The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Didn’t I tell you he does not prophesy prosperity for me, but disaster?”

<p class="bodytext">Later King Jehoshaphat of Judah made an alliance with King Ahaziah of Israel, who<n id="1" /> did evil.

His body was carried back by horses,<n id="1" /> and he was buried in Jerusalem with his ancestors<n id="2" /> in the City of David.<n id="3" />p>

King Tiglath-pileser<n id="1" /> of Assyria came, but he gave him more trouble than support.<n id="2" />

When the king heard the words of the law scroll, he tore his clothes.

<p class="bodytext">God said to Solomon, &#8220;Because you desire this,<n id="1" /> and did not ask for riches, wealth, and honor, or for vengeance on your enemies,<n id="2" /> and because you did not ask for long life,<n id="3" /> but requested wisdom and discernment so you can make judicial decisions for my people over whom I have made you king,

When the <sc>Lordsc> saw that they humbled themselves, he gave this message to Shemaiah:<n id="1" /> &#8220;They have humbled themselves, so I will not destroy them. I will deliver them soon.<n id="2" /> My anger will not be unleashed against<n id="3" /> Jerusalem through<n id="4" /> Shishak.

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;

<p class="bodytext">Now the king of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah were sitting on their respective thrones, dressed in their royal robes, at the threshing floor at<n id="1" /> the entrance of the gate of Samaria. All the prophets were prophesying before them.

He built towers in the desert and dug many cisterns, for he owned many herds in the lowlands<n id="1" /> and on the plain. He had workers in the fields and vineyards in the hills and in Carmel,<n id="2" /> for he loved agriculture.<n id="3" />p>

<p class="bodytext">The king contributed<n id="1" /> some of what he owned for burnt sacrifices, including the morning and evening burnt sacrifices and the burnt sacrifices made on Sabbaths, new moon festivals, and at other appointed times prescribed<n id="2" /> in the law of the <sc>Lordsc>.

Hezekiah<n id="1" /> energetically rebuilt<n id="2" /> every broken wall. He erected towers and an outer wall,<n id="3" /> and fortified the terrace of the City of David.<n id="4" /> He made many weapons and shields.p>

His officials also willingly contributed to the people, priests, and Levites. Hilkiah, Zechariah, and Jehiel, the leaders of God&#8217;s temple, supplied 2,600 Passover sacrifices and 300 cattle.

<v id="(2:1)" /> Solomon had<n id="1" /> 70,000 common laborers<n id="2" /> and 80,000 stonecutters<n id="3" /> in the hills, in addition to 3,600 supervisors.<n id="4" />p>

He designated<n id="1" /> 70,000 as common laborers,<n id="2" /> 80,000 as stonecutters<n id="3" /> in the hills, and 3,600 as supervisors to make sure the people completed the work.<n id="4" />p>

But you will not build the temple; your very own son will build the temple for my honor.&#8217;<n id="1" />

Their descendants remained in the land (the Israelites were unable to wipe them out). Solomon conscripted them for his work crews and they continue in that role to this very day.<n id="1" />

They said to him, &#8220;If you are fair to these people, grant their request, and are cordial to them, they will be your servants from this time forward.&#8221;<n id="1" />

<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" />

Lawless good-for-nothing men<n id="1" /> gathered around him and conspired<n id="2" /> against Rehoboam son of Solomon, when Rehoboam was an inexperienced young man<n id="3" /> and could not resist them.