# verses

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<pb/>And the king sent and called for Shimei and said to him, Build a house in Jerusalem for you and dwell there and do not go forth from there anywhere.


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For on the day you go out and pass over the brook Kidron, know for certain that you will surely die; your blood will be upon your own head.


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And Shimei said to the king, The saying is good. As my lord the king has said, so will your servant do. And Shimei dwelt in Jerusalem many days.


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<pb/>And it happened at the end of three years, that two of the servants of Shimei ran away to Achish, son of Maacah, king of Gath. And they told Shimei, saying, Behold, your servants are in Gath.


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And Shimei arose and saddled his donkey and went to Gath to Achish to seek his servants. And Shimei went and brought his servants from Gath.


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And the king sent and called for Shimei and said to him, Did I not make you swear by Jehovah and protest to you, saying, Know for certain, that on the day you go out and walk abroad anywhere, you will surely die? And you said to me, The saying that I have heard is good.


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<pb/>Why then have you not kept the oath of Jehovah and the commandment that I have charged you with?


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The king said moreover to Shimei, You know all the evil which your heart has known, what you did to David my father. Therefore Jehovah will return your evil upon your own head.


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But king Solomon will be blessed and the throne of David will be established before Jehovah until everlasting.


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<pb/>So the king commanded Benaiah the son of Jehoiada. And he went out and fell upon him so that he died. And the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon.


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<pb/>And Solomon made a marriage-agreement with Pharaoh King of Egypt and took Pharaoh's daughter and brought her into the city of David until he had made an end of building his own house and the house of Jehovah and the wall of Jerusalem all around.


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Only the people sacrificed in the high places, because there was no house built for the name of Jehovah until those days.


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<pb/>And Solomon loved Jehovah, walking in the statutes of David his father. Only he sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places.


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And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place. Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings upon that altar.


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<pb/>In Gibeon Jehovah appeared to Solomon in a dream by night and God said, Ask what I will give you.


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<pb/>And Solomon said, You have shown to your servant David my father great loving kindness, just-as he walked before you in truth and in righteousness and in uprightness of heart with you. And you have kept for him this great loving kindness, that you have given him a son to sit on his throne as it is this day.


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<pb/>And now, O Jehovah my God, you have made your servant king instead of David my father. And I am but a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in.


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And your servant is in the midst of your people which you have chosen, a great people that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.


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Give your servant therefore an understanding heart to judge your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to judge this your great people?


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And God said to him, Because you have asked this thing and have not asked for yourself long life, neither have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice,


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behold, I have done according to your word. Behold, I have given you a wise and an understanding heart, so that there has been none like you before you, neither after you will any arise like you.


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<pb/>And I have also given you what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that there will not be any among the kings like you all your days.


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And if you will walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.


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<pb/>And Solomon awoke, and behold, it was a dream. And he came to Jerusalem and stood before the ark of the covenant of Jehovah and offered up burnt offerings and offered peace offerings and made a feast to all his servants.


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And the one woman said, Oh, my lord, I and this woman dwell in one house. And I was delivered of a child with her in the house.


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And it happened the third day after I was delivered, that this woman was delivered also. And we were together; there was no stranger with us in the house, except we two in the house.


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And she arose at midnight and took my son from beside me while your handmaid slept and laid it in her bosom and laid her dead child in my bosom.


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And when I rose in the morning to give my child suck, behold, it was dead. But when I had looked at it in the morning, behold, it was not my son whom I bore.


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<pb/>And the other woman said, No, but the living is my son and the dead is your son. And the other woman said, No, but the dead is your son and the living is my son. Thus they spoke before the king.


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<pb/>Then the king said, The one says, This is my son that lives and your son is the dead. And the other says, No, but your son is the dead and my son is the living.


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<pb/>Then the woman whose the living child was spoke to the king, for her heart yearned over her son and she said, Oh, my lord, give her the living child and by no means kill it. But the other said, It will be neither mine nor your. Divide it.


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Then the king answered and said, Give her the living child and by no means kill it; she is the mother of it.


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<pb/>And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged. And they feared the king, for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do justice.


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and Azariah the son of Nathan was over the officers; and Zabud the son of Nathan was chief minister, <i>and</i> the king's friend;


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and Ahishar was over the household; and Adoniram the son of Abda was over the men subject to forced-labor.


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<pb/>And Solomon had twelve officers over all Israel who provided provisions for the king and his household. Each man had to make provision for a month in the year.


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Baana the son of Ahilud, in Taanach and Megiddo and all Beth-shean which is beside Zarethan, beneath Jezreel, from Beth-shean to Abel-meholah, as far as beyond Jokmeam;


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Ben-geber, in Ramoth-gilead (to him <i>pertained</i> the towns of Jair the son of Manasseh, which are in Gilead; <i>even</i> to him <i>pertained</i> the region of Argob, which is in Bashan, sixty great cities with walls and brazen bars);


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Geber the son of Uri, in the land of Gilead, the country of Sihon king of the Amorites and of Og king of Bashan and <i>he was</i> the only officer who was in the land.


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<pb/>Judah and Israel were as many as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking and making merry.


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And Solomon ruled over all the kingdoms from the River to the land of the Philistines and to the border of Egypt. They brought tribute and served Solomon all the days of his life.


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ten fat oxen and twenty oxen out of the pastures and a hundred sheep, besides male-deers and gazelles and roebucks and fatted fowl.


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<pb/>For he had dominion over all <i>the region</i> on this side the River, from Tiphsah even to Gaza, over all the kings on this side of the River. And he had peace on all sides all around him.


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And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, all the days of Solomon.


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And those officers provided provisions for king Solomon and for all who came to king Solomon's table, every man in his month; they let nothing be lacking.


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Barley also and straw for the horses and swift steeds they brought to the place where <i>the officers</i> were, every man according to his charge.


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<pb/>And God gave Solomon exceedingly much wisdom and understanding and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea-shore.


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For he was wiser than all men: than Ethan the Ezrahite and Heman and Calcol   <n>{Chalcol}</n>   and Darda, the sons of Mahol. And his fame was in all the nations all around.


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And he spoke of trees, from the cedar that is in Lebanon even to the hyssop that springs out of the wall. He spoke also of beasts and of birds and of creeping things and of fishes.


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<pb/>And there came of all peoples to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth who had heard of his wisdom.


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<pb/>And Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants to Solomon, for he had heard that they had anointed him king in the place of his father, for Hiram was ever a devotee of David.


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You know how that David my father could not build a house for the name of Jehovah his God for the wars which were about him on every side, until Jehovah put them under the soles of his feet.


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But now Jehovah my God has given me rest on every side; there is neither adversary, nor evil occurrence.


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<pb/>And behold, I purpose to build a house for the name of Jehovah my God, as Jehovah spoke to David my father, saying, Your son, whom I will set upon your throne in your place, he will build the house for my name.


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<pb/>Now therefore command you that they cut for me cedar trees out of Lebanon. And my servants will be with your servants. And I will give you wages for your servants according to all that you will say, for you know that there is not among us any that knows how to cut timber like the Sidonians.


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<pb/>And it happened, when Hiram heard the words of Solomon, that he rejoiced greatly and said, Praise Jehovah this day, who has given to David a wise son over this great people.


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<pb/>And Hiram sent to Solomon, saying, I have heard <i>that</i> which you have sent to me. I will do all your desire concerning timber of cedar and concerning timber of fir.


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My servants will bring them down from Lebanon to the sea. And I will make them into rafts to go by sea to the place that you will appoint me and will cause them to be smashed there and you will receive them. And you will accomplish my desire in giving food for my household.


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And Solomon gave Hiram twenty thousand measures of wheat for food to his household and twenty measures of pure oil; thus Solomon gave to Hiram year by year.


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<pb/>And Jehovah gave Solomon wisdom, as he promised him. And there was peace between Hiram and Solomon and the two made a league together.


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<pb/>And king Solomon raised forced-labor out of all Israel and forced-labor were thirty thousand men.


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And he sent them to Lebanon, ten thousand a month by courses. They were in Lebanon a month and at home two months. And Adoniram was over the men subject to forced-labor.


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<pb/>And Solomon had seventy thousand who bore burdens and eighty thousand who were hewers in the mountains,


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besides Solomon's chief officers who were over the work: three thousand and three hundred who bore rule over the people that labored in the work.


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<pb/>And the king commanded and they hewed out great stones, costly stones, to lay the foundation of the house with shaped stone.


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And Solomon's builders and Hiram's builders and the Gebalites fashioned them and prepared the timber and the stones to build the house.


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<pb/>And it happened in the four hundred and eightieth year after the sons of Israel came out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon's reign over Israel, in the month Ziv, which is the second month, that he began to build the house of Jehovah.


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<pb/>And the house which king Solomon built for Jehovah, the length of it was sixty cubits and the breadth of it twenty and the height of it thirty cubits,


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and the porch in front of the temple of the house, twenty cubits was the length of it, according to the breadth of the house, <i>and</i> ten cubits was the breadth of it in front of the house.


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And against the wall of the house he built stories all around, against the walls of the house all around, both of the temple and of the oracle. And he made side-chambers all around.


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<pb/>The lowest story was five cubits broad and the middle was six cubits broad and the third was seven cubits broad, for on the outside he made offsets <i>in the wall</i> of the house all around, that <i>the beams</i> should not be fastened in the walls of the house.


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<pb/>And the house, when it was being built, was built of stone made ready at the quarry. And there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was being built.


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The door for the middle side-chambers was in the right side of the house. And they went up by winding stairs into the middle <i>story</i> and out of the middle into the third.


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<pb/>So he built the house and finished it. And he covered the house with beams and planks of cedar.


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And he built the stories against all the house, each five cubits high: and they rested on the house with timber of cedar.


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Concerning this house that you are building, if you will walk in my statutes and execute my ordinances and keep all my commandments to walk in them, then I will establish my word with you, which I spoke to David your father.


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And he built the walls of the house inside with boards of cedar. From the floor of the house to the walls of the ceiling, he covered them on the inside with wood. And he covered the floor of the house with boards of fir.


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And he built twenty cubits on the hinder part of the house with boards of cedar from the floor to the walls <i>of the ceiling</i>. He built <i>them</i> for it inside, for an oracle, even for the most holy place.


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And there was cedar on the house inside, carved with gourds and open flowers. All was cedar; there was no stone seen.


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<pb/>And he prepared an oracle in the midst of the house inside, to set there the ark of the covenant of Jehovah.


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And inside the oracle was <i>a space of</i> twenty cubits in length and twenty cubits in breadth and twenty cubits in the height of it. And he overlaid it with pure gold. And he covered the altar with cedar.


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<pb/>So Solomon overlaid the house inside with pure gold. And he drew chains of gold across before the oracle and he overlaid it with gold.


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And the whole house he overlaid with gold until all the house was finished. Also the whole altar that belonged to the oracle he overlaid with gold.


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And five cubits was the one wing of the cherub and five cubits the other wing of the cherub. From the outermost part of the one wing to the outermost part of the other were ten cubits.


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<pb/>And he set the cherubim inside the inner house. And the wings of the cherubim were stretched forth, so that the wing of the one touched the one wall and the wing of the other cherub touched the other wall. And their wings touched each another in the middle of the house.


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<pb/>And he carved all the walls of the house all around with carved figures of cherubim and palm trees and open flowers, inside and outside.


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<pb/>And for the entrance of the oracle he made doors of olive-wood. The lintel <i>and</i> door-posts were a fifth part <i>of the wall</i>.


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So <i>he made</i> two doors of olive-wood. And he carved upon them carvings of cherubim and palm trees and open flowers and overlaid them with gold. And he spread the gold upon the cherubim and upon the palm trees.


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<pb/>So he also made for the entrance of the temple door-posts of olive-wood out of a fourth part <i>of the wall</i>,


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and two doors of fir-wood. The two leaves of the one door were folding and the two leaves of the other door were folding.


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And he carved <i>on it</i> cherubim and palm trees and open flowers. And he overlaid them with gold fitted upon the graven work.


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And in the eleventh year, in the month Bul, which is the eighth month, the house was finished throughout all the parts of it and according to all the fashion of it. So he was seven years in building it.


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For he built the house of the forest of Lebanon. The length of it was a hundred cubits and the breadth of it fifty cubits and the height of it thirty cubits, upon four rows of cedar pillars, with cedar beams upon the pillars.


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And it was covered with cedar above over the forty-five beams that were upon the pillars, fifteen in a row.


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And all the doors and posts were made square with beams and window was opposite window in three ranks.


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<pb/>And he made the porch of pillars. The length of it was fifty cubits and the breadth of it thirty cubits and a porch in front of them and pillars and a threshold in front of them.


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And he made the porch of the throne where he was to judge, even the porch of judgment. And it was covered with cedar from floor to floor.


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And his house where he was to dwell, the other court within the porch was of the like work. He also made a house for Pharaoh's daughter (whom Solomon had taken as a wife), like this porch.


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<pb/>All these were of costly stones, even of hewn stone, according to measure, sawed with saws, inside and outside, even from the foundation to the coping and so on the outside to the great court.


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And the foundation was of costly stones, even great stones, stones of ten cubits and stones of eight cubits.


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And the great court all around had three courses of hewn stone and a course of cedar beams, like the inner court of the house of Jehovah and the porch of the house.


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He was the son of a widow of the tribe of Naphtali and his father was a man of Tyre, a workman in brass. And he was filled with wisdom and understanding and skill, to work all works in brass. And he came to king Solomon and worked all his work.


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<pb/>For he fashioned the two pillars of brass, eighteen cubits high apiece. And a line of twelve cubits encompassed each of them around.


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And he made two capitals of molten brass to set upon the tops of the pillars. The height of the one capital was five cubits and the height of the other capital was five cubits.


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<pb/>There were nets of checker-work and wreaths of chain-work, for the capitals which were upon the top of the pillars; seven for the one capital and seven for the other capital.


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So he made the pillars. And there were two rows all around upon the one lattice-work to cover the capitals that were upon the top of the pillars. And so he did for the other capital.


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And there were capitals also above upon the two pillars, close by the belly   <n>{circular area}</n>   which was beside the lattice-work. And the pomegranates were two hundred, in rows all around upon the other capital.


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<pb/>And he set up the pillars at the porch of the temple. And he set up the right pillar and called the name of it Jachin and he set up the left pillar and called the name of it Boaz.


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<pb/>And he made the molten sea of ten cubits from brim to brim, round in compass and the height of it was five cubits. And a line of thirty cubits encompassed it all around.


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And under the brim of it all around there were gourds which encompassed it, for ten cubits, encompassing the sea all around. The gourds were in two rows, cast when it was cast.


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<pb/>It stood upon twelve oxen, three looking toward the north and three looking toward the west and three looking toward the south and three looking toward the east. And the sea was set upon them above and all their hinder parts were inward.


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And it was a handbreadth thick. And the brim of it was worked like the brim of a cup, like the flower of a lily. It held two thousand baths.


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<pb/>And he made the ten bases of brass; four cubits was the length of one base and four cubits the breadth of it and three cubits the height of it.


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And the work of the bases was on this manner: They had panels and there were panels between the ledges.


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And on the panels that were between the ledges were lions, oxen and cherubim. And upon the ledges there was a pedestal above. And beneath the lions and oxen were wreaths of hanging work.


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<pb/>And every base had four brazen wheels and axles of brass. And the four corners of it had supports. Beneath the large-basin were the molten supports with wreaths at the side of each.


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And the mouth of it within the capital and above was a cubit. And the mouth of it was round after the work of a pedestal, a cubit and a half. And also upon the mouth of it were engravings. And their panels were square, not round.


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<pb/>And the four wheels were underneath the panels. And the spokes of the wheels were in the base. And the height of a wheel was a cubit and half a cubit.


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And the work of the wheels was like the work of a chariot wheel. Their axle and their rims and their spokes and their hubs, were all molten.


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<pb/>And there were four supports at the four corners of each base. The supports of it were of the base itself.


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And in the top of the base there was a round band half a cubit high. And on the top of the base the ledges of it and the panels of it were of the same.


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And on the plates of the ledges of it and on the panels of it, he engraved cherubim, lions and palm trees, according to the space of each, with wreaths all around.


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<pb/>After this manner he made the ten bases: all of them had one casting, one measure and one form.


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And he made ten basins of brass. One basin contained forty baths. And every basin was four cubits. And upon every one of the ten bases one basin.


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And he set the bases, five on the right side of the house and five on the left side of the house. And he set the sea on the right side of the house eastward, toward the south.


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<pb/>And Hiram made the basins and the shovels and the bowls. So Hiram made an end of doing all the work that he worked for king Solomon in the house of Jehovah:


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<pb/>the two pillars and the two bowls of the capitals that were on the top of the pillars and the two lattice-works to cover the two bowls of the capitals that were on the top of the pillars,


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and the four hundred pomegranates for the two lattice-works, two rows of pomegranates for each lattice-work, to cover the two bowls of the capitals that were upon the pillars,


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and the pots and the shovels and the bowls. And all these vessels, which Hiram made for king Solomon in the house of Jehovah were of burnished brass.


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<pb/>The king cast them in the plain of the Jordan, in the clay ground between Succoth and Zarethan.


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And Solomon left all the vessels <i>unweighed</i> because they were very many; the weight of the brass could not be found out.


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<pb/>And Solomon made all the vessels that were in the house of Jehovah: the golden altar and the table upon it the showbread was, of gold;


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and the lamp-stands, five on the right side and five on the left, before the oracle, of pure gold; and the flowers and the lamps and the tongs, of gold;


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and the cups and the snuffers and the basins and the spoons and the censors, of pure gold; and the hinges, both for the doors of the inner house, the most holy place and for the doors of the house, <i>namely</i>, of the temple, of gold.


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<pb/>Thus all the work that king Solomon worked in the house of Jehovah was finished. And Solomon brought in the things which David his father had dedicated — the silver and the gold and the vessels — and put them in the treasuries of the house of Jehovah.


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<pb/>Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes, the princes of the fathers of the sons of Israel, to king Solomon in Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of Jehovah out of the city of David, which is Zion.


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And all the men of Israel assembled themselves to king Solomon at the feast, in the month Ethanim, which is the seventh month.


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And they brought up the ark of Jehovah and the tent of meeting and all the holy vessels that were in the tent; even these the priests and the Levites brought up.


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<pb/>And king Solomon and all the congregation of Israel, that were assembled to him, were with him before the ark, sacrificing sheep and oxen that could not be counted nor numbered for multitude.


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<pb/>And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of Jehovah to its place, into the oracle of the house, to the most holy place, even under the wings of the cherubim.


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For the cherubim spread forth their wings over the place of the ark and the cherubim covered the ark and the staves of it above.


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And the staves were so long that the ends of the staves were seen from the holy place before the oracle. But they were not seen outside. And there they are to this day.


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<pb/>There was nothing in the ark except the two tablets of stone which Moses put there at Horeb when Jehovah made a covenant with the sons of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt.


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<pb/>And it happened, when the priests came out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of Jehovah,


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so that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud, for the glory of Jehovah filled the house of Jehovah.


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<pb/>And the king turned his face around and blessed all the assembly of Israel. And all the assembly of Israel stood.


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And he said, Praise Jehovah, the God of Israel, who spoke with his mouth to David my father and has with his hand fulfilled it, saying,


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Since the day that I brought out my people Israel out of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build a house, that my name might be there, but I chose David to be over my people Israel.


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<pb/>Now it was in the heart of David my father to build a house for the name of Jehovah, the God of Israel.


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


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Nevertheless you will not build the house, but your son that will come forth out of your loins, he will build the house for my name.


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<pb/>And Jehovah has established his word that he spoke, for I have risen up in the place of David my father and sit on the throne of Israel, as Jehovah promised and have built the house for the name of Jehovah, the God of Israel.


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And there I have set a place for the ark, in which is the covenant of Jehovah, which he made with our fathers when he brought them out of the land of Egypt.


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<pb/>And Solomon stood before the altar of Jehovah in the presence of all the assembly of Israel and spread forth his hands toward heaven.


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And he said, O Jehovah, the God of Israel, there is no God like you, in heaven above, or on earth beneath, who keeps covenant and loving kindness with your servants, who walk before you with all their heart,


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who have kept with your servant David my father what you did promise him. Yes, you spoke with your mouth and have fulfilled it with your hand, as it is this day.


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<pb/>Now therefore, O Jehovah, the God of Israel, keep with your servant David my father what you have promised him, saying, There will not fail you a man in my sight to sit on the throne of Israel, if only your sons take heed to their way, to walk before me as you have walked before me.


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<pb/>Now therefore, O God of Israel, I beseech you, let your word be verified, which you spoke to your servant David my father.


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But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain you. How much less this house that I have built!


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<pb/>Yet have you respect to the prayer of your servant and to his supplication, O Jehovah my God, to listen to the cry and to the prayer which your servant prays before you this day,


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that your eyes may be open toward this house night and day, even toward the place whereof you have said, My name will be there, to listen to the prayer which your servant will pray toward this place.


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And listen you to the supplication of your servant and of your people Israel, when they will pray toward this place. Yes, hear you in heaven your dwelling-place and when you hear, forgive.


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<pb/>If a man sins against his neighbor and an oath be laid upon him to cause him to swear and he comes <i>and</i> swears before your altar in this house,


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then hear you in heaven and do and judge your servants, condemning the wicked, to bring his way upon his own head and justifying the righteous, to give him according to his righteousness.


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<pb/>When your people Israel are struck down before the enemy because they have sinned against you, if they turn again to you and confess your name and pray and make supplication to you in this house,


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then hear you in heaven and forgive the sin of your people Israel and bring them again to the land which you gave to their fathers.


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<pb/>When heaven is shut up and there is no rain because they have sinned against you, if they pray toward this place and confess your name and turn from their sin when you afflict them,


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then hear you in heaven and forgive the sin of your servants and of your people Israel, when you teach them the good way in which they should walk and send rain upon your land, which you have given to your people for an inheritance.


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<pb/>If there is famine in the land, if there is pestilence, if there is blight, mildew, locust <i>or</i> caterpillar, if their enemy besiege them in the land of their cities, whatever plague, whatever sickness there be,


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whatever prayer and supplication be made by any man, <i>or</i> by all your people Israel, who will know every man the plague of his own heart and spread forth his hands toward this house,


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then hear you in heaven your dwelling-place and forgive and do and render to every man according to all his ways, whose heart you know (for you, even you only, know the hearts of all the sons of men),


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<pb/>Moreover concerning the foreigner who is not of your people Israel, when he will come out of a far country for your name's sake


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(for they will hear of your great name and of your mighty hand and of your outstretched arm), when he will come and pray toward this house,


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hear you in heaven your dwelling-place and do according to all that the foreigner calls to you for, that all the peoples of the earth may know your name, to fear you, as does your people Israel and that they may know that this house which I have built is called by your name.


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<pb/>If your people go out to battle against their enemy, by whatever way you will send them and they pray to Jehovah toward the city which you have chosen and toward the house which I have built for your name,


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<pb/>If they sin against you (for there is no man that sins not) and you are angry with them and deliver them to the enemy, so that they carry them away captive to the land of the enemy, afar off or near,


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yet if they will rethink themselves in the land where they are carried captive and turn again and make supplication to you in the land of those who carried them captive, saying, We have sinned and have done perversely, we have dealt wickedly,


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if they return to you with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their enemies who carried them captive and pray to you toward their land, which you gave to their fathers, the city which you have chosen and the house which I have built for your name,


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then hear you their prayer and their supplication in heaven your dwelling place and maintain their case,


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and forgive your people who have sinned against you and all their transgressions by which they have transgressed against you and give them compassion before those who carried them captive, that they may have compassion on them


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(for they are your people and your inheritance, which you brought forth out of Egypt, from the midst of the furnace of iron);


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that your eyes may be open to the supplication of your servant and to the supplication of your people Israel, to listen to them whenever they cry to you.


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<pb/>For you separated them from among all the peoples of the earth, to be your inheritance, as you spoke by Moses your servant when you brought our fathers out of Egypt, O lord Jehovah.


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<pb/>And it was so, that, when Solomon had made an end of praying all this prayer and supplication to Jehovah, he arose from before the altar of Jehovah, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread forth toward heaven.


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Praise Jehovah, who has given rest to his people Israel according to all that he promised. There has not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by Moses his servant.


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that he may incline our hearts to him, to walk in all his ways and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his ordinances, which he commanded our fathers.


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<pb/>And let these my words, with which I have made supplication before Jehovah, be near to Jehovah our God day and night, that he maintain the cause of his servant and the cause of his people Israel, as every day will require,


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Let your* heart therefore be perfect with Jehovah our God, to walk in his statutes and to keep his commandments, as at this day.


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And Solomon offered for the sacrifice of peace offerings, which he offered to Jehovah, twenty-two thousand oxen and a hundred and twenty thousand sheep. So the king and all the sons of Israel dedicated the house of Jehovah.


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<pb/>The same day the king made the middle of the court holy that was before the house of Jehovah, for there he offered the burnt offering and the meal offering and the fat of the peace offerings, because the brazen altar that was before Jehovah was too little to receive the burnt offering and the meal offering and the fat of the peace offerings.


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<pb/>So Solomon held the feast at that time and all Israel with him, a great assembly, from the entrance of Hamath to the brook of Egypt, before Jehovah our God, seven days and seven days, even fourteen days.


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On the eighth day he sent the people away. And they blessed the king and went to their tents joyful and glad of heart for all the goodness that Jehovah had shown to David his servant and to Israel his people.


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<pb/>And it happened, when Solomon had finished the building of the house of Jehovah and the king's house and all Solomon's desire which he was pleased to do,


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And Jehovah said to him, I have heard your prayer and your supplication, which you have made before me. I have made this house holy, which you have built, to put my name there until everlasting. And my eyes and my heart will be there perpetually.


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<pb/>And as for you, if you will walk before me, as David your father walked, in integrity of heart and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded you and will keep my statutes and my ordinances,


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then I will establish the throne of your kingdom over Israel everlasting, just-as I promised to David your father, saying, There will not fail you a man upon the throne of Israel.


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<pb/>But if you* will turn away from following me, you* or your* sons and not keep my commandments and my statutes which I have set before you*, but will go and serve other gods and worship them,


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then will I cut off Israel out of the land which I have given them. And this house, which I have made holy for my name, will I cast out of my sight. And Israel will be a proverb and a parable among all peoples.


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<pb/>And though this house is so high, yet will every man who passes by it is astonished and will hiss. And they will say, Why has Jehovah done thus to this land and to this house?


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and they will answer, Because they forsook Jehovah their God, who brought out their fathers out of the land of Egypt and laid hold on other gods and worshiped them and served them; therefore has Jehovah brought all this evil upon them.


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<pb/>And it happened at the end of twenty years, in which Solomon had built the two houses, the house of Jehovah and the king's house


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(now Hiram the king of Tyre had furnished Solomon with cedar trees and fir trees and with gold, according to all his desire), that king Solomon then gave Hiram twenty cities in the land of Galilee.


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<pb/>And Hiram came out from Tyre to see the cities which Solomon had given him. And they did not please him.


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And he said, What cities are these which you have given me, my brother? And he called them the land of Cabul to this day.


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<pb/>And this is the reason for the forced-labor which king Solomon raised: to build the house of Jehovah and his own house and Millo and the wall of Jerusalem and Hazor and Megiddo and Gezer.


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<pb/>Pharaoh King of Egypt had gone up and taken Gezer and burnt it with fire and slain the Canaanites who dwelt in the city and given it for a portion to his daughter, Solomon's wife.


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and all the store-cities that Solomon had and the cities for his chariots and the cities for his horsemen and what Solomon desired to build for his pleasure in Jerusalem and in Lebanon and in all the land of his dominion.


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<pb/>As for all the people who were left of the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Hivites and the Jebusites, who were not of the sons of Israel,


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their sons who were left after them in the land, whom the sons of Israel were not able utterly to destroy, of them Solomon raised force-labor of bondservants to this day.


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<pb/>But of the sons of Israel Solomon made no bondservants, but they were the men of war and his servants and his rulers and his captains and rulers of his chariots and of his horsemen.


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These were the chief officers who were over Solomon's work, five hundred and fifty, who bore rule over the people that labored in the work.


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<pb/>But Pharaoh's daughter came up out of the city of David to her house which <i>Solomon</i> had built for her. Then he built Millo.


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And three times a year Solomon offered burnt offerings and peace offerings upon the altar which he built to Jehovah, burning incense on it, <i>upon the altar</i> that was before Jehovah. So he finished the house.


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<pb/>And king Solomon made a navy of ships in Ezion-geber, which is beside Eloth   <n>{Elath}</n>, on the shore of the Red Sea, in the land of Edom.


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And Hiram sent in the navy his servants, seamen who had knowledge of the sea, with the servants of Solomon.


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And they came to Ophir and fetched gold from there, four hundred and twenty talants and brought it to king Solomon.


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<pb/>And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of Jehovah, she came to prove him with hard questions.


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And she came to Jerusalem with a very great train, with camels that bore spices and very much gold and precious stones. And when she came to Solomon, she spoke with him of all that was in her heart.


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And Solomon answered to her all her questions; there was not anything hid from the king which he did not answer.


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<pb/>And when the queen of Sheba had seen all the wisdom of Solomon and the house that he had built,


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and the food of his table and the seating of his servants and the attendance of his ministers and their apparel and his cupbearers and his ascent by which he went up to the house of Jehovah, there was no more spirit in her.


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<pb/>And she said to the king, It was a true report that I heard in my own land of your acts and of your wisdom.


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However I did not believe the words until I came and my eyes had seen it. And behold, the half was not told me; your wisdom and prosperity exceed the fame which I heard.


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<pb/>Your men are fortunate, these, your servants, are fortunate who stand continually before you, who hear your wisdom.


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Praise Jehovah your God, who delighted in you to set you on the throne of Israel. Because Jehovah loved Israel everlasting, therefore he made you king, to do justice and righteousness.


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<pb/>And she gave the king a hundred and twenty talants of gold and of spices a very great store and precious stones. There came no more such abundance of spices as these which the queen of Sheba gave to king Solomon.


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<pb/>And the navy also of Hiram, that brought gold from Ophir, brought in from Ophir great plenty of algum trees and precious stones.


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And the king made pillars of the algum trees for the house of Jehovah and for the king's house, also harps and psalteries for the singers. There have come no such algum trees, nor were seen, to this day.


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<pb/>And king Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all her desire, whatever she asked, besides what Solomon gave her of his royal bounty. <pb/>So she turned and went to her own land, she and her servants.


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<pb/>Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred sixty and six talants of gold,


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besides <i>what</i> the traders <i>brought</i> and the traffic of the merchants and of all the kings of Arabia and of the governors of the country.


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<pb/>And king Solomon made two hundred bucklers of beaten gold; six hundred <i>shekels</i> of gold went to one buckler.


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And <i>he made</i> three hundred shields of beaten gold; three pounds of gold went to one shield. And the king put them in the house of the forest of Lebanon.


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There were six steps to the throne and the top of the throne was round behind. And there were supports on either side by the place of the seat and two lions standing beside the supports.


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


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<pb/>And all king Solomon's drinking vessels were of gold and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold. None were of silver; it was accounted of nothing in the days of Solomon.


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For the king had at sea a navy of Tarshish with the navy of Hiram. Once every three years the navy of Tarshish came, bringing gold and silver, ivory and apes and peacocks.


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And all the earth sought the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart.


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And every man brought his tribute, vessels of silver and vessels of gold and garments and armor and spices, horses and mules, a rate year by year.


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<pb/>And Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen. And he had a thousand and four hundred chariots and twelve thousand horsemen, that he bestowed in the chariot cities and with the king at Jerusalem.


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<pb/>And the king made silver to be in Jerusalem as stones and cedars he made to be as the sycamore trees that are in the lowland, for abundance.


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<pb/>And the horses which Solomon had were brought out of Egypt. And the king's merchants received them in herds, each herd at a price.


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And a chariot came up and went out of Egypt for six hundred <i>shekels</i> of silver and a horse for a hundred and fifty. And so for all the kings of the Hittites and for the kings of Syria, they brought them out by their means.


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<pb/>Now king Solomon loved many foreign women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians and Hittites,


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of the nations concerning which Jehovah said to the sons of Israel, You* will not go among them, neither will they come among you*, for surely they will turn away your* heart after their gods. Solomon clung to these in love.


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<pb/>And he had seven hundred wives, princesses and three hundred concubines. And his wives turned away his heart.


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<pb/>For it happened, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods. And his heart was not perfect with Jehovah his God as was the heart of David his father.


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For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.


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<pb/>And Solomon did what was evil in the sight of Jehovah and went not fully after Jehovah as did David his father.


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Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the abomination of Moab on the mountain that is before Jerusalem and for Molech the abomination of the sons of Ammon.


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<pb/>And Jehovah was angry with Solomon because his heart was turned away from Jehovah, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice,


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and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods. But he did not keep what Jehovah commanded.


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<pb/>Therefore Jehovah said to Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done by you and you have not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom from you and will give it to your servant.


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Notwithstanding I will not do it in your days, for David your father's sake, but I will tear it out of the hand of your son.


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However I will not tear away all the kingdom, but I will give one tribe to your son, for David my servant's sake and for Jerusalem's sake which I have chosen.


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<pb/>And Jehovah raised up an adversary to Solomon, Hadad the Edomite. He was of the king's seed in Edom.


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For it happened, when David was in Edom and Joab the captain of the army had gone up to bury the slain and had struck every male in Edom


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that Hadad fled, he and certain Edomites of his father's servants with him, to go into Egypt, Hadad being yet a little child.


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<pb/>And they arose out of Midian and came to Paran. And they took men with them out of Paran and they came to Egypt, to Pharaoh King of Egypt, who gave him a house and appointed him provisions and gave him land.


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<pb/>And Hadad found great favor in the sight of Pharaoh, so that he gave him as a wife the sister of his own wife, the sister of Tahpenes the queen.


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And the sister of Tahpenes bore him Genubath his son, whom Tahpenes weaned in Pharaoh's house. And Genubath was in Pharaoh's house among the sons of Pharaoh.


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<pb/>And when Hadad heard in Egypt that David slept with his fathers and that Joab the captain of the army was dead, Hadad said to Pharaoh, Let me depart that I may go to my own country.


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Then Pharaoh said to him, But what have you lacked with me, that, behold, you seek to go to your own country? And he answered, Nothing, however only let me depart.


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<pb/>And God raised up <i>another</i> adversary to him, Rezon the son of Eliada, who had fled from his lord Hadadezer king of Zobah.


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And he gathered men to him and became captain over a troop when David killed them <i>of Zobah</i>. And they went to Damascus and dwelt in it and reigned in Damascus.


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And he was an adversary to Israel all the days of Solomon, besides the mischief that Hadad <i>did</i>. And he despised Israel and reigned over Syria.


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<pb/>And Jeroboam the son of Nebat, an Ephraimite of Zeredah   <n>{Zereda}</n>, a servant of Solomon whose mother's name was Zeruah, a widow, he also lifted up his hand against the king.


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And this was the reason why he lifted up his hand against the king: Solomon built Millo and repaired the breach of the city of David his father.


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And the man Jeroboam was a mighty man of valor. And Solomon saw the young man that he was industrious and he gave him charge over all the labor of the house of Joseph.


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<pb/>And it happened at that time, when Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem, that the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite found him in the way. Now <i>Ahijah</i> had clad himself with a new garment and the two were alone in the field.


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<pb/>And he said to Jeroboam, You take ten pieces, for Jehovah says thus, the God of Israel, Behold, I will tear the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon and will give ten tribes to you


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(but he will have one tribe, for my servant David's sake and for Jerusalem's sake, the city which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel),


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because that they have forsaken me and have worshiped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, Chemosh the god of Moab and Milcom the god of the sons of Ammon. And they have not walked in my ways, to do what is right in my eyes and <i>to keep</i> my statutes and my ordinances as David his father did.


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<pb/>However I will not take the whole kingdom out of his hand, but I will make him prince all the days of his life, for David my servant's sake whom I chose, who kept my commandments and my statutes.


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And I will give one tribe to his son, that David my servant may have a lamp always before me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen for me to put my name there.


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And I will take you and you will reign according to all that your soul desires and will be king over Israel.


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<pb/>And it will be, if you will listen to all that I command you and will walk in my ways and do what is right in my eyes, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as David my servant did. That I will be with you and will build you a sure house as I built for David and will give Israel to you.


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<pb/>Solomon therefore sought to kill Jeroboam. But Jeroboam arose and fled into Egypt, to Shishak King of Egypt and was in Egypt until the death of Solomon.


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<pb/>Now the rest of the acts of Solomon and all that he did and his wisdom, are they not written in the book of the acts of Solomon?


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And Solomon slept with his fathers and was buried in the city of David his father. And Rehoboam his son reigned instead of him.


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And it happened, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard of it (for he was yet in Egypt where he had fled from the presence of king Solomon and Jeroboam dwelt in Egypt,


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and they sent and called him), that Jeroboam and all the assembly of Israel came and spoke to Rehoboam, saying,


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Your father made our yoke grievous. Now therefore make you lighter the grievous service of your father and his heavy yoke which he put upon us and we will serve you.


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<pb/>And king Rehoboam took counsel with the old men who had stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, saying, What counsel give you* to me to return an answer to this people?


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And they spoke to him, saying, If you will be a servant to this people this day and will serve them and answer them and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever.


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<pb/>But he forsook the counsel of the old men, which they had given him and took counsel with the young men that grew up with him, who stood before him.


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And he said to them, What counsel give you*, that we may return an answer to this people who have spoken to me, saying, Make the yoke that your father put upon us lighter?


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<pb/>And the young men that grew up with him spoke to him, saying, Thus you will say to this people that spoke to you, saying, Your father made our yoke heavy, but make you it lighter to us; thus will you speak to them, My little finger is thicker than my father's loins.


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And now in what my father burdened you* with a heavy yoke, I will add to your* yoke. My father disciplined you* with whips, but I will chastise you* with scorpions.


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<pb/>So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king commanded, saying, Come to me again the third day.


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And the king answered the people roughly and forsook the counsel of the old men which they had given him,


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and spoke to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your* yoke heavy, but I will add to your* yoke. My father disciplined you* with whips, but I will chastise you* with scorpions.


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<pb/>So the king did not listen to the people, for it was a thing brought about by Jehovah, that he might establish his word, which Jehovah spoke by Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat.


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<pb/>And when all Israel saw that the king did not listen to them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? Neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse. To your* tents, O Israel. Now see to your own house, David. So Israel departed to their tents.


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Then king Rehoboam sent Adoram who was over the men subject to forced-labor. And all Israel stoned him to death with stones. And king Rehoboam made speed to get up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem.


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<pb/>And it happened, when all Israel heard that Jeroboam was returned, that they sent and called him to the congregation and made him king over all Israel. There was none that followed the house of David, but only the tribe of Judah.


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<pb/>And when Rehoboam came to Jerusalem, he assembled all the house of Judah and the tribe of Benjamin, a hundred and eighty thousand chosen men, who were warriors, to fight against the house of Israel, to bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam the son of Solomon.


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Speak to Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah and to all the house of Judah and Benjamin and to the rest of the people, saying,


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Jehovah says thus, You* will not go up, nor fight against your* brothers the sons of Israel. Return every man to his house, for this thing is of me. So they listened to the word of Jehovah and returned and went their way according to the word of Jehovah.


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<pb/>Then Jeroboam built Shechem in the hill-country of Ephraim and dwelt in it. And he went out from there and built Penuel.


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If this people go up to offer sacrifices in the house of Jehovah at Jerusalem, then the heart of this people will turn again to their lord, even to Rehoboam king of Judah. And they will kill me and return to Rehoboam king of Judah.


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<pb/>Upon it the king took counsel and made two calves of gold. And he said to them, It is too much for you* to go up to Jerusalem. Behold your gods, O Israel, which brought you up out of the land of Egypt.


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And he made houses of high places and made priests from among all the people who were not of the sons of Levi.


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<pb/>And Jeroboam made a feast in the eighth month, on the fifteenth day of the month, like the feast that is in Judah and he went up to the altar. So he did in Bethel, sacrificing to the calves that he had made. And he placed in Bethel the priests of the high places that he had made.


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And he went up to the altar which he had made in Bethel on the fifteenth day in the eighth month, even in the month which he had devised of his own heart. And he made a feast for the sons of Israel and went up to the altar to burn incense.


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<pb/>And behold, there came a man of God out of Judah by the word of Jehovah to Bethel. And Jeroboam was standing by the altar to burn incense.


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And he cried against the altar by the word of Jehovah and said, O altar, altar, Jehovah says thus: Behold, a son will be born to the house of David, Josiah by name. And upon you will he sacrifice the priests of the high places that burn incense upon you and men's bones they will burn upon you.


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<pb/>And he gave a sign the same day, saying, This is the sign which Jehovah has spoken: Behold, the altar will be torn and the ashes that are upon it will be poured out.


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<pb/>And it happened, when the king heard the saying of the man of God, which he cried against the altar in Bethel, that Jeroboam put forth his hand from the altar, saying, Lay hold on him. And his hand, which he put forth against him, dried up, so that he could not draw it back again to him.


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The altar also was torn and the ashes poured out from the altar, according to the sign which the man of God had given by the word of Jehovah.


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<pb/>And the king answered and said to the man of God, Entreat now the favor of Jehovah your God and pray for me that my hand may be restored to me again. And the man of God entreated Jehovah and the king's hand was restored to him again and became as it was before.


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<pb/>And the king said to the man of God, Come home with me and refresh yourself and I will give you a reward.


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And the man of God said to the king, If you will give me half your house, I will not go in with you, neither will I eat bread nor drink water in this place;


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for so it was charged me by the word of Jehovah, saying, You will eat no bread, nor drink water, neither return by the way that you came.


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<pb/>Now there dwelt an old prophet in Bethel. And one of his sons came and told him all the works that the man of God had done that day in Bethel. The words which he had spoken to the king, they also told them to their father.


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<pb/>And their father said to them, What way did he go? Now his sons had seen what way the man of God went, who came from Judah.


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And he said to his sons, Saddle the donkey for me. So they saddled him the donkey and he rode on it.


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And he went after the man of God and found him sitting under an oak. And he said to him, Are you the man of God who came from Judah? And he said, I am.


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And he said, I may not return with you, nor go in with you. Neither will I eat bread nor drink water with you in this place;


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for it was said to me by the word of Jehovah, You will eat no bread nor drink water there, nor turn again to go by the way that you came.


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<pb/>And he said to him, I also am a prophet as you are. And a messenger spoke to me by the word of Jehovah, saying, Bring him back with you into your house that he may eat bread and drink water. <i>But</i> he lied to him.


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And it happened, as they sat at the table, that the word of Jehovah came to the prophet who brought him back.


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<pb/>And he cried out to the man of God who came from Judah, saying, Jehovah says thus, Forasmuch as you have been disobedient to the mouth of Jehovah and have not kept the commandment which Jehovah your God commanded you,


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but came back and have eaten bread and drunk water in the place of which he said to you, Eat no bread and drink no water, your body will not come to the sepulcher of your fathers.


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<pb/>And it happened, after he had eaten bread and after he had drunk, that he saddled the donkey for him, <i>namely</i>, for the prophet whom he had brought back.


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And when he had gone, a lion met him by the way and killed him. And his body was cast in the way and the donkey stood by it. The lion also stood by the body.


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And behold, men passed by and saw the body cast in the way and the lion standing by the body. And they came and told it in the city where the old prophet dwelt.


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<pb/>And when the prophet who brought him back from the way heard of it, he said, It is the man of God who was disobedient to the mouth of Jehovah. Therefore Jehovah has delivered him to the lion, which has torn him and slain him, according to the word of Jehovah which he spoke to him.


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And he went and found his body cast in the way and the donkey and the lion standing by the body. The lion had not eaten the body, nor torn the donkey.


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<pb/>And the prophet took up the body of the man of God and laid it upon the donkey and brought it back. And he came to the city of the old prophet, to mourn and to bury him.


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<pb/>And it happened, after he had buried him, that he spoke to his sons, saying, When I am dead, then bury me in the sepulcher in which the man of God is buried. Lay my bones beside his bones.


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For the saying which he cried by the word of Jehovah against the altar in Bethel and against all the houses of the high places which are in the cities of Samaria, will surely happen.


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<pb/>After this thing Jeroboam did not return from his evil way, but again made from among all the people priests of the high places. Whoever would, he consecrated him, that there might be priests of the high places.


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And this thing became sin to the house of Jeroboam, even to cut it off and to destroy it from the face of the earth.


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And Jeroboam said to his wife, Arise, I beseech you and disguise yourself that you not be known to be the wife of Jeroboam and get you to Shiloh. Behold, there is Ahijah the prophet who spoke concerning me that I should be king over this people.


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And take with you ten loaves and cakes and an earthenware of honey and go to him. He will tell you what will become of the child.


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And Jeroboam's wife did so and arose and went to Shiloh and came to the house of Ahijah. <pb/>Now Ahijah could not see, for his eyes were set because of his age.


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And Jehovah said to Ahijah, Behold, the wife of Jeroboam comes to inquire of you concerning her son, for he is sick. Thus and thus you will say to her, for it will be, when she comes in, that she will pretend to be another woman.


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<pb/>And it was so, when Ahijah heard the sound of her feet, as she came in at the door, that he said, Come in, you wife of Jeroboam. Why pretend to be another? For I am sent to you with heavy news.


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<pb/>Go, tell Jeroboam, Jehovah says thus, the God of Israel: Forasmuch as I exalted you from among the people and made you prince over my people Israel,


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and tore the kingdom away from the house of David and gave it you and yet you have not been as my servant David, who kept my commandments and who followed me with all his heart to do only what was right in my eyes,


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but have done evil above all who were before you and have gone and made you other gods and molten images to provoke me to anger and have cast me behind your back,


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therefore, behold, I will bring evil upon the house of Jeroboam and will cut off from Jeroboam every one who urinates on the wall   <n>{i.e. a male}</n>, he who is shut up and he who is left at large in Israel and will utterly sweep away the house of Jeroboam as a man sweeps away manure, till it is all gone.


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<pb/>He who dies of Jeroboam in the city will the dogs eat and he who dies in the field will the birds of the heavens eat, for Jehovah has spoken it.


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<pb/>Arise you therefore, get you to your house. When your feet enter into the city, the child will die.


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And all Israel will mourn for him and bury him, for he only of Jeroboam will come to the grave, because in him there is found some good thing toward Jehovah, the God of Israel, in the house of Jeroboam.


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<pb/>Moreover Jehovah will raise up a king for him over Israel who will cut off the house of Jeroboam that day. But what? Even now.


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For Jehovah will kill* Israel as a reed is shaken in the water. And he will root up Israel out of this good land which he gave to their fathers and will scatter them beyond the River because they have made their Asherim   <n>{pole-images}</n>, provoking Jehovah to anger.


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And he will give Israel up because of the sins of Jeroboam, which he has sinned and with which he has made Israel to sin.


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<pb/>And Jeroboam's wife arose and departed and came to Tirzah. As she came to the threshold of the house, the child died.


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And all Israel buried him and mourned for him, according to the word of Jehovah, which he spoke by his servant Ahijah the prophet.


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<pb/>And the rest of the acts of Jeroboam, how he warred and how he reigned, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.


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And the days which Jeroboam reigned were twenty-two years and he slept with his fathers. And Nadab his son reigned instead of him.


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<pb/>And Rehoboam the son of Solomon reigned in Judah. Rehoboam was forty-one years old when he began to reign and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which Jehovah had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel to put his name there. And his mother's name was Naamah the Ammonitess.


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<pb/>And Judah did what was evil in the sight of Jehovah and they provoked him to jealousy with their sins which they committed, above all that their fathers had done.


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For they also built for them high places and pillars and Asherim   <n>{pole-images}</n>, on every high hill and under every green tree.


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And there were also sodomites in the land. They did according to all the abominations of the nations which Jehovah drove out before the sons of Israel.


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<pb/>And it happened in the fifth year of king Rehoboam, that Shishak King of Egypt came up against Jerusalem.


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And he took away the treasures of the house of Jehovah and the treasures of the king's house. He even took away all. And he took away all the shields of gold which Solomon had made.


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<pb/>And king Rehoboam made in their stead shields of brass and committed them to the hands of the captains of the guard who kept the door of the king's house.


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And it was so, that, as often as the king went into the house of Jehovah, the guard bore them and brought them back into the guard-chamber.


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<pb/>Now the rest of the acts of Rehoboam and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?


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And Rehoboam slept with his fathers and was buried with his fathers in the city of David. And his mother's name was Naamah the Ammonitess. And Abijah his son reigned instead of him.


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<pb/>Now in the eighteenth year of king Jeroboam the son of Nebat, Abijah began to reign over Judah.


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And he walked in all the sins of his father, which he had done before him. And his heart was not perfect with Jehovah his God as the heart of David his father.


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<pb/>Nevertheless for David's sake Jehovah his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem, to set up his son after him and to establish Jerusalem,


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because David did what was right in the eyes of Jehovah and did not turn aside from anything that he commanded him all the days of his life, except only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.


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And the rest of the acts of Abijah and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? And there was war between Abijah and Jeroboam.


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<pb/>And Abijah slept with his fathers and they buried him in the city of David. And Asa his son reigned instead of him.


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And he reigned forty-one years in Jerusalem. And his grandmother's name was Maacah the daughter of Abishalom.


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And also he removed Maacah his grandmother from being queen because she had made an abominable image for an Asherah. And Asa cut down her image and burnt it at the brook Kidron.


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<pb/>But the high places were not taken away. Nevertheless the heart of Asa was perfect with Jehovah all his days.


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And he brought into the house of Jehovah the things that his father had dedicated and the things that he himself had dedicated, silver and gold and vessels.


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And Baasha King of Israel went up against Judah and built Ramah, that he might not allow anyone to go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.


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<pb/>Then Asa took all the silver and the gold that were left in the treasures of the house of Jehovah and the treasures of the king's house and delivered them into the hand of his servants. And king Asa sent them to Ben-hadad, the son of Tabrimmon, the son of Hezion, king of Syria, who dwelt at Damascus, saying,


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<i>There is</i> a league between me and you, between my father and your father. Behold, I have sent to you a present of silver and gold. Go, break your league with Baasha King of Israel, that he may depart from me.


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<pb/>And Ben-hadad listened to king Asa and sent the captains of his armies against the cities of Israel and killed* Ijon and Dan and Abelbeth-maacah and all Chinneroth, with all the land of Naphtali.


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<pb/>Then king Asa made a proclamation to all Judah; none was exempted. And they carried away the stones of Ramah and the timber of it, with which Baasha had built. And king Asa built with it Geba of Benjamin and Mizpah.


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<pb/>Now the rest of all the acts of Asa and all his might and all that he did and the cities which he built, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? But in the time of his old age he was diseased in his feet.


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And Asa slept with his fathers and was buried with his fathers in the city of David his father. And Jehoshaphat his son reigned instead of him.


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<pb/>And Nadab the son of Jeroboam began to reign over Israel in the second year of Asa king of Judah. And he reigned over Israel two years.


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And he did what was evil in the sight of Jehovah and walked in the way of his father and in his sin with which he made Israel to sin.


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<pb/>And Baasha the son of Ahijah, of the house of Issachar, conspired against him. And Baasha killed* him at Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines, for Nadab and all Israel were laying siege to Gibbethon.


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<pb/>And it happened that, as soon as he was king, he killed* all the house of Jeroboam. He left to Jeroboam not any who breathed, until he had destroyed him according to the saying of Jehovah, which he spoke by his servant Ahijah the Shilonite,


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for the sins of Jeroboam which he sinned and with which he made Israel to sin, because of his provocation with which he provoked Jehovah, the God of Israel, to anger.


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<pb/>Now the rest of the acts of Nadab and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?


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<pb/>In the third year of Asa king of Judah, Baasha the son of Ahijah began to reign over all Israel in Tirzah, <i>and reigned</i> twenty-four years.


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And he did what was evil in the sight of Jehovah and walked in the way of Jeroboam and in his sin with which he made Israel to sin.


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Forasmuch as I exalted you out of the dust and made you prince over my people Israel and you have walked in the way of Jeroboam and have made my people Israel to sin, to provoke me to anger with their sins,


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behold, I will utterly sweep away Baasha and his house and I will make your house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat.


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He of Baasha who dies in the city will the dogs eat and he of his who dies in the field will the birds of the heavens eat.


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<pb/>Now the rest of the acts of Baasha and what he did and his might, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?


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<pb/>And Baasha slept with his fathers and was buried in Tirzah and Elah his son reigned instead of him.


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And moreover the word of Jehovah came against Baasha by the prophet Jehu the son of Hanani and against his house, both because of all the evil that he did in the sight of Jehovah, to provoke him to anger with the work of his hands in being like the house of Jeroboam and because he killed* him.


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<pb/>In the twenty-sixth year of Asa king of Judah, Elah the son of Baasha began to reign over Israel in Tirzah, <i>and reigned</i> two years.


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And his servant Zimri, captain of half his chariots, conspired against him. Now he was in Tirzah, drinking himself drunk in the house of Arza, who was over the household in Tirzah.


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<pb/>And Zimri went in and killed* him and killed him in the twenty-seventh year of Asa king of Judah and reigned instead of him.


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And it happened, when he began to reign, as soon as he sat on his throne, that he killed* all the house of Baasha. He left him not a single one who urinates on the wall   <n>{i.e. a male}</n>, neither of his kinfolks, nor of his friends.


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<pb/>Thus Zimri destroyed all the house of Baasha according to the word of Jehovah, which he spoke against Baasha by Jehu the prophet,


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for all the sins of Baasha and the sins of Elah his son, which they sinned and with which they made Israel to sin, to provoke Jehovah, the God of Israel, to anger with their vanities.


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<pb/>Now the rest of the acts of Elah and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?


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<pb/>In the twenty-seventh year of Asa king of Judah Zimri reigned seven days in Tirzah. Now the people were encamped against Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines.


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And the people who were encamped heard say, Zimri has conspired and has also struck the king. Therefore all Israel made Omri, the captain of the army, king over Israel that day in the camp.


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<pb/>And it happened, when Zimri saw that the city was taken, that he went into the castle of the king's house and burnt the king's house over him with fire,


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and died for his sins which he sinned in doing what was evil in the sight of Jehovah, in walking in the way of Jeroboam and in his sin which he did to make Israel to sin.


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<pb/>Now the rest of the acts of Zimri and his treason that he worked, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?


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<pb/>Then the people of Israel were divided into two parts; half of the people followed Tibni the son of Ginath, to make him king and half followed Omri.


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But the people who followed Omri prevailed against the people who followed Tibni the son of Ginath. So Tibni died and Omri reigned.


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<pb/>In the thirty-first year of Asa king of Judah, Omri began to reign over Israel, <i>and reigned</i> twelve years. He reigned six years in Tirzah.


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And he bought the hill Samaria of Shemer for two talants of silver. And he built on the hill and called the name of the city which he built after the name of Shemer, the owner of the hill, Samaria.


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<pb/>And Omri did what was evil in the sight of Jehovah and dealt wickedly above all who were before him.


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For he walked in all the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat and in his sins with which he made Israel to sin, to provoke Jehovah, the God of Israel, to anger with their vanities.


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<pb/>Now the rest of the acts of Omri which he did and his might that he showed, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?


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<pb/>And in the thirty-eighth year of Asa king of Judah, Ahab the son of Omri began to reign over Israel. And Ahab the son of Omri reigned over Israel in Samaria twenty-two years.


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<pb/>And it happened, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took a wife, Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians and went and served Baal and worshiped him.


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And Ahab made the Asherah. And Ahab did yet more to provoke Jehovah, the God of Israel, to anger than all the kings of Israel who were before him.


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<pb/>In his days did Hiel the Bethelite   <n>{from Bethel}</n>   build Jericho. He laid the foundation of it with the loss of Abiram his firstborn and set up the gates of it with the loss of his youngest son Segub, according to the word of Jehovah, which he spoke by Joshua the son of Nun.


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<pb/>And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the travelers of Gilead, said to Ahab, As Jehovah, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there will not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.


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You get from here and turn eastward and hide yourself by the brook Cherith that is before the Jordan.


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<pb/>So he went and did according to the word of Jehovah, for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith that is before the Jordan.


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And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning and bread and flesh in the evening and he drank of the brook.


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Arise, get you to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon and dwell there. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to sustain you.


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So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, a widow was there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, I beseech you, fetch me a little water in a vessel that I may drink.


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And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her and said, I beseech you, bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.


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<pb/>And she said, As Jehovah your God lives, I do not have a cake, but a handful of meal in the pitcher and a little oil in the jar. And behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son that we may eat it and die.


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<pb/>And Elijah said to her, Do not fear, go and do as you have said. But make me of it a little cake first and bring it forth to me and afterward make for you and for your son.


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For Jehovah says thus, the God of Israel, The pitcher of meal will not be used up, neither will the jar of oil fail, until the day that Jehovah sends rain upon the earth.


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<pb/>And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah. And she and he and her house, ate <i>many</i> days.


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The pitcher of meal was not used up, neither did the jar of oil fail, according to the word of Jehovah, which he spoke by Elijah.


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<pb/>And it happened after these things, that the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, fell sick and his sickness was so severe that there was no breath left in him.


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And she said to Elijah, What have I to do with you, O you man of God? You have come to me to bring my sin to remembrance and to kill my son!


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<pb/>And he said to her, Give me your son. And he took him out of her bosom and carried him up into the chamber where he abode and laid him upon his own bed.


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And he cried to Jehovah and said, O Jehovah my God, have you also brought evil upon the widow with whom I journey by slaying her son?


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And he stretched himself upon the child three times and cried to Jehovah and said, O Jehovah my God, I beseech you, let this child's soul come into him again.


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<pb/>And Jehovah listened to the voice of Elijah and the soul of the child came into him again and he revived.


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And Elijah took the child and brought him down out of the chamber into the house and delivered him to his mother. And Elijah said, See, your son lives.


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And the woman said to Elijah, Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of Jehovah in your mouth is truth.


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<pb/>And it happened after many days, that the word of Jehovah came to Elijah, in the third year, saying, Go, show yourself to Ahab and I will send rain upon the earth.


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for it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of Jehovah, that Obadiah took a hundred prophets and hid them by fifties in a cave and fed them with bread and water.)


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<pb/>And Ahab said to Obadiah, Go through the land, to all the fountains of water and to all the brooks. Perhaps we may find grass and save the horses and mules alive, that we not lose all the beasts.


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So they divided the land between them to pass throughout it; Ahab went one way by himself and Obadiah went another way by himself.


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<pb/>And as Obadiah was in the way, behold, Elijah met him. And he knew him and fell on his face and said, Is it you, my lord Elijah?


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And he said, How have I sinned that you would deliver your servant into the hand of Ahab to kill me?


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As Jehovah your God lives, there is no nation or kingdom where my lord has not sent to seek you. And when they said, He is not here, he took an oath from the kingdom and nation that they did not find you.


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And it will happen, as soon as I have gone from you, that the Spirit of Jehovah will carry you where I do not know. And so when I come and tell Ahab and he cannot find you, he will kill me. But I your servant fear Jehovah from my youth.


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<pb/>Was it not told my lord what I did when Jezebel killed the prophets of Jehovah, how I hid a hundred men of Jehovah's prophets by fifties in a cave and fed them with bread and water?


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<pb/>And Elijah said, As Jehovah of hosts lives, before whom I stand, I will surely show myself to him today.


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And he answered, I have not troubled Israel, but you and your father's house, in that you* have forsaken the commandments of Jehovah and you have followed the Baals   <n>{Baalim}</n>.


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<pb/>Now therefore send and gather to me all Israel to Mount Carmel and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty and the prophets of the Asherah four hundred, who eat at Jezebel's table.


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<pb/>And Elijah came near to all the people and said, How long do you* go limping between the two sides? If Jehovah be God, follow him, but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.


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<pb/>Then Elijah said to the people, I, even I only, am left a prophet of Jehovah, but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men.


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Let them therefore give us two bullocks and let them choose one bullock for themselves and cut it in pieces and lay it on the wood and put no fire under. And I will dress the other bullock and lay it on the wood and put no fire under.


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<pb/>And call you* on the name of your* god and I will call on the name of Jehovah. And the God that answers by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken.


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<pb/>And Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, Choose you* one bullock for yourselves and dress it first, for you* are many and call on the name of your* god, but put no fire under.


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And they took the bullock which was given them and they dressed it and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. <pb/>But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped about the altar which was made.


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<pb/>And it happened at noon, that Elijah mocked them and said, Cry aloud, for he is a god. Either he is meditating, or he has gone aside, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he sleeps and must be awakened.


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And they cried aloud and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lances, till the blood gushed out upon them.


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<pb/>And it was so, when midday was past, that they prophesied until the time of the offering of the <i>evening</i> oblation, but there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded.


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<pb/>And Elijah said to all the people, Come near to me. And all the people came near to him. And he repaired the altar of Jehovah that was thrown down.


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<pb/>And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob to whom the word of Jehovah came, saying, Israel will be your name.


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And with the stones he built an altar in the name of Jehovah. And he made a trench around the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed.


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And he put the wood in order and cut the bullock in pieces and laid it on the wood. And he said, Fill four jars with water and pour it on the burnt offering and on the wood.


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And he said, Do it the second time and they did it the second time. And he said, Do it the third time and they did it the third time.


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<pb/>And it happened at the time of the offering of the <i>evening</i> oblation, that Elijah the prophet came near and said, O Jehovah, the God of Abraham, of Isaac and of Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and that I have done all these things at your word.


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Hear me, O Jehovah, hear me, that this people may know that you, Jehovah, are God and <i>that</i> you have turned their heart back again.


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<pb/>Then the fire of Jehovah fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust and licked up the water that was in the trench.


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And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces. And they said, Jehovah, he is God, Jehovah, he is God.


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and Elijah said to them, Take the prophets of Baal; do not let one of them escape. And they took them and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon and killed them there.


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<pb/>And Elijah said to Ahab, get up, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a roar of <i>heavy</i> rain.


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So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel and he bowed himself down upon the earth and put his face between his knees.


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<pb/>And he said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up and looked and said, There is nothing. And he said, Go again,341 <pb/>seven times.


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And it happened at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, a cloud rises out of the sea, as small as a man's hand. And he said, Go up, say to Ahab, Make ready <i>your chariot</i> and get you down, that the rain not stop you.


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<pb/>And it happened in a little while, that the heavens grew black with clouds and wind and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode and went to Jezreel.


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And the hand of Jehovah was on Elijah and he girded up his loins and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.


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<pb/>And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done and also how he had slain all the prophets with the sword.


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Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.


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<pb/>And when he saw that, he arose and went for his life. And he came to Beer-sheba, which belongs to Judah and left his servant there.


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But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a juniper tree. And he requested for himself that he might die and said, It is enough, now, O Jehovah, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.


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<pb/>And he lay down and slept under a juniper tree, and behold, a messenger touched him and said to him, Arise and eat.


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And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on the coals and a jar of water. And he ate and drank and laid him down again.


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<pb/>And the messenger of Jehovah came again the second time and touched him and said, Arise and eat because the journey is too great for you.


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And he arose and ate and drank and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb the mountain of God.


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<pb/>And he came to a cave there and lodged there. And behold, the word of Jehovah came to him and he said to him, What are you doing here, Elijah?


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And he said, I have been very jealous for Jehovah, the God of hosts. For the sons of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars and slain your prophets with the sword. And I, even I only, am left and they seek my life, to take it away.


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<pb/>And he said, Go forth and stand upon the mountain before Jehovah. And behold, Jehovah passed by and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before Jehovah, but Jehovah was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but Jehovah was not in the earthquake.


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And after the earthquake a fire, but Jehovah was not in the fire. And after the fire a still small voice.


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<pb/>And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, What are you doing here, Elijah?


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And he said, I have been very jealous for Jehovah, the God of hosts. For the sons of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars and slain your prophets with the sword. And I, even I only, am left and they seek my life to take it away.


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<pb/>And Jehovah said to him, Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. And when you come, you will anoint Hazael to be king over Syria.


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And you will anoint Jehu the son of Nimshi to be king over Israel. And you will anoint Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah to be prophet in your place.


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And it will happen, that he who escapes from the sword of Hazael, Jehu will kill. And he who escapes from the sword of Jehu, Elisha will kill.


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<pb/>Yet I have reserved <i>for me</i> seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed to Baal and every mouth which has not kissed him.


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<pb/>So he departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat who was plowing with twelve yoke <i>of oxen</i> before him and he with the twelfth. And Elijah passed over to him and cast his mantle upon him.


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And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah and said, I beseech you, let me kiss my father and my mother and then I will follow you. And he said to him, Go back again, for what have I done to you?


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<pb/>And he returned from following him and took the yoke of oxen and killed them and boiled their flesh with the instruments of the oxen and gave to the people and they ate. Then he arose and went after Elijah and ministered to him.


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<pb/>And Ben-hadad the king of Syria gathered all his army together. And there were thirty-two kings with him and horses and chariots. And he went up and besieged Samaria and fought against it.


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And the King of Israel answered and said, It is according to your saying, my lord, O king, I am your and all that I have.


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<pb/>And the messengers came again and said, Thus speaks Ben-hadad, saying, I indeed sent to you, saying, You will deliver to me your silver and your gold and your wives and your sons.


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But I will send my servants to you tomorrow about this time and they will search your house and the houses of your servants. And it will be, that whatever is pleasant in your eyes, they will put it in their hand and take it away.


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<pb/>Then the King of Israel called all the elders of the land and said, Mark, I beseech you* and see how this man seeks mischief, for he sent to me for my wives and for my sons and for my silver and for my gold and I did not deny him.


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<pb/>Therefore he said to the messengers of Ben-hadad, Tell my lord the king, All that you sent for to your servant at the first I will do, but this thing I may not do. And the messengers departed and brought him word again.


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<pb/>And Ben-hadad sent to him and said, The gods do so to me and more also, if the dust of Samaria will suffice for handfuls for all the people that follow me.


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And the King of Israel answered and said, Tell him, Let he who girds on <i>his armor</i> boast himself as he who puts it off.


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<pb/>And it happened, when <i>Ben-hadad</i> heard this message as he was drinking, he and the kings, in the pavilions, that he said to his servants, Set <i>yourselves in array</i>. And they set <i>themselves in array</i> against the city.


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<pb/>And behold, a prophet came near to Ahab King of Israel and said, Jehovah says thus, Have you seen all this great multitude? Behold, I will deliver it into your hand this day and you will know that I am Jehovah.


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And Ahab said, By whom? And he said, Jehovah says thus, By the young men of the rulers of the provinces. Then he said, Who will begin the battle? And he answered, You.


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<pb/>Then he mustered the young men of the rulers of the provinces and they were two hundred and thirty-two. And after them he mustered all the people, even all the sons of Israel, being seven thousand.


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<pb/>And they went out at noon. But Ben-hadad was drinking himself drunk in the pavilions, he and the kings, the thirty-two kings who helped him.


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And the young men of the rulers of the provinces went out first. And Ben-hadad sent out and they told him, saying, There are men come out from Samaria.


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And he said, Whether they come out for peace, take them alive, or whether they come out for war, take them alive.


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<pb/>So these went out of the city, the young men of the rulers of the provinces and the army which followed them.


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And they killed everyone his man. And the Syrians fled and Israel pursued them. And Ben-hadad the king of Syria escaped on a horse with horsemen.


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And the King of Israel went out and killed* the horses and chariots and killed the Syrians with a great slaughter.


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<pb/>And the prophet came near to the King of Israel and said to him, Go, strengthen yourself. And mark and see what you do, for at the return of the year the king of Syria will come up against you.


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<pb/>And the servants of the king of Syria said to him, Their god is a god of the hills, therefore they were stronger than we. But let us fight against them in the plain and surely we will be stronger than they.


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And number you an army, like the army that you have lost, horse for horse and chariot for chariot. And we will fight against them in the plain and surely we will be stronger than they. And he listened to their voice and did so.


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<pb/>And it happened at the return of the year, that Ben-hadad mustered the Syrians and went up to Aphek to fight against Israel.


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And the sons of Israel were mustered and were supported and went against them. And the sons of Israel encamped before them like two little flocks of kids, but the Syrians filled the country.


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<pb/>And a man of God came near and spoke to the King of Israel and said, Jehovah says thus, Because the Syrians have said, Jehovah is a god of the hills, but he is not a god of the valleys, therefore I will deliver all this great multitude into your hand and you* will know that I am Jehovah.


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<pb/>And they encamped one opposite the other seven days. And so it was, that in the seventh day the battle was joined. And the sons of Israel killed of the Syrians a hundred thousand footmen in one day.


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But the rest fled to Aphek, into the city and the wall fell upon twenty-seven thousand men who were left. And Ben-hadad fled and came into the city, into an inner chamber.


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<pb/>And his servants said to him, Behold now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings. Please let us put sackcloth on our loins and ropes upon our heads and go out to the King of Israel. Perhaps he will save your life.


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So they girded sackcloth on their loins and <i>put</i> ropes on their heads and came to the King of Israel and said, Your servant Ben-hadad says, I beseech you, let me live. And he said, Is he yet alive? He is my brother.


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<pb/>Now the men observed diligently whether anything would come from him. And they quickly caught it and they said, Your brother Ben-hadad. Then he said, Go you*, bring him. Then Ben-hadad came out to him and he caused him to come up into the chariot.


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<pb/>And <i>Ben-hadad</i> said to him, The cities which my father took from your father I will restore and you will make streets for you in Damascus as my father made in Samaria. And I, <i>said Ahab</i>, will let you go with this covenant. So he made a covenant with him and let him go.


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<pb/>And a certain man of the sons of the prophets said by the word of Jehovah to his fellow, Strike me, I beseech you. And the man refused to kill* him.


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Then said he to him, Because you have not obeyed the voice of Jehovah, behold, as soon as you have departed from me, a lion will kill you. And as soon as he was departed from him, a lion found him and killed him.


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<pb/>Then he found another man and said, Strike me, I beseech you. And the man killed* him, slaying and wounding him.


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So the prophet departed and waited for the king by the way and disguised himself with his headband over his eyes.


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<pb/>And as the king passed by, he cried out to the king and he said, Your servant went out into the midst of the battle, and behold, a man turned aside and brought a man to me and said, Keep this man. If by any means he is missing, then will your life be for his life, or else you will pay a talant of silver.


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And as your servant was busy here and there, he had gone. And the King of Israel said to him, So will your judgment be, yourself have decided it.


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<pb/>And he hastened and took the headband away from his eyes and the King of Israel discerned him that he was of the prophets.


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And he said to him, Jehovah says thus, Because you have let go out of your hand the man whom I had devoted to destruction, therefore your life will go for his life and your people for his people.


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<pb/>And it happened after these things, that Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard, which was in Jezreel, near by the palace of Ahab king of Samaria.


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And Ahab spoke to Naboth, saying, Give me your vineyard that I may have it for a garden of herbs because it is near to my house. And I will give you for it a better vineyard than it, or, if it seem good to you, I will give you the worth of it in money.


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And Naboth said to Ahab, Jehovah forbid it of me that I should give the inheritance of my fathers to you.


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<pb/>And Ahab came into his house heavy and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him, for he had said, I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers. And he laid himself down upon his bed and turned away his face and would eat no bread.


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<pb/>But Jezebel his wife came to him and said to him, Why is your spirit so sad that you eat no bread?


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And he said to her, Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite and said to him, Give me your vineyard for money, or else, if it please you, I will give you <i>another</i> vineyard for it. And he answered, I will not give you my vineyard.


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<pb/>And Jezebel his wife said to him, Do you now govern the kingdom of Israel? Arise and eat bread and let your heart be merry. I will give you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.


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<pb/>So she wrote letters in Ahab's name and sealed them with his seal and sent the letters to the elders and to the nobles who were in his city, <i>and</i> who dwelt with Naboth.


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And set two men, worthless fellows, before him and let them bear witness against him, saying, You cursed God and the king. And then carry him out and stone him to death.


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<pb/>And the men of his city, even the elders and the nobles who dwelt in his city, did as Jezebel had sent to them, just-as it was written in the letters which she had sent to them.


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<pb/>And the two men, the worthless fellows, came in and sat before him. And the worthless fellows bore witness against him, even against Naboth, in the presence of the people, saying, Naboth cursed God and the king. Then they carried him forth out of the city and stoned him to death with stones.


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<pb/>And it happened, when Jezebel heard that Naboth was stoned and was dead, that Jezebel said to Ahab, Arise, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, which he refused to give you for money, for Naboth is not alive, but dead.


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And it happened, when Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, that Ahab rose up to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite to take possession of it.


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Arise, go down to meet Ahab King of Israel, who dwells in Samaria. Behold, he is in the vineyard of Naboth where he has gone down to take possession of it.


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And you will speak to him, saying, Jehovah says thus, Have you killed and also taken possession? And you will speak to him, saying, Jehovah says thus, In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth will dogs lick your blood, even your.


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<pb/>And Ahab said to Elijah, Have you found me, O my enemy? And he answered, I have found you because you have sold yourself to do what is evil in the sight of Jehovah.


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<pb/>Behold, I will bring evil upon you and will utterly sweep you away and will cut off from Ahab every one who urinates on the wall and he who is shut up and he who is left at large in Israel.


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And I will make your house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah for the provocation with which you have provoked me to anger and have made Israel to sin.


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<pb/>And Jehovah spoke also of Jezebel, saying, The dogs will eat Jezebel by the rampart of Jezreel.


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He who dies of Ahab in the city the dogs will eat and he who dies in the field will the birds of the heavens eat.


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(But there was none like Ahab, who sold himself to do what was evil in the sight of Jehovah, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up.


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And he did very abominably in following idols, according to all that the Amorites did whom Jehovah cast out before the sons of Israel.)


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<pb/>And it happened, when Ahab heard those words, that he tore his clothes and put sackcloth upon his flesh and fasted and lay in sackcloth and went softly.


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You see how Ahab humbles himself before me? Because he humbles himself before me, I will not bring the evil in his days, but in his son's days will I bring the evil upon his house.


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And it happened in the third year, that Jehoshaphat the king of Judah came down to the King of Israel.


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And the King of Israel said to his servants, Know that Ramoth-gilead is ours and we are still and do not take it out of the hand of the king of Syria?


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And he said to Jehoshaphat, Will you go with me to battle to Ramoth-gilead? And Jehoshaphat said to the King of Israel, I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses.


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<pb/>And Jehoshaphat said to the King of Israel, I beseech you, inquire first for the word of Jehovah.


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Then the King of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men and said to them, Shall I go against Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up, for the Lord will deliver it into the hand of the king.


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<pb/>But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of Jehovah besides, that we may inquire of him?


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And the King of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, there is yet one man by whom we may inquire of Jehovah, Micaiah the son of Imlah, but I hate him, for he does not prophesy good concerning me, but evil. And Jehoshaphat said, Do not let the king say so.


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Now the King of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah were sitting each on his throne, arrayed in their robes, in an open place at the entrance of the gate of Samaria. And all the prophets were prophesying before them.


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<pb/>And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made for him horns of iron and said, Jehovah says thus, With these you will push the Syrians until they are consumed.


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And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ramoth-gilead and prosper, for Jehovah will deliver it into the hand of the king.


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<pb/>And the messenger who went to call Micaiah spoke to him, saying, Behold now, the words of the prophets <i>declare</i> good to the king with one mouth. I beseech you, let your word be like the word of one of them and speak good.


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<pb/>And when he came to the king, the king said to him, Micaiah, will we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or will we forbear? And he answered him, Go up and prosper and Jehovah will deliver it into the hand of the king.


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


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<pb/>And he said, I saw all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd. And Jehovah said, These have no master, let them return every man to his house in peace.


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


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<pb/>And <i>Micaiah</i> said, Therefore hear the word of Jehovah. I saw Jehovah sitting on his throne and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left.


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And Jehovah said, Who will entice Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead? And one said on this manner and another said on that manner.


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And Jehovah said to him, With what? And he said, I will go forth and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, You will entice him and will also prevail. Go forth and do so.


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Now therefore, behold, Jehovah has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these your prophets and Jehovah has spoken evil concerning you.


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<pb/>Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near and killed* Micaiah on the cheek and said, Which way did the Spirit of Jehovah go from me to speak to you?


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


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<pb/>And the King of Israel said, Take Micaiah and carry him back to Amon the governor of the city and to Joash the king's son,


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and say, Thus says the king, Put this fellow in the prison and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction until I come in peace.


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And Micaiah said, If you return at all in peace, Jehovah has not spoken by me. And he said, Hear, you* peoples, all of you*.


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And the King of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself and go into the battle, but put on your robes. And the King of Israel disguised himself and went into the battle.


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<pb/>Now the king of Syria had commanded the thirty-two captains of his chariots, saying, Fight neither with small nor great, except only with the King of Israel.


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<pb/>And it happened, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, Surely it is the King of Israel and they turned aside to fight against him. And Jehoshaphat cried out.


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And it happened, when the captains of the chariots saw that it was not the King of Israel, that they turned back from pursuing him.


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<pb/>And a certain man drew his bow at a venture and killed* the King of Israel between the joints of the armor. Therefore he said to the driver of his chariot, Turn your hand and carry me out of the army, for I am severely wounded.


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And the battle increased that day. And the king was propped up in his chariot against the Syrians. And he died at evening and the blood ran out of the wound into the bottom of the chariot.


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<pb/>And there went a cry throughout the army about the going down of the sun, saying, Every man to his city and every man to his country.


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And they washed the chariot by the pool of Samaria and the dogs licked up his blood (now the prostitutes washed themselves <i>there</i>), according to the word of Jehovah which he spoke.


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<pb/>Now the rest of the acts of Ahab and all that he did and the ivory house which he built and all the cities that he built, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?


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<pb/>And Jehoshaphat the son of Asa began to reign over Judah in the fourth year of Ahab King of Israel.


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Jehoshaphat was thirty-five years old when he began to reign and he reigned twenty-five years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi.


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<pb/>And he walked in all the way of Asa his father. He turned not aside from it, doing what was right in the eyes of Jehovah. However the high places were not taken away; the people still sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places.


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<pb/>Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat and his might that he showed and how he warred, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?


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<pb/>And he put away out of the land the remnant of the sodomites, who remained in the days of his father Asa.


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Jehoshaphat made ships of Tarshish to go to Ophir for gold, but they did not go, for the ships were broken at Ezion-geber.


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Then Ahaziah the son of Ahab said to Jehoshaphat, Let my servants go with your servants in the ships. But Jehoshaphat would not.


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<pb/>And Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers and was buried with his fathers in the city of David his father. And Jehoram his son reigned instead of him.


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Ahaziah the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria in the seventeenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah and he reigned two years over Israel.


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<pb/>And he did what was evil in the sight of Jehovah and walked in the way of his father and in the way of his mother and in the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, how he made Israel to sin.


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And he served Baal and worshiped him and provoked to anger Jehovah, the God of Israel, according to all that his father had done


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And Ahaziah fell down through the lattice in his upper chamber that was in Samaria and was sick. And he sent messengers and said to them, Go, inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, whether I will recover of this sickness.


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<pb/>But the messenger of Jehovah said to Elijah the Tishbite, Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria and say to them, Is it because there is no God in Israel that you* go to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron?


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Now therefore Jehovah says thus, You will not come down from the bed where you have gone up, but will surely die. And Elijah departed.


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And they said to him, There came up a man to meet us and said to us, Go, turn again to the king that sent you* and say to him, Jehovah says thus, Is it because there is no God in Israel that you send to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron? Therefore you will not come down from the bed where you have gone up, but will surely die.


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<pb/>And he said to them, What manner of man was he who came up to meet you* and told you* these words?


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And they answered him, He was a hairy man and girt with a belt of leather about his loins. And he said, It is Elijah the Tishbite.


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<pb/>Then <i>the king</i> sent to him a captain of fifty with his fifty. And he went up to him, and behold, he was sitting on the top of the hill. And he spoke to him, O man of God, the king has said, Come down.


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And Elijah answered and said to the captain of fifty, If I am a man of God, let fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty. And there came down fire from heaven and consumed him and his fifty.


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<pb/>And again he sent to him another captain of fifty and his fifty. And he answered and said to him, O man of God, thus has the king said, Come down quickly.


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And Elijah answered and said to them, If I am a man of God, let fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty. And the fire of God came down from heaven and consumed him and his fifty.


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<pb/>And again he sent the captain of a third fifty with his fifty. And the third captain of fifty went up and came and fell on his knees before Elijah and besought him and said to him, O man of God, I beseech you, let my life and the life of these fifty your servants, be precious in your sight.


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Behold, there came fire down from heaven and consumed the two former captains of fifty with their fifties, but now let my life be precious in your sight.


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And the messenger of Jehovah said to Elijah, Go down with him; do not be afraid of him. And he arose and went down with him to the king.


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<pb/>And he said to him, Jehovah says thus, Inasmuch as you have sent messengers to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, is it because there is no God in Israel to inquire of his word? Therefore you will not come down from the bed where you have gone up, but will surely die.


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So he died according to the word of Jehovah which Elijah had spoken. And Jehoram began to reign instead of him in the second year of Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, because he had no son.


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<pb/>Now the rest of the acts of Ahaziah which he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?


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<pb/>And it happened, when Jehovah would take up Elijah by a whirlwind into heaven, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal.


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And Elijah said to Elisha, I beseech you, remain here for Jehovah has sent me as far as Bethel. And Elisha said, As Jehovah lives and as your soul lives, I will not leave you. So they went down to Bethel.


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<pb/>And the sons of the prophets who were at Bethel came out to Elisha and said to him, Do you know that Jehovah will take away your master from your head today? And he said, Yes, I know it; hold your* peace.


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And Elijah said to him, Elisha, I beseech you, remain here because Jehovah has sent me to Jericho. And he said, As Jehovah lives and as your soul lives, I will not leave you. So they came to Jericho.


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<pb/>And the sons of the prophets who were at Jericho came near to Elisha and said to him, Do you know that Jehovah will take away your master from your head today? And he answered, Yes, I know it; hold your* peace.


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And Elijah said to him, I beseech you, remain here because Jehovah has sent me to the Jordan. And he said, As Jehovah lives and as your soul lives, I will not leave you. And the two went on.


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<pb/>And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went and stood opposite them afar off. And the two stood by the Jordan.


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And Elijah took his mantle and wrapped it together and struck the waters and they were divided here and there, so that the two went over on dry ground.


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<pb/>And it happened, when they were gone over, that Elijah said to Elisha, Ask what I will do for you before I am taken from you. And Elisha said, I beseech you, let a double portion of your spirit is upon me.


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And he said, You have asked a hard thing. <i>Nevertheless</i>, if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be so to you, but if not, it will not be so.


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<pb/>And it happened, as they still went on and talked, that, behold, <i>there appeared</i> a chariot of fire and horses of fire, which divided them both apart. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.


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And Elisha saw it and he cried, My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and the horsemen of it! And he saw him no more. And he took hold of his own clothes and tore them in two pieces.


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<pb/>He also took up the mantle of Elijah that fell from him and went back and stood by the bank of the Jordan.


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And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him and struck the waters and said, Where is Jehovah, the God of Elijah? And when he also had struck the waters, they were divided here and there and Elisha went over.


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<pb/>And when the sons of the prophets who were at Jericho opposite him saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha. And they came to meet him and bowed themselves to the ground before him.


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<pb/>And they said to him, Behold now, there are fifty strong men with your servants. Please let them go and seek your master, lest the Spirit of Jehovah has taken him up and cast him upon some mountain, or into some valley. And he said, You* will not send.


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<pb/>And when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said, Send. Therefore they sent fifty men. And they sought three days, but did not find him.


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And they came back to him while he remained at Jericho. And he said to them, Did I not say to you*, Do not go?


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<pb/>And the men of the city said to Elisha, Behold now, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord sees, but the water is bad and the ground barren.


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And he went forth to the spring of the waters and cast salt in it and said, Jehovah says thus, I have healed these waters. There will not be from there any more death or barren land.


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<pb/>And he went up from there to Bethel. And as he was going up by the way, there came out young lads out of the city and mocked him and said to him, Go up, you baldheaded; go up, you baldheaded.


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And he looked behind him and saw them and cursed them in the name of Jehovah. And there came out two female-bears out of the wood and tore forty-two lads of them.


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<pb/>Now Jehoram the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria in the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah and reigned twelve years.


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And he did what was evil in the sight of Jehovah, but not like his father and like his mother, for he put away the pillar of Baal that his father had made.


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Nevertheless he clung to the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, with which he made Israel to sin; he did not depart from there.


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<pb/>Now Mesha king of Moab was a sheep breeder. And he rendered to the King of Israel the wool of a hundred thousand lambs and of a hundred thousand rams.


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<pb/>And he went and sent to Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, saying, The king of Moab has rebelled against me. Will you go with me against Moab to battle? And he said, I will go up. I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses.


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<pb/>So the King of Israel went and the king of Judah and the king of Edom. And they made a circuit of seven days' journey and there was no water for the army, nor for the beasts that followed them.


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And the King of Israel said, Alas! For Jehovah has called these three kings together to deliver them into the hand of Moab.


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<pb/>But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of Jehovah, that we may inquire of Jehovah by him? And one of the King of Israel's servants answered and said, Elisha the son of Shaphat is here, who poured water on the hands of Elijah.


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And Jehoshaphat said, The word of Jehovah is with him. So the King of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him.


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<pb/>And Elisha said to the King of Israel, What have I to do with you? You get to the prophets of your father and to the prophets of your mother. And the King of Israel said to him, No, for Jehovah has called these three kings together to deliver them into the hand of Moab.


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<pb/>And Elisha said, As Jehovah of hosts lives, before whom I stand, surely, were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would not look toward you, nor see you.


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<pb/>But now bring me a minstrel. And it happened, when the minstrel played, that the hand of Jehovah came upon him.


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For Jehovah says thus, You* will not see wind, neither will you* see rain, yet that valley will be filled with water and you* will drink, both you* and your* cattle and your* beasts.


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And this is but a light thing in the sight of Jehovah. He will also deliver the Moabites into your* hand.


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And you* will kill* every fortified city and every choice city and will fell every good tree and stop all fountains of water and mar every good piece of land with stones.


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<pb/>And it happened in the morning, about the time of offering the oblation, that, behold, there came water by the way of Edom and the country was filled with water.


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Now when all the Moabites heard that the kings came up to fight against them, they gathered themselves together, all that were able to put on armor and upward and stood on the border.


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<pb/>And they rose up early in the morning and the sun shone upon the water and the Moabites saw the water opposite them as red as blood.


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And they said, This is blood. The kings are surely destroyed and they have struck each man his fellow. Now therefore, Moab, to the spoil.


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<pb/>And when they came to the camp of Israel, the Israelites rose up and killed* the Moabites, so that they fled before them and they went forward into the land slaying the Moabites.


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And they beat down the cities. And on every good piece of land they cast every man his stone and filled it. And they stopped all the fountains of water and felled all the good trees, until in Kir-hareseth <i>only</i> they left the stones of it. However the slingers went about it and killed* it.


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<pb/>And when the king of Moab saw that the battle was too hard for him, he took with him seven hundred men that drew sword to break through to the king of Edom, but they could not.


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Then he took his eldest son who should have reigned instead of him and offered him for a burnt offering upon the wall. And there was great wrath against Israel and they departed from him and returned to their own land.


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<pb/>Now a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, saying, Your servant my husband is dead and you know that your servant feared Jehovah and the creditor has come to take my two children to him to be bondmen.


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<pb/>And Elisha said to her, What shall I do for you? Tell me, what have you in the house? And she said, Your handmaid has not anything in the house except a pot of oil.


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Then he said, Go, borrow for you vessels abroad from all your neighbors, even empty vessels; borrow not a few.


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And you will go in and shut the door upon you and upon your sons and pour out into all those vessels and you will set aside what is full.


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<pb/>So she went from him and shut the door upon her and upon her sons. They brought <i>the vessels</i> to her and she poured out.


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And it happened, when the vessels were full, that she said to her son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said to her, There is no more a vessel. And the oil halted.


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Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, Go, sell the oil and pay your debt and live you and your sons from the rest.


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<pb/>And it fell on a day that Elisha passed to Shunem where there was a prominent woman. And she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as often as he passed by he turned in there to eat bread.


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<pb/>And she said to her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is a holy man of God who passes by us continually.


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I beseech you, let us make a little chamber on the wall. And let us set a bed for him there and a table and a seat and a lamp-stand. And it will be, when he comes to us, that he will turn in there.


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And he said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunammite. And when he had called her, she stood before him.


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And he said to him, Say now to her, Behold, you have been caring for us with all this care. What is to be done for you? Would you be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the army? And she answered, I dwell among my own people.


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<pb/>And he said, What then is to be done for her? And Gehazi answered, Truly she has no son and her husband is old.


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And he said, At this season, when the time comes round, you will embrace a son. And she said, No, my lord, you man of God, do not lie to your handmaid.


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<pb/>And the woman conceived and bore a son at that season, when the time came round, as Elisha had said to her.


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And when he had taken him and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees till noon and then died.


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And she went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God and shut <i>the door</i> upon him and went out.


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<pb/>And she called to her husband and said, I beseech you, send me one of the servants and one of the donkeys, that I may run to the man of God and come again.


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And he said, Why will you go to him today? It is neither new moon nor Sabbath. And she said, It will be well.


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Then she saddled a donkey and said to her servant, Drive and go forward. Do not restrain my riding unless I bid you.


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<pb/>So she went and came to the man of God to Mount Carmel. And it happened, when the man of God saw her afar off, that he said to Gehazi his servant, Behold, yonder is the Shunammite.


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I beseech you, run now to meet her and say to her, Is it well with you? Is it well with your husband? Is it well with the child? And she answered, It is well.


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<pb/>And when she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught hold of his feet. And Gehazi came near to thrust her away, but the man of God said, Let her alone, for her soul is distressed within her and Jehovah has hid it from me and has not told me.


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<pb/>Then he said to Gehazi, Gird up your loins and take my staff in your hand and go your way. If you meet any man, do not salute him and if any salute you, do not answer him again. And lay my staff upon the face of the child.


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And the mother of the child said, As Jehovah lives and as your soul lives, I will not leave you. And he arose and followed her.


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<pb/>And Gehazi passed on before them and laid the staff upon the face of the child, but there was neither voice, nor hearing. Therefore he returned to meet him and told him, saying, The child has not awakened.


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<pb/>And he went up and lay upon the child and put his mouth upon his mouth and his eyes upon his eyes and his hands upon his hands. And he stretched himself upon him and the flesh of the child grew warm.


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Then he returned and walked in the house once to and fro and went up and stretched himself upon him. And the child sneezed seven times and the child opened his eyes.


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<pb/>And he called Gehazi and said, Call this Shunammite. So he called her. And when she came in to him, he said, Take up your son.


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Then she went in and fell at his feet and bowed herself to the ground. And she took up her son and went out.


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<pb/>And Elisha came again to Gilgal. And there was a dearth in the land and the sons of the prophets were sitting before him. And he said to his servant, Set on the great pot and boil pottage for the sons of the prophets.


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And one went out into the field to gather herbs and found a wild vine and gathered wild gourds from it, his lap full and came and shred them into the pot of pottage, for they did not know them.


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<pb/>So they poured out for the men to eat. And it happened, as they were eating of the pottage, that they cried out and said, O man of God, there is death in the pot. And they could not eat of it.


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But he said, Then bring meal. And he cast it into the pot and he said, Pour out for the people, that they may eat. And there was no harm in the pot.


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<pb/>And a man came from Baal-shalishah and brought the man of God bread of the first-fruits, twenty loaves of barley and fresh ears of grain in his sack. And he said, Give to the people that they may eat.


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And his servant said, What, should I set this before a hundred men? But he said, Give to the people that they may eat, for Jehovah says thus, They will eat and will leave of it.


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<pb/>Now Naaman, captain of the army of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master and honorable, because by him Jehovah had given victory to Syria. He was also a mighty man of valor, <i>but he was</i> a leper.


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<pb/>And the Syrians had gone out in bands and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maiden and she waited on Naaman's wife.


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And she said to her mistress, Would that my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria! Then he would heal him of his leprosy.


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<pb/>And a man went in and told his lord, saying, Thus and thus said the maiden who is of the land of Israel.


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And the king of Syria said, Go now and I will send a letter to the King of Israel. And he departed and took with him ten talants of silver and six thousand <i>pieces</i> of gold and ten changes of garments.


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And he brought the letter to the King of Israel, saying, And now when this letter has come to you, behold, I have sent Naaman my servant to you that you may heal him of his leprosy.


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<pb/>And it happened, when the King of Israel had read the letter, that he tore his clothes and said, Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man sends to me to heal a man of his leprosy? But consider, I beseech you* and see how he seeks a quarrel against me.


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<pb/>And it was so, when Elisha the man of God heard that the King of Israel had torn his clothes, that he sent to the king, saying, Why have you torn your clothes? Let him come now to me and he will know that there is a prophet in Israel.


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<pb/>So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariots and stood at the door of the house of Elisha.


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And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, Go and wash in the Jordan seven times and your flesh will come again to you and you will be clean.


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<pb/>But Naaman was angry and went away and said, Behold, I thought he will surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of Jehovah his God and wave his hand over the place and heal the leper.


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Are not Abanah and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? May I not wash in them and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage.


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<pb/>And his servants came near and spoke to him and said, My father, if the prophet had bid you do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much rather then, when he says to you, Wash and be clean?


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Then went he down and dipped <i>himself</i> seven times in the Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God. And his flesh came again like the flesh of a little child and he was clean.


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<pb/>And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company and came and stood before him. And he said, Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel. Now therefore, I beseech you, take a present from your servant.


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But he said, As Jehovah lives, before whom I stand, I will receive none. And he urged him to take it, but he refused.


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<pb/>And Naaman said, If not, yet, I beseech you, let there be given to your servant two mules' burden of dirt, for your servant will hereafter offer neither burnt offering nor sacrifice to other gods, but to Jehovah.


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<pb/>In this thing Jehovah pardon your servant: when my master goes into the house of Rimmon to worship there and he leans on my hand and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, when I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, Jehovah pardon your servant in this thing.


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<pb/>But Gehazi the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master has spared this Naaman the Syrian, in not receiving at his hands what he brought. As Jehovah lives, I will run after him and take something from him.


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<pb/>So Gehazi followed after Naaman. And when Naaman saw him running after him, he alighted from the chariot to meet him and said, Is all well?


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And he said, All is well. My master has sent me, saying, Behold, even now there come to me from the hill-country of Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets. I beseech you, give them a talant of silver and two changes of garments.


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<pb/>And Naaman said, Be pleased to take two talants. And he urged him and bound two talants of silver in two bags, with two changes of garments and laid them upon two of his servants and they bore them before him.


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And when he came to the hill, he took them from their hand and bestowed them in the house and he let the men go and they departed.


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<pb/>But he went in and stood before his master. And Elisha said to him, From where did you come, Gehazi? And he said, Your servant went nowhere.


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And he said to him, Did not my heart go <i>with you</i> when the man turned from his chariot to meet you? Is it a time to receive money and to receive garments and olive-groves and vineyards and sheep and oxen and men-servants and maidservants?


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The leprosy therefore of Naaman will cling to you and to your seed everlasting. And he went out from his presence a leper <i>as white</i> as snow.


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<pb/>And the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, Behold now, the place where we dwell before you is too confined for us.


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Please let us go to the Jordan and every man take a beam from there and let us make us a place there, where we may dwell. And he answered, Go.


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<pb/>But as one was felling a beam, the axe-head fell into the water. And he cried and said, Alas, my master! For it was borrowed.


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And the man of God said, Where did it fall? And he showed him the place. And he cut down a stick and cast it in there and made the iron to float.


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<pb/>Now the king of Syria was warring against Israel and he took counsel with his servants, saying, In such and such a place will be my camp.


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And the man of God sent to the King of Israel, saying, Beware that you do not pass such a place, for the Syrians are coming down there.


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And the King of Israel sent to the place which the man of God told him and warned him of. And he saved himself there, not once nor twice.


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<pb/>And the heart of the king of Syria was greatly troubled for this thing and he called his servants and said to them, Will you* not show me which of us is for the King of Israel?


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And one of his servants said, No, my lord, O king, but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel tells the King of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom.


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And he said, Go and see where he is that I may send and fetch him. And it was told him, saying, Behold, he is in Dothan.


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<pb/>Therefore he sent there horses and chariots and a great army. And they came by night and encompassed the city about.


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And when the servant of the man of God was risen early and gone forth, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And his servant said to him, Alas, my master! What will we do?


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<pb/>And Elisha prayed and said, Jehovah, I beseech you, open his eyes that he may see. And Jehovah opened the eyes of the young man and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.


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<pb/>And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed to Jehovah and said, I beseech you, strike this people, with blindness. And he killed* them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.


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And Elisha said to them, This is not the way, neither is this the city. Follow me and I will bring you* to the man whom you* seek. And he led them to Samaria.


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<pb/>And it happened, when they came into Samaria, that Elisha said, Jehovah, open the eyes of these men that they may see. And Jehovah opened their eyes and they saw. And behold, they were in the midst of Samaria.


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<pb/>And the King of Israel said to Elisha, when he saw them, My father, shall I kill* them? Shall I kill* them?


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And he answered, You will not kill* them. Would you kill* those whom you have taken captive with your sword and with your bow? Set bread and water before them that they may eat and drink and go to their master.


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<pb/>And he prepared great provision for them. And when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away and they went to their master. And the bands of Syria came no more into the land of Israel.


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<pb/>And it happened after this, that Ben-hadad king of Syria gathered all his army and went up and besieged Samaria.


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And there was a great famine in Samaria. And behold, they besieged it until a donkey's head was sold for eighty <i>pieces</i> of silver and the fourth part of a two-quart container of dove's manure for five <i>pieces</i> of silver.


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<pb/>And as the King of Israel was passing by upon the wall, a woman cried out to him, saying, Help, my lord, O king.


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And he said, If Jehovah does not help you, from where shall I help you? Out of the threshing-floor, or out of the winepress?


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And the king said to her, What troubles you? And she answered, This woman said to me, Give your son that we may eat him today and we will eat my son tomorrow.


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So we boiled my son and ate him. And I said to her on the next day, Give your son that we may eat him. And she has hid her son.


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<pb/>And it happened, when the king heard the words of the woman, that he tore his clothes (now he was passing by upon the wall). And the people looked, and behold, he had sackcloth inside upon his flesh.


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<pb/>Then he said, God do so to me and more also, if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat will stand on him this day.


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<pb/>But Elisha was sitting in his house and the elders were sitting with him. And <i>the king</i> sent a man from before him, but before the messenger came to him, he said to the elders, Do you* see how this son of a murderer has sent to take away my head? Look, when the messenger comes, shut the door and hold the door fast against him. Is not the sound of his master's feet behind him?


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<pb/>And while he was yet talking with them, behold, the messenger came down to him and he said, Behold, this evil is of Jehovah. Why should I wait for Jehovah any longer?


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<pb/>And Elisha said, Hear the word of Jehovah. Jehovah says thus, Tomorrow about this time a measure of fine flour will be <i>sold</i> for a shekel and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria.


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<pb/>Then the captain on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God and said, Behold, if Jehovah should make windows in heaven, might this thing be? And he said, Behold, you will see it with your eyes, but will not eat of it.


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<pb/>Now there were four leprous men at the entrance of the gate and they said one to another, Why do we sit here until we die?


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If we say, We will enter into the city, then the famine is in the city and we will die there. And if we sit still here, we die also. Now therefore come and let us fall to the army of the Syrians. If they save us alive, we will live and if they kill us, we will but die.


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<pb/>And they rose up in the twilight, to go to the camp of the Syrians. And when they came to the outermost part of the camp of the Syrians, behold, there was no man there.


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For the Lord had made the army of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots and a noise of horses, even the noise of a great army. And they said one to another, Behold, the King of Israel has hired against us the kings of the Hittites and the kings of the Egyptians, to come upon us.


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Therefore they arose and fled in the twilight and left their tents and their horses and their donkeys, even the camp as it was and fled for their life.


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<pb/>And when these lepers came to the outermost part of the camp, they went into one tent and ate and drank and carried from there silver and gold and garments and went and hid it. And they came back and entered into another tent and carried from there also and went and hid it.


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<pb/>Then they said one to another, We are not doing right. This day is a day of good news and we keep silent. If we delay till the morning light, punishment will overtake us. Now therefore come, let us go and tell the king's household.


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So they came and called to the gatekeeper of the city. And they told them, saying, We came to the camp of the Syrians, and behold, there was no man there, neither voice of man, but the horses tied and the donkeys tied and the tents as they were.


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<pb/>And the king arose in the night and said to his servants, I will now show you* what the Syrians have done to us. They know that we are hungry. Therefore they have gone out of the camp to hide themselves in the field, saying, When they come out of the city we will take them alive and get into the city.


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And one of his servants answered and said, I beseech you, let some men take five of the horses that remain, which are left in the city (behold, they are as all the multitude of Israel that are left in it; behold, they are as all the multitude of Israel that are consumed) and let us send and see.


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<pb/>Therefore they took two chariots with horses. And the king sent after the army of the Syrians, saying, Go and see.


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And they went after them to the Jordan. And behold, all the way was full of garments and vessels, which the Syrians had cast away in their haste. And the messengers returned and told the king.


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<pb/>And the people went out and plundered the camp of the Syrians. So a measure of fine flour was <i>sold</i> for a shekel and two measures of barley for a shekel, according to the word of Jehovah.


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And the king appointed the captain on whose hand he leaned to have the charge of the gate. And the people trampled upon him in the gate and he died as the man of God had said, who spoke when the king came down to him.


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<pb/>And it happened, as the man of God had spoken to the king, saying, Two measures of barley for a shekel and a measure of fine flour for a shekel, will be tomorrow about this time in the gate of Samaria.


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And that captain answered the man of God and said, Now, behold, if Jehovah should make windows in heaven, might such a thing be? And he said, Behold, you will see it with your eyes, but will not eat of it.


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<pb/>Now Elisha had spoken to the woman, whose son he had restored to life, saying, Arise and go and your household and journey wherever you can journey, for Jehovah has called for a famine and it will also come upon the land seven years.


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And the woman arose and did according to the word of the man of God. And she went with her household and traveled in the land of the Philistines seven years.


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<pb/>And it happened at the end of seven years, that the woman returned out of the land of the Philistines and she went forth to cry to the king for her house and for her land.


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<pb/>Now the king was talking with Gehazi the servant of the man of God, saying, I beseech you, tell me all the great things that Elisha has done.


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And it happened, as he was telling the king how he had restored to life he who was dead, that, behold, the woman, whose son he had restored to life, cried to the king for her house and for her land. And Gehazi said, My lord, O king, this is the woman and this is her son whom Elisha restored to life.


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<pb/>And when the king asked the woman, she told him. So the king appointed to her a certain officer, saying, Restore all that was hers and all the fruits of the field since the day that she left the land, even until now.


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<pb/>And Elisha came to Damascus and Ben-hadad the king of Syria was sick. And it was told him, saying, The man of God has come here.


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And the king said to Hazael, Take a present in your hand and go, meet the man of God and inquire of Jehovah by him, saying, Shall I recover of this sickness?


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<pb/>So Hazael went to meet him and took a present with him, even of every good thing of Damascus, forty camels' burden and came and stood before him and said, Your son Ben-hadad king of Syria has sent me to you, saying, Shall I recover of this sickness?


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And Elisha said to him, Go, say to him, You will surely recover. However Jehovah has shown me that he will surely die.


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<pb/>And he settled his countenance steadfastly <i>upon him</i>, until he was ashamed. And the man of God wept.


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And Hazael said, Why do you weep my lord? And he answered, Because I know the evil that you will do to the sons of Israel: their strongholds you will set on fire and their young men you will kill with the sword and will dash in pieces their little ones and rip up their women with child.


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<pb/>And Hazael said, But what is your servant, who is but a dog, that he should do this great thing? And Elisha answered, Jehovah has shown me that you will be king over Syria.


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<pb/>Then he departed from Elisha and came to his master, who said to him, What did Elisha say to you? And he answered, He told me that you would surely recover.


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And it happened on the morrow, that he took the coverlet and dipped it in water and spread it on his face, so that he died. And Hazael reigned instead of him.


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<pb/>And in the fifth year of Joram the son of Ahab King of Israel, Jehoshaphat being then king of Judah, Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah began to reign.


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And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as did the house of Ahab, for he had the daughter of Ahab as a wife. And he did what was evil in the sight of Jehovah.


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However Jehovah would not destroy Judah, for David his servant's sake, as he promised him to give to him a lamp for his sons always.


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Then Joram passed over to Zair and all his chariots with him. And he rose up by night and killed* the Edomites that encompassed him about and the captains of the chariots. And the people fled to their tents.


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<pb/>And the rest of the acts of Joram and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?


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And Joram slept with his fathers and was buried with his fathers in the city of David and Ahaziah his son reigned instead of him.


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<pb/>In the twelfth year of Joram the son of Ahab King of Israel, Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah began to reign.


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Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he began to reign and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Athaliah the daughter of Omri King of Israel.


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And he walked in the way of the house of Ahab and did what was evil in the sight of Jehovah, as did the house of Ahab, for he was the son-in-law of the house of Ahab.


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<pb/>And he went with Joram the son of Ahab to war against Hazael king of Syria at Ramoth-gilead and the Syrians wounded Joram.


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And king Joram returned to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds which the Syrians had given him at Ramah when he fought against Hazael king of Syria. And Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah went down to see Joram the son of Ahab in Jezreel, because he was sick.


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<pb/>And Elisha the prophet called one of the sons of the prophets and said to him, Gird up your loins and take this vial of oil in your hand and go to Ramoth-gilead.


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And when you come there, look out there for Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat the son of Nimshi and go in and make him arise up from among his brothers and carry him to an inner chamber.


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Then take the vial of oil and pour it on his head and say, Jehovah says thus, I have anointed you king over Israel. Then open the door and flee and do not delay.


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And when he came, behold, the captains of the army were sitting. And he said, I have an errand to you, O captain. And Jehu said, To which of us all? And he said, To you, O captain.


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<pb/>And he arose and went into the house. And he poured the oil on his head and said to him, Jehovah says thus, the God of Israel, I have anointed you king over the people of Jehovah, even over Israel.


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<pb/>And you will kill* the house of Ahab your master, that I may avenge the blood of my servants the prophets and the blood of all the servants of Jehovah, at the hand of Jezebel.


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For the whole house of Ahab will perish. And I will cut off from Ahab every one who urinates on the wall   <n>{i.e. a male}</n>   and he who is shut up and he who is left at large in Israel.


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And I will make the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah.


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And the dogs will eat Jezebel in the portion of Jezreel and there will be none to bury her. And he opened the door and fled.


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<pb/>Then Jehu came out to the servants of his lord and one said to him, Is all well? Why did this mad fellow come to you? And he said to them, You* know the man and what his talk was.


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And they said, It is not true; tell us now. And he said, Thus and thus he spoke to me, saying, Jehovah says thus, I have anointed you king over Israel.


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Then they hastened and every man took his garment and put it under him on the top of the stairs and blew the trumpet, saying, Jehu is king.


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<pb/>So Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat the son of Nimshi conspired against Joram. (Now Joram was keeping Ramoth-gilead, he and all Israel, because of Hazael king of Syria.


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But king Joram was returned to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds which the Syrians had given him when he fought with Hazael king of Syria.) And Jehu said, If this be your* mind, then let none escape and go forth out of the city to go to tell it in Jezreel.


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So Jehu rode in a chariot and went to Jezreel, for Joram lay there. And Ahaziah king of Judah came down to see Joram.


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<pb/>Now the watchman was standing on the tower in Jezreel and he spied the company of Jehu as he came and said, I see a company. And Joram said, Take a horseman and send to meet them and let him say, Is it peace?


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So one went on horseback to meet him and said, Thus says the king, Is it peace? And Jehu said, What have you to do with peace? Turn behind me. And the watchman told, saying, The messenger came to them, but he does not come back.


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<pb/>Then he sent out a second on horseback who came to them and said, Thus says the king, Is it peace? And Jehu answered, What have you to do with peace? Turn behind me.


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And the watchman told, saying, He came to them and does not come back. And the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi, for he drives furiously.


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<pb/>And Joram said, Make ready. And they made his chariot ready. And Joram King of Israel and Ahaziah king of Judah went out, each in his chariot and they went out to meet Jehu and found him in the portion of Naboth the Jezreelite.


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And it happened, when Joram saw Jehu, that he said, Is it peace, Jehu? And he answered, What peace, so long as the prostitutions of your mother Jezebel and her witchcrafts are so many?


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And Jehu drew his bow with his full strength and killed* Joram between his arms. And the arrow went out at his heart and he sank down in his chariot.


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<pb/>Then <i>Jehu</i> said to Bidkar his captain, Take up and cast him in the portion of the field of Naboth the Jezreelite. For remember how that, when I and you rode together after Ahab his father, Jehovah laid this burden upon him:


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Surely I have seen yesterday the blood of Naboth and the blood of his sons, says Jehovah and I will requite you in this plot, says Jehovah. Now therefore take and cast him into the plot <i>of ground</i>, according to the word of Jehovah.


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<pb/>But when Ahaziah the king of Judah saw this, he fled by the way of the garden-house. And Jehu followed after him and said, Strike him also in the chariot. <i>And they killed</i>* <i>him</i> at the ascent of Gur, which is by Ibleam. And he fled to Megiddo and died there.


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And his servants carried him in a chariot to Jerusalem and buried him in his sepulcher with his fathers in the city of David.


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(And <i>it was</i> in the eleventh year of Joram the son of Ahab Ahaziah began to reign over Judah.)


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<pb/>And when Jehu came to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it. And she painted her eyes and attired her head and looked out at the window.


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And he lifted up his face to the window and said, Who is on my side? Who? And two or three eunuchs looked out to him.


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And he said, Throw her down. So they threw her down. And some of her blood was sprinkled on the wall and on the horses. And he trampled her under foot.


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<pb/>And when he came in, he ate and drank and he said, Now see to this cursed woman and bury her, for she is a king's daughter.


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And they went to bury her, but they found no more of her than the skull and the feet and the palms of her hands.


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Therefore they came back and told him. And he said, This is the word of Jehovah, which he spoke by his servant Elijah the Tishbite, saying, In the portion of Jezreel will the dogs eat the flesh of Jezebel,


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and the body of Jezebel will be as manure upon the face of the field in the portion of Jezreel, so that they will not say, This is Jezebel.


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<pb/>Now Ahab had seventy sons in Samaria. And Jehu wrote letters and sent to Samaria, to the rulers of Jezreel, even the elders and to those who brought up <i>the sons of</i> Ahab, saying,


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And now as soon as this letter comes to you*, seeing your* master's sons are with you* and there are with you* chariots and horses, also a fortified city and armor,


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look out for the best and fittest of your* master's sons and set him on his father's throne and fight for your* master's house.


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<pb/>But they were exceedingly afraid and said, Behold, the two kings did not stand before him. How then will we stand?


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And he who was over the household and he who was over the city, the elders also and those who brought up <i>the sons</i>, sent to Jehu, saying, We are your servants and will do all that you will bid us. We will not make any man king. Do you what is good in your eyes.


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<pb/>Then he wrote a letter the second time to them, saying, If you* are on my side and if you* will listen to my voice, take the heads of the men your* master's sons and come to me to Jezreel by tomorrow this time. Now the king's sons, being seventy persons, were with the great men of the city who reared them.


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<pb/>And it happened, when the letter came to them, that they took the king's sons and killed them, even seventy persons and put their heads in baskets and sent them to him to Jezreel.


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And a messenger came and told him, saying, They have brought the heads of the king's sons. And he said, Lay you* them in two heaps at the entrance of the gate until the morning.


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<pb/>And it happened in the morning, that he went out and stood and said to all the people, You* are righteous. Behold, I conspired against my master and killed him. But who killed* all these?


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Know now that there will fall to the earth nothing of the word of Jehovah, which Jehovah spoke concerning the house of Ahab, for Jehovah has done what he spoke by his servant Elijah.


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<pb/>So Jehu killed* all who remained of the house of Ahab in Jezreel and all his great men and his familiar friends and his priests, until he left to him none remaining.


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<pb/>And he arose and departed and went to Samaria. And as he was at the shearing-house of the shepherds in the way,


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Jehu met with the brothers of Ahaziah king of Judah and said, Who are you*? And they answered, We are the brothers of Ahaziah and we go down to salute the sons of the king and the sons of the queen.


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And he said, Take them alive. And they took them alive and killed them at the pit of the shearing-house, even forty-two men; neither did he leave any of them.


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<pb/>And when he was departed from there, he came upon on Jehonadab the son of Rechab coming to meet him. And he saluted him and said to him, Is your heart right, as my heart is with your heart? And Jehonadab answered, It is. If it be, give me your hand. And he gave him his hand and he took him up to him into the chariot.


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<pb/>And when he came to Samaria, he killed* all who remained to Ahab in Samaria, till he had destroyed him, according to the word of Jehovah, which he spoke to Elijah.


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<pb/>And Jehu gathered all the people together and said to them, Ahab served Baal a little, but Jehu will serve him much.


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Now therefore call to me all the prophets of Baal, all his worshipers and all his priests. Let none be lacking, for I have a great sacrifice <i>to do</i> to Baal. Whoever will be lacking, he will not live. But Jehu did it in subtlety, to the intent that he might destroy the worshipers of Baal.


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And Jehu sent through all Israel. And all the worshipers of Baal came, so that there was not a man left who did not come. And they came into the house of Baal and the house of Baal was filled from one end to another.


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And he said to him who was over the vestry, Bring forth vestments for all the worshipers of Baal. And he brought out for them vestments.


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<pb/>And Jehu went and Jehonadab the son of Rechab, into the house of Baal. And he said to the worshipers of Baal, Search and look that there is here with you* none of the servants of Jehovah, but the worshipers of Baal only.


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And they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings. <pb/>Now Jehu had appointed for him eighty men outside and said, If any of the men whom I bring into your* hands escape, <i>he who lets him go</i>, his life will be for the life of him.


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<pb/>And it happened, as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, that Jehu said to the guard and to the captains, Go in and kill them; let none come forth. And they killed* them with the edge of the sword. And the guard and the captains cast them out and went to the city of the house of Baal.


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And they broke down the pillar of Baal and broke down the house of Baal and made it an out-house to this day.


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However from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, with which he made Israel to sin, Jehu did not depart from after them, <i>namely</i>, the golden calves that were in Bethel and that were in Dan.


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<pb/>And Jehovah said to Jehu, Because you have done well in executing what is right in my eyes, <i>and</i> have done to the house of Ahab according to all that was in my heart, your sons of the fourth generation will sit on the throne of Israel.


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<pb/>But Jehu did not take heed to walk in the law of Jehovah, the God of Israel, with all his heart. He did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam, with which he made Israel to sin.


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<pb/>In those days Jehovah began to cut off from Israel. And Hazael killed* them in all the borders of Israel,


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from the Jordan eastward, all the land of Gilead, the Gadites and the Reubenites and the Manassites, from Aroer, which is by the valley of the Arnon, even Gilead and Bashan.


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<pb/>Now the rest of the acts of Jehu and all that he did and all his might, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?


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And Jehu slept with his fathers and they buried him in Samaria. And Jehoahaz his son reigned instead of him.


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<pb/>Now when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the royal seed.


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But Jehosheba, the daughter of king Joram, sister of Ahaziah, took Joash the son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the king's sons who were slain, even him and his nurse, <i>and put them</i> in the bedroom. And they hid him from Athaliah, so that he was not slain.


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<pb/>And in the seventh year Jehoiada sent and fetched the captains over hundreds of the Carites and of the guard and brought them to him into the house of Jehovah. And he made a covenant with them and took an oath of them in the house of Jehovah and showed them the king's son.


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<pb/>And he commanded them, saying, This is the thing that you* will do: a third part of you*, who come in on the Sabbath, will be keepers of the watch of the king's house;


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and a third part will be at the gate Sur; and a third part at the gate behind the guard. So will you* keep the watch of the house and be a barrier.


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<pb/>And the two companies of you*, even all who go forth on the Sabbath, will keep the watch of the house of Jehovah around the king.


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And you* will encompass the king all around, every man with his weapons in his hand. And he who comes within the ranks, let him be slain. And be you* with the king when he goes out and when he comes in.


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<pb/>And the captains over hundreds did according to all that Jehoiada the priest commanded. And every man took his men, those who were to come in on the Sabbath, with those who were to go out on the Sabbath and came to Jehoiada the priest.


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And the priest delivered to the captains over hundreds the spears and shields that had been king David's, which were in the house of Jehovah.


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And the guard stood, every man with his weapons in his hand, from the right side of the house to the left side of the house, along by the altar and the house, by the king all around.


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<pb/>Then he brought out the king's son and put the crown upon him and <i>gave him</i> the testimony. And they made him king and anointed him. And they clapped their hands and said, Live, O king.


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<pb/>And when Athaliah heard the noise of the guard <i>and of</i> the people, she came to the people into the house of Jehovah.


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And she looked, and behold, the king stood by the pillar, as the manner was and the captains and the trumpets by the king. And all the people of the land rejoiced and blew trumpets. Then Athaliah tore her clothes and cried, Treason! treason!


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<pb/>And Jehoiada the priest commanded the captains of hundreds who were set over the army and said to them, Have her forth between the ranks and kill with the sword the man who follows her. For the priest said, Let her not be slain in the house of Jehovah.


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So they made way for her. And she went by the way of the horses' entry to the king's house and there was she slain.


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<pb/>And Jehoiada made a covenant between Jehovah and the king and the people, that they should be Jehovah's people; between the king also and the people.


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And all the people of the land went to the house of Baal and broke it down. They broke in pieces his altars and his images thoroughly and killed Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars. And the priest appointed officers over the house of Jehovah.


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<pb/>And he took the captains over hundreds and the Carites and the guard and all the people of the land and they brought down the king from the house of Jehovah and came by the way of the gate of the guard to the king's house. And he sat on the throne of the kings.


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So all the people of the land rejoiced and the city was quiet. And they had slain Athaliah with the sword at the king's house.


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<pb/>Joash began to reign in the seventh year of Jehu. And he reigned forty years in Jerusalem and his mother's name was Zibiah of Beer-sheba.


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And Joash did what was right in the eyes of Jehovah all his days in which Jehoiada the priest instructed him.


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However the high places were not taken away; the people still sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places.


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<pb/>And Joash said to the priests, All the money of the holy things that is brought into the house of Jehovah, in current money, the money of the persons for whom each man is rated and all the money that it comes into any man's heart to bring into the house of Jehovah,


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let the priests take it to them, every man from his acquaintance and they will repair the broken parts of the house wherever any breach will be found.


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<pb/>But it was so, that in the twenty-third year of king Joash the priests had not repaired the broken parts of the house.


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Then king Joash called for Jehoiada the priest and for the <i>other</i> priests and said to them, Why do you* not repair the broken parts of the house? Now therefore take no <i>more</i> money from your* acquaintance, but deliver it for the broken parts of the house.


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And the priests consented that they should take no <i>more</i> money from the people, neither repair the broken parts of the house.


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<pb/>But Jehoiada the priest took a chest and bored a hole in the lid of it and set it beside the altar, on the right side as a man comes into the house of Jehovah. And the priests who kept the threshold put in it all the money that was brought into the house of Jehovah.


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And it was so, when they saw that there was much money in the chest, that the king's scribe and the high priest came up and they put up in bags and counted the money that was found in the house of Jehovah.


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<pb/>And they gave the money that was weighed out into the hands of those who did the work, who had the oversight of the house of Jehovah. And they paid it out to the carpenters and the builders who worked upon the house of Jehovah,


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and to the masons and the hewers of stone and for buying timber and hewn stone to repair the broken parts of the house of Jehovah and for all that was laid out for the house to repair it.


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<pb/>But there were not made for the house of Jehovah cups of silver, snuffers, basins, trumpets, any vessels of gold, or vessels of silver, of the money that was brought into the house of Jehovah,


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<pb/>Moreover they did not reckon with the men into whose hand they delivered the money to give to those who did the work, for they dealt faithfully.


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<pb/>The money for the trespass offerings and the money for the sin offerings, was not brought into the house of Jehovah; it was the priests'.


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<pb/>Then Hazael king of Syria went up and fought against Gath and took it. And Hazael set his face to go up to Jerusalem.


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And Joash king of Judah took all the holy things that Jehoshaphat and Jehoram and Ahaziah, his fathers, kings of Judah, had dedicated and his own holy things and all the gold that was found in the treasures of the house of Jehovah and of the king's house and sent it to Hazael king of Syria. And he went away from Jerusalem.


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<pb/>Now the rest of the acts of Joash and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?


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And his servants arose and made a conspiracy and killed* Joash at the house of Millo, <i>on the way</i> that goes down to Silla.


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For Jozacar the son of Shimeath and Jehozabad the son of Shomer, his servants, killed* him and he died. And they buried him with his fathers in the city of David. And Amaziah his son reigned instead of him.


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<pb/>In the twenty-third year of Joash the son of Ahaziah, king of Judah, Jehoahaz the son of Jehu began to reign over Israel in Samaria, <i>and reigned</i> seventeen years.


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And he did what was evil in the sight of Jehovah and followed the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, with which he made Israel to sin. He did not depart from it.


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And the anger of Jehovah was kindled against Israel and he delivered them into the hand of Hazael king of Syria and into the hand of Ben-hadad the son of Hazael, continually.


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<pb/>And Jehoahaz besought Jehovah and Jehovah listened to him, for he saw the oppression of Israel, how that the king of Syria oppressed them.


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(And Jehovah gave Israel a savior, so that they went out from under the hand of the Syrians and the sons of Israel dwelt in their tents as formerly.


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Nevertheless they did not depart from the sins of the house of Jeroboam, with which he made Israel to sin, but walked in it. And the Asherah also remained in Samaria.)


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For he did not leave to Jehoahaz of the people except fifty horsemen and ten chariots and ten thousand footmen, for the king of Syria destroyed them and made them like the dust in threshing.


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<pb/>Now the rest of the acts of Jehoahaz and all that he did and his might, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?


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And Jehoahaz slept with his fathers and they buried him in Samaria. And Joash his son reigned instead of him.


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<pb/>In the thirty-seventh year of Joash king of Judah, Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz began to reign over Israel in Samaria, <i>and reigned</i> sixteen years.


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And he did what was evil in the sight of Jehovah. He did not depart from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, with which he made Israel to sin, but he walked in it.


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<pb/>Now the rest of the acts of Joash and all that he did and his might with which he fought against Amaziah king of Judah, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?


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And Joash slept with his fathers and Jeroboam sat upon his throne. And Joash was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel.


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<pb/>Now Elisha was fallen sick of his sickness of which he died. And Joash the King of Israel came down to him and wept over him and said, My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and the horsemen of it!


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And he said to the King of Israel, Put your hand upon the bow. And he put his hand <i>upon it</i>. And Elisha laid his hands upon the king's hands.


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And he said, Open the window eastward. And he opened it. Then Elisha said, Shoot. And he shot. And he said, Jehovah's arrow of victory, even the arrow of victory over Syria, for you will kill* the Syrians in Aphek till you have consumed them.


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<pb/>And he said, Take the arrows. And he took them. And he said to the King of Israel, Strike upon the ground. And he killed* three times and stopped.


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And the man of God was angry with him and said, You should have struck five or six times. Then you would have struck Syria till you had consumed it, but now you will kill* Syria but three times.


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<pb/>And Elisha died and they buried him. Now the bands of the Moabites invaded the land at the coming in of the year.


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And it happened, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they spied a band and they cast the man into the sepulcher of Elisha. And as soon as the man touched the bones of Elisha, he revived and stood up on his feet.


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But Jehovah was gracious to them and had compassion on them and had respect to them, because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and would not destroy them, neither did he cast them from his presence as yet.


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And Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz again took out of the hand of Ben-hadad the son of Hazael the cities, which he had taken out of the hand of Jehoahaz his father by war. Three times Joash killed* him and recovered the cities of Israel.


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<pb/>In the second year of Joash son of Joahaz   <n>{Jehoahaz}</n>   King of Israel, Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah began to reign.


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He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jehoaddin of Jerusalem.


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And he did what was right in the eyes of Jehovah, yet not like David his father. He did according to all that Joash his father had done.


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<pb/>And it happened, as soon as the kingdom was established in his hand, that he killed his servants who had slain the king his father,


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but he did not put to death the sons of the murderers, according to what is written in the book of the law of Moses, as Jehovah commanded, saying, The fathers will not be put to death for the sons, nor the sons be put to death for the fathers, but every man will die for his own sin.


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<pb/>He killed ten thousand of Edom in the Valley of Salt and took Sela by war and called the name of it Joktheel, to this day.


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Then Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash, the son of Jehoahaz son of Jehu, King of Israel, saying, Come, let us look each other in the face.


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<pb/>And Jehoash the King of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, The thistle that was in Lebanon sent to the cedar that was in Lebanon, saying, Give your daughter to my son as a wife. And a wild beast that was in Lebanon passed by and trampled the thistle.


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You have indeed struck Edom and your heart has lifted you up. Glory by it and abide at home, for why should you meddle to <i>your</i> hurt, that you should fall, even you and Judah with you?


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<pb/>But Amaziah would not hear. So Jehoash King of Israel went up. And he and Amaziah king of Judah looked each other in the face at Beth-shemesh, which belongs to Judah.


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<pb/>And Jehoash King of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Jehoash the son of Ahaziah, at Beth-shemesh and came to Jerusalem and broke down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim to the corner gate, four hundred cubits.


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And he took all the gold and silver and all the vessels that were found in the house of Jehovah and in the treasures of the king's house, the hostages also and returned to Samaria.


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<pb/>Now the rest of the acts of Jehoash which he did and his might and how he fought with Amaziah king of Judah, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?


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And Jehoash slept with his fathers and was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel. And Jeroboam his son reigned instead of him.


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<pb/>And Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah lived fifteen years after the death of Jehoash son of Jehoahaz King of Israel.


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Now the rest of the acts of Amaziah, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?


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And they made a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem. And he fled to Lachish. But they sent after him to Lachish and killed him there.


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And they brought him upon horses and he was buried at Jerusalem with his fathers in the city of David.


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<pb/>And all the people of Judah took Azariah, who was sixteen years old and made him king in the place of his father Amaziah.


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<pb/>In the fifteenth year of Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah, Jeroboam the son of Joash King of Israel began to reign in Samaria, <i>and reigned</i> forty-one years.


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And he did what was evil in the sight of Jehovah. He did not depart from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, with which he made Israel to sin.


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<pb/>He restored the border of Israel from the entrance of Hamath to the sea of the Arabah, according to the word of Jehovah, the God of Israel, which he spoke by his servant Jonah the son of Amittai, the prophet, who was of Gath-hepher.


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<pb/>For Jehovah saw the affliction of Israel, that it was very bitter, for there was none shut up nor left at large, neither was there any helper for Israel.


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And Jehovah did not say that he would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven, but he saved them by the hand of Jeroboam the son of Joash.


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<pb/>Now the rest of the acts of Jeroboam and all that he did and his might, how he warred and how he recovered Damascus and Hamath, <i>which had belonged</i> to Judah, for Israel, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?


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And Jeroboam slept with his fathers, even with the kings of Israel and Zechariah his son reigned instead of him.


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<pb/>In the twenty-seventh year of Jeroboam King of Israel, Azariah son of Amaziah king of Judah began to reign.


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He was sixteen years old when he began to reign and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jecoliah of Jerusalem.


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And he did what was right in the eyes of Jehovah, according to all that his father Amaziah had done.


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<pb/>And Jehovah killed* the king, so that he was a leper to the day of his death and dwelt in a separate house. And Jotham the king's son was over the household, judging the people of the land.


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<pb/>Now the rest of the acts of Azariah and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?


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And Azariah slept with his fathers and they buried him with his fathers in the city of David. And Jotham his son reigned instead of him.


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<pb/>In the thirty-eighth year of Azariah king of Judah, Zechariah the son of Jeroboam reigned over Israel in Samaria six months.


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And he did what was evil in the sight of Jehovah, as his fathers had done. He did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, with which he made Israel to sin.


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And Shallum the son of Jabesh conspired against him and killed* him before the people and killed him and reigned instead of him.


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<pb/>Now the rest of the acts of Zechariah, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.


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This was the word of Jehovah which he spoke to Jehu, saying, Your sons to the fourth generation will sit upon the throne of Israel. And so it happened.


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<pb/>Shallum the son of Jabesh began to reign in the thirty-ninth year of Uzziah king of Judah and he reigned the space of a month in Samaria.


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And Menahem the son of Gadi went up from Tirzah and came to Samaria and killed* Shallum the son of Jabesh in Samaria and killed him and reigned instead of him.


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<pb/>Now the rest of the acts of Shallum and his conspiracy which he made, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.


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<pb/>Then Menahem killed* Tiphsah and all that were in it and the borders of it, from Tirzah, because they did not open to him, therefore he killed* it. And all the women in it who were with child he ripped up.


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<pb/>In the thirty-ninth year of Azariah king of Judah, Menahem the son of Gadi began to reign over Israel, <i>and reigned</i> ten years in Samaria.


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And he did what was evil in the sight of Jehovah. He did not depart all his days from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, with which he made Israel to sin.


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<pb/>Pul the king of Assyria came against the land. And Menahem gave Pul a thousand talants of silver that his hand might be with him to confirm the kingdom in his hand.


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And Menahem exacted the money from Israel, even of all the mighty men of wealth, of each man fifty shekels of silver, to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria turned back and did not stay there in the land.


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<pb/>Now the rest of the acts of Menahem and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?


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<pb/>In the fiftieth year of Azariah king of Judah, Pekahiah the son of Menahem began to reign over Israel in Samaria, <i>and reigned</i> two years.


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And he did what was evil in the sight of Jehovah. He did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, with which he made Israel to sin.


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And Pekah the son of Remaliah, his captain, conspired against him and killed* him in Samaria, in the castle of the king's house, with Argob and Arieh. And fifty men of the Gileadites with him were there. And he killed him and reigned instead of him.


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<pb/>Now the rest of the acts of Pekahiah and all that he did, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.


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<pb/>In the fifty-second year of Azariah king of Judah, Pekah the son of Remaliah began to reign over Israel in Samaria, <i>and reigned</i> twenty years.


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<pb/>In the days of Pekah King of Israel, Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria came and took Ijon and Abel-beth-maacah and Janoah and Kedesh and Hazor and Gilead and Galilee, all the land of Naphtali. And he carried them captive to Assyria.


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<pb/>And Hoshea the son of Elah made a conspiracy against Pekah the son of Remaliah and killed* him and killed him and reigned instead of him in the twentieth year of Jotham the son of Uzziah.


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<pb/>Now the rest of the acts of Pekah and all that he did, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.


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<pb/>In the second year of Pekah the son of Remaliah King of Israel, Jotham the son of Uzziah king of Judah began to reign.


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He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jericho the daughter of Zadok.


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And he did what was right in the eyes of Jehovah. He did according to all that his father Uzziah had done.


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However the high places were not taken away. The people still sacrificed and burned incense in the high places. He built the upper gate of the house of Jehovah.


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<pb/>Now the rest of the acts of Jotham and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?


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In those days Jehovah began to send Rezin the king of Syria and Pekah the son of Remaliah against Judah.


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And Jotham slept with his fathers and was buried with his fathers in the city of David his father. And Ahaz his son reigned instead of him.


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<pb/>In the seventeenth year of Pekah the son of Remaliah, Ahaz the son of Jotham king of Judah began to reign.


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Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. And he did not do what was right in the eyes of Jehovah his God, like David his father.


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But he walked in the way of the kings of Israel. Yes and made his son to pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the nations whom Jehovah cast out from before the sons of Israel.


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<pb/>Then Rezin king of Syria and Pekah son of Remaliah King of Israel came up to Jerusalem to war and they besieged Ahaz, but could not overcome him.


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At that time Rezin king of Syria recovered Elath to Syria and drove the Jews from Elath. And the Syrians came to Elath and dwelt there to this day.


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<pb/>So Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, saying, I am your servant and your son. Come up and save me out of the hand of the king of Syria and out of the hand of the King of Israel, who rise up against me.


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And Ahaz took the silver and gold that was found in the house of Jehovah and in the treasures of the king's house and sent it for a present to the king of Assyria.


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<pb/>And the king of Assyria listened to him. And the king of Assyria went up against Damascus and took it and carried <i>the people of</i> it captive to Kir and killed Rezin.


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<pb/>And king Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria and saw the altar that was at Damascus. And king Ahaz sent to Urijah the priest the form of the altar and the pattern of it, according to all the workmanship of it.


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And Urijah the priest built an altar. According to all that king Ahaz had sent from Damascus, so Urijah the priest made it until the coming of king Ahaz from Damascus.


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<pb/>And when the king came from Damascus, the king saw the altar. And the king drew near to the altar and offered on it.


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And he burnt his burnt offering and his meal offering and poured his drink offering and sprinkled the blood of his peace offerings, upon the altar.


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And the brazen altar, which was before Jehovah, he brought from the forefront of the house, from between his altar and the house of Jehovah and put it on the north side of his altar.


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<pb/>And king Ahaz commanded Urijah the priest, saying, Upon the great altar burn the morning burnt offering and the evening meal offering and the king's burnt offering and his meal offering, with the burnt offering of all the people of the land and their meal offering and their drink offerings. And sprinkle upon it all the blood of the burnt offering and all the blood of the sacrifice. But the brazen altar will be for me to inquire by.


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<pb/>And king Ahaz cut off the panels of the bases and removed the large-basin from them and took down the sea from the brazen oxen that were under it and put it upon a pavement of stone.


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And the covered place for the Sabbath that they had built in the house and the king's entry outside, he turned from the house of Jehovah, because of the king of Assyria.


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<pb/>Now the rest of the acts of Ahaz which he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?


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And Ahaz slept with his fathers and was buried with his fathers in the city of David. And Hezekiah his son reigned instead of him.


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<pb/>In the twelfth year of Ahaz king of Judah, Hoshea the son of Elah began to reign in Samaria over Israel, <i>and reigned</i> nine years.


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And he did what was evil in the sight of Jehovah, yet not as the kings of Israel who were before him.


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Shalmaneser king of Assyria came up against him. And Hoshea became his servant and brought him tribute.


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<pb/>And the king of Assyria found conspiracy in Hoshea, for he had sent messengers to So King of Egypt and offered no tribute to the king of Assyria, as he had done year by year. Therefore the king of Assyria shut him up and bound him in prison.


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<pb/>Then the king of Assyria came up throughout all the land and went up to Samaria and besieged it three years.


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In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria took Samaria and carried Israel away to Assyria and placed them in Halak and on the Habor, the river of Gozan and in the cities of the Medes.


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<pb/>And it was so, because the sons of Israel had sinned against Jehovah their God who brought them up out of the land of Egypt from under the hand of Pharaoh King of Egypt and had feared other gods,


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and walked in the statutes of the nations, whom Jehovah cast out from before the sons of Israel and of the kings of Israel, which they made.


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<pb/>And the sons of Israel did things secretly that were not right against Jehovah their God. And they built for them high places in all their cities, from the tower of the watchmen to the fortified city.


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And they set up for them pillars and Asherim   <n>{pole-images}</n>  upon every high hill and under every green tree,


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and there they burnt incense in all the high places, as the nations did whom Jehovah carried away before them. And they worked wicked things to provoke Jehovah to anger.


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<pb/>Yet Jehovah testified to Israel and to Judah, by every prophet and every seer, saying, Turn from your* evil ways and keep my commandments and my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your* fathers and which I sent to you* by my servants the prophets.


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Notwithstanding, they would not hear, but stiffened their neck, like the neck of their fathers who did not believe in Jehovah their God.


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<pb/>And they rejected his statutes and his covenant that he made with their fathers and his testimonies which he testified to them. And they followed vanity and became vain and <i>went</i> after the nations that were all around them, concerning whom Jehovah had charged them that they should not do like them.


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<pb/>And they forsook all the commandments of Jehovah their God and made for them molten images, even two calves and made an Asherah and worshiped all the host of heaven and served Baal.


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<pb/>And they caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire and used divination and enchantments and sold themselves to do what was evil in the sight of Jehovah to provoke him to anger.


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<pb/>Therefore Jehovah was very angry with Israel and removed them out of his sight. There was none left but only the tribe of Judah.


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<pb/>Also Judah did not keep the commandments of Jehovah their God, but walked in the statutes of Israel which they made.


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And Jehovah rejected all the seed of Israel and afflicted them and delivered them into the hand of spoilers, until he had cast them out of his sight.


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For he tore Israel from the house of David. And they made Jeroboam the son of Nebat king. <pb/>And Jeroboam drove Israel from following Jehovah and made them sin a great sin.


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<pb/>And the sons of Israel walked in all the sins of Jeroboam which he did. They did not depart from them


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until Jehovah removed Israel out of his sight, as he spoke by all his servants the prophets. So Israel was carried away out of their own land to Assyria to this day.


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<pb/>And the king of Assyria brought men from Babylon and from Cuthah and from Avva and from Hamath and Sepharvaim and placed them in the cities of Samaria instead of the sons of Israel. And they possessed Samaria and dwelt in the cities of it.


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<pb/>And so it was, at the beginning of their dwelling there, that they were not afraid of Jehovah. Therefore Jehovah sent lions among them, which killed some of them.


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Therefore they spoke to the king of Assyria, saying, The nations which you have carried away and placed in the cities of Samaria do not know the law of the god of the land. Therefore he has sent lions among them, and behold, they kill them, because they do not know the law of the god of the land.


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<pb/>Then the king of Assyria commanded, saying, Carry there one of the priests whom you* brought from there and let them go and dwell there. And let him teach them the law of the god of the land.


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So one of the priests whom they had carried away from Samaria came and dwelt in Bethel and taught them how they should fear Jehovah.


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<pb/>However every nation made gods of their own and put them in the houses of the high places which the Samaritans had made, every nation in their cities in which they dwelt.


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And the men of Babylon made Succoth-benoth and the men of Cuth made Nergal and the men of Hamath made Ashima,


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and the Avites made Nibhaz and Tartak. And the Sepharvites burnt their sons in the fire to Adrammelech and Anammelech, the gods of Sepharvaim.


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<pb/>So they were afraid of Jehovah and made for them priests of the high places from among themselves, who sacrificed for them in the houses of the high places.


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They were afraid of Jehovah and served their own gods, after the manner of the nations from among whom they had been carried away.


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<pb/>To this day they do after the former manner. They do not fear Jehovah, neither do they after their statutes, or after their ordinances, or after the law or after the commandment which Jehovah commanded the sons of Jacob, whom he named Israel,


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with whom Jehovah had made a covenant and charged them, saying, You* will not fear other gods, nor bow yourselves to them, nor serve them, nor sacrifice to them.


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But Jehovah, who brought you* up out of the land of Egypt with great power and with an outstretched arm, him you* will fear and to him you* will bow yourselves and to him you* will sacrifice.


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<pb/>And the statutes and the ordinances and the law and the commandment, which he wrote for you*, you* will observe to do forever. And you* will not fear other gods.


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And the covenant that I have made with you*. You* will not forget. Neither will you* fear other gods,


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So these nations were afraid of Jehovah and served their graven images, their sons likewise and their son's sons, as did their fathers, so do they to this day.


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<pb/>Now it happened in the third year of Hoshea son of Elah King of Israel, that Hezekiah the son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign.


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He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Abi the daughter of Zechariah.


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<pb/>And he did what was right in the eyes of Jehovah, according to all that David his father had done.


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He removed the high places and broke the pillars and cut down the Asherah and he broke in pieces the brazen serpent that Moses had made. For to those days the sons of Israel burned incense to it and he called it Nehushtan.


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<pb/>He trusted in Jehovah, the God of Israel, so that there was none like him among all the kings of Judah after him, nor <i>among those</i> who were before him.


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For he clung to Jehovah. He did not depart from following him, but kept his commandments, which Jehovah commanded Moses.


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<pb/>And Jehovah was with him. Wherever he went forth he prospered. And he rebelled against the king of Assyria and did not serve him.


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He killed* the Philistines to Gaza and the borders of it, from the tower of the watchmen to the fortified city.


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<pb/>And it happened in the fourth year of king Hezekiah, which was the seventh year of Hoshea son of Elah King of Israel, that Shalmaneser king of Assyria came up against Samaria and besieged it.


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And at the end of three years they took it. Samaria was taken in the sixth year of Hezekiah, which was the ninth year of Hoshea King of Israel.


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<pb/>And the king of Assyria carried Israel away to Assyria and put them in Halak and on the Habor, the river of Gozan and in the cities of the Medes,


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because they did not obey the voice of Jehovah their God, but transgressed his covenant, even all that Moses the servant of Jehovah commanded and would not hear it, nor do it.


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<pb/>Now in the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah, Sennacherib king of Assyria came up against all the fortified cities of Judah and took them.


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And Hezekiah king of Judah sent to the king of Assyria to Lachish, saying, I have offended. Return from me. What you put on me I will bear. And the king of Assyria appointed to Hezekiah king of Judah three hundred talants of silver and thirty talants of gold.


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And Hezekiah gave <i>him</i> all the silver that was found in the house of Jehovah and in the treasures of the king's house.


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At that time Hezekiah cut off <i>the gold from</i> the doors of the temple of Jehovah and <i>from</i> the pillars which Hezekiah king of Judah had overlaid and gave it to the king of Assyria.


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<pb/>And the king of Assyria sent Tartan and Rab-saris and Rabshakeh   <n>{chief cupbearer}</n>   from Lachish to king Hezekiah with a great army to Jerusalem. And they went up and came to Jerusalem. And when they came up, they came and stood by the conduit of the upper pool, which is on the highway of the launder's field.


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And when they had called to the king, there came out to them Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, who was over the household and Shebnah the scribe and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder.


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<pb/>And Rabshakeh said to them, Say you* now to Hezekiah, Thus says the great king, the king of Assyria, What confidence is this in which you trust?


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You say (but they are but vain words), <i>There is</i> counsel and strength for the war. Now on whom do you trust that you have rebelled against me?


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Now, behold, you trust upon the staff of this bruised reed, even upon Egypt, on which if a man leans it will go into his hand and pierce it. So is Pharaoh King of Egypt to all who trust on him.


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<pb/>But if you* say to me, We trust in Jehovah our God, is that not he whose high places and whose altars Hezekiah has taken away and has said to Judah and to Jerusalem, You* will worship before this altar in Jerusalem?


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<pb/>Now therefore, I beseech you, give pledges to my master the king of Assyria and I will give you two thousand horses, if you are able on your part to set riders upon them.


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How then can you turn away the face of one captain of the least of my master's servants and put your trust on Egypt for chariots and for horsemen?


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Have I now come up without Jehovah against this place to destroy it? Jehovah said to me, Go up against this land and destroy it.


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<pb/>Then Eliakim the son of Hilkiah and Shebnah and Joah, said to Rabshakeh, I beseech you, speak to your servants in the Syrian language, for we understand it. And do not speak with us in the Jews' language, in the ears of the people who are on the wall.


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But Rabshakeh said to them, Has my master sent me to your master and to you, to speak these words? <i>Has he not sent me</i> to the men who sit on the wall, to eat their own manure and to drink their own urine with you*?


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<pb/>Then Rabshakeh stood and cried with a loud voice in the Jews' language and spoke, saying, Hear the word of the great king, the king of Assyria.


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Thus says the king, Do not let Hezekiah deceive you*, for he will not be able to deliver you* out of his hand.


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Neither let Hezekiah make you* trust in Jehovah, saying, Jehovah will surely deliver us and this city will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.


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<pb/>Do not listen to Hezekiah. For thus says the king of Assyria, Make your* peace with me and come out to me. And eat you* every man of his vine and every man of his fig tree and drink you* every man the waters of his own cistern,


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until I come and take away to a land like your* own land, a land of grain and new wine, a land of bread and vineyards, a land of olive trees and of honey, that you* may live and not die. And do not listen to Hezekiah when he persuades you*, saying, Jehovah will deliver us.


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<pb/>Have any of the gods of the nations ever delivered his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria?


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Where are the gods of Hamath and of Arpad? Where are the gods of Sepharvaim, of Hena and Ivvah? Have they delivered Samaria out of my hand?


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Who are they among all the gods of the countries that have delivered their country out of my hand, that Jehovah should deliver Jerusalem out of my hand?


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<pb/>But the people were silent and did not answer him a word, for the king's commandment was, saying, Do not answer him.


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Then Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, who was over the household and Shebna the scribe and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder, came to Hezekiah with their clothes torn and told him the words of Rabshakeh.


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<pb/>And it happened, when king Hezekiah heard it, that he tore his clothes and covered himself with sackcloth and went into the house of Jehovah.


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And he sent Eliakim, who was over the household and Shebna the scribe and the elders of the priests (covered with sackcloth) to Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz.


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<pb/>And they said to him, Thus says Hezekiah, This day is a day of trouble and of rebuke and of blasphemy, for the sons have come to the birth and there is no strength to bring forth.


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It may be that Jehovah your God will hear all the words of Rabshakeh whom the king of Assyria his master has sent to defy the living God and will rebuke the words which Jehovah your God has heard. Therefore lift up your prayer for the remnant that is left.


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<pb/>And Isaiah said to them, Thus you* will say to your* master, Jehovah says thus, Do not be afraid of the words that you have heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed me.


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Behold, I will put a spirit in him and he will hear news and will return to his own land. And I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land.


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<pb/>So Rabshakeh returned and found the king of Assyria warring against Libnah, for he had heard that he was departed from Lachish.


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<pb/>And when he heard say of Tirhakah king of Ethiopia, Behold, he comes out to fight against you, he sent messengers again to Hezekiah, saying,


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Thus will you* speak to Hezekiah king of Judah, saying, Do not let your God in whom you trust deceive you, saying, Jerusalem will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.


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Behold, you have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all lands, by destroying them utterly. And will you be delivered?


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<pb/>Have the gods of the nations delivered them, which my fathers have destroyed, Gozan and Haran and Rezeph and the sons of Eden that were in Telassar?


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Where is the king of Hamath and the king of Arpad and the king of the city of Sepharvaim, of Hena and Ivvah?


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<pb/>And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers and read it. And Hezekiah went up to the house of Jehovah and spread it before Jehovah.


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And Hezekiah prayed before Jehovah and said, O Jehovah, the God of Israel, who sits <i>above</i> the cherubim, you are the God, even you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth.


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Incline your ear, O Jehovah and hear. Open your eyes, O Jehovah and see. And hear the words of Sennacherib, with which he has sent for him to defy the living God.


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and have cast their gods into the fire, for they were no gods, but the work of men's hands, wood and stone. Therefore they have destroyed them.


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Now therefore, O Jehovah our God, I beseech you, save us out of his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you Jehovah are God alone.


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<pb/>Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying, Jehovah says thus, the God of Israel, You have prayed to me against Sennacherib king of Assyria, I have heard.


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This is the word that Jehovah has spoken concerning him: The virgin daughter of Zion has despised you and laughed you to scorn. The daughter of Jerusalem has shaken her head at you.


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Whom have you defied and blasphemed? And against whom have you exalted your voice and lifted up your eyes on high? <i>Even</i> against the Holy One of Israel.


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<pb/>By your messengers you have defied the Lord and have said, With the multitude of my chariots I have come up to the height of the mountains, to the innermost parts of Lebanon. And I will cut down the tall cedars of it and the choice fir trees of it. And I will enter into his farthest lodging-place, the forest of his fruitful field.


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I have dug and drunk strange waters and with the sole of my feet I will dry up all the rivers of Egypt.


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<pb/>Have you not heard how I have done it from afar and formed it of times long-ago? Now I have made it occur, that you should be to lay waste fortified cities into ruinous heaps.


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Therefore their inhabitants were of small power, they were dismayed and confounded. They were as the grass of the field and as the green herb, as the grass on the housetops and as grain blasted before it is grown up.


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Because of your raging against me and because your arrogance has come up into my ears, therefore I will put my hook in your nose and my bridle in your lips and I will turn you back by the way by which you came.


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<pb/>And this will be the sign to you: You* will eat this year what grows of itself and in the second year what springs of the same. And in the third year sow you* and reap and plant vineyards and eat the fruit of it.


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And the remnant that has escaped from the house of Judah will again take root downward and bear fruit upward.


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For out of Jerusalem will go forth a remnant and out of Mount Zion those who will escape. The zeal of Jehovah will perform this.


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<pb/>Therefore Jehovah says thus concerning the king of Assyria, He will not come to this city, nor shoot an arrow there, neither will he come before it with shield, nor cast up a mound against it.


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By the way that he came, by the same will he return and he will not come to this city, says Jehovah.


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<pb/>And it happened that night, that the messenger of Jehovah went forth and killed* in the camp of the Assyrians a hundred eighty-five thousand. And when men arose early in the morning, behold, these were all dead bodies.


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And it happened, as he was worshiping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer killed* him with the sword and they escaped into the land of Ararat. And Esarhaddon his son reigned instead of him.


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<pb/>In those days Hezekiah was sick to death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him and said to him, Jehovah says thus, Set your house in order, for you will die and not live.


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Remember now, O Jehovah, I beseech you, how I have walked before you in truth and with a perfect heart and have done what is good in your sight. And Hezekiah wept greatly.


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<pb/>And it happened, before Isaiah had gone out into the middle part of the city, that the word of Jehovah came to him, saying,


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Turn back and say to Hezekiah the prince of my people, Jehovah says thus, the God of David your father, I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you. On the third day you will go up to the house of Jehovah.


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<pb/>And I will add to your days fifteen years. And I will deliver you and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria. And I will defend this city for my own sake and for my servant David's sake.


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<pb/>And Hezekiah said to Isaiah, What will be the sign that Jehovah will heal me and that I will go up to the house of Jehovah the third day?


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And Isaiah said, This will be the sign to you from Jehovah, that Jehovah will do the thing that he has spoken: Shall the shadow go forward ten steps, or go back ten steps?


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And Hezekiah answered, It is a light thing for the shadow to go forward ten steps. No, but let the shadow return backward ten steps.


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And Isaiah the prophet cried to Jehovah and he brought the shadow ten steps backward, by which it had gone down on the dial of Ahaz.


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<pb/>At that time Berodach-baladan the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah, for he had heard that Hezekiah had been sick.


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And Hezekiah listened to them and showed them all the house of his precious things, the silver and the gold and the spices and the precious oil and the house of his armor and all that was found in his treasures. There was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah did not show them.


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<pb/>Then Isaiah the prophet came to king Hezekiah and said to him, What did these men say and from where did they come to you? And Hezekiah said, They have come from a far country, even from Babylon.


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And he said, What have they seen in your house? And Hezekiah answered, They have seen all that is in my house. There is nothing among my treasures that I have not shown them.


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Behold, the days come that all that is in your house and what your fathers have laid up in store to this day, will be carried to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says Jehovah.


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And of your sons who will go forth from you, whom you will beget, they will take away. And they will be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.


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<pb/>Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, The word of Jehovah which you have spoken is good. He said moreover, Is it not so, if peace and truth will be in my days?


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<pb/>Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah and all his might and how he made the pool and the conduit and brought water into the city, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?


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<pb/>Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hephzibah.


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And he did what was evil in the sight of Jehovah, according to the abominations of the nations whom Jehovah cast out before the sons of Israel.


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<pb/>For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed. And he reared up altars for Baal and made an Asherah, as did Ahab King of Israel and worshiped all the host of heaven and served them.


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And he built altars in the house of Jehovah, of which Jehovah said, In Jerusalem I will put my name.


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<pb/>And he made his son to pass through the fire and practiced soothsaying and used enchantments and dealt with psychics and with sorcery. He worked much evil in the sight of Jehovah to provoke him to anger.


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<pb/>And he set the graven image of Asherah, that he had made, in the house of which Jehovah said to David and to Solomon his son, In this house and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, I will put my name forever.


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Neither will I cause the feet of Israel to wander any more out of the land which I gave their fathers, if only they will observe to do according to all that I have commanded them and according to all the law that my servant Moses commanded them.


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<pb/>But they did not listen. And Manasseh made them go-astray to do what is evil more than did the nations whom Jehovah destroyed before the sons of Israel.


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Because Manasseh king of Judah has done these abominations and has done wickedly above all that the Amorites did who were before him and has made Judah also to sin with his idols,


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therefore Jehovah says thus, the God of Israel, Behold, I bring such evil upon Jerusalem and Judah, that whoever hears of it, both his ears will tingle.


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<pb/>And I will stretch over Jerusalem the line of Samaria and the plummet of the house of Ahab. And I will wipe Jerusalem as a man wipes a dish, wiping it and turning it upside down.


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<pb/>And I will cast off the remnant of my inheritance and deliver them into the hand of their enemies. And they will become a prey and a spoil to all their enemies,


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because they have done what is evil in my sight and have provoked me to anger, since the day their fathers came forth out of Egypt even to this day.


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<pb/>Moreover Manasseh shed very much innocent blood till he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another, besides his sin with which he made Judah to sin in doing what was evil in the sight of Jehovah.


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<pb/>Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh and all that he did and his sin that he sinned, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?


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And Manasseh slept with his fathers and was buried in the garden of his own house, in the garden of Uzza and Amon his son reigned instead of him.


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<pb/>Amon was twenty-two years old when he began to reign and he reigned two years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Meshullemeth the daughter of Haruz of Jotbah.


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And he walked in all the way that his father walked in and served the idols that his father served and worshiped them.


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But the people of the land killed all those who had conspired against king Amon. And the people of the land made Josiah his son king instead of him.


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<pb/>Now the rest of the acts of Amon which he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?


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<pb/>Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jedidah the daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath.


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And he did what was right in the eyes of Jehovah and walked in all the way of David his father and did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.


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<pb/>And it happened, in the eighteenth year of king Josiah, that the king sent Shaphan, the son of Azaliah the son of Meshullam, the scribe, to the house of Jehovah, saying,


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Go up to Hilkiah the high priest that he may sum the money which is brought into the house of Jehovah, which the keepers of the threshold have gathered of the people.


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And let them deliver it into the hand of the workmen who have the oversight of the house of Jehovah. And let them give it to the workmen who are in the house of Jehovah, to repair the broken parts of the house,


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to the carpenters and to the builders and to the masons and for buying timber and hewn stone to repair the house.


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<pb/>However there was no reckoning made with them of the money that was delivered into their hand, for they dealt faithfully.


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<pb/>And Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of Jehovah. And Hilkiah delivered the book to Shaphan and he read it.


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And Shaphan the scribe came to the king and brought the king word again and said, Your servants have emptied out the money that was found in the house and have delivered it into the hand of the workmen who have the oversight of the house of Jehovah.


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<pb/>And Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest has delivered to me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king.


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And it happened, when the king had heard the words of the book of the law, that he tore his clothes.


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<pb/>And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest and Ahikam the son of Shaphan and Achbor the son of Micaiah and Shaphan the scribe and Asaiah the king's servant, saying,


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Go you*, inquire of Jehovah for me and for the people and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found, for great is the wrath of Jehovah that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not listened to the words of this book to do according to all what is written concerning us.


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<pb/>So Hilkiah the priest and Ahikam and Achbor and Shaphan and Asaiah, went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the second quarter) and they spoke with her.


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<pb/>And she said to them, Jehovah says thus, the God of Israel: Tell you* the man who sent you* to me,


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Jehovah says thus, Behold, I will bring evil upon this place and upon the inhabitants of it, even all the words of the book which the king of Judah has read.


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Because they have forsaken me and have burned incense to other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the work of their hands, therefore my wrath will be kindled against this place and it will not be quenched.


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<pb/>But to the king of Judah, who sent you* to inquire of Jehovah, thus you* will say to him, Jehovah says thus, the God of Israel: As concerning the words which you have heard,


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because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before Jehovah when you heard what I spoke against this place and against the inhabitants of it, that they should become a desolation and a curse and have torn your clothes and wept before me, I also have heard you, says Jehovah.


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<pb/>Therefore, behold, I will gather you to your fathers and you will be gathered to your grave in peace, neither will your eyes see all the evil which I will bring upon this place. And they brought the king word again.


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And the king went up to the house of Jehovah and all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with him and the priests and the prophets and all the people, both small and great. And he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant which was found in the house of Jehovah.


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<pb/>And the king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before Jehovah to walk after Jehovah and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes, with all <i>his</i> heart and all <i>his</i> soul, to confirm the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people stood to the covenant.


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<pb/>And the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest and the priests of the second order and the keepers of the threshold, to bring forth out of the temple of Jehovah all the vessels that were made for Baal and for the Asherah and for all the host of heaven and he burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron and carried the ashes of them to Bethel.


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<pb/>And he put down the idolatrous priests, whom the kings of Judah had given to burn incense in the high places in the cities of Judah and in the places all around Jerusalem; those also who burned incense to Baal, to the sun and to the moon and to the planets and to all the host of heaven.


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<pb/>And he brought out the Asherah from the house of Jehovah, outside Jerusalem, to the brook Kidron and burned it at the brook Kidron and beat it to dust and cast the dust of it upon the graves of the common people.


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And he broke down the houses of the sodomites that were in the house of Jehovah where the women wove hangings for the Asherah.


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<pb/>And he brought all the priests out of the cities of Judah and defiled the high places where the priests had burned incense, from Geba to Beer-sheba. And he broke down the high places of the gates that were at the entrance of the gate of Joshua the governor of the city, which were on a man's left hand at the gate of the city.


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Nevertheless the priests of the high places did not come up to the altar of Jehovah in Jerusalem, but they ate unleavened bread among their brothers.


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<pb/>And he defiled Topheth, which is in the valley of the sons of Hinnom, that no man might make his son or his daughter to pass through the fire to Molech.


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<pb/>And he took away the horses that the kings of Judah had given to the sun, at the entrance of the house of Jehovah, by the chamber of Nathan-melech the official, which was in the suburbs. And he burned the chariots of the sun with fire.


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<pb/>And the altars that were on the roof of the upper chamber of Ahaz, which the kings of Judah had made and the altars which Manasseh had made in the two courts of the house of Jehovah, the king broke down and beat <i>them</i> down from there and cast the dust of them into the brook Kidron.


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<pb/>And the king defiled the high places that were before Jerusalem, which were on the right hand of the mountain of corruption, which Solomon the King of Israel had built for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Sidonians and for Chemosh the abomination of Moab and for Milcom the abomination of the sons of Ammon.


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And he broke in pieces the pillars and cut down the Asherim   <n>{pole-images}</n>  and filled their places with the bones of men.


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<pb/>Moreover the altar that was at Bethel and the high place which Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, had made, even that altar and the high place he broke down. And he burned the high place and beat it to dust and burned the Asherah.


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<pb/>And as Josiah turned himself, he noticed the sepulchers that were there in the mountain. And he sent and took the bones out of the sepulchers and burned them upon the altar and defiled it, according to the word of Jehovah which the man of God proclaimed, who proclaimed these things.


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<pb/>Then he said, What monument is what I see? And the men of the city told him, It is the sepulcher of the man of God who came from Judah and proclaimed these things that you have done against the altar of Bethel.


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And he said, Let him be; let no man move his bones. So they let his bones alone, with the bones of the prophet who came out of Samaria.


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<pb/>And Josiah also took away all the houses of the high places that were in the cities of Samaria, which the kings of Israel had made to provoke <i>Jehovah</i> to anger. And he did to them according to all the acts that he had done in Bethel.


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And he killed all the priests of the high places that were there, upon the altars and burned men's bones upon them. And he returned to Jerusalem.


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<pb/>And the king commanded all the people, saying, Keep the Passover to Jehovah your* God, as it is written in this book of the covenant.


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Surely such a Passover was not kept from the days of the judges who judged Israel, nor in all the days of the kings of Israel, nor of the kings of Judah.


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<pb/>Moreover Josiah put away the psychics and the wizards and the household-idol and the idols and all the abominations that were seen in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, that he might perform the words of the law which were written in the book that Hilkiah the priest found in the house of Jehovah.


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<pb/>And there was no king before him like him, who turned to Jehovah with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; neither arose any like him after him.


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<pb/>Notwithstanding, Jehovah did not turn from the fierceness of his great wrath, with which his anger was kindled against Judah, because of all the provocations with which Manasseh had provoked him.


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And Jehovah said, I will remove Judah also out of my sight as I have removed Israel and I will cast off this city which I have chosen, even Jerusalem and the house of which I said, My name will be there.


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<pb/>Now the rest of the acts of Josiah and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?


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In his days Pharaoh Neco   <n>{Nechoh, Necho}</n>   King of Egypt went up against the king of Assyria to the river Euphrates and king Josiah went against him. And <i>Pharaoh Neco</i> killed him at Megiddo when he had seen him.


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And his servants carried him in a chariot dead from Megiddo and brought him to Jerusalem and buried him in his own sepulcher. And the people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah and anointed him and made him king in his father's stead.


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<pb/>Jehoahaz was twenty-three years old when he began to reign and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hamutal the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah.


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And Pharaoh Neco put him in bonds at Riblah in the land of Hamath, that he might not reign in Jerusalem. And he put the land to a tribute of a hundred talants of silver and a talant of gold.


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<pb/>And Pharaoh Neco made Eliakim the son of Josiah king in the place of Josiah his father and changed his name to Jehoiakim. But he took Jehoahaz away and he came to Egypt and died there.


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<pb/>And Jehoiakim gave the silver and the gold to Pharaoh, but he taxed the land to give the money according to the commandment of Pharaoh. He exacted the silver and the gold from the people of the land, of every one according to his taxation, to give it to Pharaoh Neco.


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<pb/>Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he began to reign and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Zebidah the daughter of Pedaiah of Rumah.


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<pb/>In his days Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up and Jehoiakim became his servant three years. Then he turned and rebelled against him.


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And Jehovah sent against him bands of the Chaldeans and bands of the Syrians and bands of the Moabites and bands of the sons of Ammon and sent them against Judah to destroy it, according to the word of Jehovah, which he spoke by his servants the prophets.


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<pb/>Surely at the commandment of Jehovah this came upon Judah, to remove them out of his sight, for the sins of Manasseh, according to all that he did,


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and also for the innocent blood that he shed, for he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood and Jehovah would not pardon.


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<pb/>Now the rest of the acts of Jehoiakim and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?


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And the King of Egypt did not come again any more out of his land, for the king of Babylon had taken, from the brook of Egypt to the river Euphrates, all that pertained to the King of Egypt.


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<pb/>Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he began to reign and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. And his mother's name was Nehushta the daughter of Elnathan of Jerusalem.


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<pb/>At that time the servants of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up to Jerusalem and the city was besieged.


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And Jehoiachin the king of Judah went out to the king of Babylon, he and his mother and his servants and his princes and his officers. And the king of Babylon took him in the eighth year of his reign.


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<pb/>And he carried out from there all the treasures of the house of Jehovah and the treasures of the king's house and cut in pieces all the vessels of gold, which Solomon King of Israel had made in the temple of Jehovah, as Jehovah had said.


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And he carried away all Jerusalem and all the rulers and all the mighty men of valor, even ten thousand captives and all the craftsmen and the blacksmiths. None remained except the poorest sort of the people of the land.


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<pb/>And he carried away Jehoiachin to Babylon. And the king's mother and the king's wives and his officers and the chief men of the land, he carried into captivity from Jerusalem to Babylon.


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And all the men of might, even seven thousand and the craftsmen and the blacksmiths a thousand, all of them strong and able for war, even them the king of Babylon brought captive to Babylon.


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<pb/>And the king of Babylon made Mattaniah, <i>Jehoiachin's</i> father's brother, king is his stead and changed his name to Zedekiah.


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Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he began to reign and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hamutal the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah.


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For it happened in Jerusalem and Judah through the anger of Jehovah, until he had cast them out from his presence. And Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.


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<pb/>And it happened in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, in the tenth day of the month, that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came, he and all his army, against Jerusalem and encamped against it. And they built forts against it all around.


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On the ninth day of the <i>fourth</i> month the famine was severe in the city, so that there was no bread for the people of the land.


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<pb/>Then a breach was made in the city and all the men of war <i>fled</i> by night by the way of the gate between the two walls, which was by the king's garden (now the Chaldeans were against the city all around ) and <i>the king</i> went by the way of the Arabah.


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But the army of the Chaldeans pursued after the king and overtook him in the plains of Jericho. And all his army was scattered from him.


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<pb/>Then they took the king and carried him up to the king of Babylon to Riblah. And they gave judgment upon him.


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And they killed the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes and put out the eyes of Zedekiah and bound him in fetters and carried him to Babylon.


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<pb/>Now in the fifth month, on the seventh day of the month, which was the nineteenth year of king Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard, a servant of the king of Babylon, came to Jerusalem.


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And he burnt the house of Jehovah and the king's house. And all the houses of Jerusalem, even every great house, he burnt with fire.


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And all the army of the Chaldeans, that were <i>with</i> the captain of the guard, broke down the walls of Jerusalem all around.


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<pb/>And the remnant of the people that were left in the city and those that fell away, that fell to the king of Babylon and the remnant of the multitude, Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive.


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<pb/>And the pillars of brass that were in the house of Jehovah and the bases and the brazen sea that were in the house of Jehovah, the Chaldeans broke in pieces and carried the brass of them to Babylon.


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And they took away the pots and the shovels and the snuffers and the spoons and all the vessels of brass with which they ministered.


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And the captain of the guard took away the censors and the basins, what was from gold, in gold and what was from silver, in silver.


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<pb/>The two pillars, the one sea and the bases, which Solomon had made for the house of Jehovah, the brass of all these vessels was without weight.


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The height of the one pillar was eighteen cubits and a capital of brass was upon it. And the height of the capital was three cubits, with lattice-work and pomegranates upon the capital all around, all of brass. And the second pillar had like these with lattice-work.


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<pb/>And the captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest and Zephaniah the second priest and the three keepers of the threshold.


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And he took an officer out of the city who was set over the men of war; and five men of those who saw the king's face, who were found in the city; and the scribe, the captain of the army, who mustered the people of the land; and sixty men of the people of the land who were found in the city.


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<pb/>And Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard took them and brought them to the king of Babylon to Riblah.


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And the king of Babylon killed* them and put them to death at Riblah in the land of Hamath. So Judah was carried away captive out of his land.


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<pb/>And as for the people who were left in the land of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had left, he made Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, governor over them.


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<pb/>Now when all the captains of the forces, they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah governor, they came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, even Ishmael the son of Nethaniah and Johanan the son of Kareah and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite and Jaazaniah the son of the Maacathite, they and their men.


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<pb/>And Gedaliah swore to them and to their men and said to them, Do not fear because of the servants of the Chaldeans. Dwell in the land and serve the king of Babylon and it will be well with you*.


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<pb/>But it happened in the seventh month, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, the son of Elishama, of the royal seed, came and ten men with him and killed* Gedaliah, so that he died and the Jews and the Chaldeans who were with him at Mizpah.


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And all the people, both small and great and the captains of the forces, arose and came to Egypt, for they were afraid of the Chaldeans.


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<pb/>And it happened in the thirty-seventh year of the captivity of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month, that Evil-merodach king of Babylon, in the year that he began to reign, lifted up the head of Jehoiachin king of Judah out of prison.


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<pb/>And he spoke kindly to him and set his throne above the throne of the kings that were with him in Babylon,


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and changed his prison garments. And <i>Jehoiachin</i> ate bread before him continually all the days of his life,


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and for his allowance. There was a continual allowance given him from the king, every day a portion, all the days of his life.


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And the sons of Cush: Seba and Havilah and Sabta and Raama   <n>{Raamah}</n>   and Sabteca. And the sons of Raamah: Sheba and Dedan.


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<pb/>The sons of Shem: Elam and Asshur and Arpachshad and Lud and Aram and Uz and Hul and Gether and Meshech.


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And to Eber were born two sons. The name of the one was Peleg, for in his days the earth was divided. And his brother's name was Joktan.


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<pb/>These are their genealogy: the firstborn of Ishmael, Nebaioth, then Kedar and Adbeel and Mibsam,


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<pb/>And the sons of Keturah, Abraham's concubine: she bore Zimran and Jokshan and Medan and Midian and Ishbak and Shuah. And the sons of Jokshan: Sheba and Dedan.


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And the sons of Midian: Ephah and Epher and Hanoch and Abida and Eldaah. All these were the sons of Keturah.


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The sons of Shobal: Alian and Manahath and Ebal, Shephi and Onam. And the sons of Zibeon: Aiah and Anah.


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<pb/>Now these are the kings that reigned in the land of Edom before any king reigned over the sons of Israel: Bela the son of Beor. And the name of his city was Dinhabah.


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And Baal-hanan died and Hadad reigned instead of him. And the name of his city was Pai and his wife's name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Me-zahab.


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<pb/>The sons of Judah: Er and Onan and Shelah, which three were born to him of Shua's daughter the Canaanites. And Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the sight of Jehovah and he killed him.


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<pb/>And the sons of Carmi: Achar   <n>{Achan}</n>, the troubler of Israel who committed a trespass in the devoted thing.


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And their sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. And the sons of Zeruiah: Abishai and Joab and Asahel, three.


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<pb/>And Caleb the son of Hezron fathered <i>sons of Azubah his</i> wife and of Jerioth. And these were her sons: Jesher and Shobab and Ardon.


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<pb/>And afterward Hezron went in to the daughter of Machir the father of Gilead, whom he took <i>a wife</i> when he was sixty years old and she bore for him Segub.


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And Geshur and Aram took the towns of Jair from them, with Kenath and the villages of it, even sixty cities. All these were the sons of Machir the father of Gilead.


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And after that Hezron was dead in Caleb-ephrathah, then Abijah, Hezron's wife bore for him Ashhur the father of Tekoa.


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<pb/>And the sons of Jerahmeel the firstborn of Hezron were Ram the firstborn and Bunah and Oren and Ozem, Ahijah.


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<pb/>Now Sheshan had no sons, but daughters. And Sheshan had a servant, an Egyptian, whose name was Jarha.


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<pb/>And the sons of Caleb the brother of Jerahmeel were Mesha his firstborn, who was the father of Ziph and the sons of Mareshah the father of Hebron.


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She also bore Shaaph the father of Madmannah, Sheva the father of Machbena and the father of Gibea. And the daughter of Caleb was Achsah.


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These were the sons of Caleb: the sons of Hur, the firstborn of Ephrathah: Shobal the father of Kiriath-jearim,


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and the families of Kiriath-jearim: the Ithrites and the Puthites and the Shumathites and the Mishraites; of them came the Zorathites and the Eshtaolites   <n>{Eshtaulites}</n>.


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<pb/>The sons of Salmon: Bethlehem and the Netophathites, Atroth-beth-joab and half of the Manahathites, the Zorites.


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<pb/>And the families of scribes who dwelt at Jabez: the Tirathites, the Shimeathites, the Sucathites. These are the Kenites who came of Hammath, the father of the house of Rechab.


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<pb/>Now these were the sons of David who were born to him in Hebron: the firstborn, Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; the second, Daniel, of Abigail the Carmelitess;


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the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith;


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<pb/>Six were born to him in Hebron and he reigned there seven years and six months. And in Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years.


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<pb/>And these were born to him in Jerusalem: Shimea and Shobab and Nathan and Solomon, four, of Bathsheba the daughter of Ammiel;


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<pb/>All these were the sons of David, besides the sons of the concubines. And Tamar was their sister.


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<pb/>And the sons of Josiah: the firstborn Johanan, the second Jehoiakim, the third Zedekiah, the fourth Shallum.


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And the sons of Pedaiah: Zerubbabel and Shimei. And the sons of Zerubbabel: Meshullam and Hananiah; and Shelomith was their sister;


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And the sons of Hananiah: Pelatiah and Jeshaiah; the sons of Rephaiah, the sons of Arnan, the sons of Obadiah, the sons of Shecaniah   <n>{Shechaniah}</n>.


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And the sons of Shecaniah   <n>{Shechaniah}</n>  : Shemaiah. And the sons of Shemaiah: Hattush and Igal and Bariah and Neariah and Shaphat, six.


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And the sons of Elioneai: Hodaviah and Eliashib and Pelaiah and Akkub and Johanan and Delaiah and Anani, seven.


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<pb/>And Reaiah the son of Shobal fathered Jahath. And Jahath fathered Ahumai and Lahad. These are the Zorathite families.


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<pb/>And these were <i>the sons of</i> the father of Etam: Jezreel and Ishma and Idbash; and the name of their sister was Hazzelelponi;


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and Penuel the father of Gedor and Ezer the father of Hushah. These are the sons of Hur, the firstborn of Ephrathah, the father of Bethlehem.


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And Naarah bore for him Ahuzzam and Hepher and Temeni and Haahashtari. These were the sons of Naarah.


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<pb/>And Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. And his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bore him with sorrow.


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And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that you would bless me indeed and enlarge my border and that your hand might be with me and that you would keep me from evil, that it not be to my sorrow! And God granted him what he requested.


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And Eshton fathered Beth-rapha and Paseah and Tehinnah the father of Ir-nahash. These are the men of Recah.


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And Meonothai fathered Ophrah. And Seraiah fathered Joab the father of Ge-harashim   <n>{valley of craftsmen}</n>, for they were craftsmen.


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<pb/>And the sons of Ezrah   <n>{Ezra}</n>  : Jether and Mered and Epher and Jalon. And she bore Miriam and Shammai and Ishbah the father of Eshtemoa.


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And his wife the Jewess bore Jered the father of Gedor and Heber the father of Soco  <n>{Socoh}</n>  and Jekuthiel the father of Zanoah. And these are the sons of Bithiah the daughter of Pharaoh, whom Mered took.


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<pb/>And the sons of the wife of Hodiah, the sister of Naham, were the fathers of Keilah the Garmite and Eshtemoa the Maacathite.


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And the sons of Shimon: Amnon and Rinnah, Ben-hanan and Tilon. And the sons of Ishi: Zoheth and Ben-zoheth.


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<pb/>The sons of Shelah the son of Judah <i>were</i>: Er the father of Lecah and Laadah the father of Mareshah and the families of the house of those who worked fine linen, of the Beth-Ashbea   <n>{house of Ashbea}</n>  ;


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and Jokim and the men of Cozeba   <n>{Achzib}</n>   and Joash and Saraph, who had dominion in Moab and Jashubi-lehem. And the records are ancient.


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<pb/>These <i>were</i> the potters and the inhabitants of Netaim and Gederah. They dwelt there with the king for his work.


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And Shimei had sixteen sons and six daughters, but his brothers did not have many sons, neither did all their family multiply like the sons of Judah.


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and at Beth-marcaboth and Hazar-susim and at Beth-biri and at Shaaraim  <n>{Sharaim}</n>. <pb/>These were their cities to the reign of David.


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And all their villages that were all around the same cities, to Baal. These were their habitations and they have their genealogy.


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and Ziza the son of Shiphi, the son of Allon, the son of Jedaiah, the son of Shimri, the son of Shemaiah–


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<pb/>And they went to the entrance of Gedor, even to the east side of the valley, to seek pasture for their flocks.


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And they found lush and good pasture and the land was wide and quiet and peaceable, for those who dwelt there formerly were of Ham.


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<pb/>And these written by name came in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah and killed* their tents and the Meunim who were found there and destroyed them utterly to this day and dwelt in their stead because there was pasture there for their flocks.


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And some of them, even of the sons of Simeon, five hundred men, went to Mount Seir, having for their captains Pelatiah and Neariah and Rephaiah and Uzziel, the sons of Ishi.


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<pb/>And the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel (for he was the firstborn, but, inasmuch as he defiled his father's couch, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph the son of Israel and so the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright.


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Now Judah prevailed above his brothers and the ruler came from him, but the birthright was Joseph's),


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Beerah his son, whom Tilgath-pilneser king of Assyria carried away captive. He was ruler of the Reubenites.


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<pb/>And his brothers by their families, when the genealogy of their genealogy was reckoned: the chief, Jeiel and Zechariah,


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and Bela the son of Azaz, the son of Shema, the son of Joel, who dwelt in Aroer, even to Nebo and Baal-meon.


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And eastward he dwelt even to the entrance of the wilderness from the river Euphrates, because their cattle were multiplied in the land of Gilead.


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And in the days of Saul they made war with the Hagrites, who fell by their hand and they dwelt in their tents throughout all the <i>land</i> east of Gilead.


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And their brothers of their fathers' houses: Michael and Meshullam and Sheba and Jorai and Jacan and Zia and Eber, seven.


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These were the sons of Abihail, the son of Huri, the son of Jaroah, the son of Gilead, the son of Michael, the son of Jeshishai, the son of Jahdo, the son of Buz.


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And they dwelt in Gilead in Bashan and in its towns and in all the suburbs of Sharon, as far as their borders.


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All these were reckoned by genealogies in the days of Jotham king of Judah and in the days of Jeroboam King of Israel.


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<pb/>The sons of Reuben and the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh, of valiant men, men able to bear buckler and sword and to shoot with bow and skillful in war, were forty-four thousand seven hundred and sixty, who were able to go forth to war.


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And they were helped against them and the Hagrites were delivered into their hand and all that were with them, for they cried to God in the battle and he was entreated by them because they put their trust in him.


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And they took away their cattle: of their camels fifty thousand and of sheep two hundred and fifty thousand and of donkeys two thousand and of men a hundred thousand.


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For there fell many slain, because the war was of God. And they dwelt in their stead until the captivity.


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And the sons of the half-tribe of Manasseh dwelt in the land. They increased from Bashan to Baal-hermon and Senir and Mount Hermon.


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<pb/>And these were the heads of their fathers' houses: even Epher and Ishi and Eliel and Azriel and Jeremiah and Hodaviah and Jahdiel, mighty men of valor, famous men, heads of their fathers' houses.


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And they trespassed against the God of their fathers and played the prostitute after the gods of the peoples of the land, whom God destroyed before them.


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And the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul king of Assyria and the spirit of Tilgath-pilneser king of Assyria and he carried them away, even the Reubenites and the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh and brought them to Halah and Habor and Hara and to the river of Gozan to this day.


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And the sons of Amram: Aaron and Moses and Miriam. And the sons of Aaron: Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.


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and Johanan fathered Azariah, (he it is who executed the priest's office in the house that Solomon built in Jerusalem),


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And Jehozadak went <i>into captivity</i> when Jehovah carried away Judah and Jerusalem by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar.


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<pb/>And these are those whom David set over the service of song in the house of Jehovah, after the ark had rest.


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And they ministered with song before the tabernacle of the tent of meeting until Solomon had built the house of Jehovah in Jerusalem and they served in their office according to their order.


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And these are those who served and their sons. <pb/>Of the sons of the Kohathites: Heman the singer, the son of Joel, the son of Samuel,


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<pb/>And his brother Asaph, who stood on his right hand, even Asaph the son of Berechiah, the son of Shimea,


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<pb/>And on the left hand their brothers the sons of Merari: Ethan the son of Kishi, the son of Abdi, the son of Malluch,


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<pb/>And their brothers the Levites were appointed for all the service of the tabernacle of the house of God.


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<pb/>But Aaron and his sons offered upon the altar of burnt offering and upon the altar of incense, for all the work of the most holy place and to make atonement for Israel, according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded.


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<pb/>Now these are their dwelling-places according to their encampments in their borders, to the sons of Aaron, of the Kohathite families (for theirs was the <i>first</i> lot),


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<pb/>And to the sons of Aaron they gave the cities of refuge, Hebron, Libnah also with its suburbs and Jattir and Eshtemoa with its suburbs,


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And out of the tribe of Benjamin, Geba with its suburbs and Allemeth with its suburbs and Anathoth with its suburbs. All their cities throughout their families were thirteen cities.


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<pb/>And to the rest of the sons of Kohath <i>were given</i> by lot, out of the family of the tribe, out of the half-tribe, the half of Manasseh, ten cities.


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<pb/>And to the sons of Gershom, according to their families, out of the tribe of Issachar and out of the tribe of Asher and out of the tribe of Naphtali and out of the tribe of Manasseh in Bashan, thirteen cities.


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<pb/>To the sons of Merari <i>were given</i> by lot, according to their families, out of the tribe of Reuben and out of the tribe of Gad and out of the tribe of Zebulun, twelve cities.


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And they gave by lot out of the tribe of the sons of Judah and out of the tribe of the sons of Simeon and out of the tribe of the sons of Benjamin, these cities which are mentioned by name.


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<pb/>And some of the families of the sons of Kohath had cities of their borders out of the tribe of Ephraim.


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And they gave to them the cities of refuge, Shechem in the hill-country of Ephraim with its suburbs, also Gezer with its suburbs,


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<pb/>And out of the half-tribe of Manasseh, Aner with its suburbs and Bileam with its suburbs, for the rest of the family of the sons of Kohath.


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To the sons of Gershom <i>were given</i> out of the family of the half-tribe of Manasseh, Golan in Bashan with its suburbs and Ashtaroth with its suburbs.


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<pb/>And out of the tribe of Naphtali, Kedesh in Galilee with its suburbs and Hammon with its suburbs and Kiriathaim with its suburbs.


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<pb/>To the rest of <i>the Levites</i>, the sons of Merari, <i>were given</i> out of the tribe of Zebulun, Rimmono  <n>{Rimmon}</n>  with its suburbs, Tabor with its suburbs.


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<pb/>And beyond the Jordan at Jericho, on the east side of the Jordan, <i>were given them</i> out of the tribe of Reuben, Bezer in the wilderness with its suburbs and Jahzah with its suburbs,


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And the sons of Tola: Uzzi and Rephaiah and Jeriel and Jahmai and Ibsam and Shemuel, heads of their fathers' houses, <i>namely</i>, of Tola, mighty men of valor in their genealogy. Their number in the days of David was twenty-two thousand and six hundred.


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And the sons of Uzzi: Izrahiah. And the sons of Izrahiah: Michael and Obadiah and Joel, Isshiah, five; all of them chief men.


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And with them, by their genealogy, after their fathers' houses, were bands of the army for war, thirty-six thousand, for they had many wives and sons.


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And their brothers among all the families of Issachar, mighty men of valor, reckoned in all by genealogy, were eighty-seven thousand.


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And the sons of Bela: Ezbon and Uzzi and Uzziel and Jerimoth and Iri, five; heads of fathers' houses, mighty men of valor. And they were reckoned by genealogy twenty-two thousand and thirty-four.


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And the sons of Becher: Zemirah and Joash and Eliezer and Elioenai and Omri and Jeremoth and Abijah and Anathoth and Alemeth. All these were the sons of Becher.


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And they were reckoned by genealogy, after their genealogy, heads of their fathers' houses, mighty men of valor, twenty thousand and two hundred.


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And the sons of Jediael: Bilhan. And the sons of Bilhan: Jeush and Benjamin and Ehud and Chenaanah and Zethan and Tarshish and Ahi shahar.


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All these were sons of Jediael, according to the heads of their fathers, mighty men of valor, seventeen thousand and two hundred, who were able to go forth in the army for war.


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<pb/>The sons of Manasseh: Asriel, whom his Syrian   <n>{Aramean}</n>   concubine the bore. She bore Machir the father of Gilead.


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And Machir took a wife of Huppim and Shuppim, whose sister's name was Maacah and the name of the second was Zelophehad. And Zelophehad had daughters.


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And Maacah the wife of Machir bore a son and she called his name Peresh. And the name of his brother was Sheresh and his sons were Ulam and Rakem.


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<pb/>And the sons of Ephraim: Shuthelah and Bered his son and Tahath his son and Eleadah his son and Tahath his son,


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and Zabad his son and Shuthelah his son and Ezer and Elead, whom the men of Gath that were born in the land killed, because they came down to take away their cattle.


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And he went in to his wife and she conceived and bore a son and he called his name Beriah, because it went evil with his house.


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<pb/>And their possessions and habitations were Bethel and the towns of it and eastward Naaran and westward Gezer, with the towns of it, also Shechem and the towns of it, to Gaza   <n>{Ayyah, Azzah}</n>   and the towns of it,


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and by the borders of the sons of Manasseh, Beth-shean and its towns, Taanach and its towns, Megiddo and its towns, Dor and its towns. In these dwelt the sons of Joseph the son of Israel.


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All these were the sons of Asher, heads of the fathers' houses, choice and mighty men of valor, chief of the rulers. And the number of them reckoned by genealogy for service in war was twenty-six thousand men.


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<pb/>And these are the sons of Ehud. These are the heads of fathers of the inhabitants of Geba and they carried them captive to Manahath:


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And Shaharaim fathered sons in the field of Moab after he had sent them away; Hushim and Baara were his wives.


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And the sons of Elpaal: Eber and Misham and Shemer   <n>{Shemer}</n>, who built Ono and Lod, with the towns of it,


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and Beriah and Shema (who were heads of fathers of the inhabitants of Aijalon who put the inhabitants of Gath to flight)


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And Mikloth fathered Shimeah. And they also dwelt with their brothers in Jerusalem, opposite their brothers.


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<pb/>And Ner fathered Kish and Kish fathered Saul and Saul fathered Jonathan and Malchi-shua and Abinadab and Eshbaal.


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And Ahaz fathered Jehoaddah and Jehoaddah fathered Alemeth and Azmaveth and Zimri; and Zimri fathered Moza,


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And Azel had six sons whose names are these: Azrikam, Bocheru and Ishmael and Sheariah and Obadiah and Hanan. All these were the sons of Azel.


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And the sons of Ulam were mighty men of valor, archers and had many sons and sons' sons, a hundred and fifty. All these were of the sons of Benjamin.


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<pb/>So all Israel were reckoned by genealogies. And behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel. And Judah was carried away captive to Babylon for their transgression.


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<pb/>Now the first inhabitants who dwelt in their possessions in their cities were Israelites, the priests, the Levites and the Nethinim.


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<pb/>And in Jerusalem dwelt of the sons of Judah and of the sons of Benjamin and of the sons of Ephraim and Manasseh:


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Uthai the son of Ammihud, the son of Omri, the son of Imri, the son of Bani, of the sons of Perez the son of Judah.


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<pb/>And of the sons of Benjamin: Sallu the son of Meshullam, the son of Hodaviah, the son of Hassenuah,


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and Ibneiah the son of Jeroham and Elah the son of Uzzi, the son of Michri and Meshullam the son of Shephatiah, the son of Reuel, the son of Ibnijah,


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and their brothers, according to their genealogy, nine hundred and fifty-six. <pb/>All these men were heads of fathers by their fathers' houses.


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and Azariah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the ruler of the house of God,


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and Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pashhur, the son of Malchijah and Maasai the son of Adiel, the son of Jahzerah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Meshillemith, the son of Immer,


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and their brothers, heads of their fathers' houses, a thousand and seven hundred and sixty, very able men for the work of the service of the house of God.


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<pb/>And of the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, of the sons of Merari,


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and Obadiah the son of Shemaiah, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun and Berechiah the son of Asa, the son of Elkanah, who dwelt in the villages of the Netophathites.


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<pb/>And the gatekeepers: Shallum and Akkub and Talmon and Ahiman and their brothers (Shallum was the chief),


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who formerly <i>served</i> in the king's gate eastward. They were the gatekeepers for the camp of the sons of Levi.


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And Shallum the son of Kore, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah and his brothers, of his father's house, the Korahites, were over the work of the service, keepers of the thresholds of the tent. And their fathers had been over the camp of Jehovah, keepers of the entry.


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<pb/>All these who were chosen to be gatekeepers in the thresholds were two hundred and twelve. These were reckoned by genealogy in their villages, whom David and Samuel the seer established in their office of trust.


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<pb/>So they and their sons had the oversight of the gates of the house of Jehovah, even the house of the tent, as guards.


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<pb/>And their brothers, in their villages, were to come in every seven days from time to time to be with them;


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for the four chief gatekeepers, who were Levites, were in an office of trust and were over the chambers and over the treasuries in the house of God.


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And they lodged all around the house of God, because the charge <i>of it</i> was upon them and to them pertained the opening of it morning by morning.


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<pb/>And certain of them had charge of the vessels of service, for by count were these brought in and by count were these taken out.


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Some of them were also appointed over the furniture and over all the vessels of the sanctuary and over the fine flour and the wine and the oil and the frankincense and the spices.


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And Mattithiah, one of the Levites, who was the firstborn of Shallum the Korahite, had the office of trust over the things that were baked in pans.


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And some of their brothers, of the sons of the Kohathites, were over the showbread to prepare it every Sabbath.


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<pb/>And these are the singers, heads of fathers of the Levites, <i>who dwelt</i> in the chambers <i>and were</i> free <i>from other service</i>, for they were employed in their work day and night.


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<pb/>These were heads of fathers of the Levites, throughout their genealogy, chief men; these dwelt at Jerusalem.


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And Mikloth fathered Shimeam   <n>{Shimeah}</n>. And they also dwelt with their brothers in Jerusalem, opposite their brothers.


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And Azel had six sons, whose names are these: Azrikam, Bocheru and Ishmael and Sheariah and Obadiah and Hanan; these were the sons of Azel.


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And the Philistines followed hard after Saul and after his sons. And the Philistines killed Jonathan and Abinadab and Malchi-shua, the sons of Saul.


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And the battle went hard against Saul and the archers overtook him. And he was wounded because of the archers.


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<pb/>Then Saul said to his armor bearer, Draw your sword and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised come and abuse me. But his armor bearer would not, for he was very afraid. Therefore Saul took his sword and fell upon it.


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<pb/>And when all the men of Israel who were in the valley saw that they fled and that Saul and his sons were dead, they forsook their cities and fled. And the Philistines came and dwelt in them.


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<pb/>And it happened on the morrow, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul and his sons fallen in Mount Gilboa.


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And they stripped him and took his head and his armor and sent into the land of the Philistines all around to carry the news to their idols and to the people.


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all the valiant men arose and took away the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons and brought them to Jabesh and buried their bones under the oak in Jabesh and fasted seven days.


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<pb/>So Saul died for his trespass which he committed against Jehovah, because of the word of Jehovah, which he did not keep and also because he asked counsel of a spiritist, to inquire <i>of it</i>,


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and did not inquire of Jehovah. Therefore he killed him and turned the kingdom to David the son of Jesse.


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<pb/>Then all Israel gathered themselves to David to Hebron, saying, Behold, we are your bone and your flesh.


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In times past, even when Saul was king, it was you who led out and brought in Israel. And Jehovah your God said to you, You will be shepherd of my people Israel and you will be ruler over my people Israel.


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<pb/>So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron. And David made a covenant with them in Hebron before Jehovah. And they anointed David king over Israel, according to the word of Jehovah by Samuel.


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<pb/>And David and all Israel went to Jerusalem (what is Jebus) and the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, were there.


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And the inhabitants of Jebus said to David, You will not come in here. Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion; the same is the city of David.


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And David said, Whoever slays the Jebusites first will be chief and captain. And Joab the son of Zeruiah went up first and was made chief.


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And he built the city all around, from Millo even all around. And Joab repaired the rest of the city.


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<pb/>Now these are the chief of the mighty men whom David had, who showed themselves strong with him in his kingdom, together with all Israel, to make him king, according to the word of Jehovah concerning Israel.


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<pb/>And this is the number of the mighty men whom David had: Jashobeam, the son of a Hachmonite, the chief of the thirty. He lifted up his spear against three hundred and killed them at one time.


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He was with David at Pasdammim and there the Philistines were gathered together to battle, where was a plot of ground full of barley. And the people fled from before the Philistines.


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And they stood in the midst of the plot and defended it and killed the Philistines. And Jehovah saved them by a great victory.


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<pb/>And three of the thirty chief men went down to the rock to David into the cave of Adullam. And the army of the Philistines was encamped in the valley of Rephaim.


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<pb/>And David longed and said, Oh that a man would give me water to drink of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!


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And the three broke through the army of the Philistines and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate and took it and brought it to David. But David would not drink of it, but poured it out to Jehovah,


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and said, My God forbid it of me, that I should do this. Shall I drink the blood of these men who have put their lives in jeopardy? For with <i>the jeopardy of</i> their lives they brought it. Therefore he would not drink it. These things the three mighty men did.


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<pb/>And Abishai, the brother of Joab, he was chief of the three, for he lifted up his spear against three hundred and killed them and had a name among the three.


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Of the three, he was more famous than the two and was made their captain. However he did not attain to the <i>first</i> three.


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<pb/>Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done mighty deeds, he killed the two <i>sons of</i> Ariel of Moab. He also went down and killed a lion in the midst of a pit in time of snow.


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And he killed an Egyptian, a man of great stature, five cubits high. And in the Egyptian's hand was a spear like a weaver's beam. And he went down to him with a staff and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand and killed him with his own spear.


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Behold, he was more famous than the thirty, but he did not attain to the <i>first</i> three. And David set him over his guard.


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<pb/>Also the mighty men of the armies: Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem,


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<pb/>Now these are those who came to David to Ziklag while he yet kept himself close because of Saul the son of Kish. And they were among the mighty men, his helpers in war.


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They were armed with bows and could use both the right hand and the left in slinging stones and in shooting arrows from the bow. They were of Saul's brothers of Benjamin.


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<pb/>The chief was Ahiezer, then Joash, the sons of Shemaah the Gibeathite and Jeziel and Pelet, the sons of Azmaveth and Beracah and Jehu the Anathothite,


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and Ishmaiah the Gibeonite, a mighty man among the thirty and over the thirty and Jeremiah and Jahaziel and Johanan and Jozabad the Gederathite,


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<pb/>And of the Gadites there separated themselves to David to the stronghold in the wilderness, mighty men of valor, men trained for war, who could handle shield and spear, whose faces were like the faces of lions and they were as swift as the roes upon the mountains:


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<pb/>These of the sons of Gad were captains of the army. He who was least was equal to a hundred and the greatest to a thousand.


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These are those who went over the Jordan in the first month when it had overflowed all its banks. And they put to flight all those of the valleys, both toward the east and toward the west.


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And David went out to meet them and answered and said to them, If you* have come peaceably to me to help me, my heart will be knit to you*, but if <i>you</i>* <i>are coming</i> to betray me to my adversaries, seeing there is no wrong in my hands, the God of our fathers look on it and rebuke it.


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<pb/>Then the Spirit came upon Amasai, who was chief of the thirty, <i>and he said</i>, We are yours, David and on your side, you son of Jesse. Peace, peace be to you and peace be to your helpers, for your God helps you. Then David received them and made them captains of the band.


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<pb/>From Manasseh also there fell away some to David when he came with the Philistines against Saul to battle. But they did not help them, for the lords of the Philistines sent him away upon advisement, saying, He will fall away to his master Saul to the jeopardy of our heads.


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As he went to Ziklag, there came to him from Manasseh, Adnah and Jozabad and Jediael and Michael and Jozabad and Elihu and Zillethai, captains of thousands who were of Manasseh.


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And they helped David against the band of rovers, for they were all mighty men of valor and were captains in the army.


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<pb/>For from day to day men came to David to help him, until there was a great host, like the host of God.


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And these are the numbers of the heads of those who were armed for war, who came to David to Hebron, to turn the kingdom of Saul to him, according to the word of Jehovah.


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<pb/>The sons of Judah who bore shield and spear were six thousand and eight hundred, armed for war.


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And Jehoiada was the leader of <i>the house of</i> Aaron. And with him were three thousand and seven hundred,


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<pb/>And of the sons of Benjamin, the brothers of Saul, three thousand, for hitherto the greatest part of them had kept their allegiance to the house of Saul.


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<pb/>And of the sons of Ephraim twenty thousand and eight hundred, mighty men of valor, famous men in their fathers' houses.


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<pb/>And of the half-tribe of Manasseh eighteen thousand, who were mentioned by name, to come and make David king.


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<pb/>And of the sons of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times to know what Israel ought to do, the heads of them were two hundred. And all their brothers were at their commandment.


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<pb/>Of Zebulun, such as were able to go out in the army, who could arranged for battle, with all manner of instruments of war, fifty thousand and who could order <i>the battle array and were</i> not of double heart.


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<pb/>And of Asher, such as were able to go out in the army, who could be arranged for battle, forty thousand.


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<pb/>And on the other side of the Jordan, of the Reubenites and the Gadites and of the half-tribe of Manasseh, with all manner of instruments of war for the battle, a hundred and twenty thousand.


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<pb/>All these being men of war, who could order the battle array, came with a perfect heart to Hebron, to make David king over all Israel. And all the rest also of Israel were of one heart to make David king.


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And they were there with David three days, eating and drinking, for their brothers had made preparation for them.


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<pb/>Moreover those who were near to them, <i>even</i> as far as Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali, brought bread on donkeys and on camels and on mules and on oxen, provisions of meal, cakes of figs and clusters of raisins and wine and oil and oxen and sheep in abundance, for there was joy in Israel.


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And David said to all the assembly of Israel, If it seems good to you* and if it is of Jehovah our God, let us send abroad everywhere to our brothers who are left in all the land of Israel, with whom the priests and Levites are in their cities that have suburbs, that they may gather themselves to us.


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And let us bring again the ark of our God to us, for we did not inquire from it in the days of Saul.


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And all the assembly said that they would do so, for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people.


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<pb/>So David assembled all Israel together, from the Shihor <i>the brook</i> of Egypt even to the entrance of Hamath, to bring the ark of God from Kiriath-jearim.


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And David went up and all Israel, to Baalah, <i>that is</i> to Kiriath-jearim, which belonged to Judah, to bring up from there the ark of God, Jehovah who sits <i>above</i> the cherubim that is called by the Name.


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And they carried the ark of God upon a new cart, <i>and brought it</i> out of the house of Abinadab. And Uzza and Ahio drove the cart.


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<pb/>And David and all Israel played before God with all their might, even with songs and with harps and with psalteries and with timbrels and with cymbals and with trumpets.


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<pb/>And when they came to the threshing-floor of Chidon, Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark, for the oxen stumbled.


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And the anger of Jehovah was kindled against Uzza and he killed* him because he put forth his hand to the ark. And there he died before God.


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<pb/>And David was displeased, because Jehovah had broken forth upon Uzza. And he called that place Perez-uzza, to this day.


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<pb/>So David did not move the ark to him into the city of David, but carried it aside into the house of Obed-edom the Gittite.


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And the ark of God remained with the family of Obed-edom in his house three months. And Jehovah blessed the house of Obed-edom and all that he had.


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<pb/>And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David and cedar trees and masons and carpenters, to build for him a house.


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And David perceived that Jehovah had established him king over Israel, for his kingdom was exalted on high for his people Israel's sake.


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And these are the names of the children whom he had in Jerusalem: Shammua and Shobab, Nathan and Solomon,


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<pb/>And when the Philistines heard that David was anointed king over all Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek David. And David heard of it and went out against them.


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And David inquired of God, saying, Shall I go up against the Philistines? And will you deliver them into my hand? And Jehovah said to him, Go up, for I will deliver them into your hand.


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<pb/>So they came up to Baal-perazim and David killed* them there. And David said, God has broken my enemies by my hand like the breach of waters. Therefore they called the name of that place Baal-perazim.


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And David inquired again of God. And God said to him, You will not go up after them. Turn away from them and come upon them opposite the mulberry trees.


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And it will be, when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then you will go out to battle. For God has gone out before you to kill* the army of the Philistines.


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<pb/>And David did as God commanded him and they killed* the army of the Philistines from Gibeon even to Gezer.


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<pb/>And the fame of David went out into all lands. And Jehovah brought the fear of him upon all nations.


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<pb/>And <i>David</i> made for him houses in the city of David. And he prepared a place for the ark of God and pitched a tent for it.


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Then David said, None ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites, for Jehovah has chosen them to carry the ark of God and to minister to him until everlasting.


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And David assembled all Israel at Jerusalem to bring up the ark of Jehovah to its place, which he had prepared for it.


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<pb/>And David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests and for the Levites, for Uriel, Asaiah and Joel, Shemaiah and Eliel and Amminadab.


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And said to them, You* are the heads of the fathers of the Levites. Sanctify yourselves, both you* and your* brothers, that you* may bring up the ark of Jehovah, the God of Israel, to <i>the place</i> that I have prepared for it.


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For because you* did not at the first, Jehovah our God made a breach upon us, because we did not seek him according to the ordinance.


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<pb/>So the priests and the Levites made themselves holy to bring up the ark of Jehovah, the God of Israel.


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And the sons of the Levites bore the ark of God upon their shoulders with the staves on it, as Moses commanded according to the word of Jehovah.


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<pb/>And David spoke to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brothers the singers, with instruments of music, psalteries and harps and cymbals, sounding-aloud and lifting up the voice with joy.


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So the Levites appointed Heman the son of Joel. And of his brothers, Asaph the son of Berechiah. And of the sons of Merari their brothers, Ethan the son of Kushaiah.


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And with them their brothers of the second rank, Zechariah, Ben and Jaaziel and Shemiramoth and Jehiel and Unni, Eliab and Benaiah and Maaseiah and Mattithiah and Eliphelehu and Mikneiah and Obed-edom and Jeiel, the gatekeepers.


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<pb/>So the singers, Heman, Asaph and Ethan, <i>were appointed</i> with cymbals of brass to sound-aloud.


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And Zechariah and Aziel and Shemiramoth and Jehiel and Unni and Eliab and Maaseiah and Benaiah, with psalteries set to Alamoth.


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And Mattithiah and Eliphelehu and Mikneiah and Obed-edom and Jeiel and Azaziah, with harps set to the Sheminith   <n>{octave}</n>, to lead.


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And Chenaniah, chief of the Levites, was over the song. He instructed about the song because he was skillful.


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And Shebaniah and Joshaphat and Nethanel and Amasai and Zechariah and Benaiah and Eliezer, the priests, blew the trumpets before the ark of God. And Obed-edom and Jehiah were gatekeepers for the ark.


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<pb/>So David and the elders of Israel and the captains over thousands, went to bring up the ark of the covenant of Jehovah out of the house of Obed-edom with joy.


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And it happened, when God helped the Levites who bore the ark of the covenant of Jehovah, that they sacrificed seven bullocks and seven rams.


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And David was clothed with a robe of fine linen and all the Levites who bore the ark and the singers and Chenaniah the master of the song <i>with</i> the singers. And David had upon him an ephod of linen.


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<pb/>Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of Jehovah with shouting and with sound of the cornet and with trumpets and with cymbals, sounding-aloud with psalteries and harps.


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<pb/>And it happened, as the ark of the covenant of Jehovah came to the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul looked out at the window and saw king David dancing and playing. And she despised him in her heart.


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<pb/>And they brought in the ark of God and set it in the midst of the tent that David had pitched for it. And they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before God.


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And when David had made an end of offering the burnt offering and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of Jehovah.


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And he dealt to every one of Israel, both man and woman, to every one a loaf of bread and a portion <i>of flesh</i> and a cake of raisins.


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<pb/>And he appointed certain of the Levites to minister before the ark of Jehovah and to celebrate and to thank and praise Jehovah, the God of Israel:


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Asaph the chief and second to him Zechariah, Jeiel and Shemiramoth and Jehiel and Mattithiah and Eliab and Benaiah and Obed-edom and Jeiel, with psalteries and with harps and Asaph with cymbals, sounding-aloud,


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and Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests with trumpets continually, before the ark of the covenant of God.


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<pb/>Then on that day David first placed by the hand of Asaph and his brothers to give thanks to Jehovah.


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Give to Jehovah the glory due to his name. Bring an offering and come before him. Worship Jehovah in holy array.


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Let the heavens be glad and let the earth rejoice. And let them say among the nations, Jehovah reigns.


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And say you*, Save us, O God of our salvation. And gather us together and deliver us from the nations, to give thanks to your holy name and to triumph in your praise.


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Praise Jehovah, the God of Israel, from everlasting even to everlasting. <pb/>And all the people said, Truly and praised Jehovah.


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<pb/>So he left there, before the ark of the covenant of Jehovah, Asaph and his brothers, to minister before the ark continually, as every day's work required,


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and Obed-edom with their sixty-eight brothers. And Obed-edom the son of Jeduthun and Hosah <i>were</i> to be gatekeepers,


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and Zadok the priest and his brothers the priests, before the tabernacle of Jehovah in the high place that was at Gibeon,


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to offer burnt offerings to Jehovah upon the altar of burnt offering continually morning and evening, even according to all that is written in the law of Jehovah, which he commanded to Israel.


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<pb/>And with them Heman and Jeduthun and the rest that were chosen, who were mentioned by name, to give thanks to Jehovah because his loving kindness <i>is</i> everlasting.


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And with them Heman and Jeduthun <i>with</i> trumpets and cymbals for those who should sound-aloud and <i>with</i> instruments for the songs of God and the sons of Jeduthun to be at the gate.


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<pb/>And it happened, when David dwelt in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet, Behold, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of Jehovah <i>dwells</i> under curtains.


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<pb/>Go and tell David my servant, Jehovah says thus, You will not build for me a house to dwell in.


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For I have not dwelt in a house since the day that I brought up Israel, to this day, but have gone from tent to tent and from <i>one</i> tabernacle <i>to another</i>.


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In all places in which I have walked with all Israel, did I speak a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to be shepherd of my people, saying, Why have you* not built for me a house of cedar?


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<pb/>Now therefore thus you will say to my servant David, Jehovah of hosts says thus, I took you from the sheepfold, from following the sheep, that you should be prince over my people Israel.


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And I have been with you wherever you have gone and have cut off all your enemies from before you. And I will make you a name like the name of the great ones who are on the earth.


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<pb/>And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, that they may dwell in their own place and be moved no more. Neither will the sons of wickedness waste them any more, as at the first,


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and <i>as</i> from the day that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel. And I will subdue all your enemies. <pb/>Moreover I tell you that Jehovah will build for you a house.


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And it will happen, when your days are fulfilled that you must go to be with your fathers, that I will set up your seed after you, who will be of your sons. And I will establish his kingdom.


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I will be his father and he will be my son. And I will not take my loving kindness away from him as I took it from him who was before you.


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But I will settle him in my house and in my kingdom until everlasting and his throne will be established until everlasting.


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<pb/>Then David the king went in and sat before Jehovah. And he said, <pb/>Who am I, O Jehovah God and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far?


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And this was a small thing in your eyes, O God. But you have spoken of your servant's house for a great while to come and have regarded me according to the estate of a man of high degree, O Jehovah God.


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What can David <i>say</i> yet more to you concerning the honor which is done to your servant? For you know your servant.


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<pb/>O Jehovah, for your servant's sake and according to your own heart, you have worked all this greatness, to make known all <i>these</i> great things.


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O Jehovah, there is none like you, neither is there any God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears.


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<pb/>And what one nation on the earth is like your people Israel, whom God went to redeem to himself for a people, to make you a name by great and awesome things, in driving out nations from before your people whom you redeemed out of Egypt?


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For your people Israel you made your own people until everlasting. And you, Jehovah, became their God.


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<pb/>And now, O Jehovah, let the word that you have spoken concerning your servant and concerning his house, be established until everlasting and do as you have spoken.


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And let your name be established and magnified until everlasting, saying, Jehovah of hosts is the God of Israel, even a God to Israel and the house of David your servant is established before you.


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For you, O my God, have revealed to your servant that you will build him a house. Therefore your servant has found <i>in his heart</i> to pray before you.


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and now it has pleased you to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue everlasting before you; for you, O Jehovah, have blessed and it is blessed everlasting.


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<pb/>And after this it happened, that David killed* the Philistines and subdued them and took Gath and its towns out of the hand of the Philistines.


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<pb/>And David killed* Hadadezer king of Zobah to Hamath, as he went to establish his dominion by the river Euphrates.


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And David took from him a thousand chariots and seven thousand horsemen and twenty thousand footmen. And David hocked all the chariot horses, but reserved from them for a hundred chariots.


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Then David put <i>garrisons</i> in Syria of Damascus. And the Syrians became servants to David and brought tribute. And Jehovah gave victory to David wherever he went.


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And from Tibhath and from Cun, cities of Hadadezer, David took very much brass, with which Solomon made the brazen sea and the pillars and the vessels of brass.


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<pb/>And when Tou King of Hamath heard that David had struck all the army of Hadadezer king of Zobah,


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he sent Hadoram his son to king David, to salute him and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer and struck him (for Hadadezer had wars with Tou) and <i>he had with him</i> all manner of vessels of gold and silver and brass.


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<pb/>These also king David dedicated to Jehovah, with the silver and the gold that he carried away from all the nations: from Edom and from Moab and from the sons of Ammon and from the Philistines and from Amalek.


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<pb/>Moreover Abishai the son of Zeruiah killed* eighteen thousand of the Edomites in the Valley of Salt.


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And he put garrisons in Edom and all the Edomites became servants to David. And Jehovah gave victory to David wherever he went.


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and Zadok the son of Ahitub and Abimelech the son of Abiathar, were priests and Shavsha was the scribe,


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and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites and the sons of David were chief about the king.


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<pb/>And it happened after this, that Nahash the king of the sons of Ammon died and his son reigned instead of him.


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And David said, I will show kindness to Hanun the son of Nahash, because his father showed kindness to me. So David sent messengers to comfort him concerning his father. And David's servants came into the land of the sons of Ammon to Hanun, to comfort him.


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<pb/>But the rulers of the sons of Ammon said to Hanun, Do you think that David honors your father, in that he has sent comforters to you? Have not his servants come to you to search and to overthrow and to spy out the land?


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<pb/>So Hanun took David's servants and shaved them and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks and sent them away.


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And they came and informed David about the men. And he sent to meet them, for the men were greatly ashamed. And the king said, Remain at Jericho until your* beards be grown and then return.


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<pb/>And when the sons of Ammon saw that they had made themselves stink to David, Hanun and the sons of Ammon sent a thousand talants of silver to hire for them chariots and horsemen out of Mesopotamia, and out of Aram-maacah   <n>{Syria of Maachah}</n>   and out of Zobah.


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So they hired for them thirty-two thousand chariots and the king of Maacah and his people, who came and encamped before Medeba. And the sons of Ammon gathered themselves together from their cities and came to battle.


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And the sons of Ammon came out and put the battle in array at the gate of the city. And the kings that came were by themselves in the field.


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And the rest of the company he committed into the hand of Abishai his brother and they put themselves in array against the sons of Ammon.


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And he said, If the Syrians be too strong for me, then you will help me, but if the sons of Ammon be too strong for you, then I will help you.


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<pb/>Be of good courage and let us act the man on behalf of our people and the cities of our God. And Jehovah do what seems good to him.


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<pb/>So Joab and the company that were with him drew near before the Syrians to the battle and they fled before him.


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And when the sons of Ammon saw that the Syrians had fled, they likewise fled before Abishai his brother and entered into the city. Then Joab came to Jerusalem.


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And when the Syrians saw that they were put to the worse before Israel, they sent messengers and drew forth the Syrians that were beyond the River, with Shophach the captain of the army of Hadadezer at their head.


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<pb/>And it was told David. And he gathered all Israel together and passed over the Jordan and came upon them and arranged for battle against them. So when David had put the battle in array against the Syrians, they fought with him.


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And the Syrians fled before Israel. And David killed of the Syrians <i>the men of</i> seven thousand chariots and forty thousand footmen and killed Shophach the captain of the army.


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<pb/>And when the servants of Hadadezer saw that they were put to the worse before Israel, they made peace with David and served him, neither would the Syrians help the sons of Ammon any more.


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<pb/>And it happened, at the time of the return of the year, at the time when kings go out <i>to battle</i>, that Joab led forth the army and wasted the country of the sons of Ammon and came and besieged Rabbah, but David remained at Jerusalem. And Joab killed* Rabbah and overthrew it.


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<pb/>And David took the crown of their king from his head and found it to weigh a talant of gold and there were precious stones in it. And it was set upon David's head and he brought out the spoil of the city, exceedingly much.


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And he brought out the people that were in it and cut with saws and with harrows of iron and with axes. And thus David did to all the cities of the sons of Ammon. And David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.


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<pb/>And it happened after this, that there arose war at Gezer with the Philistines. Then Sibbecai the Hushathite killed Sippai of the sons of the giant and they were subdued.


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<pb/>And there was again war with the Philistines. And Elhanan the son of Jair killed Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver's beam.


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<pb/>And there was again war at Gath, where was a man of great stature whose fingers and toes were twenty-four, six <i>on each hand</i> and six <i>on each foot</i>. And he also was born to the giant.


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These were born to the giant in Gath and they fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants.


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And David said to Joab and to the princes of the people, Go, number Israel from Beer-sheba even to Dan and bring me word that I may know the sum of them.


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<pb/>And Joab said, Jehovah make his people a hundred times as many as they are. But, my lord the king, are they not all my lord's servants? Why does my lord require this thing? Why will he be a cause of guilt to Israel?


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Nevertheless the king's word prevailed against Joab. Therefore Joab departed and went throughout all Israel and came to Jerusalem.


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<pb/>And Joab gave up the sum of the numbering of the people to David. And all those of Israel were a million and a hundred thousand men who drew a sword. And Judah was four hundred seventy thousand men who drew a sword.


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And David said to God, I have sinned greatly, in that I have done this thing. But now, I beseech you, put away the iniquity of your servant, for I have done very foolishly.


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Go and speak to David, saying, Jehovah says thus, I offer you three things. Choose one of them, that I may do it to you.


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either three years of famine, or three months to be consumed before your foes while the sword of your enemies overtakes you, or else three days the sword of Jehovah, even pestilence in the land and the messenger of Jehovah destroying throughout all the borders of Israel. Now therefore consider what answer I will return to him who sent me.


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<pb/>And David said to Gad, I am in a great strait. Let me fall, I pray, into the hand of Jehovah, for his mercies are very great and do not let me fall into the hand of man.


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<pb/>And God sent a messenger to Jerusalem to destroy it. And as he was about to destroy, Jehovah beheld and he relented of the evil and said to the destroying messenger, It is enough. Now halt your hand. And the messenger of Jehovah was standing by the threshing-floor of Ornan the Jebusite.


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<pb/>And David lifted up his eyes and saw the messenger of Jehovah standing between earth and heaven, having a drawn sword in his hand stretched out over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders, clothed in sackcloth, fell upon their faces.


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<pb/>And David said to God, Is it not I who commanded the people to be numbered? Even I it is who have sinned and done very badly. But these sheep, what have they done? I beseech you, O Jehovah my God, let your hand be against me and against my father's house, but not against your people, that they should be plagued.


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<pb/>Then the messenger of Jehovah commanded Gad to say to David that David should go up and rear an altar to Jehovah in the threshing-floor of Ornan the Jebusite.


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And Ornan turned back and saw the messenger and his four sons who were with him hid themselves. Now Ornan was threshing wheat.


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And as David came to Ornan, Ornan looked and saw David and went out of the threshing-floor and bowed himself to David with his face to the ground.


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<pb/>Then David said to Ornan, Give me the place of this threshing-floor, that I may build on it an altar to Jehovah. For the full price you will give it me, that the plague may be stopped from the people.


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<pb/>And Ornan said to David, Take it to you and let my lord the king do what is good in his eyes. Behold, I give <i>you</i> the oxen for burnt offerings and the threshing instruments for wood and the wheat for the meal offering. I give it all.


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<pb/>And king David said to Ornan, No, but I will truly buy it for the full price. Because I will not take what is yours for Jehovah, nor offer a burnt offering without cost.


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<pb/>And David built there an altar to Jehovah and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings and called upon Jehovah. And he answered him from heaven by fire upon the altar of burnt offering.


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<pb/>At that time, when David saw that Jehovah had answered him in the threshing-floor of Ornan the Jebusite, then he sacrificed there.


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For the tabernacle of Jehovah, which Moses made in the wilderness and the altar of burnt offering, were at that time in the high place at Gibeon.


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But David could not go before it to inquire of God, for he was afraid because of the sword of the messenger of Jehovah.


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<pb/>Then David said, This is the house of Jehovah God and this is the altar of burnt offering for Israel.


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And David commanded to gather together the travelers that were in the land of Israel. And he set masons to hew worked stones to build the house of God.


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<pb/>And David prepared iron in abundance for the nails for the doors of the gates and for the couplings and brass in abundance without weight,


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and cedar trees without number. For the Sidonians and those of Tyre brought cedar trees in abundance to David.


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<pb/>And David said, Solomon my son is young and tender and the house that is to be built for Jehovah must be exceedingly magnificent, of fame and of glory throughout all countries. I will therefore make preparation for it. So David prepared abundantly before his death.


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<pb/>Then he called for Solomon his son and charged him to build a house for Jehovah, the God of Israel.


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And David said to Solomon his son, As for me, it was in my heart to build a house to the name of Jehovah my God.


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<pb/>But the word of Jehovah came to me, saying, You have shed blood abundantly and have made great wars. You will not build a house to my name because you have shed much blood upon the earth in my sight.


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<pb/>Behold, a son will be born to you, who will be a man of rest. And I will give him rest from all his enemies all around, for his name will be Solomon. And I will give peace and quietness to Israel in his days.


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He will build a house for my name. And he will be my son and I will be his father and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel until everlasting.


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<pb/>Now, my son, Jehovah be with you and prosper you and build the house of Jehovah your God as he has spoken concerning you.


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Only Jehovah give you discretion and understanding and give you charge concerning Israel, so that you may keep the law of Jehovah your God.


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Then you will prosper, if you observe to do the statutes and the ordinances which Jehovah charged Moses with concerning Israel. Be strong and of good courage. Do not fear, neither be dismayed.


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<pb/>Now, behold, in my affliction I have prepared for the house of Jehovah a hundred thousand talants of gold and a million talants of silver and of brass and iron without weight, for it is in abundance. Also I have prepared timber and stone and you may add to it.


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<pb/>Moreover there are workmen with you in abundance, hewers and workers of stone and timber and all men who are skillful in every manner of work.


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Of the gold, the silver and the brass and the iron, there is no number. Arise and be doing and Jehovah be with you.


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Is not Jehovah your* God with you*? And has he not given you* rest on every side? For he has delivered the inhabitants of the land into my hand and the land is subdued before Jehovah and before his people.


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<pb/>Now set your* heart and your* soul to seek after Jehovah your* God. Arise therefore and build you* the sanctuary of Jehovah God, to bring the ark of the covenant of Jehovah and the holy vessels of God, into the house that is to be built to the name of Jehovah.


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And the Levites were numbered from thirty years old and upward. And their number by their polls, man by man, was thirty-eight thousand.


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Of these, twenty-four thousand were to oversee the work of the house of Jehovah. And six thousand were officers and judges,


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and four thousand were gatekeepers and four thousand praised Jehovah with the instruments which <i>David said</i> I made to praise <i>Him</i>.


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<pb/>And David divided them into divisions according to the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath and Merari.


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The sons of Shimei: Shelomoth   <n>{Shelomith}</n>   and Haziel and Haran, three. These were the heads of the fathers of Ladan.


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And the sons of Shimei: Jahath, Zina   <n>{Ziza?}</n>   and Jeush and Beriah. These four were the sons of Shimei.


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And Jahath was the chief and Zizah   <n>{Ziza?}</n>   the second. But Jeush and Beriah had not many sons. Therefore they became a fathers' house in one reckoning.


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The sons of Amram: Aaron and Moses. And Aaron was separated that he should sanctify the most holy things, he and his sons, until everlasting, to burn incense before Jehovah, to minister to him and to bless in his name, until everlasting.


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And the sons of Eliezer were: Rehabiah the chief. And Eliezer had no other sons, but the sons of Rehabiah were very many.


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The sons of Hebron: Jeriah the first, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third and Jekameam the fourth.


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And Eleazar died and had no sons, but daughters only. And their brothers the sons of Kish took them <i>as a wife</i>.


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<pb/>These were the sons of Levi after their fathers' houses, even the heads of the fathers of those of them that were counted, in the number of names by their polls, who did the work for the service of the house of Jehovah, from twenty years old and upward.


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For David said, Jehovah, the God of Israel, has given rest to his people and he dwells in Jerusalem until everlasting.


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And also the Levites will no more have need to carry the tabernacle and all the vessels of it for the service of it.


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<pb/>For by the last words of David the sons of Levi were numbered, from twenty years old and upward.


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<pb/>For their office was to wait on the sons of Aaron for the service of the house of Jehovah, in the courts and in the chambers and in the purifying of all holy things, even the work of the service of the house of God, also


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for the showbread and for the fine flour for a meal offering, whether of unleavened wafers, or of what is baked in the pan, or of what is soaked and for all manner of measure and size.


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And to offer all burnt offerings to Jehovah, on the Sabbaths, on the new moons and on the set feasts, in number according to the ordinance concerning them, continually before Jehovah.


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And that they should keep the charge of the tent of meeting and the charge of the holy place and the charge of the sons of Aaron their brothers, for the service of the house of Jehovah.


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<pb/>And the divisions of the sons of Aaron <i>were these</i>. The sons of Aaron: Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.


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But Nadab and Abihu died before their father and had no sons. Therefore Eleazar and Ithamar executed the priest's office.


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And David with Zadok of the sons of Eleazar and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, divided them according to their ordering in their service.


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And there were more chief men found of the sons of Eleazar than of the sons of Ithamar. And <i>thus</i> were they divided: of the sons of Eleazar there were sixteen heads of fathers' houses and of the sons of Ithamar, according to their fathers' houses, eight.


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<pb/>Thus they were divided by lot, one sort with another. For there were rulers of the sanctuary and rulers for God, both of the sons of Eleazar and of the sons of Ithamar.


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And Shemaiah the son of Nethanel the scribe, who was of the Levites, wrote them in the presence of the king and the princes and Zadok the priest and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar and the heads of the fathers of the priests and of the Levites, one fathers' house being taken for Eleazar and one taken for Ithamar.


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<pb/>This was the ordering of them in their service, to come into the house of Jehovah according to the ordinance <i>given</i> to them by Aaron their father, as Jehovah, the God of Israel, had commanded him.


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<pb/>And of the rest of the sons of Levi: Of the sons of Amram, Shubael. Of the sons of Shubael, Jehdeiah.


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And the sons <i>of Hebron:</i> Jeriah <i>the chief</i>, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, Jekameam the fourth.


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And the sons of Mushi: Mahli and Eder and Jerimoth. These were the sons of the Levites after their fathers' houses.


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<pb/>These likewise cast lots even as their brothers the sons of Aaron in the presence of David the king and Zadok and Ahimelech and the heads of the fathers of the priests and of the Levites, the fathers of the chief even as those of his younger brother.


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<pb/>Moreover David and the captains of the army set apart for the service certain of the sons of Asaph and of Heman and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries and with cymbals. And the number of those who did the work according to their service was:


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<pb/>Of the sons of Asaph: Zaccur and Joseph and Nethaniah and Asharelah   <n>{Asarelah}</n>, the sons of Asaph, under the hand of Asaph, who prophesied after the order of the king.


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<pb/>Of Jeduthun, the sons of Jeduthun: Gedaliah and Zeri and Jeshaiah, Hashabiah and Mattithiah, six, under the hands of their father Jeduthun with the harp, who prophesied in giving thanks and praising Jehovah.


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<pb/>Of Heman, the sons of Heman: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel and Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti and Romamti-ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, Mahazioth.


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All these were the sons of Heman the king's seer in the words of God, to lift up the horn. And God gave to Heman fourteen sons and three daughters.


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<pb/>All these were under the hands of their father for song in the house of Jehovah, with cymbals, psalteries and harps, for the service of the house of God; Asaph, Jeduthun and Heman being under the order of the king.


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And the number of them, with their brothers who were instructed in singing to Jehovah, even all who were skillful, was two hundred eighty-eight.


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<pb/>And they cast lots for their offices, all alike, as well the small as the great, the teacher as the scholar.


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<pb/>Now the first lot came out for Asaph to Joseph, the second to Gedaliah (he and his brothers and sons were twelve),


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<pb/>For the divisions of the gatekeepers: of the Korahites, Meshelemiah the son of Kore, of the sons of Asaph.


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And Meshelemiah had sons: Zechariah the firstborn, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth,


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<pb/>And Obed-edom had sons: Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third and Sacar the fourth and Nethanel the fifth,


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Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, Peullethai  <n>{Peulthai}</n>   the eighth, for God blessed him.


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Also sons were born to Shemaiah his son, who ruled over the house of their father, for they were mighty men of valor.


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The sons of Shemaiah: Othni and Rephael and Obed, Elzabad, whose brothers were valiant men, Elihu and Semachiah.


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All these were of the sons of Obed-edom, they and their sons and their brothers, able men in strength for the service, sixty-two of Obed-edom.


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<pb/>Also Hosah, of the sons of Merari, had sons: Shimri the chief (for though he was not the firstborn, yet his father made him chief),


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Hilkiah the second, Tebaliah the third, Zechariah the fourth. All the sons and brothers of Hosah were thirteen.


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<pb/>Of these were the divisions of the gatekeepers, even of the chief men, having offices like their brothers to minister in the house of Jehovah.


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And they cast lots, the small as well as the great, according to their fathers' houses for every gate.


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<pb/>And the lot eastward fell to Shelemiah. Then for Zechariah his son, a discreet counselor, they cast lots and his lot came out northward.


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To Shuppim and Hosah westward, by the Gate of Shallecheth, at the causeway that goes up, watch against watch.


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Eastward were six Levites, four a day northward, four a day southward and for the store-house two by two.


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<pb/>These were the divisions of the gatekeepers, of the sons of the Korahites and of the sons of Merari.


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<pb/>And of the Levites, Ahijah was over the treasures of the house of God and over the treasures of the dedicated things.


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The sons of Ladan, the sons of the Gershonites belonging to Ladan, the heads of the fathers belonging to Ladan the Gershonite: Jehieli.


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And his brothers: of Eliezer <i>came</i> Rehabiah his son and Jeshaiah his son and Joram his son and Zichri his son and Shelomoth his son.


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<pb/>This Shelomoth and his brothers were over all the treasures of the dedicated things, which David the king and the heads of the fathers, the captains over thousands and hundreds and the captains of the army, had dedicated.


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And all that Samuel the seer and Saul the son of Kish and Abner the son of Ner and Joab the son of Zeruiah, had dedicated, whoever had dedicated anything, it was under the hand of Shelomoth and of his brothers.


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<pb/>Of the Izharites, Chenaniah and his sons were for the outer business over Israel, for officers and judges.


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<pb/>Of the Hebronites, Hashabiah and his brothers, men of valor, a thousand and seven hundred, had the oversight of Israel beyond the Jordan westward, for all the business of Jehovah and for the service of the king.


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Of the Hebronites was Jerijah the chief, even of the Hebronites, according to their genealogy by fathers. In the fortieth year of the reign of David they were sought for and there were found among them mighty men of valor at Jazer of Gilead.


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And his brothers, men of valor, were two thousand and seven hundred, heads of fathers, whom king David made overseers over the Reubenites and the Gadites and the half-tribe of the Manassites, for every matter pertaining to God and for the affairs of the king.


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<pb/>Now the sons of Israel after their number, <i>namely</i>, the heads of fathers and the captains of thousands and of hundreds and their officers who served the king, in any matter of the divisions which came in and went out month by month throughout all the months of the year — of every division were twenty-four thousand.


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<pb/>Jashobeam the son of Zabdiel was over the first division for the first month and in his division were twenty-four thousand.


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<pb/>And over the division of the second month was Dodai the Ahohite and his division. And Mikloth <i>was</i> the ruler. And in his division were twenty-four thousand.


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<pb/>The third captain of the army for the third month was Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada the priest, <i>being</i> chief. And in his division were twenty-four thousand.


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This is that Benaiah who was the mighty man of the thirty and over the thirty. And <i>of</i> his division was Ammizabad his son.


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<pb/>The fourth <i>captain</i> for the fourth month was Asahel the brother of Joab and Zebadiah his son after him. And in his division were twenty-four thousand.


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<pb/>The fifth captain for this fifth month was Shamhuth the Izrahite. And in his division were twenty-four thousand.


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The sixth <i>captain</i> for the sixth month was Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite. And in his division were twenty-four thousand.


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<pb/>The seventh <i>captain</i> for the seventh month was Helez the Pelonite, of the sons of Ephraim. And in his division were twenty-four thousand.


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<pb/>The eighth <i>captain</i> for the eighth month was Sibbecai the Hushathite, of the Zerahites. And in his division were twenty-four thousand.


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<pb/>The ninth <i>captain</i> for the ninth month was Abiezer the Anathothite, of the Benjamites. And in his division were twenty-four thousand.


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<pb/>The tenth <i>captain</i> for the tenth month was Maharai the Netophathite, of the Zerahites. And in his division were twenty-four thousand.


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<pb/>The eleventh <i>captain</i> for the eleventh month was Benaiah the Pirathonite, of the sons of Ephraim. And in his division were twenty-four thousand.


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<pb/>The twelfth <i>captain</i> for the twelfth month was Heldai the Netophathite, of Othniel. And in his division were twenty-four thousand.


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<pb/>Furthermore over the tribes of Israel: of the Reubenites was Eliezer the son of Zichri the ruler; of the Simeonites, Shephatiah the son of Maacah;


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of the sons of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Azaziah; of the half<i>-tribe</i> of Manasseh, Joel the son of Pedaiah;


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of the half<i>-tribe</i> of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo the son of Zechariah; of Benjamin, Jaasiel the son of Abner;


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<pb/>But David did not take the number of them from twenty years old and under, because Jehovah had said he would increase Israel like the stars of heaven.


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Joab the son of Zeruiah began to number, but did not finish. And wrath came for this upon Israel. Neither was the number put into the account in the chronicles of king David.


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<pb/>And Azmaveth the son of Adiel was over the king's treasures. And Jonathan the son of Uzziah was over the treasures in the fields, in the cities and in the villages and in the castles.


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And over the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite. And Zabdi the Shiphmite was over the increase of the vineyards for the wine-cellars.


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And Baal-hanan the Gederite was over the olive trees and the sycamore trees that were in the lowland. And Joash was over the cellars of oil.


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And Shitrai the Sharonite was over the herds that fed in Sharon. And Shaphat the son of Adlai was over the herds that were in the valleys.


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And Jaziz the Hagrite was over the flocks. All these were the rulers of the substance which was king David's.


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<pb/>Also Jonathan, David's uncle, was a counselor, a man of understanding and a scribe. And Jehiel the son of Hachmoni was with the king's sons.


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And after Ahithophel was Jehoiada the son of Benaiah and Abiathar. And the captain of the king's army was Joab.


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<pb/>And David assembled all the rulers of Israel, the rulers of the tribes and the captains of the companies that served the king by division and the captains of thousands and the captains of hundreds and the rulers over all the substance and possessions of the king and of his sons, with the officers and the mighty men, even all the mighty men of valor, to Jerusalem.


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<pb/>Then David the king stood up upon his feet and said, Hear me, my brothers and my people. As for me, it was in my heart to build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of Jehovah and for the footstool of our God. And I had made ready for the building.


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But God said to me, You will not build a house for my name, because you are a man of war and have shed blood.


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<pb/>However Jehovah, the God of Israel, chose me out of all the house of my father to be king over Israel everlasting. For he has chosen Judah to be ruler and in the house of Judah, the house of my father and among the sons of my father he took pleasure in me to make me king over all Israel.


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<pb/>And of all my sons (for Jehovah has given me many sons), he has chosen Solomon my son to sit upon the throne of the kingdom of Jehovah over Israel.


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And he said to me, Solomon your son, he will build my house and my courts, for I have chosen him to be my son and I will be his father.


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And I will establish his kingdom until everlasting, if he is constant to do my commandments and my ordinances, as at this day.


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<pb/>Now therefore, in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of Jehovah and in the audience of our God, observe and seek out all the commandments of Jehovah your* God, that you* may possess this good land and leave it for an inheritance to your* sons after you* until everlasting.


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<pb/>And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind, for Jehovah searches all hearts and understands all the imaginations of the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever.


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<pb/>Then David gave to Solomon his son the pattern of the porch <i>of the temple</i> and of the houses of it and of the treasuries of it and of the upper rooms of it and of the inner chambers of it and of the place of the mercy-seat,


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and the pattern of all that he had by the Spirit, for the courts of the house of Jehovah and for all the chambers all around, for the treasuries of the house of God and for the treasuries of the dedicated things,


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also for the divisions of the priests and the Levites and for all the work of the service of the house of Jehovah and for all the vessels of service in the house of Jehovah,


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of gold by weight for the <i>vessels of</i> gold, for all vessels of every kind of service; <i>of silver</i> for all the vessels of silver by weight, for all vessels of every kind of service,


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by weight also for the lamp-stands of gold and for the lamps of it, of gold, by weight for every lamp-stand and for the lamps of it and for the lamp-stands of silver, <i>silver</i> by weight for <i>every</i> lamp-stand and for the lamps of it, according to the use of every lamp-stand,


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and the gold by weight for the tables of showbread, for every table and silver for the tables of silver,


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and the forks and the basins and the cups, of pure gold and for the golden bowls by weight for every bowl and for the silver bowls by weight for every bowl,


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and for the altar of incense refined gold by weight and gold for the pattern of the chariot, <i>even</i> the cherubim that spread out <i>their wings</i> and covered the ark of the covenant of Jehovah.


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<pb/>All this, <i>David said</i>, I have been made to understand in writing from the hand of Jehovah, even all the works of this pattern.


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<pb/>And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage and do it. Do not fear, nor be dismayed, for Jehovah God, even my God, is with you. He will not fail you, nor forsake you, until all the work for the service of the house of Jehovah be finished.


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And behold, there are the courses of the priests and the Levites for all the service of the house of God. And there will be with you in all manner of work every willing man who has skill, for any manner of service. Also the captains and all the people will be entirely at your commandment.


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<pb/>And David the king said to all the assembly, Solomon my son, whom alone God has chosen, is yet young and tender and the work is great, for the palace is not for man, but for Jehovah God.


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<pb/>Now I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God the gold for the <i>things of</i> gold and the silver for the <i>things of</i> silver and the brass for the <i>things of</i> brass, the iron for the <i>things of</i> iron and wood for the <i>things of</i> wood, onyx stones and <i>stones</i> to be set, stones for inlaid work and of different colors and all manner of precious stones and marble stones in abundance.


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<pb/>Moreover also, because I have set my affection on the house of my God, seeing that I have a treasure of my own of gold and silver, I give it to the house of my God over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house,


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even three thousand talants of gold, of the gold of Ophir and seven thousand talants of refined silver, with which to overlay the walls of the houses,


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of gold for the <i>things of</i> gold and of silver for the <i>things of</i> silver and for all manner of work <i>to be made</i> by the hands of artisans. Who then offers willingly to consecrate himself this day to Jehovah?


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<pb/>Then the rulers of the fathers and the rulers of the tribes of Israel and the captains of thousands and of hundreds, with the rulers over the king's work, offered willingly.


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And they gave for the service of the house of God of gold five thousand talants and ten thousand 128-grain weights and of silver ten thousand talants and of brass eighteen thousand talants and of iron a hundred thousand talants.


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And those with whom <i>precious</i> stones were found gave them to the treasure of the house of Jehovah under the hand of Jehiel the Gershonite.


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<pb/>Then the people rejoiced, because they offered willingly, because with a perfect heart they offered willingly to Jehovah. <pb/>And David the king also rejoiced with great joy.


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Therefore David praised Jehovah before all the assembly. And David said, You are blessed, O Jehovah, the God of Israel our father, everlasting and everlasting.


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Yours, O Jehovah, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and on the earth <i>is yours</i>. Yours is the kingdom, O Jehovah and you are exalted as head above all.


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Both riches and honor come of you and you rule over all. And in your hand is power and might. And in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all.


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<pb/>But who am I and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? For all things come of you and of your own have we given you.


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For we are strangers before you and travelers, as all our fathers were. Our days on the earth are as a shadow and there is no abiding.


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<pb/>O Jehovah our God, all this store that we have prepared to build you a house for your holy name comes of your hand and is all your own.


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I know also, my God, that you try the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered all these things. And now I have seen with joy your people, who are present here, offer willingly to you.


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<pb/>O Jehovah, the God of Abraham, of Isaac and of Israel, our fathers, keep this everlasting in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of your people and prepare their heart to you.


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And give to Solomon my son a perfect heart, to keep your commandments, your testimonies and your statutes and to do all these things and to build the palace <i>for you</i>, for which I have made provision.


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<pb/>And David said to all the assembly, Now praise Jehovah your* God. And all the assembly praised Jehovah, the God of their fathers and bowed down their heads and bowed-down to Jehovah and the king.


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<pb/>And they sacrificed sacrifices to Jehovah and offered burnt offerings to Jehovah on the morrow after that day, even a thousand bullocks, a thousand rams and a thousand lambs, with their drink offerings and sacrifices in abundance for all Israel,


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and ate and drank before Jehovah on that day with great gladness. And they made Solomon the son of David king the second time and anointed him to Jehovah to be prince and Zadok to be priest.


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<pb/>Then Solomon sat on the throne of Jehovah as king instead of David his father and prospered and all Israel obeyed him.


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And all the rulers and the mighty men and all the sons likewise of king David, submitted themselves to Solomon the king.


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<pb/>And Jehovah magnified Solomon exceedingly in the sight of all Israel and bestowed upon him such royal majesty as had not been on any king before him in Israel.


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And the time that he reigned over Israel was forty years. He reigned seven years in Hebron and he reigned thirty-three <i>years</i> in Jerusalem.


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<pb/>And he died in a good old age, full of days, riches and honor. And Solomon his son reigned instead of him.


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<pb/>Now the acts of David the king, first and last, behold, they are written in the history of Samuel the seer and in the history of Nathan the prophet and in the history of Gad the seer,


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with all his reign and his might and the times that went over him and over Israel and over all the kingdoms of the countries.


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<pb/>And Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom. And Jehovah his God was with him and magnified him exceedingly.


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And Solomon spoke to all Israel, to the captains of thousands and of hundreds and to the judges and to every ruler in all Israel, the heads of the fathers.


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<pb/>So Solomon and all the assembly with him, went to the high place that was at Gibeon. For the tent of meeting of God was there, which Moses the servant of Jehovah had made in the wilderness.


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But the ark of God David had brought up from Kiriath-jearim to <i>the place</i> that David had prepared for it. For he had pitched a tent for it at Jerusalem.


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<pb/>Moreover the brazen altar, that Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, had made, was there before the tabernacle of Jehovah. And Solomon and the assembly sought to it.


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And Solomon went up there to the brazen altar before Jehovah, which was at the tent of meeting and offered a thousand burnt offerings upon it.


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<pb/>And Solomon said to God, You have shown great loving kindness to David my father and have made me king instead of him.


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Now, O Jehovah God, let your promise to David my father be established. For you have made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude.


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Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people. For who can judge this your people, that is so great?


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<pb/>And God said to Solomon, Because this was in your heart and you have not asked riches, wealth, or honor, nor the life of those who hate you, neither yet have asked long life, but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge my people over whom I have made you king,


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wisdom and knowledge are granted to you. And I will give you riches and wealth and honor, such as none of the kings have had who have been before you, neither will any after you have the like.


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<pb/>So Solomon came from the high place that was at Gibeon, from before the tent of meeting, to Jerusalem and he reigned over Israel.


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And Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen. And he had a thousand and four hundred chariots and twelve thousand horsemen, that he placed in the chariot cities and with the king at Jerusalem.


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<pb/>And the king made silver and gold to be in Jerusalem as stones and cedars he made to be as the sycamore trees that are in the lowland, for abundance.


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<pb/>And the horses which Solomon had were brought out of Egypt. The king's merchants received them in herds, each herd at a price.


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And they went after and brought out of Egypt a chariot for six hundred <i>shekels</i> of silver and a horse for a hundred and fifty. And so they brought them out by their means for all the kings of the Hittites and the kings of Syria.


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And Solomon counted out seventy thousand men to bear burdens and eighty thousand men who were hewers in the mountains and three thousand and six hundred to oversee them.


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<pb/>And Solomon sent to Huram the king of Tyre, saying, As you dealt with David my father and sent him cedars to build for him a house to dwell in it, <i>so with me</i>.


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Behold, I am about to build a house for the name of Jehovah my God, to dedicate it to him and to burn before him incense of sweet spices and for the continual showbread and for the burnt offerings morning and evening, on the Sabbaths and on the new moons and on the set feasts of Jehovah our God. This is <i>an ordinance</i> everlasting to Israel.


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But who is able to build for him a house, seeing heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain him? Who am I then, that I should build for him a house, except only to burn incense before him?


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<pb/>Now therefore send me a man skillful to work in gold and in silver and in brass and in iron and in purple and crimson and blue and who knows how to engrave engravings, <i>to be</i> with the skillful men who are with me in Judah and in Jerusalem, whom David my father provided.


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<pb/>Send to me also cedar trees, fir trees and algum trees, out of Lebanon. For I know that your servants know how to cut timber in Lebanon. And behold, my servants will be with your servants,


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even to prepare for me timber in abundance. For the house which I am about to build will be great and wonderful.


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<pb/>And behold, I will give to your servants, the hewers who cut timber, twenty thousand measures of beaten wheat and twenty thousand measures of barley and twenty thousand baths of wine and twenty thousand baths of oil.


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<pb/>Then Huram the king of Tyre answered in writing, which he sent to Solomon, Because Jehovah loves his people, he has made you king over them.


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Huram said moreover, Praise Jehovah, the God of Israel, that made heaven and earth, who has given to David the king a wise son, endued with discretion and understanding, that should build a house for Jehovah and a house for his kingdom.


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the son of a woman of the daughters of Dan. And his father was a man of Tyre, skillful to work in gold and in silver, in brass, in iron, in stone and in timber, in purple, in blue and in fine linen and in crimson, also to engrave any manner of engraving and to devise any device, that there may be <i>a place</i> appointed to him with your skillful men and with the skillful men of my lord David your father.


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<pb/>Now therefore the wheat and the barley, the oil and the wine, which my lord has spoken of, let him send to his servants.


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And we will cut wood out of Lebanon, as much as you will need. And we will bring it to you in floats by sea to Joppa and you will carry it up to Jerusalem.


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<pb/>And Solomon numbered all the aliens that were in the land of Israel, after the numbering with which David his father had numbered them. And they were found a hundred and fifty-three thousand and six hundred.


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And he set seventy thousand of them to bear burdens and eighty thousand who were hewers in the mountains and three thousand and six hundred overseers to set the people to work.


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<pb/>Then Solomon began to build the house of Jehovah at Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where <i>Jehovah</i> appeared to David his father, which he made ready in the place that David had appointed, in the threshing-floor of Ornan the Jebusite.


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And he began to build in the second <i>day</i> of the second month, in the fourth year of his reign.


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<pb/>Now these are the foundations which Solomon laid for the building of the house of God. The length by cubits after the first measure was sixty cubits and the breadth twenty cubits.


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And the porch that was before <i>the house</i>, the length of it, according to the breadth of the house, was twenty cubits and the height a hundred and twenty. And he overlaid it inside with pure gold.


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<pb/>And the greater house he overlaid  <n>{i.e. paneled}</n>   with cypress-wood, which he overlaid with fine gold and worked on it palm trees and chains.


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He also overlaid the house, the beams, the thresholds and the walls of it and the doors of it, with gold and engraved cherubim on the walls.


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<pb/>And he made the most holy house; the length of it, according to the breadth of the house, was twenty cubits and the breadth of it twenty cubits. And he overlaid it with fine gold, amounting to six hundred talants.


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And the weight of the nails was fifty shekels of gold. And he overlaid the upper chambers with gold.


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<pb/>And in the most holy house he made two cherubim of image work and they overlaid them with gold.


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And the wings of the cherubim were twenty cubits long; the wing of the one was five cubits, reaching to the wall of the house and the other wing was <i>likewise</i> five cubits, reaching to the wing of the other cherub.


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And the wing of the other cherub was five cubits, reaching to the wall of the house and the other wing was five cubits <i>also</i>, joining to the wing of the other cherub.


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<pb/>The wings of these cherubim spread themselves forth twenty cubits. And they stood on their feet and their faces were toward the house.


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<pb/>Also he made two pillars before the house of thirty-five cubits in length and the capital that was on the top of each of them was five cubits.


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And he made chains in the oracle and put <i>them</i> on the tops of the pillars. And he made a hundred pomegranates and put them on the chains.


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And he set up the pillars before the temple, one on the right hand and the other on the left. And called the name of that on the right hand Jachin and the name of that on the left Boaz.


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<pb/>Moreover he made an altar of brass, twenty cubits the length of it and twenty cubits the breadth of it and ten cubits the height of it.


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<pb/>Also he made the molten sea of ten cubits from brim to brim, round in compass. And the height of it was five cubits and a line of thirty cubits encompassed it all around.


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<pb/>And under it was the likeness of oxen, which compassed it all around for ten cubits, encompassing the sea all around. The oxen were in two rows, cast when it was cast.


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


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<pb/>And it was a handbreadth thick. And the brim of it was worked like the brim of a cup, like the flower of a lily. It received and held three thousand baths.


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<pb/>He also made ten basins and put five on the right hand and five on the left, to wash in them. They washed in them such things as belonged to the burnt offering, but the sea was for the priests to wash in.


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And he made the ten lamp-stands of gold according to the ordinance concerning them. And he set them in the temple, five on the right hand and five on the left.


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He made also ten tables and placed them in the temple, five on the right side and five on the left. And he made a hundred basins of gold.


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<pb/>Furthermore he made the court of the priests and the great court and doors for the court and overlaid the doors of them with brass.


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<pb/>And Huram made the pots and the shovels and the basins. So Huram made an end of doing the work that he worked for king Solomon in the house of God:


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the two pillars and the bowls and the two capitals which were on the top of the pillars and the two lattice-works to cover the two bowls of the capitals that were on the top of the pillars,


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and the four hundred pomegranates for the two lattice-works, two rows of pomegranates for each lattice-work to cover the two bowls of the capitals that were upon the pillars.


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Also the pots and the shovels and the flesh-hooks and all the vessels of it, Huram his father made of bright brass for king Solomon for the house of Jehovah.


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Thus Solomon made all these vessels in great abundance. For the weight of the brass could not be found out.


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<pb/>And Solomon made all the vessels that were in the house of God, also the golden altar and the tables on which was the showbread,


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and the lamp-stands with their lamps, to burn according to the ordinance before the oracle, of pure gold,


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and the snuffers and the basins and the spoons and the censors, of pure gold. And as for the entry of the house, the inner doors of it for the most holy place and the doors of the house, <i>namely</i>, of the temple, were of gold.


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<pb/>Thus all the work that Solomon worked for the house of Jehovah was finished. And Solomon brought in the things that David his father had dedicated, even the silver and the gold and all the vessels and put them in the treasuries of the house of God.


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<pb/>Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes, the rulers of the fathers of the sons of Israel, to Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of Jehovah out of the city of David, which is Zion.


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And all the men of Israel assembled themselves to the king at the feast, which was <i>in</i> the seventh month.


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And they brought up the ark and the tent of meeting and all the holy vessels that were in the tent. These the priests the Levites brought up.


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<pb/>And king Solomon and all the congregation of Israel that were assembled to him, were before the ark, sacrificing sheep and oxen that could not be counted nor numbered for multitude.


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And the staves were so long that the ends of the staves were seen from the ark before the oracle, but they were not seen outside. And there it is to this day.


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<pb/>There was nothing in the ark except the two tablets which Moses put <i>there</i> at Horeb when Jehovah made a covenant with the sons of Israel, when they came out of Egypt.


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<pb/>And it happened, when the priests came out of the holy place, (for all the priests that were present had made themselves holy and did not keep their divisions.


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Also the Levites who were the singers, all of them, even Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun and their sons and their brothers, arrayed in fine linen, with cymbals and psalteries and harps, stood at the east end of the altar and with them a hundred and twenty priests blowing trumpets),


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it happened, when the trumpeters and singers were as one voice, to sound-aloud in praising and thanking Jehovah. And when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music and praised Jehovah, <i>saying</i>, For he is good. For his loving kindness <i>is</i> everlasting, that the house was then filled with a cloud, even the house of Jehovah,


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so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud. For the glory of Jehovah filled the house of God.


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<pb/>And the king turned his face and blessed all the assembly of Israel. And all the assembly of Israel stood.


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And he said, Praise Jehovah, the God of Israel, who spoke with his mouth to David my father and has with his hands fulfilled it, saying,


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Since the day that I brought out my people out of the land of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build a house in that my name might be there. Neither did I choose any man to be ruler over my people Israel.


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But I have chosen Jerusalem that my name might be there. And have chosen David to be over my people Israel.


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Nevertheless you will not build the house, but your son who will come forth out of your loins, he will build the house for my name.


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<pb/>And Jehovah has performed his word that he spoke. For I have risen up in the place of David my father and sit on the throne of Israel, as Jehovah promised and have built the house for the name of Jehovah, the God of Israel.


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And there I have set the ark in which is the covenant of Jehovah, which he made with the sons of Israel.


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<pb/>And he stood before the altar of Jehovah in the presence of all the assembly of Israel and spread forth his hands.


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For Solomon had made a brazen scaffold, five cubits long and five cubits broad and three cubits high and had set it in the midst of the court. And upon it he stood and knelt down upon his knees before all the assembly of Israel and spread forth his hands toward heaven.


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And he said, O Jehovah, the God of Israel, there is no God like you, in heaven, or on earth, who keep covenant and loving kindness with your servants, who walk before you with all their heart,


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who have kept with your servant David my father what you promised him. Yes, you spoke with your mouth and have fulfilled it with your hand, as it is this day.


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<pb/>Now therefore, O Jehovah, the God of Israel, keep with your servant David my father what you have promised him, saying, There will not fail you a man in my sight to sit on the throne of Israel, if only your sons take heed to their way, to walk in my law as you have walked before me.


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<pb/>Now therefore, O Jehovah, the God of Israel, let your word be verified, which you spoke to your servant David.


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But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain you. How much less this house which I have built!


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<pb/>Yet have you respect to the prayer of your servant and to his supplication, O Jehovah my God, to listen to the cry and to the prayer which your servant prays before you,


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that your eyes may be open toward this house day and night, even toward the place of which you have said that you would put your name there, to listen to the prayer which your servant will pray toward this place.


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And listen you to the supplications of your servant and of your people Israel, when they will pray toward this place. Yes, hear you from your dwelling-place, even from heaven and when you hear, forgive.


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then hear you from heaven and do and judge your servants, requiting the wicked, to bring his way upon his own head and justifying the righteous, to give him according to his righteousness.


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<pb/>And if your people Israel be struck down before the enemy because they have sinned against you and will turn again and confess your name and pray and make supplication before you in this house,


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then hear you from heaven and forgive the sin of your people Israel and bring them again to the land which you gave to them and to their fathers.


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<pb/>When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain, because they have sinned against you, if they pray toward this place and confess your name and turn from their sin when you do afflict them,


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<pb/>If there is in the land famine, if there is pestilence, if there is blight or mildew, locust or caterpillar, if their enemies besiege them in the land of their cities, whatever plague or whatever sickness there be,


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whatever prayer and supplication be made by any man, or by all your people Israel, who will know every man his own plague and his own sorrow and will spread forth his hands toward this house,


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then hear you from heaven your dwelling-place and forgive and render to every man according to all his ways, whose heart you know, (for you, even you only, know the hearts of the sons of men),


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that they may fear you, to walk in your ways so long as they live in the land which you gave to our fathers.


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<pb/>Moreover concerning the foreigner, who is not of your people Israel, when he will come from a far country for your great name's sake and your mighty hand and your outstretched arm, when they will come and pray toward this house,


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then hear you from heaven, even from your dwelling-place and do according to all that the foreigner calls to you for, that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your people Israel and that they may know that this house which I have built is called by your name.


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<pb/>If your people go out to battle against their enemies, by whatever way you will send them and they pray to you toward this city which you have chosen and the house which I have built for your name,


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<pb/>If they sin against you (for there is no man that sins not) and you are angry with them and deliver them to the enemy, so that they carry them away captive to a land far off or near,


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yet if they will rethink themselves in the land where they are carried captive and turn again and make supplication to you in the land of their captivity, saying, We have sinned, we have done perversely and have dealt wickedly,


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if they return to you with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their captivity where they have carried them captive and pray toward their land, which you gave to their fathers and the city which you have chosen and toward the house which I have built for your name,


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then hear you from heaven, even from your dwelling-place, their prayer and their supplications and maintain their case and forgive your people who have sinned against you.


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<pb/>Now, O my God, I beseech you, let your eyes be open and let your ears be attendant to the prayer that is made in this place.


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Now therefore arise, O Jehovah God, into your resting-place, you and the ark of your strength. Let your priests, O Jehovah God, be clothed with salvation and let your holy ones rejoice in goodness.


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O Jehovah God, do not turn away the face of your anointed. Remember <i>your</i> loving kindnesses to David your servant.


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<pb/>Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices. And the glory of Jehovah filled the house.


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And the priests could not enter into the house of Jehovah, because the glory of Jehovah filled Jehovah's house.


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<pb/>And all the sons of Israel looked on when the fire came down and the glory of Jehovah was upon the house. And they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement and worshiped and gave thanks to Jehovah, <i>saying</i>, For he is good. For his loving kindness <i>is</i> everlasting.


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And king Solomon offered a sacrifice of twenty-two thousand oxen and a hundred and twenty thousand sheep. So the king and all the people dedicated the house of God.


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<pb/>And the priests stood according to their offices, also the Levites with instruments of music of Jehovah, which David the king had made to give thanks to Jehovah (for his loving kindness <i>is</i> everlasting) when David praised by their ministry and the priests blew trumpets before them. And all Israel stood.


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<pb/>Moreover Solomon made the middle of the court holy that was before the house of Jehovah. For there he offered the burnt offerings and the fat of the peace offerings, because the brazen altar which Solomon had made was not able to receive the burnt offering and the meal offering and the fat.


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<pb/>So Solomon held the feast at that time seven days and all Israel with him, a very great assembly, from the entrance of Hamath to the brook of Egypt.


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And on the eighth day they held a solemn assembly. For they kept the dedication of the altar seven days and the feast seven days.


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And on the twenty-third day of the seventh month he sent the people away to their tents, joyful and glad of heart for the goodness that Jehovah had shown to David and to Solomon and to Israel his people.


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<pb/>Thus Solomon finished the house of Jehovah and the king's house. And all that came into Solomon's heart to make in the house of Jehovah and in his own house, he caused to prosper.


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<pb/>And Jehovah appeared to Solomon by night and said to him, I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place to myself for a house of sacrifice.


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If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people,


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if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.


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For now I have chosen and made this house holy, that my name may be there until everlasting and my eyes and my heart will be there perpetually.


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<pb/>And as for you, if you will walk before me as David your father walked and do according to all that I have commanded you and will keep my statutes and mine ordinances,


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then I will establish the throne of your kingdom, just-as I covenanted with David your father, saying, There will not fail you a man to be ruler in Israel.


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<pb/>But if you* turn away and forsake my statutes and my commandments which I have set before you* and will go and serve other gods and worship them,


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then I will pluck them up by the roots out of my land which I have given them. And this house, which I have made holy for my name, I will cast out of my sight and I will make it a proverb and a parable among all peoples.


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<pb/>And this house, which is so high, everyone who passes by it will be astonished and will say, Why has Jehovah done thus to this land and to this house?


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And they will answer, Because they forsook Jehovah, the God of their fathers, who brought them forth out of the land of Egypt and laid hold on other gods and worshiped them and served them; therefore he has brought all this evil upon them.


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<pb/>And it happened at the end of twenty years, in which Solomon had built the house of Jehovah and his own house,


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that the cities which Huram had given to Solomon, Solomon built them and caused the sons of Israel to dwell there.


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Also he built Beth-horon the upper and Beth-horon the lower, fortified cities, with walls, gates and bars,


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and Baalath and all the store-cities that Solomon had and all the cities for his chariots and the cities for his horsemen and all that Solomon desired to build for his pleasure in Jerusalem and in Lebanon and in all the land of his dominion.


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<pb/>As for all the people who were left of the Hittites and the Amorites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites, that were not of Israel,


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of their sons who were left after them in the land whom the sons of Israel did not consumed, of them Solomon raised forced-labor to this day.


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<pb/>But Solomon made no servants of the sons of Israel for his work, but they were men of war and chief of his captains and rulers of his chariots and of his horsemen.


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And these were the chief officers of king Solomon, even two hundred and fifty that bore rule over the people.


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<pb/>And Solomon brought up the daughter of Pharaoh out of the city of David to the house that he had built for her. For he said, My wife will not dwell in the house of David King of Israel, because the places are holy in which the ark of Jehovah has come.


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<pb/>Then Solomon offered burnt offerings to Jehovah on the altar of Jehovah, which he had built before the porch,


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even as the duty of every day required, offering according to the commandment of Moses, on the Sabbaths and on the new moons and on the set feasts, three times in the year, <i>even</i> in the feast of unleavened bread and in the feast of weeks and in the feast of tabernacles.


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<pb/>And he appointed, according to the ordinance of David his father, the divisions of the priests to their service and the Levites to their offices, to praise and to minister before the priests, as the duty of every day required, also the gatekeepers by their divisions at every gate. For so David the man of God had commanded.


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And they did not depart from the commandment of the king to the priests and Levites concerning any matter, or concerning the treasures.


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<pb/>Now all the work of Solomon was prepared from the day of the foundation of the house of Jehovah and until it was finished. <i>So</i> the house of Jehovah was completed.


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And Huram sent ships to him by the hands of his servants and servants who had knowledge of the sea. And they came with the servants of Solomon to Ophir and fetched from there four hundred and fifty talants of gold and brought them to king Solomon.


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<pb/>And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to test Solomon with hard questions at Jerusalem, with a very great caravan and camels that bore spices and gold in abundance and precious stones. And when she came to Solomon, she spoke with him of all that was in her heart.


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And Solomon answered to her all her questions. And there was not anything hid from Solomon that he did not answer her.


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and the food of his table and the seating of his servants and the attendance of his ministers and their apparel, also his cupbearers and their apparel and his ascent by which he went up to the house of Jehovah, there was no more spirit in her.


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However I did not believe their words until I came and my eyes had seen it. And behold, the half of the greatness of your wisdom was not told me. You exceed the fame that I heard.


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<pb/>Your men are fortunate and these, your servants, are fortunate who stand continually before you and hear your wisdom.


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<pb/>Praise Jehovah your God, who delighted in you, to set you on his throne to be king for Jehovah your God. Because your God loved Israel, to establish them everlasting, therefore he made you king over them, to do justice and righteousness.


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<pb/>And she gave the king a hundred and twenty talants of gold and spices in great abundance and precious stones. Neither was there any such spice as the queen of Sheba gave to king Solomon.


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And also the servants of Huram and the servants of Solomon, who brought gold from Ophir, brought algum trees and precious stones.


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And the king made of the algum trees terraces for the house of Jehovah and for the king's house and harps and psalteries for the singers. And there were none such seen before in the land of Judah.


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<pb/>And king Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all her desire, whatever she asked, besides what she had brought to the king. So she turned and went to her own land, she and her servants.


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<pb/>Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred and sixty-six talants of gold,


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besides what the traders and merchants brought. And all the kings of Arabia and the governors of the country brought gold and silver to Solomon.


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<pb/>And king Solomon made two hundred bucklers of beaten gold; six hundred <i>shekels</i> of beaten gold went to one buckler.


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And <i>he made</i> three hundred shields of beaten gold; three hundred <i>shekels</i> of gold went to one shield. And the king put them in the house of the forest of Lebanon.


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And there were six steps to the throne, with a footstool of gold, which were fastened to the throne and supports on either side by the place of the seat and two lions standing beside the supports.


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<pb/>And all king Solomon's drinking vessels were of gold and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold; silver was accounted of nothing in the days of Solomon.


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For the king had ships that went to Tarshish with the servants of Huram. Once every three years the ships of Tarshish came, bringing gold and silver, ivory and apes and peacocks.


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And all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart.


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And they brought every man his tribute, vessels of silver and vessels of gold and garments, armor and spices, horses and mules, a rate year by year.


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<pb/>And Solomon had four thousand stalls for horses and chariots and twelve thousand horsemen, that he bestowed in the chariot cities and with the king at Jerusalem.


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And he ruled over all the kings from the River even to the land of the Philistines and to the border of Egypt.


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And the king made silver to be in Jerusalem as stones and he made cedars to be as the sycamore trees that are in the lowland, for abundance.


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<pb/>Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, first and last, are they not written in the history of Nathan the prophet and in the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite and in the visions of Iddo the seer concerning Jeroboam the son of Nebat?


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And Solomon slept with his fathers and he was buried in the city of David his father. And Rehoboam his son reigned instead of him.


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And it happened, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard of it, (for he was in Egypt, from where he had fled from the presence of king Solomon), that Jeroboam returned out of Egypt.


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<pb/>And they sent and called him. And Jeroboam and all Israel came and they spoke to Rehoboam, saying,


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Your father made our yoke grievous. Now therefore make you the grievous service of your father and his heavy yoke which he put upon us, lighter and we will serve you.


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<pb/>And king Rehoboam took counsel with the old men that had stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, saying, What counsel do you* give me to return an answer to this people?


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And they spoke to him, saying, If you are kind to this people and please them and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever.


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<pb/>But he forsook the counsel of the old men which they had given him and took counsel with the young men that grew up with him, who stood before him.


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And he said to them, What counsel do you* give, that we may return an answer to this people who have spoken to me, saying, Make the yoke that your father put upon us lighter?


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<pb/>And the young men that grew up with him spoke to him, saying, Thus you will say to the people who spoke to you, saying, Your father made our yoke heavy, but make you it lighter to us. Thus you will say to them, My little finger is thicker than my father's loins.


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And now my father burdened you* with a heavy yoke, I will add to your* yoke. My father disciplined you* with whips, but I with scorpions.


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and spoke to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your* yoke heavy, but I will add to it. My father disciplined you* with whips, but I with scorpions.


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<pb/>So the king did not listen to the people. For it was brought about by God, that Jehovah might establish his word, which he spoke by Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat.


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<pb/>And when all Israel saw that the king did not listen to them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? Neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse. Every man to your* tents, O Israel. Now see to your own house, David. So all Israel departed to their tents.


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Then king Rehoboam sent Hadoram, who was over the men subject to forced-labor. And the sons of Israel stoned him to death with stones. And king Rehoboam made speed to get him up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem.


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<pb/>And when Rehoboam came to Jerusalem, he assembled the house of Judah and Benjamin, a hundred and eighty thousand chosen men, who were warriors, to fight against Israel, to bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam.


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Speak to Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, saying,


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Jehovah says thus, You* will not go up, nor fight against your* brothers. Return every man to his house. For this thing is of me. So they listened to the words of Jehovah and returned from going against Jeroboam.


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And in every city <i>he put</i> shields and spears and made them exceedingly strong. And Judah and Benjamin belonged to him.


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<pb/>And the priests and the Levites who were in all Israel resorted to him out of all their border.


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For the Levites left their suburbs and their possession and came to Judah and Jerusalem. For Jeroboam and his sons cast them off, that they should not execute the priest's office to Jehovah.


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And he appointed priests for him for the high places and for the male-goats and for the calves which he had made.


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<pb/>And after them, such as set their hearts to seek Jehovah, the God of Israel, came to Jerusalem out of all the tribes of Israel to sacrifice to Jehovah, the God of their fathers.


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So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah and made Rehoboam the son of Solomon strong three years. For they walked three years in the way of David and Solomon.


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<pb/>And Rehoboam took him a wife, Mahalath the daughter of Jerimoth the son of David, <i>and of</i> Abihail the daughter of Eliab the son of Jesse.


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And after her he took Maacah the daughter of Absalom. And she bore for him Abijah and Attai and Ziza and Shelomith.


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And Rehoboam loved Maacah the daughter of Absalom above all his wives and his concubines. For he took eighteen wives and thirty concubines and fathered twenty-eight sons and thirty daughters.


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<pb/>And Rehoboam appointed Abijah the son of Maacah to be chief, the ruler among his brothers. For <i>he intended</i> to make him king.


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And he dealt wisely and dispersed all his sons throughout all the lands of Judah and Benjamin, to every fortified city. And he gave them provisions in abundance. And he sought <i>for them</i> many wives.


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<pb/>And it happened, when the kingdom of Rehoboam was established and he was strong, that he forsook the law of Jehovah and all Israel with him.


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<pb/>And it happened in the fifth year of king Rehoboam, that Shishak King of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, because they had trespassed against Jehovah,


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with twelve hundred chariots and thirty thousand horsemen. And the people were without number who came with him out of Egypt: the Lubim, the Sukkiim and the Ethiopians.


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<pb/>Now Shemaiah the prophet came to Rehoboam and to the rulers of Judah, who were gathered together to Jerusalem because of Shishak and said to them, Jehovah says thus, You* have forsaken me, therefore I have also left you* in the hand of Shishak.


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<pb/>And when Jehovah saw that they humbled themselves, the word of Jehovah came to Shemaiah, saying, They have humbled themselves. I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance and my wrath will not be poured out upon Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak.


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Nevertheless they will be his servants, that they may know my service and the service of the kingdoms of the countries.


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<pb/>So Shishak King of Egypt came up against Jerusalem and took away the treasures of the house of Jehovah and the treasures of the king's house; he took all away. He also took away the shields of gold which Solomon had made.


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<pb/>And king Rehoboam made in their stead shields of brass and committed them to the hands of the captains of the guard that kept the door of the king's house.


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And it was so, that, as often as the king entered into the house of Jehovah, the guard came and bore them and brought them back into the guard-chamber.


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<pb/>And when he humbled himself, the wrath of Jehovah turned from him, so as not to destroy him altogether. And moreover in Judah there were good things.


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<pb/>So king Rehoboam strengthened himself in Jerusalem and reigned. For Rehoboam was forty-one years old when he began to reign and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which Jehovah had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel to put his name there. And his mother's name was Naamah the Ammonitess.


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<pb/>Now the acts of Rehoboam, first and last, are they not written in the histories of Shemaiah the prophet and of Iddo the seer, after the manner of genealogies? And there were wars between Rehoboam and Jeroboam continually.


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And Rehoboam slept with his fathers and was buried in the city of David. And Abijah his son reigned instead of him.


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He reigned three years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Micaiah the daughter of Uriel of Gibeah. And there was war between Abijah and Jeroboam.


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And Abijah joined battle with an army of valiant men of war, even four hundred thousand chosen men. And Jeroboam arranged for battle against him with eight hundred thousand chosen men who were mighty men of valor.


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


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Should you* not know that Jehovah, the God of Israel, gave the kingdom over Israel to David everlasting, even to him and to his sons by a covenant of salt?


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Yet Jeroboam the son of Nebat, the servant of Solomon the son of David, rose up and rebelled against his lord.


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<pb/>And there were gathered to him vain men, sons of worthlessness, who strengthened themselves against Rehoboam the son of Solomon when Rehoboam was young and tender-hearted and could not withstand them.


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<pb/>And now you* think to withstand the kingdom of Jehovah in the hand of the sons of David and you* are a great multitude and there are with you* the golden calves which Jeroboam made you* for gods.


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Have you* not driven out the priests of Jehovah, the sons of Aaron and the Levites and made priests for you* after the manner of the peoples of <i>other</i> lands? So that whoever comes to consecrate himself with a young bullock and seven rams, the same may be a priest of <i>them that are</i> no gods.


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<pb/>But as for us, Jehovah is our God and we have not forsaken him. And <i>we have</i> priests ministering to Jehovah, the sons of Aaron and the Levites in their work.


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And they burn to Jehovah every morning and every evening burnt offerings and sweet incense. Also <i>they set</i> the showbread in order upon the pure table and the lamp-stand of gold with the lamps of it to burn every evening. For we keep the charge of Jehovah our God, but you* have forsaken him.


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<pb/>And behold, God is with us at our head and his priests with the trumpets of alarm to shout an alarm against you*. O sons of Israel, do not fight against Jehovah, the God of your* fathers. For you* will not prosper.


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<pb/>But Jeroboam caused an ambush to come around behind them, so they were before Judah and the ambush was behind them.


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<pb/>And when Judah looked back, behold, the battle was before and behind them. And they cried to Jehovah and the priests blew the trumpets.


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Then the men of Judah gave a shout. And as the men of Judah shouted, it happened, that God killed* Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah.


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And Abijah and his people killed them with a great slaughter. So there fell down slain of Israel five hundred thousand chosen men.


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<pb/>Thus the sons of Israel were brought under at that time and the sons of Judah prevailed, because they relied upon Jehovah, the God of their fathers.


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And Abijah pursued after Jeroboam and took cities from him, Bethel with the towns of it and Jeshanah with the towns of it and Ephron with the towns of it.


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<pb/>Neither did Jeroboam recover strength again in the days of Abijah. And Jehovah killed* him and he died.


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But Abijah grew mighty and took to himself fourteen wives and fathered twenty-two sons and sixteen daughters.


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<pb/>And the rest of the acts of Abijah and his ways and his sayings, are written in the commentary of the prophet Iddo.


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<pb/>So Abijah slept with his fathers and they buried him in the city of David. And Asa his son reigned instead of him. In his days the land was quiet ten years.


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For he took away the foreign altars and the high places and broke down the pillars and hewed down the Asherim  <n>{pole-images}</n>,


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and commanded Judah to seek Jehovah, the God of their fathers and to do the law and the commandment.


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Also he took away out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the sun-images. And the kingdom was quiet before him.


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<pb/>And he built fortified cities in Judah. For the land was quiet and he had no war in those years, because Jehovah had given him rest.


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For he said to Judah, Let us build these cities and make about them walls and towers, gates and bars. The land is yet before us, because we have sought Jehovah our God. We have sought him and he has given us rest on every side. So they built and prospered.


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<pb/>And Asa had an army that bore bucklers and spears, out of Judah three hundred thousand and out of Benjamin, that bore shields and drew bows, two hundred and eighty thousand. All these were mighty men of valor.


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<pb/>And there came out against them Zerah the Ethiopian with an army of a million and three hundred chariots. And he came to Mareshah.


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<pb/>And Asa cried to Jehovah his God and said, Jehovah, there is none besides you to help, between the mighty and he who has no strength. Help us, O Jehovah our God. For we rely on you and in your name we come against this multitude. O Jehovah, you are our God. Do not let man prevail against you.


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And Asa and the people who were with him pursued them to Gerar. And there fell of the Ethiopians so many that they could not recover themselves. For they were destroyed before Jehovah and before his army. And they carried away very much booty.


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<pb/>And they killed* all the cities all around Gerar. For the fear of Jehovah came upon them. And they despoiled all the cities. For there was much spoil in them.


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They also killed* the tents of cattle and carried away sheep in abundance and camels and returned to Jerusalem.


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


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<pb/>Now for a long time Israel was without the true God and without a teaching priest and without law.


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But when in their distress they turned to Jehovah, the God of Israel and sought him, he was found by them.


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And in those times there was no peace to him who went out, nor to him who came in, but great confusions were upon all the inhabitants of the lands.


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And they were broken in pieces, nation against nation and city against city. For God distressed them with all adversity.


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<pb/>And when Asa heard these words and the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage and put away the abominations out of all the land of Judah and Benjamin and out of the cities which he had taken from the hill-country of Ephraim. And he renewed the altar of Jehovah, that was before the porch of Jehovah.


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<pb/>And he gathered all Judah and Benjamin and those who traveled with them out of Ephraim and Manasseh and out of Simeon, for they came to him out of Israel in abundance when they saw that Jehovah his God was with him.


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So they gathered themselves together at Jerusalem in the third month, in the fifteenth year of the reign of Asa.


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And they sacrificed to Jehovah in that day of the spoil which they had brought, seven hundred oxen and seven thousand sheep.


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<pb/>And they entered into the covenant to seek Jehovah, the God of their fathers, with all their heart and with all their soul.


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And that whoever would not seek Jehovah, the God of Israel, should be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman.


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And all Judah rejoiced at the oath. For they had sworn with all their heart and sought him with their whole desire and he was found by them. And Jehovah gave them rest all around.


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<pb/>And also he removed Maacah, the mother of Asa the king, from being queen, because she had made an abominable image for an Asherah. And Asa cut down her image and made dust of it and burnt it at the brook Kidron.


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But the high places were not taken away out of Israel. Nevertheless the heart of Asa was perfect all his days.


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<pb/>And he brought into the house of God the things that his father had dedicated and that he himself had dedicated, silver and gold and vessels.


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<pb/>In the thirty-sixth year of the reign of Asa, Baasha King of Israel went up against Judah and built Ramah, that he might not allow anyone to go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.


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<pb/>Then Asa brought out silver and gold out of the treasures of the house of Jehovah and of the king's house and sent to Ben-hadad king of Syria, who dwelt at Damascus, saying,


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<i>There is</i> a league between me and you, as between my father and your father. Behold, I have sent you silver and gold. Go, break your league with Baasha King of Israel that he may depart from me.


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<pb/>And Ben-hadad listened to king Asa and sent the captains of his armies against the cities of Israel. And they killed* Ijon and Dan and Abel-maim and all the store-cities of Naphtali.


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Then Asa the king took all Judah and they carried away the stones of Ramah and the timber of it, with which Baasha had built. And he built Geba and Mizpah with it.


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


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<pb/>Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubim a huge army, with chariots and horsemen exceedingly many? Yet, because you relied on Jehovah, he delivered them into your hand.


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<pb/>For the eyes of Jehovah run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong to those whose heart is perfect toward him. In this you have done foolishly, for from hereafter you will have wars.


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<pb/>Then Asa was angry with the seer and put him in the prison-house. For he was in a rage with him because of this thing. And Asa oppressed some of the people at the same time.


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<pb/>And behold, the acts of Asa, first and last behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.


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And in the thirty-ninth year of his reign Asa was diseased in his feet. His disease was exceedingly great, yet in his disease he did not seek for Jehovah, but to the physicians.


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And they buried him in his own sepulchers, which he had hewn out for himself in the city of David and laid him in the bed which was filled with sweet odors and various kinds <i>of spices</i> prepared by the perfumers' art. And they made a very great burning for him.


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


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And Jehovah was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the former ways of his father David and did not seek for the Baals   <n>{Baalim}</n>,


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but sought for the God of his father and walked in his commandments and not after the practices of Israel.


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<pb/>Therefore Jehovah established the kingdom in his hand. And all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat tribute and he had riches and honor in abundance.


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And his heart was lifted up in the ways of Jehovah. And furthermore he took away the high places and the Asherim   <n>{pole-images}</n>   out of Judah.


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<pb/>Also in the third year of his reign he sent his rulers, even Ben-hail and Obadiah and Zechariah and Nethanel and Micaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah;


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and with them the Levites, even Shemaiah and Nethaniah and Zebadiah and Asahel and Shemiramoth and Jehonathan and Adonijah and Tobijah and Tob-adonijah, the Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, the priests.


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<pb/>And they taught in Judah, having the book of the law of Jehovah with them. And they went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught among the people.


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<pb/>And the fear of Jehovah fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were all around Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat.


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And some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver for tribute. The Arabians also brought him flocks, seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred male-goats.


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And this was the numbering of them according to their fathers' houses. <pb/>Of Judah, the captains of thousands: Adnah the captain and with him three hundred thousand mighty men of valor;


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and next to him Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself to Jehovah and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor.


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<pb/>And of Benjamin: Eliada a mighty man of valor and with him two hundred thousand armed with bow and shield;


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<pb/>These were those who waited on the king, besides those whom the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah.


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And after certain years he went down to Ahab to Samaria. And Ahab killed sheep and oxen for him in abundance and for the people who were with him and moved him to go up <i>with him</i> to Ramoth-gilead.


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


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


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And the King of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of Jehovah, but I hate him. For he never prophesies good concerning me, but always evil; the same is Micaiah the son of Imla. And Jehoshaphat said, Do not let the king say so.


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<pb/>Now the King of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah each sat on his throne, arrayed in their robes. And they were sitting in an open place at the entrance of the gate of Samaria and all the prophets were prophesying before them.


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And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ramoth-gilead and prosper. For Jehovah will deliver it into the hand of the king.


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<pb/>And the messenger who went to call Micaiah spoke to him, saying, Behold, the words of the prophets <i>are</i> good to the king with one mouth. Therefore, I beseech you, let your word be like one of theirs and speak good.


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<pb/>And when he came to the king, the king said to him, Micaiah, will we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And he said, Go up and prosper and they will be delivered into your* hand.


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<pb/>And he said, I saw all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd. And Jehovah said, These have no master. Let them return every man to his house in peace.


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<pb/>And <i>Micaiah</i> said, Therefore hear the word of Jehovah. I saw Jehovah sitting upon his throne and all the host of heaven standing at his right hand and at his left.


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And Jehovah said, Who will entice Ahab King of Israel, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead? And one spoke saying after this manner and another saying after that manner.


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<pb/>And there came out a spirit and stood before Jehovah and said, I will entice him. And Jehovah said to him, With what?


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And he said, I will go forth and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, You will entice him and will also prevail. Go forth and do so.


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<pb/>Now therefore, behold, Jehovah has put a lying spirit in the mouth of these your prophets. And Jehovah has spoken evil concerning you.


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<pb/>Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near and killed* Micaiah upon the cheek and said, Which way did the Spirit of Jehovah go from me to speak to you?


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<pb/>And the King of Israel said, You* take Micaiah and carry him back to Amon the governor of the city and to Joash the king's son,


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and say, Thus says the king, Put this fellow in the prison and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I return in peace.


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And Micaiah said, If you return at all in peace, Jehovah has not spoken by me. And he said, Hear, you* <i>the</i> peoples, all of you*.


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


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<pb/>Now the king of Syria had commanded the captains of his chariots, saying, Fight neither with small nor great, except only with the King of Israel.


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<pb/>And it happened, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, It is the King of Israel. Therefore they turned around to fight against him. But Jehoshaphat cried out. And Jehovah helped him and God moved them from him.


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<pb/>And a certain man drew his bow at a venture and killed* the King of Israel between the joints of the armor. Therefore he said to the driver of the chariot, Turn your hand and carry me out of the army. For I am severely wounded.


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And the battle increased that day. However the King of Israel propped himself up in his chariot against the Syrians until the evening. And about the time of the going down of the sun he died.


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And 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 Jehovah? For this thing wrath is upon you from before Jehovah.


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Nevertheless there are good things found in you, in that you have put away the Asheroth   <n>{Asherahs}</n>   out of the land and have set your heart to seek God.


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<pb/>And Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem. And he went out again among the people from Beer-sheba to the hill-country of Ephraim and brought them back to Jehovah, the God of their fathers.


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and said to the judges, Consider what you* do. For you* judge not for man, but for Jehovah and <i>he is</i> with you* in the judgment.


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Now therefore let the fear of Jehovah be upon you*. Take heed and do it. For there is no unrighteousness with Jehovah our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of bribes.


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<pb/>Moreover in Jerusalem Jehoshaphat set from the Levites and the priests and from the heads of the fathers of Israel for the judgment of Jehovah and for controversies. And they returned to Jerusalem.


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<pb/>And he charged them, saying, Thus you* will do in the fear of Jehovah, faithfully and with a perfect heart.


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And whenever any controversy will come to you* from your* brothers who dwell in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and ordinances, you* will warn them, that they not be guilty towards Jehovah and so wrath come upon you* and upon your* brothers. Do this and you* will not be guilty.


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<pb/>And behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you* in all matters of Jehovah and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, in all the king's matters. The Levites will also be officers before you*. Deal courageously and Jehovah be with the good.


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<pb/>And it happened after this, that the sons of Moab and the sons of Ammon and with them some of the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle.


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Then there came some who told Jehoshaphat, saying, There comes a great multitude against you from beyond the sea from Syria. And behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar (what is En-gedi).


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<pb/>And Jehoshaphat was afraid and set himself to seek for Jehovah. And he proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.


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And Judah gathered themselves together, to seek <i>help</i> from Jehovah, even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek Jehovah.


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<pb/>And Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem in the house of Jehovah before the new court.


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And he said, O Jehovah, the God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? And are you not ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations? And in your hand is power and might, so that none is able to withstand you.


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<pb/>Did you not, O our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it to the seed of Abraham your friend everlasting?


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If evil comes upon us, the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house and before you, (for your name is in this house,) and cry out to you in our affliction and you will hear and save.


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<pb/>And now, behold, the sons of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir (whom you would not let Israel invade when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned aside from them and did not destroy them),


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behold, how they reward us, to come to cast us out of your possession, which you have given us to inherit.


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O our God, will you not judge them? For we have no might against this great company that comes against us. Neither do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon you.


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<pb/>Then 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, came the Spirit of Jehovah in the midst of the assembly.


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<pb/>And he said, Listen, all Judah and you* inhabitants of Jerusalem and you king Jehoshaphat. Thus Jehovah says to you*, Do not fear, neither be dismayed because of this great multitude. For the battle is not yours*, but God's.


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Tomorrow go down against them. Behold, they come up by the Ascent of Ziz. And you* will find them at the end of the valley, before the wilderness of Jeruel.


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<pb/>You* will not need to fight in this <i>battle</i>. Set yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of Jehovah with you*, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not fear, nor be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, for Jehovah is with you*.


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<pb/>And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground. And all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before Jehovah, worshiping Jehovah.


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And the Levites, of the sons of the Kohathites and of the sons of the Korahites, stood up to praise Jehovah, the God of Israel, with an exceedingly loud voice.


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<pb/>And they rose early in the morning and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa. And as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah and you* inhabitants of Jerusalem. Believe in Jehovah your* God, so you* will be established. Believe his prophets, so you* will prosper.


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<pb/>And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who should sing to Jehovah and give praise in holy array, as they went out before the army and say, Give thanks to Jehovah. For his loving kindness <i>is</i> everlasting.


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<pb/>And when they began to sing and to praise, Jehovah set an ambush against the sons of Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir who came against Judah and they were struck.


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For the sons of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir, to kill* and destroy them utterly. And when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one helped to destroy another <i>of themselves</i>.


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<pb/>And when Judah came to the watch-tower of the wilderness, they looked upon the multitude. And behold, they were dead bodies fallen to the earth and there were none who escaped.


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<pb/>And when Jehoshaphat and his people came to take the spoil of them, they found among them in abundance both riches and dead bodies and desirable jewels, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away. And they were three days in taking the spoil, it was so much.


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<pb/>And on the fourth day they assembled themselves in the valley of Beracah   <n>{Blessing}</n>, for there they praised Jehovah. Therefore the name of that place was called The valley of Beracah to this day.


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Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem and Jehoshaphat in the forefront of them, to go again to Jerusalem with joy. For Jehovah had made them to rejoice over their enemies.


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<pb/>And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of the countries, when they heard that Jehovah fought against the enemies of Israel.


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<pb/>And Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah. He was thirty-five years old when he began to reign. And he reigned twenty-five years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi.


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And he walked in the way of Asa his father and did not turn aside from it, doing what was right in the eyes of Jehovah.


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However the high places were not taken away. Neither as yet had the people set their hearts to the God of their fathers.


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<pb/>Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, first and last, behold, they are written in the history of Jehu the son of Hanani, which is inserted in the book of the kings of Israel.


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<pb/>And after this Jehoshaphat king of Judah joined himself with Ahaziah King of Israel. The same did very wickedly.


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And he joined himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish. And they made the ships in Ezion-geber.


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<pb/>Then Eliezer the son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, Because you have joined yourself with Ahaziah, Jehovah has destroyed your works. And the ships were broken, so that they were not able to go to Tarshish.


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<pb/>And Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers and was buried with his fathers in the city of David. And Jehoram his son reigned instead of him.


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And he had brothers, the sons of Jehoshaphat: Azariah and Jehiel and Zechariah and Azariah and Michael and Shephatiah. All these were the sons of Jehoshaphat King of Israel.


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And their father gave them great gifts, of silver and of gold and of precious things, with fortified cities in Judah. But the kingdom he gave to Jehoram, because he was the firstborn.


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<pb/>Now when Jehoram was risen up over the kingdom of his father and had strengthened himself, he killed all his brothers with the sword and also various of the rulers of Israel.


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<pb/>And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as did the house of Ahab, for he had the daughter of Ahab as a wife. And he did what was evil in the sight of Jehovah.


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However Jehovah would not destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that he had made with David and as he promised to give a lamp to him and to his sons always.


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Then Jehoram passed over with his captains and all his chariots with him. And he rose up by night and killed* the Edomites that encompassed him around and the captains of the chariots.


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So Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah to this day. Then Libnah revolted at the same time from under his hand because he had forsaken Jehovah, the God of his fathers.


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<pb/>Moreover he made high places in the mountains of Judah and made the inhabitants of Jerusalem to play the prostitute and led Judah astray.


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<pb/>And there came a writing to him from Elijah the prophet, saying, Jehovah says thus, the God of David your father, Because you have not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat your father, nor in the ways of Asa king of Judah,


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but have walked in the way of the kings of Israel and have made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to play the prostitute, like the house of Ahab did and also have slain your brothers of your father's house who were better than yourself,


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behold, Jehovah will kill* your people with a great plague and your sons and your wives and all your substance.


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<pb/>And you will have great sickness by disease of your guts until your guts fall out by reason of the sickness, day by day.


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<pb/>And Jehovah stirred up against Jehoram the spirit of the Philistines and of the Arabians who are beside the Ethiopians.


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And they came up against Judah and broke into it and carried away all the substance that was found in the king's house and his sons also and his wives, so that there has not been left a son to him, except Jehoahaz, the youngest of his sons.


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And it happened, in process of time, at the end of two years, that his guts fell out because of his sickness and he died of severe diseases. And his people made no burning for him like the burning of his fathers.


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<pb/>He was thirty-two years old when he began to reign and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years. And he departed without being <i>the least</i> desirable. And they buried him in the city of David, but not in the sepulchers of the kings.


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<pb/>And the inhabitants of Jerusalem made Ahaziah his youngest son king instead of him, for the band of men who came with the Arabians to the camp had slain all the eldest. So Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah reigned.


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Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he began to reign and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Athaliah the daughter of Omri.


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<pb/>He also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab. For his mother was his counselor to do wickedly.


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And he did what was evil in the sight of Jehovah, as did the house of Ahab. For they were his counselors after the death of his father, to his destruction.


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<pb/>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 wounded Joram.


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And he returned to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds which they had given him at Ramah when he fought against Hazael king of Syria. And Azariah the son of Jehoram king of Judah went down to see Jehoram the son of Ahab in Jezreel because he was sick.


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<pb/>Now the destruction of Ahaziah was of God, in that he went to Joram, for when he came he went out with Jehoram against Jehu the son of Nimshi, whom Jehovah had anointed to cut off the house of Ahab.


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And it happened, when Jehu was executing judgment upon the house of Ahab, that he found the rulers of Judah and the sons of the brothers of Ahaziah, ministering to Ahaziah and killed them.


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<pb/>And he sought Ahaziah and they caught him (now he was hiding in Samaria). And they brought him to Jehu and killed him. And they buried him, for they said, He is the son of Jehoshaphat, who sought Jehovah with all his heart. And the house of Ahaziah had no power to hold the kingdom.


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<pb/>Now when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the royal seed of the house of Judah.


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<pb/>But Jehoshabeath, the daughter of the king, took Joash the son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the king's sons who were slain and put him and his nurse in the bedroom. So Jehoshabeath, the daughter of king Jehoram, the wife of Jehoiada the priest (for she was the sister of Ahaziah), hid him from Athaliah, so that she did not kill him.


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<pb/>And in the seventh year Jehoiada strengthened himself and took the captains of hundreds, Azariah the son of Jeroham and Ishmael the son of Jehohanan and Azariah the son of Obed and Maaseiah the son of Adaiah and Elishaphat the son of Zichri, into covenant with him.


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And they went about in Judah and gathered the Levites out of all the cities of Judah and the heads of fathers of Israel and they came to Jerusalem.


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<pb/>And all the assembly made a covenant with the king in the house of God. And he said to them, Behold, the king's son will reign, as Jehovah has spoken concerning the sons of David.


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<pb/>This is the thing that you* will do: A third part of you* who come in on the Sabbath, of the priests and of the Levites, will be gatekeepers of the thresholds,


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and a third part will be at the king's house and a third part at the gate of the foundation. And all the people will be in the courts of the house of Jehovah.


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<pb/>But let none come into the house of Jehovah except the priests and those who minister of the Levites. They will come in for they are holy, but all the people will keep the charge of Jehovah.


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And the Levites will encompass the king all around, every man with his weapons in his hand. And whoever comes into the house, let him be slain. And be you* with the king when he comes in and when he goes out.


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<pb/>So the Levites and all Judah did according to all that Jehoiada the priest commanded. And they took every man his men, those who were to come in on the Sabbath, with those who were to go out on the Sabbath. For Jehoiada the priest did not dismiss the divisions.


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And Jehoiada the priest delivered to the captains of hundreds the spears and bucklers and shields, that had been king David's, which were in the house of God.


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<pb/>And he set all the people, every man with his weapon in his hand, from the right side of the house to the left side of the house, along by the altar and the house, by the king all around.


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Then they brought out the king's son and put the crown upon him and <i>gave him</i> the testimony and made him king. And Jehoiada and his sons anointed him. And they said, Live, O king.


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<pb/>And when Athaliah heard the noise of the people running and praising the king, she came to the people into the house of Jehovah.


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And she looked, and behold, the king stood by his pillar at the entrance and the captains and the trumpets by the king. And all the people of the land rejoiced and blew trumpets. The singers also <i>played</i> on instruments of music and led the singing of praise. Then Athaliah tore her clothes and said, Treason! treason!


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<pb/>And Jehoiada the priest brought out the captains of hundreds who were set over the army and said to them, Have her forth between the ranks. And whoever follows her, let him be slain with the sword, for the priest said, Do not kill* her in the house of Jehovah.


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So they made way for her. And she went to the entrance of the horse gate to the king's house and they killed her there.


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<pb/>And Jehoiada made a covenant between himself and all the people and the king, that they should be Jehovah's people.


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And all the people went to the house of Baal and broke it down and broke his altars and his images in pieces and killed Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars.


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<pb/>And Jehoiada appointed the officers of the house of Jehovah under the hand of the priests the Levites, whom David had distributed in the house of Jehovah, to offer the burnt offerings of Jehovah, as it is written in the law of Moses, with rejoicing and with singing, according to the order of David.


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<pb/>And he set the gatekeepers at the gates of the house of Jehovah that no man who was unclean in anything should enter in.


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<pb/>And he took the captains of hundreds and the mighty men and the governors of the people and all the people of the land and brought down the king from the house of Jehovah. And they came through the upper gate to the king's house and set the king upon the throne of the kingdom.


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So all the people of the land rejoiced and the city was quiet. And they had slain Athaliah with the sword.


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<pb/>Joash was seven years old when he began to reign and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Zibiah, of Beer-sheba.


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


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<pb/>And the king called for Jehoiada the chief and said to him, Why have you not required of the Levites to bring in out of Judah and out of Jerusalem the tax of Moses the servant of Jehovah and of the assembly of Israel, for the tent of the testimony?


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For the sons of Athaliah, that wicked woman, had broken up the house of God and also all the dedicated things of the house of Jehovah they bestowed upon the Baals   <n>{Baalim}</n>.


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<pb/>So the king commanded and they made a chest and set it outside at the gate of the house of Jehovah.


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And they made a proclamation through Judah and Jerusalem, to bring in for Jehovah the tax that Moses the servant of God laid upon Israel in the wilderness.


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And all the rulers and all the people rejoiced and brought in and cast into the chest, until they had made an end.


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<pb/>And it was so, that, at what <i>ever</i> time the chest was brought to the king's officers by the hand of the Levites and when they saw that there was much money, the king's scribe and the chief priest's officer came and emptied the chest and took it and carried it to its place again. Thus they did day by day and gathered money in abundance.


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<pb/>And the king and Jehoiada gave it to such as did the work of the service of the house of Jehovah. And they hired masons and carpenters to restore the house of Jehovah and also such as worked iron and brass to repair the house of Jehovah.


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So the workmen labored and the work of repairing went forward in their hands and they set up the house of God in its state and strengthened it.


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<pb/>And when they had made an end, they brought the rest of the money before the king and Jehoiada, from which were made vessels for the house of Jehovah, even vessels with which to minister and to offer and spoons and vessels of gold and silver. And they offered burnt offerings in the house of Jehovah continually all the days of Jehoiada.


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<pb/>But Jehoiada grew old and was full of days and he died. He was a hundred and thirty years old when he died.


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And they buried him in the city of David among the kings, because he had done good in Israel and toward God and his house.


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<pb/>Now after the death of Jehoiada the rulers of Judah came and bowed-down to the king. Then the king listened to them.


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And they forsook the house of Jehovah, the God of their fathers and served the Asherim   <n>{pole-images}</n>   and the idols. And wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this their guiltiness.


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Yet he sent prophets to them to bring them again to Jehovah. And they testified against them, but they would not listen.


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<pb/>And the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest. And he stood above the people and said to them, Thus says God, Why do you* transgress the commandments of Jehovah, so that you* cannot prosper? Because you* have forsaken Jehovah, he has also forsaken you*.


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<pb/>And they conspired against him and stoned him with stones at the commandment of the king in the court of the house of Jehovah.


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<pb/>Thus Joash the king did not remember the kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him, but killed his son. And when he died, he said, Jehovah look upon it and require it.


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<pb/>And it happened at the end of the year, that the army of the Syrians came up against him. And they came to Judah and Jerusalem and destroyed all the rulers of the people from among the people and sent all the spoil of them to the king of Damascus.


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For the army of the Syrians came with a small company of men. And Jehovah delivered a very great host into their hand because they had forsaken Jehovah, the God of their fathers. So they executed judgment upon Joash.


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<pb/>And when they were departed from him (for they left him very sick), his own servants conspired against him for the blood of the sons of Jehoiada the priest and killed him on his bed and he died. And they buried him in the city of David, but they did not bury him in the sepulchers of the kings.


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And these are those who conspired against him: Zabad the son of Shimeath the Ammonitess and Jehozabad the son of Shimrith the Moabitess.


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<pb/>Now concerning his sons and the greatness of the burdens <i>laid</i> upon him and the rebuilding of the house of God, behold, they are written in the commentary of the book of the kings. And Amaziah his son reigned instead of him.


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<pb/>Amaziah was twenty-five years old when he began to reign and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name <i>was</i> Jehoaddan, of Jerusalem.


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<pb/>Now it happened, when the kingdom was established to him, that he killed his servants who had killed the king his father.


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But he did not put their sons to death, but did according to what is written in the law in the book of Moses, as Jehovah commanded, saying, The fathers will not die for the sons, neither will the sons die for the fathers, but every man will die for his own sin.


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<pb/>Moreover Amaziah gathered Judah together and appointed them according to their fathers' houses, for heads of thousands and heads of hundreds, even all Judah and Benjamin. And he numbered them from twenty years old and upward and found them three hundred thousand chosen men, able to go forth to war, who could handle spear and shield.


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<pb/>But there came a man of God to him, saying, O king, do not let the army of Israel go with you. For Jehovah is not with Israel, <i>namely</i>, with all the sons of Ephraim.


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But if you are going, do <i>it</i>. Be strong for the battle, <i>because</i> God will cast you down before the enemy, for God has power to help and to cast down.


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


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<pb/>Then Amaziah separated them, <i>namely</i>, the army that came to him out of Ephraim, to go home again. Therefore their anger was greatly kindled against Judah and they returned home in fierce anger.


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<pb/>And Amaziah took courage and led forth his people and went to the Valley of Salt and killed* ten thousand of the sons of Seir.


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And the sons of Judah carried away ten thousand alive and brought them to the top of the rock and cast them down from the top of the rock, so that they all were broken in pieces.


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<pb/>But the men of the army whom Amaziah sent back, that they should not go with him to battle, fell upon the cities of Judah, from Samaria even to Beth-horon and killed* three thousand of them and took much spoil.


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<pb/>Now it happened, after Amaziah came from the slaughter of the Edomites, that he brought the gods of the sons of Seir and set them up to be his gods and bowed down himself before them and burned incense to them.


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<pb/>Therefore the anger of Jehovah was kindled against Amaziah. And he sent a prophet to him, who said to him, Why have you sought after the gods of the people, which have not delivered their own people out of your hand?


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<pb/>And it happened, as he talked with him, that <i>the king</i> said to him, Have we made you of the king's counsel? Cease. Why should you be struck? Then the prophet ceased and said, I know that God has determined to destroy you, because you have done this and have not listened to my counsel.


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<pb/>Then Amaziah king of Judah took advice and sent to Joash, the son of Jehoahaz the son of Jehu, King of Israel, saying, Come, let us look each other in the face.


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And Joash King of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, The thistle that was in Lebanon sent to the cedar that was in Lebanon, saying, Give your daughter to my son as a wife. And there passed by a wild beast that was in Lebanon and trampled down the thistle.


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<pb/>You say, Behold, I have struck Edom. And your heart lifts you up to boast. Remain now at home. Why should you meddle to <i>your</i> hurt, that you should fall, even you and Judah with you?


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<pb/>But Amaziah would not hear, for it was of God, that he might deliver them into the hand <i>of their enemies</i>, because they had sought after the gods of Edom.


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So Joash King of Israel went up. And he and Amaziah king of Judah looked each other in the face at Beth-shemesh, which belongs to Judah.


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<pb/>And Joash King of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Joash the son of Jehoahaz, at Beth-shemesh and brought him to Jerusalem and broke down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim to the corner gate, four hundred cubits.


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And <i>he took</i> all the gold and silver and all the vessels that were found in the house of God with Obed-edom and the treasures of the king's house, also the hostages and returned to Samaria.


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<pb/>And Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah lived fifteen years after the death of Joash son of Jehoahaz King of Israel.


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Now the rest of the acts of Amaziah, first and last, behold, are they not written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel?


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<pb/>Now from the time that Amaziah turned away from following Jehovah they made a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem and he fled to Lachish. But they sent after him to Lachish and killed him there.


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<pb/>And all the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old and made him king in the place of his father Amaziah.


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Uzziah was sixteen years old when he began to reign and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jechiliah, of Jerusalem.


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<pb/>And he did what was right in the eyes of Jehovah, according to all that his father Amaziah had done.


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And he set himself to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the vision of God. And as long as he sought Jehovah, God made him to prosper.


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<pb/>And he went forth and warred against the Philistines and broke down the wall of Gath and the wall of Jabneh and the wall of Ashdod. And he built cities in <i>the country of</i> Ashdod and among the Philistines.


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<pb/>And God helped him against the Philistines and against the Arabians who dwelt in Gur-baal and the Meunim.


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And the Ammonites gave tribute to Uzziah. And his name spread abroad even to the entrance of Egypt, for he grew exceedingly strong.


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<pb/>Moreover Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the corner gate and at the valley gate and at the turning <i>of the wall</i> and fortified them.


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And he built towers in the wilderness and hewed out many cisterns, for he had much cattle, also in the lowland and in the plain. <i>And he had</i> farmer and vine-dressers in the mountains and in the fruitful fields, for he loved husbandry.


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<pb/>Moreover Uzziah had an army of fighting men who went out to war by bands, according to the number of their reckoning made by Jeiel the scribe and Maaseiah the officer, under the hand of Hananiah, one of the king's captains.


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<pb/>The whole number of the heads of fathers, even the mighty men of valor, was two thousand and six hundred.


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And under their hand was an army, three hundred seven thousand and five hundred, that made war with mighty power, to help the king against the enemy.


