He followed in the footsteps of<n id="1" /> the kings of Israel; he also made images of the Baals.

They also attacked the tents of the herdsmen in charge of the livestock.<n id="1" /> They carried off many sheep and camels and then returned to Jerusalem.<n id="2" />p>

There was a large number of burnt sacrifices, as well as fat from the peace offerings and drink offerings that accompanied the burnt sacrifices. So the service of the <sc>Lordsc>&#8217;s temple was reinstituted.<n id="1" />

(Huram&#8217;s<n id="1" /> servants, aided by Solomon&#8217;s servants, brought gold from Ophir, as well as<n id="2" /> fine<n id="3" /> timber and precious gems.

<p class="bodytext">So when Rehoboam<n id="1" /> humbled himself, the <sc>Lordsc> relented from his anger and did not annihilate him;<n id="2" /> Judah experienced some good things.<n id="3" />

In the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa developed a foot disease.<n id="1" /> Though his disease was severe, he did not seek the <sc>Lordsc>, but only the doctors.<n id="2" />

He replied, &#8216;I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouths of all his prophets.&#8217; The <sc>Lordsc><n id="1" /> said, &#8216;Deceive and overpower him.<n id="2" /> Go out and do as you have proposed.&#8217;

<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" />

<p class="bodytext">Jehoram took control of his father&#8217;s kingdom and became powerful.<n id="1" /> Then he killed all his brothers,<n id="2" /> as well as some of the officials of Israel.

(Wicked Athaliah and her sons had broken into God&#8217;s temple and used all the holy items of the <sc>Lordsc>&#8217;s temple in their worship of the Baals.)

The Israelites seized from their brothers 200,000 wives, sons, and daughters. They also carried off a huge amount of plunder and took it<n id="1" /> back to Samaria.<n id="2" />p>

He also rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him vow allegiance<n id="1" /> in the name of God. He was stubborn and obstinate, and refused to return<n id="2" /> to the <sc>Lordsc> God of Israel.

<p class="bodytext">&#8220;Foreigners, who do not belong to your people Israel, will come from a distant land because of your great reputation<n id="1" /> and your ability to accomplish mighty deeds;<n id="2" /> they will come and direct their prayers toward this temple.

<p class="bodytext">King Asa also removed Maacah his grandmother<n id="1" /> from her position as queen mother<n id="2" /> because she had made a loathsome Asherah pole. Asa cut down her Asherah pole and crushed and burned it in the Kidron Valley.

but have instead followed in the footsteps of the kings of Israel. You encouraged the people of Judah and the residents of Jerusalem to be unfaithful to the <sc>Lordsc>, just as the family of Ahab does in Israel.<n id="1" /> You also killed your brothers, members of your father&#8217;s family,<n id="2" /> who were better than you.

They attacked Judah and swept through it.<n id="1" /> They carried off everything they found in the royal palace,<n id="2" /> including his sons and wives. None of his sons was left, except for his youngest, Ahaziah.

<p class="bodytext">The king and Jehoiada gave it to the construction foremen<n id="1" /> assigned to the <sc>Lordsc>&#8217;s temple. They hired carpenters and craftsmen to repair the <sc>Lordsc>&#8217;s temple, as well as those skilled in working with iron and bronze to restore the <sc>Lordsc>&#8217;s temple.

When Azariah the high priest and the other priests looked at<n id="1" /> him, there was a skin disease on his forehead. They hurried him out of there; even the king<n id="2" /> himself wanted to leave quickly because the <sc>Lordsc> had afflicted him.

<p class="bodytext">The <sc>Lordsc> his God handed him over to the king of Syria. The Syrians<n id="1" /> defeated him and deported many captives to Damascus.<n id="2" /> He was also handed over to the king of Israel, who thoroughly defeated him.<n id="3" />

<t /><p class="bodytext">Hezekiah sent messages throughout Israel and Judah; he even wrote letters to Ephraim and Manasseh, summoning them to come to the <sc>Lordsc>&#8217;s temple in Jerusalem<n id="1" /> and observe a Passover celebration for the <sc>Lordsc> God of Israel.