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The Shunammite’s Land Restored

1 Elisha said to the woman whose son he had restored to life,“Get ready, you and your household, and go and live as a foreigner wherever you can. For theLordhas announced a seven-year famine,and it has already come to the land.”

2 So the woman got ready and did what the man of God said. She and her household lived as foreigners in the land of the Philistines for seven years.

3 When the woman returned from the land of the Philistines at the end of seven years,she went to appeal to the king for her house and field.

4 The king had been speaking to Gehazi,the attendant of the man of God, saying, “Tell me all the great things Elisha has done.”

5 While he was telling the king how Elisha restored the dead son to life, the woman whose son he had restored to life came to appeal to the king for her house and field. So Gehazi said, “My lord the king, this is the woman and this is the son Elisha restored to life.”

6 When the king asked the woman, she told him the story. So the king appointed a court official for her, saying, “Restore all that was hers, along with all the income from the field from the day she left the country until now.”

Aram’s King Hazael

7 Elisha came to Damascuswhile Ben-hadadking of Aram was sick, and the king was told, “The man of Godhas come here.”

8 So the king said to Hazael,“Take a giftwith you and go meet the man of God. Inquire of theLordthrough him, ‘Will I recover from this sickness? ’ ”

9 Hazael went to meet Elisha, taking with him a gift: 40 camel-loads of all kinds of goods from Damascus. When he came and stood before him, he said, “Your son,Ben-hadad king of Aram, has sent me to ask you, ‘Will I recover from this sickness? ’ ”

10 Elisha told him, “Go say to him, ‘You are sure torecover.’ But theLordhas shown me that he is sure to die.”

11 Then Elisha stared steadily at him until Hazael was ashamed.

The man of God wept,

12 and Hazael asked, “Why is my lord weeping? ”

He replied, “Because I know the evil you will do to the people of Israel. You will set their fortresses on fire. You will kill their young men with the sword. You will dash their little ones to pieces. You will rip open their pregnant women.”

13 Hazael said, “How could your servant, a mere dog,do this monstrous thing? ”

Elisha answered, “TheLordhas shown me that you will be king over Aram.”

14 Hazael left Elisha and went to his master, who asked him, “What did Elisha say to you? ”

He responded, “He told me you are sure to recover.”

15 The next day Hazael took a heavy cloth, dipped it in water, and spread it over the king’s face. Ben-hadad died, and Hazael reigned instead of him.

Judah’s King Jehoram

16 In the fifth yearof Israel’s King Joramson of Ahab, Jehoramson of Jehoshaphat became king of Judah, replacing his father.

17 He was 32 years old when he became king and reigned eight years in Jerusalem.

18 He walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab had done, for Ahab’s daughter was his wife. He did what was evil in theLord’s sight.

19 TheLordwas unwilling to destroy Judah because of His servant David, since He had promised to give a lampto David and his sons forever.

20 During Jehoram’s reign, Edom rebelled against Judah’s control and appointed their own king.

21 So Jehoram crossed over to Zair with all his chariots. Then at night he set out to attack the Edomites who had surrounded him and the chariot commanders, but his troops fled to their tents.

22 So Edom is still in rebellion against Judah’s control today. Libnahalso rebelled at that time.

23 The rest of the events of Jehoram’s reign, along with all his accomplishments, are written in the Historical Record of Judah’s Kings.

24 Jehoram rested with his fathers and was buried with his fathers in the city of David, and his son Ahaziah became king in his place.

Judah’s King Ahaziah

25 In the twelfth year of Israel’s King Joram son of Ahab,Ahaziah son of Jehoram became king of Judah.

26 Ahaziah was 22 years old when he became king and reigned one year in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Athaliah, granddaughter of Israel’s King Omri.

27 He walked in the way of the house of Ahab and did what was evil in theLord’s sight like the house of Ahab,for he was a son-in-law to Ahab’s family.

28 Ahaziah went with Joram son of Ahab to fight against Hazaelking of Aram in Ramoth-gilead,and the Arameans wounded Joram.

29 So King Joram returned to Jezreelto recover from the wounds that the Arameans had inflicted on him in Ramoth-gileadwhen he fought against Aram’s King Hazael.Then Judah’s King Ahaziah son of Jehoram went down to Jezreel to visit Joram son of Ahab since Joram was ill.

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Jehu Anointed as Israel’s King

1 The prophet Elisha called one of the sons of the prophetsand said, “Tuck your mantleunder your belt, take this flask of oilwith you, and go to Ramoth-gilead.

2 When you get there, look for Jehuson of Jehoshaphat, son of Nimshi. Go in, get him away from his colleagues, and take him to an inner room.

3 Then, take the flask of oil, pour it on his head, and say, ‘This is what theLordsays: “I anoint you king over Israel.” ’Open the door and escape. Don’t wait.”

4 So the young prophet went to Ramoth-gilead.

5 When he arrived, the army commanders were sitting there, so he said, “I have a message for you, commander.”

Jehu asked, “For which one of us? ”

He answered, “For you, commander.”

6 So Jehu got up and went into the house. The young prophet poured the oil on his head and said, “This is what theLordGod of Israel says: ‘I anoint you king over theLord’s people, Israel.

7 You are to strike down the house of your master Ahab so that I may avenge the blood shed by the hand of Jezebel — the blood of My servants the prophets and of all the servants of theLord.

8 The whole house of Ahab will perish, and I will eliminate all of Ahab’s males,both slave and free, in Israel.

9 I will make the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam son of Nebat and like the house of Baasha son of Ahijah.

10 The dogs will eat Jezebel in the plot of land at Jezreel — no one will bury her.’ ”Then the young prophet opened the door and escaped.

11 When Jehu came out to his master’s servants, they asked, “Is everything all right? Why did this crazy personcome to you? ”

Then he said to them, “You know the sort and their ranting.”

12 But they replied, “That’s a lie! Tell us! ”

So Jehu said, “He talked to me about this and that and said, ‘This is what theLordsays: I anoint you king over Israel.’ ”

13 Each man quickly took his garment and put it under Jehu on the bare steps.They blew the ram’s hornand proclaimed, “Jehu is king! ”

14 Then Jehu son of Jehoshaphat, son of Nimshi, conspired against Joram.Joram and all Israel had been at Ramoth-gilead on guard against Hazael king of Aram.

15 But King Joram had returned to Jezreel to recover from the wounds that the Arameans had inflicted on him when he fought against Aram’s King Hazael. Jehu said, “If you commanders wish to make me king, then don’t let anyone escape from the city to go tell about it in Jezreel.”

Jehu Kills Joram and Ahaziah

16 Jehu got into his chariot and went to Jezreel since Joram was laid up there and Ahaziah king of Judah had gone down to visit Joram.

17 Now the watchmanwas standing on the tower in Jezreel. He saw Jehu’s troops approaching and shouted, “I see troops! ”

Joram responded, “Choose a rider and send him to meet them and have him ask, ‘Do you come in peace? ’ ”

18 So a horseman went to meet Jehu and said, “This is what the king asks: ‘Do you come in peace? ’ ”

Jehu replied, “What do you have to do with peace?Fall in behind me.”

The watchman reported, “The messenger reached them but hasn’t started back.”

19 So he sent out a second horseman, who went to them and said, “This is what the king asks: ‘Do you come in peace? ’ ”

Jehu answered, “What do you have to do with peace?Fall in behind me.”

20 Again the watchman reported, “He reached them but hasn’t started back. Also, the driving is like that of Jehu son of Nimshi— he drives like a madman.”

21 “Harness! ” Joram shouted, and they harnessed his chariot. Then Joram king of Israel and Ahaziah king of Judah set out, each in his own chariot, and met Jehu at the plot of land of Naboth the Jezreelite.

22 When Joram saw Jehu he asked, “Do you come in peace, Jehu? ”

He answered, “What peace can there be as long as there is so much prostitution and witchcraft from your mother Jezebel? ”

23 Joram turned around and fled, shouting to Ahaziah, “It’s treachery,Ahaziah! ”

24 Then Jehu drew his bow and shot Joram between the shoulders. The arrow went through his heart, and he slumped down in his chariot.

25 Jehu said to Bidkar his aide, “Pick him up and throw him on the plot of ground belonging to Naboth the Jezreelite.For remember when you and I were riding side by side behind his father Ahab, and theLorduttered this oracle against him:

26 ‘As surely as I saw the blood of Naboth and the blood of his sons yesterday’ — this is theLord’s declaration — ‘so will I repay you on this plot of land’ — this is theLord’s declaration. So now, according to the word of theLord, pick him up and throw him on the plot of land.”

27 When King Ahaziah of Judah saw what was happening, he fled up the road toward Beth-haggan. Jehu pursued him, shouting, “Shoot him too! ” So they shot him in his chariotat Gur Pass near Ibleam,but he fled to Megiddoand died there.

28 Then his servants carried him to Jerusalem in a chariot and buried him in his fathers’ tomb in the city of David.

29 It was in the eleventh year of Joram son of Ahab that Ahaziah had become king over Judah.

Jehu Kills Jezebel

30 When Jehu came to Jezreel, Jezebel heard about it, so she painted her eyes,adorned her head, and looked down from the window.

31 As Jehu entered the gate, she said, “Do you come in peace, Zimri,killer of your master? ”

32 He looked up toward the window and said, “Who is on my side? Who? ” Two or three eunuchslooked down at him,

33 and he said, “Throw her down! ” So they threw her down, and some of her blood splattered on the wall and on the horses, and Jehu rode over her.

34 Then he went in, ate and drank, and said, “Take care of this cursedwoman and bury her, since she’s a king’s daughter.”

35 But when they went out to bury her, they did not find anything but her skull, her feet, and the palms of her hands.

36 So they went back and told him, and he said, “This fulfills theLord’s word that He spoke through His servant Elijah the Tishbite: ‘In the plot of land at Jezreel, the dogs will eat Jezebel’s flesh.

37 Jezebel’s corpse will be like manureon the surface of the field in the plot of land at Jezreel so that no one will be able to say: This is Jezebel.’ ”

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Jehu Kills the House of Ahab

1 Since Ahab had 70 sons in Samaria,Jehu wrote letters and sent them to Samaria to the rulers of Jezreel,to the elders, and to the guardians of Ahab’s sons,saying:

2 When this letterarrives, since your master’s sons are with you and you have chariots, horses, a fortified city, and weaponry,

3 select the most qualifiedof your master’s sons, set him on his father’s throne, and fight for your master’s house.

4 However, they were terrified and reasoned, “Look, two kingscouldn’t stand against him; how can we? ”

5 So the overseer of the palace, the overseer of the city, the elders, and the guardians sent a message to Jehu: “We are your servants, and we will do whatever you tell us. We will not make anyone king. Do whatever you think is right.”

6 Then Jehu wrote them a second letter, saying:

If you are on my side, and if you will obey me, bring me the heads of your master’s sons at this time tomorrow at Jezreel.

All 70 of the king’s sons were being cared for by the city’s prominent men.

7 When the letter came to them, they took the king’s sons and slaughtered all 70, put their heads in baskets, and sent them to Jehu at Jezreel.

8 When the messenger came and told him, “They have brought the heads of the king’s sons,” the king said, “Pile them in two heaps at the entrance of the gate until morning.”

9 The next morning when he went out and stood at the gate, he said to all the people, “You are innocent. It was I who conspired against my master and killed him.But who struck down all these?

10 Know, then, that not a word theLordspoke against the house of Ahab will fail,for theLordhas done what He promised through His servant Elijah.”

11 So Jehu killed all who remained of the house of Ahab in Jezreel — all his great men, close friends, and priests — leaving him no survivors.

12 Then he set out and went on his way to Samaria. On the way, while he was at Beth-eked of the Shepherds,

13 Jehu met the relatives of Ahaziah king of Judah and asked, “Who are you? ”

They answered, “We’re Ahaziah’srelatives. We’ve come down to greet the king’s sons and the queen mother’ssons.”

14 Then Jehu ordered, “Take them alive.” So they took them alive and then slaughtered them at the pit of Beth-eked — 42 men. He didn’t spare any of them.

15 When he left there, he found Jehonadab son of Rechabcoming to meet him. He greeted him and then asked, “Is your heart one with mine? ”

“It is,” Jehonadab replied.

Jehu said, “If it is,give me your hand.”

So he gave him his hand, and Jehu pulled him up into the chariot with him.

16 Then he said, “Come with me and see my zealfor theLord! ” So he let him ride with him in his chariot.

17 When Jehu came to Samaria, he struck down all who remained from the house of Ahab in Samaria until he had annihilated his house, according to the word of theLordspoken to Elijah.

Jehu Kills the Baal Worshipers

18 Then Jehu brought all the people together and said to them, “Ahab served Baala little, but Jehu will serve him a lot.

19 Now, therefore, summon to me all the prophets of Baal, all his servants, and all his priests.None must be missing, for I have a great sacrifice for Baal. Whoever is missing will not live.” However, Jehu was acting deceptively in order to destroy the servants of Baal.

20 Jehu commanded, “Consecrate a solemn assemblyfor Baal.” So they called one.

21 Then Jehu sent messengers throughout all Israel, and all the servants of Baalcame; there was not a man left who did not come.They entered the temple of Baal,and it was filled from one end to the other.

22 Then he said to the custodian of the wardrobe, “Bring out the garments for all the servants of Baal.” So he brought out their garments.

23 Then Jehu and Jehonadab son of Rechab entered the temple of Baal, and Jehu said to the servants of Baal, “Look carefully to see that there are no servants of theLordhere among you — only servants of Baal.”

24 Then they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings.

Now Jehu had stationed 80 men outside, and he warned them, “Whoever allows any of the men I am delivering into your hands to escape will forfeit his life for theirs.”

25 When he finished offering the burnt offering, Jehu said to the guards and officers, “Go in and kill them. Don’t let anyone out.”So they struck them down with the sword. Then the guards and officers threw the bodies out and went into the inner room of the temple of Baal.

26 They brought out the pillars of the temple of Baal and burned them

27 and tore down the pillarof Baal. Then they tore down the temple of Baal and made it a latrine— which it is to this day.

Evaluation of Jehu’s Reign

28 Jehu eliminated Baal worship from Israel,

29 but he did not turn away from the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit — worshiping the gold calves that were in Bethel and Dan.

30 Nevertheless, theLordsaid to Jehu, “Because you have done well in carrying out what is right in My sight and have done to the house of Ahab all that was in My heart, four generations of your sons will sit on the throne of Israel.”

31 Yet Jehu was not careful to follow the instruction of theLordGod of Israel with all his heart. He did not turn from the sins that Jeroboam had caused Israel to commit.

32 In those days theLordbegan to reduce the size of Israel.Hazaeldefeated the Israelites throughout their territory:

33 from the Jordan eastward, all the land of Gilead — the Gadites, the Reubenites, and the Manassites — from Aroerwhich is by the Arnon Valleythrough Gilead to Bashan.

34 Now the rest of the events of Jehu’s reign, along with all his accomplishments and all his might, are written in the Historical Record of Israel’s Kings.

35 Jehu rested with his fathers and was buried in Samaria. His son Jehoahazbecame king in his place.

36 The length of Jehu’s reign over Israel in Samaria was 28 years.

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Athaliah Usurps the Throne

1 When Athaliah,Ahaziah’s mother,saw that her son was dead,she proceeded to annihilate all the royal heirs.

2 Jehosheba,who was King Jehoram’s daughter and Ahaziah’ssister, secretly rescued Joash son of Ahaziah from the king’s sons who were being killed and put him and the one who nursed him in a bedroom. So he was hidden from Athaliah and was not killed.

3 Joash was in hiding with Jehosheba in theLord’s temple six years while Athaliah ruled over the land.

Athaliah Overthrown

4 Thenin the seventh year, Jehoiadasent messengers and brought in the commanders of hundreds, the Carites, and the guards.He had them come to him in theLord’s temple, where he made a covenant with them and put them under oath. He showed them the king’s son

5 and commanded them, “This is what you are to do: a third of you who come on duty on the Sabbathare to provide protection for the king’s palace.

6 A third are to be at the Sur gate and a third at the gate behind the guards. You are to take turns providing protection for the palace.

7 “Your two divisions that go off duty on the Sabbath are to provide protection for theLord’s temple.

8 You must completely surround the king with weapons in hand. Anyone who approaches the ranks is to be put to death. You must be with the king in all his daily tasks.”

9 So the commanders of hundreds did everything Jehoiada the priest commanded. They each brought their men — those coming on duty on the Sabbath and those going off duty — and went to Jehoiada the priest.

10 The priest gave to the commanders of hundreds King David’s spears and shieldsthat were in theLord’s temple.

11 Then the guards stood with their weapons in hand surrounding the king — from the right side of the temple to the left side, by the altar and by the temple.

12 He brought out the king’s son, put the crownon him, gave him the testimony,and made him king. They anointedhim and clapped their hands and cried, “Long live the king! ”

13 When Athaliahheard the noise from the guard and the crowd, she went out to the people at theLord’s temple.

14 As she looked, there was the king standing by the pillaraccording to the custom. The commanders and the trumpeters were by the king, and all the people of the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets.Athaliah tore her clothes and screamed “Treason! Treason! ”

15 Then Jehoiadathe priest ordered the commanders of hundredsin charge of the army, “Take her out between the ranks, and put to death by the sword anyone who follows her,” for the priest had said, “She is not to be put to death in theLord’s temple.”

16 So they arrested her, and she went through the horse entranceto the king’s palace, where she was put to death.

Jehoiada’s Reforms

17 ThenJehoiada made a covenant between theLord, the king, and the people that they would be theLord’s peopleand another covenant between the king and the people.

18 So all the people of the land went to the temple of Baal and tore it down. They broke its altars and images into pieces,and they killed Mattan, the priest of Baal, at the altars.

Then Jehoiada the priest appointed guards for theLord’s temple.

19 He took the commanders of hundreds, the Carites, the guards,and all the people of the land, and they brought the king from theLord’s temple. They entered the king’s palace by way of the guards’ gate. Then Joashsat on the throne of the kings.

20 All the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was quiet, for they had put Athaliah to death by the sword in the king’s palace.

Judah’s King Joash

21 Joashwas seven years old when he became king.

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1 In the seventh year of Jehu, Joash became king and reigned 40 years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Zibiah, who was from Beer-sheba.

2 Throughout the time Jehoiadathe priest instructedhim, Joash did what was right in theLord’s sight.

3 Yet the high places were not taken away; the people continued sacrificing and burning incense on the high places.

Repairing the Temple

4 ThenJoash said to the priests, “All the dedicated money brought to theLord’s temple,census money,money from vows,and all money voluntarily givenfor theLord’s temple,

5 each priest is to take from his assessorand repair whatever damage to the temple is found.”

6 But by the twenty-third yearof the reign of King Joash, the priests had not repaired the damageto the temple.

7 So King Joash called Jehoiadathe priest and the other priests and said, “Why haven’t you repaired the temple’s damage? Since you haven’t, don’t take any money from your assessors; instead, hand it over for the repair of the temple.”

8 So the priests agreed they would not take money from the people and they would not repair the temple’s damage.

9 Then Jehoiada the priest took a chest,bored a hole in its lid, and set it beside the altar on the right side as one enters theLord’s temple; in it the priests who guarded the threshold put all the money brought into theLord’s temple.

10 Whenever they saw there was a large amount of money in the chest, the king’s secretaryand the high priest would go to theLord’s temple and count the money found there and tie it up in bags.

11 Then they would put the counted money into the hands of those doing the work — those who oversaw theLord’s temple. They in turn would pay it out to those working on theLord’s temple — the carpenters, the builders,

12 the masons, and the stonecutters — and would use it to buy timber and quarried stone to repair the damage to theLord’s templeand for all spending for temple repairs.

13 However, no silver bowls, wick trimmers, sprinkling basins, trumpets, or any articles of gold or silverwere made for theLord’s temple from the money brought into the temple.

14 Instead, it was given to those doing the work, and they repaired theLord’s temple with it.

15 No accounting was required from the men who received the money to pay those doing the work, since they worked with integrity.

16 The money from the restitution offering and the sin offering was not brought to theLord’s temple since it belonged to the priests.

Aramean Invasion of Judah

17 At that time Hazaelking of Aram marched up and fought against Gath and captured it. Then he planned to attack Jerusalem.

18 So King Joash of Judah took all the consecrated items that his ancestors — Judah’s kings Jehoshaphat, Jehoram, and Ahaziah — had consecrated, along with his own consecrated items and all the gold found in the treasuries of theLord’s temple and in the king’s palace, and he sent them to Hazael king of Aram.Then Hazael withdrew from Jerusalem.

Joash Assassinated

19 The rest of the events of Joash’s reign, along with all his accomplishments, are written in the Historical Record of Judah’s Kings.

20 Joash’s servants conspired against him and killed himat Beth-milloon the road that goes down to Silla.

21 His servants Jozabadson of Shimeath and Jehozabad son of Shomer struck him down, and he died.Then they buried him with his fathers in the city of David, and his son Amaziah became king in his place.

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Israel’s King Jehoahaz

1 In the twenty-third year of Judah’s King Joashson of Ahaziah, Jehoahazson of Jehu became king over Israel in Samaria and reigned 17 years.

2 He did what was evil in theLord’s sight and followed the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit; he did not turn away from them.

3 So theLord’s anger burned against Israel,and He surrendered them to the power of Hazaelking of Aram and his son Ben-hadadduring their reigns.

4 Then Jehoahaz sought theLord’s favor, and theLordheard him, for He saw the oppression the king of Aram inflicted on Israel.

5 Therefore, theLordgave Israel a deliverer,and they escaped from the power of the Arameans. Then the people of Israel dwelt in their tents as before,

6 but they didn’t turn away from the sins that the house of Jeroboam had caused Israel to commit. Jehoahaz walked in them,and the Asherah pole also remained standing in Samaria.

7 Jehoahaz did not have an army left, except for 50 horsemen, 10 chariots, and 10,000 foot soldiers, because the king of Aram had destroyed them,making them like dust at threshing.

8 The rest of the events of Jehoahaz’s reign, along with all his accomplishments and his might, are written in the Historical Record of Israel’s Kings.

9 Jehoahaz rested with his fathers, and he was buried in Samaria. His son Jehoashbecame king in his place.

Israel’s King Jehoash

10 In the thirty-seventh year of Judah’s King Joash, Jehoash son of Jehoahaz became king over Israel in Samaria and reigned 16 years.

11 He did what was evil in theLord’s sight. He did not turn away from all the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit, but he walked in them.

12 The rest of the events of Jehoash’s reign, along with all his accomplishments and the power he had to wage war against Judah’s King Amaziah,are written in the Historical Record of Israel’s Kings.

13 Jehoash rested with his fathers, and Jeroboamsat on his throne. Jehoash was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel.

Elisha’s Death

14 When Elisha became sick with the illness that he died from, Jehoash king of Israel went down and wept over him and said, “My father, my father, the chariots and horsemen of Israel! ”

15 Elisha responded, “Take a bow and arrows.” So he got a bow and arrows.

16 Then Elisha said to the king of Israel, “Put your hand on the bow.” So the king put his hand on it, and Elisha put his hands on the king’s hands.

17 Elisha said, “Open the east window.” So he opened it. Elisha said, “Shoot! ” So he shot.Then Elisha said, “TheLord’s arrow of victory, yes, the arrow of victory over Aram. You are to strike down the Arameans in Aphekuntil you have put an end to them.”

18 Then Elisha said, “Take the arrows! ” So he took them. Then Elisha said to the king of Israel, “Strike the ground! ” So he struck the ground three times and stopped.

19 The man of Godwas angry with him and said, “You should have struck the ground five or six times. Then you would have struck down Aram until you had put an end to them, but now you will only strike down Aram three times.”

20 Then Elisha died and was buried.

Now Moabite raidersused to come into the land in the spring of the year.

21 Once, as the Israelites were burying a man, suddenly they saw a raiding party, so they threw the man into Elisha’s tomb. When he touched Elisha’s bones, the man revived and stood up!

God’s Mercy on Israel

22 Hazaelking of Aram oppressed Israel throughout the reign of Jehoahaz,

23 but theLordwas gracious to them, had compassion on them,and turned toward them because of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.He was not willing to destroy them. Even now He has not banished them from His presence.

24 King Hazael of Aram died, and his son Ben-hadadbecame king in his place.

25 Then Jehoash son of Jehoahaz took back from Ben-hadad son of Hazael the cities that Hazael had taken in war from Jehoash’s father Jehoahaz. Jehoash defeated Ben-hadad three times and recovered the cities of Israel.

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Judah’s King Amaziah

1 Inthe second year of Israel’s King Jehoashson of Jehoahaz,Amaziahson of Joash became king of Judah.

2 He was 25 years old when he became king and reigned 29 years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jehoaddanand was from Jerusalem.

3 He did what was right in theLord’s sight, but not like his ancestor David. He did everything his father Joash had done.

4 Yet the high places were not taken away, and the people continued sacrificing and burning incense on the high places.

5 As soon as the kingdom was firmly in his grasp, Amaziah killed his servants who had murdered his father the king.

6 However, he did not put the children of the murderers to death, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses where theLordcommanded, “Fathers must not be put to death because of children, and children must not be put to death because of fathers; instead, each one will be put to death for his own sin.”

7 Amaziah killed 10,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt.He took Selain battle and called it Joktheel,which is its name to this very day.

8 Amaziah then sent messengers to Jehoash son of Jehoahaz, son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, “Come, let us meet face to face.”

9 King Jehoash of Israel sent word to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, “The thistle that was in Lebanon once sent a message to the cedarthat was in Lebanon,saying, ‘Give your daughter to my son as a wife.’ Then a wild animal that was in Lebanon passed by and trampled the thistle.

10 You have indeed defeated Edom, and you have become overconfident.Enjoy your glory and stay at home. Why should you stir up such trouble that you fall — you and Judah with you? ”

11 But Amaziah would not listen, so King Jehoash of Israel advanced. He and King Amaziah of Judah faced off at Beth-shemeshthat belongs to Judah.

12 Judah was routed before Israel, and everyone fled to his own tent.

13 King Jehoash of Israel captured Judah’s King Amaziah son of Joash,son of Ahaziah, at Beth-shemesh. Then Jehoash went to Jerusalem and broke down 200 yardsof Jerusalem’s wall from the Ephraim Gateto the Corner Gate.

14 He took all the gold and silver, all the articles found in theLord’s temple and in the treasuries of the king’s palace, and some hostages.Then he returned to Samaria.

Jehoash’s Death

15 The rest of the events of Jehoash’s reign, along with his accomplishments, his might, and how he waged war against Amaziah king of Judah, are written in the Historical Record of Israel’s Kings.

16 Jehoash rested with his fathers, and he was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel. His son Jeroboam became king in his place.

Amaziah’s Death

17 Judah’s King Amaziah son of Joash lived 15 years after the death of Israel’s King Jehoash son of Jehoahaz.

18 The rest of the events of Amaziah’s reign are written in the Historical Record of Judah’s Kings.

19 A conspiracy was formed against him in Jerusalem,and he fled to Lachish.However, men were sent after him to Lachish, and they put him to death there.

20 They carried him backon horses, and he was buried in Jerusalem with his fathers in the city of David.

21 Then all the people of Judah took Azariah,who was 16 years old, and made him king in place of his father Amaziah.

22 He rebuilt Elathand restored it to Judah after Amaziah the king rested with his fathers.

Israel’s King Jeroboam

23 In the fifteenth year of Judah’s King Amaziah son of Joash, Jeroboamson of Jehoashbecame king of Israel in Samaria and reigned 41 years.

24 He did what was evil in theLord’s sight. He did not turn away from all the sins Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit.

25 He restored Israel’s borderfrom Lebo-hamathas far as the Sea of the Arabah,according to the word theLord, the God of Israel, had spoken through His servant, the prophet Jonahson of Amittai from Gath-hepher.

26 For theLordsaw that the affliction of Israel was very bitter.There was no one to help Israel, neither bond nor free.

27 However, theLordhad not said He would blot out the name of Israel under heaven,so He deliveredthem by the hand of Jeroboam son of Jehoash.

28 The rest of the events of Jeroboam’s reign — along with all his accomplishments, the power he had to wage war, and how he recovered for Israel Damascusand Hamath,which had belonged to Judah— are written in the Historical Record of Israel’s Kings.

29 Jeroboam rested with his fathers, the kings of Israel. His son Zechariah became king in his place.

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/17/32k/2KI/14-cf83c5404152d27fd228d3f0e6cc91e5.mp3?version_id=72—

Judah’s King Azariah

1 In the twenty-seventh year of Israel’s King Jeroboam, Azariahson of Amaziah became king of Judah.

2 He was 16 years old when he became king and reigned 52 years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jecoliah, who was from Jerusalem.

3 Azariah did what was right in theLord’s sightjust as his father Amaziah had done.

4 Yet the high places were not taken away; the people continued sacrificing and burning incense on the high places.

5 TheLordafflicted the king, and he had a serious skin disease until the day of his death.He lived in a separate house,while Jotham,the king’s son, was over the household governing the people of the land.

6 The rest of the events of Azariah’s reign, along with all his accomplishments, are written in the Historical Record of Judah’s Kings.

7 Azariah rested with his fathers and was buried with his fathers in the city of David. His son Jotham became king in his place.

Israel’s King Zechariah

8 In the thirty-eighth year of Judah’s King Azariah, Zechariahson of Jeroboam became king over Israel in Samaria for six months.

9 He did what was evil in theLord’s sight as his fathers had done.He did not turn away from the sins Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit.

10 Shallum son of Jabesh conspired against Zechariah. He struck him down publicly,killed him, and became king in his place.

11 As for the rest of the events of Zechariah’s reign, they are written in the Historical Record of Israel’s Kings.

12 The word of theLordthat He spoke to Jehu was, “Four generations of your sons will sit on the throne of Israel,”and it was so.

Israel’s King Shallum

13 In the thirty-ninth year of Judah’s King Uzziah, Shallum son of Jabesh became king; he reigned in Samariaa full month.

14 Then Menahem son of Gadi came up from Tirzahto Samaria and struck down Shallum son of Jabesh there. He killed him and became king in his place.

15 As for the rest of the events of Shallum’s reign, along with the conspiracy that he formed, they are written in the Historical Record of Israel’s Kings.

Israel’s King Menahem

16 At that time, starting from Tirzah, Menahem attacked Tiphsah,all who were in it, and its territory. Because they wouldn’t surrender,he attacked it and ripped open all the pregnant women.

17 In the thirty-ninth year of Judah’s King Azariah, Menahem son of Gadi became king over Israel and reigned 10 years in Samaria.

18 He did what was evil in theLord’s sight. Throughout his reign, he did not turn away from the sins Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit.

19 Pulking of Assyria invaded the land, so Menahem gave Pul 75,000 poundsof silver so that Pul would support him to strengthen his grip on the kingdom.

20 Then Menahem exacted 20 ouncesof silver from each of the wealthy men of Israel to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria withdrew and did not stay there in the land.

21 The rest of the events of Menahem’s reign, along with all his accomplishments, are written in the Historical Record of Israel’s Kings.

22 Menahem rested with his fathers, and his son Pekahiah became king in his place.

Israel’s King Pekahiah

23 In the fiftieth year of Judah’s King Azariah, Pekahiah son of Menahem became king over Israel in Samaria and reigned two years.

24 He did what was evil in theLord’s sight and did not turn away from the sins Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit.

25 Then his officer, Pekahson of Remaliah, conspired against himand struck him down in Samaria at the citadel of the king’s palace— as well as Argob and Arieh.There were 50 Gileadite men with Pekah. He killed Pekahiah and became king in his place.

26 As for the rest of the events of Pekahiah’s reign, along with all his accomplishments, they are written in the Historical Record of Israel’s Kings.

Israel’s King Pekah

27 In the fifty-second year of Judah’s King Azariah, Pekah son of Remaliah became king over Israel in Samaria and reigned 20 years.

28 He did what was evil in theLord’s sight. He did not turn away from the sins Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit.

29 In the days of Pekah king of Israel, Tiglath-pileserking of Assyria came and captured Ijon,Abel-beth-maacah, Janoah, Kedesh, Hazor, Gilead, and Galilee — all the land of Naphtali— and deported the people to Assyria.

30 Then Hosheason of Elah organized a conspiracy against Pekah son of Remaliah. He attacked him, killed him,and became king in his place in the twentieth year of Jotham son of Uzziah.

31 As for the rest of the events of Pekah’s reign, along with all his accomplishments, they are written in the Historical Record of Israel’s Kings.

Judah’s King Jotham

32 In the second year of Israel’s King Pekah son of Remaliah, Jothamson of Uzziah became king of Judah.

33 He was 25 years old when he became kingand reigned 16 years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jerusha daughter of Zadok.

34 He did what was right in theLord’s sight just as his father Uzziah had done.

35 Yet the high places were not taken away; the people continued sacrificing and burning incense on the high places.

Jotham built the Upper Gate of theLord’s temple.

36 The restof the events of Jotham’s reign, along with all his accomplishments, they are written in the Historical Record of Judah’s Kings.

37 In those days theLordbegan sending Rezin king of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah against Judah.

38 Jotham rested with his fathers and was buried with his fathers in the city of his ancestor David.His son Ahaz became king in his place.

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/17/32k/2KI/15-d2a88577eca1b3a07a79aa173c1823bc.mp3?version_id=72—

Judah’s King Ahaz

1 In the seventeenth year of Pekah son of Remaliah,Ahazson of Jotham became king of Judah.

2 Ahaz was 20 years old when he became king and reigned 16 years in Jerusalem. He did not do what was right in the sight of theLordhis God like his ancestor David

3 but walked in the way of the kings of Israel.He even made his son pass through the fire,imitating the detestable practices of the nations theLordhad dispossessed before the Israelites.

4 He sacrificed and burned incenseon the high places, on the hills, and under every green tree.

5 ThenAram’s King Rezin and Israel’s King Pekah son of Remaliah came to wage war against Jerusalem. They besieged Ahaz but were not able to conquer him.

6 At that time Rezin king of Aram recovered Elath for Aram and expelled the Judahites from Elath.Then the Arameans came to Elath, and they live there until today.

7 So Ahaz sent messengersto Tiglath-pileserking of Assyria, saying, “I am your servant and your son. March up and save me from the power of the king of Aram and of the king of Israel, who are rising up against me.”

8 Ahaz also took the silver and gold found in theLord’s temple and in the treasuries of the king’s palace and sent them to the king of Assyria as a gift.

9 So the king of Assyria listened to himand marched up to Damascus and captured it.He deported its people to Kirbut put Rezin to death.

Ahaz’s Idolatry

10 King Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglath-pileserking of Assyria. When he saw the altar that was in Damascus, King Ahaz sent a model of the altar and complete plans for its construction to Uriah the priest.

11 Uriah built the altar according to all the instructions King Ahaz sent from Damascus. Therefore, by the time King Ahaz came back from Damascus, Uriah the priest had completed it.

12 When the king came back from Damascus, he saw the altar. Then he approached the altarand ascended it.

13 He offered his burnt offeringand his grain offering, poured out his drink offering, and sprinkled the blood of his fellowship offeringson the altar.

14 He took the bronze altarthat was before theLordin front of the temple between his altar and theLord’s temple, and put it on the north side of his altar.

15 Then King Ahaz commanded Uriah the priest, “Offer on the great altar the morning burnt offering, the evening grain offering, and the king’s burnt offering and his grain offering. Also offer the burnt offering of all the people of the land, their grain offering, and their drink offerings. Sprinkle on the altar all the blood of the burnt offering and all the blood of sacrifice. The bronze altar will be for me to seek guidance.”

16 Uriah the priest did everything King Ahaz commanded.

17 Then King Ahaz cut off the frames of the water cartsand removed the bronze basin from each of them. He took the reservoirfrom the bronze oxen that were under it and put it on a stone pavement.

18 To satisfy the king of Assyria, he removed from theLord’s temple the Sabbath canopy they had built in the palace, and he closed the outer entrance for the king.

Ahaz’s Death

19 The restof the events of Ahaz’s reign, along with his accomplishments, are written in the Historical Record of Judah’s Kings.

20 Ahaz rested with his fathersand was buried with his fathers in the city of David, and his son Hezekiah became king in his place.

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/17/32k/2KI/16-b32f222d94c0bf82b927beab99cc7fa7.mp3?version_id=72—

Israel’s King Hoshea

1 In the twelfth year of Judah’s King Ahaz, Hosheason of Elah became king over Israel in Samaria and reigned nine years.

2 He did what was evil in theLord’s sight, but not like the kings of Israel who preceded him.

3 Shalmaneserking of Assyria attacked him,and Hoshea became his vassal and paid him tribute money.

4 But the king of Assyria discovered Hoshea’s conspiracy. He had sent envoys to So king of Egyptand had not paid tribute money to the king of Assyria as in previous years.Therefore the king of Assyria arrested him and put him in prison.

5 Then the king of Assyria invaded the whole land, marched up to Samaria, and besieged it for three years.

The Fall of Samaria

6 In the ninth year of Hoshea,the king of Assyria captured Samaria. He deportedthe Israelites to Assyria and settled them in Halah and by the Habor, Gozan’s river, and in the cities of the Medes.

Why Israel Fell

7 This disaster happened because the people of Israel had sinned against theLordtheir God who had brought them out of the land of Egypt from the power of Pharaoh king of Egyptand because they had worshipedother gods.

8 They had lived according to the customs of the nations that theLordhad dispossessed before the Israelitesand the customs the kings of Israel had introduced.

9 The Israelites secretly did what was not rightagainst theLordtheir God. They built high places in all their towns from watchtowerto fortified city.

10 They set up for themselves sacred pillarsand Asherah poleson every high hill and under every green tree.

11 They burned incense on all the high places just like those nations that theLordhad driven out before them. They did evil things, provoking theLord.

12 They served idols, although theLordhad told them, “You must not do this.”

13 Still, theLordwarnedIsrael and Judah through every prophet and every seer, saying, “Turn from your evil ways and keep My commands and statutes according to all the law I commanded your ancestors and sent to you through My servants the prophets.”

14 But they would not listen. Instead they became obstinate liketheir ancestors who did not believe theLordtheir God.

15 They rejected His statutes and His covenant He had made with their ancestorsand the decrees He had given them. They pursued worthless idols and became worthless themselves,following the surrounding nations theLordhad commanded them not to imitate.

16 They abandoned all the commands of theLordtheir God. They made cast imagesfor themselves, two calves, and an Asherah pole.They worshiped the whole heavenly hostand served Baal.

17 They made their sons and daughters pass through the fireand practiced divination and interpreted omens.They devoted themselves to do what was evil in theLord’s sight and provoked Him.

18 Therefore, theLordwas very angry with Israel, and He removed them from His presence.Only the tribe of Judah remained.

19 Even Judah did not keep the commands of theLordtheir Godbut lived according to the customs Israel had introduced.

20 So theLordrejected all the descendants of Israel, afflicted them, and handed them over to plunderers until He had banished them from His presence.

Summary of Israel’s History

21 When theLordtoreIsrael from the house of David, Israel made Jeroboam son of Nebat king.Then Jeroboam led Israel away from following theLordand caused them to commit great sin.

22 The Israelites persisted in all the sins that Jeroboam committed and did not turn away from them.

23 Finally, theLordremoved Israel from His presence just as He had declared through all His servants the prophets. So Israel has been exiled to Assyria from their homeland until today.

Foreign Refugees in Israel

24 Then the king of Assyria brought people from Babylon, Cuthah, Avva, Hamath, and Sepharvaim and settled them in place of the Israelites in the cities of Samaria. The settlers took possession of Samaria and lived in its cities.

25 When they first lived there, they did not fear Yahweh. So theLordsent lions among them, which killed some of them.

26 The settlers spoke to the king of Assyria, saying, “The nations that you have deported and placed in the cities of Samaria do not know the requirements of the God of the land. Therefore He has sent lions among them that are killing them because the people don’t know the requirements of the God of the land.”

27 Then the king of Assyria issued a command: “Send back one of the priests you deported.Have him go and live there so he can teach them the requirements of the God of the land.”

28 So one of the priests they had deported came and lived in Bethel,and he began to teach them how they should fear Yahweh.

29 But the people of each nation were still making their own gods in the cities where they lived and putting them in the shrines of the high places that the people of Samaria had made.

30 The men of Babylon made Succoth-benoth, the men of Cuth made Nergal, the men of Hamath made Ashima,

31 the Avvites made Nibhaz and Tartak, and the Sepharvites burned their children in the fireto Adrammelech and Anammelech, the gods of the Sepharvaim.

32 They feared theLord, but they also appointed from their number priests to serve them in the shrines of the high places.

33 They feared theLord, but they also worshiped their own godsaccording to the custom of the nations where they had been deported from.

34 They are still practicing the former customs to this day. None of them fear theLordor observe their statutes and ordinances, the law and commandments theLordcommanded the descendants of Jacob. He had renamed him Israel.

35 TheLordmade a covenant with them and commanded them, “Do not fear other gods; do not bow down to them;do not serve them; do not sacrifice to them.

36 Instead fear theLord, who brought you from the land of Egypt with great powerand an outstretched arm.You are to bow down to Him, and you are to sacrifice to Him.

37 You are to be careful alwaysto observe the statutes, the ordinances, the law, and the commandments He wrote for you; do not fear other gods.

38 Do not forget the covenant that I have made with you.Do not fear other gods,

39 but fear theLordyour God, and He will deliver you from the hand of all your enemies.”

40 However, they would not listen but continued practicing their former customs.

41 These nations feared theLordbut also served their idols. Their children and grandchildren continue doing as their fathers did until today.

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/17/32k/2KI/17-0e9f0f0aac5e70677528922dbff7323a.mp3?version_id=72—