He ordered, “Whether they come in peace or to do battle, take them alive.”

They paid 600 silver pieces for each chariot from Egypt and 150 silver pieces for each horse. They also sold chariots and horses to all the kings of the Hittites and to the kings of Syria.

The servants of the district governors led the march. When Ben Hadad sent messengers, they reported back to him, “Men are marching out of Samaria.”

Then a spirit stepped forward and stood before the Lord. He said, ‘I will deceive him.’ The Lord asked him, ‘How?’

Once the priests left the holy place, a cloud filled the Lord’s temple.

After all, they are your people and your special possession whom you brought out of Egypt, from the middle of the iron-smelting furnace.

They marched out of the city with the servants of the district governors in the lead and the army behind them.

Then the king of Israel marched out and struck down the horses and chariots; he thoroughly defeated Syria.

He replied, ‘I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouths of all his prophets.’ The Lord said, ‘Deceive and overpower him. Go out and do as you have proposed.’

Next the king summoned Shimei and told him, “Build yourself a house in Jerusalem and live there – but you may not leave there to go anywhere!

If you ever do leave and cross the Kidron Valley, know for sure that you will certainly die! You will be responsible for your own death.”

The king then gave the order to Benaiah son of Jehoiada who went and executed Shimei. So Solomon took firm control of the kingdom.

Now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in my father David’s place, even though I am only a young man and am inexperienced.

But you will not build the temple; your very own son will build the temple for my honor.’

and set up in it a place for the ark containing the covenant the Lord made with our ancestors when he brought them out of the land of Egypt.”

When Hiram went out from Tyre to inspect the cities Solomon had given him, he was not pleased with them.

Jeroboam built up Shechem in the Ephraimite hill country and lived there. From there he went out and built up Penuel.

King Baasha of Israel attacked Judah and established Ramah as a military outpost to prevent anyone from leaving or entering the land of King Asa of Judah.

When Elijah heard it, he covered his face with his robe and went out and stood at the entrance to the cave. All of a sudden a voice asked him, “Why are you here, Elijah?”

They marched out at noon, while Ben Hadad and the thirty-two kings allied with him were drinking heavily in their quarters.