The Names Of God Bible - The Names of God Bible Part 73
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The Names of God Bible Part 73

5 He said to them, "Come back the day after tomorrow." So the people left.

6 King Rehoboam sought advice from the older leaders who had served his father Solomon while he was still alive. He asked, "What do you advise? How should I respond to these people?"

7 They told him, "If you are good to these people and try to please them by speaking gently to them, then they will always be your servants."

8 But he ignored the advice the older leaders gave him. He sought advice from the young men who had grown up with him and were serving him. 9 He asked them, "What is your advice? How should we respond to these people who are asking me to lighten the burden my father put on them?"

10 The young men who had grown up with him answered, "This is what you should tell them: 'My little finger is heavier than my father's whole body.b 11 If my father put a heavy burden on you, I will add to it. If my father punished you with whips, I will punish you with scorpions.'"

12 So Jeroboam and all the people came back to Rehoboam two days later, as the king had instructed them. 13 The king answered them harshly. He ignored the older leaders' advice. 14 He spoke to them as the young men advised. He said, "If my father made your burden heavy, I will add to it. If my father punished you with whips, I will use scorpions." 15 The king refused to listen to the people because Yahweh was directing these events to carry out the promise he had made to Jeroboam (Nebat's son) through Ahijah from Shiloh.

16 When all Israel saw that the king refused to listen to them, the people answered the king, "What share do we have in David's kingdom?

We won't receive an inheritance from Jesse's son.

Everyone to his own tent, Israel!

Now look after your own house, David!"

So all Israel went home to their own tents. 17 But Rehoboam ruled the Israelites who lived in the cities of Judah.

18 Then King Rehoboam sent Hadoram to the Israelites. He was in charge of forced labor, but they stoned him to death. So King Rehoboam got on his chariot as fast as he could and fled to Jerusalem. 19 Israel has rebelled against David's dynasty to this day.

Israel's Priests Come to Judah-1 Kings 12:21-33 11 1 When Rehoboam came to Jerusalem, he gathered the people of Judah and Benjamin, 180,000 of the best soldiers, to fight against Israel and return the kingdom to Rehoboam.

2 But Yahweh spoke his word to Shemaiah, the man of Elohim . He said, 3 "Speak to Judah's King Rehoboam, son of Solomon, and all Israel in Judah and Benjamin. 4 This is what Yahweh says: Don't wage war against your relatives. Everyone, go home. What has happened is my doing." So they obeyed the word of Yahweh. They turned back from their attack on Jeroboam.

5 Rehoboam lived in Jerusalem and built fortified cities in Judah. 6 He rebuilt Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa, 7 Beth Zur, Soco, Adullam, 8 Gath, Mareshah, Ziph, 9 Adoraim, Lachish, Azekah, 10 Zorah, Aijalon, and Hebron. These were fortified cities in Judah and Benjamin. 11 He strengthened them and put army officers with reserves of food, olive oil, and wine in them. 12 In each city he stored shields and spears. He made the cities very secure. So Rehoboam held on to Judah and Benjamin.

13 The priests and Levites in every region of Israel sided with Rehoboam. 14 The priests abandoned their land and property and went to Judah and Jerusalem because Jeroboam and his descendants rejected them as Yahweh's priests. 15 Instead, Jeroboam appointed his own priests for the illegal worship sites and the goat and calf statues he had made as idols. 16 People from every tribe of Israel who were determined to seek Yahweh Elohim of Israel followed the Levitical priests to Jerusalem to sacrifice to Yahweh Elohim of their ancestors.

17 So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah by supporting Rehoboam, son of Solomon, for three years. During those three years they lived the way David and Solomon had lived.

Rehoboam's Family 18 Rehoboam married Mahalath, daughter of Jerimoth. (Jerimoth was the son of David and Abihail. Abihail was the daughter of Eliab, son of Jesse.) 19 Mahalath gave birth to the following sons: Jeush, Shemariah, and Zaham.

20 After marrying Mahalath, he married Maacah, Absalom's granddaughter. She gave birth to Abijah, Attai, Ziza, and Shelomith. 21 Rehoboam loved Maacah, Absalom's granddaughter, more than all his other wives and concubines.a (He had 18 wives and 60 concubines. He fathered 28 sons and 60 daughters.) 22 Rehoboam appointed Abijah, son of Maacah, as family head and prince among his brothers. By doing this, Rehoboam could make him king. 23 He wisely placed his sons in every region of Judah and Benjamin, in every fortified city. He gave them allowances and obtained many wives for them.

King Shishak Takes the Temple Treasures-1 Kings 14:21-31 12 1 When Rehoboam had established his kingdom and made himself strong, he and all Israel abandoned Yahweh's teachings. 2 In the fifth year of Rehoboam's reign, King Shishak of Egypt attacked Jerusalem. This happened because all Israel was not loyal to Yahweh. 3 Shishakhad 1,200 chariots, 60,000 horses, and an army of countless Libyans, Sukkites, and Sudanese from Egypt.

4 He captured the fortified cities in Judah and then came to Jerusalem.

5 The prophet Shemaiah came to Rehoboam and the leaders of Judah who had gathered in Jerusalem because of Shishak. Shemaiah said to them, "This is what Yahweh says: You have abandoned me, so I will abandon you. I will hand you over to Shishak." 6 Then the commanders of Israel and the king humbled themselves. "Yahweh is right!" they said.

7 When Yahweh saw that they had humbled themselves, Yahweh spoke his word to Shemaiah: "They have humbled themselves. I will not destroy them. In a little while I will give them an escape. I will not use Shishak to pour my anger on Jerusalem. 8 But they will become his servants so that they can learn the difference between serving me and serving foreign kings."

9 King Shishak of Egypt attacked Jerusalem and took the treasures from Yahweh's temple and the royal palace. He took them all. He took the gold shields Solomon had made. 10 So King Rehoboam made bronze shields to replace them and put them by the entrance to the royal palace, where the captains of the guards were stationed. 11 Whenever the king went into Yahweh's temple, guards carried the shields and then returned them to the guardroom.

12 After Rehoboam humbled himself, Yahweh was no longer angry with him and didn't completely destroy him. So things went well in Judah.

13 King Rehoboam strengthened his position in Jerusalem and ruled. He was 41 years old when he began to rule. He ruled for 17 years in Jerusalem, the city that Yahweh chose from all the tribes of Israel, the city where Yahweh put his name. (Rehoboam's mother was an Ammonite woman named Naamah.) 14 He did evil things because he was not serious about dedicating himself to serving Yahweh .

15 Aren't the events concerning Rehoboam from first to last written in the records of the prophet Shemaiah and the records of the seera Iddo in the genealogies? There was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam as long as they lived. 16 Rehoboam lay down in death with his ancestors and was buried in the City of David. His son Abijah succeeded him as king.

King Abijah's War with King Jeroboam-1 Kings 15:1-8 13 1 In the eighteenth year of the reign of Jeroboam, Abijah began to rule Judah. 2 He ruled for three years in Jerusalem. His mother was named Micaiah, daughter of Uriel from Gibeah.

There was war between Abijah and Jeroboam.

3 Abijah prepared for battle with an army of 400,000 of the best soldiers, while Jeroboam arranged to oppose him with 800,000 of the best professional soldiers.

4 Then Abijah stood on Mount Zemaraim in the mountains of Ephraim. He called out, "Jeroboam and all Israel, listen to me! 5 Don't you know that Yahweh Elohim of Israel gave the kingdom of Israel to David and his descendants forever in a permanent promise?b 6 But Jeroboam (Nebat's son) rebelled against his master. He had been the servant of David's son Solomon. 7 Worthless, good-for-nothing men gathered around him. They opposed Rehoboam, son of Solomon, when Rehoboam was too young and inexperienced to challenge them. 8 Do you now intend to challenge Yahweh's kingdom, which has been placed in the hands of David's descendants? You are a large crowd, and you have the gold calves that Jeroboam made to be your gods. 9 You forced out Yahweh's priests who were Aaron's descendants, and you forced out the Levites so that you could appoint your own priests, as the people in foreign countries do. Anyone who has a young bull and seven rams can be ordained as a priest of nonexistent gods.

10 "However, Yahweh is our Elohim. We haven't abandoned him. The priests who serve Yahweh are Aaron's descendants, and the Levites assist them. 11 They sacrifice burnt offerings to Yahweh every morning and every evening. They offer sweet-smelling incense and rows of bread on the cleana table. The lamps on the gold lamp stand burn every evening. We're following the instructions Yahweh our Elohim gave us, but you have abandoned him. 12 Elohim is with us as our leader. His priests will sound their trumpets to call the army to fight you. Men of Israel, don't wage war against Yahweh Elohim of your ancestors. You won't succeed."

13 But Jeroboam had set an ambush to attack them from behind. So Jeroboam's army was in front of Judah, and the ambush was behind them. 14 When Judah's soldiers looked around, the battle was in front of them and behind them. They cried out to Yahweh, the priests blew the trumpets, 15 and the men of Judah shouted. When they shouted, Elohim attacked Jeroboam and all Israel in front of Abijah and Judah. 16 The Israelites fled from Judah's army, and Elohim handed them over to Judah. 17 So Abijah and his men defeated them decisively, and 500,000 of the best men of Israel were killed. 18 So the Israelites were humbled at that time, and the men of Judah won because they trusted Yahweh Elohim of their ancestors. 19 Abijah pursued Jeroboam and captured some of his cities: Bethel and its villages, Jeshanah and its villages, and Ephron and its villages.

20 Jeroboam never regained power during Abijah's time. Yahweh caused Jeroboam to become sick, and Jeroboam died.

21 But Abijah became strong. He married 14 wives and fathered 22 sons and 16 daughters.

22 Everything else about Abijah-how he lived and what he said-is written in the history by the prophet Iddo.

14 b1 Abijah lay down in death with his ancestors and was buried in the City of David. His son Asa succeeded him as king. In Asa's time the land had peace for ten years.

King Asa of Judah-1 Kings 15:9-15 2 Asa did what Yahweh his Elohim considered good and right.

3 He got rid of the altars of foreign gods, broke down the sacred stones, and cut down the poles dedicated to the goddess Asherah. 4 He told the people of Judah to dedicate their lives to serving Yahweh Elohim of their ancestors and follow his teachings and commands. 5 He got rid of the illegal places of worship and the altars for incense in all the cities of Judah. The kingdom was at peace during his reign.

6 He built fortified cities in Judah because the land had peace. There was no war during those years because Yahweh gave him a time of peace. 7 So Asa told Judah, "Let's build these cities and make walls around them with towers and doors that can be barred. The country is still ours because we have dedicated our lives to serving Yahweh our Elohim. We have dedicated our lives to him, and he has surrounded us with peace." So they built the cities, and everything went well.

8 Asa had an army of 300,000 Judeans who were armed with large shields and spears and 280,000 Benjaminites who were armed with small shields and bows. All of these men were good fighting men.

9 Then Zerah from Sudan came with 1,000,000 men and 300 chariots to attack Asa. Zerah got as far as Mareshah. 10 Asa went to confront him, and the two armies set up their battle lines in the Zephathah Valley at Mareshah.

11 Asa called on Yahweh his Elohim. He said, "Yahweh, there is no one except you who can help those who are not strong so that they can fight against a large army. Help us, Yahweh our Elohim, because we are depending on you. In your name we go against this large crowd. You are Yahweh our Elohim . Don't let anyone successfully oppose you."

12 Yahweh attacked the Sudanese army in front of Asa and Judah. The Sudanese army fled. 13 Asa and his troops pursued them as far as Gerar. Many of the Sudanese died in battle. As a result, the Sudanese army couldn't fight again. It was crushed in front of Yahweh and his army. Yahweh's army captured a lot of goods. 14 It attacked all the cities around Gerar because the cities were afraid of Yahweh . The army looted all the cities because there were many things to take. 15 It also attacked those who were letting their cattle graze and captured many sheep and camels. Then it returned to Jerusalem.

15 1 The Ruach Elohim came to Azariah, son of Oded. 2 Azariah went to Asa and said to him, "Listen to me, Asa and all you men from Judah and Benjamin. Yahweh is with you when you are with him. If you will dedicate your lives to serving him, he will accept you. But if you abandon him, he will abandon you. 3 For a long time Israel was without the true Elohim, without a priest who taught correctly, and without Moses' Teachings. 4 But when they were in trouble, they turned to Yahweh Elohim of Israel. When they searched for him, he let them find him. 5 At those times no one could come and go in peace, because everyone living in the land had a lot of turmoil. 6 One nation crushed another nation; one city crushed another. Elohim had tormented them with every kind of trouble. 7 But you must remain strong and not become discouraged. Your actions will be rewarded."

8 When Asa heard the prophet Oded's words of prophecy, he was encouraged and put away the detestable idols from all of Judah, Benjamin, and the cities he had captured in the mountains of Ephraim. He also repaired Yahweh's altar in front of Yahweh's entrance hall.

9 Then Asa gathered all the people from Judah and Benjamin and the foreigners who had come from Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon. (Many of them had come to him from Israel when they saw that Asa's Elohim, Yahweh, was with him.) 10 In the third month of the fifteenth year of Asa's reign, they gathered in Jerusalem. 11 On that day they sacrificed to Yahweh a part of the loot they had brought with them: 700 cattle and 7,000 sheep. 12 They made an agreement with one another to dedicate their lives to serving Yahweh Elohim of their ancestors with all their heart and soul. 13 All people (young or old, male or female) who refused to dedicate their lives to Yahweh Elohim of Israel were to be killed. 14 Asa and the people swore their oath to Yahweh with shouts, singing, and the blowing of trumpets and rams' horns. 15 All the people of Judah were overjoyed because of the oath, since they took the oath wholeheartedly. They took great pleasure in looking for Yahweh , and he let them find him. So Yahweh surrounded them with peace.

16 King Asa also removed his grandmother Maacah from the position of queen mother because she made a statue of the repulsive goddess Asherah. Asa cut the statue down, crushed it, and burned it in the Kidron Valley. 17 Although the illegal worship sites in Israel were not taken down, Asa remained committed to the LORD his entire life. 18 He brought into Elohim's temple the silver, the gold, and the utensils he and his father had set apart as holy.

King Asa's War with King Baasha-1 Kings 15:16-24 19 There was no war until the thirty-fifth year of Asa's reign.

16 1 In the thirty-sixth year of Asa's reign, King Baasha of Israel invaded Judah and fortified Ramah to keep anyone from going to or coming from King Asa of Judah.

2 Then Asa brought out all the silver and gold that was left in the treasuries of Yahweh's temple and the royal palace. He sent them to Damascus to Aram's King Benhadad. 3 He said, "There's a treaty between you and me as there was between your father and my father. I'm sending you silver and gold. Now break your treaty with King Baasha of Israel so that he will leave me alone."

4 Benhadad did what King Asa requested. He sent his generals and their armies to attack the cities of Israel. He conquered Ijon, Dan, Abel Maim, and all the storage cities in the territory of Naphtali. 5 When Baasha heard the news, he stopped fortifying Ramah and abandoned his work on it.

6 Then King Asa took everyone in Judah to Ramah. He made them carry the stones and lumber from Ramah. Baasha had been using those to fortify the city. Asa used the materials to fortify Geba in Benjamin and Mizpah.

7 At that time the seera Hanani came to King Asa of Judah and said to him, "Because you depended on the king of Syria and did not depend on Yahweh your Elohim , the army of the king of Aram has escaped your grasp. 8 Weren't the Sudanese and Libyans a large army with many chariots and drivers? But when you depended on Yahweh, he handed them over to you. 9 Yahweh's eyes scan the whole world to find those whose hearts are committed to him and to strengthen them. You acted foolishly in this matter. So from now on, you will have to fight wars."

10 Asa was furious at the seer. He was so angry with Hanani that he put Hanani in prison. Asa also oppressed some of the people at that time in his reign.

11 Everything about Asa from first to last is written in the Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel.

12 In the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa got a foot disease that became progressively worse. Instead of asking Yahweh for help, he went to doctors.

13 Asa lay down in death with his ancestors. He died in the forty-first year of his reign. 14 They buried him in the tomb that he had prepared for himself in the City of David. They laid him on a bed full of spices and blended perfumes. And they burned a bonfire in his honor.

King Jehoshaphat of Judah 17 1 Asa's son Jehoshaphat succeeded him as king. Jehoshaphat strengthened himself to wage war against Israel. 2 He put troops in all the fortified cities of Judah and placed military posts in Judah and in the cities of Ephraim that his father Asa had captured.

3 Yahweh was with Jehoshaphat, who lived in the old way like his ancestor David. Jehoshaphat didn't dedicate his life to serving other gods-the Baals. 4 Instead, he dedicated his life to his ancestor's Elohim and lived by Elohim's commands. Jehoshaphat did not do what Israel was doing. 5 So Yahweh established Jehoshaphat's power over the kingdom. All the people of Judah gave gifts to Jehoshaphat, and he had a lot of riches and honor. 6 He had the confidence to live the way Yahweh wanted him to live. He also got rid of the illegal places of worship and poles dedicated to the goddess Asherah in Judah.

7 In the third year of his reign, he sent his officers Ben Hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah to teach in the cities of Judah. 8 With them were the Levites Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, Tob Adonijah, and the priests Elishama and Jehoram. 9 They taught in Judah. They had the Book of Yahweh's Teachings with them when they taught the people in all the cities of Judah.

10 Fear of Yahweh came to all the kingdoms around Judah. As a result, they didn't wage war against Jehoshaphat. 11 Some of the Philistines brought gifts and silver as taxes. The Arabs also brought him flocks: 7,700 rams and 7,700 male goats. 12 So Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful. He built fortresses and cities where supplies were stored in Judah. 13 He had large supplies of food in the cities of Judah and an army of professional soldiers with him in Jerusalem. 14 The following is a breakdown of these soldiers. They are listed by families. Judah's regimental commanders were Commander Adnah (with 300,000 fighting men), 15 next to him Commander Jehohanan (with 280,000), 16 and next to him Amasiah, Zichri's son, who volunteered to serve Yahweh (with 200,000 fighting men). 17 From Benjamin there was the fighting man Eliada (with 200,000 armed men with bows and shields), 18 and next to him was Jehozabad (with him was an army of 180,000 armed men). 19 These were the men who served the king in addition to those whom the king put in the fortified cities throughout Judah.

Micaiah Prophesies against King Ahab-1 Kings 22:1-40 18 1 Jehoshaphat was wealthy and honorable and became Ahab's in-law. 2 A few years later he went to visit Ahab in Samaria. Ahab slaughtered many sheep and cattle for a banquet in honor of Jehoshaphat and the people who were with him. And Ahab persuaded Jehoshaphat to attack Ramoth in Gilead with him.

3 King Ahab of Israel asked King Jehoshaphat of Judah, "Will you go with me to Ramoth in Gilead?"

Jehoshaphat told the king of Israel, "I will do what you do. My troops will do what your troops do. We will join your troops in battle." 4 Then Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, "But first, find out what the word of Yahweh is in this matter."

5 So the king of Israel called 400 prophets together. He asked them, "Should we go to war against Ramoth in Gilead or not?"

"Go," they said. "Elohim will hand over Ramoth to you."

6 But Jehoshaphat asked, "Isn't there a prophet of Yahweh whom we could ask?"

7 The king of Israel told Jehoshaphat, "We can ask Yahweh through Micaiah, son of Imla, but I hate him. Nothing he prophesies about me is good; it's always evil."

Jehoshaphat answered, "The king must not say that."

8 The king of Israel called for an officer and said, "Quick! Get Micaiah, son of Imla!"

9 The king of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah were dressed in royal robes and seated on thrones. They were sitting on the threshing floora at the entrance to the gate of Samaria. All the prophets were prophesying in front of them. 10 Zedekiah, son of Chenaanah, made iron horns and said, "This is what Yahweh says: With these horns you will push the Arameans to their destruction." 11 All the other prophets made the same prophecy. They said, "Attack Ramoth in Gilead, and you will win. Yahweh will hand it over to you."

12 The messenger who went to call Micaiah told him, "The prophets have all told the king the same good message. Make your message agree with their message. Say something good."

13 Micaiah answered, "I solemnly swear, as Yahweh lives, I will tell him whatever my Elohim says to me."

14 When he came to the king, the king asked him, "Micaiah,a should we go to war against Ramoth in Gilead or not?"

Micaiah said, "Attack and you will win. They will be handed over to you."

15 The king asked him, "How many times must I make you take an oath in Yahweh's name to tell me nothing but the truth?"

16 So Micaiah said, "I saw Israel's troops scattered in the hills like sheep without a shepherd. Yahweh said, 'These sheep have no master. Let each one go home in peace.'"

17 The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "Didn't I tell you he wouldn't prophesy anything good about me?"

18 Micaiah added, "Then hear the word of Yahweh. I saw Yahweh sitting on his throne, and the entire army of heaven was standing on his right and his left. 19 Yahweh asked, 'Who will deceive King Ahab of Israel so that he will attack and be killed at Ramoth in Gilead?' Some answered one way, while others were saying something else.

20 "Then the Ruach stepped forward, stood in front of Yahweh, and said, 'I will deceive him.'

"'How?' Yahweh asked.

21 "The Ruach answered, 'I will go out and be a spirit that tells lies through the mouths of all of Ahab's prophets.'

"Yahweh said, 'You will succeed in deceiving him. Go and do it.'

22 "So Yahweh has put into the mouths of these prophets of yours a spirit that makes them tell lies. Yahweh has spoken evil about you."

23 Zedekiah, son of Chenaanah, went to Micaiah and struck him on the cheek. "Which way did the Ruach go when he left me to talk to you?" he asked.

24 Micaiah answered, "You will find out on the day you go into an inner room to hide."

25 The king of Israel then said, "Send Micaiah back to Amon, the governor of the city, and to Joash, the prince. 26 Say, 'This is what the king says: Put this man in prison, and feed him nothing but bread and water until I return home safely.'"

27 Micaiah said, "If you really do come back safely, then Yahweh wasn't speaking through me. Pay attention to this, everyone!"

28 So the king of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah went to Ramoth in Gilead. 29 The king of Israel told Jehoshaphat, "I will disguise myself and go into battle, but you should wear your royal robes." So the king of Israel disguised himself and went into battle.

30 The king of Aram had given orders to the chariot commanders. He said, "Don't fight anyone except the king of Israel."

31 When the chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat, they said, "He must be the king of Israel." So they surrounded him in order to fight him. But when Jehoshaphat cried out, Yahweh helped him. Elohim drew them away from him, 32 and the chariot commanders realized that Jehoshaphat wasn't the king of Israel. Then they turned away from him.

33 One man aimed his bow at random and hit the king of Israel between his scale armor and his breastplate. Ahab told the chariot driver, "Turn around, and get me away from these troops. I'm badly wounded." 34 But the battle got worse that day, and the king propped himself up in his chariot facing the Arameans until evening. At sundown he died.

King Jehoshaphat's Religious Reforms 19 1 King Jehoshaphat of Judah returned safely to his home in Jerusalem. 2 Jehu, son of the seera Hanani, asked King Jehoshaphat, "Why do you help wicked people and love those who hate Yahweh? Yahweh's anger is directed toward you because you have done this. 3 However, you've done some good things: You've burned the Asherah poles in this country, and you've wholeheartedly dedicated your life to serving Elohim."

4 While Jehoshaphat was living in Jerusalem, he regularly went to the people between Beersheba and the mountains of Ephraim. He brought the people back to Yahweh Elohim of their ancestors. 5 He appointed judges in the country, in each fortified city of Judah. 6 He told the judges, "Pay attention to what you're doing. When you judge, you aren't doing it for a human but for Yahweh. He will be with you when you hear a case. 7 May you have the fear of Yahweh in you. Be careful about what you do. Yahweh our Elohim is never unjust. He is impartial and never takes bribes."

8 In Jerusalem Jehoshaphat also appointed some Levites, priests, and family heads from Israel to administer Yahweh's laws and decide cases. They lived in Jerusalem. 9 He ordered them, "Do this wholeheartedly-with the fear of Yahweh and with faithfulness. 10 Warn your relatives living in other cities about every case they bring to you, even if the case involves bloodshed or commands, rules, or regulations derived from Moses' Teachings. Then your relatives will not become guilty in front of Yahweh. Otherwise, he will become angry with you and your relatives. Do this, and you won't be guilty of anything. 11 Now, the chief priest Amariah will be in charge of you in every matter involving Yahweh. Zebadiah, who is the son of Ishmael and the leader of the tribe of Judah, will be in charge of every matter involving the king. The Levites will serve as officers of the court. Be strong, and do your job. May Yahweh be with those who do right."

King Jehoshaphat Defeats Judah's Enemies 20 1 Later the Moabites, Ammonites, and some of the Meunitesb came to wage war against Jehoshaphat. 2 Some men reported to Jehoshaphat, "A large crowd is coming against you from the other side of the Dead Sea, from Edom.c The crowd is already in Hazazon Tamar" (also called En Gedi).

3 Frightened, Jehoshaphat decided to ask for Yahweh's help. He announced a fast throughout Judah. 4 The people of Judah gathered to seek Yahweh's help. They came from every city in Judah.

5 In the new courtyard at Yahweh's temple, Jehoshaphat stood in front of the people. 6 He said, "Yahweh Elohim of our ancestors, aren't you the Elohim in heaven? You rule all the kingdoms of the nations. You possess power and might, and no one can oppose you. 7 Didn't you, our Elohim, force those who were living in this country out of Israel's way? Didn't you give this country to the descendants of your friend Abraham to have permanently? 8 His descendants have lived in it and built a holy temple for your name in it. They said, 9 'If evil comes in the form of war, flood,a plague, or famine, we will stand in front of this temple and in front of you because your name is in this temple. We will cry out to you in our troubles, and you will hear us and save us.'

10 "The Ammonites, Moabites, and the people of Mount Seir have come here. However, you didn't let Israel invade them when they came out of Egypt. The Israelites turned away from them and didn't destroy them. 11 They are now paying us back by coming to force us out of your land that you gave to us. 12 You're our Elohim. Won't you judge them? We don't have the strength to face this large crowd that is attacking us. We don't know what to do, so we're looking to you."