And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for to Shechem were all Israel come to make him king.

And he said to them, "Come again after three days to me." And the people departed.

And king Rehoboam counseled with elders that stood before Solomon his father, while he lived, and said, "What counsel give ye me, to answer this people again?"

And they told him saying, "If thou shalt be kind to this people and please them and shalt speak loving words to them, they will be thy servants forever."

and said to them, "What advice give ye that I may answer this people which have communed with me, saying, 'Abate somewhat of the yoke which thy father did put upon us?'"

And the young men that were nursed up with him talked with him, saying, "Thus answer the people that spake to thee, saying, 'Thy father made our yoke heavy: But make thou our yoke somewhat lighter.' Thus wise answer them: 'My little finger shall be heavier than thy father's loins.

And when Jeroboam and all Israel were come the third day, as the king bade, saying, "Come again to me the third day,"

And so the king hearkened not unto the people, for the turning away was of God, that the LORD might make good his saying which he spake by the hand of Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat.

And when all Israel saw that the king would not hear them, the people answered the king, saying, "What part have we with David or inheritance with the son of Jesse? Let every man of Israel go to his tent. And now, David, see to thine own house!" And thereupon all Israel gat them to their tents,

Then king Rehoboam sent to them Hadoram that was over the tribute, and the children of Israel stoned him with stones that he died. But king Rehoboam made speed and gat him up in his chariot to fly to Jerusalem.

And so Israel departed from the house of David unto this day.

And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he gathered of the house of Judah and Benjamin to the number of nine score thousand choice men of war to fight with Israel, for to bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam.

But the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying,

"Speak unto Rehoboam the son of Solomon king of Judah and to all Israel that are in Judah, and to Benjamin, and say,

'Thus sayeth the LORD. Go not nor fight with your brethren: But return every man to his house, for this thing is done of me.'" And they obeyed the words of the LORD and returned from going against Jeroboam.

And the priests and Levites that were in all Israel resorted to him, out of all their coasts.

Insomuch that the Levites left their suburbs and possessions and came to Judah and Jerusalem: for Jeroboam and his sons had cast them out from ministering unto the LORD.

And he ordained him priests of hill altars - both to field devils and also to the calves which he had made.

And after them came there men out of all the tribes of Israel, which gave over their hearts to seek the LORD God of Israel, and came to Jerusalem to offer unto the LORD God of their fathers.

And Rehoboam took him Mahalath the daughter of Jerimoth the son of David to wife, and Abihail the daughter of Eliab the son of Jesse,

And Rehoboam made Abijah the son of Maacah the chief ruler among his brethren, for to make him king.

And they took the strong cities that were in Judah and came to Jerusalem.

Then came Shemaiah the Prophet to Rehoboam and to the lords of Judah that were gathered to Jerusalem for fear of Shishak, and said to them, "Thus sayeth the LORD, 'Ye have left me, and therefore will I leave you also in the hands of Shishak.'"

And when the LORD saw that they submitted themselves, the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah saying, "They have humbled themselves, and therefore I will not destroy them. But I will deliver them somewhat, and my wrath shall not fall upon Jerusalem.

Neverthelater, they shall be his servants, to know what the difference is between my service and the service of the kingdoms of other lands."

And Shishak king of Egypt came to Jerusalem and took away the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king's house, and shortly he took all. And he took also the shields of gold which Solomon made.

And as oft as the king went to the house of the LORD, the guard went and fetched them, and brought them again unto the guard chamber.

And king Rehoboam waxed mighty in Jerusalem and reigned. And Rehoboam was forty-one years old when he was made king, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the LORD had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel to put his name there. And his mother's name was Naamah an Ammonite.

And he did evil: for he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD.

And Rehoboam laid him to sleep with his fathers and was buried in the city of David, and Abijah his son reigned in his stead.

The eighteenth year of king Jeroboam began Abijah to reign over Judah,

And Abijah made a battle with an Host of fighting men of four hundred thousand chosen men. And Jeroboam put in array to fight against him, with eight hundred thousand picked men and strong.

Becometh it not you to know how the LORD God of Israel gave the kingdom of Israel to David forever, even to him and to his sons, with a salted covenant.

And there gathered to him lewd men and unthrifties, and prevailed against Rehoboam the son of Solomon: for Rehoboam was young and tender hearted and not strong enough for them.

And now ye think to prevail against the kingdom of the LORD in the hand of the sons of David, because ye be a great multitude and have with you the golden calves which Jeroboam made you for gods.

And have ye not cast out the priests of the LORD, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites, and have made you priests like the nations of other lands? Even whosoever cometh and filleth his hand with an ox and seven rams, the same is made priest to them that are no Gods.

burning unto the LORD every morning and every evening burnt offerings and sweet cense: and the shewbread put in order upon a pure table: and the candlestick of gold with the lamps of the same, to be lighted every evening. For we keep the watch of the LORD our God: but ye have forsaken him.

Moreover, see: God is with us in the forward; and his priests, and the roaring trumpets to cry alarm against you. Ye children of Israel, fight not with the LORD God of your fathers: for it will not prosper with you."

But for all that, Jeroboam sent men privily above to come behind upon them: and so they were before Judah, and the layers in wait were behind them.

And Abijah waxed mighty, and took him fourteen wives, and begat twenty two sons and sixteen daughters.

And when Abijah was laid to sleep with his fathers, they buried him in the city of David, and Asa his son reigned in his stead. In whose days the land was quiet ten years.

and commanded Judah to seek the LORD God of their fathers, and to do according to the law and commandment.

And therefore he said to Judah, "Let us build these cities and compass them with walls and towers, gates and bars, while we have the land quiet. For we have sought the LORD our God: and because we have sought him, he hath given us rest on every side." And so they built and prospered.

And Asa had an army that bare shield and spear, out of Judah three hundred thousand, and out of Benjamin that bare shield and drew bows two hundred and eighty thousand, and were all strong men.

And Asa went out to him, and they put in array to battle in the valley of Zephathah beside Mareshah.

And Asa cried unto the LORD his God and said, "LORD, it is all one with thee to help them that have no power, with few or with many: help us O LORD our God, for we trust to thee, and in thine name be come against this multitude. Thou art the LORD our God: let not man prevail against thee."

And they smote all the cities round about Gerar. For the fear of the LORD came upon them. And they robbed all the cities, for there was exceeding much to be robbed in them.

And thereto they smote the tents of cattle and carried away plenty of sheep and camels, and returned to Jerusalem.

And he went out against Asa and said to him, "Hear me Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: The LORD is with you, while ye be with him, and if ye shall seek him, he will be found of you: but and if ye shall forsake him, he will forsake you.

And in those days there shall be no peace to them that go out and in; But great vexation upon the inhabiters of all lands.

And he gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and the strangers with them out of Ephraim, Manasseh and Simeon. For there fell many to him out of Israel, when they saw that God was with him.

And they made a covenant to seek the LORD God of their fathers, with all their hearts and all their souls:

so that all that sought not the LORD God of Israel, should die for it, whether he were small or great, man or woman.

In the thirty sixth year of the reign of Asa, came Baasha king of Israel against Judah and built Ramah - to the intent that he would let none that pertained to Asa king of Judah have passage in and out.

Whereupon Asa fetched out silver and gold out of the treasures of the house of the LORD and of the king's house, and sent it to Benhadad king of Syria, that dwelt at Damascus, and said,

At that same time, Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah and said to him, "Because thou trustedest in the king of Syria, and trustest not in the LORD thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand.

For the eyes of the LORD behold all the earth, to strengthen the hearts of them that are whole with him. Herein thou hast done foolishly, and therefore from henceforth thou shalt have war."

And the third year of his reign he sent, of his lords: Benhail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel and Micaiah to teach in the cities of Judah:

And next to him, Jehohanan a captain, and with him two hundred and eighty thousand.

And by his side, Amasiah the son of Zichri, willing unto the LORD, and with him two hundred thousand mighty men.

And of the children of Benjamin, Eliada was a man of might, and had with him, armed with bows and shields, two hundred thousand.

And after certain years he went down to Ahab to Samaria. And Ahab slew sheep and oxen plenteously for him and for the people that came with him, and entreated him to go up unto Ramoth in Gilead.

And Ahab king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat king of Judah, "Wilt thou go with me to Ramoth in Gilead?" And he answered him, "I will be as thou, and my people shall be as thine and we will be with thee in the war."

And the king of Israel gathered together of the Prophets four hundred men, and said unto them, "Shall we go to Ramoth in Gilead to fight, or shall I cease?" And they said, "Go: God shall deliver it into the king's hand."

And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "There is yet one, to ask the LORD by him: But I hate him, for he never prophesieth me good, but always evil, one Micaiah the son of Imlah." And Jehoshaphat said, "Let not the king say so."

And one Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made him horns of iron and said, "Thus sayeth the LORD: with these thou shalt winnow Syria until thou hast brought them to naught."

And all the Prophets prophesied even so, saying, "Go up to Ramoth in Gilead and prosper, for the LORD shall deliver it into the hand of the king."

And the messenger that went to call Micaiah, spake to him saying, "Behold, the words of the Prophets are pleasant to the king with one assent, let thy words, I pray thee, be like one of theirs, and speak that which is pleasant."

And when he was come to the king, the king said to him, "Micaiah, shall we go to Ramoth in Gilead to fight, or shall I be in rest?" And he answered, "Go ye and prosper, for God shall deliver it into your hands."

But the king said to him, "How many times shall I adjure thee that thou say nothing but truth to me, in the name of the LORD?"

Then he said, "I see all Israel scattered in the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd. And the LORD said, 'These have no master, let them return every man to his house in peace.'"

Then said the king of Israel to Jehoshaphat, "Did I not tell thee, that he would not prophesy good unto me, but evil?"

there came out a spirit and stood before the LORD and said, 'I will deceive him.' And the LORD said to him, 'How?'

And he said, 'I will go out and will be a lying spirit in the mouths of all his prophets.' And the LORD said, 'Thou shalt deceive him and shalt prevail, go out and do even so.'

And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah, went to and smote Micaiah upon the cheek, and said, "By what way went the spirit of the LORD from me, to speak in thee?"

And Micaiah said, "Thou shalt see the day when thou shalt run from chamber to chamber, for to hide thyself."

Then said the king of Israel, take ye Micaiah and deliver him to Amon the governor of city, and to Joash the king's son,

And Micaiah said, "If thou come again in peace, then hath not the LORD spoken in me." And Micaiah said moreover, "Hearken to, ye people, every one of you."

And so the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat went up to Ramoth in Gilead.

Then said the king of Israel to Jehoshaphat, "Change thee and get thee to battle, but see thou have thine own apparel upon thee." And the king of Israel changed himself, and they went to battle.

And when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, they thought, "It is the king of Israel!" - And therefore compassed about him, to fight. But Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him, and God tysed them away from him.

And a certain man drew his bow ignorantly and smote the king of Israel between the Joints of his habergeon. And he said to the chariot man, turn thine hand and carry me out of the host, for I am hurt.

And the battle arose that day. Howbeit the king of Israel continued standing in his chariot against the Syrians until evening. And about the sun going down, he died.

And Jehoshaphat king of Judah returned to his house, safe and sound, to Jerusalem.

And Jehu, the son of Hanani the seer, went out against him and said to king Jehoshaphat, "Oughtest thou to help the wicked, and to love them that hate the LORD? In this verily is the wrath of the LORD upon thee.

Neverthelater, there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast put away groves out of the land, and hast prepared thine heart to seek God."

And as Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem, he went to again and went among the people from Beersheba to mount Ephraim, and brought them again unto the LORD God of their fathers.

and said to the judges, "Take heed what ye do: for ye be not judges in the law of man, but of the LORD - which is with you in the words of the law.

Wherefore, let the fear of the LORD be with you, and take heed and do it. For there is no unrighteousness in the LORD our God nor regarding of persons, nor taking of rewards."

Moreover in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites and of the priests and of the ancient heads of Israel, over the customs of the LORD and causes of strife. And then they returned again to Jerusalem.

And he charged them, saying, "Do even so in the fear of the LORD with truth and pure heart.

And whatsoever come to you of your brethren that dwell in their cities, between blood and blood, law, commandment, ordinances and customs: see that ye warn them, that they trespass not against the LORD; lest wrath come upon you and on your brethren. Thus do and ye shall not offend.

And see here, Amariah the priest which is head over you in all matters of the LORD; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, a ruler in the house of Judah, he is over all causes concerning the king, with officers of the Levites before you. Take courage to you and go upon it, and the LORD shall be with the good."

After that came the children of Moab and the children of Ammon, and with them the Amanim, against Jehoshaphat to battle.

And Jehoshaphat feared and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed fasting throughout all Judah.

And Judah gathered themselves together to ask counsel of the LORD. And thereto there came out of all the cities of Judah to seek the LORD.

Art not thou our God which didst cast out the inhabiters of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy lover forever?

And see, how they reward us, to come for to cast us out of thy possession which thou hast possessed us with all.

O our God, wilt thou not judge them? For we have no might against this great company that cometh against us. Neither know we what to do: but our eyes be unto thee."

"And tomorrow ye shall go down to them: see, they come up at Ziz, and ye shall meet them in the flags of the brook before the wilderness of Jeruel.