During that night, God appeared unto Solomon, - and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee.

And Solomon said unto God, Thou thyself, didst deal with David my father in great lovingkindness, - and hast made me king in his stead.

And God said unto Solomon, Because this was near thy heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, or the life of them that hate thee, nor even, many days, hast thou asked, - but hast asked for thyself, wisdom and knowledge, that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king,

lo! I, am about to build a house for the Name of Yahweh my God, to hallow unto him - to burn before him sweet incense, and for a continual setting in array, and to offer ascending-sacrifices morning and evening, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the appointed feasts of Yahweh our God,-age-abiding, is this law for Israel.

Then answered Huram king of Tyre, in writing, which he sent unto Solomon, - Because Yahweh hath loved his people, hath he set thee over them as king.

And Huram said, Blessed be Yahweh, God of Israel, who made the heavens and the earth, - who hath given, unto David the king, a wise son, skilled in prudence and understanding, who will build a house for Yahweh, and a house for his kingdom.

And, the likeness of oxen, was under it round about on every side, encircling it, ten in a cubit, going round the sea, on every side,-two rows of oxen, made in the casting.

And he made ten lavers, and set five on the right hand - and five on the left, to bathe therein, what is offered as an ascending-sacrifice, do they rinse therein, - but, the sea, was, that the priests should bathe therein.

And he made ten lampstands of gold according to the regulation thereof, - and set in the temple, five, on the right hand, and, five, on the left.

And, the sea, he set on the right side of the house, eastward over against the south.

Then, said Solomon, - Yahweh, said, that he would make his habitation in thick gloom;

and he said, Blessed be Yahweh, God of Israel, who spake with his mouth, unto David my father,-and, with his hand, hath fulfilled, saying:

Then said Yahweh unto David my father, Because it was near thy heart to build a house for my Name, thou didst well that it was near thy heart:

So then Yahweh hath established his word, which he spake, - and I have been raised up instead of David my father, and have taken my seat upon the throne of Israel, as spake Yahweh, and have built the house to the Name of Yahweh, God of Israel;

for Solomon had made a platform of bronze, and had set it in the midst of the enclosure, five cubits, the length thereof, and, five cubits, the breadth thereof, and, three cubits, the height thereof,-and he stood thereon, and knelt upon his knees, in the presence of all the convocation of Israel, and spread forth his hands, heavenward;

and said, O Yahweh! God of Israel, Not like unto thee, is there a god, in the heavens, or throughout the earth, - who keepest Covenant and Lovingkindness for thy servants who are walking before thee with all their heart:

Now, therefore, O Yahweh - God of Israel, keep thou, for thy servant David my father, that which thou didst promise him, saying, There shall not be cut off to thee a man, from before me, to sit upon the throne of Israel, if only, thy sons take heed to their way, to walk in my law, as thou hast walked before me.

that thine eyes may be open toward this house, day and night, toward the place of which thou hast said thou wouldst set thy Name there, - to hearken unto the prayer which thy servant may pray towards this place:

then wilt, thou thyself, hear out of the heavens, and act, and judge thy servants, bringing back unto the lawless, to set his way upon his own head, - and justifying the righteous, by giving to him, according to his righteousness?

Then appeared Yahweh unto Solomon by night, - and said to him, I have heard thy prayer, and have made choice of this place for myself, as a house of sacrifice: -

But, if, ye yourselves, shall turn away, and forsake my statutes and my commandments, which I have set before you, - and shall go and serve other gods, and bow down to them,

And, the daughter of Pharaoh, Solomon brought up, out of the city of David, unto the house which he had built for her, - for he said, A wife of mine must not dwell in the house of David king of Israel, for holy are those places whereinto the ark of Yahweh hath come.

And she said unto the king, True was the word, which I heard in my own land, - concerning thine affairs, and concerning thy wisdom.

Yahweh thy God be blessed, who hath delighted in thee, to set thee upon his throne as king unto Yahweh thy God. Because of the love of thy God unto Israel, to establish them unto times age-abiding, therefore hath he set thee over them, as king, to execute justice and righteousness.

and there were six steps to the throne, and a footstool in gold, unto the throne, made fast, and supports, on this side and on that, unto the seat, - and, two lions, standing by the supports;

and, twelve lions, standing there upon the six steps, on this side and on that, - there was never made the like, for any kingdom.

And he said unto them, Yet three days, and then return unto me, - and the people departed.

And he said unto them, What do, ye, counsel that we should return as answer, unto this people, - who have spoken unto me saying, Lighten thou somewhat the yoke, which thy father put upon us?

And, Shemaiah the prophet, came unto Rehoboam, and the rulers of Judah, who had gathered themselves together unto Jerusalem because of Shishak, - and said unto them, Thus, saith Yahweh, Ye, have left, me, Therefore, I also, have left, you, in the hands of Shishak.

Then the rulers of Israel and the king humbled themselves, - and said, Righteous, is Yahweh!

So King Rehoboam strengthened himself in Jerusalem, and reigned, - because, forty-one years old, was Rehoboam when he began to reign, and, seventeen years, reigned he in Jerusalem, the city which Yahweh had chosen, to set his Name there - from among all the tribes of Israel, and, the name of his mother, was Naamah, the Ammonitess.

And Abijah began the war with a force of heroes of war, four hundred thousand chosen men, - and, Jeroboam, set in array against him to battle, with eight hundred thousand chosen men, heroes of valour.

And Abijah stood up upon Mount Zemaraim, which is in the hill country of Ephraim, - and said, Hear me, O Jeroboam and all Israel!

and they are making a perfume unto Yahweh, with ascending-sacrifices morning by morning, and evening by evening and an incense of sweet spices, and are putting in order bread upon the pure table, and the lampstand of gold with the lamps thereof, for lighting up evening by evening, for, observant, are we of the charge of Yahweh our God, - whereas, ye, have forsaken him.

Therefore said he to Judah, Let us build these cities, and let us surround them with walls and towers, doors and bars, while the land is yet before us, for we have sought Yahweh our God, we have sought him, and he hath given us rest on every side. So they built, and prospered.

And Asa went out to meet him, - and they set in array for battle, in the valley of Zaphonah, at Mareshah.

Then Asa cried out unto Yahweh his God, and said, O Yahweh, it is, nothing with thee, to help whether with many or with such as have no strength. Help us, O Yahweh our God, for, on thee, do we lean, and, in thy name, have we come against this multitude, - O Yahweh! our God, thou art, let not, weak man, have power against thee.

So he went forth to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear me, O Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin, - Yahweh, is with you, so long as ye are with him, and, if ye seek him, he will be found of you, but, if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.

And, at that time, came Hanani the seer, unto Asa the king of Judah, - and said unto him, Because thou hast leaned upon the king of Syria, and hast not leaned upon Yahweh thy God, for this cause, hath the force of the king of Syria escaped out of thy hand.

and they buried him in his own stately sepulchre, which he had hewn for himself in the city of David, and laid him on a couch which was full of sweet spices - yea of various kinds, made by the perfumer's art, - and they burned for him with an exceeding great burning.

and put forces in all the fortified cities of Judah, - and set garrisons in the land of Judah, and in the cities of Ephraim, which Asa his father had captured.

For Ahab king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat king of Judah, Wilt thou go up with me to Ramoth-gilead? And he said unto him - So am I, even as thou, and, like thy people, are my people, and, with thee, in the war.

Then said Jehoshaphat, unto the king of Israel, - Seek, I pray thee, some time to-day, the word of Yahweh.

So the king of Israel gathered together the prophets, four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall we go up against Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said - Go up, and may God deliver it into the hand of the king!

Then said the king of Israel unto Jehoshaphat - There is yet one man, by whom to seek Yahweh, but, I, hate him, for he is never prophesying, concerning me, anything good - but - all his days - evil, the same, is Micaiah, son of Imla. Then said Jehoshaphat, Let not the king say, so!

And the king of Israel called for a certain officer, - and said, Haste, Micaiah son of Imla!

Then did Zedekiah son of Chenaanah make him horns of iron, - and said - Thus, saith Yahweh, With these, shalt thou push Syria, until they are consumed.

Then said Micaiah, - By the life of Yahweh, whatsoever my God shall say, that, must I speak.

Now, when he came unto the king, the king said unto him, Micah, shall we go against Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And he said, Go ye up and prosper, and may they be delivered into your hand.

Then the king said unto him, How many times, must, I, be putting thee on oath, - that thou speak unto me nothing but the truth in the name of Yahweh?

So he said, I saw all Israel, scattered upon the mountains, like sheep that have no shepherd,-and Yahweh said, No masters, have these! let them return every man unto his own house, in peace.

Then said the king of Israel, unto Jehoshaphat, - Said I not unto thee, He wilt not prophesy concerning me anything good, but evil?

Then said he, Therefore, hear ye the word of Yahweh, - I saw Yahweh, sitting upon his throne, and, all the host of the heavens, standing, on his right hand and his left.

Then said Yahweh, Who will persuade Ahab king of Israel, that he may go up and fall in Ramoth-gilead? And one spake, saying after this manner, and another, saying after that manner.

Then came there forth a spirit and stood before Yahweh, and said, I, will persuade him. And Yahweh said unto him, Wherewith?

And he said, I will go forth and become a spirit of falsehood, in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said - Thou mayest persuade, moreover also, thou shalt prevail, go forth, and do, so.

Then drew near Zedekiah son of Chenaanah, and smote Micaiah upon the cheek, - and said, Which then is the way the spirit of Yahweh passed from me, to speak with thee?

Then said Micaiah, Lo! thou shalt see, on that day when thou shalt enter into a chamber within a chamber, to hide thyself.

Then said the king of Israel, Take ye Micaiah, and carry him back unto Amon ruler of the city, and unto Joash son of the king;

Then said Micaiah, If thou do, at all return, in peace, Yahweh hath not spoken by me. And he said, Hear! ye peoples, all!

And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, I am about to disguise myself, and enter into the battle, but, thou, put on thy robes. So the king of Israel disguised himself, and entered into the battle.

So it came to pass, when the chariot-captains saw Jehoshaphat, that, they, said, The king of Israel, it is. And they compassed him about, to fight, - but Jehoshaphat made outcry, and, Yahweh, helped him, yea God allured them away from him.

but, a certain man, drawing a bow in his innocence, smote the king of Israel between the shoulder-joints and the coat of mail, - wherefore he said to the charioteer, Turn thy hand, and convey me out of the host, for I am sore wounded.

And there came out to meet him, Jehu son of Hanani, the seer, who said unto King Jehoshaphat, Unto the lawless, was it right to give help? and, on them who hate Yahweh, to bestow thy love? For this cause, therefore, is there wrath against thee, from before Yahweh;

and said unto the judges, See what, ye, are doing, inasmuch as, not for man, must ye judge, but for Yahweh, - who will be with you, in the word of justice.

And Jehoshaphat was afraid, and set his face to seek unto Yahweh, - and proclaimed a fast for all Judah.

and said, O Yahweh, God of our fathers, art not, thou, God in the heavens? and art, thou, not ruling throughout all the kingdoms of the nations? and, in thy hand, are there not strength and might? and is there any who, against thee, can stand?

Art not, thou, our God, who didst dispossess the inhabitants of this land, from before thy people Israel, - and didst give it unto the seed of Abraham who loved thee, unto times age-abiding?

and he said, Give ye heed, all Judah and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and King Jehoshaphat! Thus, saith Yahweh unto you. As for you, do not fear nor be dismayed, by reason of this great multitude, for, not yours, is the battle, but, God's.

So they rose early in the morning, and went out to the wilderness of Tekoa, - and, as they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, Trust ye in Yahweh your God, and ye shall be trusted, Trust ye in his prophets, and ye shall prosper.

And, when they began to sing and to praise, Yahweh had set liers-in-wait against the sons of Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, who were coming against Judah, and they were smitten.

In his days, revolted the Edomites, from under the hand of Judah, - and set over themselves a king.

And he sought Ahaziah, and they captured him, he, having hid himself in Samaria, and they brought him unto Jehu, and he put him to death, and they buried him, because, said they, he is, the son of Jehoshaphat, who sought Yahweh with all his heart, - and, no one of the house of Ahaziah, had ability for the kingdom.

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

And all the convocation solemnised a covenant in the house of God, with the king, - and he said to them, Lo! the king's son must reign, as spake Yahweh concerning the sons of David.

Then brought they forth the king's son, and set upon him the crown and the testimony, and made him king, - and Jehoiada and his sons anointed him, and said, May the king live!

and looked, and lo! the king, standing by his pillar at the entrance, and the captains and the trumpets by the king, and all the people of the land rejoicing, and blowing with trumpets, and the singers, with instruments of song, and such as led the offering of praise, then Athaliah rent her garments, and said, Conspiracy! conspiracy!

Then Jehoiada the priest commanded the captains of hundreds, officers of the force, and said unto them, Take her forth within the ranks, and he that cometh in after her let him be slain with the sword, - for, said the priest, Ye must not slay her in the house of Yahweh!

And Jehoiada put the oversight of the house of Yahweh into the hand of the priests and the Levites, whom David set by courses over the house of Yahweh, that they might offer up the ascending-sacrifices of Yahweh, as it is written in the law of Moses, with rejoicing and with song, - under the direction of David.

So he gathered together the priests and the Levites, and said unto them - Go ye out unto the cities of Judah, and gather out of all Israel silver to repair the house of your God, year by year, and, ye, shall hasten the matter, - but the Levites hastened it not.

Then the king called for Jehoiada the chief, and said unto him, Wherefore hast thou not required of the Levites, to bring in out of Judah and out of Jerusalem the tribute of Moses the servant of Yahweh, and of the convocation of Israel, - for the tent of testimony?

So the king bade them , and they made a certain chest, - and set it in the gate of the house of Yahweh, outside.

And, the spirit of God, clothed Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest, and he took his stand above the people, - and said unto them, Thus, saith God, Wherefore are, ye, transgressing the commandments of Yahweh, so that ye cannot prosper, because ye have forsaken Yahweh, therefore hath he forsaken you.

Thus Joash the king, remembered not, the lovingkindness which Jehoiada his father had done for him, but slew his son, - and, as he died, he said, Yahweh see and require!

And Amaziah said unto the man of God, What then shall be done as to the hundred talents, which I have given to the company of Israel? Then said the man of God, Yahweh is able to give thee much more than this.

And so it was, after Amaziah came in from smiting the Edomites, that he brought in the gods of the sons of Seir, and set them up for himself, as gods, - and, before them, used he to bow himself down, and, unto them, used he to burn a perfume.

Then was kindled the anger of Yahweh, against Amaziah, - and he sent unto him a prophet, and said unto him, Wherefore hast thou sought the gods of the people, which delivered not their own people out of thy hand?

And it came to pass, as he spake unto him, that he said to him, To be, counselor to the king, have we appointed thee? forbear thou, wherefore should they smite thee? So the prophet forbare, and said - I know that God hath determined to destroy thee, because thou hast done this, and hast not hearkened unto my counsel.

Thou hast said-Lo! thou hast smitten the Edomites, and thy heart hath lifted thee up to display honour,-Now, abide in thine own house, wherefore shouldst thou engage in strife with Misfortune, and fall, thou and Judah with thee?

And it came to pass that he set himself to seek God, in the days of Zechariah, who gave understanding in the seeing of God, - and, throughout the days of his seeking Yahweh, God, prospered him.

and they took their stand against Uzziah the king, and said unto him-It is not, for thee, O Uzziah, to burn incense unto Yahweh, but, for the priests, the sons of Aaron, who are hallowed, to burn incense. Go forth out of the sanctuary, for thou hast acted unfaithfully, and, not to thee, for an honour, shall it be from Yahweh Elohim.

And Uzziah slept with his fathers, and they buried him with his fathers in the field of burial that pertained unto the kings, for they said, A leper, he is. And Jotham his son reigned in his stead.

But, in that place, was a prophet unto Yahweh, Oded his name, so he went out to meet the host that was coming unto Samaria, and said unto them, Lo! in the wrath of Yahweh, God of your fathers, against Judah, hath he delivered them into your hand, - and ye have slain them in a rage, until, to the heavens, it hath reached.

and said unto them, Ye shall not bring in the captives hither, for, with guilt against Yahweh already upon us, ye, are thinking to add unto our sins, and unto our guilt, - for great is the guilt we have, and fierce is the anger over Israel.

For he sacrificed unto the gods of Damascus who had smitten him, and said, Because the gods of the kings of Syria are helping them, unto them, will I sacrifice, that they may help me. But, they, served to seduce him and all Israel.

and said unto them, Hear me, O Levites! Now, hallow yourselves, and hallow the house of Yahweh, God of your fathers, and take forth the impure thing out of the holy place.

Then came they in unto Hezekiah the king, and said, We have purified all the house of Yahweh, - the altar of ascending-sacrifice, and all the utensils thereof, and the table for setting in array, and all the utensils thereof.

Then responded Hezekiah and said - Now, have ye consecrated yourselves unto Yahweh. Draw near, and bring in sacrifices and thank-offerings unto the house of Yahweh,-So the convocation brought sacrifices and thank-offerings, and, everyone of a willing heart, brought ascending-sacrifices.

And Azariah, the chief priest of the house of Zadok, spake unto him, - and said - From the time of beginning to bring in, the heave-offering, into the house of Yahweh - to eat and to be full, there hath still been left, even to this abundance. For, Yahweh, hath blessed his people, and, that which is left, is this great plenty.

and set captains of war over the people, - and gathered them together unto him in the broadway of the gate of the city, and spake unto their heart, saying, -