But the <sc>Lordsc> told Shemaiah the prophet,<n id="1" />

<p class="bodytext">Jotham grew powerful because he was determined to please the <sc>Lordsc> his God.<n id="1" />

The <sc>Lordsc> struck down the Cushites before Asa and Judah. The Cushites fled,

Now listen to me! Send back those you have seized from your brothers, for the <sc>Lordsc> is very angry at you!&#8221;<n id="1" />

Look, I am ready to build a temple to honor<n id="1" /> the <sc>Lordsc> my God and to dedicate it to him in order to burn fragrant incense before him, to set out the bread that is regularly displayed,<n id="2" /> and to offer burnt sacrifices each morning and evening, and on Sabbaths, new moon festivals, and at other times appointed by the <sc>Lordsc> our God. This is something Israel must do on a permanent basis.<n id="3" />

May the <sc>Lordsc> your God be praised because he favored<n id="1" /> you by placing you on his throne as the one ruling on his behalf!<n id="2" /> Because of your God&#8217;s love for Israel and his lasting commitment to them,<n id="3" /> he made you king over them so you could make just and right decisions.&#8221;<n id="4" />

Now, <sc>Lordsc> God, may your promise<n id="1" /> to my father David be realized,<n id="2" /> for you have made me king over a great nation as numerous as the dust of the earth.

and the pots, shovels, and meat forks.<n id="1" /> All the items King Solomon assigned Huram Abi to make for the <sc>Lordsc>&#8217;s temple<n id="2" /> were made from polished bronze.

Anyone who would not seek the <sc>Lordsc> God of Israel would be executed, whether they were young or old,<n id="1" /> male or female.

<p class="bodytext">In Jerusalem Jehoshaphat appointed some Levites, priests, and Israelite family leaders to judge on behalf of the <sc>Lordsc><n id="1" /> and to settle disputes among the residents of Jerusalem.<n id="2" />

Then all the men of Judah and Jerusalem returned joyfully to Jerusalem with Jehoshaphat leading them; the <sc>Lordsc> had given them reason to rejoice over their enemies.

My sons, do not be negligent now, for the <sc>Lordsc> has chosen you to serve in his presence and offer sacrifices.&#8221;<n id="1" />p>

He has with him mere human strength,<n id="1" /> but the <sc>Lordsc> our God is with us to help us and fight our battles!&#8221; The army<n id="2" /> was encouraged by the words of King Hezekiah of Judah.p>

<t /><p class="bodytext">Solomon began building the <sc>Lordsc>&#8217;s temple in Jerusalem<n id="1" /> on Mount Moriah, where the <sc>Lordsc> had appeared to his father David. This was the place that David prepared at the threshing floor of Ornan<n id="2" /> the Jebusite.

<p class="bodytext">At that time Hanani the prophet<n id="1" /> visited King Asa of Judah and said to him: &#8220;Because you relied on the king of Syria and did not rely on the <sc>Lordsc> your God, the army of the king of Syria has escaped from your hand.

and the whole assembly made a covenant with the king in the temple of God. Jehoiada<n id="1" /> said to them, &#8220;The king&#8217;s son will rule, just as the <sc>Lordsc> promised David&#8217;s descendants.

<p class="bodytext">But a prophet<n id="1" /> visited him and said: &#8220;O king, the Israelite troops must not go with you, for the <sc>Lordsc> is not with Israel or any of the Ephraimites.<n id="2" />

<t /><p class="bodytext">Hezekiah appointed the divisions of the priests and Levites to do their assigned tasks<n id="1" /> &#8211; to offer burnt sacrifices and present offerings and to serve, give thanks, and offer praise in the gates of the <sc>Lordsc>&#8217;s sanctuary.<n id="2" />p>

The king of Israel answered Jehoshaphat, &#8220;There is still one man through whom we can seek the <sc>Lordsc>&#8217;s will.<n id="1" /> But I despise<n id="2" /> him because he does not prophesy prosperity for me, but always<n id="3" /> disaster. His name is Micaiah son of Imlah.<n id="4" /> Jehoshaphat said, &#8220;The king should not say such things!&#8221;