They handed it over to the construction foremen assigned to the Lord’s temple. They in turn paid the temple workers to restore and repair it.

A Passover like this had not been observed in Israel since the days of Samuel the prophet. None of the kings of Israel had observed a Passover like the one celebrated by Josiah, the priests, the Levites, all the people of Judah and Israel who were there, and the residents of Jerusalem.

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

In the most holy place he made two images of cherubim and plated them with gold.

He made the curtain out of violet, purple, crimson, and white fabrics, and embroidered on it decorative cherubim.

He made a bronze altar, 30 feet long, 30 feet wide, and 15 feet high.

He made ten gold lampstands according to specifications and put them in the temple, five on the right and five on the left.

He made the courtyard of the priests and the large enclosure and its doors; he plated their doors with bronze.

Solomon made so many of these items they did not weigh the bronze.

then listen from heaven to their prayers for help and vindicate them.

He did evil because he was not determined to follow the Lord.

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

He commanded them: “Carry out your duties with respect for the Lord, with honesty, and with pure motives.

He followed in his father Asa’s footsteps and was careful to do what the Lord approved.

Later King Jehoshaphat of Judah made an alliance with King Ahaziah of Israel, who did evil.

This is what you must do. One third of you priests and Levites who are on duty during the Sabbath will guard the doors.

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

The king ordered a chest to be made and placed outside the gate of the Lord’s temple.

He was buried in the City of David with the kings, because he had accomplished good in Israel and for God and his temple.

The king, his officials, and the entire assembly in Jerusalem decided to observe the Passover in the second month.