The World English Bible (WEB) Part 42

26:1 For the divisions of the doorkeepers: of the Korahites, Meshelemiah the son of Kore, of the sons of Asaph. 26:2 Meshelemiah had sons: Zechariah the firstborn, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth, 26:3 Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth, Eliehoenai the seventh. 26:4 Obed-Edom had sons: Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, and Sacar the fourth, and Nethanel the fifth, 26:5 Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, Peullethai the eighth; for G.o.d blessed him. 26:6 Also to Shemaiah his son were sons born, who ruled over the house of their father; for they were mighty men of valor. 26:7 The sons of Shemaiah: Othni, and Rephael, and Obed, Elzabad, whose brothers were valiant men, Elihu, and Semachiah. 26:8 All these were of the sons of Obed-Edom: they and their sons and their brothers, able men in strength for the service; sixty-two of Obed-Edom.

26:9 Meshelemiah had sons and brothers, valiant men, eighteen. 26:10 Also Hosah, of the children of Merari, had sons: s.h.i.+mri the chief, (for though he was not the firstborn, yet his father made him chief), 26:11 Hilkiah the second, Tebaliah the third, Zechariah the fourth: all the sons and brothers of Hosah were thirteen. 26:12 Of these were the divisions of the doorkeepers, even of the chief men, having offices like their brothers, to minister in the house of Yahweh. 26:13 They cast lots, the small as well as the great, according to their fathers'

houses, for every gate. 26:14 The lot eastward fell to Shelemiah. Then for Zechariah his son, a wise counselor, they cast lots; and his lot came out northward. 26:15 To Obed-Edom southward; and to his sons the storehouse. 26:16 To Shuppim and Hosah westward, by the gate of Shallecheth, at the causeway that goes up, watch against watch. 26:17 Eastward were six Levites, northward four a day, southward four a day, and for the storehouse two and two. 26:18 For Parbar westward, four at the causeway, and two at Parbar. 26:19 These were the divisions of the doorkeepers; of the sons of the Korahites, and of the sons of Merari.

26:20 Of the Levites, Ahijah was over the treasures of the house of G.o.d, and over the treasures of the dedicated things. 26:21 The sons of Ladan, the sons of the Gershonites belonging to Ladan, the heads of the fathers' houses belonging to Ladan the Gershonite: Jehieli. 26:22 The sons of Jehieli: Zetham, and Joel his brother, over the treasures of the house of Yahweh. 26:23 Of the Amramites, of the Izharites, of the Hebronites, of the Uzzielites: 26:24 and Shebuel the son of Gershom, the son of Moses, was ruler over the treasures. 26:25 His brothers: of Eliezer came Rehabiah his son, and Jeshaiah his son, and Joram his son, and Zichri his son, and Shelomoth his son. 26:26 This Shelomoth and his brothers were over all the treasures of the dedicated things, which David the king, and the heads of the fathers' houses, the captains over thousands and hundreds, and the captains of the army, had dedicated.

26:27 Out of the spoil won in battles did they dedicate to repair the house of Yahweh. 26:28 All that Samuel the seer, and Saul the son of Kish, and Abner the son of Ner, and Joab the son of Zeruiah, had dedicated, whoever had dedicated anything, it was under the hand of Shelomoth, and of his brothers. 26:29 Of the Izharites, Chenaniah and his sons were for the outward business over Israel, for officers and judges. 26:30 Of the Hebronites, Hashabiah and his brothers, men of valor, one thousand seven hundred, had the oversight of Israel beyond the Jordan westward, for all the business of Yahweh, and for the service of the king. 26:31 Of the Hebronites was Jerijah the chief, even of the Hebronites, according to their generations by fathers' houses. In the fortieth year of the reign of David they were sought for, and there were found among them mighty men of valor at Jazer of Gilead. 26:32 His brothers, men of valor, were two thousand seven hundred, heads of fathers' houses, whom king David made overseers over the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half-tribe of the Mana.s.sites, for every matter pertaining to G.o.d, and for the affairs of the king.

27:1 Now the children of Israel after their number, the heads of fathers' houses and the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and their officers who served the king, in any matter of the divisions which came in and went out month by month throughout all the months of the year--of every division were twenty-four thousand. 27:2 Over the first division for the first month was Jashobeam the son of Zabdiel: and in his division were twenty-four thousand. 27:3 He was of the children of Perez, the chief of all the captains of the army for the first month.

27:4 Over the division of the second month was Dodai the Ahohite, and his division; and Mikloth the ruler: and in his division were twenty- four thousand. 27:5 The third captain of the army for the third month was Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada the priest, chief: and in his division were twenty-four thousand. 27:6 This is that Benaiah, who was the mighty man of the thirty, and over the thirty: and of his division was Ammizabad his son. 27:7 The fourth captain for the fourth month was Asahel the brother of Joab, and Zebadiah his son after him: and in his division were twenty-four thousand. 27:8 The fifth captain for this fifth month was Shamhuth the Izrahite: and in his division were twenty- four thousand. 27:9 The sixth captain for the sixth month was Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite: and in his division were twenty-four thousand. 27:10 The seventh captain for the seventh month was Helez the Pelonite, of the children of Ephraim: and in his division were twenty- four thousand. 27:11 The eighth captain for the eighth month was Sibbecai the Hushathite, of the Zerahites: and in his division were twenty-four thousand. 27:12 The ninth captain for the ninth month was Abiezer the Anathothite, of the Benjamites: and in his division were twenty-four thousand. 27:13 The tenth captain for the tenth month was Maharai the Netophathite, of the Zerahites: and in his division were Twenty-four thousand. 27:14 The eleventh captain for the eleventh month was Benaiah the Pirathonite, of the children of Ephraim: and in his division were twenty-four thousand. 27:15 The twelfth captain for the twelfth month was Heldai the Netophathite, of Othniel: and in his division were twenty-four thousand. 27:16 Furthermore over the tribes of Israel: of the Reubenites was Eliezer the son of Zichri the ruler: of the Simeonites, Shephatiah the son of Maacah: 27:17 of Levi, Hashabiah the son of Kemuel: of Aaron, Zadok: 27:18 of Judah, Elihu, one of the brothers of David: of Issachar, Omri the son of Michael: 27:19 of Zebulun, Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah: of Naphtali, Jeremoth the son of Azriel: 27:20 of the children of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Azaziah: of the half-tribe of Mana.s.seh, Joel the son of Pedaiah: 27:21 of the half- tribe of Mana.s.seh in Gilead, Iddo the son of Zechariah: of Benjamin, Jaasiel the son of Abner: 27:22 of Dan, Azarel the son of Jeroham. These were the captains of the tribes of Israel. 27:23 But David didn't take the number of them from twenty years old and under, because Yahweh had said he would increase Israel like the stars of the sky. 27:24 Joab the son of Zeruiah began to number, but didn't finish; and there came wrath for this on Israel; neither was the number put into the account in the chronicles of king David. 27:25 Over the king's treasures was Azmaveth the son of Adiel: and over the treasures in the fields, in the cities, and in the villages, and in the towers, was Jonathan the son of Uzziah: 27:26 Over those who did the work of the field for tillage of the ground was Ezri the son of Chelub: 27:27 and over the vineyards was s.h.i.+mei the Ramathite: and over the increase of the vineyards for the winecellars was Zabdi the s.h.i.+phmite: 27:28 and over the olive trees and the sycamore trees that were in the lowland was Baal Hanan the Gederite: and over the cellars of oil was Joash: 27:29 and over the herds that fed in Sharon was s.h.i.+trai the Sharonite: and over the herds that were in the valleys was Shaphat the son of Adlai: 27:30 and over the camels was Obil the Ishmaelite: and over the donkeys was Jehdeiah the Meronothite: and over the flocks was Jaziz the Hagrite. 27:31 All these were the rulers of the substance which was king David's. 27:32 Also Jonathan, David's uncle, was a counselor, a man of understanding, and a scribe: and Jehiel the son of Hachmoni was with the king's sons: 27:33 Ahithophel was the king's counselor: and Hushai the Archite was the king's friend: 27:34 and after Ahithophel was Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, and Abiathar: and the captain of the king's army was Joab.

28:1 David a.s.sembled all the princes of Israel, the princes of the tribes, and the captains of the companies who served the king by division, and the captains of thousands, and the captains of hundreds, and the rulers over all the substance and possessions of the king and of his sons, with the officers, and the mighty men, even all the mighty men of valor, to Jerusalem. 28:2 Then David the king stood up on his feet, and said, Hear me, my brothers, and my people: as for me, it was in my heart to build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of Yahweh, and for the footstool of our G.o.d; and I had made ready for the building.

28:3 But G.o.d said to me, You shall not build a house for my name, because you are a man of war, and have shed blood. 28:4 However Yahweh, the G.o.d of Israel, chose me out of all the house of my father to be king over Israel forever: for he has chosen Judah to be prince; and in the house of Judah, the house of my father; and among the sons of my father he took pleasure in me to make me king over all Israel; 28:5 Of all my sons (for Yahweh has given me many sons), he has chosen Solomon my son to sit on the throne of the kingdom of Yahweh over Israel. 28:6 He said to me, Solomon your son, he shall build my house and my courts; for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father. 28:7 I will establish his kingdom forever, if he be constant to do my commandments and my ordinances, as at this day. 28:8 Now therefore, in the sight of all Israel, the a.s.sembly of Yahweh, and in the audience of our G.o.d, observe and seek out all the commandments of Yahweh your G.o.d; that you may possess this good land, and leave it for an inheritance to your children after you forever. 28:9 You, Solomon my son, know the G.o.d of your father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind; for Yahweh searches all hearts, and understands all the imaginations of the thoughts: if you seek him, he will be found of you; but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever. 28:10 Take heed now; for Yahweh has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary: be strong, and do it. 28:11 Then David gave to Solomon his son the pattern of the porch of the temple, and of its houses, and of its treasuries, and of the upper rooms of it, and of the inner chambers of it, and of the place of the mercy seat; 28:12 and the pattern of all that he had by the Spirit, for the courts of the house of Yahweh, and for all the surrounding rooms, for the treasuries of the house of G.o.d, and for the treasuries of the dedicated things; 28:13 also for the divisions of the priests and the Levites, and for all the work of the service of the house of Yahweh, and for all the vessels of service in the house of Yahweh; 28:14 of gold by weight for the vessels of gold, for all vessels of every kind of service; of silver for all the vessels of silver by weight, for all vessels of every kind of service; 28:15 by weight also for the lampstands of gold, and for its lamps, of gold, by weight for every lampstand and for its lamps; and for the lampstands of silver, silver by weight for every lampstand and for its lamps, according to the use of every lampstand; 28:16 and the gold by weight for the tables of show bread, for every table; and silver for the tables of silver; 28:17 and the forks, and the basins, and the cups, of pure gold; and for the golden bowls by weight for every bowl; and for the silver bowls by weight for every bowl; 28:18 and for the altar of incense refined gold by weight; and gold for the pattern of the chariot, even the cherubim, that spread out their wings, and covered the ark of the covenant of Yahweh. 28:19 All this, said David, have I been made to understand in writing from the hand of Yahweh, even all the works of this pattern.

28:20 David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: don't be afraid, nor be dismayed; for Yahweh G.o.d, even my G.o.d, is with you; he will not fail you, nor forsake you, until all the work for the service of the house of Yahweh is finished. 28:21 Behold, there are the divisions of the priests and the Levites, for all the service of the house of G.o.d: and there shall be with you in all manner of work every willing man who has skill, for any manner of service: also the captains and all the people will be entirely at your command.

29:1 David the king said to all the a.s.sembly, Solomon my son, whom alone G.o.d has chosen, is yet young and tender, and the work is great; for the palace is not for man, but for Yahweh G.o.d. 29:2 Now I have prepared with all my might for the house of my G.o.d the gold for the things of gold, and the silver for the things of silver, and the bra.s.s for the things of bra.s.s, the iron for the things of iron, and wood for the things of wood; onyx stones, and stones to be set, stones for inlaid work, and of various colors, and all manner of precious stones, and marble stones in abundance. 29:3 In addition, because I have set my affection on the house of my G.o.d, seeing that I have a treasure of my own of gold and silver, I give it to the house of my G.o.d, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house, 29:4 even three thousand talents of gold, of the gold of Ophir, and seven thousand talents of refined silver, with which to overlay the walls of the houses; 29:5 of gold for the things of gold, and of silver for the things of silver, and for all manner of work to be made by the hands of artificers. Who then offers willingly to consecrate himself this day to Yahweh? 29:6 Then the princes of the fathers' houses, and the princes of the tribes of Israel, and the captains of thousands and of hundreds, with the rulers over the king's work, offered willingly; 29:7 and they gave for the service of the house of G.o.d of gold five thousand talents and ten thousand darics, and of silver ten thousand talents, and of bra.s.s eighteen thousand talents, and of iron a hundred thousand talents. 29:8 They with whom precious stones were found gave them to the treasure of the house of Yahweh, under the hand of Jehiel the Gershonite. 29:9 Then the people rejoiced, because they offered willingly, because with a perfect heart they offered willingly to Yahweh: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy.

29:10 Therefore David blessed Yahweh before all the a.s.sembly; and David said, You are blessed, Yahweh, the G.o.d of Israel our father, forever and ever. 29:11 Yours, Yahweh, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, Yahweh, and you are exalted as head above all. 29:12 Both riches and honor come of you, and you rule over all; and in your hand is power and might; and it is in your hand to make great, and to give strength to all. 29:13 Now therefore, our G.o.d, we thank you, and praise your glorious name. 29:14 But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly as this?

For all things come of you, and of your own have we given you. 29:15 For we are strangers before you, and foreigners, as all our fathers were: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is no abiding. 29:16 Yahweh our G.o.d, all this store that we have prepared to build you a house for your holy name comes of your hand, and is all your own. 29:17 I know also, my G.o.d, that you try the heart, and have pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy your people, that are present here, offer willingly to you. 29:18 Yahweh, the G.o.d of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this forever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of your people, and prepare their heart to you; 29:19 and give to Solomon my son a perfect heart, to keep your commandments, your testimonies, and your statutes, and to do all these things, and to build the palace, for which I have made provision. 29:20 David said to all the a.s.sembly, Now bless Yahweh your G.o.d. All the a.s.sembly blessed Yahweh, the G.o.d of their fathers, and bowed down their heads and prostrated themselves before Yahweh and the king. 29:21 They sacrificed sacrifices to Yahweh, and offered burnt offerings to Yahweh, on the next day after that day, even one thousand bulls, one thousand rams, and one thousand lambs, with their drink offerings, and sacrifices in abundance for all Israel, 29:22 and ate and drink before Yahweh on that day with great gladness. They made Solomon the son of David king the second time, and anointed him to Yahweh to be prince, and Zadok to be priest. 29:23 Then Solomon sat on the throne of Yahweh as king instead of David his father, and prospered; and all Israel obeyed him. 29:24 All the princes, the mighty men, and also all of the sons of king David submitted themselves to Solomon the king.

29:25 Yahweh magnified Solomon exceedingly in the sight of all Israel, and bestowed on him such royal majesty as had not been on any king before him in Israel. 29:26 Now David the son of Jesse reigned over all Israel. 29:27 The time that he reigned over Israel was forty years; he reigned seven years in Hebron, and thirty-three years reigned he in Jerusalem. 29:28 He died in a good old age, full of days, riches, and honor: and Solomon his son reigned in his place. 29:29 Now the acts of David the king, first and last, behold, they are written in the history of Samuel the seer, and in the history of Nathan the prophet, and in the history of Gad the seer, 29:30 with all his reign and his might, and the times that went over him, and over Israel, and over all the kingdoms of the countries.

The Second Book of Chronicles

1:1 Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom, and Yahweh his G.o.d was with him, and magnified him exceedingly. 1:2 Solomon spoke to all Israel, to the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and to the judges, and to every prince in all Israel, the heads of the fathers'

houses. 1:3 So Solomon, and all the a.s.sembly with him, went to the high place that was at Gibeon; for there was the Tent of Meeting of G.o.d, which Moses the servant of Yahweh had made in the wilderness. 1:4 But David had brought the ark of G.o.d up from Kiriath Jearim to the place that David had prepared for it; for he had pitched a tent for it at Jerusalem. 1:5 Moreover the bronze altar, that Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, had made, was there before the tent of Yahweh: and Solomon and the a.s.sembly were seeking counsel there. 1:6 Solomon went up there to the bronze altar before Yahweh, which was at the Tent of Meeting, and offered one thousand burnt offerings on it. 1:7 In that night G.o.d appeared to Solomon, and said to him, "Ask what I shall give you." 1:8 Solomon said to G.o.d, You have shown great loving kindness to David my father, and have made me king in his place. 1:9 Now, Yahweh G.o.d, let your promise to David my father be established; for you have made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in mult.i.tude. 1:10 Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people; for who can judge this your people, that is so great? 1:11 G.o.d said to Solomon, Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches, wealth, or honor, nor the life of those who hate you, neither yet have asked long life; but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge my people, over whom I have made you king: 1:12 wisdom and knowledge is granted to you; and I will give you riches, and wealth, and honor, such as none of the kings have had who have been before you; neither shall there any after you have the like.

1:13 So Solomon came from the high place that was at Gibeon, from before the Tent of Meeting, to Jerusalem; and he reigned over Israel. 1:14 Solomon gathered chariots and hors.e.m.e.n: and he had one thousand four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand hors.e.m.e.n, that he placed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem. 1:15 The king made silver and gold to be in Jerusalem as stones, and cedars made he to be as the sycamore trees that are in the lowland, for abundance. 1:16 The horses which Solomon had were brought out of Egypt and from Kue; the king's merchants purchased them from Kue. 1:17 They brought up and brought out of Egypt a chariot for six hundred pieces of silver, and a horse for one hundred fifty: and so for all the kings of the Hitt.i.tes, and the kings of Syria, did they bring them out by their means.

2:1 Now Solomon purposed to build a house for the name of Yahweh, and a house for his kingdom. 2:2 Solomon counted out seventy thousand men to bear burdens, and eighty thousand men who were stone cutters in the mountains, and three thousand and six hundred to oversee them. 2:3 Solomon sent to Huram the king of Tyre, saying, As you dealt with David my father, and sent him cedars to build him a house in which to dwell, even so deal with me. 2:4 Behold, I am about to build a house for the name of Yahweh my G.o.d, to dedicate it to him, and to burn before him incense of sweet spices, and for the continual show bread, and for the burnt offerings morning and evening, on the Sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the set feasts of Yahweh our G.o.d. This is an ordinance forever to Israel. 2:5 The house which I build is great; for great is our G.o.d above all G.o.ds. 2:6 But who is able to build him a house, seeing heaven and the heaven of heavens can't contain him? who am I then, that I should build him a house, save only to burn incense before him? 2:7 Now therefore send me a man skillful to work in gold, and in silver, and in bra.s.s, and in iron, and in purple, and crimson, and blue, and who knows how to engrave all manner of engravings, to be with the skillful men who are with me in Judah and in Jerusalem, whom David my father did provide. 2:8 Send me also cedar trees, fir trees, and algum trees, out of Lebanon; for I know that your servants know how to cut timber in Lebanon: and behold, my servants shall be with your servants, 2:9 even to prepare me timber in abundance; for the house which I am about to build shall be great and wonderful. 2:10 Behold, I will give to your servants, the cutters who cut timber, twenty thousand measures of beaten wheat, and twenty thousand measures of barley, and twenty thousand baths of wine, and twenty thousand baths of oil. 2:11 Then Huram the king of Tyre answered in writing, which he sent to Solomon, "Because Yahweh loves his people, he has made you king over them." 2:12 Huram continued, "Blessed be Yahweh, the G.o.d of Israel, that made heaven and earth, who has given to David the king a wise son, endowed with discretion and understanding, that should build a house for Yahweh, and a house for his kingdom. 2:13 Now I have sent a skillful man, endowed with understanding, of Huram my father's, 2:14 the son of a woman of the daughters of Dan; and his father was a man of Tyre, skillful to work in gold, and in silver, in bra.s.s, in iron, in stone, and in timber, in purple, in blue, and in fine linen, and in crimson, also to engrave any manner of engraving, and to devise any device; that there may be a place appointed to him with your skillful men, and with the skillful men of my lord David your father. 2:15 Now therefore the wheat and the barley, the oil and the wine, which my lord has spoken of, let him send to his servants: 2:16 and we will cut wood out of Lebanon, as much as you shall need; and we will bring it to you in floats by sea to Joppa; and you shall carry it up to Jerusalem." 2:17 Solomon numbered all the foreigners who were in the land of Israel, after the numbering with which David his father had numbered them; and they were found one hundred fifty-three thousand six hundred. 2:18 He set seventy thousand of them to bear burdens, and eighty thousand who were stone cutters in the mountains, and three thousand six hundred overseers to set the people at work.

3:1 Then Solomon began to build the house of Yahweh at Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where Yahweh appeared to David his father, which he made ready in the place that David had appointed, in the thres.h.i.+ng floor of Ornan the Jebusite. 3:2 He began to build in the second day of the second month, in the fourth year of his reign. 3:3 Now these are the foundations which Solomon laid for the building of the house of G.o.d. The length by cubits after the first measure was sixty cubits, and the breadth twenty cubits. 3:4 The porch that was before the house, its length, according to the breadth of the house, was twenty cubits, and the height one hundred twenty; and he overlaid it within with pure gold.

3:5 The greater house he made a ceiling with fir wood, which he overlaid with fine gold, and ornamented it with palm trees and chains. 3:6 He garnished the house with precious stones for beauty: and the gold was gold of Parvaim. 3:7 He overlaid also the house, the beams, the thresholds, and its walls, and its doors, with gold; and engraved cherubim on the walls. 3:8 He made the most holy house: its length, according to the breadth of the house, was twenty cubits, and its breadth twenty cubits; and he overlaid it with fine gold, amounting to six hundred talents. 3:9 The weight of the nails was fifty shekels of gold. He overlaid the upper chambers with gold. 3:10 In the most holy house he made two cherubim of image work; and they overlaid them with gold. 3:11 The wings of the cherubim were twenty cubits long: the wing of the one cherub was five cubits, reaching to the wall of the house; and the other wing was likewise five cubits, reaching to the wing of the other cherub. 3:12 The wing of the other cherub was five cubits, reaching to the wall of the house; and the other wing was five cubits also, joining to the wing of the other cherub. 3:13 The wings of these cherubim spread themselves forth twenty cubits: and they stood on their feet, and their faces were toward the house. 3:14 He made the veil of blue, and purple, and crimson, and fine linen, and ornamented it with cherubim. 3:15 Also he made before the house two pillars of thirty-five cubits high, and the capital that was on the top of each of them was five cubits. 3:16 He made chains in the oracle, and put them on the tops of the pillars; and he made one hundred pomegranates, and put them on the chains. 3:17 He set up the pillars before the temple, one on the right hand, and the other on the left; and called the name of that on the right hand Jachin, and the name of that on the left Boaz.

4:1 Then he made an altar of bra.s.s, twenty cubits its length, and twenty cubits its breadth, and ten cubits its height. 4:2 Also he made the molten sea of ten cubits from brim to brim, round in compa.s.s; and its height was five cubits; and a line of thirty cubits encircled it. 4:3 Under it was the likeness of oxen, which encircled it, for ten cubits, encircling the sea. The oxen were in two rows, cast when it was cast.

4:4 It stood on twelve oxen, three looking toward the north, and three looking toward the west, and three looking toward the south, and three looking toward the east: and the sea was set on them above, and all their hinder parts were inward. 4:5 It was a handbreadth thick; and its brim was worked like the brim of a cup, like the flower of a lily: it received and held three thousand baths. 4:6 He made also ten basins, and put five on the right hand, and five on the left, to wash in them; such things as belonged to the burnt offering they washed in them; but the sea was for the priests to wash in. 4:7 He made the ten lampstands of gold according to the ordinance concerning them; and he set them in the temple, five on the right hand, and five on the left. 4:8 He made also ten tables, and placed them in the temple, five on the right side, and five on the left. He made one hundred basins of gold. 4:9 Furthermore he made the court of the priests, and the great court, and doors for the court, and overlaid the doors of them with bra.s.s. 4:10 He set the sea on the right side of the house eastward, toward the south. 4:11 Huram made the pots, and the shovels, and the basins. So Huram made an end of doing the work that he did for king Solomon in the house of G.o.d: 4:12 the two pillars, and the bowls, and the two capitals which were on the top of the pillars, and the two networks to cover the two bowls of the capitals that were on the top of the pillars, 4:13 and the four hundred pomegranates for the two networks; two rows of pomegranates for each network, to cover the two bowls of the capitals that were on the pillars. 4:14 He made also the bases, and the basins made he on the bases; 4:15 one sea, and the twelve oxen under it. 4:16 The pots also, and the shovels, and the forks, and all its vessels, did Huram his father make for king Solomon for the house of Yahweh of bright bra.s.s.

4:17 In the plain of the Jordan did the king cast them, in the clay ground between Succoth and Zeredah. 4:18 Thus Solomon made all these vessels in great abundance: for the weight of the bra.s.s could not be found out. 4:19 Solomon made all the vessels that were in the house of G.o.d, the golden altar also, and the tables with the show bread on them; 4:20 and the lampstands with their lamps, to burn according to the ordinance before the oracle, of pure gold; 4:21 and the flowers, and the lamps, and the tongs, of gold, and that perfect gold; 4:22 and the snuffers, and the basins, and the spoons, and the fire pans, of pure gold: and as for the entry of the house, the inner doors of it for the most holy place, and the doors of the main hall of the temple were of gold.

5:1 Thus all the work that Solomon did for the house of Yahweh was finished. Solomon brought in the things that David his father had dedicated, even the silver, and the gold, and all the vessels, and put them in the treasuries of the house of G.o.d. 5:2 Then Solomon a.s.sembled the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the princes of the fathers' houses of the children of Israel, to Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of Yahweh out of the city of David, which is Zion. 5:3 And all the men of Israel a.s.sembled themselves to the king at the feast, which was in the seventh month. 5:4 All the elders of Israel came: and the Levites took up the ark; 5:5 and they brought up the ark, and the Tent of Meeting, and all the holy vessels that were in the Tent; these did the priests the Levites bring up. 5:6 King Solomon and all the congregation of Israel, that were a.s.sembled to him, were before the ark, sacrificing sheep and cattle, that could not be counted nor numbered for mult.i.tude. 5:7 The priests brought in the ark of the covenant of Yahweh to its place, into the oracle of the house, to the most holy place, even under the wings of the cherubim. 5:8 For the cherubim spread forth their wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubim covered the ark and its poles above. 5:9 The poles were so long that the ends of the poles were seen from the ark before the oracle; but they were not seen outside: and there it is to this day. 5:10 There was nothing in the ark save the two tables which Moses put there at h.o.r.eb, when Yahweh made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of Egypt. 5:11 It happened, when the priests were come out of the holy place, (for all the priests who were present had sanctified themselves, and did not keep their divisions; 5:12 also the Levites who were the singers, all of them, even Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, and their sons and their brothers, arrayed in fine linen, with cymbals and stringed instruments and harps, stood at the east end of the altar, and with them one hundred twenty priests sounding with trumpets;) 5:13 it happened, when the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking Yahweh; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised Yahweh, saying, For he is good; for his loving kindness endures forever; that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of Yahweh, 5:14 so that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of Yahweh filled the house of G.o.d.

6:1 Then spoke Solomon, Yahweh has said that he would dwell in the thick darkness. 6:2 But I have built you a house of habitation, and a place for you to dwell in forever. 6:3 The king turned his face, and blessed all the a.s.sembly of Israel: and all the a.s.sembly of Israel stood. 6:4 He said, Blessed be Yahweh, the G.o.d of Israel, who spoke with his mouth to David my father, and has with his hands fulfilled it, saying, 6:5 Since the day that I brought forth my people out of the land of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build a house in, that my name might be there; neither chose I any man to be prince over my people Israel: 6:6 but I have chosen Jerusalem, that my name might be there; and have chosen David to be over my people Israel. 6:7 Now it was in the heart of David my father to build a house for the name of Yahweh, the G.o.d of Israel. 6:8 But Yahweh said to David my father, Whereas it was in your heart to build a house for my name, you did well that it was in your heart: 6:9 nevertheless you shall not build the house; but your son who shall come forth out of your body, he shall build the house for my name. 6:10 Yahweh has performed his word that he spoke; for I am risen up in the room of David my father, and sit on the throne of Israel, as Yahweh promised, and have built the house for the name of Yahweh, the G.o.d of Israel. 6:11 There have I set the ark, in which is the covenant of Yahweh, which he made with the children of Israel. 6:12 He stood before the altar of Yahweh in the presence of all the a.s.sembly of Israel, and spread forth his hands 6:13 (for Solomon had made a bronze scaffold, five cubits long, and five cubits broad, and three cubits high, and had set it in the midst of the court; and on it he stood, and kneeled down on his knees before all the a.s.sembly of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven;) 6:14 and he said, Yahweh, the G.o.d of Israel, there is no G.o.d like you, in heaven, or on earth; who keep covenant and loving kindness with your servants, who walk before you with all their heart; 6:15 who have kept with your servant David my father that which you did promise him: yes, you spoke with your mouth, and have fulfilled it with your hand, as it is this day. 6:16 Now therefore, Yahweh, the G.o.d of Israel, keep with your servant David my father that which you have promised him, saying, There shall not fail you a man in my sight to sit on the throne of Israel, if only your children take heed to their way, to walk in my law as you have walked before me. 6:17 Now therefore, Yahweh, the G.o.d of Israel, let your word be verified, which you spoke to your servant David. 6:18 But will G.o.d indeed dwell with men on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens can't contain you; how much less this house which I have built!

6:19 Yet have you respect to the prayer of your servant, and to his supplication, Yahweh my G.o.d, to listen to the cry and to the prayer which your servant prays before you; 6:20 that your eyes may be open toward this house day and night, even toward the place where you have said that you would put your name; to listen to the prayer which your servant shall pray toward this place. 6:21 Listen to the pet.i.tions of your servant, and of your people Israel, when they shall pray toward this place: yes, hear from your dwelling place, even from heaven; and when you hear, forgive. 6:22 If a man sin against his neighbor, and an oath is laid on him to cause him to swear, and he comes and swears before your altar in this house; 6:23 then hear from heaven, and do, and judge your servants, bringing retribution to the wicked, to bring his way on his own head; and justifying the righteous, to give him according to his righteousness. 6:24 If your people Israel be struck down before the enemy, because they have sinned against you, and shall turn again and confess your name, and pray and make supplication before you in this house; 6:25 then hear from heaven, and forgive the sin of your people Israel, and bring them again to the land which you gave to them and to their fathers. 6:26 When the sky is shut up, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against you; if they pray toward this place, and confess your name, and turn from their sin, when you do afflict them: 6:27 then hear in heaven, and forgive the sin of your servants, and of your people Israel, when you teach them the good way in which they should walk; and send rain on your land, which you have given to your people for an inheritance. 6:28 If there be in the land famine, if there be pestilence, if there is blight or mildew, locust or caterpillar; if their enemies besiege them in the land of their cities; whatever plague or whatever sickness there be; 6:29 whatever prayer and supplication be made by any man, or by all your people Israel, who shall know every man his own plague and his own sorrow, and shall spread forth his hands toward this house: 6:30 then hear from heaven, your dwelling place and forgive, and render to every man according to all his ways, whose heart you know; (for you, even you only, know the hearts of the children of men;) 6:31 that they may fear you, to walk in your ways, so long as they live in the land which you gave to our fathers. 6:32 Moreover concerning the foreigner, who is not of your people Israel, when he shall come from a far country for your great name's sake, and your mighty hand, and your outstretched arm; when they shall come and pray toward this house: 6:33 then hear from heaven, even from your dwelling place, and do according to all that the foreigner calls to you for; that all the peoples of the earth may know your name, and fear you, as does your people Israel, and that they may know that this house which I have built is called by your name. 6:34 If your people go out to battle against their enemies, by whatever way you shall send them, and they pray to you toward this city which you have chosen, and the house which I have built for your name; 6:35 then hear from heaven their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their cause. 6:36 If they sin against you (for there is no man who doesn't sin), and you are angry with them, and deliver them to the enemy, so that they carry them away captive to a land far off or near; 6:37 yet if they shall repent themselves in the land where they are carried captive, and turn again, and make supplication to you in the land of their captivity, saying, We have sinned, we have done perversely, and have dealt wickedly; 6:38 if they return to you with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their captivity, where they have carried them captive, and pray toward their land, which you gave to their fathers, and the city which you have chosen, and toward the house which I have built for your name: 6:39 then hear from heaven, even from your dwelling place, their prayer and their pet.i.tions, and maintain their cause, and forgive your people who have sinned against you. 6:40 Now, my G.o.d, let, I beg you, your eyes be open, and let your ears be attentive, to the prayer that is made in this place. 6:41 Now therefore arise, Yahweh G.o.d, into your resting place, you, and the ark of your strength: let your priests, Yahweh G.o.d, be clothed with salvation, and let your saints rejoice in goodness. 6:42 Yahweh G.o.d, don't turn away the face of your anointed: remember your loving kindnesses to David your servant.

7:1 Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of Yahweh filled the house. 7:2 The priests could not enter into the house of Yahweh, because the glory of Yahweh filled Yahweh's house.

7:3 All the children of Israel looked on, when the fire came down, and the glory of Yahweh was on the house; and they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground on the pavement, and wors.h.i.+ped, and gave thanks to Yahweh, saying, For he is good; for his loving kindness endures for ever. 7:4 Then the king and all the people offered sacrifice before Yahweh. 7:5 King Solomon offered a sacrifice of twenty-two thousand head of cattle, and a hundred and twenty thousand sheep. So the king and all the people dedicated the house of G.o.d. 7:6 The priests stood, according to their offices; the Levites also with instruments of music of Yahweh, which David the king had made to give thanks to Yahweh, (for his loving kindness endures for ever), when David praised by their ministry: and the priests sounded trumpets before them; and all Israel stood. 7:7 Moreover Solomon made the middle of the court holy that was before the house of Yahweh; for there he offered the burnt offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings, because the bronze altar which Solomon had made was not able to receive the burnt offering, and the meal offering, and the fat. 7:8 So Solomon held the feast at that time seven days, and all Israel with him, a very great a.s.sembly, from the entrance of Hamath to the brook of Egypt. 7:9 On the eighth day they held a solemn a.s.sembly: for they kept the dedication of the altar seven days, and the feast seven days. 7:10 On the three and twentieth day of the seventh month he sent the people away to their tents, joyful and glad of heart for the goodness that Yahweh had shown to David, and to Solomon, and to Israel his people. 7:11 Thus Solomon finished the house of Yahweh, and the king's house: and he successfully completed all that came into Solomon's heart to make in the house of Yahweh, and in his own house. 7:12 Yahweh appeared to Solomon by night, and said to him, I have heard your prayer, and have chosen this place to myself for a house of sacrifice. 7:13 If I shut up the sky so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people; 7:14 if my people, who are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 7:15 Now my eyes shall be open, and my ears attentive, to the prayer that is made in this place. 7:16 For now have I chosen and made this house holy, that my name may be there forever; and my eyes and my heart shall be there perpetually. 7:17 As for you, if you will walk before me as David your father walked, and do according to all that I have commanded you, and will keep my statutes and my ordinances; 7:18 then I will establish the throne of your kingdom, according as I covenanted with David your father, saying, There shall not fail you a man to be ruler in Israel. 7:19 But if you turn away, and forsake my statutes and my commandments which I have set before you, and shall go and serve other G.o.ds, and wors.h.i.+p them; 7:20 then will I pluck them up by the roots out of my land which I have given them; and this house, which I have made holy for my name, will I cast out of my sight, and I will make it a proverb and a byword among all peoples. 7:21 This house, which is so high, everyone who pa.s.ses by it shall be astonished, and shall say, Why has Yahweh done thus to this land, and to this house?

7:22 They shall answer, Because they abandoned Yahweh, the G.o.d of their fathers, who brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, and laid hold on other G.o.ds, and wors.h.i.+ped them, and served them: therefore has he brought all this evil on them.

8:1 It happened at the end of twenty years, in which Solomon had built the house of Yahweh, and his own house, 8:2 that the cities which Huram had given to Solomon, Solomon built them, and caused the children of Israel to dwell there. 8:3 Solomon went to Hamath Zobah, and prevailed against it. 8:4 He built Tadmor in the wilderness, and all the storage cities, which he built in Hamath. 8:5 Also he built Beth Horon the upper, and Beth Horon the lower, fortified cities, with walls, gates, and bars; 8:6 and Baalath, and all the storage cities that Solomon had, and all the cities for his chariots, and the cities for his hors.e.m.e.n, and all that Solomon desired to build for his pleasure in Jerusalem, and in Lebanon, and in all the land of his dominion. 8:7 As for all the people who were left of the Hitt.i.tes, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, who were not of Israel; 8:8 of their children who were left after them in the land, whom the children of Israel didn't consume, of them did Solomon conscripted forced labor to this day. 8:9 But of the children of Israel did Solomon make no servants for his work; but they were men of war, and chief of his captains, and rulers of his chariots and of his hors.e.m.e.n. 8:10 These were the chief officers of king Solomon, even two-hundred fifty, who ruled over the people. 8:11 Solomon brought up the daughter of Pharaoh out of the city of David to the house that he had built for her; for he said, My wife shall not dwell in the house of David king of Israel, because the places where the ark of Yahweh has come are holy. 8:12 Then Solomon offered burnt offerings to Yahweh on the altar of Yahweh, which he had built before the porch, 8:13 even as the duty of every day required, offering according to the commandment of Moses, on the Sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the set feasts, three times in the year, even in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tents. 8:14 He appointed, according to the ordinance of David his father, the divisions of the priests to their service, and the Levites to their offices, to praise, and to minister before the priests, as the duty of every day required; the doorkeepers also by their divisions at every gate: for so had David the man of G.o.d commanded. 8:15 They didn't depart from the commandment of the king to the priests and Levites concerning any matter, or concerning the treasures. 8:16 Now all the work of Solomon was prepared to the day of the foundation of the house of Yahweh, and until it was finished. So the house of Yahweh was completed. 8:17 Then went Solomon to Ezion Geber, and to Eloth, on the seash.o.r.e in the land of Edom. 8:18 Huram sent him s.h.i.+ps and servants who had knowledge of the sea by the hands of his servants; and they came with the servants of Solomon to Ophir, and fetched from there four hundred fifty talents of gold, and brought them to king Solomon.

9:1 When the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to prove Solomon with hard questions at Jerusalem, with a very great train, and camels that bore spices, and gold in abundance, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she talked with him of all that was in her heart. 9:2 Solomon told her all her questions; and there was not anything hid from Solomon which he didn't tell her. 9:3 When the queen of Sheba had seen the wisdom of Solomon, and the house that he had built, 9:4 and the food of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their clothing, his cup bearers also, and their clothing, and his ascent by which he went up to the house of Yahweh; there was no more spirit in her. 9:5 She said to the king, It was a true report that I heard in my own land of your acts, and of your wisdom. 9:6 However I didn't believe their words, until I came, and my eyes had seen it; and behold, the half of the greatness of your wisdom was not told me: you exceed the fame that I heard. 9:7 Happy are your men, and happy are these your servants, who stand continually before you, and hear your wisdom. 9:8 Blessed be Yahweh your G.o.d, who delighted in you, to set you on his throne, to be king for Yahweh your G.o.d: because your G.o.d loved Israel, to establish them forever, therefore made he you king over them, to do justice and righteousness. 9:9 She gave the king one hundred and twenty talents of gold, and spices in great abundance, and precious stones: neither was there any such spice as the queen of Sheba gave to king Solomon. 9:10 The servants also of Huram, and the servants of Solomon, who brought gold from Ophir, brought algum trees and precious stones. 9:11 The king made of the algum trees terraces for the house of Yahweh, and for the king's house, and harps and stringed instruments for the singers: and there were none like these seen before in the land of Judah. 9:12 King Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all her desire, whatever she asked, besides that which she had brought to the king. So she turned, and went to her own land, she and her servants. 9:13 Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred and sixty-six talents of gold, 9:14 besides that which the traders and merchants brought: and all the kings of Arabia and the governors of the country brought gold and silver to Solomon. 9:15 King Solomon made two hundred bucklers of beaten gold; six hundred shekels of beaten gold went to one buckler. 9:16 he made three hundred s.h.i.+elds of beaten gold; three hundred shekels of gold went to one s.h.i.+eld: and the king put them in the house of the forest of Lebanon.

9:17 Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with pure gold. 9:18 And there were six steps to the throne, with a footstool of gold, which were fastened to the throne, and stays on either side by the place of the seat, and two lions standing beside the stays. 9:19 Twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other on the six steps: there was nothing like it made in any kingdom. 9:20 All king Solomon's drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold: silver was nothing accounted of in the days of Solomon. 9:21 For the king had s.h.i.+ps that went to Tars.h.i.+sh with the servants of Huram; once every three years came the s.h.i.+ps of Tars.h.i.+sh, bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peac.o.c.ks. 9:22 So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom. 9:23 All the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which G.o.d had put in his heart. 9:24 They brought every man his tribute, vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and clothing, armor, and spices, horses, and mules, a rate year by year. 9:25 Solomon had four thousand stalls for horses and chariots, and twelve thousand hors.e.m.e.n, that he stationed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem. 9:26 He ruled over all the kings from the River even to the land of the Philistines, and to the border of Egypt.

9:27 The king made silver to be in Jerusalem as stones, and he made cedars to be as the sycamore trees that are in the lowland, for abundance. 9:28 They brought horses for Solomon out of Egypt, and out of all lands. 9:29 Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, first and last, aren't they written in the history of Nathan the prophet, and in the prophecy of Ahijah the s.h.i.+lonite, and in the visions of Iddo the seer concerning Jeroboam the son of Nebat? 9:30 Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel forty years. 9:31 Solomon slept with his fathers, and he was buried in the city of David his father: and Rehoboam his son reigned in his place.

10:1 Rehoboam went to Shechem; for all Israel were come to Shechem to make him king. 10:2 It happened, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard of it, (for he was in Egypt, where he had fled from the presence of king Solomon), that Jeroboam returned out of Egypt. 10:3 They sent and called him; and Jeroboam and all Israel came, and they spoke to Rehoboam, saying, 10:4 Your father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make you the grievous service of your father, and his heavy yoke which he put on us, lighter, and we will serve you. 10:5 He said to them, Come again to me after three days. The people departed. 10:6 King Rehoboam took counsel with the old men, who had stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, saying, What counsel give you me to return answer to this people? 10:7 They spoke to him, saying, If you are kind to this people, and please them, and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever. 10:8 But he forsook the counsel of the old men which they had given him, and took counsel with the young men who had grown up with him, who stood before him. 10:9 He said to them, What counsel give you, that we may return answer to this people, who have spoken to me, saying, Make the yoke that your father did put on us lighter? 10:10 The young men who had grown up with him spoke to him, saying, Thus you shall tell the people who spoke to you, saying, Your father made our yoke heavy, but make you it lighter to us; thus you shall say to them, My little finger is thicker than my father's waist. 10:11 Now whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.

10:12 So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king bade, saying, Come to me again the third day. 10:13 The king answered them roughly; and king Rehoboam forsook the counsel of the old men, 10:14 and spoke to them after the counsel 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. 10:15 So the king didn't listen to the people; for it was brought about of G.o.d, that Yahweh might establish his word, which he spoke by Ahijah the s.h.i.+lonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat. 10:16 When all Israel saw that the king didn't listen to them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to your tents, Israel: now see to your own house, David. So all Israel departed to their tents. 10:17 But as for the children of Israel who lived in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them. 10:18 Then king Rehoboam sent Hadoram, who was over the men subject to forced labor; and the children of Israel stoned him to death with stones. King Rehoboam made speed to get him up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem. 10:19 So Israel rebelled against the house of David to this day.

11:1 When Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he a.s.sembled the house of Judah and Benjamin, one hundred eighty thousand chosen men, who were warriors, to fight against Israel, to bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam. 11:2 But the word of Yahweh came to Shemaiah the man of G.o.d, saying, 11:3 Speak to Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, saying, 11:4 Thus says Yahweh, You shall not go up, nor fight against your brothers: return every man to his house; for this thing is of me. So they listened to the words of Yahweh, and returned from going against Jeroboam. 11:5 Rehoboam lived in Jerusalem, and built cities for defense in Judah. 11:6 He built Bethlehem, and Etam, and Tekoa, 11:7 Beth Zur, and Soco, and Adullam, 11:8 and Gath, and Mareshah, and Ziph, 11:9 and Adoraim, and Lachish, and Azekah, 11:10 and Zorah, and Aijalon, and Hebron, which are in Judah and in Benjamin, fortified cities. 11:11 He fortified the strongholds, and put captains in them, and stores of food, and oil and wine. 11:12 In every city he put s.h.i.+elds and spears, and made them exceeding strong.

Judah and Benjamin belonged to him. 11:13 The priests and the Levites who were in all Israel resorted to him out of all their border. 11:14 For the Levites left their suburbs and their possession, and came to Judah and Jerusalem: for Jeroboam and his sons cast them off, that they should not execute the priest's office to Yahweh; 11:15 and he appointed him priests for the high places, and for the male goats, and for the calves which he had made. 11:16 After them, out of all the tribes of Israel, such as set their hearts to seek Yahweh, the G.o.d of Israel, came to Jerusalem to sacrifice to Yahweh, the G.o.d of their fathers. 11:17 So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah, and made Rehoboam the son of Solomon strong, three years; for they walked three years in the way of David and Solomon. 11:18 Rehoboam took him a wife, Mahalath the daughter of Jerimoth the son of David, and of Abihail the daughter of Eliab the son of Jesse; 11:19 and she bore him sons: Jeush, and Shemariah, and Zaham. 11:20 After her he took Maacah the daughter of Absalom; and she bore him Abijah, and Attai, and Ziza, and Shelomith. 11:21 Rehoboam loved Maacah the daughter of Absalom above all his wives and his concubines: (for he took eighteen wives, and sixty concubines, and became the father of twenty-eight sons and sixty daughters.) 11:22 Rehoboam appointed Abijah the son of Maacah to be chief, even the prince among his brothers; for he was minded to make him king. 11:23 He dealt wisely, and dispersed of all his sons throughout all the lands of Judah and Benjamin, to every fortified city: and he gave them food in abundance. He sought for them many wives.

12:1 It happened, when the kingdom of Rehoboam was established, and he was strong, that he forsook the law of Yahweh, and all Israel with him.

12:2 It happened in the fifth year of king Rehoboam, that s.h.i.+shak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, because they had trespa.s.sed against Yahweh, 12:3 with twelve hundred chariots, and sixty thousand hors.e.m.e.n.

The people were without number who came with him out of Egypt: the Lubim, the Sukkiim, and the Ethiopians. 12:4 He took the fortified cities which pertained to Judah, and came to Jerusalem. 12:5 Now Shemaiah the prophet came to Rehoboam, and to the princes of Judah, who were gathered together to Jerusalem because of s.h.i.+shak, and said to them, Thus says Yahweh, You have forsaken me, therefore have I also left you in the hand of s.h.i.+shak. 12:6 Then the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves; and they said, Yahweh is righteous. 12:7 When Yahweh saw that they humbled themselves, the word of Yahweh came to Shemaiah, saying, They have humbled themselves: I will not destroy them; but I will grant them some deliverance, and my wrath shall not be poured out on Jerusalem by the hand of s.h.i.+shak. 12:8 Nevertheless they shall be his servants, that they may know my service, and the service of the kingdoms of the countries. 12:9 So s.h.i.+shak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, and took away the treasures of the house of Yahweh, and the treasures of the king's house: he took all away: he took away also the s.h.i.+elds of gold which Solomon had made. 12:10 King Rehoboam made in their place s.h.i.+elds of bra.s.s, and committed them to the hands of the captains of the guard, who kept the door of the king's house. 12:11 It was so, that as often as the king entered into the house of Yahweh, the guard came and bore them, and brought them back into the guard chamber.

12:12 When he humbled himself, the wrath of Yahweh turned from him, so as not to destroy him altogether: and moreover in Judah there were good things found. 12:13 So king Rehoboam strengthened himself in Jerusalem, and reigned: for Rehoboam was forty-one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which Yahweh had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, to put his name there: and his mother's name was Naamah the Ammonitess. 12:14 He did that which was evil, because he didn't set his heart to seek Yahweh.

12:15 Now the acts of Rehoboam, first and last, aren't they written in the histories of Shemaiah the prophet and of Iddo the seer, after the manner of genealogies? There were wars between Rehoboam and Jeroboam continually. 12:16 Rehoboam slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David: and Abijah his son reigned in his place.

13:1 In the eighteenth year of king Jeroboam began Abijah to reign over Judah. 13:2 Three years reigned he in Jerusalem: and his mother's name was Micaiah the daughter of Uriel of Gibeah. There was war between Abijah and Jeroboam. 13:3 Abijah joined battle with an army of valiant men of war, even four hundred thousand chosen men: and Jeroboam set the battle in array against him with eight hundred thousand chosen men, who were mighty men of valor. 13:4 Abijah stood up on Mount Zemaraim, which is in the hill country of Ephraim, and said, Hear me, Jeroboam and all Israel: 13:5 Ought you not to know that Yahweh, the G.o.d of Israel, gave the kingdom over Israel to David forever, even to him and to his sons by a covenant of salt? 13:6 Yet Jeroboam the son of Nebat, the servant of Solomon the son of David, rose up, and rebelled against his lord. 13:7 There were gathered to him worthless men, base fellows, who strengthened themselves against Rehoboam the son of Solomon, when Rehoboam was young and tender-hearted, and could not withstand them. 13:8 Now you think to withstand the kingdom of Yahweh in the hand of the sons of David; and you are a great mult.i.tude, and there are with you the golden calves which Jeroboam made you for G.o.ds. 13:9 Haven't you driven out the priests of Yahweh, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites, and made you priests after the manner of the peoples of other lands? so that whoever comes to consecrate himself with a young bull and seven rams, the same may be a priest of those who are no G.o.ds. 13:10 But as for us, Yahweh is our G.o.d, and we have not forsaken him; and we have priests ministering to Yahweh, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites in their work: 13:11 and they burn to Yahweh every morning and every evening burnt offerings and sweet incense: the show bread also set they in order on the pure table; and the lampstand of gold with its lamps, to burn every evening: for we keep the instruction of Yahweh our G.o.d; but you have forsaken him. 13:12 Behold, G.o.d is with us at our head, and his priests with the trumpets of alarm to sound an alarm against you. Children of Israel, don't you fight against Yahweh, the G.o.d of your fathers; for you shall not prosper.

13:13 But Jeroboam caused an ambush to come about behind them: so they were before Judah, and the ambush was behind them. 13:14 When Judah looked back, behold, the battle was before and behind them; and they cried to Yahweh, and the priests sounded with the trumpets. 13:15 Then the men of Judah gave a shout: and as the men of Judah shouted, it happened, that G.o.d struck Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah. 13:16 The children of Israel fled before Judah; and G.o.d delivered them into their hand. 13:17 Abijah and his people killed them with a great slaughter: so there fell down slain of Israel five hundred thousand chosen men. 13:18 Thus the children of Israel were brought under at that time, and the children of Judah prevailed, because they relied on Yahweh, the G.o.d of their fathers. 13:19 Abijah pursued after Jeroboam, and took cities from him, Bethel with its towns, and Jeshanah with its towns, and Ephron with its towns. 13:20 Neither did Jeroboam recover strength again in the days of Abijah: and Yahweh struck him, and he died. 13:21 But Abijah grew mighty, and took to himself fourteen wives, and became the father of twenty-two sons, and sixteen daughters.

13:22 The rest of the acts of Abijah, and his ways, and his sayings, are written in the commentary of the prophet Iddo.

14:1 So Abijah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David; and Asa his son reigned in his place. In his days the land was quiet ten years. 14:2 Asa did that which was good and right in the eyes of Yahweh his G.o.d: 14:3 for he took away the foreign altars, and the high places, and broke down the pillars, and cut down the Asherim, 14:4 and commanded Judah to seek Yahweh, the G.o.d of their fathers, and to do the law and the commandment. 14:5 Also he took away out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the sun images: and the kingdom was quiet before him. 14:6 He built fortified cities in Judah; for the land was quiet, and he had no war in those years, because Yahweh had given him rest. 14:7 For he said to Judah, Let us build these cities, and make about them walls, and towers, gates, and bars; the land is yet before us, because we have sought Yahweh our G.o.d; we have sought him, and he has given us rest on every side. So they built and prospered. 14:8 Asa had an army that bore bucklers and spears, out of Judah three hu