Thematic Bible: King of judah


Thematic Bible



Rehoboam went to rest with his fathers, and was buried with them in the city of David. His mother's name was Naamah, an Ammonite woman. And Abijam his son became king in his place. Verse ConceptsHeirsMothers Of KingsBuried In The City Of DavidKings Of All Israel Or Judah

In the eighteenth year of king Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, Abijam became king over Judah.

Rehoboam lay down in death with his ancestors and was buried in the City of David. His son Abijah succeeded him as king.

This is the word Jehovah (YHWH) spoke to Zephaniah. Zephaniah was the son of Cushi, the grandson of Gedaliah, and the great-grandson of Amariah, son of Hezekiah. Jehovah spoke his word in the days of Judah's King Josiah, son of Amon.

So Manasseh went to rest with his fathers. He was buried in the garden of his house, in the garden of Uzza. Amon his son became king in his place. Amon was twenty-two years old when he became king. He ruled in Jerusalem for two years. His mother's name was Meshullemeth, the daughter of Haruz of Jotbah. He did evil in the eyes of Jehovah as Manasseh his father had done. read more.
He followed all the practices of his father. He was a servant and worshipper of the false gods to which his father had been a servant. Amon turned away from Jehovah the God of his fathers. He did not walk in his ways. The servants of Amon conspired against him. They killed the king in his house. But the people of the land put to death all those who had taken part in the design against the king. Then they made Josiah his son king in his place. Now the rest of the acts which Amon did, are recorded in the Book of the History of the Kings of Judah. He was buried in his tomb in the garden of Uzza. Josiah his son became king in his place.

Amon was twenty-two years old when he became king. He ruled for two years in Jerusalem. He did what Jehovah considered evil, as his father Manasseh had done. Amon sacrificed to all the idols his father Manasseh had made, and he worshiped them. He did not humble himself in front of Jehovah as his father Manasseh had humbled himself. Instead, Amon continued to sin. read more.
His officials conspired against him and killed him in his palace. The people of the land killed everyone who conspired against King Amon. They made his son Josiah king in his place.

Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amon, Amon the father of Josiah.

Then Abijam went to rest with his fathers, and they buried him in the earth in the town of David. Asa his son became king in his place. Jeroboam had been king of Israel twenty years. Asa became king of Judah. He was king for forty-one years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Maacah, the daughter of Abishalom. read more.
Asa did what was right in the eyes of Jehovah, as David his father did. He banished perverted persons from the land. He removed those used for sex purposes in the worship of the gods. He removed all the idols his fathers had made. He would not let Maacah his mother be queen, because she had made a disgusting image for Asherah. Asa had the obscene image cut down and burned by the Kidron Stream. The high places were not taken away. Nevertheless Asa's heart was true to Jehovah all his life. He brought into the Temple of Jehovah all the things he and his father made holy, silver and gold and vessels. There was war between Asa and Baasha, king of Israel, through out their reigns. And Baasha, king of Israel, went up against Judah. He fortified Ramah in order to prevent anyone from going out or in to Asa the king of Judah. Then Asa took all the silver and gold still stored in Jehovah's Temple, and in the king's house, and delivered them, in the care of his servants, to Ben-hadad, son of Tabrimmon, son of Rezon, king of Aram, at Damascus. He said: Let there be an agreement between us just as there was between my father and your father. I have sent you an offering of silver and gold. End your agreement with Baasha, king of Israel that he may give up attacking me. Ben-hadad agreed to King Asa's request and sent his armies to attack Israel. He conquered Ijon and Dan and Abel-beth-maacah, and all Chinneroth as far as the land of Naphtali. When Baasha heard this he stopped fortifying Ramah and withdrew to Tirzah. Then King Asa issued an order to all Judah. Every man came to carry away the stone and the timber Baasha used to fortify Ramah. King Asa used them for building Geba in the land of Benjamin, and Mizpah. The rest of the events of Asa's reign, the extent of his power and the names of the cities he built are all recorded in the Book of the History of the Kings of Judah. His feet became diseased, as he grew old. So Asa went to rest with his fathers and was buried in the town of David his father. Jehoshaphat his son became king in his place.

Solomon's son was Rehoboam, Abijah his son, Asa his son, Jehoshaphat his son,

Solomon was the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asa,

The king of Assyria sent his commander-in-chief (Tartan), his quartermaster, and his field commander with a large army from Lachish to King Hezekiah at Jerusalem. They stood at the channel for the Upper Pool on the road to the Laundryman's Field. Verse ConceptsCommanderLargenessOccupationsSiegesActual Attacks On JerusalemWater ChannelLarge Armies

By his side was working Nehemiah, the son of Azbuk, ruler of half the division of Beth-zur, as far as the place opposite the last resting-places of David's family and as far as the pool that had been made and the house of the men of war. Verse ConceptsTombsHalf Of Districtsheroes

A large crowd gathered as they stopped all the springs and the brook that flowed through the land. They said: Why should the kings of Assyria find plenty of water? Verse ConceptsAbundance, Materialreinforcement

Then Manasseh rebuilt the outer wall of the City of David from west of Gihon Spring in the valley to the entrance of Fish Gate. He made the wall go around the Ophel. He built it very high. He put army commanders in every fortified city in Judah. Verse ConceptsCityBuilding Jerusalem's WallNamed Gatesreinforcement

Everything else about Hezekiah, all his heroic acts and how he made the pool and tunnel to bring water into the city is written in the official records of the Kings of Judah. Verse ConceptsPoolsDrinking WaterHistorical BooksWater ChannelKings of judahaccomplishmentsaccomplishment

Jehovah said to Isaiah: You and your son Shear-ja'shub should go out to meet Ahaz at the end of the conduit of the upper pool on the highway to the (laundryman's field) Fuller's Field. Verse ConceptsOccupationsProphets, Lives OfPoolsMeeting PeopleClean ClothesWater ChannelHighways

The king of Assyria sent his field commander with a large army from Lachish to King Hezekiah at Jerusalem. He stood at the channel for the Upper Pool on the road to the Laundryman's Field. Verse ConceptsCommanderOccupationsPoolsClean ClothesWater Channel

Hanun and the people of Zanoah were working on the doorway of the valley. They put it up and put up its doors, with their locks and rods, and fifteen hundred feet of the wall as far as the doorway where the waste material was placed. Verse ConceptsNamed GatesGay Marriage

It was Hezekiah who had the higher spring of the water of Gihon stopped, and the water taken down on the west side of the town of David. Hezekiah did well in everything he tried. Verse ConceptsWater Irrigation

I went in the dark through the gateway of the valley past the Fountain of the Snake (Serpent's Well) as far as the place where waste material was stored. From there I viewed the broken down walls of Jerusalem and the gateways that were burned with fire. Then I went on to the door of the fountain and to the king's pool: but there was no room for my beast to get through. Then in the night I went up by the stream, viewed the wall and then turned back. I went in by the valley gate.

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You saw that the City of David had many breaches in its defenses. You stored up water in the lower pool. You counted the houses of Jerusalem. Then you broke down the houses to fortify the wall. You made a reservoir between the two walls for the water of the old pool. But you did not look to him who did it, or have regard for him who planned it long ago.

Isaiah son of Amoz sent a message to Hezekiah: This is what Jehovah the God of Israel says: 'You prayed to me about King Sennacherib of Assyria. I have heard you. This is Jehovah's message to Sennacherib: 'My people, the virgin daughter of Zion, despise you and laugh at you. My people in Jerusalem shake their heads behind your back. Whom are you defying and slandering? Against whom are you shouting? Who are you looking at so arrogantly? It is the Holy One of Israel! read more.
You defy Jehovah and through your servants you say: 'With my many chariots I ride up the high mountains, up the slopes of Lebanon. I cut down its tallest cedars and its finest cypresses. I travel to its most distant borders and its most fertile forests. I will dig wells and drink foreign water. I will dry up all the streams of Egypt with the soles of my feet.' Have you not heard? I did this long ago. I planned it in the past. Now I make it happen so that you will turn fortified cities into piles of rubble. The inhabitants of these cities are weak, discouraged, and ashamed. They will be like plants in the field, like fresh green grass on the roofs, scorched before it grows up. I know when you get up and sit down. I know when you go out and come in. I know how you rage against me. Since you rage against me and you boast in my ears, I will put my hook in your nose and my bridle in your mouth. I will make you go back the way you came. This will be a sign for you, Hezekiah: You will eat what grows by itself this year and next year. But in the third year you will plant and harvest, plant vineyards, and eat what is produced. The remnant in Judah who survives will flourish like plants that send roots deep into the ground and produce fruit. There will be a remnant of people in Jerusalem and on Mount Zion who will survive. Jehovah is determined to make this happen. This is what Jehovah said about the Assyrian king: 'He will not enter this city or shoot a single arrow against it. No soldiers with shields will come near the city. No siege mounds will be built around it.' He will go back by the same road he came. He will not enter the city. I, Jehovah, have spoken! I will defend this city and protect it. It is for the sake of my own honor and because of the promise I made to my servant David.

Go back and tell Hezekiah, the leader of my people: 'This is what Jehovah God of your ancestor David says: I heard your prayer. I saw your tears. Now I will heal you. The day after tomorrow you will go to Jehovah's Temple. I will add fifteen more years to your life. I will rescue you and defend this city from the control of the king of Assyria. I do this for my sake and for the sake of my servant David.'

Isaiah said to Hezekiah: Hear the word of Jehovah! Jehovah says: 'The time will come when everything in your palace, everything your ancestors have stored up to this day, will be taken away to Babylon. Nothing will be left. Some of your own descendants will be taken away. They will become officials in the palace of the king of Babylon.'

to go back to Hezekiah and say to him: I Jehovah, the God of your ancestor David, have heard your prayer and seen your tears. I will add fifteen more years to your life. I will rescue you and this city of Jerusalem from the king of Assyria, and I will continue to protect the city. Isaiah said: This is your sign from Jehovah that he will do what he promises. read more.
The sun made a shadow that went down the stairway of the upper palace of Ahaz. 'I am going to make the shadow go back ten steps.' So the sun on the stairway went back up the ten steps it had gone down.

Isaiah said to Hezekiah: Hear the word of the Jehovah of Hosts: The time will come when everything in your palace, and all that your fathers have stored up until this day, will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left,' says Jehovah. Some of your descendants, your own flesh and blood who will be born to you, will be taken away! They will become officers in the palace of the king of Babylon.'

Years ago when Hezekiah was king of Judah, a prophet named Micah from the town of Moresheth said: 'Jehovah of Hosts says, Jerusalem will be plowed under and left in ruins. Thorns will cover the mountain where the Temple now stands.' Then the leaders continued: No one put Micah to death for saying that. Instead, King Hezekiah prayed to Jehovah with reverence and trembling and asked him to have mercy. Then Jehovah decided not to destroy Jerusalem, even though he had already said he would. People of Judah, if Jeremiah is killed we will bring a terrible disaster on ourselves.

He did what was right in the eyes of Jehovah as David his father had done. Verse ConceptsBehaviourGood Kings Examples OfImitating Good KingsPeople Who Did Right

Then the leaders continued: No one put Micah to death for saying that. Instead, King Hezekiah prayed to Jehovah with reverence and trembling and asked him to have mercy. Then Jehovah decided not to destroy Jerusalem, even though he had already said he would. People of Judah, if Jeremiah is killed we will bring a terrible disaster on ourselves. Verse ConceptsGod Changing His MindSeeking The Favour Of God

Hezekiah had faith in Jehovah, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah who were before him. For his heart was fixed on Jehovah. He did not turn from his ways. Hezekiah obeyed Jehovah's commandments that Jehovah gave to Moses.

He did right in the eyes of Jehovah, as his ancestor David had done. Verse ConceptsImitating Good Kings

This is what Hezekiah did throughout Judah. He did what was good and right and true to Jehovah his God. Hezekiah incorporated Moses' teachings and commands into worship and dedicated his life to serving God. Whatever he did for the worship in God's Temple, he did wholeheartedly, and he succeeded.

Everything else about Hezekiah, including his devotion to God, is written in the vision of the prophet Isaiah, son of Amoz, and in the records of the kings of Judah and Israel. Verse ConceptsLoyaltyVisionsProphetic Visions

Hezekiah began to rule as king when he was twenty-five years old. He ruled for twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother was Abijah, daughter of Zechariah. Verse ConceptsJerusalem, History Of20 To 30 Years

Ahaz slept with his fathers. He was buried in the town of David. Hezekiah his son became king in his place. Verse ConceptsSleep, And DeathBuried In The City Of DavidKings Of All Israel Or Judah

Hezekiah son of Ahaz became king of Judah. It was in the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel. Hezekiah was twenty-five years old when he became king. He ruled in Jerusalem for twenty-nine years. His mother's name was Abi the daughter of Zechariah.

Ahaz his son, Hezekiah his son, Manasseh his son,

Uzziah the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah,

The Rabshakeh said to them: Say to Hezekiah: These are the words of the great king, the king of Assyria: In what are you placing your hope?

and they went to the outskirts of Gedor to the east of the valley in search of pasture for their flocks. They found rich, good pasture, and the land was spacious, peaceful and quiet. Some Hamites had lived there formerly. The men whose names were listed came in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah. They attacked the Hamites in their dwellings and also the Meunites who were there and completely destroyed them, as is evident to this day. Then they settled in their place, because there was pasture for their flocks. read more.
And five hundred of these Simeonites, led by Pelatiah, Neariah, Rephaiah and Uzziel, the sons of Ishi, invaded the hill country of Seir. They killed the remaining Amalekites who had escaped, and they have lived there to this day.

But Hezekiah was conceited. So he did not repay Jehovah for his kindness. Jehovah became angry with him, with Judah, and with Jerusalem. Hezekiah and the people living in Jerusalem humbled themselves when they realized they had become conceited. Thus Jehovah did not vent his anger on them during Hezekiah's time.

When the leaders of Babylon sent ambassadors to ask him about the miraculous sign that had happened in the land, God left him. God did this to test him, to find out everything that was in Hezekiah's heart. Verse ConceptsenvoyProving, Through TestingRulersTesting

The king of Babylonia, Merodach Baladan son of Baladan heard that King Hezekiah was sick. So he sent him a letter and a present. Hezekiah welcomed the messengers and showed them his wealth. He showed his silver and gold. He also let them look at his spices and perfumes. He even showed all his military equipment. There was nothing in his storerooms or anywhere in his kingdom that he did not show them. The prophet Isaiah went to King Hezekiah and asked: Where did these men come from and what did they say to you? Hezekiah answered: They came from a very distant country, from Babylonia. read more.
Isaiah then said: What did they see in your palace? Hezekiah replied: They saw everything in my palace. I showed them everything in my treasury. Isaiah said to Hezekiah: Hear the word of Jehovah! Jehovah says: 'The time will come when everything in your palace, everything your ancestors have stored up to this day, will be taken away to Babylon. Nothing will be left. Some of your own descendants will be taken away. They will become officials in the palace of the king of Babylon.' Hezekiah said to Isaiah: The word of Jehovah that you spoke is good. He added: Is it not good that there is peace and security as long as I live?

Hezekiah became ill and was about to die. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz said to him: This is what Jehovah says: 'Give final instructions to your household. You will not recover. You will die.' Hezekiah faced the wall and prayed to Jehovah: Jehovah, Please remember how I have walked before you in faithfulness and truth. And consider my whole heart devoted to you. I have done what is good in your eyes. Hezekiah wept bitterly. read more.
Isaiah had not gone as far as the middle courtyard when Jehovah spoke to him: Go back and tell Hezekiah, the leader of my people: 'This is what Jehovah God of your ancestor David says: I heard your prayer. I saw your tears. Now I will heal you. The day after tomorrow you will go to Jehovah's Temple. I will add fifteen more years to your life. I will rescue you and defend this city from the control of the king of Assyria. I do this for my sake and for the sake of my servant David.' Then Isaiah said: Get a fig cake, and put it on the boil so that the king will get well. King Hezekiah said to Isaiah: What is the sign to prove that Jehovah will heal me and that three days later I will be able to go to the Temple? Isaiah replied: Jehovah will give you a sign to prove that he will keep his promise. Would you prefer to have the shadow on the stairway go forward ten steps or go back ten steps? Then Hezekiah said: It is an easy matter to have the shadow go forward ten steps. So have it go back ten steps. Isaiah prayed to Jehovah and Jehovah made the shadow go back ten steps on the stairway set up by King Ahaz.

King Hezekiah became sick and almost died. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to see him. Isaiah said to him: Jehovah tells you: 'You are to put everything in order because you will not recover. Get ready to die.' Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to Jehovah: Remember, Jehovah, that I have served you faithfully and loyally. I have always tried to do what you wanted me to. Then he cried bitterly. read more.
Then Jehovah commanded Isaiah to go back to Hezekiah and say to him: I Jehovah, the God of your ancestor David, have heard your prayer and seen your tears. I will add fifteen more years to your life. I will rescue you and this city of Jerusalem from the king of Assyria, and I will continue to protect the city. Isaiah said: This is your sign from Jehovah that he will do what he promises. The sun made a shadow that went down the stairway of the upper palace of Ahaz. 'I am going to make the shadow go back ten steps.' So the sun on the stairway went back up the ten steps it had gone down.

Hezekiah became sick and was about to die. He prayed to Jehovah, who answered him and gave him a miraculous sign. Verse ConceptsAnswered PrayerDivine ManifestationsdoctorsdiseasesPrayer, Answers ToSigns From GodSuffering, Nature OfRecovery

When this ended, all Israel who were present went out to the cities of Judah, broke the pillars in pieces, cut down the Asherim and pulled down the high places and the altars throughout all Judah and Benjamin, Ephraim and Manasseh. They destroyed them all. Then all the sons of Israel returned to their cities, each to his possession. Verse ConceptsAbolitionHigh PlacesLeaders, PoliticalReformationSacrifice, In OtStonesAnnihilationDestruction Of Satan's WorksObelisks

He rebuilt the illegal places of worship that his father Hezekiah had torn down. He set up altars dedicated to other gods such as the Baals. He erected a pole dedicated to the goddess Asherah as King Ahab of Israel had done. Manasseh, like Ahab, worshiped and served the entire army of heaven. Verse ConceptsBuilding Altars

He removed the high places. He broke the stone pillars to bits, and cut down the Asherah poles. The brass snake that Moses had made was crushed to powder at his command, because in those days the children of Israel had offerings burned before it, and he gave it the name Nehushtan. Verse ConceptsAbolitionHigh PlacesLeaders, PoliticalReformationShrinesThe Bronze SnakeSnakesStonesDestruction Of Satan's WorksObelisksAbandoning IdolsBronze For IdolsMemorabilia

Jehovah was with Hezekiah. He did well in everything he did. He took up arms against the king of Assyria and was his servant no longer. Verse ConceptsRebellion, Against Human AuthorityGod With Specific PeopleThe Righteous Prosperprospering

Hezekiah became richer and was highly honored. He prepared storehouses for himself to hold silver, gold, precious stones, spices, shields, and all kinds of valuables. He built storehouses for the produce of grain and wine and oil; and buildings for all sorts of beasts and flocks. He made towns for himself. He gathered much property in flocks and herds: for God had given him great wealth. read more.
It was Hezekiah who had the higher spring of the water of Gihon stopped, and the water taken down on the west side of the town of David. Hezekiah did well in everything he tried.

Hezekiah slept in death with his ancestors. He was buried in the upper tombs of David's descendants. When Hezekiah died, all of Judah and the people in Jerusalem honored him. His son Manasseh succeeded him as king. Verse ConceptsTombs

Hezekiah slept in death with his ancestors. His son Manasseh succeeded him as king. Verse ConceptsSleep, And DeathKings Of All Israel Or Judah

Hezekiah assigned the priests and the Levites to divisions. Each priest or Levite was put in a division based on the service he performed. The services included: sacrificing burnt offerings, sacrificing fellowship offerings, serving, giving thanks, or praising within the gates of Jehovah's camp. He set aside part of the king's property for burnt offerings, the morning and evening offerings, burnt offerings on the weekly worship days, the New Moon Festivals, and the annual festivals, as it is written in Jehovah's Law. He told the people living in Jerusalem to give the priests and Levites the portions they were due so that they could devote themselves to Jehovah's Law. read more.
As soon as the order was given, the people of Israel brought gifts of their finest grain, wine, olive oil, honey, and other farm produce, and they also brought the tithes of everything they had. All the people who lived in the cities of Judah brought tithes of their cattle and sheep. They also brought large quantities of gifts they dedicated to Jehovah their God. The gifts started arriving in the third month. They continued to pile up for the next four months. King Hezekiah and his officials saw how much had been given. They praised Jehovah and praised his people Israel. The king spoke to the priests and the Levites about these gifts, and Azariah the High Priest, a descendant of Zadok, said to him: Since the people started bringing their gifts to the temple, there has been enough to eat and a large surplus besides. We have all this because Jehovah has blessed his people. On the king's orders they prepared storerooms in the Temple area and put all the gifts and tithes in them for safekeeping. They placed a Levite named Conaniah in charge and made his brother Shimei his assistant. Ten Levites were assigned to work under them: Jehiel, Azaziah, Nahath, Asahel, Jerimoth, Jozabad, Eliel, Ismachiah, Mahath, and Benaiah. This was done by authority of King Hezekiah and Azariah the High Priest. Kore son of Imnah, a Levite who was chief guard at the East Gate of the temple, was in charge of receiving the gifts offered to Jehovah and of distributing them. In the other cities where priests lived, he was faithfully assisted in this by other Levites: Eden, Miniamin, Jeshua, Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah. They distributed the food equally to their fellow Levites according to what their duties were. They were appointed to distribute them to males who were at least three years old. The way they were enrolled in the genealogical records did not matter. The six men who served under Kore were to distribute the offerings to everyone who went to Jehovah's Temple to perform the daily service that each division was responsible for. They were to distribute offerings to the priests who were enrolled by families and to the Levites who were at least twenty years old. Distribution was based on the way they served in their divisions. The priests and Levites were enrolled with their wives, sons, daughters, and other people who depended on them in the community. The priests and Levites had to be faithful in keeping themselves holy for the holy work. Men were appointed to give a portion of the offerings to all the males in the priestly families and to everyone listed in the genealogies of the Levites. These men were Aaron's descendants, priests who lived in the pasturelands of every Levite city. This is what Hezekiah did throughout Judah. He did what was good and right and true to Jehovah his God. Hezekiah incorporated Moses' teachings and commands into worship and dedicated his life to serving God. Whatever he did for the worship in God's Temple, he did wholeheartedly, and he succeeded.

King Hezekiah of Judah wrote this after he was sick and became well again: I thought that in the prime of my life I would go down to the gates of the grave and be robbed of the rest of my life. I thought that I would not see Jehovah in this world. Even with all the people in the world, I thought I would never see another person. read more.
My life was over. You rolled it up like a shepherd's tent. You rolled up my life like a weaver. You cut me off from the loom. You ended my life in one day. Until morning came, I thought you would crush my bones just like a hungry lion; both night and day you make an end of me. I cry like a swallow (swift). I mourn like a dove. My eyes are red from looking to you, Jehovah. I am terribly abused. Please come and help me. There is nothing I can say in answer to you. For you are the one who has done this to me. My life has turned sour. I will limp until I die. Your words and your deeds bring life to everyone, including me. Please make me healthy and strong again. Yes, it was for my benefit that I suffered such distress. In your love you kept me from the pit of destruction. You have put (thrown) (hurled) all my sins behind your back. For the grave cannot praise you, death cannot sing your praise. Those who go down to the pit cannot hope for your faithfulness. The living, yes the living praise you, as I am doing today! Fathers tell their children about your faithfulness. Jehovah will save me! We will sing with stringed instruments all the days of our lives in the Temple of Jehovah. Isaiah said: Prepare a poultice of figs and apply it to the boil, and he will recover. Hezekiah said: What will be the sign that I will go up to the Temple of Jehovah?

These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah transcribed. Verse ConceptsBooksProverbsSolomon, Character OfCopies Of DocumentsWise Proverbsjournaling

The sons of Josiah: Johanan the firstborn, Jehoiakim the second son, Zedekiah the third, Shallum the fourth. Verse ConceptsFirstborn Sons

Jehoshaphat died and was buried in the royal tombs in David's City. His son Jehoram succeeded him as king. Verse ConceptsSleep, And DeathBuried In The City Of DavidKings Of All Israel Or Judah

Jehoram son of Jehoshaphat became king of Judah. It was the fifth year of the reign of Joram son of Ahab as king of Israel. Verse ConceptsList Of Kings Of Israel

Jehoram his son, Ahaziah his son, Joash his son,

Jehoram became king at the age of thirty-two. He ruled in Jerusalem for eight years. Verse ConceptsJerusalem, History Of

His wife was Ahab's daughter. Like the family of Ahab he followed the evil ways of the kings of Israel. He sinned against Jehovah. Jehovah was not willing to destroy Judah. He promised his servant David that his descendants would always continue to rule.

He followed the wicked example of King Ahab and the other kings of Israel. He married one of Ahab's daughters. He sinned against Jehovah. Jehovah was not willing to destroy the dynasty of David. This is because he made a covenant with David and promised that his descendants would always continue to rule. During Jehoram's time Edom rebelled against Judah and chose its own king. read more.
Jehoram took all his chariot commanders to attack. The Edomites and their chariot commanders surrounded him. He got up during the night and broke through their lines. So Edom rebelled against Judah's rule and is still independent today. At the same time Edom rebelled, Libnah rebelled because Jehoram had abandoned Jehovah the God of his ancestors. Jehoram made illegal places of worship in the hills of Judah. This caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to chase after foreign gods as if they were prostitutes. So he led Judah astray. A letter came to him from the prophet Elijah. It read: This is what Jehovah the God of your ancestor David says: You have not followed the ways of your father Jehoshaphat or the ways of King Asa of Judah. Instead, you have followed the ways of the kings of Israel. You, like Ahab's family, have caused Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to chase after foreign gods as if they were prostitutes. You have killed your brothers, your father's family. Your brothers were better than you.

Edom revolted against Judah and became an independent kingdom. Jehoram and his chariots went to Zair. The Edomite army surrounded them. He and his chariot commanders managed to break out and escape. His soldiers scattered to their homes. Edom has been independent of Judah ever since. The city of Libnah also revolted at that time.

During Jehoram's time Edom rebelled against Judah and chose its own king. Jehoram took all his chariot commanders to attack. The Edomites and their chariot commanders surrounded him. He got up during the night and broke through their lines. So Edom rebelled against Judah's rule and is still independent today. At the same time Edom rebelled, Libnah rebelled because Jehoram had abandoned Jehovah the God of his ancestors.

After this happened; Jehovah struck Jehoram with an incurable stomach disease. Two years later Jehoram died in terrible pain. No bonfire was built to honor him. The people had done this for his ancestors, but not him. Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king. He ruled eight years from Jerusalem. He died, and no one even felt sad. He was buried in Jerusalem, but not in the royal tombs.

Jehoram died and was buried in the royal tombs in David's City. His son Ahaziah succeeded him as king. Verse ConceptsBuried In The City Of DavidKings Of All Israel Or Judah

Later Jehovah caused the Philistines and the Arabs who lived near the Ethiopians to become angry with Jehoram. They invaded Judah and stole the royal property from the palace. They led Jehoram's wives and sons away as prisoners. The only one left behind was Ahaziah, his youngest son.

A letter came to him from the prophet Elijah. It read: This is what Jehovah the God of your ancestor David says: You have not followed the ways of your father Jehoshaphat or the ways of King Asa of Judah. Instead, you have followed the ways of the kings of Israel. You, like Ahab's family, have caused Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to chase after foreign gods as if they were prostitutes. You have killed your brothers, your father's family. Your brothers were better than you. Jehovah will strike a great blow to your people, your sons, your wives, and all your property because you did this. read more.
You will be affected by a painful stomach disease and suffer until you die.

Jehoram was in firm control of the kingdom. He had all his brothers killed, and also some Israelite officials. Verse ConceptsMurderPrinces

Instead, you have followed the ways of the kings of Israel. You, like Ahab's family, have caused Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to chase after foreign gods as if they were prostitutes. You have killed your brothers, your father's family. Your brothers were better than you. Verse ConceptsSpiritual HarlotryMurderImitating Wicked Kings

Asa the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, Joram the father of Uzziah,

Solomon's son was Rehoboam, Abijah his son, Asa his son, Jehoshaphat his son,

Jehoshaphat son of Asa became king of Judah in the fourth year of the reign of King Ahab of Israel.

So Asa went to rest with his fathers and was buried in the town of David his father. Jehoshaphat his son became king in his place. Verse ConceptsBurials, Places OfBuried In The City Of DavidKings Of All Israel Or Judah

Asa the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, Joram the father of Uzziah,

Jehoshaphat succeeded his father Asa as king and strengthened his position against Israel.

A search was made for Ahaziah. He was found hiding in Samaria. They took him to Jehu and put him to death. But they did bury his body out of respect for his grandfather King Jehoshaphat, who had done all he could to serve Jehovah. No member of Ahaziah's family was left who could rule the kingdom.

Like his father Asa before him, he did what was right in the sight of Jehovah. However the places of worship were not destroyed, and the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there. Verse ConceptsHigh PlacesShrinesGood Kings Examples OfIncense Offered AmissPeople Who Did RightSacrificing On The High Places

He banished all the male and female prostitutes serving at the pagan altars who were still left from the days of his father Asa. Verse ConceptsHomosexualityExcommunicationMale Prostitutes

Jehoshaphat succeeded his father Asa as king and strengthened his position against Israel. He stationed troops in the fortified cities of Judah. He also put troops in the Judean countryside, and in the cities that Asa had captured in the territory of Ephraim. Jehovah blessed Jehoshaphat because he followed the example of his father's early life and did not worship Baal. read more.
He served his father's God. He obeyed God's commandments, and did not act the way the kings of Israel did. Jehovah gave Jehoshaphat firm control over the kingdom of Judah. The people brought him gifts, so that he became wealthy and highly honored. His heart was devoted to the ways of Jehovah. He destroyed all the pagan places of worship and the symbols of the goddess Asherah in Judah. In the third year of his reign he sent out the following officials to teach in the cities of Judah: Benhail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah. With them were the Levites Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, Tob Adonijah, and the priests Elishama and Jehoram. They taught in Judah. They had the Book of Torah (the Law) (Jehovah's Teachings) with them when they taught the people in all the cities of Judah.

Shortly after that the Moabites, Ammonites, and some of the Meunites came to wage war against Jehoshaphat. Some men reported to Jehoshaphat: A large crowd is coming against you from the other side of the Dead Sea, from Edom. The crowd is already in Hazazon Tamar (En Gedi). Jehoshaphat was frightened and decided to ask for Jehovah's help. He announced a fast throughout Judah. read more.
The people of Judah gathered to seek Jehovah's help. They came from every city in Judah. In the new courtyard at Jehovah's Temple, Jehoshaphat stood in front of the people. He prayed aloud: O Jehovah, God of our ancestors, you rule in heaven over all the nations of the world. You are powerful and mighty. No one can oppose you. You are our God. When your people Israel moved into this land, you drove out the people who were living here and gave the land to the descendants of Abraham, your friend, to be theirs from generation to generation. Our ancestors lived in this land and built a Temple to honor you. They believed that whenever this land is struck by war, judgement, disease, or famine, your people can pray to you at the Temple. You will hear their prayer and save them. You can see that the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Edom are attacking us! Those are the nations you would not let our ancestors invade on their way from Egypt. Consequently these nations were not destroyed. They are now paying us back by coming to force us out of your land that you gave to us. You are our God. Will you judge them? We do not have the strength to face this large crowd that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, so we are looking to you. All the people from Judah, their infants, wives, and children were standing in front of Jehovah. Then Jehovah's Spirit came to Jahaziel. He was the son of Zechariah, grandson of Benaiah, great-grandson of Jeiel, whose father was Mattaniah, a Levite descended from Asaph. Jahaziel said: Pay attention to me, everyone from Judah, everyone living in Jerusalem, and King Jehoshaphat. This is what Jehovah says to you: 'Do not be frightened or terrified by this large crowd. The battle is not yours. It is God's. Attack them tomorrow as they come up the pass at Ziz. Meet them at the end of the valley that leads to the wild country near Jeruel. You will not have to fight this battle. Just take up your positions and wait. You will see Jehovah give you victory. People of Judah and Jerusalem, do not hesitate or be afraid.' Go out to battle. Jehovah will be with you! Then King Jehoshaphat bowed low. His face was touching the ground. All the people bowed with him and worshiped Jehovah. The members of the Levite clans of Kohath and Korah stood up and with a loud shout praised Jehovah, the God of Israel. Early the next morning the people went out to the wild country near Tekoa. Before they began Jehoshaphat addressed them with these words: 'People of Judah and Jerusalem! Put your trust in Jehovah your God. You will stand your ground. Believe what his prophets tell you, and you will succeed. After consulting with the people, the king ordered some musicians to put on the robes they wore on sacred occasions and to march ahead of the army. They sang: 'Praise Jehovah! His love is eternal!' As soon as they began singing, Jehovah confused the enemy camp, The Ammonite and Moabite troops attacked and completely destroyed those from Edom. Then they turned against each other and fought until the entire camp was wiped out! Judah's army reached the tower that overlooked the desert. They saw that every soldier in the enemy's army was lying dead on the ground. Jehoshaphat and his troops came to take the loot. They found among them a lot of goods, clothes, and valuables. They found more than they could carry. They spent three days collecting the loot. They gathered in the valley of Beracah on the fourth day. Because they thanked Jehovah there, that place is still called the Valley of Beracah (Thanks) today. All the men of Judah and Jerusalem returned to Jerusalem. They rejoiced while Jehoshaphat led them. Jehovah gave them a reason to rejoice about what had happened to their enemies. They brought harps, lyres, and trumpets to Jehovah's Temple in Jerusalem. Deep respect for Jehovah came over the kingdoms in that area when they heard how Jehovah waged war against Israel's enemies. Jehoshaphat's kingdom was peaceful, since his God surrounded him with peace. Jehoshaphat ruled as king of Judah. He was thirty-five years old when he began to rule. He ruled for twenty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Azubah, daughter of Shilhi. Jehoshaphat carefully followed the example his father Asa had set and did what Jehovah considered right.

Like his father Asa before him, he did what was right in the sight of Jehovah. However the places of worship were not destroyed, and the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there. Verse ConceptsHigh PlacesShrinesGood Kings Examples OfIncense Offered AmissPeople Who Did RightSacrificing On The High Places

In the third year of his reign he sent out the following officials to teach in the cities of Judah: Benhail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah. With them were the Levites Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, Tob Adonijah, and the priests Elishama and Jehoram. They taught in Judah. They had the Book of Torah (the Law) (Jehovah's Teachings) with them when they taught the people in all the cities of Judah.

Regardless of this, there is some good in you. You have removed all the symbols of the goddess Asherah that people worshiped. You have tried to follow God's will. While Jehoshaphat was living in Jerusalem, he regularly went to the people between Beersheba and the mountains of Ephraim. He brought the people back to Jehovah the God of their ancestors. He appointed judges in the country, in each fortified city of Judah. read more.
He told the judges: Be careful when you make your decisions in court. Remember these are Jehovah's people. He will know the judgements you decide. Do your work in honor of him and know that he will not allow you to be unfair to anyone or to take bribes. Jehoshaphat also appointed some Levites, some priests, and some of the family leaders to serve as judges in Jerusalem. He told them: Faithfully serve Jehovah! Warn your relatives living in other cities about every case they bring to you, even if the case involves bloodshed or commandments, rules, or regulations derived from the law. Then your relatives will not become guilty in front of Jehovah. Otherwise, he will become angry with you and your relatives. Do this and you will not be guilty of anything. The chief priest Amariah will be in charge of you in every matter involving Jehovah. Zebadiah, who is the son of Ishmael and the leader of the tribe of Judah, will be in charge of every matter involving the king. The Levites will serve as officers of the court. Be strong and do your job. May Jehovah be with those who do right.

After this, King Jehoshaphat of Judah allied himself with King Ahaziah of Israel, who led him to do evil. Jehoshaphat joined him in making ships to go to Tarshish. They made the ships in Ezion Geber. Eliezer was the son of Dodavahu from Mareshah. He prophesied against Jehoshaphat. He said: Jehovah will destroy your work because you have allied yourself with Ahaziah. The ships were wrecked and could not go to Tarshish.

King Jehoshaphat had ocean-going ships built to sail to the land of Ophir for gold. They were wrecked at Eziongeber and never sailed. King Ahaziah of Israel offered to let his men sail with Jehoshaphat's men. Jehoshaphat refused the offer.

Jehoshaphat died and was buried in the royal tombs in David's City and his son Jehoram succeeded him as king.

Jehoshaphat died and was buried in the royal tombs in David's City. His son Jehoram succeeded him as king. Verse ConceptsSleep, And DeathBuried In The City Of DavidKings Of All Israel Or Judah

Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful. He built fortresses and cities where supplies were stored in Judah. He stored large supplies of food in the cities of Judah and an army of professional soldiers served him in Jerusalem. The following is a breakdown of these soldiers. They are listed by families. Judah's regimental commanders were Commander Adnah with three hundred thousand fighting men, read more.
next to him was Commander Jehohanan with two hundred and eighty thousand men. There was Amasiah, Zichri's son, who volunteered to serve Jehovah with two hundred thousand fighting men. From Benjamin there was the fighting man Eliada with two hundred thousand armed men with bows and shields. Next to him was Jehozabad with an army of one hundred and eighty thousand armed men. These were the men who served the king in addition to those whom the king put in the fortified cities throughout Judah.

King Jehoshaphat had ocean-going ships built to sail to the land of Ophir for gold. They were wrecked at Eziongeber and never sailed. Verse ConceptsGoldMerchantsSeafaringSuffering, Causes OfTradeThe NavyCommerceShips For TradingTrade With Metalssailing

Everything else that Jehoshaphat did, all his bravery and his battles, are recorded in The History of the Kings of Judah. Verse ConceptsHistorical Books

In the third year of his reign he sent out the following officials to teach in the cities of Judah: Benhail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah. With them were the Levites Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, Tob Adonijah, and the priests Elishama and Jehoram. They taught in Judah. They had the Book of Torah (the Law) (Jehovah's Teachings) with them when they taught the people in all the cities of Judah.

David gave orders to Joab and the other officers. He said: Go through Israel, from one end of the country to the other, and count the people. I want to know how many there are. Joab answered: May Jehovah make the people of Israel a hundred times more numerous than they are now! They are all your servants, Your Majesty. Why do you want to do this and make the whole nation guilty?

King Jehoash of Judah took all the offerings that his predecessors Jehoshaphat, Jehoram, and Ahaziah had dedicated to Jehovah, added to them his own offerings and all the gold in the treasuries of the Temple and the palace, and sent them all as a gift to King Hazael, who then led his army away from Jerusalem. Verse ConceptsGoldSacrilegeTreasuriesMoney For The Temple

Some of the Philistines brought gifts and silver as taxes. The Arabs also brought him flocks: seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred male goats. Verse ConceptsGiftsTaxationTributesSeven Thousand

He stationed troops in the fortified cities of Judah. He also put troops in the Judean countryside, and in the cities that Asa had captured in the territory of Ephraim. Verse ConceptsFortificationsFortified CitiesCity

A prophet, Jehu son of Hanani, went to meet the king. He said to him: Do you think it is right to help those who are wicked and to take the side of those who hate Jehovah? What you have done has brought Jehovah's anger upon you. Verse ConceptsHatredForbidden Alliances

King Jehoash of Judah took all the offerings that his predecessors Jehoshaphat, Jehoram, and Ahaziah had dedicated to Jehovah, added to them his own offerings and all the gold in the treasuries of the Temple and the palace, and sent them all as a gift to King Hazael, who then led his army away from Jerusalem. Verse ConceptsGoldSacrilegeTreasuriesMoney For The Temple

The Aramean army came with a small number of men. Jehovah handed Joash's large army over to them because Joash's soldiers had abandoned Jehovah the God of their ancestors. So the Arameans carried out Jehovah's judgment on Joash. Verse ConceptsLargenessLarge Armies

Only Ahaziah's son Jehoash escaped. He was about to be killed with the others, but was rescued by his aunt Jehosheba, who was King Jehoram's daughter and Ahaziah's half sister. She hid him and his nurse in a bedroom in the Temple. Verse ConceptsBedroomsPrincesSistersStealingKept Alive By MenNamed SistersPrivate Rooms

He called in Jehoiada and the other priests and asked them: Why are you not repairing the Temple? From now on you are not to keep the money you receive. You must hand it over, so that the repairs can be made. Verse ConceptsKings Summoningsales

King Joash forgot that Zechariah's father had always been a loyal friend. So when the people of Judah plotted to kill Zechariah, Joash joined them and gave orders for them to stone him to death in the courtyard of the Temple. As Zechariah was dying, he said: I pray that Jehovah will see this and punish all of you. Verse ConceptsIngratitudeKindness

Joash did what was right in the sight of Jehovah, as long as the priest Jehoiada lived.

Jehoash was seven years old when he became king. Jehoash became king of Judah. It was the seventh year of Jehu's rule over Israel. Jehoash ruled for forty years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Zibiah of Beersheba.

After the death of Jehoiada the priest, the leaders of Judah went to Joash and talked him into doing what they wanted.

Josiah was eight years old when he became king. He ruled in Jerusalem thirty-one years. His mother's name was Jedidah daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath. Verse Concepts30 To 40 YearsAge When CrownedMothers Of KingsGrandmothers

But the people of the land put to death all those who had taken part in the design against the king. Then they made Josiah his son king in his place. Now the rest of the acts which Amon did, are recorded in the Book of the History of the Kings of Judah. He was buried in his tomb in the garden of Uzza. Josiah his son became king in his place.

Amon his son, Josiah his son.

The people of the land killed everyone who conspired against King Amon. They made his son Josiah king in his place.

Later, when Josiah had repaired the Temple, King Necho of Egypt came to fight a battle at Carchemish at the Euphrates River. Josiah went to attack him. Neco sent messengers to Josiah. He said: What is your quarrel with me, king of Judah? I am not attacking you. I have come to fight those who are at war with me. God told me to hurry. God is with me, so stop now or he will destroy you. But Josiah would not stop his attack. He disguised himself as he went into battle. He refused to listen to Necho's words, which came from God. He went to fight in the valley of Megiddo. read more.
Some archers shot King Josiah. The king told his officers: Take me away because I am badly wounded. His officers took him out of the chariot and brought him to Jerusalem in his other chariot. He died and was buried in the tombs of his ancestors. All Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah.

In his days, Pharaoh Necho, king of Egypt, sent his armies against the king of Assyria to the river Euphrates. King Josiah went out against him. Josiah was killed when he saw him at Megiddo. His servants took his body in a carriage from Megiddo to Jerusalem. They buried him there. The people of the land took Jehoahaz son of Josiah, and put the holy oil on him and made him king in place of his father.

The chief priest Hilkiah told the scribe Shaphan: I found the Book of the Law in Jehovah's House. Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, who then read it. The scribe Shaphan reported to the king: We have taken the money donated in the temple and have given it to the workmen who are in charge of Jehovah's House. Then the scribe Shaphan told the king: The priest Hilkiah has given me a book. Shaphan read it to the king. read more.
When the king heard what the book of the Law said, he tore his clothes in distress. The king gave an order to the priest Hilkiah, to Ahikam son of Shaphan, Achbor son of Micaiah, the scribe Shaphan, and the royal official Asaiah. He said: Go inquire of Jehovah on my behalf and for the people. This is concerning the words in this book that has been found. Jehovah's fierce anger is directed towards us because our ancestors did not obey the things in this book or do everything written in it. So the priest Hilkiah, Ahikam, Achbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah went to talk to the prophet Huldah. She was the wife of Shallum, son of Tikvah and grandson of Harhas. Shallum was in charge of the royal wardrobe. Huldah was living in the Second Part of Jerusalem. She told them: This is what Jehovah God of Israel says: Tell the man who sent you to me: This is what Jehovah says: I am going to bring disaster on this place and on the people living here. This is according to everything written in the book that the king of Judah has read. I will do this because they abandoned me. They sacrificed to other gods in order to make me furious. Therefore, my burning anger against this place will never be extinguished.' Huldah added: Tell Judah's king who sent you to me to ask Jehovah a question. This is what Jehovah God of Israel says about the words you heard: You had a change of heart and humbled yourself in front of Jehovah when you heard my words against this place and those who live here. I said that those who live here would be destroyed and cursed. You also tore your clothes in distress and cried in front of me. So I will listen to you,' declares Jehovah. That is why I will bring you to your ancestors. I will bring you to your grave in peace. Your eyes will not see any of the disaster I will bring on this place.' They reported this to the king.

At the time they brought out the money that had been deposited in Jehovah's Temple, the priest Hilkiah found the book of Jehovah's Law written by Moses. Hilkiah told the scribe Shaphan: I have found the book of the Law in Jehovah's Temple. Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan. Shaphan took the book to the king and reported: We are doing everything you told us to do. read more.
We took the money that was donated in Jehovah's Temple and gave it to the supervisors and the workmen. The scribe Shaphan told the king: The priest Hilkiah has given me a book. Shaphan read it to the king. As soon as the king heard what the Law said, he tore his clothes in distress. Then the king gave an order to Hilkiah, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Abdon son of Micah, the scribe Shaphan, and the royal official Asaiah. He said: On behalf of those who are left in Israel and Judah and me, ask Jehovah about the words in this book that was found. Jehovah's fierce anger has been poured on us because our ancestors did not obey the word of Jehovah by doing everything written in this book. Hilkiah and the king's officials went to talk to the prophet Huldah about this matter. She was the wife of Shallum, son of Tokhath and grandson of Hasrah. Shallum was in charge of the royal wardrobe. Huldah was living in the Second Part of Jerusalem. She told them: This is what Jehovah the God of Israel says: Tell the man who sent you to me, This is what Jehovah says: 'I am going to bring disaster on this place and on the people living here. This is according to the curses written in the book that was read to the king of Judah. I will do this because they have abandoned me. They have sacrificed to other gods in order to make me furious. Therefore, my anger will be poured on this place and it will not be extinguished.' Huldah continued: Tell Judah's king who sent you to me to ask Jehovah a question: 'This is what Jehovah the God of Israel says about the words you heard: You had a change of heart and humbled yourself in front of God when you heard my words against this place and those who live here. You humbled yourself, tore your clothes in distress, and cried in front of me. So I will listen to you, proclaims Jehovah. 'That is why I am going to bring you to your ancestors. I am going to bring you to your grave in peace. Your eyes will not see any of the disaster I am going to bring on this place and those who live here.' They reported this to the king. The king sent for all the respected leaders of Judah and Jerusalem to join him. The king, everyone in Judah, everyone living in Jerusalem, the priests, the Levites, and all the people, young and old, went up to Jehovah's Temple. He read everything written in the Book of the Covenant found in Jehovah's Temple so that they could hear it. The king stood in his place and made a promise to Jehovah that he would follow Jehovah and obey his commandments, instructions, and laws with his entire heart and being. He said he would live by the terms of the covenant (promise) written in this book. He also made all those found in Jerusalem and Benjamin join with him in the covenant. Then the people of Jerusalem lived according to the covenant of God, the God of their ancestors. Josiah got rid of all the disgusting idols throughout Israelite territory. He required all people in Israel to serve Jehovah their God. As long as he lived, they did not stop following Jehovah the God of their ancestors.

The king gave orders to all the people. He said: Keep the Passover to Jehovah your God, as it says in this book of the law. Truly, such a Passover had not been kept in all the days of the judges of Israel or of the kings of Israel or the kings of Judah. In the eighteenth year of the rule of King Josiah this Passover was kept to Jehovah in Jerusalem.

Josiah celebrated the Passover to Jehovah in Jerusalem. The Passover lamb was slaughtered on the fourteenth day of the first month. Josiah appointed the priests to their duties and encouraged them to serve in Jehovah's Temple. He told the Levites, who instructed all Israel and performed ceremonies to make themselves holy to Jehovah: Put the Holy Ark in the Temple that Solomon, son of David and king of Israel, built. It should not be carried on your shoulders any longer. Serve Jehovah your God and his people Israel. read more.
Get yourselves ready with the family groups of your divisions, which are listed in the records of King David of Israel and the records of his son Solomon. Divide yourselves into groups. Then spread out throughout the Temple so that each family of worshipers will be able to get help from one of you. When the people bring you their Passover lamb, you must slaughter it and prepare it to be sacrificed to Jehovah. Make sure the people celebrate according to the instructions Jehovah gave Moses. Do not do anything to become unclean and unacceptable. Josiah donated thirty thousand sheep and goats, and three thousand bulls from his own flocks and herds for the people to offer as sacrifices. Josiah's officials also voluntarily gave some of their animals to the people, the priests, and the Levites as sacrifices. Hilkiah, Zechariah, and Jehiel, who were the officials in charge of the Temple, gave the priests twenty-six hundred sheep and lambs and three hundred bulls to sacrifice during the Passover celebration. Conaniah and his brothers Shemaiah and Nethanel, and Hashabiah, Jeiel, and Jozabad, the leaders of the Levites, gave the Levites five thousand sheep and goats and five hundred bulls as Passover sacrifices. Thus the service was prepared. The priests took their positions with the Levites according to their divisions, as the king had ordered. They slaughtered the Passover lambs. The priests sprinkled the blood with their hands while the Levites skinned the lambs. They set aside the burnt offerings to give them to the people according to their family divisions. The people could then present them to Jehovah as is written in the Book of Moses. The Levites did the same with the bulls. The Levites roasted the Passover sacrifices over the fire, according to the regulations. They boiled the sacred offerings in pots, kettles, and pans, and quickly distributed the meat to the people. After this was done, the Levites provided meat for themselves and for the priests descended from Aaron. Since the priests were kept busy until night, burning the animals that were burned whole and the fat of the sacrifices. The following musicians of the Levite clan of Asaph were in the places assigned to them by King David's instructions: Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun, the king's prophet. The guards at the Temple gates did not need to leave their posts, because the other Levites prepared the Passover for them. Everything was done that day as King Josiah commanded for the worship of Jehovah. This included the keeping of the Passover Festival, and the offering of burnt offerings on the altar. All the people of Israel who were present celebrated the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread for seven days. The Passover had not been celebrated like this since the days of the prophet Samuel. None of the former kings had ever celebrated a Passover like this one celebrated by King Josiah, the priests, the Levites, and the people of Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem This was the eighteenth year of Josiah's reign.

Now in the eighteenth year after he became king, Josiah sent Shaphan son of Azaliah son of Meshullam the scribe, to the Temple of Jehovah. He said to him: Go to Hilkiah the high priest. Let him count the money brought into the Temple of Jehovah that the keepers of the door gathered from the people. Let them deliver it to the workmen who have oversight of the work of Jehovah's Temple. Then they can pay it to the workmen who are making good what was damaged in the Temple of Jehovah. read more.
To the woodworkers and the builders and the stonecutters; and for getting wood and cut stones for building the Temple. Since the workmen are honest, do not require them to account for the money you give them.

Josiah was eight years old when he became king. He was king for thirty-one years in Jerusalem. He did what Jehovah considered right. He lived in the ways of his ancestor David and never stopped living this way. It was the eighth year of his reign. He was still a boy when he dedicated his life to service of the God of his ancestor David. In his twelfth year as king he purged Judah and Jerusalem by destroying the illegal places of worship, poles dedicated to the goddess Asherah, carved idols, and metal idols. read more.
He tore down the altars of the Baal gods. He cut down the incense altars that were above them. He destroyed the Asherah poles, carved idols, and metal idols. He ground them into powder and scattered the powder over the tombs of those who had sacrificed to them.

The king stood beside the pillar and made a promise to Jehovah that he would follow Jehovah and obey his commands, instructions, and laws with all his heart and mind. He confirmed the terms of the promise written in this book. All the people joined in the promise. Then the king ordered the high priest Hilkiah, the priests who served under Hilkiah, and the doorkeepers to remove from Jehovah's Temple all utensils that had been made for Baal, Asherah, and the entire army of heaven. Josiah burned the utensils outside Jerusalem. It was in an open field near the Kidron Brook. Then he carried their ashes to Bethel. He got rid of the pagan priests. The kings of Judah appointed them to sacrifice at the illegal places of worship in the cities of Judah and all around Jerusalem. They had been sacrificing to Baal, the sun god, the moon god, the constellations of the zodiac (Mazzalohth Constellation-Job 38:32), and the entire army of heaven. read more.
He removed the pole dedicated to the goddess Asherah from the temple. He took it to the Kidron Valley outside Jerusalem. There he burned it in the Kidron Valley, ground it to dust, and threw its ashes on the tombs of the common people. He tore down the houses of the male temple (cult) prostitutes who were in Jehovah's Temple. This is where women did weaving for Asherah. He brought all the priests out of the cities of Judah from Geba to Beersheba and made the places where those priests sacrificed unclean. He tore down the worship site at the entrance of the Gate of Joshua, the gate named after the mayor of the city. The worship site was to the left of anyone going through the city gate. The priests of the illegal worship sites had never gone to Jehovah's altar in Jerusalem. Instead, they ate their unleavened bread among the other worshipers. Josiah also made Topheth in the valley of Ben Hinnom unclean so that people would never again sacrifice their sons or daughters by burning them to the god Molech. He also removed the horses that the kings of Judah had dedicated to the worship of the sun. He burned the chariots used in this worship. The altars the kings of Judah built on the palace roof above King Ahaz' quarters, King Josiah tore down, along with the altars put up by King Manasseh in the two courtyards of the Temple. He smashed the altars to bits and threw them into Kidron Valley. The king made the illegal places of worship east of Jerusalem unclean. They were on the southern part of the Hill of Destruction. King Solomon of Israel built them for Astarte the disgusting goddess of the Sidonians. Also made unclean were references to Chemosh the disgusting god of Moab, and Milcom the disgusting god of the Ammonites. Josiah crushed the sacred stones. He cut down the poles dedicated to Asherah. And he filled their places with human bones. He also tore down the altar at Bethel the place of worship made by Jeroboam, who had made Israel sin. He tore down both the altar and the place of worship. They burned the worship site. They crushed it into powder and burned the pole dedicated to Asherah. Josiah turned and saw the tombs on the hill. He sent men to take the bones out of the tombs and burn them on the altar to make it unclean. This fulfilled the word of Jehovah announced by the man of God. What is that headstone I see over there? Josiah asked. The men of the town said: It is the tomb of the man of God who came from Judah. The one who foretold all these things you have done to the altar of Bethel. He said: Let him be. Do not move his bones. So they let his bones be with the bones of the prophet who came from Samaria. Josiah removed all the houses of the high places the kings of Israel built in the towns of Samaria. This provoked Jehovah to anger and he did with them as he had done in Bethel. He killed all the priests of the high places on the altars. Their bones were burned on the altars. Then the king went back to Jerusalem.

Josiah removed all the spirit mediums, the foretellers, the images, and the false gods, and all the disgusting things seen in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem. That way he could establish the words of the agreement recorded in the book Hilkiah the priest discovered in the Temple of Jehovah. Never before had there been a king like him. He turned to Jehovah with all his heart and his entire mind and all his power. As the Law of Moses says: and after him there was no king like him.

Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amon, Amon the father of Josiah. Josiah was the father of Jechoniah and his brothers. They lived at the time when the people were exiled to Babylon.

A man of God from Judah went to Bethel. He arrived there while Jeroboam was at the altar ready to offer a sacrifice. He actually spoke against the altar: O altar, altar, this is what Jehovah says: 'A child, whose name will be Josiah, will be born to the family of David. He will slaughter the priests serving at the pagan altars who offer sacrifices on you. He will burn human bones on you.' The prophet went on to say: This altar will fall apart. The ashes on it will be scattered. Then you will know that Jehovah has spoken through me.

Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amon, Amon the father of Josiah. Josiah was the father of Jechoniah and his brothers. They lived at the time when the people were exiled to Babylon.

Then Jeremiah chanted a lament for Josiah. All the male and female singers speak about Josiah in their lamentations (dirges) to this day. They made them an ordinance in Israel. They are also written in the Lamentations. Verse ConceptsBereavement, Expression OfLamentingSongsTraditionsWritingBooksMournersanniversary

Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king. He ruled for fifty-five years in Jerusalem. He did what Jehovah considered evil by copying the disgusting things done by the nations that Jehovah dispossessed from before the Israelites. He rebuilt the illegal places of worship that his father Hezekiah had torn down. He set up altars dedicated to other gods such as the Baals. He erected a pole dedicated to the goddess Asherah as King Ahab of Israel had done. Manasseh, like Ahab, worshiped and served the entire army of heaven. read more.
He built altars in Jehovah's Temple, of which Jehovah said: My name will be in Jerusalem from generation to generation. He built altars for the entire army of heaven in the two courtyards of Jehovah's Temple. He burned his son as a sacrifice in the valley of Ben Hinnom, he consulted fortunetellers, and he cast evil spells. He also practiced witchcraft, and appointed royal mediums and psychics. He did many things that made Jehovah furious. Manasseh had a carved idol made. Then he set it up in God's Temple, where God had said to David and his son Solomon: I have chosen this temple and Jerusalem from all the tribes of Israel. I will put my name here from generation to generation. I will never again remove Israel from the land that I set aside for their ancestors if they will obey all the commandments, all the teachings, the ordinances, and the regulations I gave through Moses. Manasseh misled Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem so that they did more evil things than the nations that Jehovah destroyed when the Israelites arrived in the land. Jehovah spoke to Manasseh and his people. But they would not pay attention. So Jehovah made the army commanders of the king of Assyria invade Judah. They took Manasseh captive, put a hook in his nose, put him in bronze shackles, and brought him to Babylon. When he experienced distress, he begged Jehovah his God to be kind and humbled himself in front of the God of his ancestors. He prayed to Jehovah. And Jehovah accepted his prayer and listened to his request. Jehovah brought him back to his kingdom in Jerusalem. Then Manasseh knew that Jehovah is God. Then Manasseh rebuilt the outer wall of the City of David from west of Gihon Spring in the valley to the entrance of Fish Gate. He made the wall go around the Ophel. He built it very high. He put army commanders in every fortified city in Judah. Manasseh also removed the foreign gods and the idol in Jehovah's Temple. He eliminated the altars he had built in the Temple on Jehovah's mountain and in Jerusalem. He built Jehovah's altar and sacrificed fellowship offerings and thank offerings on it. And he told Judah to serve Jehovah the God of Israel. However the people continued to sacrifice at the illegal places of worship. But they sacrificed only to Jehovah their God. Everything else about Manasseh, including his prayer to his God and the words that the seers spoke to him in the name of Jehovah the God of Israel are in the records of the kings of Israel. His prayer and how God accepted it are written in the records of Hozai. The things he did before he humbled himself are also written there. This includes all his sins and unfaithfulness and the places where he built illegal worship sites and set up idols and poles dedicated to the goddess Asherah. Manasseh lay down in death with his ancestors. They buried him in his own palace. His son Amon succeeded him as king.

Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king. He ruled in Jerusalem for fifty-five years. His mother's name was Hephzibah. He did evil in the eyes of Jehovah. He copied the disgusting ways of those nations Jehovah sent out before the children of Israel. He built the high places that Hezekiah his father destroyed. He made altars for Baal. Then he made an Asherah as Ahab, king of Israel, had done. Manasseh was a worshipper and servant of all the stars of heaven. read more.
He built heathen altars in the Temple of Jehovah. The same Temple that Jehovah spoke of when he said: In Jerusalem will I put my name. And he built altars for all the stars of heaven in the two outer courts of the Temple of Jehovah. He made his own son pass through fire. He burned him as an offering to Molech. He practiced reading the future; gave positions to those who had control of spirits and to wonder-workers. He did much evil in the eyes of Jehovah and provoked him to anger. He made an image of the goddess Asherah and set it in the Temple of Jehovah. This is the same Temple that Jehovah said to David and to Solomon his son: In this house, and in Jerusalem, the town which I have made mine out of all the tribes of Israel, I will put my name forever (for a very long time). And never again will I send the feet of Israel wandering from the land that I gave to their fathers. If only they will take care to do all my orders, and obey all the law my servant Moses gave them. But they would not listen. Manasseh enticed them to do evil. In fact they committed more evil than the nations whom Jehovah destroyed before the children of Israel. Jehovah said through his servants the prophets: Manasseh king of Judah committed detestable sins. He did more evil than all the Amorites before him. He enticed Judah to do evil with his false gods. Because of this,' says Jehovah the God of Israel: 'I will send such evil on Jerusalem and Judah that the ears of all who hear of it will burn. The line of Samaria and the weight of Ahab will be stretched over Jerusalem. Jerusalem will be washed clean as a plate is washed, and turned over on its face. I will discard the rest of my heritage. I will give them into the hands of their enemies. They will take their property and their goods for themselves. Because they have done evil in my eyes. They moved me to anger from the day their fathers came out of Egypt till this day.' Even more, Manasseh killed many innocent men. He filled Jerusalem from one end to the other with blood. He also caused Judah to sin and do evil in the eyes of Jehovah. Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh, and all he did, and his sins, are recorded in the book of the history of the kings of Judah. So Manasseh went to rest with his fathers. He was buried in the garden of his house, in the garden of Uzza. Amon his son became king in his place.

Then all the people of Judah took Azariah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in place of his father Amaziah. Verse ConceptsAge When CrownedMaking KingsKings Of All Israel Or Judah

All the people of Judah took Uzziah and made him king in place of his father Amaziah. Verse ConceptsAge When CrownedSports

Uzziah was sixteen years old when he began to rule. He ruled for fifty-two years in Jerusalem. His mother was Jecoliah from Jerusalem. Verse ConceptsJerusalem, History Of50 To 70 YearsAge When Crowned

Azariah son of Amaziah became king of Judah. This was in the twenty-seventh year of the rule of Jeroboam, king of Israel. Azariah was sixteen years old when he became king. He ruled in Jerusalem for fifty-two years. His mother's name was Jecoliah of Jerusalem.