By the ninth day of the fourth month the famine in the city was so severe the residents had no food.

But they were unfaithful to the God of their ancestors and worshiped instead the gods of the native peoples whom God had destroyed before them.

The whole assembly agreed to do this, for the proposal seemed right to all the people.

When David finished offering burnt sacrifices and peace offerings, he pronounced a blessing over the people in the Lord’s name.

Then all the people returned to their homes, and David went to pronounce a blessing on his family.

David reigned over all Israel; he guaranteed justice for all his people.

He put his brother Abishai in charge of the rest of the army and they were deployed against the Ammonites.

Be strong! Let’s fight bravely for the sake of our people and the cities of our God! The Lord will do what he decides is best!”

So Joab and his men marched toward the Arameans to do battle, and they fled before him.

For David said, “The Lord God of Israel has given his people rest and has permanently settled in Jerusalem.

But now I have chosen Jerusalem as a place to live, and I have chosen David to lead my people Israel.’

These men worked for Solomon as supervisors; there were a total of 250 of them who were in charge of the people.

He said to them, “Go away for three days, then return to me.” So the people went away.

They taught throughout Judah, taking with them the scroll of the law of the Lord. They traveled to all the cities of Judah and taught the people.

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

So look, the Lord is about to severely afflict your people, your sons, your wives, and all you own.

Another third of you will be stationed at the royal palace and still another third at the Foundation Gate. All the others will stand in the courtyards of the Lord’s temple.

All the people of the land celebrated, for the city had rest now that they had killed Athaliah.

All the officials and all the people gladly brought their silver and threw it into the chest until it was full.

He ordered the people living in Jerusalem to contribute the portion prescribed for the priests and Levites so they might be obedient to the law of the Lord.