In that night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, Ask what I shall give you.

And Solomon said to God, You have shown great mercy to David my father, and have made me to reign in his stead.

And God said to Solomon, Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches, wealth, nor honor, nor the life of your enemies, nor yet have asked for long life but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself that you may judge My people, over whom I have made you king;

Behold, I am building a house to the name of Jehovah my God, to dedicate it to Him, and to burn before Him sweet incense, and for the continual showbread, and for the burnt offerings morning and evening, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts of Jehovah our God. This is an ordinance forever to Israel.

And Hiram said, Blessed be Jehovah, the God of Israel, who made heaven and earth, who has given to David the king a wise son blessed with judgment and understanding, who might build a house for Jehovah and a house for his kingdom.

And he set seventy thousand of them to be bearers of burdens, and eighty thousand to be cutters in the mountains, and three thousand and six hundred overseers to set the people to work.

And he made the ceiling of the greater house with fir wood, which he overlaid with fine gold. And he set palm trees and chains on it.

It stood on twelve oxen, three facing the north, and three facing the west, and three facing the south, and three facing the east. And the sea was set above on them, and all their hinder parts were inward.

And he made ten lampstands of gold according to their form, and set them in the temple, five on the right hand, and five on the left.

And he set the sea on the right side of the east end, over against the south.

And Solomon made all the vessels for the house of God, and the golden altar, and the tables on which the showbread was set;

And Solomon said, Jehovah has said that He would dwell in the thick darkness.

And he said, Blessed be Jehovah, the God of Israel, who has with His hands fulfilled that which He spoke with His mouth to my father David, saying,

But Jehovah said to David my father, Because it was in your heart to build a house for My name, you did well in that it was in your heart.

And Jehovah has lifted up His Word that He has spoken. For I have risen up in place of David my father, and am set on the throne of Israel, as Jehovah promised, and I have built the house for the name of Jehovah, the God of Israel.

For Solomon had made a bronze scaffold, five cubits long and five cubits broad and three cubits high. And he had set it in the midst of the court. And he stood on it, and kneeled down on his knees before all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward Heaven.

And he said, O Jehovah, the God of Israel, there is no God like You in Heaven or in earth. You keep Your covenant and show mercy to Your servants who walk before You with all their hearts.

And now, O Jehovah, the God 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 sons take heed to their way to walk in My Law, as you have walked before Me.

I pray that Your eyes may be open on this house day and night, on the place of which You have said that You would put Your name there, to listen to the prayer which Your servant prays toward this place.

And Jehovah 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.

But if you turn away and forsake My statutes and My commandments which I have set before you, and if you shall go and serve other gods and worship them,

then I will pluck them up by the roots out of My land which I have given them. And this house which I have sanctified for My name, I will cast out of My sight, and I will make it to be a proverb and a byword among all nations.

And Solomon brought up the daughter of Pharaoh out of the city of David to the house which he had built for her. For he said, My wife shall not dwell in the house of David king of Israel, because the places into which the ark of Jehovah has come are holy.

And she said to the king, The word that I heard in my own land of your acts and of your wisdom is true.

Blessed be Jehovah your God, who delighted in you to set you on His throne to be king for Jehovah your God. Because your God loved Israel to establish them forever, therefore He made you king over them to do judgment and justice.

And there were six steps to the throne, with a footstool of gold, fastened to the throne. And there were stays on each side of the sitting place, and two lions standing by the stays.

And twelve lions stood there on the one side, and on the other, on the six steps. There was not the like made in any kingdom.

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

And he said to them, What advice do you give that we may return answer to this people, who have spoken to me, saying, Lighten the yoke which your father put on us?

And Shemaiah the prophet came to Rehoboam, and to the rulers of Judah who were gathered to Jerusalem because of Shishak. And he said to them, So says Jehovah, You have forsaken Me, and therefore I also have left you in the hand of Shishak.

And the rulers of Israel and the king humbled themselves. And they said, Jehovah is righteous.

And Abijah set the battle in order with an army of mighty men of war, four hundred thousand chosen men. Jeroboam also set the battle in order against him with eight hundred thousand chosen men, mighty men of valor.

And Abijah stood up on mount Zemaraim, in the hills of Ephraim, and said, Hear me, Jeroboam and all Israel.

And they burn to the Lord every morning and every evening burnt sacrifices and sweet incense, and the showbread on the pure table, and the lampstand of gold with its lamps, to burn every evening. For we keep the charge of Jehovah our God. But you have forsaken Him.

And he said to Judah, Let us build these cities and make walls around them, and towers, gates and bars, while the land is still before us. Because we have sought Jehovah our God, we have sought, and He has given us rest on every side. And they built and were blessed.

And Asa went out against him, and they set the battle in order in the valley of Zephathah at Mareshah.

And Asa cried to Jehovah his God and said, Jehovah, it is nothing with You to help, whether with many or with him who has no power. Help us, O Jehovah our God, for we rest on You, and in Your name we go against this multitude. O Jehovah, You are our God. Do not let man prevail against You.

And he went out to meet Asa, and said to him, Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin. Jehovah is with you while you are with Him. And if you seek Him, He will be found by you. But if you forsake Him, He will forsake you.

And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah and said to him, Because you have relied on the king of Syria, and have not relied on Jehovah your God, therefore the army of the king of Syria has escaped out of your hand.

And they buried him in his own tomb, which he had made for himself in the city of David, and laid him in the bed which was filled with sweet odors and kinds of spices prepared by the perfumers art. And they made a very great burning for him.

And he placed troops in all the fortified cities of Judah, and set troops in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim which Asa his father had taken.

And Ahab king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat king of Judah, Will you go with me to Ramoth-gilead? And he answered him, I am as you, and my people are as your people, and we with you in the war.

And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, Please inquire at the Word of Jehovah today.

And the king of Israel gathered four hundred men of the prophets and said to them, Shall we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I wait? And they said, Go up, for God will deliver it into the king's hand.

But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not a prophet of Jehovah here besides, so that we might ask of Him?

And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of Jehovah. But I hate him, for he never prophesied good to me, but always evil. The same is Micaiah the son of Imla. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so.

And the king of Israel called to a certain eunuch and said, Bring quickly Micaiah the son of Imla.

And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah sat each of them on his throne, clothed in robes. And they sat in a grain floor at the entrance of the gate of Samaria. And all the prophets prophesied before them.

And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah had made horns of iron for himself. And he said, So says Jehovah, With these you shall push Syria until they are crushed.

And Micaiah said, As the Lord lives, even what my God says, that I will speak.

And he came to the king. And the king said to him, Micaiah, shall we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I wait? And he said, Go up and be blessed. And they shall be delivered into your hand.

And the king said to him, How many times shall I warn you that you say nothing but the truth to me in the name of Jehovah?

And he said, I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, like sheep that have no shepherd. And Jehovah said, These have no master; let them return, each man to his own house in peace.

And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell you he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil?

Again he said, And hear the Word of Jehovah. I saw Jehovah sitting on His throne, and all the host of Heaven were standing on His right hand and on His left.

And Jehovah said, Who shall tempt Ahab king of Israel so that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead? And one spoke saying in one way, and another saying in another way.

And a spirit came out and stood before Jehovah and said, I will tempt him. And Jehovah said, With what?

And he said, I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And Jehovah said, You shall tempt him, and you are able. Go out and do so.

And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near and struck Micaiah on the cheek. And he said, Which way did the Spirit of Jehovah go from me to speak to you?

And Micaiah said, Behold, you shall see on that day when you shall go into an inner room to hide yourself.

And the king of Israel said, Take Micaiah, and carry him back to Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king's son.

And Micaiah said, If you certainly return in peace, then Jehovah has not spoken by me. And he said, Listen, all you people.

And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself and will go to the battle. But you put on your robes. And the king of Israel disguised himself. And they went to the battle.

And it happened when the commanders of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, they said, It is the king of Israel. And they surrounded him to fight. But Jehoshaphat cried out, and Jehovah helped him. And God moved them to leave him.

And a certain man drew a bow at random, and struck the king of Israel between the joinings and the breastplate. And he said to the charioteer, Turn your hand, and you shall bring me out of the army, for I am wounded.

And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him. And he said to King Jehoshaphat, Should you help the ungodly and love those who hate Jehovah? And by this bring wrath on you from before Jehovah.

And he set judges in the land, in all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city.

And he said to the judges, Take heed what you do. For you do not judge for man, but for Jehovah, who is with you in the judgment.

And Jehoshaphat set some of the Levites and of the priests and of the chief of the fathers of Israel in Jerusalem for the judgment of Jehovah, and for controversies, when they returned to Jerusalem.

And they came in and spoke to Jehoshaphat, saying, A great multitude has come against you from beyond the sea on this side of Syria. And behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar, which is En-gedi.

And Jehoshaphat feared and set himself to seek Jehovah, and called for a fast throughout all Judah.

and said, O Jehovah, the God of our Fathers, are You not God in Heaven? And do You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations? And is there power and might in Your hand, so that none is able to withstand You?

Are You not our God? Did You not drive out the people of this land before Israel, and give it to the seed of Your friend Abraham forever?

And he said, Listen, all Judah, and you people of Jerusalem, and King Jehoshaphat! So says Jehovah to you, Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude. For the battle is not yours, but God's.

You shall not fight in this battle. Set yourselves and stand, and see the salvation of Jehovah with you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not fear nor be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, for Jehovah will be with you.

And they rose early in the morning and went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. And as they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and you people of Jerusalem. Believe in Jehovah your God, and so you shall be established. Believe His prophets, and so you shall be blessed.

And when they began to sing and to praise, Jehovah set ambushes against the sons of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, who had come against Judah. And they were beaten.

And he walked in the way of Asa his father, and did not depart from it, doing the right in the sight of Jehovah.

And he did evil in the sight of Jehovah like the house of Ahab. For they were his counselors after the death of his father, to his ruin.

And he looked for Ahaziah. And they caught him (for he was hidden in Samaria), and brought him to Jehu. And when they had killed him, they buried him because they said, He is the son of Jehoshaphat who looked to Jehovah with all his heart. And the house of Ahaziah had no power still to keep the kingdom.

And Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, and she arose and spoke to destroy all the royal seed of the house of Judah.

And all the congregation made a covenant with the king in the house of God. And he said to them, Behold, the king's son shall reign, as Jehovah has said of the sons of David.

And he set all the people, each man having his weapon in his hand, from the right side of the temple to the left side of the temple, along by the altar and the temple, by the king round about.

And they brought out the king's son and put the crown on him, and gave him the testimony, and made him king. And Jehoiada and his sons anointed him and said, Let the king live!

And Jehoiada the priest brought out the commanders of hundreds who were set over the army, and said to them, Take her out of the ranks. And whoever follows her shall be killed with the sword. For the priest said, Do not kill her in the house of Jehovah.

And he set the gatekeepers at the gates of the house of Jehovah, so that the unclean in any way could not go in.

And he took the commanders of hundreds, and the nobles, and the governors of the people, and all the people of the land, and brought the king down from the house of Jehovah. And they came through the Upper Gate into the king's house, and set the king on the throne of the kingdom.

And he gathered together the priests and the Levites and said to them, Go out to the cities of Judah, and gather silver from all Israel to repair the house of your God from year to year. And see that you hasten the matter. And the Levites did not hasten it.

And the king called for Jehoiada and said to him, Why have you not made the Levites bring in the collection out of Judah and out of Jerusalem, according to Moses the servant of Jehovah, and of the congregation of Israel, for the tabernacle of witness?

And the king commanded, and they made a chest, and set it outside at the gate of the house of Jehovah.

And the workmen worked, and the work was completed by them, and they set the house of God in its proper state and made it strong.

And the Spirit of God came on Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, who stood above the people and said to them, So says God, Why do you transgress the commandments of Jehovah so that you cannot be blessed? Because you have forsaken Jehovah, He has also forsaken you.

And Joash the king did not remember the kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him, but killed his son. And when he died, he said, Jehovah will seek you out.

And Amaziah said to the man of God, But what shall we do for the hundred talents which I have given to the army of Israel? And the man of God answered, Jehovah is able to give you much more than this.

And it happened after Amaziah had come from the slaughter of the Edomites, he brought the gods of the sons of Seir and set them up to be his gods, and bowed down himself before them and burned incense to them.

And the anger of Jehovah was kindled against Amaziah, and He sent to him a prophet who said to him, Why have you sought after the gods of the people which could not deliver their own people out of your hand?

And it happened as he talked with him, the king said to him, Have we made you of the king's counsel? Stop! Why should you be stricken? And the prophet stopped. And he said, I know that God has determined to destroy you because you have done this and have not listened to my counsel.

You have said, Lo, I have stricken the Edomites, and your heart lifts you up to boast. Now stay at home. Why should you meddle to your hurt, so that you should fall, you and Judah with you?

And he did the right in the sight of Jehovah, according to all that his father Amaziah did.

And they withstood Uzziah the king and said to him, It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the Lord, but to the priests, the sons of Aaron who are consecrated to burn incense. Go out of the temple, for you have sinned. Nor shall it be for your honor from Jehovah God.