But they did not repudiate<n id="1" /> the sinful ways of the family<n id="2" /> of Jeroboam, who encouraged Israel to sin; they continued in those sins.<n id="3" /> There was even an Asherah pole<n id="4" /> standing in Samaria.

He followed in the footsteps of<n id="1" /> the kings of Israel. He passed his son through the fire,<n id="2" /> a horrible sin practiced by the nations<n id="3" /> whom the <sc>Lordsc> drove out from before the Israelites.

Because he killed innocent people and stained Jerusalem with their blood, the <sc>Lordsc> was unwilling to forgive them.<n id="1" />p>

<p class="bodytext">So Saul died because he was unfaithful to the <sc>Lordsc> and did not obey the <sc>Lordsc>&#8217;s instructions; he even tried to conjure up underworld spirits.<n id="1" />

<p class="bodytext">In a battle in Gath<n id="1" /> there was a large man who had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot &#8211; twenty-four in all! He too was a descendant of Rapha.

The people were delighted with their donations, for they contributed to the <sc>Lordsc> with a willing attitude;<n id="1" /> King David was also very happy.<n id="2" />p>

All the officers and warriors, as well as all of King David&#8217;s sons, pledged their allegiance to King Solomon.<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.

Even I and my relatives<n id="1" /> and my associates<n id="2" /> are lending them money and grain. But let us abandon this practice of seizing collateral!<n id="3" />

I gave myself to the work on this wall, without even purchasing<n id="1" /> a field. All my associates were gathered there for the work.p>

You have also established prophets to announce<n id="1" /> in Jerusalem<n id="2" /> on your behalf, &#8216;We have a king in Judah!&#8217; Now the king is going to hear about these rumors. So come on! Let&#8217;s talk about this.&#8221;<n id="3" />p>

<p class="bodytext">Remember, O my God, Tobiah and Sanballat in light of these actions of theirs &#8211; also Noadiah the prophetess and the other prophets who were trying to scare me!p>