Holman Christian Standard Bible (135 page)
Read Holman Christian Standard Bible Online
Authors: B&H Publishing Group
11
“Note that Amariah, the chief priest, is over you in all matters related to the
Lord
, and Zebadiah son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, in all matters related to the king, and the Levites are officers in your presence. Be strong; may the
Lord
be with those who do what is good.”
“Note that Amariah, the chief priest, is over you in all matters related to the
Lord
, and Zebadiah son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, in all matters related to the king, and the Levites are officers in your presence. Be strong; may the
Lord
be with those who do what is good.”
2 Chronicles
War against Eastern Enemies
20
After this, the Moabites and Ammonites, together with some of the Meunites, came to fight against Jehoshaphat.
2
People came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast number from beyond the Dead Sea and from Edom has come to fight against you; they are already in Hazazon-tamar” (that is, En-gedi).
3
Jehoshaphat was afraid, and he resolved to seek the
Lord
. Then he proclaimed a fast for all Judah,
4
who gathered to seek the
Lord
. They even came from all the cities of Judah to seek Him.
After this, the Moabites and Ammonites, together with some of the Meunites, came to fight against Jehoshaphat.
2
People came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast number from beyond the Dead Sea and from Edom has come to fight against you; they are already in Hazazon-tamar” (that is, En-gedi).
3
Jehoshaphat was afraid, and he resolved to seek the
Lord
. Then he proclaimed a fast for all Judah,
4
who gathered to seek the
Lord
. They even came from all the cities of Judah to seek Him.
Jehoshaphat's Prayer
5
Then Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem in the
Lord
's temple before the new courtyard.
6
He said:
Then Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem in the
Lord
's temple before the new courtyard.
6
He said:
•Yahweh
, the God of our ancestors, are You not the God who is in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in Your hand, and no one can stand against You.
7
Are You not our God who drove out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel and who gave it forever to the descendants of Abraham Your friend?
8
They have lived in the land and have built You a sanctuary in it for Your name and have said,
9
“If disaster comes on us — sword or judgment, pestilence or famine — we will stand before this temple and before You, for Your name is in this temple. We will cry out to You because of our distress, and You will hear and deliver.”
, the God of our ancestors, are You not the God who is in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in Your hand, and no one can stand against You.
7
Are You not our God who drove out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel and who gave it forever to the descendants of Abraham Your friend?
8
They have lived in the land and have built You a sanctuary in it for Your name and have said,
9
“If disaster comes on us — sword or judgment, pestilence or famine — we will stand before this temple and before You, for Your name is in this temple. We will cry out to You because of our distress, and You will hear and deliver.”
10
Now here are the Ammonites, Moabites, and the inhabitants of Mount Seir. You did not let Israel invade them when Israel came out of the land of Egypt, but Israel turned away from them and did not destroy them.
11
Look how they repay us by coming to drive us out of Your possession that You gave us as an inheritance.
12
Our God, will You not judge them? For we are powerless before this vast number that comes to fight against us. We do not know what to do, but we look to You.
Now here are the Ammonites, Moabites, and the inhabitants of Mount Seir. You did not let Israel invade them when Israel came out of the land of Egypt, but Israel turned away from them and did not destroy them.
11
Look how they repay us by coming to drive us out of Your possession that You gave us as an inheritance.
12
Our God, will You not judge them? For we are powerless before this vast number that comes to fight against us. We do not know what to do, but we look to You.
God's Answer
13
All Judah was standing before the
Lord
with their infants, their wives, and their children.
14
In the middle of the congregation, the Spirit of the
Lord
came on Jahaziel (son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite from
•Asaph
's descendants),
15
and he said, “Listen carefully, all Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and King Jehoshaphat. This is what the
Lord
says: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast number, for the battle is not yours, but God's.
16
Tomorrow, go down against them. You will see them coming up the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the valley facing the Wilderness of Jeruel.
17
You do not have to fight this battle. Position yourselves, stand still, and see the salvation of the
Lord
. He is with you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Tomorrow, go out to face them, for Yahweh is with you.' ”
All Judah was standing before the
Lord
with their infants, their wives, and their children.
14
In the middle of the congregation, the Spirit of the
Lord
came on Jahaziel (son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite from
•Asaph
's descendants),
15
and he said, “Listen carefully, all Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and King Jehoshaphat. This is what the
Lord
says: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast number, for the battle is not yours, but God's.
16
Tomorrow, go down against them. You will see them coming up the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the valley facing the Wilderness of Jeruel.
17
You do not have to fight this battle. Position yourselves, stand still, and see the salvation of the
Lord
. He is with you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Tomorrow, go out to face them, for Yahweh is with you.' ”
18
Then Jehoshaphat bowed with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the
Lord
to worship Him.
19
Then the Levites from the sons of the Kohathites and the Korahites stood up to praise the
Lord
God of Israel shouting with a loud voice.
Then Jehoshaphat bowed with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the
Lord
to worship Him.
19
Then the Levites from the sons of the Kohathites and the Korahites stood up to praise the
Lord
God of Israel shouting with a loud voice.
Victory and Plunder
20
In the morning they got up early and went out to the wilderness of Tekoa. As they were about to go out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem. Believe in Yahweh your God, and you will be established; believe in His prophets, and you will succeed.”
21
Then he consulted with the people and appointed some to sing for the
Lord
and some to praise the splendor of His holiness. When they went out in front of the armed forces, they kept singing:
In the morning they got up early and went out to the wilderness of Tekoa. As they were about to go out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem. Believe in Yahweh your God, and you will be established; believe in His prophets, and you will succeed.”
21
Then he consulted with the people and appointed some to sing for the
Lord
and some to praise the splendor of His holiness. When they went out in front of the armed forces, they kept singing:
Give thanks to the
Lord
,
for His faithful love endures forever.
Lord
,
for His faithful love endures forever.
22
The moment they began their shouts and praises, the
Lord
set an ambush against the Ammonites, Moabites, and the inhabitants of Mount Seir who came to fight against Judah, and they were defeated.
23
The Ammonites and Moabites turned against the inhabitants of Mount Seir and
•completely
annihilated them. When they had finished with the inhabitants of Seir, they helped destroy each other.
The moment they began their shouts and praises, the
Lord
set an ambush against the Ammonites, Moabites, and the inhabitants of Mount Seir who came to fight against Judah, and they were defeated.
23
The Ammonites and Moabites turned against the inhabitants of Mount Seir and
•completely
annihilated them. When they had finished with the inhabitants of Seir, they helped destroy each other.
24
When Judah came to a place overlooking the wilderness, they looked for the large army, but there were only corpses lying on the ground; nobody had escaped.
25
Then Jehoshaphat and his people went to gather the plunder. They found among them an abundance of goods on the bodies and valuable items. So they stripped them until nobody could carry any more. They were gathering the plunder for three days because there was so much.
26
They assembled in the Valley of Beracah on the fourth day, for there they praised the
Lord
. Therefore, that place is still called the Valley of Beracah today.
When Judah came to a place overlooking the wilderness, they looked for the large army, but there were only corpses lying on the ground; nobody had escaped.
25
Then Jehoshaphat and his people went to gather the plunder. They found among them an abundance of goods on the bodies and valuable items. So they stripped them until nobody could carry any more. They were gathering the plunder for three days because there was so much.
26
They assembled in the Valley of Beracah on the fourth day, for there they praised the
Lord
. Therefore, that place is still called the Valley of Beracah today.
27
Then all the men of Judah and Jerusalem turned back with Jehoshaphat their leader, returning joyfully to Jerusalem, for the
Lord
enabled them to rejoice over their enemies.
28
So they came into Jerusalem to the
Lord
's temple with harps, lyres, and trumpets.
Then all the men of Judah and Jerusalem turned back with Jehoshaphat their leader, returning joyfully to Jerusalem, for the
Lord
enabled them to rejoice over their enemies.
28
So they came into Jerusalem to the
Lord
's temple with harps, lyres, and trumpets.
29
The terror of God was on all the kingdoms of the lands when they heard that Yahweh had fought against the enemies of Israel.
30
Then Jehoshaphat's kingdom was quiet, for his God gave him rest on every side.
The terror of God was on all the kingdoms of the lands when they heard that Yahweh had fought against the enemies of Israel.
30
Then Jehoshaphat's kingdom was quiet, for his God gave him rest on every side.
Summary of Jehoshaphat's Reign
31
Jehoshaphat became king over Judah. He was 35 years old when he became king and reigned 25 years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Azubah daughter of Shilhi.
32
He walked in the way of Asa his father; he did not turn away from it but did what was right in the
Lord
's sight.
33
However, the
•high
places were not taken away; the people had not yet set their hearts on the God of their ancestors.
Jehoshaphat became king over Judah. He was 35 years old when he became king and reigned 25 years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Azubah daughter of Shilhi.
32
He walked in the way of Asa his father; he did not turn away from it but did what was right in the
Lord
's sight.
33
However, the
•high
places were not taken away; the people had not yet set their hearts on the God of their ancestors.
34
The rest of the events of Jehoshaphat's reign from beginning to end are written in the Events of Jehu son of Hanani, which is recorded in the Book of Israel's Kings.
The rest of the events of Jehoshaphat's reign from beginning to end are written in the Events of Jehu son of Hanani, which is recorded in the Book of Israel's Kings.
Jehoshaphat's Fleet of Ships
35
After this, Judah's King Jehoshaphat made an alliance with Israel's King Ahaziah, who was
•guilty
of wrongdoing.
36
Jehoshaphat formed an alliance with him to make ships to go to Tarshish, and they made the ships in Ezion-geber.
37
Then Eliezer son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, “Because you formed an alliance with Ahaziah, the
Lord
has broken up what you have made.” So the ships were wrecked and were not able to go to Tarshish.
After this, Judah's King Jehoshaphat made an alliance with Israel's King Ahaziah, who was
•guilty
of wrongdoing.
36
Jehoshaphat formed an alliance with him to make ships to go to Tarshish, and they made the ships in Ezion-geber.
37
Then Eliezer son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, “Because you formed an alliance with Ahaziah, the
Lord
has broken up what you have made.” So the ships were wrecked and were not able to go to Tarshish.
2 Chronicles
Jehoram Becomes King Over Judah
21
Jehoshaphat rested with his fathers and was buried with his fathers in the city of David. His son Jehoram became king in his place.
2
He had brothers, sons of Jehoshaphat: Azariah, Jehiel, Zechariah, Azariah, Michael, and Shephatiah; all these were the sons of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah.
3
Their father had given them many gifts of silver, gold, and valuable things, along with fortified cities in Judah, but he gave the kingdom to Jehoram because he was the firstborn.
4
When Jehoram had established himself over his father's kingdom, he strengthened his position by killing with the sword all his brothers as well as some of the princes of Israel.
Jehoshaphat rested with his fathers and was buried with his fathers in the city of David. His son Jehoram became king in his place.
2
He had brothers, sons of Jehoshaphat: Azariah, Jehiel, Zechariah, Azariah, Michael, and Shephatiah; all these were the sons of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah.
3
Their father had given them many gifts of silver, gold, and valuable things, along with fortified cities in Judah, but he gave the kingdom to Jehoram because he was the firstborn.
4
When Jehoram had established himself over his father's kingdom, he strengthened his position by killing with the sword all his brothers as well as some of the princes of Israel.
Judah's King Jehoram
5
Jehoram was 32 years old when he became king and reigned eight years in Jerusalem.
6
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 the
Lord
's sight,
7
but because of the covenant the
Lord
had made with David, He was unwilling to destroy the house of David since the
Lord
had promised to give a lamp to David and to his sons forever.
Jehoram was 32 years old when he became king and reigned eight years in Jerusalem.
6
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 the
Lord
's sight,
7
but because of the covenant the
Lord
had made with David, He was unwilling to destroy the house of David since the
Lord
had promised to give a lamp to David and to his sons forever.
8
During Jehoram's reign, Edom rebelled against Judah's domination and appointed their own king.
9
So Jehoram crossed into Edom with his commanders and all his chariots. Then at night he set out to attack the Edomites who had surrounded him and the chariot commanders.
10
And now Edom is still in rebellion against Judah's domination today. Libnah also rebelled at that time against his domination because he had abandoned
•Yahweh
, the God of his ancestors.
11
Jehoram also built
•high
places in the hills of Judah, and he caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to prostitute themselves, and he led Judah astray.
During Jehoram's reign, Edom rebelled against Judah's domination and appointed their own king.
9
So Jehoram crossed into Edom with his commanders and all his chariots. Then at night he set out to attack the Edomites who had surrounded him and the chariot commanders.
10
And now Edom is still in rebellion against Judah's domination today. Libnah also rebelled at that time against his domination because he had abandoned
•Yahweh
, the God of his ancestors.
11
Jehoram also built
•high
places in the hills of Judah, and he caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to prostitute themselves, and he led Judah astray.
Elijah's Letter to Jehoram
12
Then a letter came to Jehoram from Elijah the prophet, saying:
Then a letter came to Jehoram from Elijah the prophet, saying:
This is what Yahweh, the God of your ancestor David says: “Because you have not walked in the ways of your father Jehoshaphat or in the ways of Asa king of Judah
13
but have walked in the way of the kings of Israel, have caused Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to prostitute themselves like the house of Ahab prostituted itself, and also have killed your brothers, your father's family, who were better than you,
14
Yahweh is now about to strike your people, your sons, your wives, and all your possessions with a horrible affliction.
15
You yourself will be struck with many illnesses, including a disease of the intestines, until your intestines come out day after day because of the disease.”
13
but have walked in the way of the kings of Israel, have caused Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to prostitute themselves like the house of Ahab prostituted itself, and also have killed your brothers, your father's family, who were better than you,
14
Yahweh is now about to strike your people, your sons, your wives, and all your possessions with a horrible affliction.
15
You yourself will be struck with many illnesses, including a disease of the intestines, until your intestines come out day after day because of the disease.”
Jehoram's Last Days
16
The
Lord
put it into the mind of the Philistines and the Arabs who live near the
•Cushites
to attack Jehoram.
17
So they went to war against Judah and invaded it. They carried off all the possessions found in the king's palace and also his sons and wives; not a son was left to him except Jehoahaz, his youngest son.
The
Lord
put it into the mind of the Philistines and the Arabs who live near the
•Cushites
to attack Jehoram.
17
So they went to war against Judah and invaded it. They carried off all the possessions found in the king's palace and also his sons and wives; not a son was left to him except Jehoahaz, his youngest son.
18
After all these things, the
Lord
afflicted him in his intestines with an incurable disease.
19
This continued day after day until two full years passed. Then his intestines came out because of his disease, and he died from severe illnesses. But his people did not hold a fire in his honor like the fire in honor of his fathers.
After all these things, the
Lord
afflicted him in his intestines with an incurable disease.
19
This continued day after day until two full years passed. Then his intestines came out because of his disease, and he died from severe illnesses. But his people did not hold a fire in his honor like the fire in honor of his fathers.
20
Jehoram was 32 years old when he became king; he reigned eight years in Jerusalem. He died to no one's regret and was buried in the city of David but not in the tombs of the kings.
Jehoram was 32 years old when he became king; he reigned eight years in Jerusalem. He died to no one's regret and was buried in the city of David but not in the tombs of the kings.
2 Chronicles
Judah's King Ahaziah
22
Then the inhabitants of Jerusalem made Ahaziah, his youngest son, king in his place, because the troops that had come with the Arabs to the camp had killed all the older sons. So Ahaziah son of Jehoram became king of Judah.
2
Ahaziah was 22 years old when he became king and reigned one year in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Athaliah, granddaughter of Omri.
Then the inhabitants of Jerusalem made Ahaziah, his youngest son, king in his place, because the troops that had come with the Arabs to the camp had killed all the older sons. So Ahaziah son of Jehoram became king of Judah.
2
Ahaziah was 22 years old when he became king and reigned one year in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Athaliah, granddaughter of Omri.
3
He walked in the ways of the house of Ahab, for his mother gave him evil advice.
4
So he did what was evil in the
Lord
's sight like the house of Ahab, for they were his advisers after the death of his father, to his destruction.
5
He also followed their advice and went with Joram son of Israel's King Ahab to fight against Hazael, king of Aram, in Ramoth-gilead. The Arameans wounded Joram,
6
so he returned to Jezreel to recover from the wounds they inflicted on him in Ramoth-gilead when 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.
He walked in the ways of the house of Ahab, for his mother gave him evil advice.
4
So he did what was evil in the
Lord
's sight like the house of Ahab, for they were his advisers after the death of his father, to his destruction.
5
He also followed their advice and went with Joram son of Israel's King Ahab to fight against Hazael, king of Aram, in Ramoth-gilead. The Arameans wounded Joram,
6
so he returned to Jezreel to recover from the wounds they inflicted on him in Ramoth-gilead when 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.
7
Ahaziah's downfall came from God when he went to Joram. When Ahaziah arrived, he went out with Joram to meet Jehu son of Nimshi, whom the
Lord
had anointed to destroy the house of Ahab.
8
So when Jehu executed judgment on the house of Ahab, he found the rulers of Judah and the sons of Ahaziah's brothers who were serving Ahaziah, and he killed them.
9
Then Jehu looked for Ahaziah, and Jehu's soldiers captured him (he was hiding in Samaria). So they brought Ahaziah to Jehu, and they killed him. The soldiers buried him, for they said, “He is the grandson of Jehoshaphat who sought the
Lord
with all his heart.” So no one from the house of Ahaziah had the strength to rule the kingdom.
Ahaziah's downfall came from God when he went to Joram. When Ahaziah arrived, he went out with Joram to meet Jehu son of Nimshi, whom the
Lord
had anointed to destroy the house of Ahab.
8
So when Jehu executed judgment on the house of Ahab, he found the rulers of Judah and the sons of Ahaziah's brothers who were serving Ahaziah, and he killed them.
9
Then Jehu looked for Ahaziah, and Jehu's soldiers captured him (he was hiding in Samaria). So they brought Ahaziah to Jehu, and they killed him. The soldiers buried him, for they said, “He is the grandson of Jehoshaphat who sought the
Lord
with all his heart.” So no one from the house of Ahaziah had the strength to rule the kingdom.
Athaliah Usurps the Throne
10
When Athaliah, Ahaziah's mother, saw that her son was dead, she proceeded to annihilate all the royal heirs of the house of Judah.
11
Jehoshabeath, the king's daughter, 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. Now Jehoshabeath was the daughter of King Jehoram and the wife of Jehoiada the priest. Since she was Ahaziah's sister, she hid Joash from Athaliah so that she did not kill him.
12
While Athaliah ruled over the land, he was hiding with them in God's temple six years.
When Athaliah, Ahaziah's mother, saw that her son was dead, she proceeded to annihilate all the royal heirs of the house of Judah.
11
Jehoshabeath, the king's daughter, 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. Now Jehoshabeath was the daughter of King Jehoram and the wife of Jehoiada the priest. Since she was Ahaziah's sister, she hid Joash from Athaliah so that she did not kill him.
12
While Athaliah ruled over the land, he was hiding with them in God's temple six years.
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