After about two years his intestines came out because of the disease, so that he died a very painful death. His people did not make a bonfire to honor him, as they had done for his ancestors.

He began building on the second day of the second month of the fourth year of his reign.

Because of their distress, they turned back to the Lord God of Israel. They sought him and he responded to them.

He built fortified cities throughout Judah, for the land was at rest and there was no war during those years; the Lord gave him peace.

After Solomon finished building the Lord’s temple and the royal palace, and accomplished all his plans for the Lord’s temple and his royal palace,

His son Jehoshaphat replaced him as king and solidified his rule over Israel.

Joash did what the Lord approved throughout the lifetime of Jehoiada the priest.

He did what the Lord approved, but not with wholehearted devotion.

He did what the Lord approved, just as his father Amaziah had done.

He did what the Lord approved, just as his ancestor David had done.

Look, our fathers died violently and our sons, daughters, and wives were carried off because of this.

Nevertheless you have done some good things; you removed the Asherah poles from the land and you were determined to follow the Lord.”

the pure gold lampstands and their lamps which burned as specified at the entrance to the inner sanctuary,

Now my father David had a strong desire to build a temple to honor the Lord God of Israel.

The Lord made his kingdom secure; all Judah brought tribute to Jehoshaphat, and he became very wealthy and greatly respected.

During Jehoram’s reign Edom freed themselves from Judah’s control and set up their own king.

During his time of trouble King Ahaz was even more unfaithful to the Lord.

When the edict was issued, the Israelites freely contributed the initial portion of their grain, wine, olive oil, honey, and all the produce of their fields. They brought a tenth of everything, which added up to a huge amount.

After all this happened, the Lord afflicted him with an incurable intestinal disease.

So when Rehoboam humbled himself, the Lord relented from his anger and did not annihilate him; Judah experienced some good things.