In each city there were shields and spears; he strongly fortified them. ¹  Judah and Benjamin belonged to him.

But as for you, be strong and don’t get discouraged, ¹  for your work will be rewarded.” ² 

Now my father David had a strong desire to build a temple to honor the Lord God of Israel. ¹ 

The Lord told my father David, ‘It is right for you to have a strong desire to build a temple to honor me. ¹ 

“Be strong and brave! Don’t be afraid and don’t panic ¹  because of the king of Assyria and this huge army that is with him! We have with us one who is stronger than those who are with him. ² 

He looked for Ahaziah, who was captured while hiding in Samaria. ¹  They brought him to Jehu and then executed him. They did give him a burial, for they reasoned, ²  “He is the son of Jehoshaphat, who sought the Lord with his whole heart.” There was no one in Ahaziah’s family strong enough to rule in his place. ³ 

After Rehoboam’s rule was established and solidified, he and all Israel rejected the law of the Lord.

The Ammonites paid tribute to Uzziah and his fame reached ¹  the border of Egypt, for he grew in power.

He fortified these cities and placed officers in them, as well as storehouses of food, olive oil, and wine.

Certainly ¹  the Lord watches the whole earth carefully ²  and is ready to strengthen those who are devoted to him. ³  You have acted foolishly in this matter; from now on you will have war.

Even if you go and fight bravely in battle, God will defeat you ¹  before the enemy. God is capable of helping or defeating.” ² 

In Jerusalem he made war machines carefully designed to shoot arrows and large stones from the towers and corners of the walls. He became very famous, for he received tremendous support and became powerful. ¹ 

But once he became powerful, his pride destroyed him. ¹  He disobeyed ²  the Lord his God. He entered the Lord’s temple to offer incense on the incense altar.

Jotham grew powerful because he was determined to please the Lord his God. ¹ 

They supported ¹  the kingdom of Judah and were loyal to ²  Rehoboam son of Solomon for three years; they followed the edicts of ³  David and Solomon for three years.

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

His son Jehoshaphat replaced him as king and solidified his rule over Israel. ¹ 

Jehoshaphat’s power kept increasing. He built fortresses and storage cities throughout Judah.

Solomon son of David solidified his royal authority, ¹  for ²  the Lord his God was with him and magnified him greatly.

Abijah’s power grew; he had ¹  fourteen wives and fathered twenty-two sons and sixteen daughters.