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2 Chronicles 16

1

In the thirty-sixth year of Asa's reign Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah and fortified Ramah in order to prevent anyone from going out or coming in to Asa king of Judah.

2

Then Asa brought out silver and gold from the treasuries of the house of the LORD and the king's house, and sent them to Ben-hadad king of Aram, who lived in Damascus, saying,

3

"Let there be a treaty between you and me, as between my father and your father. Behold, I have sent you silver and gold; go, break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel so that he will withdraw from me.'

4

So Ben-hadad listened to King Asa and sent the commanders of his armies against the cities of Israel, and they conquered Ijon, Dan, Abel-maim and all the store cities of Naphtali.

5

When Baasha heard of it, he ceased fortifying Ramah and stopped his work.

6

Then King Asa brought all Judah, and they carried away the stones of Ramah and its timber with which Baasha had been building, and with them he fortified Geba and Mizpah.

7

At that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah and said to him, " Because you have relied on the king of Aram and have not relied on the LORD your God, therefore the army of the king of Aram has escaped out of your hand.

8

"Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubim an immense army with very many chariots and horsemen? Yet because you relied on the LORD, He delivered them into your hand.

9

"For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His. You have acted foolishly in this. Indeed, from now on you will surely have wars.'

10

Then Asa was angry with the seer and put him in prison, for he was enraged at him for this. And Asa oppressed some of the people at the same time.

11

Now, the acts of Asa from first to last, behold, they are written in the Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel.

12

In the thirty-ninth year of his reign Asa became diseased in his feet. His disease was severe, yet even in his disease he did not seek the LORD, but the physicians.

13

So Asa slept with his fathers, having died in the forty-first year of his reign.

14

They buried him in his own tomb which he had cut out for himself in the city of David, and they laid him in the resting place which he had filled with spices of various kinds blended by the perfumers' art; and they made a very great fire for him. 17

2 Chronicles 17

1

Jehoshaphat his son then became king in his place, and made his position over Israel firm.

2

He placed troops in all the fortified cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim which Asa his father had captured.

3

The LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the example of his father David's earlier days and did not seek the Baals,

4

but sought the God of his father, followed His commandments, and did not act as Israel did.

5

So the LORD established the kingdom in his control, and all Judah brought tribute to Jehoshaphat, and he had great riches and honor.

6

He took great pride in the ways of the LORD and again removed the high places and the Asherim from Judah.

7

Then in the third year of his reign he sent his officials, Ben-hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel and Micaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah;

8

and with them the Levites, Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah and Tobadonijah, the Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, the priests.

9

They taught in Judah, having the book of the law of the LORD with them; and they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught among the people.

10

Now the dread of the LORD was on all the kingdoms of the lands which were around Judah, so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat.

11

Some of the Philistines brought gifts and silver as tribute to Jehoshaphat; the Arabians also brought him flocks, 7,700 rams and 7,700 male goats.

12

So Jehoshaphat grew greater and greater, and he built fortresses and store cities in Judah.

13

He had large supplies in the cities of Judah, and warriors, valiant men, in Jerusalem.

14

This was their muster according to their fathers' households: of Judah, commanders of thousands, Adnah was the commander, and with him 300,000 valiant warriors;

15

and next to him was Johanan the commander, and with him 280,000;

16

and next to him Amasiah the son of Zichri, who volunteered for the LORD, and with him 200,000 valiant warriors;

17

and of Benjamin, Eliada a valiant warrior, and with him 200,000 armed with bow and shield;

18

and next to him Jehozabad, and with him 180,000 equipped for war.

19

These are they who served the king, apart from those whom the king put in the fortified cities through all Judah. 18

2 Chronicles 18

1

Now Jehoshaphat had great riches and honor; and he allied himself by marriage with Ahab.

2

Some years later he went down to visit Ahab at Samaria. And Ahab slaughtered many sheep and oxen for him and the people who were with him, and induced him to go up against Ramoth-gilead.

3

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

4

Moreover, Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, "Please inquire first for the word of the LORD.'

5

Then the king of Israel assembled the prophets, four hundred men, and said to them, "Shall we go against Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I refrain?' And they said, "Go up, for God will give it into the hand of the king.'

6

But Jehoshaphat said, "Is there not yet a prophet of the LORD here that we may inquire of him?'

7

The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of the LORD, but I hate him, for he never prophesies good concerning me but always evil. He is Micaiah, son of Imla.' But Jehoshaphat said, "Let not the king say so.'

8

Then the king of Israel called an officer and said, " Bring quickly Micaiah, Imla's son.'

9

Now the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah were sitting each on his throne, arrayed in their robes, and they were sitting at the threshing floor at the entrance of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets were prophesying before them.

10

Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made horns of iron for himself and said, "Thus says the LORD, "With these you shall gore the Arameans until they are consumed.'

11

All the prophets were prophesying thus, saying, "Go up to Ramoth-gilead and succeed, for the LORD will give it into the hand of the king.'

12

Then the messenger who went to summon Micaiah spoke to him saying, "Behold, the words of the prophets are uniformly favorable to the king. So please let your word be like one of them and speak favorably.'

13

But Micaiah said, "As the LORD lives, what my God says, that I will speak.'

14

When he came to the king, the king said to him, "Micaiah, shall we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I refrain?' He said, "Go up and succeed, for they will be given into your hand.'

15

Then the king said to him, "How many times must I adjure you to speak to me nothing but the truth in the name of the LORD?'

16

So he said, "I saw all Israel Scattered on the mountains, Like sheep which have no shepherd; And the LORD said, "These have no master. Let each of them return to his house in peace.'

17

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

18

Micaiah said, "Therefore, hear the word of the LORD. I saw the LORD sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing on His right and on His left.

19

"The LORD said, "Who will entice Ahab king of Israel to go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?' And one said this while another said that.

20

"Then a spirit came forward and stood before the LORD and said, "I will entice him.' And the LORD said to him, "How?'

21

"He said, "I will go and be a deceiving spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.' Then He said, "You are to entice him and prevail also. Go and do so.'

22

"Now therefore, behold, the LORD has put a deceiving spirit in the mouth of these your prophets, for the LORD has proclaimed disaster against you.'

23

Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near and struck Micaiah on the cheek and said, " How did the Spirit of the LORD pass from me to speak to you?'

24

Micaiah said, "Behold, you will see on that day when you enter an inner room to hide yourself.'

25

Then the king of Israel said, " Take Micaiah and return him to Amon the governor of the city and to Joash the king's son;

26

and say, "Thus says the king, " Put this man in prison and feed him sparingly with bread and water until I return safely.'

27

Micaiah said, "If you indeed return safely, the LORD has not spoken by me.' And he said, " Listen, all you people.'

28

So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah went up against Ramoth-gilead.

29

The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "I will disguise myself and go into battle, but you put on your robes.' So the king of Israel disguised himself, and they went into battle.

30

Now the king of Aram had commanded the captains of his chariots, saying, "Do not fight with small or great, but with the king of Israel alone.'

31

So when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, they said, "It is the king of Israel,' and they turned aside to fight against him. But Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him, and God diverted them from him.

32

When the captains of the chariots saw that it was not the king of Israel, they turned back from pursuing him.

33

A certain man drew his bow at random and struck the king of Israel in a joint of the armor. So he said to the driver of the chariot, "Turn around and take me out of the fight, for I am severely wounded.'

34

The battle raged that day, and the king of Israel propped himself up in his chariot in front of the Arameans until the evening; and at sunset he died. 19

2 Chronicles 19

1

Then Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned in safety to his house in Jerusalem.

2

Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him and said to King Jehoshaphat, " Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD and so bring wrath on yourself from the LORD?

3

"But there is some good in you, for you have removed the Asheroth from the land and you have set your heart to seek God.'

4

So Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem and went out again among the people from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim and brought them back to the LORD, the God of their fathers.

5

He appointed judges in the land in all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city.

6

He said to the judges, "Consider what you are doing, for you do not judge for man but for the LORD who is with you when you render judgment.

7

"Now then let the fear of the LORD be upon you; be very careful what you do, for the LORD our God will have no part in unrighteousness or partiality or the taking of a bribe.'

8

In Jerusalem also Jehoshaphat appointed some of the Levites and priests, and some of the heads of the fathers' households of Israel, for the judgment of the LORD and to judge disputes among the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

9

Then he charged them saying, "Thus you shall do in the fear of the LORD, faithfully and wholeheartedly.

10

" Whenever any dispute comes to you from your brethren who live in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and ordinances, you shall warn them so that they may not be guilty before the LORD, and wrath may not come on you and your brethren. Thus you shall do and you will not be guilty.

11

"Behold, Amariah the chief priest will be over you in all that pertains to the LORD, and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, in all that pertains to the king. Also the Levites shall be officers before you. Act resolutely, and the LORD be with the upright.' 20

2 Chronicles 20

1

Now it came about after this that the sons of Moab and the sons of Ammon, together with some of the Meunites, came to make war against Jehoshaphat.

2

Then some came and reported to Jehoshaphat, saying, "A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, out of Aram and behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar (that is Engedi).'

3

Jehoshaphat was afraid and turned his attention to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.

4

So Judah gathered together to seek help from the LORD; they even came from all the cities of Judah to seek the LORD.

5

Then Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD before the new court,

6

and he said, "O LORD, the God of our fathers, are You not God in the heavens? And are You not ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in Your hand so that no one can stand against You.

7

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

8

"They have lived in it, and have built You a sanctuary there for Your name, saying,

9

" Should evil come upon us, the sword, or judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house and before You (for Your name is in this house) and cry to You in our distress, and You will hear and deliver us.'

10

"Now behold, the sons of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir, whom You did not let Israel invade when they came out of the land of Egypt (they turned aside from them and did not destroy them),

11

see how they are rewarding us by coming to drive us out from Your possession which You have given us as an inheritance.

12

"O our God, will You not judge them? For we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You.'

13

All Judah was standing before the LORD, with their infants, their wives and their children.

14

Then in the midst of the assembly the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, the Levite of the sons of Asaph;

15

and he said, "Listen, all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: thus says the LORD to you, " Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God's.

16

"Tomorrow go down against them. Behold, they will come up by the ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the valley in front of the wilderness of Jeruel.

17

"You need not fight in this battle; station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.' Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out to face them, for the LORD is with you.'

18

Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the LORD, worshiping the LORD.

19

The Levites, from the sons of the Kohathites and of the sons of the Korahites, stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel, with a very loud voice.

20

They rose early in the morning and went out to the wilderness of Tekoa; and when they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, "Listen to me, O Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, put your trust in the LORD your God and you will be established. Put your trust in His prophets and succeed.'

21

When he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who sang to the LORD and those who praised Him in holy attire, as they went out before the army and said, " Give thanks to the LORD, for His lovingkindness is everlasting.'

22

When they began singing and praising, the LORD set ambushes against the sons of Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; so they were routed.

23

For the sons of Ammon and Moab rose up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir destroying them completely; and when they had finished with the inhabitants of Seir, they helped to destroy one another.

24

When Judah came to the lookout of the wilderness, they looked toward the multitude, and behold, they were corpses lying on the ground, and no one had escaped.

25

When Jehoshaphat and his people came to take their spoil, they found much among them, including goods, garments and valuable things which they took for themselves, more than they could carry. And they were three days taking the spoil because there was so much.

26

Then on the fourth day they assembled in the valley of Beracah, for there they blessed the LORD. Therefore they have named that place "The Valley of Beracah' until today.

27

Every man of Judah and Jerusalem returned with Jehoshaphat at their head, returning to Jerusalem with joy, for the LORD had made them to rejoice over their enemies.

28

They came to Jerusalem with harps, lyres and trumpets to the house of the LORD.

29

And the dread of God was on all the kingdoms of the lands when they heard that the LORD had fought against the enemies of Israel.

30

So the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God gave him rest on all sides.

31

Now Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah. He was thirty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-five years. And his mother's name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi.

32

He walked in the way of his father Asa and did not depart from it, doing right in the sight of the LORD.

33

The high places, however, were not removed; the people had not yet directed their hearts to the God of their fathers.

34

Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, first to last, behold, they are written in the annals of Jehu the son of Hanani, which is recorded in the Book of the Kings of Israel.

35

After this Jehoshaphat king of Judah allied himself with Ahaziah king of Israel. He acted wickedly in so doing.

36

So he allied himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish, and they made the ships in Ezion-geber.

37

Then Eliezer the son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat saying, "Because you have allied yourself with Ahaziah, the LORD has destroyed your works.' So the ships were broken and could not go to Tarshish. 21

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