Joash slain by his servants. CHAPTER XXV. B. C. B. C. cir. 840. 19 Yet he Psent prophets to them, to bring them again unto the LORD; and they testified Pch.36.15 against them: but they would Je. 7. 25, give ear. 26.&25.4. 839. not the Spirit of God 4 ch.15.1.2Ki.14.1 21 And they conspired against him,and 'stoned him withstones atthe commandment of the king, in the court of the house of the LORD. 22 Thus Joash the king remembered not the kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him, but slew his son. And when he died, he said, The LORD look upon it, and require it. 840, 14. 02Ki.14.5 Mat. 23. 35. Ac. 7. 58, 59. &c. 840. 23 And it came to pass tatt Heb. the end of the year, that "the in the rehost of Syria came up against volution him: and they came to Judah of the and Jerusalem, and destroyed year. all the princes of the people "2Ki. 12. from among the people, and 17. sent all the spoil of them unto the king of Damascus. 24 For the army of the Syrians came with a small company of men, and the LORD delivered a very great host into their hand, because they had forsaken the LORD God of their fathers. So they executed judgment against Joash. 839. 25. 20. 25 And when they were depart-18. 10. 5. 2 ch.22 8. ed from him, (for they left him in great diseases,) hisown servants a 2Ki. 12. conspired against him for the blood of the bsons of Jehoiada the priest, and slew him on his bed, and he died: and they buried him in the city of David, but they buried him not in the sepulchres of the kings. b ver. 21. 26 And these are they that conspired against him: Zabad the 1 Or, Jozachar, son of Shimeath an Ammonitess, 2K.12.21 and Jehozabad the son of Shimrith a Moabitess. 27 T Now concerning his sons, and the greatness of the burdens laid upon him, and the trepairing of the house of God, behold, they are written in the story of the book of the kings. And Amaziah his son reigned ing. in his stead. Or, Shumer. 839. 2Ki. 12. 18. † Heb. Or, Amaziah smiteth the Edomites. tory, serveth the gods of Edom, and despiseth the admonitions of the pro. phet. 17 He provoketh Joash to his overthrow. 25 His reign. 27 He is slain by conspiracy. A five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty 2 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, 14.4. ver. bSee 2Kibbut not with a perfect heart. 3 Now it came to pass, when the kingdom was testablished to him, that he slew his servants that had killed the king his father. 4 But he slew nottheir children, but did as it is written in the law in the book of Moses, where the LORD commanded, saying,dThe fathers shall not die for the children, neither shall the children die for the fathers,butevery man shall die for his own sin. ↑ Heb. confirm ed upon him. d De. 24. 16.2Ki.14 20. 5 Moreover, Amaziah gathered Judah together, and made them captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, according to the houses of their fathers, throughout all Judah and Benjamin: and he numbered Nu. 1.3. them "from twenty years old and above, and found them three hundred thousand choice men, able to go forth to war, that could handle spear and shield. 6 He hired also an hundred thousand mighty men of valour out of Israel for an hundred talents of silver. 7 But there came a man of God to him, saying, O king, let not the army of Israel go with thee; for the LORD is not with Israel, to wit, with all the children of Ephraim. 8 But if thou wilt go, do it, be strong for the battle: God shall make thee fall before the enemy: fch. 20.6. for God hath power to help, and to cast down. † Heb. band. Pr.10.22 ↑ Heb. 9 And Amaziah said to the man of God, But whatshall we do for the hundred talents which I have given to the farmy of Israel? And the man of God answered, The LORD is able to give thee much more than this. 10 Then Amaziah separated them, to wit, the army that was come to him out of Ephraim, to go thome again: wherefore their anger was greatly kindled against Judah, and they returned home fin great anger. of angered himself, and led forth his peo 11 T And Amnaziah strengthen. cir. 827. ple, and went to the valley of h2Ki.14.7 Salt, and smote of the children of Seir ten thousand. 12 And other ten thousand left alive did the children of Judah carry away captive, and brought 427 Amaziah challengeth Joash. II. CHRONICLES. them unto the top of the rock, and cast them down from the top of the rock, that they all were broken in pieces. B. C. cir. 827 band. 13 T But f the soldiers of the + Heb. army which Amaziah sent back, the sonst that they should not go with of the him to battle, fell upon the cities of Judah, from Samaria even unto Beth-horon, and smote three thousand of them, and took much spoil. 14 T Now it came to pass, after that Amaziah was come from the slaughter of the Edomites, that he brought the gods of the children of Seir, and set them up to bekhis gods, and bowed down himself before them, and burned incense unto them. 15 Wherefore the anger of the LORD was kindled against Amaziah, and he sent unto him a prophet, which said unto him, Why hast thou sought after the gods of the people, which could not deliver their own people out of thine hand? 16 And it came to pass, as he talked with him, that the king said unto him, Art thou made of the king's counsel? forbear; why shouldest thou be smitten? Then the prophet forbare, and said, 1 know that God hath + "determined to destroy thee, because thou hast done this, and hast not hearkened unto my counsel. 17 T 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 see one another in the face. B. C. 826. r See ch. 21. 17. & 22. 1, 6. Heb. the gate of it that looketh. i See ch. 17. 28. 23. kEx. 20. 3,5. 2K1.14. 810. † Heb from 1 Ps.96.5. after. mver. 11. † Heb. tHeb. coun selled. n1 Sa. 2. 25. 826. 02 Ki. 14. 8, 9, &c. 18 And Joash king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, 1Or, saying, The thistle that was in furzeLebanon sent to the cedar that bush, or, was in Lebanon, saying, Give thorn. thy daughter to my son to wife: † Heb. a and there passed by a wild beast of beast that was in Lebanon, and the field. trode down the thistle. 19 Thou sayest, Lo, thou hast smitten the Edomites; and thine heart lifteth thee up to boast: abide now at home; why shouldest thou meddle to thine hurt, that thou shouldest fall, even thou, and Judah with thee? P1 Ki. 12. 7. conspir ed a con spiracy. 15.ch. 22. ing of 20 But Amaziah would not hear; for P it came of God, that he might deliver them into the hand of their enemies, because they sought after the gods of Edom. ver. 14. 29. 21 So Joash the king of Israel went up; and they saw one another in the face, both he and Amaziah kingof Judah, at Bethshemesh, which belongeth to Judah. 22 And Judah was put to thet Heb. worse before Israel, and they smitten. fled every man to his tent. 23 And Joash the king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the Or, ech. 21. 16. 12Sa.8.2. ch.17. 11. t Heb. went. Uzziah beginneth his reign well. son of Joash, the son of "Jehoahaz, at Beth-shemesh, and brought him to Jerusalem, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim to the corner-gate, four hundred cubits. 24 And he took 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, the hostages also, and returned to Samaria. 25 T And Amaziah, the son of Joash king of Judah, lived after the death of Joash, son of Jehoahaz king of Israel, fifteen years. 26 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? 27 T Now after the time that Amaziah did turn away from following the LORD they made a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem; and he fled to Lachish: but they sent to Lachish after him, and slew him there. 28 And they brought him upon horses, and buried him with his fathers in the city of Judah. CHAPTER XXVI. Uzziah succeeding,and reigning well it the days of Zechariah, prospereth 1. 16 Waxing proud, he invadeth the priest's office, and is smitten with leprosy. 22 He dieth, and Jotham succeedeth him. THEN all the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in the room of his father Amaziah. 2 He built Eloth, and restored it to Judah, after that the king slept with his fathers. 3 Sixteen years old was Uzziah when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and two years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Jecoliah of Jerusalem. 4 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah did. 5 And bhe sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God: and, as long as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper. 6 And he went forth and dwarred against the Philistines, and brake down the wall of Gath, and the wall of Jabneh, and the wall of Ashdod, and built cities about Ashdod, and among the Philistines. 7 And God helped him against the Philistines, and against the Arabians that dwelt in Gurbaal, and the Mehunims. 8 And the Ammonites fgave gifts to Uzziah: and his name fspread abroad even to the en Ahoz's wicked reign. II. CHRONICLES. B. C. the city of David: and Ahaz his son reigned in his stead. CHAPTER XXVIIL Anaz reigning very wickedly is greatly afflicted by the Syrians, 1. 6 Judah being captivated by the Israelites is sent home by the counsel of Oded the prophet. 16 Ahaz sending for aid to Assyria is not helped thereby. 22 In his distress he groweth more idolatrous. 26 He dying, Hezekiah succeedeth him. B. C. cir. 742. cir. 741. 741. HAZ was twenty years old 2 Ki. 16. A when he began to reign, and 2 he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem: but he did not that which was right in the sight of the LORD, like David his father: 2 For he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and made also bmolten images for Baalim. 3 Moreover, he burnt incense in the valley of the son of Hinnom, and burnt his children in the fire, after the abominations of the heathen whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel. 4 He sacrificed also and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree. 5 Wherefore f the LORD his God delivered him into the hand of the king of Syria; and they Bamote him, and carried away a great multitude of them captives, and brought them to †Damascus. And he was also delivered into the hand of the king of Israel, who smote him with a great slaughter. b Ex. 34. 17.Le.19. 4. Ju.2. 11. Or, offered sacrifice.. dzki. 23. 10. Ja.2. 13. O ver. 12. Le. 18. P 2 Ki. 6. 5.6. ↑ Heb. Darme sek. 12. 20. De. 34. 3. Ju. 1. 16. cir. 741. T2 Ki. 16. 7. 6 T For Pekah the son of Remaliah slew in Judah an hundred and twenty thousand int Heb. one day, which were all valiant sons of men; because they had forsak- valour. en the LORD God of their fathers. 7 And Zichri, a mighty man of Ephraim, slew Maaseiah the king's son, and Azrikam the governor of the house, and Elkanah that was fnext to the king. 8 And the children of Israel carried away captive of their ibrethren two hundred thou-i ch.11.4. sand, women, sons, and daughters, and took also away much spoil from them, and brought the spoil to Samaria. 9 Buta prophet of the LORD was there, whose name was Oded: and he went out before the host that came to Samaria, and said unto them. Behold, k because the LORD God of your fathers was wroth with Judah, he hath delivered them into your hand, and ye have slain them in a rage that reacheth up unto heaven. 10 And now ye purpose to keep under the children of Judah and Jerusalem for "bond-men and bond-women unto you: but are there not withyou, evenwith you, sins against the LORD your God? His idolatry. 11 Now hear me therefore, and deliver the captives again, which ye have taken captive of your brethren: "for the fierce wrath of the LORD is upon you. 12 Then certain of the heads of the children of Ephraim, Azariah the son of Johanan, Berechiah the son of Meshillemoth, and Jehizkiah the son of Shallum, and Amasa the son of Hadlai, stood up against them that came from the war, 13 And said unto them, Ye shall not bring in the captives hither: for whereas we have offended against the LORD already, ye intend to add more to our sins and to our trespass: for our trespass is great, and there is fierce wrath against Israel. 14 So the armed men left the captives and the spoil before the princes and all the congregation. 15 And the men which were expressed by name rose up, and took the captives, and with the spoil clothed all that were naked among them, and arrayed them, and shod them, and Pgave them to eat and to drink,and anointed them, and carried all the feeble of them upon asses, and brought them to Jericho, the city of palm-trees, to their brethren: then they returned to Samaria. 16 TAt that time did king Ahaz send unto the kings of Assyria to help him. 17 For again the Edomites had come and smitten Judah, and carried away fcaptives. 18 "The Philistines also had invaded the cities ofthe low country, and of the south of Judah, andhadtaken Beth-shemesh,and Ajalon, and Gederoth, and Shocho with the villagesthereof and Timnah with the villages thereof, Gimzo also and the villages thereof: and they dwelt there. 19 For the LORD brought Judah low because of Ahaz king of Israel: for he "made Judah naked, and transgressed sore against the LORD. 20 And Tilgath-pilneser king 12Ki. 15. of Assyria came unto him, and 29.&16.7, distressed him, but strengthened him not. 8,9. 25. 14. Ob. 10, 21 For Ahaz took away a portion out of the house of the LORD, and out of the house of the king, and of the princes, and gave it unto the king of Assyria: but he helped him not. 22 TAnd in the time of his distress did he trespass yet more against the LORD: this is that king Ahaz. 23 For he sacrificed unto the gods of Damascus, which smote Darme-him: and he said, Because the gods of the kings of Syria help them, therefore will I sacrifice to them,that they may help me. But they were the ruin of him, B. C. and of all Israel. 24 And Ahaz gathered together the vessels of the house of God, and cut in pieces the vessels of the house of God, and shut up the doors of the house of the LORD, and he made him altars in every corner of Jerusalem. 25 And in every several city of Judah he made high places to burn incense unto other gods, and provoked to anger the LORD God of his fathers. 26 T Now the rest of his acts and of all his ways, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel. 27 And Ahaz slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city, even in Jerusalem: but they brought him not into the sepulchres of the kings of Israel: and Hezekiah his son reigned in his stead. CHAPTER XXIX. Hezekiah's good reign, 1. 3 He restoreth religion. 5 He exhorteth the Levites. 12 They sanctify themselves, and cleanse the house of God. 20 Hezekiah offereth solemn sacrifices, wherein the Levites were more forward than the priests. HEZEKIAH "began to reign |