Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he became king and he reigned for one year in Jerusalem. His mother was Athaliah, the granddaughter of Omri.

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

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

Now I intend to make a covenant with the Lord God of Israel, so that he may relent from his raging anger.

Josiah observed a Passover festival for the Lord in Jerusalem. They slaughtered the Passover lambs on the fourteenth day of the first month.

The Lord God of their ancestors continually warned them through his messengers, for he felt compassion for his people and his dwelling place.

May the evil deeds of the wicked come to an end! But make the innocent secure, O righteous God, you who examine inner thoughts and motives!

Wait patiently for the Lord! Wait confidently for him! Do not fret over the apparent success of a sinner, a man who carries out wicked schemes!

“O Lord, help me understand my mortality and the brevity of life! Let me realize how quickly my life will pass!

I desperately want to be in the courts of the Lord’s temple. My heart and my entire being shout for joy to the living God.

my bones were not hidden from you, when I was made in secret and sewed together in the depths of the earth.

I also thought to myself, “It is for the sake of people, so God can clearly show them that they are like animals.

How delightful is your love, my sister, my bride! How much better is your love than wine; the fragrance of your perfume is better than any spice!

The Beloved to the Maidens: O maidens of Jerusalem, I command you – If you find my beloved, what will you tell him? Tell him that I am lovesick!

But then one of the seraphs flew toward me. In his hand was a hot coal he had taken from the altar with tongs.

you will taunt the king of Babylon with these words: “Look how the oppressor has met his end! Hostility has ceased!

When the chief adviser heard the king of Assyria had departed from Lachish, he left and went to Libnah, where the king was campaigning.

Certainly you have heard how the kings of Assyria have annihilated all lands. Do you really think you will be rescued?

Yet do not depart quickly or leave in a panic. For the Lord goes before you; the God of Israel is your rear guard.

“The Lord has told you people who remain in Judah, ‘Do not go to Egypt.’ Be very sure of this: I warn you here and now.