Jehoshaphat's greatness. CHAP. XVIII. Ahab's false prophets. 8 And with them he sent Levites, even of Israel, Inquire, I pray thee, at the Shemaiah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, word of the LORD to-day. and Asahel, and Shemiramoth, and Jeho- 5 Therefore the king of Israel gathernathan, and Adonijah, and Tobijah, and ed together of prophets four hundred men, Tob-adonijah, Levites; and with them and said unto them, Shall we go to RaElishama and Jehoram, priests. moth-gilead to battle, or shall I forbear? 9 And they taught in Judah, and had And they said, Go up; for God will dethe book of the law of the LORD with them, liver it into the king's hand. and went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught the people. 10 And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat. 6 But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD besides, that we might inquire of him? 7 And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, by whom we may inquire of the LORD: but I hate 11 Also some of the Philistines brought him; for he never prophesieth good unto Jehoshaphat presents, and tribute-silver; me, but always evil: the same is Micaiah and the Arabians brought him flocks, seven the son of Imla. And Jehoshaphat said, thousand and seven hundred rams, and Let not the king say so. seven thousand and seven hundred he- 8 And the king of Israel called for one goats. of his officers, and said, Fetch quickly Micaiah the son of Imla. 12 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly; and he built in Judah castles, and cities of store. 13 And he had much business in the cities of Judah: and the men of war, mighty men of valour, were in Jerusalem. 9 And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah sat either of them on his throne, clothed in their robes, and they sat in a void place at the entering in of the gate of Samaria: and all the prophets prophesied before them. 14 And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers: Of 10 And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah Judah, the captains of thousands; Adnah had made him horns of iron, and said, the chief, and with him mighty men of Thus saith the LORD, With these thou shalt valour three hundred thousand. 15 And next to him was Jehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand. 16 And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself unto the LORD; and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour. push Syria until they be consumed. 11 And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ramoth-gilead, and prosper: for the LORD shall deliver it into the hand of the king. 12 And the messenger that went to call Micaiah spake to him, saying, Behold, the words of the prophets declare good to 17 And of Benjamin; Eliada a mighty the king with one assent; let thy word man of valour, and with him armed men therefore, I pray thee, be like one of with bow and shield two hundred thou- theirs, and speak thou good. sand. 13 And Micaiah said, As the LORD 18 And next him was Jehozabad, and liveth, even what my God saith, that will with him a hundred and fourscore thou-I speak. sand ready prepared for the war. 14 And when he was come to the king, 19 These waited on the king, besides the king said unto him, Micaiah, shall we those whom the king put in the fenced go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I cities throughout all Judah. forbear? And he said, Go ye up, and prosper, and they shall be delivered into CHAP. XVIII. Nowout in abundance, and joined affinity with Ahab. 15 And the king said to him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou say, 2 And after certain years he went down nothing but the truth to me in the name of to Ahab to Samaria. And Ahab killed the LORD? sheep and oxen for him in abundance, and 16 Then he said, I did see all Israel for the people that he had with him, and scattered upon the mountains, as sheep persuaded him to go up with him to Ramoth-gilead. 3 And Ahab king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat king of Judah, Wilt thou go with me to Ramoth-gilead? And he an swered him, I am as thou art, and my people as thy people; and we will be with thee in the war. 4 that have no shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master; let them return therefore every man to his house in peace. 17 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell thee that he would not prophesy good unto me, but evil? 18 Again he said, Therefore hear the word of the LORD; I saw the LORD sitting And Jehoshaphat said unto the king upon his throne, and all the host of heaven Micaiah's prophecy. II. CHRONICLES. Jehoshaphat visits his kingdom. standing on his right hand and on his left. he said to his chariot-man, Turn thine hand 19 And the LORD said, Who shall entice that thou mayest carry me out of the host; Ahab king of Israel, that he may go up for I am wounded. and fall at Ramoth-gilead? And one spake 34 And the battle increased that day: saying after this manner, and another how beit the king of Israel stayed himself saying after that manner. up in his chariot against the Syrians until 20 Then there came out a spirit, and the even: and about the time of the sun stood before the LORD, and said, I will en-going down he died. tice him. And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? CHAP. XIX. AND Je his house in peace to Je ND Jehoshaphat the king of Judah 21 And he said, I will go out, and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.rusalem. And the LORD said, Thou shalt entice 2 And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer him, and thou shalt also prevail: go out went out to meet him, and said to king Jeand do even so. hoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, 22 Now therefore, behold, the LORD and love them that hate the LORD? therehath put a lying spirit in the mouth of fore is wrath upon thee from before the these thy prophets, and the LORD hath LORD. spoken evil against thee. 3 Nevertheless, there are good things. 23 Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaa- found in thee, in that thou hast taken away nah came near, and smote Micaiah upon the groves out of the land, and hast prethe cheek, and said, Which way went the pared thy heart to seek God. Spirit of the LORD from me to speak unto thee? 24 And Micaiah said, Behold, thou shalt see on that day when thou shalt go into an inner chamber to hide thyself. 25 Then the king of Israel said, Take ye Micaiah, and carry him back to Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king's son; 4 And Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem: and he went out again through the people from Beer-sheba to mount Ephraim, and brought them back unto the LORD God of their fathers. 5 And he set judges in the land throughout all the fenced cities of Judah, city by city; 6 And said to the judges, Take heed 26 And say, Thus saith the king, Put what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but this fellow in the prison, and feed him for the LORD, who is with you in the judgwith bread of affliction and with water ment. of affliction, until I return in peace. 7 Wherefore now let the fear of the 27 And Micaiah said, If thou certainly LORD be upon you: take heed and do it: for return in peace, then hath not the LORD there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, spoken by ine. And he said, Hearken, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts. all ye people. 8 Moreover, in Jerusalem did Jeho28 So the king of Israel and Jehosha-shaphat set of the Levites, and of the phat the king of Judah went up to Ramoth- priests, and of the chief of the fathers of gilead. Israel, for the judgment of the LORD, and for controversies, when they returned to Jerusalem. 29 And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself, and will go to the battle; but put thou on thy robes. So the king of Israel disguised himself; and they went to the battle. 9 And he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye do in the fear of the LORD, faithfully, and with a perfect heart. 30 Now the king of Syria had command- 10 And what cause soever shall come ed the captains of the chariots that were to you of your brethren that dwell in their with him, saying, Fight ye not with small cities, between blood and blood, between or great, save only with the king of Israel. law and commandment, statutes and judg 31 And it came to pass, when the cap-ments, ye shall even warn them that they tains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that trespass not against the LORD, and so wrath they said, It is the king of Israel. There- come upon you, and upon your brethren: fore they compassed about him to fight: this do, and ye shall not trespass. but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD 11 And behold, Amariah the chief priest helped him; and God moved them to de- is over you in all matters of the LORD; and part from him. Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler 32 For it came to pass, that when the of the house of Judah, for all the king's captains of the chariots perceived that it matters: also the Levites shall be officers was not the king of Israel, they turned before you. Deal courageously, and the back again from pursuing him. LORD shall be with the good. CHAP. XX. 33 And a certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness: therefore T came to pass after this also, that the children of Moab, and the children of The prayer of Jenosnaphat: CHAP. XX. His enemies overthrowni 16 To-morrow go ye down against them: behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz; and ye shall find them at the end of the brook, before the wilderness of Jeruel. 2 Then there came some that told Jehoshaphat, saying, There cometh a great 17 Ye shall not need to fight in this bat tle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to-morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you. multitude against thee from beyond the sea on this side Syria; and behold, they be in Hazazon-tamar, which is En-gedi. 3 And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 18 And Jehoshaphat bowed his head 4 And Judah gathered themselves to- with his face to the ground: and all Judah gether, to ask help of the LORD; even out and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell beof all the cities of Judah they came to seek fore the LORD, worshipping the LORD. the LORD. 19 And the Levites, of the children of 5 And Jehoshaphat stood in the con- the Kohathites, and of the children of the gregation of Judah and Jerusalem, in the Korhites, stood up to praise the LORD God house of the LORD, before the new court, of Israel with a loud voice on high. 6 And said, O LORD God of our fathers, 20 And they rose early in the morning, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest and went forth into the wilderness of Tenot thou over all the kingdoms of the hea-koa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat then? and in thy hand is there not power stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye and might, so that none is able to with-inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the stand thee? LORD your God, so shall ye be established ; 7 Art not thou our God, who didst drive believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper. out the inhabitants of this land before thy 21 And when he had consulted with people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of the people, he appointed singers unto the Abraham thy friend for ever? LORD, and that should praise the beauty 8 And they dwelt therein, and have of holiness, as they went out before the built thee a sanctuary therein for thy name, army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for saying, his mercy endureth for ever. 9 If, when evil cometh upon us, as the 22 And when they began to sing and sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, to praise, the LORD set ambushments we stand before this house, and in thy against the children of Ammon, Moab, and presence, (for thy name is in this house,) mount Seir, which were come against Juand cry unto thee in our affliction, then dah; and they were smitten. thou wilt hear and help. 23 For the children of Ammon and Mo 10 And now, behold, the children of ab stood up against the inhabitants of Ammon and Moab, and mount Seir, whom mount Seir, utterly to slay and destroy thou wouldest not let Israel invade, when them: and when they had made an end of they came out of the land of Egypt, but the inhabitants of Seir, every one helped they turned from them, and destroyed to destroy another. 24 And when Judah came toward the them not; 11 Behold, I say, how they reward us, watch-tower in the wilderness, they lookto come to cast us out of thy possession, ed unto the multitude, and behold, they which thou hast given us to inherit. were dead bodies fallen to the earth, and none escaped. 12 O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee. 25 And when Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away the spoil of them, they found among them in abundance both riches with the dead bodies, and precious 13 Andall Judah stood before the LORD, jewels, which they stripped off for themwith their little ones, their wives and their selves, more than they could carry away: children. and they were three days in gathering of 14 Then upon Jahaziel the son of the spoil, it was so much. Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of 26 ¶ And on the fourth day they asJeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sembled themselves in the valley of Berasons of Asaph, came the Spirit of the LORD chah; for there they blessed the LORD; in the midst of the congregation; therefore the name of the same place was 15 And he said Hearken ye, all Judah, calied, The valley of Berachah, unto this and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou day. king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD 27 Then they returned, every man of unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat reason of this great multitude; for the bat- in the fore-front of them, to go again to tle is not yours, but God's. Jerusalem with joy; for the LORD had Jehoram made king: II. CHRONICLES. His wicked reign. made them to rejoice over their enemies. 6 And he walked in the way of the 28 And they came to Jerusalem with kings of Israel, like as did the house of psalteries and harps and trumpets unto Ahab: for he had the daughter of Ahab to the house of the LORD. wife: and he wrought that which was evil 29 And the fear of God was on all the in the eyes of the LORD. kingdoms of those countries, when they 7 Howbeit the LORD would not destroy had heard that the LORD fought against the house of David, because of the covethe enemies of Israel. nant that he had made with David, and as 30 So the realm of Jehoshaphat was he promised to give a light to him and to quiet: for his God gave him rest round his sons for ever. about. 8 In his days the Edomites revolted 31 ¶ And Jehoshaphat reigned over from under the dominion of Judah, and Judah: he was thirty and five years old made themselves a king. when he began to reign, and he reigned 9 Then Jehoram went forth with his twenty and five years in Jerusalem. And princes, and all his chariots with him: and his mother's name was Azubah the daugh- he rose up by night, and smote the Edomter of Shilhi. ites which compassed him in, and the captains of the chariots. 32 And he walked in the way of Asa his father, and departed not from it, doing that which was right in the sight of the LORD. 33 Howbeit, the high places were not taken away: for as yet the people had not prepared their hearts unto the God of their fathers. 10 So the Edomites revolted from under the hand of Judah unto this day. The same time also did Libnah revolt from under his hand; because he had forsaken the LORD God of his fathers. 11 Moreover, he made high places in the mountains of Judah, and caused the 34 Now the rest of the acts of Jeho- inhabitants of Jerusalem to commit fornishaphat, first and last, behold, they are cation, and compelled Judah thereto. written in the book of Jehu the son of 12 And there came a writing to him Hanani, who is mentioned in the book of the kings of Israel. 35 And after this did Jehoshaphat king of Judah join himself with Ahaziah king of Israel, who did very wickedly: 36 And he joined himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish: and they made the ships in Ezion-geber. from Elijah the prophet, saying, Thus saith the LORD God of David thy father, Because thou hast not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat thy father, nor in the ways of Asa king of Judah, 13 But hast walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and hast made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to go a whor37 Then Eliezer the son of Dodavah of ing, like to the whoredoms of the house of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, Ahab, and also hast slain thy brethren of saying, Because thou hast joined thyself thy father's house, which were better than with Ahaziah, the LORD hath broken thy thyself: works. And the ships were broken, that 14 Behold, with a great plague will they were not able to go to Tarshish. the LORD smite thy people, and thy chil CHAP. XXI. dren, and thy wives, and all thy goods: NOW TOW Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David. And Jehoram his son reigned in his stead. 15 And thou shalt have great sickness by disease of thy bowels, until thy bowels fall out by reason of the sickness day by day. 16 Moreover, the LORD stirred up 2 And he had brethren the sons of Je- against Jehoram the spirit of the Philishoshaphat, Azariah, and Jehiel, and Ze- tines, and of the Arabians, that were near chariah, and Azariah, and Michael, and the Ethiopians: Shephatiah all these were the sons of Je- 17 And they came up into Judah, and hoshaphat king of Israel. brake into it, and carried away all the 3 And their father gave them great gifts substance that was found in the king's of silver, and of gold, and of precious house, and his sons also, and his wives; so things, with fenced cities in Judah: but that there was never a son left him, save the kingdom gave he to Jehoram; because Jehoahaz the youngest of his sons. he was the first-born. 18 T And after all this the LORD Smote 4 Now when Jehoram was risen up to him in his bowels with an incurable disthe kingdom of his father, he strengthened ease. himself, and slew all his brethren with the 19 And it came to pass, that in process sword, and divers also of the princes of of time, after the end of two years, his Israel. bowels fell out by reason of his sickness: 5 Jehoram was thirty and two years so he died of sore diseases. And his peoold when he began to reign, and he reign-ple made no burning for him, like the ed eight years in Jerusalem. burning of his fathers. Ahaziah's wicked reign. CHAP. XXII, XXIII. Athaliah's usurpation. 20 Thirty and two years old was heehoiada the priest, (for she was the siswhen he began to reign, and he reigned inter of Ahaziah,) hid him from Athaliah, so Jerusalem eight years, and departed with- that she slew him not. out being desired: howbeit they buried 12 And he was with them hid in the him in the city of David, but not in the se-house of God six years: and Athaliab pulchres of the kings. reigned over the land. ND the CHAP. XXII. CHAP. XXIII. Ahaziah habitants of Jerusalem made AND in the seventh year Jehoiada strengthened himself, and took the stead: for the band of men that came with captains of hundreds, Azariah the son of the Arabians to the camp had slain all the Jeroham, and Ishmael the son of Jehohaeldest. So Ahaziah the son of Jehoram nan, and Azariah the son of Obed, and king of Judah reigned. Maaseiah the son of Adaiah, and Elisha2 Forty and two years old was Ahaziah phat the son of Zichri, into covenant with when he began to reign, and he reigned him. one year in Jerusalem. His mother's name 2 And they went about in Judah, and also was Athaliah the daughter of Omri. gathered the Levites out of all the cities 3 He also walked in the ways of the of Judah, and the chief of the fathers of house of Ahab: for his mother was his Israel, and they came to Jerusalem. counsellor to do wickedly. 4 Wherefore he did evil in the sight of the LORD like the house of Ahab: for they were his counsellors, after the death of his father, to his destruction. 5 He walked also after their counsel, and went with Jehoram the son of Ahab king of Israel to war against Hazael king of Syria at Ramoth-gilead: and the Syrians smote Joram. 6 And he returned to be healed in Jezreel because of the wounds which were given him at Ramah, when he fought with Hazael king of Syria. And Azariah the son of Jehoram king of Judah went down to see Jehoram the son of Ahab at Jezreel, because he was sick. 7 And the destruction of Ahaziah was of God by coming to Joram: for when he was come, he went out with Jehoram against Jehu the son of Nimshi, whom the LORD had anointed to cut off the house of Ahab. 3 And all the congregation made a covenant with the king in the house of God. And he said unto them, Behold, the king's son shall reign, as the LORD hath said of the sons of David. 4 This is the thing that ye shall do; A third part of you entering on the sabbath, of the priests and of the Levites, shall be porters of the doors; 5 And a third part shall be at the king's house; and a third part at the gate of the foundation: and all the people shall be in the courts of the house of the LORD., 6 But let none come into the house of the LORD, save the priests, and they that minister of the Levites; they shall go in, for they are holy but all the people shall keep the watch of the LORD. 7 And the Levites shall compass the king round about, every man with his weapons in his hand; and whosoever else cometh into the house, he shall be put to death but be ye with the king when he cometh in, and when he goeth out. 8 And it came to pass, that when Jehu was executing judgment upon the house 8 So the Levites and all Judah did acof Ahab, and found the princes of Judah, cording to all things that Jehoiada the and the sons of the brethren of Ahaziah, priest had commanded, and took every that ministered to Ahaziah, he slew them. man his men that were to come in on the 9 And he sought Ahaziah: and they sabbath, with them that were to go out on caught him, (for he was hid in Samaria,) the sabbath for Jehoiada the priest disand brought him to Jehu: and when they missed not the courses. bad slain him, they buried him: Because, 9 Moreover, Jehoiada the priest deliversaid they, he is the son of Jehoshaphat, ed to the captains of hundreds spears, and who sought the LORD with all his heart. bucklers, and shields, that had been king So the house of Ahaziah had no power to David's,which were in the house of God. keep still the kingdom. 10 And he set all the people, every man 10 But when Athaliah the mother of having his weapon in his hand, from the Abaziah saw that her son was dead, she right side of the temple to the left side of arose, and destroyed all the seed royal of the temple, along by the altar and the the house of Judah. temple, by the king round about. 11 But Jehoshabeath, the daughter of 11 Then they brought out the king's son, the king, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and put upon him the crown, and gave him and stole him from among the king's sons the testimony, and made him king. And that were slain, and put him and his nurse Jehoiada and his sons anointed him, and in a bed-chamber. So Jehoshabeath, the said, God save the king. daughter of king Jehoram, the wife of 12 T Now when Athaliah heard the |