He did evil in the sight of the Lord, as his ancestors had done. He did not repudiate the sinful ways of Jeroboam son of Nebat who encouraged Israel to sin.

they observed the practices of the nations whom the Lord had driven out from before Israel, and followed the example of the kings of Israel.

Judah also failed to keep the commandments of the Lord their God; they followed Israel’s example.

But each of these nations made its own gods and put them in the shrines on the high places that the people of Samaria had made. Each nation did this in the cities where they lived.

the Avvites made Nibhaz and Tartak, and the Sepharvites burned their sons in the fire as an offering to Adrammelech and Anammelech, the gods of Sepharvaim.

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

because they have done evil in my sight and have angered me from the time their ancestors left Egypt right up to this very day!’”

The king ordered all the people, “Observe the Passover of the Lord your God, as prescribed in this scroll of the covenant.”

During the time of Saul they attacked the Hagrites and defeated them. They took over their territory in the entire eastern region of Gilead.

On the eighth day they held an assembly, for they had dedicated the altar for seven days and celebrated the festival for seven more days.

He followed in the footsteps of the kings of Israel, just as Ahab’s dynasty had done, for he married Ahab’s daughter. He did evil in the sight of the Lord.

(Wicked Athaliah and her sons had broken into God’s temple and used all the holy items of the Lord’s temple in their worship of the Baals.)

even when they made a cast image of a calf for themselves and said, ‘This is your God who brought you up from Egypt,’ or when they committed atrocious blasphemies.

Our kings, our leaders, our priests, and our ancestors have not kept your law. They have not paid attention to your commandments or your testimonies by which you have solemnly admonished them.

Not only that, but I have seen the wicked approaching and entering the temple, and as they left the holy temple, they boasted in the city that they had done so. This also is an enigma.

At that time men will throw their silver and gold idols, which they made for themselves to worship, into the caves where rodents and bats live,

“Bring a plan, make a decision! Provide some shade in the middle of the day! Hide the fugitives! Do not betray the one who tries to escape!

They will no longer trust in the altars their hands made, or depend on the Asherah poles and incense altars their fingers made.

For at that time everyone will get rid of the silver and gold idols your hands sinfully made.

“The way you have lived and the things you have done will bring this on you. This is the punishment you deserve, and it will be painful indeed. The pain will be so bad it will pierce your heart.”