this in Hebrew in order to frighten and discourage the people of Jerusalem who were on the city wall, so that it would be easier to capture the city. ¹⁹ They talked about the God of Jerusalem in the same way that they talked about the gods of the other peoples, idols made by human hands. ²⁰ Then King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz prayed to God and cried out to him for help. ^*

King Amon of Judah

²¹ The Lord sent an angel that killed the soldiers and officers of the Assyrian army. So the emperor went back to Assyria disgraced. One day when he was in the temple of his god, some of his sons killed him with their swords.

The Sins of Ahaz

²² In this way the Lord rescued King Hezekiah and the people of Jerusalem from the power of Sennacherib, the emperor of Assyria, and also from their other enemies. He let the people live in peace with all the neighboring countries.

The End of Joash's Reign

A Second Celebration

²³ Many people came to Jerusalem, bringing offerings to the Lord and gifts to Hezekiah, so that from then on all the nations held Hezekiah in honor.

Hezekiah's Illness and Pride

²⁴ About this time King Hezekiah became sick and almost died. He prayed, and the Lord gave him a sign that he would recover. ²⁵ But Hezekiah was too proud to show gratitude for what the Lord had done for him, and Judah and Jerusalem suffered for it. ²⁶ Finally, however, Hezekiah and the people of Jerusalem humbled themselves, and so the Lord did not punish the people until after Hezekiah's death.

Hezekiah's Wealth and Splendor

²⁷ King Hezekiah became very wealthy, and everyone held him in honor. He had storerooms built for his gold, silver, precious stones, spices, shields, and other valuable objects.

The Death of Ahab

²⁸ In addition, he had storehouses built for his grain, wine, and olive oil; barns for his cattle; and pens for his sheep.

Josiah Makes a Covenant to Obey the \nd Lord\nd*

²⁹ Besides all this, God gave him sheep and cattle and so much other wealth that he built many cities. ³⁰ It was King Hezekiah who blocked the outlet for Gihon Spring and channeled the water to flow through a tunnel to a point inside the walls of Jerusalem. Hezekiah succeeded in everything he did,

The End of Jehoshaphat's Reign

³¹ and even when the Babylonian ambassadors came to inquire about the unusual event that had happened in the land, God let Hezekiah go his own way only in order to test his character. ^*

The End of Hezekiah's Reign

(2 Kings 20.20, 21)

³² Everything else that King Hezekiah did and his devotion to the Lord are recorded in The Vision of the Prophet Isaiah Son of Amozand in The History of the Kings of Judah and Israel. ³³ Hezekiah died and was buried in the upper section of the royal tombs. All the people of Judah and Jerusalem paid him great honor at his death. His son Manasseh succeeded him as king.

The Prophet Micaiah Warns Ahab

A Prophet Reprimands Jehoshaphat

War against Edom

King Ahaziah of Judah

The Revolt against Athaliah

King Joash of Judah

King Amaziah of Judah

King Uzziah of Judah

King Jotham of Judah

King Ahaz of Judah

King Hezekiah of Judah

Preparations for Passover

Hezekiah Reforms Religious Life

The Assyrians Threaten Jerusalem

(2 Kings 18.13-37; 19.14-19,35-37; Isaiah 36.1-22; 37.8-38)

King Manasseh of Judah

King Josiah of Judah

¹ Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king of Judah, and he ruled in Jerusalem for fifty-five years.

King Jehoram of Judah

² Following the disgusting practices of the nations whom the Lord had driven out of the land as his people advanced, Manasseh sinned against the Lord.

The Purification of the Temple

Josiah Attacks Pagan Worship

³ He rebuilt the pagan places of worship that his father Hezekiah had destroyed. He built altars for the worship of Baal, made images of the goddess Asherah, and worshiped the stars.

Jehoshaphat's Reforms

⁴ He built pagan altars in the Temple, the place that the Lord had said was where he should be worshiped forever.

War against Edom

War with Syria and Israel

⁵ In the two courtyards of the Temple he built altars for the worship of the stars. ⁶ He sacrificed his sons in Hinnom Valley as burnt offerings. He practiced divination and magic and consulted fortunetellers and mediums. He sinned greatly against the Lord and stirred up his anger. ⁷ He placed an image in the Temple, the place about which God had said to David and his son Solomon: “Here in Jerusalem, in this Temple, is the place that I have chosen out of all the territory of the twelve tribes of Israel as the place where I am to be worshiped.

The Book of the Law Is Discovered

⁸ And if the people of Israel will obey all my commands and keep the whole Law that my servant Moses gave them, then I will not allow them to be driven out of the land that I gave to their ancestors.”

The Prophet Oded

⁹ Manasseh led the people of Judah to commit even greater sins than those committed by the nations whom the Lord had driven out of the land as his people advanced.

Queen Athaliah of Judah

Manasseh Repents

¹⁰ Although the Lord warned Manasseh and his people, they refused to listen. ¹¹ So the Lord let the commanders of the Assyrian army invade Judah. They captured Manasseh, stuck hooks in him, put him in chains, and took him to Babylon. ¹² In his suffering he became humble, turned to the Lord his God, and begged him for help.

Passover Is Celebrated

¹³ God accepted Manasseh's prayer and answered it by letting him go back to Jerusalem and rule again. This convinced Manasseh that the Lord was God. ¹⁴ After this, Manasseh increased the height of the outer wall on the east side of David's City, from a point in the valley near Gihon Spring north to the Fish Gate and the area of the city called Ophel. He also stationed an army officer in command of a unit of troops in each of the fortified cities of Judah.

Jehoiada's Policies Are Reversed

¹⁵ He removed from the Temple the foreign gods and the image that he had placed there, and the pagan altars that were on the hill where the Temple stood and in other places in Jerusalem; he took all these things outside the city and threw them away.

Jehoiada's Reforms

Uzziah Is Punished for His Pride

Ahaz Asks Assyria for Help

¹⁶ He also repaired the altar where the Lord was worshiped, and he sacrificed fellowship offerings and thanksgiving offerings on it. He commanded all the people of Judah to worship the Lord, the God of Israel.

War against Israel

¹⁷ Although the people continued to offer sacrifices at other places of worship, they offered them only to the Lord.

The Temple Is Rededicated

The End of Manasseh's Reign

(2 Kings 21.17, 18)

¹⁸ Everything else that Manasseh did, the prayer he made to his God, and the messages of the prophets who spoke to him in the name of the Lord, the God of Israel, are all recorded in The History of the Kings of Israel. ¹⁹ The king's prayer and God's answer to it, and an account of the sins he committed before he repented—the evil he did, the pagan places of worship and the symbols of the goddess Asherah that he made and the idols that he worshiped—are all recorded in The History of the Prophets. ²⁰ Manasseh died and was buried at the palace, and his son Amon succeeded him as king. ^*

King Amon of Judah

²¹ Amon was twenty-two years old when he became king of Judah, and he ruled in Jerusalem for two years.

The Sins of Ahaz

²² Like his father Manasseh, he sinned against the Lord, and he worshiped the idols that his father had worshiped.

The End of Joash's Reign

A Second Celebration

²³ But unlike his father, he did not become humble and turn to the Lord; he was even more sinful than his father had been.

Hezekiah's Illness and Pride

²⁴ Amon's officials plotted against him and assassinated him in the palace. ²⁵ The people of Judah killed Amon's assassins and made his son Josiah king.

The Prophet Micaiah Warns Ahab

A Prophet Reprimands Jehoshaphat

War against Edom

King Ahaziah of Judah

The Revolt against Athaliah

King Joash of Judah

King Amaziah of Judah

King Uzziah of Judah

King Jotham of Judah

King Ahaz of Judah

King Hezekiah of Judah

Preparations for Passover

Hezekiah Reforms Religious Life

The Assyrians Threaten Jerusalem

(2 Kings 18.13-37; 19.14-19,35-37; Isaiah 36.1-22; 37.8-38)

King Manasseh of Judah

King Josiah of Judah

¹ Josiah was eight years old when he became king of Judah, and he ruled in Jerusalem for thirty-one years.

King Jehoram of Judah

² He did what was pleasing to the Lord; he followed the example of his ancestor King David, strictly obeying all the laws of God.

The Purification of the Temple

Josiah Attacks Pagan Worship

³ In the eighth year that Josiah was king, while he was still very young, he began to worship the God of his ancestor King David. Four years later he began to destroy the pagan places of worship, the symbols of the goddess Asherah, and all the other idols.

Jehoshaphat's Reforms

⁴ Under his direction the altars where Baal was worshiped were smashed, and the incense altars near them were torn down. They ground to dust the images of Asherah and all the other idols and then scattered the dust on the graves of the people who had sacrificed to them.

War against Edom

War with Syria and Israel

⁵ He burned the bones of the pagan priests on the altars where they had worshiped. By doing all this, he made Judah and Jerusalem ritually clean again. ⁶ He did the same thing in the cities and the devastated areas of Manasseh, Ephraim, and Simeon, and as far north as Naphtali. ⁷ Throughout the territory of the Northern Kingdom he smashed the altars and the symbols of Asherah, ground the idols to dust, and broke into bits all the incense altars. Then he returned to Jerusalem.

The Book of the Law Is Discovered

⁸ In the eighteenth year of his reign, after he had purified the land and the Temple by ending pagan worship, King Josiah sent three men to repair the Temple of the Lord God: Shaphan son of Azaliah, Maaseiah, the governor of Jerusalem, and Joah son of Joahaz, a high official.

The Prophet Oded

⁹ The money that the Levite guards had collected in the Temple was turned over to Hilkiah the High Priest. (It had been collected from the people of Ephraim and Manasseh and the rest of the Northern Kingdom, and from the people of Judah, Benjamin, and Jerusalem.)

Queen Athaliah of Judah

Manasseh Repents

¹⁰ This money was then handed over to the three men in charge of the Temple repairs, and they gave it to ¹¹ the carpenters and the builders to buy the stones and the timber used to repair the buildings that the kings of Judah had allowed to decay. ¹² The men who did the work were thoroughly honest. They were supervised by four Levites: Jahath and Obadiah of the clan of Merari, and Zechariah and Meshullam of the clan of Kohath. (The Levites were all skillful musicians.)

Passover Is Celebrated

¹³ Other Levites were in charge of transporting materials and supervising the workers on various jobs, and others kept records or served as guards. ¹⁴ While the money was being taken out of the storeroom, Hilkiah found the book of the Law of the Lord, the Law that God had given to Moses.

Jehoiada's Policies Are Reversed

¹⁵ He said to Shaphan, “I have found the book of the Lawhere in the Temple.” He gave Shaphan the book,

Jehoiada's Reforms

Uzziah Is Punished for His Pride

Ahaz Asks Assyria for Help

¹⁶ and Shaphan took it to the king. He reported, “We have done everything that you commanded.

War against Israel

¹⁷ We have taken the money that was kept in the Temple and handed it over to the workers and their supervisors.”

The Temple Is Rededicated

The End of Manasseh's Reign

(2 Kings 21.17, 18)

¹⁸ Then he added, “I have here a book that Hilkiah gave me.” And he read it aloud to the king. ¹⁹ When the king heard the book being read, he tore his clothes in dismay ²⁰ and gave the following order to Hilkiah, to Ahikam son of Shaphan, to Abdon son of Micaiah, to Shaphan, the court secretary, and to Asaiah, the king's attendant: ^*

King Amon of Judah

²¹ “Go and consult the Lord for me and for the people who still remain in Israel and Judah. Find out about the teachings of this book. The Lord is angry with us because our ancestors have not obeyed the word of the Lord and have not done what this book says must be done.”

The Sins of Ahaz

²² At the king's command, Hilkiah and the others went to consult a woman named Huldah, a prophet who lived in the newer part of Jerusalem. (Her husband Shallum, the son of Tikvah and grandson of Harhas, was in charge of the Temple robes.) They described to her what had happened,

The End of Joash's Reign

A Second Celebration

²³ and she told them to go back to the king and give him

Hezekiah's Illness and Pride

²⁴ the following message from the Lord: “I am going to punish Jerusalem and all its people with the curses written in the book that was read to the king. ²⁵ They have rejected me and have offered sacrifices to other gods, and so have stirred up my anger by all they have done. My anger is aroused against Jerusalem, and it will not die down. ²⁶ As for the king himself, this is what I, the Lord God of Israel, say: You listened to what is written in the book,

Hezekiah's Wealth and Splendor

²⁷ and you repented and humbled yourself before me, tearing your clothes and weeping, when you heard how I threatened to punish Jerusalem and its people. I have heard your prayer,

The Death of Ahab

²⁸ and the punishment which I am going to bring on Jerusalem will not come until after your death. I will let you die in peace.” The men returned to King Josiah with this message.

Josiah Makes a Covenant to Obey the \nd Lord\nd*

²⁹ King Josiah summoned all the leaders of Judah and Jerusalem, ³⁰ and together they went to the Temple, accompanied by the priests and the Levites and all the rest of the people, rich and poor alike. Before them all the king read aloud the whole book of the covenant, which had been found in the Temple.

The End of Jehoshaphat's Reign