He removed the pagan altars and the high places, smashed the sacred pillars, and cut down the Asherah poles.

When Baasha heard the news, he stopped fortifying Ramah and abandoned the project.

When he had secured control of the kingdom, he executed the servants who had assassinated his father.

When Hezekiah and the officials came and saw the heaps, they praised the Lord and pronounced blessings on his people Israel.

When the king heard the words of the law scroll, he tore his clothes.

Now the king of Syria had ordered his chariot commanders, “Do not fight common soldiers or high ranking officers; fight only the king of Israel!”

Then the king turned around and pronounced a blessing over the whole Israelite assembly as they stood there.

All the kings of the earth wanted to visit Solomon to see him display his God-given wisdom.

But Rehoboam rejected their advice and consulted the young advisers who served him, with whom he had grown up.

Those among all the Israelite tribes who were determined to worship the Lord God of Israel followed them to Jerusalem to sacrifice to the Lord God of their ancestors.

They supported the kingdom of Judah and were loyal to Rehoboam son of Solomon for three years; they followed the edicts of David and Solomon for three years.

He later married Maacah the daughter of Absalom. She bore to him Abijah, Attai, Ziza, and Shelomith.

He also built high places on the hills of Judah; he encouraged the residents of Jerusalem to be unfaithful to the Lord and led Judah away from the Lord.

The Levites must surround the king. Each of you must hold his weapon in his hand. Whoever tries to enter the temple must be killed. You must accompany the king wherever he goes.”

Jehoiada and his sons led out the king’s son and placed on him the crown and the royal insignia. They proclaimed him king and poured olive oil on his head. They declared, “Long live the king!”

When Athaliah heard the royal guard shouting and praising the king, she joined the crowd at the Lord’s temple.

They abandoned the temple of the Lord God of their ancestors, and worshiped the Asherah poles and idols. Because of this sinful activity, God was angry with Judah and Jerusalem.

Amaziah boldly led his army to the Valley of Salt, where he defeated 10,000 Edomites.

He said to them: “Listen to me, you Levites! Now consecrate yourselves, so you can consecrate the temple of the Lord God of your ancestors! Remove from the sanctuary what is ceremonially unclean!

So the Lord brought against them the commanders of the army of the king of Assyria. They seized Manasseh, put hooks in his nose, bound him with bronze chains, and carried him away to Babylon.