Judah's enemies overthrown.

B. C. 896.

Is. 7. 9.

a 1 Chr.16.29. + Heb. praisers.

bl Chr, 16.34. PA. 136. 1.

el Chr. 16.41. ch. 5.13. & 7.

3, 6.

+ Heb. And in the time

that they. c.

+ Heb. in singing and praise.

dJudg. 7. 22. 1 Sam. 14. 20. ¡Or, they

smote one
another.

Kohathites, and of the children of the Korhites, stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel with a loud voice on high.

20 And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper. 21 And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, 6 Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever.

с

22 + And when they began to sing and to

praise, dthe LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.

23 For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of mount Seir, utterly to slay and destroy them: and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one helped to destroy another.

24 And when Judah came toward the watchtower in the wilderness, they looked unto the multitude, and, behold, they were Heb. for the dead bodies fallen to the earth, and none escaped.

destruction.

↑ Heb. there was not an escaping.

That is, Blessing.

+ Heb, head. Neh. 12. 43.

f ch. 17. 10.

25 And when Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away the spoil of them, they found among them in abundance both riches with the dead bodies, and precious jewels, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away: and they were three days in gathering of the spoil, it was 80 much.

26 And on the fourth day they assembled themselves in the valley of Berachah; for there they blessed the LORD: therefore the name of the same place was called, The valley of Berachah, unto this day.

27 Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat in the + forefront of them, to go again to Jerusalem with joy; for the LORD had made them to rejoice over their enemies.

28 And they came to Jerusalem with psalteries and harps and trumpets unto the house of the LORD.

29 And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of those countries, when they had heard that the LORD fought against the enemies of Israel.

30 So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet: gch. 15. 15. for his God gave him rest round about. Job 34. 23. 31And Jehoshaphat reigned over Ju1 Kin 22.41. dah: he was thirty and five years old when &c. he began to reign, and he reigned twenty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi. 32 And he walked in the way of Asa his father, and departed not from it, doing that which was right in the sight of the LORD. 33 Howbeit the high places were not taken away: for as yet the people had not keh. 12. 14. & prepared their hearts unto the God of their fathers.

¡ See ch. 17.6.

19. 3.

Jehoram slayeth his brethren.

36 And he joined himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish: and they made the ships in Ezion-geber.

37 Then Eliezer the son of Dodavah of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, Because thou hast joined thyself with Ahaziah, the LORD hath broken thy works. "And the ships were broken, that they were not able to go to Tarshish.

CHAPTER XXI.

Jehoram's reign. 4 He stayeth his brethren. 5

His wickedness. 8 Edom and Libnah revolt. 12 The prophecy of Elijah against him. 16 The Philistines and Arabians oppress him. 18 His sickness, death, and unhonoured burial.

Now a Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David. And Jehoram his son reigned in his stead.

2 And he had brethren the sons of Jehoshaphat, Azariah, and Jehiel, and Zechariah, and Azariah, and Michael, and Shephatiah: all these were the sons of Jehoshaphat king of Israel.

3 And their father gave them great gifts of silver, and of gold, and of precious things, with fenced cities in Judah: but the kingdom gave he to Jehoram; because he was the firstborn.

4 Now when Jehoram was risen up to the kingdom of his father, he strengthened himself, and slew all his brethren with the sword, and divers also of the princes of Israel.

B. C. 896.

n1 Kin.22.48. o ch, 9, 21.

889.

al Kin.22.50.

892.

5 Jehoram was thirty and two years old 62 Kings 8.17. when he began to reign, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem.

6 And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, like as did the house of Ahab: for he had the daughter of Ahab to wife: and ech, 22.2. he wrought that which was evil in the eyes of the LORD.

7 Howbeit the LORD would not destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that he had made with David, and as he promised to give a t light to him and to his + Heb. lamp. sons for ever.

8 In his days the Edomites revolted from under the dominion of Judah, and made themselves a king.

9 Then Jehoram went forth with his princes, and all his chariots with him: and he rose up by night, and smote the Edomites which compassed him in, and the captains of the chariots.

10 So the Edomites revolted from under the hand of Judah unto this day. The same time also did Libnah revolt from under his hand; because he had forsaken the LORD God of his fathers.

11 Moreover he made high places in the mountains of Judah, and caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to f commit fornication, and compelled Judah thereto. 12 And there came a writing to him from Elijah the prophet, saying, Thus saith the LORD God of David thy father, Because thou hast not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat thy father, nor in the ways of Asa king of Judah,

or, candle.

d 2 Sam. 7. 12, 13.

1 Kin. 11. 36. 2 Kin, 8. 19. Ps. 132. 11, &c.

889.

€ 2 Kings 8.20, &c.

t Heb. hand.

f Lev. 17.7.& 20. 5. ver. 13.

gver. 11.

Deut. 31. 16. il Kin. 16. 3133. 2 Kings 9.22.

13 But hast walked in the way of the kings Ex. 34. 15. of Israel, and hast made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to go a whoring, like to the i whoredoms of the house of Ahab, and also hast kslain thy brethren of thy father's house, which were better than thy-k ver. 4. self: + Heb. a great stroke.

14 Behold, with a great plague will the

LORD smite thy people, and thy children, and thy wives, and all thy goods:

15 And thou shalt have great sickness by /disease of thy bowels, until thy bowels fall out by reason of the sickness day by day. 16 Moreover the LORD stirred up against Jehoram the spirit of the Philistines, and of the Arabians, that were near the Ethiopians:

17 And they came up into Judah, and brake into it, and carried away all the substance that was found in the king's house, and "his sons also, and his wives; so that there was never a son left him, save "Jehoahaz, the youngest of his sons. 18 And after all this the LORD smote him "in his bowels with an incurable disease. 19 And it came to pass, that in process of time, after the end of two years, his bowels fell out by reason of his sickness: so he died of sore diseases. And his people made no burning for him, like Pthe burning of his fathers.

20 Thirty and two years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years, and departed t without being desired. Howbeit they buried him in the city of David, but not in the sepulchres of the kings.

CHAPTER XXII.

Ahaziah's wicked reign. 5 In his confederacy with Joram the son of Ahab, he is slain by Jeku. 10 Athaliah usurpeth the kingdom; and destroyeth

all the seed royal, save Joash,

AND the inhabitants of Jerusalem made "Ahaziah his youngest son king in his stead for the band of men that came with the Arabians to the camp had slain all the beldest. So Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah reigned.

2 Forty and two years old was Ahaziah when he began to reign, and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was d Athaliah the daughter of Omri. 3 He also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab for his mother was his counsellor to do wickedly.

4 Wherefore he did evil in the sight of the LORD like the house of Ahab: for they were his counsellors, after the death of his father, to his destruction.

5 He walked also after their counsel, and went with Jehoram the son of Ahab king of Israel to war against Hazael king of Syria at Ramoth-gilead: and the Syrians smote Joram.

6 ƒ And he returned to be healed in Jezreel because of the wounds which were given him at Ramah, when he fought with Hazael king of Syria. And Azariah the son of Jehoram king of Judah went down to see Jeloram the son of Ahab at Jezreel, because he was sick.

7 And the destruction of Ahaziah was of God by coming to Joram: for when he was come, he went out with Jehoram against Jehu the son of Nimshi, i whom the LORD had anointed to cut off the house of Ahab.

8 And it came to pass, that, when Jehu was kexecuting judgment upon the house of Ahab, and found the princes of Judah, and the sons of the brethren of Ahaziah, that ministered to Ahaziah, he slew them.

9 And he sought Ahaziah: and they caught him, for he was hid in Samaria, and brought him to Jehu: and when they had slain him, they buried him: Because, said

Athaliah usurpeth the kingdom.
B. C. 884.

they, he is the son of Jehoshaphat, who
"sought the LORD with all his heart. So
the house of Ahaziah had no power to keep
still the kingdom.

10 But when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal of the house of Judah.

11 But Jehoshabeath, the daughter of the king, took Joash the son of Aliaziah, and stole him from among the king's sons that were slain, and put him and his nurse in a bedchamber. So Jehoshabeath, the daughter of king Jehoram, the wife of Jehoiada the priest, (for she was the sister of Ahaziah,) hid him from Athaliah, so that she slew him not.

12 And he was with them hid in the house of God six years: and Athaliah reigned over the land.

CHAPTER XXIII.

Jehoiads maketh Joash king. 12 Athaliah is slain, 16 Jehoiada restoreth the worship of God,

AND in the seventh year Jehoiada strengthened himself, and took the captains of hundreds, Azariah the son of Jeroham, and Ishmael the son of Jehohanan, and Azariah the son of Obed, and Maaseiah the son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat the son of Zichri, into covenant with him.

2 And they went about in Judah, and gathered the Levites out of all the cities of Judah, and the chief of the fathers of Israel, and they came to Jerusalem.

3 And all the congregation made a covenant with the king in the house of God. And he said unto them, Behold, the king's son shall reign, as the LORD hath b said of the sons of David.

4 This is the thing that ye shall do; A third part of you entering on the sabbath, of the priests and of the Levites, shall be porters of the doors;

5 And a third part shall be at the king's house; and a third part at the gate of the foundation: and all the people shall be in the courts of the house of the LORD.

n ch. 17. 4.

2 Kings 11. 1, &c.

p2 Kin. 11. 2, Jehosheba.

878.

a 2 Kings 11. 4, &c.

62 Sam. 7. 12. 1 Kings 2. 4. & 9. 5.

ch. 6. 16. & 7. 18. & 21. 7. el Chr. 9. 25. + Heb. thresholds.

29.

6 But let none come into the house of the LORD, save the priests, and they that d1 Chr. 23,28, minister of the Levites; they shall go in, for they are holy but all the people shall keep the watch of the LORD.

7 And the Levites shall compass the king round about, every man with his weapons in his hand; and whosoever else cometh into the house, he shall be put to death: but be ye with the king when he cometh in, and when he goeth out.

8 So the Levites and all Judah did according to all things that Jehoiada the priest had commanded, and took every man his men that were to come in on the sabbath, with them that were to go out on the sabbath: for Jehoiada the priest dismissed not the courses.

Worship of God restored.

B. C. 878.

1 Chr. 25.8. + Heb. Conspiracy.

A Neh. 3. 28.

iDeut. 13, 9.

k1 Chr. 23. 6, 30, 31. & 24.

1.

about 878. a 2 Kin. 11.21. & 12. 1, &c.

6 See ch. 26.5.

+ Heb. to renew.

856.

e2 Kin. 12. 4.

12 Now when Athaliah heard the noise of the people running and praising the king, she came to the people into the house of the LORD:

13 And she looked, and, behold, the king stood at his pillar at the entering in, and the princes and the trumpets by the king: and all the people of the land rejoiced, and sounded with trumpets, also the singers with instruments of music, and such as taught to sing praise. Then Athaliah rent her clothes, and said, Treason, treason.

14 Then Jehoiada the priest brought out the captains of hundreds that were set over the host, and said unto them, Have her forth of the ranges: and whoso followeth her, let him be slain with the sword. For the priest said, Slay her not in the house of the LORD.

15 So they laid hands on her; and when she was come to the entering & of the horse gate by the king's house, they slew her there. 16 And Jehoiada made a covenant Letween him, and between all the people, and between the king, that they should be the LORD'S people.

17 Then all the people went to the house of Baal, and brake it down, and brake his altars and his images in pieces, and islew Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars. 18 Also Jehoiada appointed the offices of the house of the LORD by the hand of the priests the Levites, whom David had distributed in the house of the LORD, to offer the burnt offerings of the LORD, as it is written in the law of Moses, with rejoicing and with singing, as it was ordained by David.

19 And he set the porters at the gates of the house of the LORD, that none which was unclean in any thing should enter in.

20" And he took the captains of hundreds, and the nobles, and the governors of the people, and all the people of the land, and brought down the king from the house of the LORD: and they came through the high gate into the king's house, and set the king upon the throne of the kingdom.

21 And all the people of the land rejoiced: and the city was quiet, after that they had slain Athaliah with the sword.

CHAPTER XXIV.

Joash reigneth well all the days of Jehoiada. 4 He giveth orders to repair the temple. 15 Jehoiada's death and honourable burial. 17 Joash falleth into idolatry. 20 Being reproved by Zechariah the son of Jehoiada, he slayeth him. 23 Jerusalem is spoiled by the Syrians; and Joash slain by his servants. 27 Amaziah succeedeth him.

JOASH was seven years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Zibiah of Beer-sheba.

2 And Joash & did that which was right in the sight of the LORD all the days of Jehoiada the priest.

3 And Jehoiada took for him two wives; and he begat sons and daughters. 4 And it came to pass after this, that Joash was minded to repair the house of the LORD.

5 And he gathered together the priests and the Levites, and said to them, Go out unto the cities of Judah, and gather of all Israel money to repair the house of your God from year to year, and see that ye hasten the matter. Howbeit the Levites hastened it not.

Repairing of the temple.

B. C. 856.

d2 Kin. 12. 7.

6 d And the king called for Jehoiada the chief, and said unto him, Why hast thou not required of the Levites to bring in out of Judah and out of Jerusalem the collection, according to the commandment of Moses the servant of the LORD, and of the congregation of Israel, for the ƒ tabernacle of wit-Num. 1. 50. ness? Acts 7. 41. 9 ch. 21. 17.

7 For the sons of Athaliah, that wicked woman, had broken up the house of God; and also all the A dedicated things of the house of the LORD did they bestow upon Baalim.

Ex. 30.12,13, 14, 16.

A2 Kin. 12. 4.

8 And at the king's commandment itheyi 2 Kin. 12. 9. made a chest, and set it without at the gate of the house of the LORD.

a voice. k ver. 6.

9 And they made a proclamation through + Heb.
Judah and Jerusalem, to bring in to the
LORD the collection that Moses the serv-
ant of God laid upon Israel in the wilder-
ness.

10 And all the princes and all the people rejoiced, and brought in, and cast into the chest, until they had made an end.

11 Now it came to pass, that at what time the chest was brought unto the king's office by the hand of the Levites, and when they 12 Kin.12.10. saw that there was much money, the king's scribe and the high priest's officer came and emptied the chest, and took it, and carried it to his place again. Thus they did day by day, and gathered money in abundance. 12 And the king and Jehoiada gave it to such as did the work of the service of the house of the LORD, and hired masons and carpenters to repair the house of the LORD, and also such as wrought iron and brass to mend the house of the LORD.

13 So the workmen wrought, and the work was perfected by them, and they set the house of God in his state, and strengthened it.

+ Heb. the healing went up upon the work.

m See 2 Kings 12. 13.

14 And when they had finished it, they brought the rest of the money before the king and Jehoiada, whereof were made vessels for the house of the LORD, even vessels to minister, and "to offer withal, and Or, pestils. spoons, and vessels of gold and silver. And they offered burnt offerings in the house of the LORD continually all the days of Jehoiada.

15 But Jeboiada waxed old, and was full of days when he died; a hundred and thirty years old was he when he died.

16 And they buried him in the city of David among the kings, because he had done good in Israel, both toward God, and toward his house.

17 Now after the death of Jehoiada came the princes of Judah, and made obeisance to the king. Then the king hearkened unto them.

18 And they left the house of the LORD God of their fathers, and served "groves and idols: and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this their trespass.

19 Yet he sent prophets to them, to bring them again unto the LORD; and they testified against them: but they would not give ear.

20 And the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, which stood above the people, and said unto them, Thus saith God, "Why transgress ye the commandments of the LORD, that ye cannot prosper? because ye have forsaken the LORD, he hath also forsaken you.

21 And they conspired against him, and tstoned him with stones at the command

about 850.

about 840.

n1 Kin. 14.23. o Judg. 5. 8. ch. 19. 2. & 28. 13. & 29. 8. & 32. 25. pch ch. 36. 15. Jer. 7. 25, 26. & 25, 4.

7 ch. 15. 1. & 20. 14.

+ Heb. clothed, as Judg. 6. 34. Num. 14. 41.

ch. 15. 2.

840.

Matt. 23. 35. Acts 7.58,59.

The Syrians invade Judah.

B. C. 840.

839.

+ Heb. in the

revolution of

the year.

u 2 Kin.12.17.

+ Heb. Darmesek. 2 Lev. 26, 8. Deut. 32. 30. Is. 30. 17. y Lev. 26. 25. Deut. 23. 25. 2 ch. 22. 8. la. 10. 5.

a 2 Kin.12.20.

6 ver, 21.

| Or, Jozachar,

2 Kin. 12. 21. ¡Or, Shomer. c2 Kin. 12.18. + Heb. founding. Or, commentary.

ment of the king in the court of the house of the LORD.

22 Thus Joash the king remembered not the kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him, but slew his son. And when he died, he said, The LORD look upon it, and require it.

23 And it came to pass at the end of the year, that "the host of Syria came up against him: and they came to Judah and Jerusalem, and destroyed all the princes of the people from among the people, and sent all the spoil of them unto the king of Da

mascus.

24 For the army of the Syrians came with a small company of men, and the LORD delivered a very great host into their hand, because they had forsaken the LORD God of their fathers. So they executed judgment against Joasb.

25 And when they were departed from him, (for they left him in great diseases,) "his own servants conspired against him for the blood of the sons of Jehoiada the priest, and slew him on his bed, and he died: and they buried him in the city of David, but they buried him not in the sepulchres of the kings.

26 And these are they that conspired against him; "Zabad the son of Shimeath an Ammonitess, and Jehozabad the son of Shimrith a Moabitess.

27 Now concerning his sons, and the greatness of the burdens laid upon him, and the repairing of the house of God, behold, they are written in the story of the book of the kings. d And Amaziah his son d2 Kin.12.21. reigned in his stead.

MAZIAH was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusa lem. And his mother's name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem.

2 And he did that which was right in the 6 See 2 Kings sight of the LORD, but not with a perfect 14.4. heart.

ver. 14.

e2 Kin. 14. 5, &c. + Heb. confirmed upon him.

d Deut. 24.16. 2 Kin. 14. 6.

Jer. 31. 30.
Ez. 18.20.

. Num. 1. 3.

3 Now it came to pass, when the kingdom was established to him, that he slew his servants that had killed the king his father. 4 But he slew not their children, but did as it is written in the law in the book of Moses, where the LORD commanded, saying, dThe fathers shall not die for the chil. dren, neither shall the children die for the fathers, but every man shall die for his own sin. 5 Moreover Amaziah gathered Judah together, and made them captains over thou. sands, and captains over hundreds, according to the houses of their fathers, throughout all Judah and Benjamin: and he numbered them from twenty years old and above, and found them three hundred thousand choice men, able to go forth to war, that could handle spear and shield.

6 He hired also a hundred thousand mighty men of valour out of Israel for a hundred talents of silver.

7 But there came a man of God to him, saying, O king, let not the army of Israel go with thee; for the LORD is not with Israel, to wit, with all the children of Ephraim. 8 But if thou wilt go, do it, be strong for

The idolatry of Amaziah.

the battle: God shall make thee fall before the enemy for God hath power to help, and to cast down.

9 And Amaziah said to the man of God, But what shall we do for the bundred talents which I have given to the t army of Israel? And the man of God answered, The LORD is able to give thee much more than this. 10 Then Amaziah separated them, to wit, the army that was come to him out of Ephraim, to go home again: wherefore their anger was greatly kindled against Judah, and they returned home in great anger.

11 And Amaziah strengthened himself, and led forth his people, and went to the valley of salt, and smote of the children of Seir ten thousand.

12 And other ten thousand left alive did the children of Judah carry away captive, and brought them unto the top of the rock, and cast them down from the top of the rock, that they all were broken in pieces.

13 But the soldiers of the army which Amaziah sent back, that they should not go with him to battle, fell upon the cities of Judah, from Samaria even unto Beth-horon, and smote three thousand of them, and took much spoil.

B. C. 839.

fch. 20. 6.

↑ Heb. band.

Prov. 10. 22.

Heb. to their place. Heb, in heat

of anger. about 827.

A 2 Kin. 14. 7.

† Heb. the sons of the band.

14 Now it came to pass, after that Amaziah was come from the slaughter of the Edomites, that he brought the gods of the chil- iSee ch.28.23. dren of Seir, and set them up to be kisk Ex. 20. 3, 5. gods, and bowed down himself before them, and burned incense unto them.

15 Wherefore the anger of the LORD was kindled against Amaziah, and he sent unto him a prophet, which said unto him, Why hast thou sought after the gods of the peo-Ps. 96. 5. ple, which could not deliver their own people out of thine hand?

16 And it came to pass, as he talked with him, that the king said unto him, Art thou made of the king's counsel? forbear; why shouldest thou be smitten? Then the proph et forbare, and said, I know that God hath +"determined to destroy thee, because thou hast done this, and hast not hearkened unto my counsel.

17 Then Amaziah king of Judah took advice, and sent to Joash, the son of Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, Come, let us see one another in the face.

18 And Joash king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, The thistle that was in Lebanon sent to the cedar that was in Lebanon, saying, Give thy daughter to my son to wife: and there passed by ta wild beast that was in Lebanon, and trode down the thistle.

19 Thou sayest, Lo, thou hast smitten the Edomites; and thine heart lifteth thee up to boast abide now at home; why shouldest thou meddle to thine hurt, that thou shouldest fall, even thou, and Judah with thee?

20 But Amaziah would not hear; for Pit came of God, that he might deliver them into the hand of their enemies, because they sought after the gods of Edom.

21 So Joash the king of Israel went up; and they saw one another in the face, both be and Amaziah king of Judah, at Beth-shemesh, which belongeth to Judah.

22 And Judah was put to the worse before Israel, and they fled every man to his tent. 23 And Joash the king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Joash, the son of Jehoahaz, at Beth-shemesh, and brought him to Jerusalem, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of

ver. 11.

+ Heb. counselled. n1 Sam. 2. 25. 826.

o2 Kin. 14. 8, 9, &c.

Or, furze bush, or, thorn.

↑ Heb. a beast of the field.

p1 Kin.12.15. ch. 22. 7.

g ver. 14.

+ Heb. smitten.

See ch. 21. 17. & 22. 1, 6.