Jehoshaphat’s power kept increasing. He built fortresses and storage cities throughout Judah.

Jotham grew powerful because he was determined to please the Lord his God.

Jeroboam did not regain power during the reign of Abijah. The Lord struck him down and he died.

The Ammonites paid tribute to Uzziah and his fame reached the border of Egypt, for he grew in power.

Abijah’s power grew; he had fourteen wives and fathered twenty-two sons and sixteen daughters.

Now don’t let Hezekiah deceive you or mislead you like this. Don’t believe him, for no god of any nation or kingdom has been able to rescue his people from my power or the power of my predecessors. So how can your gods rescue you from my power?’”

He deported to Babylon all who escaped the sword. They served him and his sons until the Persian kingdom rose to power.

He prayed: “O Lord God of our ancestors, you are the God who lives in heaven and rules over all the kingdoms of the nations. You possess strength and power; no one can stand against you.

Jehoram took control of his father’s kingdom and became powerful. Then he killed all his brothers, as well as some of the officials of Israel.

He wrote letters mocking the Lord God of Israel and insulting him with these words: “The gods of the surrounding nations could not rescue their people from my power. Neither can Hezekiah’s god rescue his people from my power.”

Who among all the gods of these nations whom my predecessors annihilated was able to rescue his people from my power?

In Jerusalem he made war machines carefully designed to shoot arrows and large stones from the towers and corners of the walls. He became very famous, for he received tremendous support and became powerful.

But once he became powerful, his pride destroyed him. He disobeyed the Lord his God. He entered the Lord’s temple to offer incense on the incense altar.

Are you not aware of what I and my predecessors have done to all the nations of the surrounding lands? Have the gods of the surrounding lands actually been able to rescue their lands from my power?

The Lord delivered Hezekiah and the residents of Jerusalem from the power of King Sennacherib of Assyria and from all the other nations. He made them secure on every side.

The Lord was angry at Amaziah and sent a prophet to him, who said, “Why are you following these gods that could not deliver their own people from your power?”

Hezekiah says, “The Lord our God will rescue us from the power of the king of Assyria.” But he is misleading you and you will die of hunger and thirst!

They commanded an army of 307,500 skilled and able warriors who were ready to defend the king against his enemies.

Even if you go and fight bravely in battle, God will defeat you before the enemy. God is capable of helping or defeating.”

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