He also rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him vow allegiance in the name of God. He was stubborn and obstinate, and refused to return to the Lord God of Israel.

Solomon son of David solidified his royal authority, for the Lord his God was with him and magnified him greatly.

That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Tell me what I should give you.”

Solomon replied to God, “You demonstrated great loyalty to my father David and have made me king in his place.

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

Now, O Lord God of Israel, may the promise you made to your servant David be realized.

O Lord God, do not reject your chosen ones! Remember the faithful promises you made to your servant David!”

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

He ordered Judah to seek the Lord God of their ancestors and to observe his law and commands.

One nation was crushed by another, and one city by another, for God caused them to be in great turmoil.

They solemnly agreed to seek the Lord God of their ancestors with their whole heart and being.

However, the high places were not eliminated; the people were still not devoted to the God of their ancestors.

He remained in hiding in God’s temple for six years, while Athaliah was ruling over the land.

God helped him in his campaigns against the Philistines, the Arabs living in Gur Baal, and the Meunites.

Hezekiah and all the people were happy about what God had done for them, for it had been done quickly.

This is what Hezekiah did throughout Judah. He did what the Lord his God considered good and right and faithful.

The people continued to offer sacrifices at the high places, but only to the Lord their God.

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.

But Micaiah said, “As certainly as the Lord lives, I will say what my God tells me to say!”

Respect the Lord and make careful decisions, for the Lord our God disapproves of injustice, partiality, and bribery.”