Nevi’im 25 The Writings reading devotion. ‘Nevertheless there are good things found in thee,’ 19.3.
Though Israel established a kingdom in the Promise Land, they failed in their contract with GOD. They failed by co-existing with the enemies of GOD and pandering to them. For this the kingdom on earth became an example of disobedience and came to an abrupt end. And it will be established until King Messiah returns to earth.
2 Chronicles 14-19
- They built and prospered. 14.6
- The high places were not taken away out of Israel; nevertheless 15.17
- Thou hast relied on the king of Aram, 16.7
- The LORD established the kingdom in his hand; 17.5
- He allied himself with Ahab by marriage. 18.1
- Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, 19.3
2 Chapter 14
א וַיַּעַשׂ אָסָא הַטּוֹב וְהַיָּשָׁר, בְּעֵינֵי יְהוָה אֱלֹהָיו. 1
And Asa did that which was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God;
ב וַיָּסַר אֶת-מִזְבְּחוֹת הַנֵּכָר, וְהַבָּמוֹת; וַיְשַׁבֵּר, אֶת-הַמַּצֵּבוֹת, וַיְגַדַּע, אֶת-הָאֲשֵׁרִים. 2
for he took away the strange altars, and the high places, and broke down the pillars, and hewed down the Asherim;
ג וַיֹּאמֶר, לִיהוּדָה, לִדְרוֹשׁ, אֶת-יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵיהֶם–וְלַעֲשׂוֹת, הַתּוֹרָה וְהַמִּצְוָה. 3
and commanded Judah to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers, and to do the law and the commandment.
ד וַיָּסַר מִכָּל-עָרֵי יְהוּדָה, אֶת-הַבָּמוֹת וְאֶת-הַחַמָּנִים; וַתִּשְׁקֹט הַמַּמְלָכָה, לְפָנָיו. 4
Also he took away out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the sun-images; and the kingdom was quiet before him.
ה וַיִּבֶן עָרֵי מְצוּרָה, בִּיהוּדָה: כִּי-שָׁקְטָה הָאָרֶץ, וְאֵין-עִמּוֹ מִלְחָמָה בַּשָּׁנִים הָאֵלֶּה–כִּי-הֵנִיחַ יְהוָה, לוֹ. 5
And he built fortified cities in Judah; for the land was quiet, and he had no war in those years; because the LORD had given him rest.
ו וַיֹּאמֶר לִיהוּדָה נִבְנֶה אֶת-הֶעָרִים הָאֵלֶּה, וְנָסֵב חוֹמָה וּמִגְדָּלִים דְּלָתַיִם וּבְרִיחִים, עוֹדֶנּוּ הָאָרֶץ לְפָנֵינוּ כִּי דָרַשְׁנוּ אֶת-יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ, דָּרַשְׁנוּ וַיָּנַח לָנוּ מִסָּבִיב; וַיִּבְנוּ, וַיַּצְלִיחוּ. {פ} 6
For he said unto Judah:
‘Let us build these cities, and make about them walls, and towers, gates, and bars; the land is yet before us, because we have sought the LORD our God; we have sought Him, and He hath given us rest on every side.’ So they built and prospered. {P}
ז וַיְהִי לְאָסָא, חַיִל נֹשֵׂא צִנָּה וָרֹמַח, מִיהוּדָה שְׁלֹשׁ מֵאוֹת אֶלֶף, {ס} וּמִבִּנְיָמִן נֹשְׂאֵי מָגֵן וְדֹרְכֵי קֶשֶׁת מָאתַיִם וּשְׁמוֹנִים אָלֶף: כָּל-אֵלֶּה, גִּבּוֹרֵי חָיִל. 7
And Asa had an army that bore bucklers and spears, out of Judah three hundred thousand; {S} and out of Benjamin, that bore shields and drew bows, two hundred and fourscore thousand; all these were mighty men of valour.
ח וַיֵּצֵא אֲלֵיהֶם זֶרַח הַכּוּשִׁי, בְּחַיִל אֶלֶף אֲלָפִים, וּמַרְכָּבוֹת, שְׁלֹשׁ מֵאוֹת; וַיָּבֹא, עַד-מָרֵשָׁה. 8
And there came out against them Zerah the Ethiopian with an army of a thousand thousand, and three hundred chariots; and he came unto Mareshah.
ט וַיֵּצֵא אָסָא, לְפָנָיו; וַיַּעַרְכוּ, מִלְחָמָה, בְּגֵיא צְפַתָה, לְמָרֵשָׁה. 9
Then Asa went out to meet him, and they set the battle in array in the valley of Zephath at Mareshah.
י וַיִּקְרָא אָסָא אֶל-יְהוָה אֱלֹהָיו, וַיֹּאמַר, יְהוָה אֵין-עִמְּךָ לַעְזֹר בֵּין רַב לְאֵין כֹּחַ, עָזְרֵנוּ יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ כִּי-עָלֶיךָ נִשְׁעַנּוּ וּבְשִׁמְךָ בָאנוּ עַל-הֶהָמוֹן הַזֶּה: יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ אַתָּה, אַל-יַעְצֹר עִמְּךָ אֱנוֹשׁ. {ס} 10
And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said:
‘LORD, there is none beside Thee to help, between the mighty and him that hath no strength; help us, O LORD our God; for we rely on Thee, and in Thy name are we come against this multitude. Thou art the LORD our God; let not man prevail against Thee.’ {S}
יא וַיִּגֹּף יְהוָה אֶת-הַכּוּשִׁים, לִפְנֵי אָסָא וְלִפְנֵי יְהוּדָה; וַיָּנֻסוּ, הַכּוּשִׁים. 11
So the LORD smote the Ethiopians before Asa, and before Judah; and the Ethiopians fled.
יב וַיִּרְדְּפֵם אָסָא וְהָעָם אֲשֶׁר-עִמּוֹ, עַד-לִגְרָר, וַיִּפֹּל מִכּוּשִׁים לְאֵין לָהֶם מִחְיָה, כִּי-נִשְׁבְּרוּ לִפְנֵי-יְהוָה וְלִפְנֵי מַחֲנֵהוּ; וַיִּשְׂאוּ שָׁלָל, הַרְבֵּה מְאֹד. 12
And Asa and the people that were with him pursued them unto Gerar; and there fell of the Ethiopians so that none remained alive; for they were shattered before the LORD, and before His host; and they carried away very much booty.
יג וַיַּכּוּ, אֵת כָּל-הֶעָרִים סְבִיבוֹת גְּרָר–כִּי-הָיָה פַחַד-יְהוָה, עֲלֵיהֶם; וַיָּבֹזּוּ, אֶת-כָּל-הֶעָרִים, כִּי-בִזָּה רַבָּה, הָיְתָה בָהֶם. 13 And they smote all the cities round about Gerar; for a terror from the LORD came upon them; and they spoiled all the cities; for there was much spoil in them.
יד וְגַם-אָהֳלֵי מִקְנֶה, הִכּוּ; וַיִּשְׁבּוּ צֹאן לָרֹב וּגְמַלִּים, וַיָּשֻׁבוּ יְרוּשָׁלִָם. {ס} 14
They smote also the tents of cattle, and carried away sheep in abundance and camels, and returned to Jerusalem. {S}
2 Chapter 15
א וַעֲזַרְיָהוּ, בֶּן-עוֹדֵד, הָיְתָה עָלָיו, רוּחַ אֱלֹהִים. 1
And the spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded;
ב וַיֵּצֵא, לִפְנֵי אָסָא, וַיֹּאמֶר לוֹ, שְׁמָעוּנִי אָסָא וְכָל-יְהוּדָה וּבִנְיָמִן: יְהוָה עִמָּכֶם, בִּהְיוֹתְכֶם עִמּוֹ, וְאִם-תִּדְרְשֻׁהוּ יִמָּצֵא לָכֶם, וְאִם-תַּעַזְבֻהוּ יַעֲזֹב אֶתְכֶם. {ס} 2
and he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him:
‘Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin:
the LORD is with you, while ye are with Him; and if ye seek Him, He will be found of you; but if ye forsake Him, He will forsake you. {S}
ג וְיָמִים רַבִּים, לְיִשְׂרָאֵל: לְלֹא אֱלֹהֵי אֱמֶת, וּלְלֹא כֹּהֵן מוֹרֶה–וּלְלֹא תוֹרָה. 3
Now for long seasons Israel was without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law;
ד וַיָּשָׁב, בַּצַּר-לוֹ, עַל-יְהוָה, אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל; וַיְבַקְשֻׁהוּ, וַיִּמָּצֵא לָהֶם. 4
but when in their distress they turned unto the LORD, the God of Israel, and sought Him, He was found of them.
ה וּבָעִתִּים הָהֵם, אֵין שָׁלוֹם לַיּוֹצֵא וְלַבָּא: כִּי מְהוּמֹת רַבּוֹת, עַל כָּל-יֹשְׁבֵי הָאֲרָצוֹת. 5
And in those times there was no peace to him that went out, nor to him that came in, but great discomfitures were upon all the inhabitants of the lands.
ו וְכֻתְּתוּ גוֹי-בְּגוֹי, וְעִיר בְּעִיר: כִּי-אֱלֹהִים הֲמָמָם, בְּכָל-צָרָה. 6
And they were broken in pieces, nation against nation, and city against city; for God did discomfit them with all manner of adversity.
ז וְאַתֶּם חִזְקוּ, וְאַל-יִרְפּוּ יְדֵיכֶם: כִּי יֵשׁ שָׂכָר, לִפְעֻלַּתְכֶם. {ס} 7
But be ye strong, and let not your hands be slack; for your work shall be rewarded.’ {S}
ח וְכִשְׁמֹעַ אָסָא הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה, וְהַנְּבוּאָה עֹדֵד הַנָּבִיא, הִתְחַזַּק וַיַּעֲבֵר הַשִּׁקּוּצִים מִכָּל-אֶרֶץ יְהוּדָה וּבִנְיָמִן, וּמִן-הֶעָרִים אֲשֶׁר לָכַד מֵהַר אֶפְרָיִם; וַיְחַדֵּשׁ, אֶת-מִזְבַּח יְהוָה, אֲשֶׁר, לִפְנֵי אוּלָם יְהוָה. 8
And when Asa heard these words, even the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage, and put away the detestable things out of all the land of Judah and Benjamin, and out of the cities which he had taken from the hill-country of Ephraim; and he renewed the altar of the LORD, that was before the porch of the LORD.
ט וַיִּקְבֹּץ, אֶת-כָּל-יְהוּדָה וּבִנְיָמִן, וְהַגָּרִים עִמָּהֶם, מֵאֶפְרַיִם וּמְנַשֶּׁה וּמִשִּׁמְעוֹן: כִּי-נָפְלוּ עָלָיו מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל, לָרֹב, בִּרְאֹתָם, כִּי-יְהוָה אֱלֹהָיו עִמּוֹ. {פ} 9
And he gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and them that sojourned with them out of Ephraim and Manasseh, and out of Simeon; for they fell to him out of Israel in abundance, when they saw that the LORD his God was with him. {P}
י וַיִּקָּבְצוּ יְרוּשָׁלִַם, בַּחֹדֶשׁ הַשְּׁלִשִׁי, לִשְׁנַת חֲמֵשׁ-עֶשְׂרֵה, לְמַלְכוּת אָסָא. 10
So they gathered themselves together at Jerusalem in the third month, in the fifteenth year of the reign of Asa.
יא וַיִּזְבְּחוּ לַיהוָה בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא, מִן-הַשָּׁלָל הֵבִיאוּ: בָּקָר שְׁבַע מֵאוֹת, וְצֹאן שִׁבְעַת אֲלָפִים. 11
And they sacrificed unto the LORD in that day, of the spoil which they had brought, seven hundred oxen and seven thousand sheep.
יב וַיָּבֹאוּ בַבְּרִית–לִדְרוֹשׁ, אֶת-יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵיהֶם: בְּכָל-לְבָבָם, וּבְכָל-נַפְשָׁם. 12
And they entered into the covenant to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers, with all their heart and with all their soul;
יג וְכֹל אֲשֶׁר לֹא-יִדְרֹשׁ לַיהוָה אֱלֹהֵי-יִשְׂרָאֵל, יוּמָת–לְמִן-קָטֹן, וְעַד-גָּדוֹל, לְמֵאִישׁ, וְעַד-אִשָּׁה. 13
and that whosoever would not seek the LORD, the God of Israel, should be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman.
יד וַיִּשָּׁבְעוּ, לַיהוָה, בְּקוֹל גָּדוֹל, וּבִתְרוּעָה–וּבַחֲצֹצְרוֹת, וּבְשׁוֹפָרוֹת. 14
And they swore unto the LORD with a loud voice, and with shouting, and with trumpets, and with horns.
טו וַיִּשְׂמְחוּ כָל-יְהוּדָה עַל-הַשְּׁבוּעָה, כִּי בְכָל-לְבָבָם נִשְׁבָּעוּ, וּבְכָל-רְצוֹנָם בִּקְשֻׁהוּ, וַיִּמָּצֵא לָהֶם; וַיָּנַח יְהוָה לָהֶם, מִסָּבִיב. 15
And all Judah rejoiced at the oath; for they had sworn with all their heart, and sought Him with their whole desire; and He was found of them; and the LORD gave them rest round about.
טז וְגַם-מַעֲכָה אֵם אָסָא הַמֶּלֶךְ, הֱסִירָהּ מִגְּבִירָה, אֲשֶׁר-עָשְׂתָה לַאֲשֵׁרָה, מִפְלָצֶת; וַיִּכְרֹת אָסָא, אֶת-מִפְלַצְתָּהּ, וַיָּדֶק, וַיִּשְׂרֹף בְּנַחַל קִדְרוֹן. 16
And also Maacah the mother of Asa the king, he removed her from being queen, because she had made an abominable image for an Asherah; and Asa cut down her image, and made dust of it, and burnt it at the brook Kidron.
יז וְהַבָּמוֹת–לֹא-סָרוּ, מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל: רַק לְבַב-אָסָא הָיָה שָׁלֵם, כָּל-יָמָיו. 17
But the high places were not taken away out of Israel; nevertheless the heart of Asa was whole all his days.
יח וַיָּבֵא אֶת-קָדְשֵׁי אָבִיו, וְקָדָשָׁיו–בֵּית הָאֱלֹהִים: כֶּסֶף וְזָהָב, וְכֵלִים. 18
And he brought into the house of God the things that his father had hallowed, and that he himself had hallowed, silver, and gold, and vessels.
יט וּמִלְחָמָה, לֹא הָיָתָה, עַד שְׁנַת-שְׁלֹשִׁים וְחָמֵשׁ, לְמַלְכוּת אָסָא. {פ} 19
And there was no more war unto the five and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa. {P}
2 Chapter 16
א בִּשְׁנַת שְׁלֹשִׁים וָשֵׁשׁ, לְמַלְכוּת אָסָא, עָלָה בַּעְשָׁא מֶלֶךְ-יִשְׂרָאֵל עַל-יְהוּדָה, וַיִּבֶן אֶת-הָרָמָה–לְבִלְתִּי, תֵּת יוֹצֵא וָבָא, לְאָסָא, מֶלֶךְ יְהוּדָה. 1
In the six and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa, Baasa king of Israel went up against Judah, and built Ramah, that he might not suffer any to go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.
ב וַיֹּצֵא אָסָא כֶּסֶף וְזָהָב, מֵאֹצְרוֹת בֵּית יְהוָה–וּבֵית הַמֶּלֶךְ; וַיִּשְׁלַח, אֶל-בֶּן-הֲדַד מֶלֶךְ אֲרָם, הַיּוֹשֵׁב בְּדַרְמֶשֶׂק, לֵאמֹר. 2 Then Asa brought out silver and gold out of the treasures of the house of the LORD and of the king’s house, and sent to Ben-hadad king of Aram, that dwelt at Damascus, saying:
ג בְּרִית בֵּינִי וּבֵינֶךָ, וּבֵין אָבִי וּבֵין אָבִיךָ: הִנֵּה שָׁלַחְתִּי לְךָ, כֶּסֶף וְזָהָב–לֵךְ הָפֵר בְּרִיתְךָ אֶת-בַּעְשָׁא מֶלֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵל, וְיַעֲלֶה מֵעָלָי. 3
‘There is a league between me and thee, as there was between my father and thy father; behold, I have sent thee silver and gold; go, break thy league with Baasa king of Israel, that he may depart from me.’
ד וַיִּשְׁמַע בֶּן-הֲדַד אֶל-הַמֶּלֶךְ אָסָא, וַיִּשְׁלַח אֶת-שָׂרֵי הַחֲיָלִים אֲשֶׁר-לוֹ אֶל-עָרֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, וַיַּכּוּ אֶת-עִיּוֹן וְאֶת-דָּן, וְאֵת אָבֵל מָיִם; וְאֵת כָּל-מִסְכְּנוֹת, עָרֵי נַפְתָּלִי. 4
And Ben-hadad hearkened unto king Asa, and sent the captains of his armies against the cities of Israel; and they smote Ijon, and Dan, and Abelmaim, and all the store-cities of Naphtali.
ה וַיְהִי, כִּשְׁמֹעַ בַּעְשָׁא, וַיֶּחְדַּל, מִבְּנוֹת אֶת-הָרָמָה; וַיַּשְׁבֵּת, אֶת-מְלַאכְתּוֹ. {ס} 5
And it came to pass, when Baasa heard thereof, that he left off building Ramah, and let his work cease. {S}
ו וְאָסָא הַמֶּלֶךְ, לָקַח אֶת-כָּל-יְהוּדָה, וַיִּשְׂאוּ אֶת-אַבְנֵי הָרָמָה וְאֶת-עֵצֶיהָ, אֲשֶׁר בָּנָה בַּעְשָׁא; וַיִּבֶן בָּהֶם, אֶת-גֶּבַע וְאֶת-הַמִּצְפָּה. {ס} 6
Then Asa the king took all Judah; and they carried away the stones of Ramah, and the timber thereof, wherewith Baasa had builded; and he built therewith Geba and Mizpah. {S}
ז וּבָעֵת הַהִיא, בָּא חֲנָנִי הָרֹאֶה, אֶל-אָסָא, מֶלֶךְ יְהוּדָה; וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלָיו, בְּהִשָּׁעֶנְךָ עַל-מֶלֶךְ אֲרָם וְלֹא נִשְׁעַנְתָּ עַל-יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ, עַל-כֵּן נִמְלַט חֵיל מֶלֶךְ-אֲרָם, מִיָּדֶךָ. 7
And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him:
‘Because thou hast relied on the king of Aram, and hast not relied on the LORD thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Aram escaped out of thy hand.
ח הֲלֹא הַכּוּשִׁים וְהַלּוּבִים, הָיוּ לְחַיִל לָרֹב לְרֶכֶב וּלְפָרָשִׁים–לְהַרְבֵּה מְאֹד; וּבְהִשָּׁעֶנְךָ עַל-יְהוָה, נְתָנָם בְּיָדֶךָ. 8
Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubim a huge host, with chariots and horsemen exceeding many? yet, because thou didst rely on the LORD, He delivered them into thy hand.
ט כִּי יְהוָה, עֵינָיו מְשֹׁטְטוֹת בְּכָל-הָאָרֶץ לְהִתְחַזֵּק עִם-לְבָבָם שָׁלֵם אֵלָיו–נִסְכַּלְתָּ עַל-זֹאת: כִּי מֵעַתָּה, יֵשׁ עִמְּךָ מִלְחָמוֹת. 9
For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is whole toward Him. Herein thou hast done foolishly; for from henceforth thou shalt have wars.’
י וַיִּכְעַס אָסָא אֶל-הָרֹאֶה, וַיִּתְּנֵהוּ בֵּית הַמַּהְפֶּכֶת–כִּי-בְזַעַף עִמּוֹ, עַל-זֹאת; וַיְרַצֵּץ אָסָא מִן-הָעָם, בָּעֵת הַהִיא. 10 Then Asa was wroth with the seer, and put him in the prison-house; for he was in a rage with him because of this thing. And Asa oppressed some of the people the same time.
יא וְהִנֵּה דִּבְרֵי אָסָא, הָרִאשׁוֹנִים וְהָאַחֲרוֹנִים–הִנָּם כְּתוּבִים עַל-סֵפֶר הַמְּלָכִים, לִיהוּדָה וְיִשְׂרָאֵל. 11
And, behold, the acts of Asa, first and last, lo, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.
יב וַיֶּחֱלֶא אָסָא בִּשְׁנַת שְׁלוֹשִׁים וָתֵשַׁע לְמַלְכוּתוֹ בְּרַגְלָיו, עַד-לְמַעְלָה חָלְיוֹ; וְגַם-בְּחָלְיוֹ לֹא-דָרַשׁ אֶת-יְהוָה, כִּי בָּרֹפְאִים. 12
And in the thirty and ninth year of his reign Asa was diseased in his feet; his disease was exceeding great; yet in his disease he sought not to the LORD, but to the physicians.
יג וַיִּשְׁכַּב אָסָא, עִם-אֲבֹתָיו; וַיָּמָת, בִּשְׁנַת אַרְבָּעִים וְאַחַת לְמָלְכוֹ. 13
And Asa slept with his fathers, and died in the one and fortieth year of his reign.
יד וַיִּקְבְּרֻהוּ בְקִבְרֹתָיו, אֲשֶׁר כָּרָה-לוֹ בְּעִיר דָּוִיד, וַיַּשְׁכִּיבֻהוּ בַּמִּשְׁכָּב אֲשֶׁר מִלֵּא בְּשָׂמִים וּזְנִים, מְרֻקָּחִים בְּמִרְקַחַת מַעֲשֶׂה; וַיִּשְׂרְפוּ-לוֹ שְׂרֵפָה, גְּדוֹלָה עַד-לִמְאֹד. {פ} 14
And they buried him in his own sepulchres, which he had hewn out for himself in the city of David, and laid him in the bed which was filled with sweet odours and divers kinds [of spices] prepared by the perfumers’ art; and they made a very great burning for him. {P}
2 Chapter 17
א וַיִּמְלֹךְ יְהוֹשָׁפָט בְּנוֹ, תַּחְתָּיו; וַיִּתְחַזֵּק, עַל-יִשְׂרָאֵל. 1
And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead, and strengthened himself against Israel.
ב וַיִּתֶּן-חַיִל–בְּכָל-עָרֵי יְהוּדָה, הַבְּצֻרוֹת; וַיִּתֵּן נְצִיבִים, בְּאֶרֶץ יְהוּדָה, וּבְעָרֵי אֶפְרַיִם, אֲשֶׁר לָכַד אָסָא אָבִיו. 2
And he placed forces in all the fortified cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah, and in the cities of Ephraim, which Asa his father had taken.
ג וַיְהִי יְהוָה, עִם-יְהוֹשָׁפָט: כִּי הָלַךְ, בְּדַרְכֵי דָּוִיד אָבִיו הָרִאשֹׁנִים, וְלֹא דָרַשׁ, לַבְּעָלִים. 3
And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto the Baalim;
ד כִּי לֵאלֹהֵי אָבִיו, דָּרָשׁ, וּבְמִצְוֹתָיו, הָלָךְ; וְלֹא, כְּמַעֲשֵׂה יִשְׂרָאֵל. 4
but sought to the God of his father, and walked in His commandments, and not after the doings of Israel.
ה וַיָּכֶן יְהוָה אֶת-הַמַּמְלָכָה בְּיָדוֹ, וַיִּתְּנוּ כָל-יְהוּדָה מִנְחָה לִיהוֹשָׁפָט; וַיְהִי-לוֹ עֹשֶׁר-וְכָבוֹד, לָרֹב. 5
Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents; and he had riches and honour in abundance.
ו וַיִּגְבַּהּ לִבּוֹ, בְּדַרְכֵי יְהוָה; וְעוֹד, הֵסִיר אֶת-הַבָּמוֹת וְאֶת-הָאֲשֵׁרִים–מִיהוּדָה. {פ} 6
And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD; and furthermore he took away the high places and the Asherim out of Judah. {P}
ז וּבִשְׁנַת שָׁלוֹשׁ לְמָלְכוֹ, שָׁלַח לְשָׂרָיו לְבֶן-חַיִל וּלְעֹבַדְיָה וְלִזְכַרְיָה, וְלִנְתַנְאֵל, וּלְמִיכָיָהוּ–לְלַמֵּד, בְּעָרֵי יְהוּדָה. 7
Also in the third year of his reign he sent his princes, even Ben-hail, and Obadiah, and Zechariah, and Nethanel, and Micaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah;
ח וְעִמָּהֶם הַלְוִיִּם, שְׁמַעְיָהוּ וּנְתַנְיָהוּ וּזְבַדְיָהוּ וַעֲשָׂהאֵל ושמרימות (וּשְׁמִירָמוֹת) וִיהוֹנָתָן וַאֲדֹנִיָּהוּ וְטוֹבִיָּהוּ וְטוֹב אֲדוֹנִיָּה–הַלְוִיִּם; וְעִמָּהֶם אֱלִישָׁמָע וִיהוֹרָם, הַכֹּהֲנִים. 8
and with them the Levites, even Shemaiah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asahel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan, and Adonijah, and Tobijah, and Tob-adonijah, the Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, the priests.
ט וַיְלַמְּדוּ, בִּיהוּדָה, וְעִמָּהֶם, סֵפֶר תּוֹרַת יְהוָה; וַיָּסֹבּוּ בְּכָל-עָרֵי יְהוּדָה, וַיְלַמְּדוּ בָּעָם. 9
And they taught in Judah, having the book of the Law of the LORD with them; and they went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught among the people.
י וַיְהִי פַּחַד יְהוָה, עַל כָּל-מַמְלְכוֹת הָאֲרָצוֹת, אֲשֶׁר, סְבִיבוֹת יְהוּדָה; וְלֹא נִלְחֲמוּ, עִם-יְהוֹשָׁפָט. 10
And a terror from the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat.
יא וּמִן-פְּלִשְׁתִּים, מְבִיאִים לִיהוֹשָׁפָט מִנְחָה–וְכֶסֶף מַשָּׂא; גַּם הָעַרְבִיאִים, מְבִיאִים לוֹ צֹאן, אֵילִים שִׁבְעַת אֲלָפִים וּשְׁבַע מֵאוֹת, וּתְיָשִׁים שִׁבְעַת אֲלָפִים וּשְׁבַע מֵאוֹת. {פ} 11
And some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents, and silver for tribute; the Arabians also brought him flocks, seven thousand and seven hundred rams, and seven thousand and seven hundred he-goats. {P}
יב וַיְהִי יְהוֹשָׁפָט הֹלֵךְ וְגָדֵל, עַד-לְמָעְלָה; וַיִּבֶן בִּיהוּדָה בִּירָנִיּוֹת, וְעָרֵי מִסְכְּנוֹת. 12
And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly; and he built in Judah castles and cities of store.
יג וּמְלָאכָה רַבָּה הָיָה לוֹ, בְּעָרֵי יְהוּדָה; וְאַנְשֵׁי מִלְחָמָה גִּבּוֹרֵי חַיִל, בִּירוּשָׁלִָם. 13
And he had many works in the cities of Judah; and men of war, mighty men of valour, in Jerusalem.
יד וְאֵלֶּה פְקֻדָּתָם, לְבֵית אֲבוֹתֵיהֶם: לִיהוּדָה, שָׂרֵי אֲלָפִים– {ס} עַדְנָה הַשָּׂר, וְעִמּוֹ גִּבּוֹרֵי חַיִל שְׁלֹשׁ מֵאוֹת אָלֶף. {ס} 14
And this was the numbering of them according to their fathers’ houses:
of Judah, the captains of thousands: {S}
Adnah the captain, and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand; {S}
טו וְעַל-יָדוֹ, יְהוֹחָנָן הַשָּׂר; וְעִמּוֹ, מָאתַיִם וּשְׁמוֹנִים אָלֶף. {ס} 15
and next to him Jehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand; {S}
טז וְעַל-יָדוֹ עֲמַסְיָה בֶן-זִכְרִי, הַמִּתְנַדֵּב לַיהוָה; וְעִמּוֹ מָאתַיִם אֶלֶף, גִּבּוֹר חָיִל. {ס} 16
and next to him Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself unto the LORD, and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour; {S}
יז וּמִן-בִּנְיָמִן–גִּבּוֹר חַיִל, אֶלְיָדָע; וְעִמּוֹ נֹשְׁקֵי-קֶשֶׁת וּמָגֵן, מָאתַיִם אָלֶף. {ס} 17
and of Benjamin:
Eliada a mighty man of valour, and with him two hundred thousand armed with bow and shield; {S}
יח וְעַל-יָדוֹ, יְהוֹזָבָד; וְעִמּוֹ מֵאָה-וּשְׁמוֹנִים אֶלֶף, חֲלוּצֵי צָבָא. {ס} 18
and next to him Jehozabad, and with him a hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for war. {S}
יט אֵלֶּה, הַמְשָׁרְתִים אֶת-הַמֶּלֶךְ: מִלְּבַד אֲשֶׁר-נָתַן הַמֶּלֶךְ, בְּעָרֵי הַמִּבְצָר–בְּכָל-יְהוּדָה. {פ} 19
These were they that waited on the king beside those whom the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah. {P}
2 Chapter 18
א וַיְהִי לִיהוֹשָׁפָט עֹשֶׁר וְכָבוֹד, לָרֹב; וַיִּתְחַתֵּן, לְאַחְאָב. 1
Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honour in abundance; and he allied himself with Ahab by marriage.
ב וַיֵּרֶד לְקֵץ שָׁנִים אֶל-אַחְאָב, לְשֹׁמְרוֹן, וַיִּזְבַּח-לוֹ אַחְאָב צֹאן וּבָקָר לָרֹב, וְלָעָם אֲשֶׁר עִמּוֹ; וַיְסִיתֵהוּ, לַעֲלוֹת אֶל-רָמֹת גִּלְעָד. 2
And after a lapse of years he went down to Ahab to Samaria. And Ahab killed sheep and oxen for him in abundance, and for the people that were with him, and persuaded him to go up with him to Ramoth-gilead.
ג וַיֹּאמֶר אַחְאָב מֶלֶךְ-יִשְׂרָאֵל, אֶל-יְהוֹשָׁפָט מֶלֶךְ יְהוּדָה, הֲתֵלֵךְ עִמִּי, רָמֹת גִּלְעָד; וַיֹּאמֶר לוֹ, כָּמוֹנִי כָמוֹךָ וּכְעַמְּךָ עַמִּי–וְעִמְּךָ, בַּמִּלְחָמָה. 3
And Ahab king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat king of Judah:
‘Wilt thou go with me to Ramoth-gilead?’
And he answered him:
‘I am as thou art, and my people as thy people; and we will be with thee in the war.’
ד וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוֹשָׁפָט, אֶל-מֶלֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵל: דְּרָשׁ-נָא כַיּוֹם, אֶת-דְּבַר יְהוָה. 4
And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel:
‘Inquire, I pray thee, at the word of the LORD today.’
ה וַיִּקְבֹּץ מֶלֶךְ-יִשְׂרָאֵל אֶת-הַנְּבִאִים, אַרְבַּע מֵאוֹת אִישׁ, וַיֹּאמֶר אֲלֵהֶם הֲנֵלֵךְ אֶל-רָמֹת גִּלְעָד לַמִּלְחָמָה, אִם-אֶחְדָּל; וַיֹּאמְרוּ עֲלֵה, וְיִתֵּן הָאֱלֹהִים בְּיַד הַמֶּלֶךְ. 5
Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, four hundred men, and said unto them:
‘Shall we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I forbear?’
And they said:
‘Go up; for God will deliver it into the hand of the king.’
ו וַיֹּאמֶר, יְהוֹשָׁפָט, הַאֵין פֹּה נָבִיא לַיהוָה, עוֹד; וְנִדְרְשָׁה, מֵאֹתוֹ. 6
But Jehoshaphat said:
‘Is there not here besides a prophet of the LORD, that we might inquire of him?’
ז וַיֹּאמֶר מֶלֶךְ-יִשְׂרָאֵל אֶל-יְהוֹשָׁפָט עוֹד אִישׁ-אֶחָד לִדְרוֹשׁ אֶת-יְהוָה מֵאֹתוֹ וַאֲנִי שְׂנֵאתִיהוּ, כִּי-אֵינֶנּוּ מִתְנַבֵּא עָלַי לְטוֹבָה כִּי כָל-יָמָיו לְרָעָה–הוּא, מִיכָיְהוּ בֶן-יִמְלָא; וַיֹּאמֶר, יְהוֹשָׁפָט, אַל-יֹאמַר הַמֶּלֶךְ, כֵּן. 7
And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat:
‘There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of the LORD; but I hate him; for he never prophesieth good concerning me, but always evil; the same is Micaiah the son of Imla.’
And Jehoshaphat said:
‘Let not the king say so.’
ח וַיִּקְרָא מֶלֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵל, אֶל-סָרִיס אֶחָד; וַיֹּאמֶר, מַהֵר מיכהו (מִיכָיְהוּ) בֶן-יִמְלָא. 8
Then the king of Israel called an officer, and said:
‘Fetch quickly Micaiah the son of Imla.’
ט וּמֶלֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵל וִיהוֹשָׁפָט מֶלֶךְ-יְהוּדָה יוֹשְׁבִים אִישׁ עַל-כִּסְאוֹ מְלֻבָּשִׁים בְּגָדִים, וְיֹשְׁבִים בְּגֹרֶן–פֶּתַח, שַׁעַר שֹׁמְרוֹן; וְכָל-הַנְּבִיאִים–מִתְנַבְּאִים, לִפְנֵיהֶם. 9
Now the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah sat each on his throne, arrayed in their robes, and they sat in a threshing-floor at the entrance of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets were prophesying before them.
י וַיַּעַשׂ לוֹ צִדְקִיָּהוּ בֶן-כְּנַעֲנָה, קַרְנֵי בַרְזֶל; וַיֹּאמֶר כֹּה-אָמַר יְהוָה, בְּאֵלֶּה תְּנַגַּח אֶת-אֲרָם עַד-כַּלּוֹתָם. 10
And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made him horns of iron, and said:
‘Thus saith the LORD:
With these shalt thou gore the Arameans, until they be consumed.’
יא וְכָל-הַנְּבִאִים–נִבְּאִים כֵּן, לֵאמֹר: עֲלֵה רָמֹת גִּלְעָד, וְהַצְלַח, וְנָתַן יְהוָה, בְּיַד הַמֶּלֶךְ. 11
And all the prophets prophesied so, saying:
‘Go up to Ramoth-gilead, and prosper; for the LORD will deliver it into the hand of the king.’
יב וְהַמַּלְאָךְ אֲשֶׁר-הָלַךְ לִקְרֹא לְמִיכָיְהוּ, דִּבֶּר אֵלָיו לֵאמֹר, הִנֵּה דִּבְרֵי הַנְּבִאִים פֶּה-אֶחָד טוֹב, אֶל-הַמֶּלֶךְ; וִיהִי-נָא דְבָרְךָ כְּאַחַד מֵהֶם, וְדִבַּרְתָּ טּוֹב. 12
And the messenger that went to call Micaiah spoke to him, saying:
‘Behold, the words of the prophets declare good to the king with one mouth; let thy word therefore, I pray thee, be like one of theirs, and speak thou good.’
יג וַיֹּאמֶר, מִיכָיְהוּ: חַי-יְהוָה–כִּי אֶת-אֲשֶׁר-יֹאמַר אֱלֹהַי, אֹתוֹ אֲדַבֵּר. 13
And Micaiah said:
‘As the LORD liveth, what my God saith, that will I speak.’
יד וַיָּבֹא, אֶל-הַמֶּלֶךְ, וַיֹּאמֶר הַמֶּלֶךְ אֵלָיו מִיכָה הֲנֵלֵךְ אֶל-רָמֹת גִּלְעָד לַמִּלְחָמָה, אִם-אֶחְדָּל; וַיֹּאמֶר עֲלוּ וְהַצְלִיחוּ, וְיִנָּתְנוּ בְּיֶדְכֶם. 14
And when he was come to the king, the king said unto him:
‘Micaiah, shall we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I forbear?’
And he said:
‘Go ye up, and prosper; and they shall be delivered into your hand.’
טו וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלָיו הַמֶּלֶךְ, עַד-כַּמֶּה פְעָמִים אֲנִי מַשְׁבִּיעֶךָ: אֲשֶׁר לֹא-תְדַבֵּר אֵלַי, רַק-אֱמֶת–בְּשֵׁם יְהוָה. 15
And the king said to him:
‘How many times shall I adjure thee that thou speak unto me nothing but the truth in the name of the LORD.’
טז וַיֹּאמֶר, רָאִיתִי אֶת-כָּל-יִשְׂרָאֵל נְפוֹצִים עַל-הֶהָרִים–כַּצֹּאן, אֲשֶׁר אֵין-לָהֶן רֹעֶה; וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה לֹא-אֲדֹנִים לָאֵלֶּה, יָשׁוּבוּ אִישׁ-לְבֵיתוֹ בְּשָׁלוֹם. 16
And he said:
‘I saw all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd; and the LORD said:
These have no master, let them return every man to his house in peace.’
יז וַיֹּאמֶר מֶלֶךְ-יִשְׂרָאֵל, אֶל-יְהוֹשָׁפָט: הֲלֹא אָמַרְתִּי אֵלֶיךָ, לֹא-יִתְנַבֵּא עָלַי טוֹב כִּי אִם-לְרָע. {ס} 17
And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat:
‘Did I not tell thee that he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil?’ {S}
יח וַיֹּאמֶר, לָכֵן שִׁמְעוּ דְבַר-יְהוָה: רָאִיתִי אֶת-יְהוָה, יוֹשֵׁב עַל-כִּסְאוֹ, וְכָל-צְבָא הַשָּׁמַיִם עֹמְדִים, עַל-יְמִינוֹ וּשְׂמֹאלוֹ. 18 And he said:
‘Therefore hear ye the word of the LORD:
I saw the LORD sitting upon His throne, and all the host of heaven standing on His right hand and on His left.
יט וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה, מִי יְפַתֶּה אֶת-אַחְאָב מֶלֶךְ-יִשְׂרָאֵל, וְיַעַל, וְיִפֹּל בְּרָמוֹת גִּלְעָד; וַיֹּאמֶר–זֶה אֹמֵר כָּכָה, וְזֶה אֹמֵר כָּכָה. 19 And the LORD said:
who shall entice Ahab king of Israel, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead? And one spoke saying after this manner, and another saying after that manner.
כ וַיֵּצֵא הָרוּחַ, וַיַּעֲמֹד לִפְנֵי יְהוָה, וַיֹּאמֶר, אֲנִי אֲפַתֶּנּוּ: וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה אֵלָיו, בַּמָּה. 20
And there came forth the spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said:
I will entice him.
And the LORD said unto him:
Wherewith?
כא וַיֹּאמֶר, אֵצֵא וְהָיִיתִי לְרוּחַ שֶׁקֶר, בְּפִי, כָּל-נְבִיאָיו; וַיֹּאמֶר, תְּפַתֶּה וְגַם-תּוּכָל–צֵא, וַעֲשֵׂה-כֵן. 21
And he said:
I will go forth, and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.
And He said:
Thou shalt entice him, and shalt prevail also; go forth, and do so.
כב וְעַתָּה, הִנֵּה נָתַן יְהוָה רוּחַ שֶׁקֶר, בְּפִי, נְבִיאֶיךָ אֵלֶּה; וַיהוָה, דִּבֶּר עָלֶיךָ רָעָה. {ס} 22
Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of these thy prophets; and the LORD hath spoken evil concerning thee.’ {S}
כג וַיִּגַּשׁ צִדְקִיָּהוּ בֶן-כְּנַעֲנָה, וַיַּךְ אֶת-מִיכָיְהוּ עַל-הַלֶּחִי; וַיֹּאמֶר, אֵי זֶה הַדֶּרֶךְ עָבַר רוּחַ-יְהוָה מֵאִתִּי–לְדַבֵּר אֹתָךְ. 23 Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near, and smote Micaiah upon the cheek, and said:
‘Which way went the spirit of the LORD from me to speak unto thee?’
כד וַיֹּאמֶר מִיכָיְהוּ, הִנְּךָ רֹאֶה בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא, אֲשֶׁר תָּבוֹא חֶדֶר בְּחֶדֶר, לְהֵחָבֵא. 24
And Micaiah said:
‘Behold, thou shalt see on that day, when thou shalt go into an inner chamber to hide thyself.’
כה וַיֹּאמֶר, מֶלֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵל, קְחוּ אֶת-מִיכָיְהוּ, וַהֲשִׁיבֻהוּ אֶל-אָמוֹן שַׂר-הָעִיר–וְאֶל-יוֹאָשׁ, בֶּן-הַמֶּלֶךְ. 25
And the king of Israel said:
‘Take ye Micaiah; and carry him back unto Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king’s son;
כו וַאֲמַרְתֶּם, כֹּה אָמַר הַמֶּלֶךְ, שִׂימוּ זֶה, בֵּית הַכֶּלֶא; וְהַאֲכִלֻהוּ לֶחֶם לַחַץ, וּמַיִם לַחַץ, עַד, שׁוּבִי בְשָׁלוֹם. 26
and say:
Thus saith the king:
Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with scant bread and with scant water, until I return in peace.’
כז וַיֹּאמֶר מִיכָיְהוּ–אִם-שׁוֹב תָּשׁוּב בְּשָׁלוֹם, לֹא-דִבֶּר יְהוָה בִּי; וַיֹּאמֶר, שִׁמְעוּ עַמִּים כֻּלָּם. 27
And Micaiah said:
‘If thou return at all in peace, the LORD hath not spoken by me.’
And he said:
‘Hear, ye peoples, all of you.’
כח וַיַּעַל מֶלֶךְ-יִשְׂרָאֵל וִיהוֹשָׁפָט מֶלֶךְ-יְהוּדָה, אֶל-רָמֹת גִּלְעָד. 28
So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramoth-gilead.
כט וַיֹּאמֶר מֶלֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵל אֶל-יְהוֹשָׁפָט, הִתְחַפֵּשׂ וָבוֹא בַמִּלְחָמָה, וְאַתָּה, לְבַשׁ בְּגָדֶיךָ; וַיִּתְחַפֵּשׂ מֶלֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵל, וַיָּבֹאוּ בַּמִּלְחָמָה. 29
And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat:
‘I will disguise myself, and go into the battle; but put thou on thy robes.’
So the king of Israel disguised himself; and they went into the battle.
ל וּמֶלֶךְ אֲרָם צִוָּה אֶת-שָׂרֵי הָרֶכֶב אֲשֶׁר-לוֹ, לֵאמֹר, לֹא תִּלָּחֲמוּ, אֶת-הַקָּטֹן אֶת-הַגָּדוֹל: כִּי אִם-אֶת-מֶלֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵל, לְבַדּוֹ. 30
Now the king of Aram had commanded the captains of his chariots, saying:
‘Fight neither with small nor great, save only with the king of Israel.’
לא וַיְהִי כִּרְאוֹת שָׂרֵי הָרֶכֶב אֶת-יְהוֹשָׁפָט, וְהֵמָּה אָמְרוּ מֶלֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵל הוּא, וַיָּסֹבּוּ עָלָיו, לְהִלָּחֵם; וַיִּזְעַק יְהוֹשָׁפָט וַיהוָה עֲזָרוֹ, וַיְסִיתֵם אֱלֹהִים מִמֶּנּוּ. 31
And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said:
‘It is the king of Israel.’
Therefore they turned about to fight against him; but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him; and God moved them to depart from him.
לב וַיְהִי, כִּרְאוֹת שָׂרֵי הָרֶכֶב, כִּי לֹא-הָיָה, מֶלֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵל–וַיָּשׁוּבוּ, מֵאַחֲרָיו. 32
And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw that it was not the king of Israel, that they turned back from pursuing him.
לג וְאִישׁ, מָשַׁךְ בַּקֶּשֶׁת לְתֻמּוֹ, וַיַּךְ אֶת-מֶלֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵל, בֵּין הַדְּבָקִים וּבֵין הַשִּׁרְיָן; וַיֹּאמֶר לָרַכָּב, הֲפֹךְ ידיך (יָדְךָ) וְהוֹצֵאתַנִי מִן-הַמַּחֲנֶה–כִּי הָחֳלֵיתִי. 33
And a certain man drew his bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the lower armour and the breastplate; wherefore he said to the driver of the chariot:
‘Turn thy hand, and carry me out of the host; for I am sore wounded.’
לד וַתַּעַל הַמִּלְחָמָה, בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא, וּמֶלֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵל הָיָה מַעֲמִיד בַּמֶּרְכָּבָה נֹכַח אֲרָם, עַד-הָעָרֶב; וַיָּמָת, לְעֵת בּוֹא הַשָּׁמֶשׁ. 34 And the battle increased that day; howbeit the king of Israel stayed himself up in his chariot against the Arameans until the even; and about the time of the going down of the sun he died.
2 Chapter 19
א וַיָּשָׁב יְהוֹשָׁפָט מֶלֶךְ-יְהוּדָה אֶל-בֵּיתוֹ, בְּשָׁלוֹם–לִירוּשָׁלִָם. {ס} 1
And Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem. {S}
ב וַיֵּצֵא אֶל-פָּנָיו, יֵהוּא בֶן-חֲנָנִי הַחֹזֶה, וַיֹּאמֶר אֶל-הַמֶּלֶךְ יְהוֹשָׁפָט, הֲלָרָשָׁע לַעְזֹר וּלְשֹׂנְאֵי יְהוָה תֶּאֱהָב: וּבָזֹאת עָלֶיךָ קֶּצֶף, מִלִּפְנֵי יְהוָה. 2
And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat:
‘Shouldest thou help the wicked, and love them that hate the LORD? for this thing wrath is upon thee from before the LORD.
ג אֲבָל, דְּבָרִים טוֹבִים נִמְצְאוּ עִמָּךְ: כִּי-בִעַרְתָּ הָאֲשֵׁרוֹת מִן-הָאָרֶץ, וַהֲכִינוֹתָ לְבָבְךָ לִדְרֹשׁ הָאֱלֹהִים. 3
Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast put away the Asheroth out of the land, and hast set thy heart to seek God.’
ד וַיֵּשֶׁב יְהוֹשָׁפָט, בִּירוּשָׁלִָם; וַיָּשָׁב וַיֵּצֵא בָעָם, מִבְּאֵר שֶׁבַע עַד-הַר אֶפְרַיִם, וַיְשִׁיבֵם, אֶל-יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵיהֶם. 4 And Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem; and he went out again among the people from Beer-sheba to the hill-country of Ephraim, and brought them back unto the LORD, the God of their fathers.
ה וַיַּעֲמֵד שֹׁפְטִים בָּאָרֶץ, בְּכָל-עָרֵי יְהוּדָה הַבְּצֻרוֹת–לְעִיר וָעִיר. 5
And he set judges in the land throughout all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city,
ו וַיֹּאמֶר אֶל-הַשֹּׁפְטִים, רְאוּ מָה-אַתֶּם עֹשִׂים–כִּי לֹא לְאָדָם תִּשְׁפְּטוּ, כִּי לַיהוָה; וְעִמָּכֶם, בִּדְבַר מִשְׁפָּט. 6
and said to the judges:
‘Consider what ye do; for ye judge not for man, but for the LORD; and [He is] with you in giving judgment.
ז וְעַתָּה, יְהִי פַחַד-יְהוָה עֲלֵיכֶם: שִׁמְרוּ וַעֲשׂוּ–כִּי-אֵין עִם-יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ עַוְלָה וּמַשֹּׂא פָנִים, וּמִקַּח-שֹׁחַד. 7
Now therefore let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take heed and do it; for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of bribes.’
ח וְגַם בִּירוּשָׁלִַם הֶעֱמִיד יְהוֹשָׁפָט מִן-הַלְוִיִּם וְהַכֹּהֲנִים, וּמֵרָאשֵׁי הָאָבוֹת לְיִשְׂרָאֵל, לְמִשְׁפַּט יְהוָה, וְלָרִיב; וַיָּשֻׁבוּ, יְרוּשָׁלִָם. 8
Moreover in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites and the priests, and of the heads of the fathers’ houses of Israel, for the judgment of the LORD, and for controversies. And they returned to Jerusalem.
ט וַיְצַו עֲלֵיהֶם, לֵאמֹר: כֹּה תַעֲשׂוּן בְּיִרְאַת יְהוָה, בֶּאֱמוּנָה וּבְלֵבָב שָׁלֵם. 9
And he charged them, saying:
‘Thus shall ye do in the fear of the LORD, faithfully, and with a whole heart.
י וְכָל-רִיב אֲשֶׁר-יָבוֹא עֲלֵיכֶם מֵאֲחֵיכֶם הַיֹּשְׁבִים בְּעָרֵיהֶם, בֵּין-דָּם לְדָם בֵּין-תּוֹרָה לְמִצְוָה לְחֻקִּים וּלְמִשְׁפָּטִים, וְהִזְהַרְתֶּם אֹתָם, וְלֹא יֶאְשְׁמוּ לַיהוָה וְהָיָה-קֶצֶף עֲלֵיכֶם וְעַל-אֲחֵיכֶם: כֹּה תַעֲשׂוּן, וְלֹא תֶאְשָׁמוּ. 10
And whensoever any controversy shall come to you from your brethren that dwell in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and ordinances, ye shall warn them, that they be not guilty towards the LORD, and so wrath come upon you and upon your brethren; thus shall ye do, and ye shall not be guilty.
יא וְהִנֵּה אֲמַרְיָהוּ כֹהֵן הָרֹאשׁ עֲלֵיכֶם לְכֹל דְּבַר-יְהוָה, וּזְבַדְיָהוּ בֶן-יִשְׁמָעֵאל הַנָּגִיד לְבֵית-יְהוּדָה לְכֹל דְּבַר-הַמֶּלֶךְ, וְשֹׁטְרִים הַלְוִיִּם, לִפְנֵיכֶם: חִזְקוּ וַעֲשׂוּ, וִיהִי יְהוָה עִם-הַטּוֹב. {פ} 11
And, behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of the LORD; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, in all the king’s matters; also the officers of the Levites before you. Deal courageously, and the LORD be with the good.’ {P}
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