2 Chronicles

Solomon, strengthened in his reign with God's presence, gathered the leaders of Israel and went to the high place of Gibeon, where the tabernacle of the covenant was. There, he offered one thousand victims on the bronze altar, and God appeared to him that night, offering to grant him a wish. Solomon requested wisdom and understanding to judge God's people, and God granted his request, also giving him wealth, substance, and glory. Solomon then returned to Jerusalem, reigned over Israel, and gathered chariots and horsemen, accumulating great wealth and power.

Solomon decided to build a house for the Lord and a palace for himself, and he prepared 70,000 men to carry loads, 80,000 to quarry stones, and 3,600 to oversee the work. He asked Hiram, the king of Tyre, to send him a skilled craftsman and materials, including cedar wood, to help with the construction. Hiram agreed to help, sending his skilled craftsman and offering to provide the needed wood in exchange for provisions. Solomon also took a census of the new converts in Israel and assigned them to work on the construction project.

Solomon began building the house of the Lord in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, as shown to his father David, in the second month of the fourth year of his reign. The temple's dimensions were sixty cubits in length, twenty cubits in width, and the portico was twenty cubits long and 120 cubits high, overlaid with pure gold. The interior was adorned with wooden panels, refined gold, palm trees, and chains, while the floor was paved with precious marble. The house of the Holy of Holies was twenty cubits long and wide, covered in gold, and contained two gold-covered cherubim statues with outstretched wings.

Solomon made a brass altar, a molten sea supported by twelve oxen, and ten basins for washing. He also made ten gold lampstands, ten tables, and one hundred gold bowls for the temple. Additionally, Hiram made cooking pots, hooks, and bowls, as well as other vessels for the house of God, including the pillars, crossbeams, and pomegranates. Solomon cast the vessels in the region near the Jordan and made all the vessels for the house of God, including the gold altar, tables, lampstands, and other items, all from the purest gold and brass.

Solomon gathered the leaders of Israel to bring the ark of the covenant from the City of David to the temple in Jerusalem. The Levites carried the ark, accompanied by the priests with the vessels of the sanctuary, and the assembly of Israel offered numerous sacrifices. The priests placed the ark in the Holy of Holies, under the wings of the cherubim, where it remained with the two tablets of the law given by Moses. When the priests and Levites sounded out with musical instruments and praised the Lord, a cloud filled the house of God, and the glory of the Lord prevented the priests from standing and ministering.

Solomon blessed the multitude of Israel and acknowledged God's fulfillment of his promise to David, that his son would build a house for God's name. Solomon then stood before the altar and prayed, recognizing God's greatness and his covenant with his servants, and asking that God would hear the prayers of his people and forgive their sins. He also prayed for God's mercy on his people when they sinned, and for God to hear the prayers of outsiders who came to worship in the temple. Solomon concluded his prayer by asking God to remember his mercies to David and to not turn away from his Christ.

Fire descended from heaven and consumed the offerings at the temple, filling it with the majesty of the Lord, and the people fell to the ground in worship. King Solomon then offered thousands of sacrifices, and the priests and Levites played music and sounded trumpets in praise of the Lord. The people celebrated the dedication of the temple for seven days, and on the eighth day, Solomon held a solemn gathering. The Lord then appeared to Solomon, promising to hear the prayers of his people if they turned to him in repentance, but warning that if they turned away from him, he would uproot them from the land and make the temple a desolate example to all nations.

Solomon built and fortified various cities, including those given to him by Hiram, and settled the sons of Israel there. He also subjugated the remaining non-Israelite peoples as tributaries, but did not force the Israelites to serve in labor. Solomon appointed leaders to instruct the people and organized the priests, Levites, and porters according to his father David's plan. He also offered daily sacrifices on the altar and eventually sent ships to Ophir, where they obtained 450 talents of gold.

The queen of Sheba visited Solomon, bringing great riches and testing him with enigmas, which he successfully answered, impressing her with his wisdom. She praised Solomon and blessed his servants and God, who had set him as king over Israel. The queen gave Solomon many gifts, and he reciprocated with even more, and she returned to her land. Solomon's wealth and power continued to grow, with a vast amount of gold and other riches being brought to him each year, and he used these resources to create many lavish items, including a great ivory throne and gold shields.

Rehoboam traveled to Shechem to be appointed king by the Israelites, but Jeroboam, who had fled to Egypt, returned and joined the gathering. The people asked Rehoboam to lighten the heavy yoke imposed by his father Solomon, but he rejected the counsel of the elders and instead followed the advice of his youthful companions, who suggested he increase the burden. Rehoboam's harsh response led to the people's rebellion, and they rejected the house of David, with Israel withdrawing from Judah and Rehoboam reigning only over the cities of Judah.

Rehoboam gathered an army to fight against Israel, but God instructed him through Shemaiah to stand down, and Rehoboam obeyed. Rehoboam then fortified cities in Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and Levites who had been cast out by Jeroboam came to him in Jerusalem. Rehoboam ruled Judah and Benjamin, and for three years the people walked in the ways of David and Solomon. Rehoboam married many wives, including Maacah, the daughter of Absalom, and appointed their son Abijah as the ruler over his brothers.

King Rehoboam abandoned the law of the Lord, and as a result, Shishak, the king of Egypt, attacked Jerusalem with a large army and seized the fortified cities in Judah. The prophet Shemaiah told Rehoboam and the leaders of Judah that the Lord had abandoned them because they had abandoned Him, but because they humbled themselves, the Lord decided not to destroy them completely. Shishak took the treasures of the house of the Lord and the king's house, but Rehoboam was able to recover and strengthen his kingdom. Rehoboam reigned for 17 years, but he did evil and did not seek the Lord, and his works are recorded in the books of Shemaiah and Iddo.

Abijah, king of Judah, went to war against Jeroboam, king of Israel, with 400,000 men, while Jeroboam had 800,000 men. Abijah stood on Mount Zemaraim and reminded Jeroboam that God had given the kingdom to David and his sons by a covenant, and that Jeroboam had rebelled against his lord. Despite being outnumbered, Abijah's army, with the help of God, defeated Jeroboam's army, killing 500,000 men, and Abijah seized several cities from Jeroboam.

Asa, the son of Abijah, became king and did what was pleasing to God, removing foreign altars and idols, and instructing Judah to seek the Lord and follow the law. He built fortified cities in Judah and reigned in peace, as the Lord granted peace on every side. Asa's army of nearly 600,000 men from Judah and Benjamin defeated the Ethiopian army of one million men, led by Zerah, when Asa called upon the Lord for help. The Ethiopians fled and were pursued by Asa's army, resulting in their destruction and the capture of many spoils.

Azariah, the son of Oded, prophesied to Asa, warning him that if he abandoned God, God would abandon him, but if he sought God, he would find him. Asa was strengthened by the prophecy and removed idols from Judah and Benjamin, and he gathered the people to make a covenant with God, swearing to seek Him with their whole heart and soul. Those who refused to seek God were to be put to death, and the people swore with a curse, seeking God with all their heart and will. Asa also deposed his mother, Maacah, for making an idol, and he brought his and his father's vows into the house of the Lord.

Baasha, the king of Israel, attacked Judah and built a wall around Ramah, but Asa, the king of Judah, bribed Benhadad, the king of Syria, to break his pact with Baasha and attack Israel. Benhadad complied, forcing Baasha to withdraw from Ramah, and Asa used the materials Baasha had prepared to build up Gibeah and Mizpah. The prophet Hanani rebuked Asa for trusting in the king of Syria instead of God, warning him that this would lead to future wars. Asa became angry and imprisoned Hanani, and later, when Asa became ill, he trusted in physicians rather than seeking God, and eventually died.

Jehoshaphat, the son of Asa, became king of Judah and strengthened his military by placing soldiers in fortified cities and garrisons in the land. The Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the ways of his father David and did not trust in the Baals, and as a result, the kingdom was confirmed in his hand and he received many riches and gifts. Jehoshaphat removed the high places and sacred groves from Judah and sent leaders to teach the people from the book of the law of the Lord, causing the fear of the Lord to fall upon the surrounding kingdoms. Jehoshaphat's power and wealth increased, and he built houses and walled cities, preparing many works in Judah and having a large and experienced army at his command.

Ahab, the king of Israel, and Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, formed an alliance and Ahab convinced Jehoshaphat to join him in a battle against Ramoth Gilead. Jehoshaphat asked Ahab to consult with prophets to determine God's will, and Ahab gathered 400 prophets who all predicted victory. However, Jehoshaphat asked for another prophet, Micaiah, who prophesied that Ahab would be defeated and killed. Despite Micaiah's warning, Ahab and Jehoshaphat went to battle, and Ahab was struck by an arrow and died.

Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, was rebuked by Jehu for forming an alliance with the wicked, but was commended for removing the sacred groves and seeking the Lord. Jehoshaphat then appointed judges and instructed them to fear the Lord and judge faithfully, without respect of persons or bribery. He also appointed Levites, priests, and leaders to judge the people in Jerusalem, instructing them to act faithfully and with a perfect heart. Jehoshaphat established a system of justice, with Amariah the priest overseeing spiritual matters and Zebadiah overseeing the king's office.

The sons of Moab, Ammon, and others gathered to fight against Jehoshaphat, who proclaimed a fast and prayed to the Lord for help. The prophet Jahaziel told Jehoshaphat not to be afraid, as the fight was God's, and that the Lord would be with them. The next day, Jehoshaphat's army went out to face the enemy, but instead of fighting, they stood and watched as the Lord caused the enemy to turn against each other, resulting in their destruction. Jehoshaphat and his people then gathered the spoils and returned to Jerusalem, rejoicing and praising the Lord.

Jehoshaphat's son Jehoram succeeded him as king of Judah, but he killed his brothers and followed the evil ways of the kings of Israel, influenced by his wife, a daughter of Ahab. Edom and Libnah rebelled against him, and he was condemned by the prophet Elijah for his wickedness. As a result, the Lord afflicted Jehoram with a severe bowel disease that lasted for two years, and his family and kingdom were devastated by the Philistines and Arabians. Jehoram died at the age of 40, after an eight-year reign, and was buried in the City of David, but not in the sepulcher of the kings.

Ahaziah, the son of Jehoram, became king of Judah at 42 years old and reigned for one year, following in the evil ways of the house of Ahab due to his mother Athaliah's influence. He joined Joram, the king of Israel, in a war against Hazael, the king of Syria, and later visited Joram while he was recovering from wounds. Ahaziah was eventually killed by Jehu, who had been anointed by the Lord to destroy the house of Ahab. After Ahaziah's death, his mother Athaliah killed the remaining royal stock, but Joash, Ahaziah's son, was saved by his aunt Jehosheba and hidden in the house of God for six years while Athaliah reigned.

Jehoiada, the high priest, formed a pact with the centurions and gathered the Levites and leaders of Israel to crown Joash, the son of the king, as the rightful ruler of Judah. The Levites and people of Judah followed Jehoiada's instructions, and they placed Joash on the throne, anointing him as king. When Athaliah, the usurping queen, discovered what was happening, she was seized and put to death outside the temple. Jehoiada then formed a covenant between the people and the king, and the people destroyed the temple of Baal and restored the worship of the Lord in the house of the Lord.

Joash, at seven years old, began his 40-year reign in Jerusalem, initially doing what was good before the Lord under the guidance of Jehoiada the priest. Joash decided to repair the house of the Lord, but the Levites were negligent in collecting the necessary funds, prompting the king to instruct them to gather money from all of Israel. The money was collected and used to repair the temple, and when the work was completed, the remaining funds were used to make vessels for the temple. After Jehoiada's death, Joash was swayed by the leaders of Judah and abandoned the Lord, leading to wrath and eventually his own death at the hands of his servants.

Amaziah, king of Judah, reigned for 29 years, initially doing good in the sight of the Lord but not with a perfect heart. He executed his father's killers but spared their sons, as instructed by the law of Moses. Amaziah then gathered an army of 300,000 men from Judah and Benjamin and hired 100,000 experienced men from Israel, but a man of God advised him to send the Israelite army back, which he did. Amaziah then led his army to victory against the Edomites but adopted their gods and began worshiping them, which angered the Lord. The Lord sent a prophet to warn Amaziah, but he refused to listen and instead challenged the king of Israel, Joash, to battle. Amaziah was defeated, captured, and later killed in an ambush in Lachish.

Uzziah, the 16-year-old son of Amaziah, was appointed king of Judah and reigned for 52 years in Jerusalem, doing what was right in the eyes of the Lord. He sought the Lord and was directed by the prophet Zechariah, and God helped him in his victories against the Philistines, Arabians, and Ammonites. Uzziah built towers and fortified Jerusalem, and his army was well-equipped and strong. However, when he became strong, his heart was lifted up, and he neglected the Lord, entering the temple to burn incense, which was not his office, and was subsequently afflicted with leprosy, forcing him to live in a separate house until his death.

Jotham, the son of Uzziah, reigned in Jerusalem for 16 years, doing what was right before the Lord, but not entering the temple. He strengthened the high gate of the Lord's house, built cities, fortresses, and towers, and defeated the king of the Ammonites, receiving tribute from them. Jotham's reign was marked by strength and prosperity because he directed his way before the Lord. He died and was buried in the City of David, succeeded by his son Ahaz.

Ahaz, the 20-year-old king of Judah, reigned for 16 years and did not follow the Lord, instead walking in the ways of the kings of Israel and worshiping Baals. He was defeated by the kings of Syria and Israel, and the Israelites took 200,000 Judahites captive, but a prophet named Oded convinced them to release the captives. Ahaz then sought help from the king of Assyria, but was instead afflicted by him, and he continued to provoke the Lord by worshiping other gods and closing the temple. Ahaz died and was buried in Jerusalem, but not in the sepulchers of the kings of Israel, and his son Hezekiah succeeded him.

Hezekiah, at 25 years old, began his 29-year reign in Jerusalem, pleasing the Lord by following his father David's ways. In his first year, he opened the temple doors, gathered the priests and Levites, and ordered them to cleanse the house of the Lord, which had been polluted by his father's sins. The Levites and priests sanctified the temple, removing uncleanness and restoring the altar and vessels. Hezekiah then offered sacrifices for sin, the kingdom, the sanctuary, and Judah, and the Levites were situated in the temple with musical instruments. The people offered numerous holocausts, and the service of the house of the Lord was completed, bringing joy to Hezekiah and the people.

Hezekiah sent letters to all of Israel and Judah, inviting them to come to Jerusalem to keep the Passover, which they had not been able to observe at its proper time. The people were encouraged to return to the Lord and not follow in the footsteps of their fathers who had withdrawn from God. Despite some ridicule, many people from various tribes gathered in Jerusalem to keep the Passover and the solemnity of unleavened bread. The priests and Levites offered sacrifices, and Hezekiah prayed for those who had not been sanctified, and the Lord heeded his prayer and was reconciled to the people.

The Israelites destroyed idols and high places throughout Judah and other regions, then returned to their cities. Hezekiah appointed priests and Levites to their proper offices and instructed the people to give portions to them. The people brought an abundance of offerings, including first-fruits, tithes, and vowed things, which were stored in designated places under the oversight of Levites. Hezekiah ensured that provisions were faithfully distributed to the priests, Levites, and their families, and he worked to serve the Lord with his whole heart, prospering as a result.

Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, invaded Judah and besieged the fortified cities, prompting Hezekiah to prepare for war by obstructing the city's water sources and building up its defenses. Hezekiah encouraged his people to trust in God, saying that the Lord would fight for them. Sennacherib sent his servants to Jerusalem to intimidate the people and blaspheme against God, but Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah prayed for God's intervention. The Lord sent an angel to destroy the Assyrian army, and Sennacherib was eventually killed by his own sons. Hezekiah was later afflicted with a deadly illness but prayed to the Lord and was healed. Despite his wealth and fame, Hezekiah's heart became proud, and he was humbled by God's wrath. He eventually died and was succeeded by his son Manasseh.

Manasseh, who became king at 12 years old, reigned for 55 years in Jerusalem and initially did evil in the Lord's sight, repairing high places, constructing altars to Baals, and serving the entire army of heaven. He also caused his sons to pass through fire and worked many evils, provoking the Lord. However, after being captured by the Assyrians and praying to the Lord, Manasseh repented and was returned to Jerusalem, where he removed foreign gods and idols, repaired the altar of the Lord, and instructed Judah to serve the Lord. Manasseh's son Amon succeeded him but did evil in the Lord's sight and was eventually killed by his servants, leading to the appointment of his son Josiah as king.

Josiah became king at eight years old and reigned for 31 years, doing what was right in the Lord's sight and following in the ways of his father David. He cleansed Judah and Jerusalem of high places, sacred groves, idols, and graven images, and then sent officials to repair the temple of the Lord. During the repairs, the high priest Hilkiah found the book of the law of the Lord by the hand of Moses, which was then read to the king. Upon hearing the words of the law, Josiah tore his garments and sent officials to pray to the Lord for him and the remnant of Israel and Judah. The prophetess Huldah responded that the Lord would bring evil upon the place and its inhabitants, but because Josiah had listened and humbled himself, he would be gathered to his fathers in peace. Josiah then called together the people and read the words of the volume to them, striking a covenant before the Lord to walk after him and keep his precepts, and binding all who were found in Jerusalem and Benjamin by oath to do the same.

Josiah kept the Passover in Jerusalem, appointing priests and Levites to their offices and instructing them to follow the law. He provided 30,000 lambs and young goats, as well as 3,000 oxen, for the people to celebrate the Passover. The priests and Levites prepared the sacrifices, and the people observed the Passover and the solemnity of unleavened bread for seven days. This Passover was considered the greatest in Israel's history since the time of Samuel. Later, Josiah went to war against Neco, the king of Egypt, despite Neco's warning that he was fighting on God's behalf, and Josiah was fatally wounded in the battle.

Jehoahaz, son of Josiah, became king of Judah at 23 years old but reigned for only three months before being removed by the king of Egypt, who then appointed Eliakim, renamed Jehoiakim, as king. Jehoiakim reigned for 11 years, doing evil in the sight of the Lord, and was eventually taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar, king of the Chaldeans. Jehoiachin, Jehoiakim's son, succeeded him but was also taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar after a short reign, and Zedekiah, Jehoiachin's uncle, was appointed king. Zedekiah reigned for 11 years, doing evil in the eyes of the Lord, and the Lord eventually sent the king of the Chaldeans to destroy Jerusalem and the temple, leading to a 70-year desolation of the land.