Elhanan
Was a son of Jair’s
Who slew like David
Anak’s heirs-
Titan men
From days of old,
Whose lofty minds
And hearts were cold.

Like Lahmi-
O that foolish foe-
Who mocked the Lord
With words of woe.
His pride-lust
And his scand’lous ways
By Elah’s grounds
Would end his days.

War-prone how
He towered high
As humble lad
And Lord drew nigh …
And just as he
Was weapon clad
A fatal blow
Came from the lad!

And so upon
The desert plain
Dagon’s pride
By God lay slain
Prefiguring
Those days to be
When Christ would claim
Like victory.

-jwm

Den som låtsas ha andliga behov befinner sig, om möjligt, i ett mörkare mörker och i en svartare svärta än ateisten, den som även i sitt inre avvisar existensen av en Gud. Det ljus som finns i ditt hjärta vet allting om din hjärteångest. Och innerst inne bär det rena ljuset vittnesbörd om din själs anspråk och om ditt sanna väsen, om att Gud har skapat dig för att du ska lära känna Elah och älska Elah och ständigt närma dig Elah, som är Den i sig själv Varande.

THE SECOND BOOK OF THE KINGS

COMMONLY CALLED, THE FOURTH BOOK OF THE KINGS

CHAPTER 1
1 Then Moab“of his father” rebelled against Israel“who prevails with God” after the death of Ahab“uncle, or father’s brother”.
2 And Ahaziah“seizure; vision of the Lord” fell down through a lattice in his upper chamber that [was] in Samaria“watch-mountain”, and was sick: and he sent messengers, and said unto them, Go, enquire of Baal-zebub“god of the fly” the god of Ekron“barrenness; torn away” whether I shall recover of this disease.
3 But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah“God the Lord, the strong Lord” the Tishbite“that makes captive”, Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria“watch-mountain”, and say unto them, [Is it] not because [there is] not a God in Israel“who prevails with God”, [that] ye go to enquire of Baal-zebub“god of the fly” the god of Ekron“barrenness; torn away”?
4 Now therefore thus saith the LORD, Thou shalt not come down from that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die. And Elijah“God the Lord, the strong Lord” departed.
5 ¶ And when the messengers turned back unto him, he said unto them, Why are ye now turned back?
6 And they said unto him, There came a man up to meet us, and said unto us, Go, turn again unto the king that sent you, and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD, [Is it] not because [there is] not a God in Israel“who prevails with God”, [that] thou sendest to enquire of Baal-zebub“god of the fly” the god of Ekron“barrenness; torn away”? therefore thou shalt not come down from that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die.
7 And he said unto them, What manner of man [was he] which came up to meet you, and told you these words?
8 And they answered him, [He was] an hairy man, and girt with a girdle of leather about his loins. And he said, It [is] Elijah“God the Lord, the strong Lord” the Tishbite“that makes captive”.
9 Then the king sent unto him a captain of fifty with his fifty. And he went up to him: and, behold, he sat on the top of an hill. And he spake unto him, Thou man of God, the king hath said, Come down.
10 And Elijah“God the Lord, the strong Lord” answered and said to the captain of fifty, If I [be] a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And there came down fire from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty.
11 Again also he sent unto him another captain of fifty with his fifty. And he answered and said unto him, O man of God, thus hath the king said, Come down quickly.
12 And Elijah“God the Lord, the strong Lord” answered and said unto them, If I [be] a man of God, let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And the fire of God came down from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty.
13 ¶ And he sent again a captain of the third fifty with his fifty. And the third captain of fifty went up, and came and fell on his knees before Elijah“God the Lord, the strong Lord”, and besought him, and said unto him, O man of God, I pray thee, let my life, and the life of these fifty thy servants, be precious in thy sight.
14 Behold, there came fire down from heaven, and burnt up the two captains of the former fifties with their fifties: therefore let my life now be precious in thy sight.
15 And the angel of the LORD said unto Elijah“God the Lord, the strong Lord”, Go down with him: be not afraid of him. And he arose, and went down with him unto the king.
16 And he said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Forasmuch as thou hast sent messengers to enquire of Baal-zebub“god of the fly” the god of Ekron“barrenness; torn away”, [is it] not because [there is] no God in Israel“who prevails with God” to enquire of his word? therefore thou shalt not come down off that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die.
17 ¶ So he died according to the word of the LORD which Elijah“God the Lord, the strong Lord” had spoken. And Jehoram“exaltation of the Lord” reigned in his stead in the second year of Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat“the Lord is judge” king of Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession”; because he had no son.
18 Now the rest of the acts of Ahaziah“seizure; vision of the Lord” which he did, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel“who prevails with God”?

CHAPTER 2
1 And it came to pass, when the LORD would take up Elijah“God the Lord, the strong Lord” into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha“salvation of God” from Gilgal“wheel; rolling; heap”.
2 And Elijah“God the Lord, the strong Lord” said unto Elisha“salvation of God”, Tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Beth-el“the house of God”. And Elisha said [unto him, As] the LORD liveth, and [as] thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they went down to Beth-el.
3 And the sons of the prophets that [were] at Beth-el“the house of God” came forth to Elisha“salvation of God”, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he said, Yea, I know [it]; hold ye your peace.
4 And Elijah“God the Lord, the strong Lord” said unto him, Elisha“salvation of God”, tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Jericho“his moon; his month; his sweet smell”. And he said, [As] the LORD liveth, and [as] thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they came to Jericho.
5 And the sons of the prophets that [were] at Jericho“his moon; his month; his sweet smell” came to Elisha“salvation of God”, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he answered, Yea, I know [it]; hold ye your peace.
6 And Elijah“God the Lord, the strong Lord” said unto him, Tarry, I pray thee, here; for the LORD hath sent me to Jordan“the river of judgment”. And he said, [As] the LORD liveth, and [as] thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And they two went on.
7 And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went, and stood to view afar off: and they two stood by Jordan“the river of judgment”.
8 And Elijah“God the Lord, the strong Lord” took his mantle, and wrapped [it] together, and smote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry ground.
9 ¶ And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah“God the Lord, the strong Lord” said unto Elisha“salvation of God”, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.
10 And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: [nevertheless], if thou see me [when I am] taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be [so].
11 And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, [there appeared] a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah“God the Lord, the strong Lord” went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
12 ¶ And Elisha“salvation of God” saw [it], and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel“who prevails with God”, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces.
13 He took up also the mantle of Elijah“God the Lord, the strong Lord” that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan“the river of judgment”;
14 And he took the mantle of Elijah“God the Lord, the strong Lord” that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where [is] the LORD God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha“salvation of God” went over.
15 And when the sons of the prophets which [were] to view at Jericho“his moon; his month; his sweet smell” saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah“God the Lord, the strong Lord” doth rest on Elisha“salvation of God”. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him.
16 ¶ And they said unto him, Behold now, there be with thy servants fifty strong men; let them go, we pray thee, and seek thy master: lest peradventure the Spirit of the LORD hath taken him up, and cast him upon some mountain, or into some valley. And he said, Ye shall not send.
17 And when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said, Send. They sent therefore fifty men; and they sought three days, but found him not.
18 And when they came again to him, (for he tarried at Jericho“his moon; his month; his sweet smell”,) he said unto them, Did I not say unto you, Go not?
19 ¶ And the men of the city said unto Elisha“salvation of God”, Behold, I pray thee, the situation of this city [is] pleasant, as my lord seeth: but the water [is] naught, and the ground barren.
20 And he said, Bring me a new cruse, and put salt therein. And they brought [it] to him.
21 And he went forth unto the spring of the waters, and cast the salt in there, and said, Thus saith the LORD, I have healed these waters; there shall not be from thence any more death or barren [land].
22 So the waters were healed unto this day, according to the saying of Elisha“salvation of God” which he spake.
23 ¶ And he went up from thence unto Beth-el“the house of God”: and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head.
24 And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the LORD. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them.
25 And he went from thence to mount Carmel“circumcised lamb; harvest; full of ears of corn”, and from thence he returned to Samaria“watch-mountain”.

CHAPTER 3
1 Now Jehoram“exaltation of the Lord” the son of Ahab“uncle, or father’s brother” began to reign over Israel“who prevails with God” in Samaria“watch-mountain” the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat“the Lord is judge” king of Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession”, and reigned twelve years.
2 And he wrought evil in the sight of the LORD; but not like his father, and like his mother: for he put away the image of Baal“master; lord” that his father had made.
3 Nevertheless he cleaved unto the sins of Jeroboam“he that opposes the people” the son of Nebat“that beholds”, which made Israel“who prevails with God” to sin; he departed not therefrom.
4 ¶ And Mesha“burden; salvation” king of Moab“of his father” was a sheepmaster, and rendered unto the king of Israel“who prevails with God” an hundred thousand lambs, and an hundred thousand rams, with the wool.
5 But it came to pass, when Ahab“uncle, or father’s brother” was dead, that the king of Moab“of his father” rebelled against the king of Israel“who prevails with God”.
6 ¶ And king Jehoram“exaltation of the Lord” went out of Samaria“watch-mountain” the same time, and numbered all Israel“who prevails with God”.
7 And he went and sent to Jehoshaphat“the Lord is judge” the king of Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession”, saying, The king of Moab“of his father” hath rebelled against me: wilt thou go with me against Moab to battle? And he said, I will go up: I [am] as thou [art], my people as thy people, [and] my horses as thy horses.
8 And he said, Which way shall we go up? And he answered, The way through the wilderness of Edom“red, earthy; of blood”.
9 So the king of Israel“who prevails with God” went, and the king of Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession”, and the king of Edom“red, earthy; of blood”: and they fetched a compass of seven days’ journey: and there was no water for the host, and for the cattle that followed them.
10 And the king of Israel“who prevails with God” said, Alas! that the LORD hath called these three kings together, to deliver them into the hand of Moab“of his father”!
11 But Jehoshaphat“the Lord is judge” said, [Is there] not here a prophet of the LORD, that we may enquire of the LORD by him? And one of the king of Israel’s servants answered and said, Here [is] Elisha“salvation of God” the son of Shaphat“judge”, which poured water on the hands of Elijah“God the Lord, the strong Lord”.
12 And Jehoshaphat“the Lord is judge” said, The word of the LORD is with him. So the king of Israel“who prevails with God” and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom“red, earthy; of blood” went down to him.
13 And Elisha“salvation of God” said unto the king of Israel“who prevails with God”, What have I to do with thee? get thee to the prophets of thy father, and to the prophets of thy mother. And the king of Israel said unto him, Nay: for the LORD hath called these three kings together, to deliver them into the hand of Moab“of his father”.
14 And Elisha“salvation of God” said, [As] the LORD of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, surely, were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat“the Lord is judge” the king of Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession”, I would not look toward thee, nor see thee.
15 But now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the LORD came upon him.
16 And he said, Thus saith the LORD, Make this valley full of ditches.
17 For thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not see wind, neither shall ye see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, that ye may drink, both ye, and your cattle, and your beasts.
18 And this is [but] a light thing in the sight of the LORD: he will deliver the Moabites also into your hand.
19 And ye shall smite every fenced city, and every choice city, and shall fell every good tree, and stop all wells of water, and mar every good piece of land with stones.
20 And it came to pass in the morning, when the meat offering was offered, that, behold, there came water by the way of Edom“red, earthy; of blood”, and the country was filled with water.
21 ¶ And when all the Moabites heard that the kings were come up to fight against them, they gathered all that were able to put on armour, and upward, and stood in the border.
22 And they rose up early in the morning, and the sun shone upon the water, and the Moabites saw the water on the other side [as] red as blood:
23 And they said, This [is] blood: the kings are surely slain, and they have smitten one another: now therefore, Moab“of his father”, to the spoil.
24 And when they came to the camp of Israel“who prevails with God”, the Israelites rose up and smote the Moabites, so that they fled before them: but they went forward smiting the Moabites, even in [their] country.
25 And they beat down the cities, and on every good piece of land cast every man his stone, and filled it; and they stopped all the wells of water, and felled all the good trees: only in Kir-haraseth left they the stones thereof; howbeit the slingers went about [it], and smote it.
26 ¶ And when the king of Moab“of his father” saw that the battle was too sore for him, he took with him seven hundred men that drew swords, to break through [even] unto the king of Edom“red, earthy; of blood”: but they could not.
27 Then he took his eldest son that should have reigned in his stead, and offered him [for] a burnt offering upon the wall. And there was great indignation against Israel“who prevails with God”: and they departed from him, and returned to [their own] land.

CHAPTER 4
1 Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha“salvation of God”, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the LORD: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen.
2 And Elisha“salvation of God” said unto her, What shall I do for thee? tell me, what hast thou in the house? And she said, Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil.
3 Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours, [even] empty vessels; borrow not a few.
4 And when thou art come in, thou shalt shut the door upon thee and upon thy sons, and shalt pour out into all those vessels, and thou shalt set aside that which is full.
5 So she went from him, and shut the door upon her and upon her sons, who brought [the vessels] to her; and she poured out.
6 And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her, [There is] not a vessel more. And the oil stayed.
7 Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children of the rest.
8 ¶ And it fell on a day, that Elisha“salvation of God” passed to Shunem“their change; their sleep”, where [was] a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And [so] it was, [that] as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread.
9 And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this [is] an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually.
10 Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither.
11 And it fell on a day, that he came thither, and he turned into the chamber, and lay there.
12 And he said to Gehazi“valley of sight” his servant, Call this Shunammite. And when he had called her, she stood before him.
13 And he said unto him, Say now unto her, Behold, thou hast been careful for us with all this care; what [is] to be done for thee? wouldest thou be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the host? And she answered, I dwell among mine own people.
14 And he said, What then [is] to be done for her? And Gehazi“valley of sight” answered, Verily she hath no child, and her husband is old.
15 And he said, Call her. And when he had called her, she stood in the door.
16 And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, [thou] man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid.
17 And the woman conceived, and bare a son at that season that Elisha“salvation of God” had said unto her, according to the time of life.
18 ¶ And when the child was grown, it fell on a day, that he went out to his father to the reapers.
19 And he said unto his father, My head, my head. And he said to a lad, Carry him to his mother.
20 And when he had taken him, and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees till noon, and [then] died.
21 And she went up, and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut [the door] upon him, and went out.
22 And she called unto her husband, and said, Send me, I pray thee, one of the young men, and one of the asses, that I may run to the man of God, and come again.
23 And he said, Wherefore wilt thou go to him to day? [it is] neither new moon, nor sabbath. And she said, [It shall be] well.
24 Then she saddled an ass, and said to her servant, Drive, and go forward; slack not [thy] riding for me, except I bid thee.
25 So she went and came unto the man of God to mount Carmel“circumcised lamb; harvest; full of ears of corn”. And it came to pass, when the man of God saw her afar off, that he said to Gehazi“valley of sight” his servant, Behold, [yonder is] that Shunammite:
26 Run now, I pray thee, to meet her, and say unto her, [Is it] well with thee? [is it] well with thy husband? [is it] well with the child? And she answered, [It is] well.
27 And when she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught him by the feet: but Gehazi“valley of sight” came near to thrust her away. And the man of God said, Let her alone; for her soul [is] vexed within her: and the LORD hath hid [it] from me, and hath not told me.
28 Then she said, Did I desire a son of my lord? did I not say, Do not deceive me?
29 Then he said to Gehazi“valley of sight”, Gird up thy loins, and take my staff in thine hand, and go thy way: if thou meet any man, salute him not; and if any salute thee, answer him not again: and lay my staff upon the face of the child.
30 And the mother of the child said, [As] the LORD liveth, and [as] thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And he arose, and followed her.
31 And Gehazi“valley of sight” passed on before them, and laid the staff upon the face of the child; but [there was] neither voice, nor hearing. Wherefore he went again to meet him, and told him, saying, The child is not awaked.
32 And when Elisha“salvation of God” was come into the house, behold, the child was dead, [and] laid upon his bed.
33 He went in therefore, and shut the door upon them twain, and prayed unto the LORD.
34 And he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands: and he stretched himself upon the child; and the flesh of the child waxed warm.
35 Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes.
36 And he called Gehazi“valley of sight”, and said, Call this Shunammite. So he called her. And when she was come in unto him, he said, Take up thy son.
37 Then she went in, and fell at his feet, and bowed herself to the ground, and took up her son, and went out.
38 ¶ And Elisha“salvation of God” came again to Gilgal“wheel; rolling; heap”: and [there was] a dearth in the land; and the sons of the prophets [were] sitting before him: and he said unto his servant, Set on the great pot, and seethe pottage for the sons of the prophets.
39 And one went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine, and gathered thereof wild gourds his lap full, and came and shred [them] into the pot of pottage: for they knew [them] not.
40 So they poured out for the men to eat. And it came to pass, as they were eating of the pottage, that they cried out, and said, O [thou] man of God, [there is] death in the pot. And they could not eat [thereof].
41 But he said, Then bring meal. And he cast [it] into the pot; and he said, Pour out for the people, that they may eat. And there was no harm in the pot.
42 ¶ And there came a man from Baal-shalisha“the god that presides over three; the third idol”, and brought the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley, and full ears of corn in the husk thereof. And he said, Give unto the people, that they may eat.
43 And his servitor said, What, should I set this before an hundred men? He said again, Give the people, that they may eat: for thus saith the LORD, They shall eat, and shall leave [thereof].
44 So he set [it] before them, and they did eat, and left [thereof], according to the word of the LORD.

CHAPTER 5
1 Now Naaman“beautiful; agreeable”, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honourable, because by him the LORD had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valour, [but he was] a leper.
2 And the Syrians had gone out by companies, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel“who prevails with God” a little maid; and she waited on Naaman’s wife.
3 And she said unto her mistress, Would God my lord [were] with the prophet that [is] in Samaria“watch-mountain”! for he would recover him of his leprosy.
4 And [one] went in, and told his lord, saying, Thus and thus said the maid that [is] of the land of Israel“who prevails with God”.
5 And the king of Syria said, Go to, go, and I will send a letter unto the king of Israel“who prevails with God”. And he departed, and took with him ten talents of silver, and six thousand [pieces] of gold, and ten changes of raiment.
6 And he brought the letter to the king of Israel“who prevails with God”, saying, Now when this letter is come unto thee, behold, I have [therewith] sent Naaman“beautiful; agreeable” my servant to thee, that thou mayest recover him of his leprosy.
7 And it came to pass, when the king of Israel“who prevails with God” had read the letter, that he rent his clothes, and said, [Am] I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man doth send unto me to recover a man of his leprosy? wherefore consider, I pray you, and see how he seeketh a quarrel against me.
8 ¶ And it was [so], when Elisha“salvation of God” the man of God had heard that the king of Israel“who prevails with God” had rent his clothes, that he sent to the king, saying, Wherefore hast thou rent thy clothes? let him come now to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel.
9 So Naaman“beautiful; agreeable” came with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha“salvation of God”.
10 And Elisha“salvation of God” sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan“the river of judgment” seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean.
11 But Naaman“beautiful; agreeable” was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper.
12 [Are] not Abana“made of stone; a building” and Pharpar“that produces fruit”, rivers of Damascus“a sack full of blood; the similitude of burning”, better than all the waters of Israel“who prevails with God”? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage.
13 And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, [if] the prophet had bid thee [do some] great thing, wouldest thou not have done [it]? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?
14 Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan“the river of judgment”, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.
15 ¶ And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that [there is] no God in all the earth, but in Israel“who prevails with God”: now therefore, I pray thee, take a blessing of thy servant.
16 But he said, [As] the LORD liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none. And he urged him to take [it]; but he refused.
17 And Naaman“beautiful; agreeable” said, Shall there not then, I pray thee, be given to thy servant two mules’ burden of earth? for thy servant will henceforth offer neither burnt offering nor sacrifice unto other gods, but unto the LORD.
18 In this thing the LORD pardon thy servant, [that] when my master goeth into the house of Rimmon“exalted; pomegranate” to worship there, and he leaneth on my hand, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon: when I bow down myself in the house of Rimmon, the LORD pardon thy servant in this thing.
19 And he said unto him, Go in peace. So he departed from him a little way.
20 ¶ But Gehazi“valley of sight”, the servant of Elisha“salvation of God” the man of God, said, Behold, my master hath spared Naaman“beautiful; agreeable” this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: but, [as] the LORD liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him.
21 So Gehazi“valley of sight” followed after Naaman“beautiful; agreeable”. And when Naaman saw [him] running after him, he lighted down from the chariot to meet him, and said, [Is] all well?
22 And he said, All [is] well. My master hath sent me, saying, Behold, even now there be come to me from mount Ephraim“fruitful; increasing” two young men of the sons of the prophets: give them, I pray thee, a talent of silver, and two changes of garments.
23 And Naaman“beautiful; agreeable” said, Be content, take two talents. And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of garments, and laid [them] upon two of his servants; and they bare [them] before him.
24 And when he came to the tower, he took [them] from their hand, and bestowed [them] in the house: and he let the men go, and they departed.
25 But he went in, and stood before his master. And Elisha“salvation of God” said unto him, Whence [comest thou], Gehazi“valley of sight”? And he said, Thy servant went no whither.
26 And he said unto him, Went not mine heart [with thee], when the man turned again from his chariot to meet thee? [Is it] a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and oliveyards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and maidservants?
27 The leprosy therefore of Naaman“beautiful; agreeable” shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever. And he went out from his presence a leper [as white] as snow.

CHAPTER 6
1 And the sons of the prophets said unto Elisha“salvation of God”, Behold now, the place where we dwell with thee is too strait for us.
2 Let us go, we pray thee, unto Jordan“the river of judgment”, and take thence every man a beam, and let us make us a place there, where we may dwell. And he answered, Go ye.
3 And one said, Be content, I pray thee, and go with thy servants. And he answered, I will go.
4 So he went with them. And when they came to Jordan“the river of judgment”, they cut down wood.
5 But as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water: and he cried, and said, Alas, master! for it was borrowed.
6 And the man of God said, Where fell it? And he shewed him the place. And he cut down a stick, and cast [it] in thither; and the iron did swim.
7 Therefore said he, Take [it] up to thee. And he put out his hand, and took it.
8 ¶ Then the king of Syria warred against Israel“who prevails with God”, and took counsel with his servants, saying, In such and such a place [shall be] my camp.
9 And the man of God sent unto the king of Israel“who prevails with God”, saying, Beware that thou pass not such a place; for thither the Syrians are come down.
10 And the king of Israel“who prevails with God” sent to the place which the man of God told him and warned him of, and saved himself there, not once nor twice.
11 Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was sore troubled for this thing; and he called his servants, and said unto them, Will ye not shew me which of us [is] for the king of Israel“who prevails with God”?
12 And one of his servants said, None, my lord, O king: but Elisha“salvation of God”, the prophet that [is] in Israel“who prevails with God”, telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber.
13 ¶ And he said, Go and spy where he [is], that I may send and fetch him. And it was told him, saying, Behold, [he is] in Dothan“the law; custom”.
14 Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about.
15 And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?
16 And he answered, Fear not: for they that [be] with us [are] more than they that [be] with them.
17 And Elisha“salvation of God” prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain [was] full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.
18 And when they came down to him, Elisha“salvation of God” prayed unto the LORD, and said, Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindness. And he smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.
19 ¶ And Elisha“salvation of God” said unto them, This [is] not the way, neither [is] this the city: follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom ye seek. But he led them to Samaria“watch-mountain”.
20 And it came to pass, when they were come into Samaria“watch-mountain”, that Elisha“salvation of God” said, LORD, open the eyes of these [men], that they may see. And the LORD opened their eyes, and they saw; and, behold, [they were] in the midst of Samaria.
21 And the king of Israel“who prevails with God” said unto Elisha“salvation of God”, when he saw them, My father, shall I smite [them]? shall I smite [them]?
22 And he answered, Thou shalt not smite [them]: wouldest thou smite those whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword and with thy bow? set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master.
23 And he prepared great provision for them: and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. So the bands of Syria came no more into the land of Israel“who prevails with God”.
24 ¶ And it came to pass after this, that Ben-hadad king of Syria gathered all his host, and went up, and besieged Samaria“watch-mountain”.
25 And there was a great famine in Samaria“watch-mountain”: and, behold, they besieged it, until an ass’s head was [sold] for fourscore [pieces] of silver, and the fourth part of a cab of dove’s dung for five [pieces] of silver.
26 And as the king of Israel“who prevails with God” was passing by upon the wall, there cried a woman unto him, saying, Help, my lord, O king.
27 And he said, If the LORD do not help thee, whence shall I help thee? out of the barnfloor, or out of the winepress?
28 And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, This woman said unto me, Give thy son, that we may eat him to day, and we will eat my son to morrow.
29 So we boiled my son, and did eat him: and I said unto her on the next day, Give thy son, that we may eat him: and she hath hid her son.
30 ¶ And it came to pass, when the king heard the words of the woman, that he rent his clothes; and he passed by upon the wall, and the people looked, and, behold, [he had] sackcloth within upon his flesh.
31 Then he said, God do so and more also to me, if the head of Elisha“salvation of God” the son of Shaphat“judge” shall stand on him this day.
32 But Elisha“salvation of God” sat in his house, and the elders sat with him; and [the king] sent a man from before him: but ere the messenger came to him, he said to the elders, See ye how this son of a murderer hath sent to take away mine head? look, when the messenger cometh, shut the door, and hold him fast at the door: [is] not the sound of his master’s feet behind him?
33 And while he yet talked with them, behold, the messenger came down unto him: and he said, Behold, this evil [is] of the LORD; what should I wait for the LORD any longer?

CHAPTER 7
1 Then Elisha“salvation of God” said, Hear ye the word of the LORD; Thus saith the LORD, To morrow about this time [shall] a measure of fine flour [be sold] for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria“watch-mountain”.
2 Then a lord on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God, and said, Behold, [if] the LORD would make windows in heaven, might this thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see [it] with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof.
3 ¶ And there were four leprous men at the entering in of the gate: and they said one to another, Why sit we here until we die?
4 If we say, We will enter into the city, then the famine [is] in the city, and we shall die there: and if we sit still here, we die also. Now therefore come, and let us fall unto the host of the Syrians: if they save us alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall but die.
5 And they rose up in the twilight, to go unto the camp of the Syrians: and when they were come to the uttermost part of the camp of Syria, behold, [there was] no man there.
6 For the Lord had made the host of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, [even] the noise of a great host: and they said one to another, Lo, the king of Israel“who prevails with God” hath hired against us the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of the Egyptians, to come upon us.
7 Wherefore they arose and fled in the twilight, and left their tents, and their horses, and their asses, even the camp as it [was], and fled for their life.
8 And when these lepers came to the uttermost part of the camp, they went into one tent, and did eat and drink, and carried thence silver, and gold, and raiment, and went and hid [it]; and came again, and entered into another tent, and carried thence [also], and went and hid [it].
9 Then they said one to another, We do not well: this day [is] a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace: if we tarry till the morning light, some mischief will come upon us: now therefore come, that we may go and tell the king’s household.
10 So they came and called unto the porter of the city: and they told them, saying, We came to the camp of the Syrians, and, behold, [there was] no man there, neither voice of man, but horses tied, and asses tied, and the tents as they [were].
11 And he called the porters; and they told [it] to the king’s house within.
12 ¶ And the king arose in the night, and said unto his servants, I will now shew you what the Syrians have done to us. They know that we [be] hungry; therefore are they gone out of the camp to hide themselves in the field, saying, When they come out of the city, we shall catch them alive, and get into the city.
13 And one of his servants answered and said, Let [some] take, I pray thee, five of the horses that remain, which are left in the city, (behold, they [are] as all the multitude of Israel“who prevails with God” that are left in it: behold, [I say], they [are] even as all the multitude of the Israelites that are consumed:) and let us send and see.
14 They took therefore two chariot horses; and the king sent after the host of the Syrians, saying, Go and see.
15 And they went after them unto Jordan“the river of judgment”: and, lo, all the way [was] full of garments and vessels, which the Syrians had cast away in their haste. And the messengers returned, and told the king.
16 And the people went out, and spoiled the tents of the Syrians. So a measure of fine flour was [sold] for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, according to the word of the LORD.
17 ¶ And the king appointed the lord on whose hand he leaned to have the charge of the gate: and the people trode upon him in the gate, and he died, as the man of God had said, who spake when the king came down to him.
18 And it came to pass as the man of God had spoken to the king, saying, Two measures of barley for a shekel, and a measure of fine flour for a shekel, shall be to morrow about this time in the gate of Samaria“watch-mountain”:
19 And that lord answered the man of God, and said, Now, behold, [if] the LORD should make windows in heaven, might such a thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof.
20 And so it fell out unto him: for the people trode upon him in the gate, and he died.

CHAPTER 8
1 Then spake Elisha“salvation of God” unto the woman, whose son he had restored to life, saying, Arise, and go thou and thine household, and sojourn wheresoever thou canst sojourn: for the LORD hath called for a famine; and it shall also come upon the land seven years.
2 And the woman arose, and did after the saying of the man of God: and she went with her household, and sojourned in the land of the Philistines“those who dwell in villages” seven years.
3 And it came to pass at the seven years’ end, that the woman returned out of the land of the Philistines“those who dwell in villages”: and she went forth to cry unto the king for her house and for her land.
4 And the king talked with Gehazi“valley of sight” the servant of the man of God, saying, Tell me, I pray thee, all the great things that Elisha“salvation of God” hath done.
5 And it came to pass, as he was telling the king how he had restored a dead body to life, that, behold, the woman, whose son he had restored to life, cried to the king for her house and for her land. And Gehazi“valley of sight” said, My lord, O king, this [is] the woman, and this [is] her son, whom Elisha“salvation of God” restored to life.
6 And when the king asked the woman, she told him. So the king appointed unto her a certain officer, saying, Restore all that [was] hers, and all the fruits of the field since the day that she left the land, even until now.
7 ¶ And Elisha“salvation of God” came to Damascus“a sack full of blood; the similitude of burning”; and Ben-hadad the king of Syria was sick; and it was told him, saying, The man of God is come hither.
8 And the king said unto Hazael“that sees God”, Take a present in thine hand, and go, meet the man of God, and enquire of the LORD by him, saying, Shall I recover of this disease?
9 So Hazael“that sees God” went to meet him, and took a present with him, even of every good thing of Damascus“a sack full of blood; the similitude of burning”, forty camels’ burden, and came and stood before him, and said, Thy son Ben-hadad king of Syria hath sent me to thee, saying, Shall I recover of this disease?
10 And Elisha“salvation of God” said unto him, Go, say unto him, Thou mayest certainly recover: howbeit the LORD hath shewed me that he shall surely die.
11 And he settled his countenance stedfastly, until he was ashamed: and the man of God wept.
12 And Hazael“that sees God” said, Why weepeth my lord? And he answered, Because I know the evil that thou wilt do unto the children of Israel“who prevails with God”: their strong holds wilt thou set on fire, and their young men wilt thou slay with the sword, and wilt dash their children, and rip up their women with child.
13 And Hazael“that sees God” said, But what, [is] thy servant a dog, that he should do this great thing? And Elisha“salvation of God” answered, The LORD hath shewed me that thou [shalt be] king over Syria.
14 So he departed from Elisha“salvation of God”, and came to his master; who said to him, What said Elisha to thee? And he answered, He told me [that] thou shouldest surely recover.
15 And it came to pass on the morrow, that he took a thick cloth, and dipped [it] in water, and spread [it] on his face, so that he died: and Hazael“that sees God” reigned in his stead.
16 ¶ And in the fifth year of Joram“to cast; elevated” the son of Ahab“uncle, or father’s brother” king of Israel“who prevails with God”, Jehoshaphat“the Lord is judge” [being] then king of Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession”, Jehoram“exaltation of the Lord” the son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah began to reign.
17 Thirty and two years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem“vision of peace”.
18 And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel“who prevails with God”, as did the house of Ahab“uncle, or father’s brother”: for the daughter of Ahab was his wife: and he did evil in the sight of the LORD.
19 Yet the LORD would not destroy Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession” for David“well-beloved, dear” his servant’s sake, as he promised him to give him alway a light, [and] to his children.
20 ¶ In his days Edom“red, earthy; of blood” revolted from under the hand of Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession”, and made a king over themselves.
21 So Joram“to cast; elevated” went over to Zair“little; afflicted; in tribulation”, and all the chariots with him: and he rose by night, and smote the Edomites which compassed him about, and the captains of the chariots: and the people fled into their tents.
22 Yet Edom“red, earthy; of blood” revolted from under the hand of Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession” unto this day. Then Libnah“white; whiteness” revolted at the same time.
23 And the rest of the acts of Joram“to cast; elevated”, and all that he did, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession”?
24 And Joram“to cast; elevated” slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David“well-beloved, dear”: and Ahaziah“seizure; vision of the Lord” his son reigned in his stead.
25 ¶ In the twelfth year of Joram“to cast; elevated” the son of Ahab“uncle, or father’s brother” king of Israel“who prevails with God” did Ahaziah“seizure; vision of the Lord” the son of Jehoram“exaltation of the Lord” king of Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession” begin to reign.
26 Two and twenty years old [was] Ahaziah“seizure; vision of the Lord” when he began to reign; and he reigned one year in Jerusalem“vision of peace”. And his mother’s name [was] Athaliah“the time of the Lord”, the daughter of Omri“sheaf of corn” king of Israel“who prevails with God”.
27 And he walked in the way of the house of Ahab“uncle, or father’s brother”, and did evil in the sight of the LORD, as [did] the house of Ahab: for he [was] the son in law of the house of Ahab.
28 ¶ And he went with Joram“to cast; elevated” the son of Ahab“uncle, or father’s brother” to the war against Hazael“that sees God” king of Syria in Ramoth-gilead; and the Syrians wounded Joram.
29 And king Joram“to cast; elevated” went back to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds which the Syrians had given him at Ramah“elevated; sublime”, when he fought against Hazael“that sees God” king of Syria. And Ahaziah“seizure; vision of the Lord” the son of Jehoram“exaltation of the Lord” king of Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession” went down to see Joram the son of Ahab“uncle, or father’s brother” in Jezreel, because he was sick.

CHAPTER 9
1 And Elisha“salvation of God” the prophet called one of the children of the prophets, and said unto him, Gird up thy loins, and take this box of oil in thine hand, and go to Ramoth-gilead:
2 And when thou comest thither, look out there Jehu“himself who exists” the son of Jehoshaphat“the Lord is judge” the son of Nimshi“rescued from danger”, and go in, and make him arise up from among his brethren, and carry him to an inner chamber;
3 Then take the box of oil, and pour [it] on his head, and say, Thus saith the LORD, I have anointed thee king over Israel“who prevails with God”. Then open the door, and flee, and tarry not.
4 ¶ So the young man, [even] the young man the prophet, went to Ramoth-gilead.
5 And when he came, behold, the captains of the host [were] sitting; and he said, I have an errand to thee, O captain. And Jehu“himself who exists” said, Unto which of all us? And he said, To thee, O captain.
6 And he arose, and went into the house; and he poured the oil on his head, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel“who prevails with God”, I have anointed thee king over the people of the LORD, [even] over Israel.
7 And thou shalt smite the house of Ahab“uncle, or father’s brother” thy master, that I may avenge the blood of my servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the LORD, at the hand of Jezebel“chaste; not exalted”.
8 For the whole house of Ahab“uncle, or father’s brother” shall perish: and I will cut off from Ahab him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel“who prevails with God”:
9 And I will make the house of Ahab“uncle, or father’s brother” like the house of Jeroboam“he that opposes the people” the son of Nebat“that beholds”, and like the house of Baasha“he that seeks, or lays waste” the son of Ahijah“brother of the Lord”:
10 And the dogs shall eat Jezebel“chaste; not exalted” in the portion of Jezreel, and [there shall be] none to bury [her]. And he opened the door, and fled.
11 ¶ Then Jehu“himself who exists” came forth to the servants of his lord: and [one] said unto him, [Is] all well? wherefore came this mad [fellow] to thee? And he said unto them, Ye know the man, and his communication.
12 And they said, [It is] false; tell us now. And he said, Thus and thus spake he to me, saying, Thus saith the LORD, I have anointed thee king over Israel“who prevails with God”.
13 Then they hasted, and took every man his garment, and put [it] under him on the top of the stairs, and blew with trumpets, saying, Jehu“himself who exists” is king.
14 So Jehu“himself who exists” the son of Jehoshaphat“the Lord is judge” the son of Nimshi“rescued from danger” conspired against Joram“to cast; elevated”. (Now Joram had kept Ramoth-gilead, he and all Israel“who prevails with God”, because of Hazael“that sees God” king of Syria.
15 But king Joram“to cast; elevated” was returned to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds which the Syrians had given him, when he fought with Hazael“that sees God” king of Syria.) And Jehu“himself who exists” said, If it be your minds, [then] let none go forth [nor] escape out of the city to go to tell [it] in Jezreel.
16 So Jehu“himself who exists” rode in a chariot, and went to Jezreel; for Joram“to cast; elevated” lay there. And Ahaziah“seizure; vision of the Lord” king of Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession” was come down to see Joram.
17 And there stood a watchman on the tower in Jezreel, and he spied the company of Jehu“himself who exists” as he came, and said, I see a company. And Joram“to cast; elevated” said, Take an horseman, and send to meet them, and let him say, [Is it] peace?
18 So there went one on horseback to meet him, and said, Thus saith the king, [Is it] peace? And Jehu“himself who exists” said, What hast thou to do with peace? turn thee behind me. And the watchman told, saying, The messenger came to them, but he cometh not again.
19 Then he sent out a second on horseback, which came to them, and said, Thus saith the king, [Is it] peace? And Jehu“himself who exists” answered, What hast thou to do with peace? turn thee behind me.
20 And the watchman told, saying, He came even unto them, and cometh not again: and the driving [is] like the driving of Jehu“himself who exists” the son of Nimshi“rescued from danger”; for he driveth furiously.
21 And Joram“to cast; elevated” said, Make ready. And his chariot was made ready. And Joram king of Israel“who prevails with God” and Ahaziah“seizure; vision of the Lord” king of Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession” went out, each in his chariot, and they went out against Jehu“himself who exists”, and met him in the portion of Naboth“words; prophecies” the Jezreelite.
22 And it came to pass, when Joram“to cast; elevated” saw Jehu“himself who exists”, that he said, [Is it] peace, Jehu? And he answered, What peace, so long as the whoredoms of thy mother Jezebel“chaste; not exalted” and her witchcrafts [are so] many?
23 And Joram“to cast; elevated” turned his hands, and fled, and said to Ahaziah“seizure; vision of the Lord”, [There is] treachery, O Ahaziah.
24 And Jehu“himself who exists” drew a bow with his full strength, and smote Jehoram“exaltation of the Lord” between his arms, and the arrow went out at his heart, and he sunk down in his chariot.
25 Then said [Jehu] to Bidkar“in compunction, or sharp pain” his captain, Take up, [and] cast him in the portion of the field of Naboth“words; prophecies” the Jezreelite: for remember how that, when I and thou rode together after Ahab“uncle, or father’s brother” his father, the LORD laid this burden upon him;
26 Surely I have seen yesterday the blood of Naboth“words; prophecies”, and the blood of his sons, saith the LORD; and I will requite thee in this plat, saith the LORD. Now therefore take [and] cast him into the plat [of ground], according to the word of the LORD.
27 ¶ But when Ahaziah“seizure; vision of the Lord” the king of Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession” saw [this], he fled by the way of the garden house. And Jehu“himself who exists” followed after him, and said, Smite him also in the chariot. [And they did so] at the going up to Gur“the young of a beast; a whelp”, which [is] by Ibleam“ancient people; people decreasing”. And he fled to Megiddo“his precious fruit; declaring a message”, and died there.
28 And his servants carried him in a chariot to Jerusalem“vision of peace”, and buried him in his sepulchre with his fathers in the city of David“well-beloved, dear”.
29 And in the eleventh year of Joram“to cast; elevated” the son of Ahab“uncle, or father’s brother” began Ahaziah“seizure; vision of the Lord” to reign over Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession”.
30 ¶ And when Jehu“himself who exists” was come to Jezreel, Jezebel“chaste; not exalted” heard [of it]; and she painted her face, and tired her head, and looked out at a window.
31 And as Jehu“himself who exists” entered in at the gate, she said, [Had] Zimri peace, who slew his master?
32 And he lifted up his face to the window, and said, Who [is] on my side? who? And there looked out to him two [or] three eunuchs.
33 And he said, Throw her down. So they threw her down: and [some] of her blood was sprinkled on the wall, and on the horses: and he trode her under foot.
34 And when he was come in, he did eat and drink, and said, Go, see now this cursed [woman], and bury her: for she [is] a king’s daughter.
35 And they went to bury her: but they found no more of her than the skull, and the feet, and the palms of [her] hands.
36 Wherefore they came again, and told him. And he said, This [is] the word of the LORD, which he spake by his servant Elijah“God the Lord, the strong Lord” the Tishbite“that makes captive”, saying, In the portion of Jezreel shall dogs eat the flesh of Jezebel“chaste; not exalted”:
37 And the carcase of Jezebel“chaste; not exalted” shall be as dung upon the face of the field in the portion of Jezreel; [so] that they shall not say, This [is] Jezebel.

CHAPTER 10
1 And Ahab“uncle, or father’s brother” had seventy sons in Samaria“watch-mountain”. And Jehu“himself who exists” wrote letters, and sent to Samaria, unto the rulers of Jezreel, to the elders, and to them that brought up Ahab’s [children], saying,
2 Now as soon as this letter cometh to you, seeing your master’s sons [are] with you, and [there are] with you chariots and horses, a fenced city also, and armour;
3 Look even out the best and meetest of your master’s sons, and set [him] on his father’s throne, and fight for your master’s house.
4 But they were exceedingly afraid, and said, Behold, two kings stood not before him: how then shall we stand?
5 And he that [was] over the house, and he that [was] over the city, the elders also, and the bringers up [of the children], sent to Jehu“himself who exists”, saying, We [are] thy servants, and will do all that thou shalt bid us; we will not make any king: do thou [that which is] good in thine eyes.
6 Then he wrote a letter the second time to them, saying, If ye [be] mine, and [if] ye will hearken unto my voice, take ye the heads of the men your master’s sons, and come to me to Jezreel by to morrow this time. Now the king’s sons, [being] seventy persons, [were] with the great men of the city, which brought them up.
7 And it came to pass, when the letter came to them, that they took the king’s sons, and slew seventy persons, and put their heads in baskets, and sent him [them] to Jezreel.
8 ¶ And there came a messenger, and told him, saying, They have brought the heads of the king’s sons. And he said, Lay ye them in two heaps at the entering in of the gate until the morning.
9 And it came to pass in the morning, that he went out, and stood, and said to all the people, Ye [be] righteous: behold, I conspired against my master, and slew him: but who slew all these?
10 Know now that there shall fall unto the earth nothing of the word of the LORD, which the LORD spake concerning the house of Ahab“uncle, or father’s brother”: for the LORD hath done [that] which he spake by his servant Elijah“God the Lord, the strong Lord”.
11 So Jehu“himself who exists” slew all that remained of the house of Ahab“uncle, or father’s brother” in Jezreel, and all his great men, and his kinsfolks, and his priests, until he left him none remaining.
12 ¶ And he arose and departed, and came to Samaria“watch-mountain”. [And] as he [was] at the shearing house in the way,
13 Jehu“himself who exists” met with the brethren of Ahaziah“seizure; vision of the Lord” king of Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession”, and said, Who [are] ye? And they answered, We [are] the brethren of Ahaziah; and we go down to salute the children of the king and the children of the queen.
14 And he said, Take them alive. And they took them alive, and slew them at the pit of the shearing house, [even] two and forty men; neither left he any of them.
15 ¶ And when he was departed thence, he lighted on Jehonadab“free giver; liberality” the son of Rechab“square; chariot with team of four horses” [coming] to meet him: and he saluted him, and said to him, Is thine heart right, as my heart [is] with thy heart? And Jehonadab answered, It is. If it be, give [me] thine hand. And he gave [him] his hand; and he took him up to him into the chariot.
16 And he said, Come with me, and see my zeal for the LORD. So they made him ride in his chariot.
17 And when he came to Samaria“watch-mountain”, he slew all that remained unto Ahab“uncle, or father’s brother” in Samaria, till he had destroyed him, according to the saying of the LORD, which he spake to Elijah“God the Lord, the strong Lord”.
18 ¶ And Jehu“himself who exists” gathered all the people together, and said unto them, Ahab“uncle, or father’s brother” served Baal“master; lord” a little; [but] Jehu shall serve him much.
19 Now therefore call unto me all the prophets of Baal“master; lord”, all his servants, and all his priests; let none be wanting: for I have a great sacrifice [to do] to Baal; whosoever shall be wanting, he shall not live. But Jehu“himself who exists” did [it] in subtilty, to the intent that he might destroy the worshippers of Baal.
20 And Jehu“himself who exists” said, Proclaim a solemn assembly for Baal“master; lord”. And they proclaimed [it].
21 And Jehu“himself who exists” sent through all Israel“who prevails with God”: and all the worshippers of Baal“master; lord” came, so that there was not a man left that came not. And they came into the house of Baal; and the house of Baal was full from one end to another.
22 And he said unto him that [was] over the vestry, Bring forth vestments for all the worshippers of Baal“master; lord”. And he brought them forth vestments.
23 And Jehu“himself who exists” went, and Jehonadab“free giver; liberality” the son of Rechab“square; chariot with team of four horses”, into the house of Baal“master; lord”, and said unto the worshippers of Baal, Search, and look that there be here with you none of the servants of the LORD, but the worshippers of Baal only.
24 And when they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings, Jehu“himself who exists” appointed fourscore men without, and said, [If] any of the men whom I have brought into your hands escape, [he that letteth him go], his life [shall be] for the life of him.
25 And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, that Jehu“himself who exists” said to the guard and to the captains, Go in, [and] slay them; let none come forth. And they smote them with the edge of the sword; and the guard and the captains cast [them] out, and went to the city of the house of Baal“master; lord”.
26 And they brought forth the images out of the house of Baal“master; lord”, and burned them.
27 And they brake down the image of Baal“master; lord”, and brake down the house of Baal, and made it a draught house unto this day.
28 Thus Jehu“himself who exists” destroyed Baal“master; lord” out of Israel“who prevails with God”.
29 ¶ Howbeit [from] the sins of Jeroboam“he that opposes the people” the son of Nebat“that beholds”, who made Israel“who prevails with God” to sin, Jehu“himself who exists” departed not from after them, [to wit], the golden calves that [were] in Beth-el“the house of God”, and that [were] in Dan“judgment; he that judges”.
30 And the LORD said unto Jehu“himself who exists”, Because thou hast done well in executing [that which is] right in mine eyes, [and] hast done unto the house of Ahab“uncle, or father’s brother” according to all that [was] in mine heart, thy children of the fourth [generation] shall sit on the throne of Israel“who prevails with God”.
31 But Jehu“himself who exists” took no heed to walk in the law of the LORD God of Israel“who prevails with God” with all his heart: for he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam“he that opposes the people”, which made Israel to sin.
32 ¶ In those days the LORD began to cut Israel“who prevails with God” short: and Hazael“that sees God” smote them in all the coasts of Israel;
33 From Jordan“the river of judgment” eastward, all the land of Gilead“the heap or mass of testimony”, the Gadites, and the Reubenites, and the Manassites, from Aroer“heath; tamarisk”, which [is] by the river Arnon“rejoicing; sunlight”, even Gilead and Bashan“in the tooth, in ivory”.
34 Now the rest of the acts of Jehu“himself who exists”, and all that he did, and all his might, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel“who prevails with God”?
35 And Jehu“himself who exists” slept with his fathers: and they buried him in Samaria“watch-mountain”. And Jehoahaz“possession of the Lord” his son reigned in his stead.
36 And the time that Jehu“himself who exists” reigned over Israel“who prevails with God” in Samaria“watch-mountain” [was] twenty and eight years.

CHAPTER 11
1 And when Athaliah“the time of the Lord” the mother of Ahaziah“seizure; vision of the Lord” saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal.
2 But Jehosheba“fullness, or oath, of the Lord”, the daughter of king Joram“to cast; elevated”, sister of Ahaziah“seizure; vision of the Lord”, took Joash“who despairs or burns” the son of Ahaziah, and stole him from among the king’s sons [which were] slain; and they hid him, [even] him and his nurse, in the bedchamber from Athaliah“the time of the Lord”, so that he was not slain.
3 And he was with her hid in the house of the LORD six years. And Athaliah“the time of the Lord” did reign over the land.
4 ¶ And the seventh year Jehoiada“knowledge of the Lord” sent and fetched the rulers over hundreds, with the captains and the guard, and brought them to him into the house of the LORD, and made a covenant with them, and took an oath of them in the house of the LORD, and shewed them the king’s son.
5 And he commanded them, saying, This [is] the thing that ye shall do; A third part of you that enter in on the sabbath shall even be keepers of the watch of the king’s house;
6 And a third part [shall be] at the gate of Sur“that withdraws or departs; rebellion”; and a third part at the gate behind the guard: so shall ye keep the watch of the house, that it be not broken down.
7 And two parts of all you that go forth on the sabbath, even they shall keep the watch of the house of the LORD about the king.
8 And ye shall compass the king round about, every man with his weapons in his hand: and he that cometh within the ranges, let him be slain: and be ye with the king as he goeth out and as he cometh in.
9 And the captains over the hundreds did according to all [things] that Jehoiada“knowledge of the Lord” the priest commanded: and they took every man his men that were to come in on the sabbath, with them that should go out on the sabbath, and came to Jehoiada the priest.
10 And to the captains over hundreds did the priest give king David’s spears and shields, that [were] in the temple of the LORD.
11 And the guard stood, every man with his weapons in his hand, round about the king, from the right corner of the temple to the left corner of the temple, [along] by the altar and the temple.
12 And he brought forth the king’s son, and put the crown upon him, and [gave him] the testimony; and they made him king, and anointed him; and they clapped their hands, and said, God save the king.
13 ¶ And when Athaliah“the time of the Lord” heard the noise of the guard [and] of the people, she came to the people into the temple of the LORD.
14 And when she looked, behold, the king stood by a pillar, as the manner [was], and the princes and the trumpeters by the king, and all the people of the land rejoiced, and blew with trumpets: and Athaliah“the time of the Lord” rent her clothes, and cried, Treason, Treason.
15 But Jehoiada“knowledge of the Lord” the priest commanded the captains of the hundreds, the officers of the host, and said unto them, Have her forth without the ranges: and him that followeth her kill with the sword. For the priest had said, Let her not be slain in the house of the LORD.
16 And they laid hands on her; and she went by the way by the which the horses came into the king’s house: and there was she slain.
17 ¶ And Jehoiada“knowledge of the Lord” made a covenant between the LORD and the king and the people, that they should be the LORD’S people; between the king also and the people.
18 And all the people of the land went into the house of Baal“master; lord”, and brake it down; his altars and his images brake they in pieces thoroughly, and slew Mattan“gifts; rains” the priest of Baal before the altars. And the priest appointed officers over the house of the LORD.
19 And he took the rulers over hundreds, and the captains, and the guard, and all the people of the land; and they brought down the king from the house of the LORD, and came by the way of the gate of the guard to the king’s house. And he sat on the throne of the kings.
20 And all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was in quiet: and they slew Athaliah“the time of the Lord” with the sword [beside] the king’s house.
21 Seven years old [was] Jehoash“fire of the Lord” when he began to reign.

CHAPTER 12
1 In the seventh year of Jehu“himself who exists” Jehoash“fire of the Lord” began to reign; and forty years reigned he in Jerusalem“vision of peace”. And his mother’s name [was] Zibiah“the Lord dwells; deer; goat” of Beer-sheba.
2 And Jehoash“fire of the Lord” did [that which was] right in the sight of the LORD all his days wherein Jehoiada“knowledge of the Lord” the priest instructed him.
3 But the high places were not taken away: the people still sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places.
4 ¶ And Jehoash“fire of the Lord” said to the priests, All the money of the dedicated things that is brought into the house of the LORD, [even] the money of every one that passeth [the account], the money that every man is set at, [and] all the money that cometh into any man’s heart to bring into the house of the LORD,
5 Let the priests take [it] to them, every man of his acquaintance: and let them repair the breaches of the house, wheresoever any breach shall be found.
6 But it was [so, that] in the three and twentieth year of king Jehoash“fire of the Lord” the priests had not repaired the breaches of the house.
7 Then king Jehoash“fire of the Lord” called for Jehoiada“knowledge of the Lord” the priest, and the [other] priests, and said unto them, Why repair ye not the breaches of the house? now therefore receive no [more] money of your acquaintance, but deliver it for the breaches of the house.
8 And the priests consented to receive no [more] money of the people, neither to repair the breaches of the house.
9 But Jehoiada“knowledge of the Lord” the priest took a chest, and bored a hole in the lid of it, and set it beside the altar, on the right side as one cometh into the house of the LORD: and the priests that kept the door put therein all the money [that was] brought into the house of the LORD.
10 And it was [so], when they saw that [there was] much money in the chest, that the king’s scribe and the high priest came up, and they put up in bags, and told the money that was found in the house of the LORD.
11 And they gave the money, being told, into the hands of them that did the work, that had the oversight of the house of the LORD: and they laid it out to the carpenters and builders, that wrought upon the house of the LORD,
12 And to masons, and hewers of stone, and to buy timber and hewed stone to repair the breaches of the house of the LORD, and for all that was laid out for the house to repair [it].
13 Howbeit there were not made for the house of the LORD bowls of silver, snuffers, basons, trumpets, any vessels of gold, or vessels of silver, of the money [that was] brought into the house of the LORD:
14 But they gave that to the workmen, and repaired therewith the house of the LORD.
15 Moreover they reckoned not with the men, into whose hand they delivered the money to be bestowed on workmen: for they dealt faithfully.
16 The trespass money and sin money was not brought into the house of the LORD: it was the priests’.
17 ¶ Then Hazael“that sees God” king of Syria went up, and fought against Gath“a wine-press”, and took it: and Hazael set his face to go up to Jerusalem“vision of peace”.
18 And Jehoash“fire of the Lord” king of Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession” took all the hallowed things that Jehoshaphat“the Lord is judge”, and Jehoram“exaltation of the Lord”, and Ahaziah“seizure; vision of the Lord”, his fathers, kings of Judah, had dedicated, and his own hallowed things, and all the gold [that was] found in the treasures of the house of the LORD, and in the king’s house, and sent [it] to Hazael“that sees God” king of Syria: and he went away from Jerusalem“vision of peace”.
19 ¶ And the rest of the acts of Joash“who despairs or burns”, and all that he did, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession”?
20 And his servants arose, and made a conspiracy, and slew Joash“who despairs or burns” in the house of Millo“fullness”, which goeth down to Silla“exalting”.
21 For Jozachar“remembering; of the male sex” the son of Shimeath“that hears, or obeys; perdition”, and Jehozabad“the Lord’s dowry; having a dowry” the son of Shomer“keeper; dregs”, his servants, smote him, and he died; and they buried him with his fathers in the city of David“well-beloved, dear”: and Amaziah“the strength of the Lord” his son reigned in his stead.

CHAPTER 13
1 In the three and twentieth year of Joash“who despairs or burns” the son of Ahaziah“seizure; vision of the Lord” king of Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession” Jehoahaz“possession of the Lord” the son of Jehu“himself who exists” began to reign over Israel“who prevails with God” in Samaria“watch-mountain”, [and reigned] seventeen years.
2 And he did [that which was] evil in the sight of the LORD, and followed the sins of Jeroboam“he that opposes the people” the son of Nebat“that beholds”, which made Israel“who prevails with God” to sin; he departed not therefrom.
3 ¶ And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel“who prevails with God”, and he delivered them into the hand of Hazael“that sees God” king of Syria, and into the hand of Ben-hadad the son of Hazael, all [their] days.
4 And Jehoahaz“possession of the Lord” besought the LORD, and the LORD hearkened unto him: for he saw the oppression of Israel“who prevails with God”, because the king of Syria oppressed them.
5 (And the LORD gave Israel“who prevails with God” a saviour, so that they went out from under the hand of the Syrians: and the children of Israel dwelt in their tents, as beforetime.
6 Nevertheless they departed not from the sins of the house of Jeroboam“he that opposes the people”, who made Israel“who prevails with God” sin, [but] walked therein: and there remained the grove also in Samaria“watch-mountain”.)
7 Neither did he leave of the people to Jehoahaz“possession of the Lord” but fifty horsemen, and ten chariots, and ten thousand footmen; for the king of Syria had destroyed them, and had made them like the dust by threshing.
8 ¶ Now the rest of the acts of Jehoahaz“possession of the Lord”, and all that he did, and his might, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel“who prevails with God”?
9 And Jehoahaz“possession of the Lord” slept with his fathers; and they buried him in Samaria“watch-mountain”: and Joash“who despairs or burns” his son reigned in his stead.
10 ¶ In the thirty and seventh year of Joash“who despairs or burns” king of Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession” began Jehoash“fire of the Lord” the son of Jehoahaz“possession of the Lord” to reign over Israel“who prevails with God” in Samaria“watch-mountain”, [and reigned] sixteen years.
11 And he did [that which was] evil in the sight of the LORD; he departed not from all the sins of Jeroboam“he that opposes the people” the son of Nebat“that beholds”, who made Israel“who prevails with God” sin: [but] he walked therein.
12 And the rest of the acts of Joash“who despairs or burns”, and all that he did, and his might wherewith he fought against Amaziah“the strength of the Lord” king of Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession”, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel“who prevails with God”?
13 And Joash“who despairs or burns” slept with his fathers; and Jeroboam“he that opposes the people” sat upon his throne: and Joash was buried in Samaria“watch-mountain” with the kings of Israel“who prevails with God”.
14 ¶ Now Elisha“salvation of God” was fallen sick of his sickness whereof he died. And Joash“who despairs or burns” the king of Israel“who prevails with God” came down unto him, and wept over his face, and said, O my father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof.
15 And Elisha“salvation of God” said unto him, Take bow and arrows. And he took unto him bow and arrows.
16 And he said to the king of Israel“who prevails with God”, Put thine hand upon the bow. And he put his hand [upon it]: and Elisha“salvation of God” put his hands upon the king’s hands.
17 And he said, Open the window eastward. And he opened [it]. Then Elisha“salvation of God” said, Shoot. And he shot. And he said, The arrow of the LORD’S deliverance, and the arrow of deliverance from Syria: for thou shalt smite the Syrians in Aphek“strength; a rapid torrent”, till thou have consumed [them].
18 And he said, Take the arrows. And he took [them]. And he said unto the king of Israel“who prevails with God”, Smite upon the ground. And he smote thrice, and stayed.
19 And the man of God was wroth with him, and said, Thou shouldest have smitten five or six times; then hadst thou smitten Syria till thou hadst consumed [it]: whereas now thou shalt smite Syria [but] thrice.
20 ¶ And Elisha“salvation of God” died, and they buried him. And the bands of the Moabites invaded the land at the coming in of the year.
21 And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they spied a band [of men]; and they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha“salvation of God”: and when the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet.
22 ¶ But Hazael“that sees God” king of Syria oppressed Israel“who prevails with God” all the days of Jehoahaz“possession of the Lord”.
23 And the LORD was gracious unto them, and had compassion on them, and had respect unto them, because of his covenant with Abraham“father of a great multitude”, Isaac“laughter”, and Jacob“that supplants, undermines; the heel”, and would not destroy them, neither cast he them from his presence as yet.
24 So Hazael“that sees God” king of Syria died; and Ben-hadad his son reigned in his stead.
25 And Jehoash“fire of the Lord” the son of Jehoahaz“possession of the Lord” took again out of the hand of Ben-hadad the son of Hazael“that sees God” the cities, which he had taken out of the hand of Jehoahaz his father by war. Three times did Joash“who despairs or burns” beat him, and recovered the cities of Israel“who prevails with God”.

CHAPTER 14
1 In the second year of Joash“who despairs or burns” son of Jehoahaz“possession of the Lord” king of Israel“who prevails with God” reigned Amaziah“the strength of the Lord” the son of Joash king of Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession”.
2 He was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem“vision of peace”. And his mother’s name [was] Jehoaddan“pleasure, or time, of the Lord” of Jerusalem.
3 And he did [that which was] right in the sight of the LORD, yet not like David“well-beloved, dear” his father: he did according to all things as Joash“who despairs or burns” his father did.
4 Howbeit the high places were not taken away: as yet the people did sacrifice and burnt incense on the high places.
5 ¶ And it came to pass, as soon as the kingdom was confirmed in his hand, that he slew his servants which had slain the king his father.
6 But the children of the murderers he slew not: according unto that which is written in the book of the law of Moses“taken out; drawn forth”, wherein the LORD commanded, saying, The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, nor the children be put to death for the fathers; but every man shall be put to death for his own sin.
7 He slew of Edom“red, earthy; of blood” in the valley of salt ten thousand, and took Selah“the end; a pause” by war, and called the name of it Joktheel unto this day.
8 ¶ Then Amaziah“the strength of the Lord” sent messengers to Jehoash“fire of the Lord”, the son of Jehoahaz“possession of the Lord” son of Jehu“himself who exists”, king of Israel“who prevails with God”, saying, Come, let us look one another in the face.
9 And Jehoash“fire of the Lord” the king of Israel“who prevails with God” sent to Amaziah“the strength of the Lord” king of Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession”, saying, The thistle that [was] in Lebanon“white, incense” sent to the cedar that [was] in Lebanon, saying, Give thy daughter to my son to wife: and there passed by a wild beast that [was] in Lebanon, and trode down the thistle.
10 Thou hast indeed smitten Edom“red, earthy; of blood”, and thine heart hath lifted thee up: glory [of this], and tarry at home: for why shouldest thou meddle to [thy] hurt, that thou shouldest fall, [even] thou, and Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession” with thee?
11 But Amaziah“the strength of the Lord” would not hear. Therefore Jehoash“fire of the Lord” king of Israel“who prevails with God” went up; and he and Amaziah king of Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession” looked one another in the face at Beth-shemesh“house of the sun”, which [belongeth] to Judah.
12 And Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession” was put to the worse before Israel“who prevails with God”; and they fled every man to their tents.
13 And Jehoash“fire of the Lord” king of Israel“who prevails with God” took Amaziah“the strength of the Lord” king of Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession”, the son of Jehoash the son of Ahaziah“seizure; vision of the Lord”, at Beth-shemesh“house of the sun”, and came to Jerusalem“vision of peace”, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim“fruitful; increasing” unto the corner gate, four hundred cubits.
14 And he took all the gold and silver, and all the vessels that were found in the house of the LORD, and in the treasures of the king’s house, and hostages, and returned to Samaria“watch-mountain”.
15 ¶ Now the rest of the acts of Jehoash“fire of the Lord” which he did, and his might, and how he fought with Amaziah“the strength of the Lord” king of Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession”, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel“who prevails with God”?
16 And Jehoash“fire of the Lord” slept with his fathers, and was buried in Samaria“watch-mountain” with the kings of Israel“who prevails with God”; and Jeroboam“he that opposes the people” his son reigned in his stead.
17 ¶ And Amaziah“the strength of the Lord” the son of Joash“who despairs or burns” king of Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession” lived after the death of Jehoash“fire of the Lord” son of Jehoahaz“possession of the Lord” king of Israel“who prevails with God” fifteen years.
18 And the rest of the acts of Amaziah“the strength of the Lord”, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession”?
19 Now they made a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem“vision of peace”: and he fled to Lachish“who walks, or exists, of himself”; but they sent after him to Lachish, and slew him there.
20 And they brought him on horses: and he was buried at Jerusalem“vision of peace” with his fathers in the city of David“well-beloved, dear”.
21 ¶ And all the people of Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession” took Azariah“he that hears the Lord”, which [was] sixteen years old, and made him king instead of his father Amaziah“the strength of the Lord”.
22 He built Elath“a hind; strength; an oak”, and restored it to Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession”, after that the king slept with his fathers.
23 ¶ In the fifteenth year of Amaziah“the strength of the Lord” the son of Joash“who despairs or burns” king of Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession” Jeroboam“he that opposes the people” the son of Joash king of Israel“who prevails with God” began to reign in Samaria“watch-mountain”, [and reigned] forty and one years.
24 And he did [that which was] evil in the sight of the LORD: he departed not from all the sins of Jeroboam“he that opposes the people” the son of Nebat“that beholds”, who made Israel“who prevails with God” to sin.
25 He restored the coast of Israel“who prevails with God” from the entering of Hamath“anger; heat; a wall” unto the sea of the plain, according to the word of the LORD God of Israel, which he spake by the hand of his servant Jonah“a dove; he that oppresses; destroyer”, the son of Amittai“true; fearing”, the prophet, which [was] of Gath-hepher.
26 For the LORD saw the affliction of Israel“who prevails with God”, [that it was] very bitter: for [there was] not any shut up, nor any left, nor any helper for Israel.
27 And the LORD said not that he would blot out the name of Israel“who prevails with God” from under heaven: but he saved them by the hand of Jeroboam“he that opposes the people” the son of Joash“who despairs or burns”.
28 ¶ Now the rest of the acts of Jeroboam“he that opposes the people”, and all that he did, and his might, how he warred, and how he recovered Damascus“a sack full of blood; the similitude of burning”, and Hamath“anger; heat; a wall”, [which belonged] to Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession”, for Israel“who prevails with God”, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
29 And Jeroboam“he that opposes the people” slept with his fathers, [even] with the kings of Israel“who prevails with God”; and Zachariah“memory of the Lord” his son reigned in his stead.

CHAPTER 15
1 In the twenty and seventh year of Jeroboam“he that opposes the people” king of Israel“who prevails with God” began Azariah“he that hears the Lord” son of Amaziah“the strength of the Lord” king of Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession” to reign.
2 Sixteen years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned two and fifty years in Jerusalem“vision of peace”. And his mother’s name [was] Jecholiah of Jerusalem.
3 And he did [that which was] right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah“the strength of the Lord” had done;
4 Save that the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burnt incense still on the high places.
5 ¶ And the LORD smote the king, so that he was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several house. And Jotham“the perfection of the Lord” the king’s son [was] over the house, judging the people of the land.
6 And the rest of the acts of Azariah“he that hears the Lord”, and all that he did, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession”?
7 So Azariah“he that hears the Lord” slept with his fathers; and they buried him with his fathers in the city of David“well-beloved, dear”: and Jotham“the perfection of the Lord” his son reigned in his stead.
8 ¶ In the thirty and eighth year of Azariah“he that hears the Lord” king of Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession” did Zachariah“memory of the Lord” the son of Jeroboam“he that opposes the people” reign over Israel“who prevails with God” in Samaria“watch-mountain” six months.
9 And he did [that which was] evil in the sight of the LORD, as his fathers had done: he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam“he that opposes the people” the son of Nebat“that beholds”, who made Israel“who prevails with God” to sin.
10 And Shallum“perfect; agreeable” the son of Jabesh“dryness; confusion; shame” conspired against him, and smote him before the people, and slew him, and reigned in his stead.
11 And the rest of the acts of Zachariah“memory of the Lord”, behold, they [are] written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel“who prevails with God”.
12 This [was] the word of the LORD which he spake unto Jehu“himself who exists”, saying, Thy sons shall sit on the throne of Israel“who prevails with God” unto the fourth [generation]. And so it came to pass.
13 ¶ Shallum“perfect; agreeable” the son of Jabesh“dryness; confusion; shame” began to reign in the nine and thirtieth year of Uzziah“the strength, or kid, of the Lord” king of Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession”; and he reigned a full month in Samaria“watch-mountain”.
14 For Menahem“comforter; who conducts them; preparation of heat” the son of Gadi went up from Tirzah“benevolent; complaisant; pleasing”, and came to Samaria“watch-mountain”, and smote Shallum“perfect; agreeable” the son of Jabesh“dryness; confusion; shame” in Samaria, and slew him, and reigned in his stead.
15 And the rest of the acts of Shallum“perfect; agreeable”, and his conspiracy which he made, behold, they [are] written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel“who prevails with God”.
16 ¶ Then Menahem“comforter; who conducts them; preparation of heat” smote Tiphsah“passage; leap; step; the passover”, and all that [were] therein, and the coasts thereof from Tirzah“benevolent; complaisant; pleasing”: because they opened not [to him], therefore he smote [it; and] all the women therein that were with child he ripped up.
17 In the nine and thirtieth year of Azariah“he that hears the Lord” king of Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession” began Menahem“comforter; who conducts them; preparation of heat” the son of Gadi to reign over Israel“who prevails with God”, [and reigned] ten years in Samaria“watch-mountain”.
18 And he did [that which was] evil in the sight of the LORD: he departed not all his days from the sins of Jeroboam“he that opposes the people” the son of Nebat“that beholds”, who made Israel“who prevails with God” to sin.
19 [And] Pul“bean; destruction” the king of Assyria“country of Assur or Ashur” came against the land: and Menahem“comforter; who conducts them; preparation of heat” gave Pul a thousand talents of silver, that his hand might be with him to confirm the kingdom in his hand.
20 And Menahem“comforter; who conducts them; preparation of heat” exacted the money of Israel“who prevails with God”, [even] of all the mighty men of wealth, of each man fifty shekels of silver, to give to the king of Assyria“country of Assur or Ashur”. So the king of Assyria turned back, and stayed not there in the land.
21 ¶ And the rest of the acts of Menahem“comforter; who conducts them; preparation of heat”, and all that he did, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel“who prevails with God”?
22 And Menahem“comforter; who conducts them; preparation of heat” slept with his fathers; and Pekahiah“it is the Lord that opens” his son reigned in his stead.
23 ¶ In the fiftieth year of Azariah“he that hears the Lord” king of Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession” Pekahiah“it is the Lord that opens” the son of Menahem“comforter; who conducts them; preparation of heat” began to reign over Israel“who prevails with God” in Samaria“watch-mountain”, [and reigned] two years.
24 And he did [that which was] evil in the sight of the LORD: he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam“he that opposes the people” the son of Nebat“that beholds”, who made Israel“who prevails with God” to sin.
25 But Pekah“he that opens; that is at liberty” the son of Remaliah“the exaltation of the Lord”, a captain of his, conspired against him, and smote him in Samaria“watch-mountain”, in the palace of the king’s house, with Argob“a turf, or fat land” and Arieh, and with him fifty men of the Gileadites: and he killed him, and reigned in his room.
26 And the rest of the acts of Pekahiah“it is the Lord that opens”, and all that he did, behold, they [are] written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel“who prevails with God”.
27 ¶ In the two and fiftieth year of Azariah“he that hears the Lord” king of Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession” Pekah“he that opens; that is at liberty” the son of Remaliah“the exaltation of the Lord” began to reign over Israel“who prevails with God” in Samaria“watch-mountain”, [and reigned] twenty years.
28 And he did [that which was] evil in the sight of the LORD: he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam“he that opposes the people” the son of Nebat“that beholds”, who made Israel“who prevails with God” to sin.
29 In the days of Pekah“he that opens; that is at liberty” king of Israel“who prevails with God” came Tiglath-pileser“that binds or takes away captivity” king of Assyria“country of Assur or Ashur”, and took Ijon“look; eye; fountain”, and Abel-beth-maachah“mourning to the house of Maachah”, and Janoah“resting; tarrying; deriving”, and Kedesh, and Hazor“court; hay”, and Gilead“the heap or mass of testimony”, and Galilee“wheel; revolution”, all the land of Naphtali“that struggles or fights”, and carried them captive to Assyria.
30 And Hoshea“savior; safety” the son of Elah“an oak; a curse; perjury” made a conspiracy against Pekah“he that opens; that is at liberty” the son of Remaliah“the exaltation of the Lord”, and smote him, and slew him, and reigned in his stead, in the twentieth year of Jotham“the perfection of the Lord” the son of Uzziah“the strength, or kid, of the Lord”.
31 And the rest of the acts of Pekah“he that opens; that is at liberty”, and all that he did, behold, they [are] written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel“who prevails with God”.
32 ¶ In the second year of Pekah“he that opens; that is at liberty” the son of Remaliah“the exaltation of the Lord” king of Israel“who prevails with God” began Jotham“the perfection of the Lord” the son of Uzziah“the strength, or kid, of the Lord” king of Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession” to reign.
33 Five and twenty years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem“vision of peace”. And his mother’s name [was] Jerusha“banished; possession; inheritance”, the daughter of Zadok“just; righteous”.
34 And he did [that which was] right in the sight of the LORD: he did according to all that his father Uzziah“the strength, or kid, of the Lord” had done.
35 ¶ Howbeit the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burned incense still in the high places. He built the higher gate of the house of the LORD.
36 ¶ Now the rest of the acts of Jotham“the perfection of the Lord”, and all that he did, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession”?
37 In those days the LORD began to send against Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession” Rezin“good-will; messenger” the king of Syria, and Pekah“he that opens; that is at liberty” the son of Remaliah“the exaltation of the Lord”.
38 And Jotham“the perfection of the Lord” slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David“well-beloved, dear” his father: and Ahaz“one that takes or possesses” his son reigned in his stead.

CHAPTER 16
1 In the seventeenth year of Pekah“he that opens; that is at liberty” the son of Remaliah“the exaltation of the Lord” Ahaz“one that takes or possesses” the son of Jotham“the perfection of the Lord” king of Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession” began to reign.
2 Twenty years old [was] Ahaz“one that takes or possesses” when he began to reign, and reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem“vision of peace”, and did not [that which was] right in the sight of the LORD his God, like David“well-beloved, dear” his father.
3 But he walked in the way of the kings of Israel“who prevails with God”, yea, and made his son to pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out from before the children of Israel.
4 And he sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree.
5 ¶ Then Rezin“good-will; messenger” king of Syria and Pekah“he that opens; that is at liberty” son of Remaliah“the exaltation of the Lord” king of Israel“who prevails with God” came up to Jerusalem“vision of peace” to war: and they besieged Ahaz“one that takes or possesses”, but could not overcome [him].
6 At that time Rezin“good-will; messenger” king of Syria recovered Elath“a hind; strength; an oak” to Syria, and drave the Jews from Elath: and the Syrians came to Elath, and dwelt there unto this day.
7 So Ahaz“one that takes or possesses” sent messengers to Tiglath-pileser“that binds or takes away captivity” king of Assyria“country of Assur or Ashur”, saying, I [am] thy servant and thy son: come up, and save me out of the hand of the king of Syria, and out of the hand of the king of Israel“who prevails with God”, which rise up against me.
8 And Ahaz“one that takes or possesses” took the silver and gold that was found in the house of the LORD, and in the treasures of the king’s house, and sent [it for] a present to the king of Assyria“country of Assur or Ashur”.
9 And the king of Assyria“country of Assur or Ashur” hearkened unto him: for the king of Assyria went up against Damascus“a sack full of blood; the similitude of burning”, and took it, and carried [the people of] it captive to Kir“a city; wall; meeting”, and slew Rezin“good-will; messenger”.
10 ¶ And king Ahaz“one that takes or possesses” went to Damascus“a sack full of blood; the similitude of burning” to meet Tiglath-pileser“that binds or takes away captivity” king of Assyria“country of Assur or Ashur”, and saw an altar that [was] at Damascus: and king Ahaz sent to Urijah“the Lord is my light or fire” the priest the fashion of the altar, and the pattern of it, according to all the workmanship thereof.
11 And Urijah“the Lord is my light or fire” the priest built an altar according to all that king Ahaz“one that takes or possesses” had sent from Damascus“a sack full of blood; the similitude of burning”: so Urijah the priest made [it] against king Ahaz came from Damascus.
12 And when the king was come from Damascus“a sack full of blood; the similitude of burning”, the king saw the altar: and the king approached to the altar, and offered thereon.
13 And he burnt his burnt offering and his meat offering, and poured his drink offering, and sprinkled the blood of his peace offerings, upon the altar.
14 And he brought also the brasen altar, which [was] before the LORD, from the forefront of the house, from between the altar and the house of the LORD, and put it on the north side of the altar.
15 And king Ahaz“one that takes or possesses” commanded Urijah“the Lord is my light or fire” the priest, saying, Upon the great altar burn the morning burnt offering, and the evening meat offering, and the king’s burnt sacrifice, and his meat offering, with the burnt offering of all the people of the land, and their meat offering, and their drink offerings; and sprinkle upon it all the blood of the burnt offering, and all the blood of the sacrifice: and the brasen altar shall be for me to enquire [by].
16 Thus did Urijah“the Lord is my light or fire” the priest, according to all that king Ahaz“one that takes or possesses” commanded.
17 ¶ And king Ahaz“one that takes or possesses” cut off the borders of the bases, and removed the laver from off them; and took down the sea from off the brasen oxen that [were] under it, and put it upon a pavement of stones.
18 And the covert for the sabbath that they had built in the house, and the king’s entry without, turned he from the house of the LORD for the king of Assyria“country of Assur or Ashur”.
19 ¶ Now the rest of the acts of Ahaz“one that takes or possesses” which he did, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession”?
20 And Ahaz“one that takes or possesses” slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David“well-beloved, dear”: and Hezekiah“strength of the Lord” his son reigned in his stead.

CHAPTER 17
1 In the twelfth year of Ahaz“one that takes or possesses” king of Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession” began Hoshea“savior; safety” the son of Elah“an oak; a curse; perjury” to reign in Samaria“watch-mountain” over Israel“who prevails with God” nine years.
2 And he did [that which was] evil in the sight of the LORD, but not as the kings of Israel“who prevails with God” that were before him.
3 Against him came up Shalmaneser“peace; tied; chained; perfection; retribution” king of Assyria“country of Assur or Ashur”; and Hoshea“savior; safety” became his servant, and gave him presents.
4 And the king of Assyria“country of Assur or Ashur” found conspiracy in Hoshea“savior; safety”: for he had sent messengers to So king of Egypt“that troubles or oppresses; anguish”, and brought no present to the king of Assyria, as [he had done] year by year: therefore the king of Assyria shut him up, and bound him in prison.
5 ¶ Then the king of Assyria“country of Assur or Ashur” came up throughout all the land, and went up to Samaria“watch-mountain”, and besieged it three years.
6 ¶ In the ninth year of Hoshea“savior; safety” the king of Assyria“country of Assur or Ashur” took Samaria“watch-mountain”, and carried Israel“who prevails with God” away into Assyria, and placed them in Halah“a moist table” and in Habor“a partaker; a companion” [by] the river of Gozan“fleece; pasture; who nourisheth the body”, and in the cities of the Medes.
7 For [so] it was, that the children of Israel“who prevails with God” had sinned against the LORD their God, which had brought them up out of the land of Egypt“that troubles or oppresses; anguish”, from under the hand of Pharaoh“that disperses; that spoils” king of Egypt, and had feared other gods,
8 And walked in the statutes of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out from before the children of Israel“who prevails with God”, and of the kings of Israel, which they had made.
9 And the children of Israel“who prevails with God” did secretly [those] things that [were] not right against the LORD their God, and they built them high places in all their cities, from the tower of the watchmen to the fenced city.
10 And they set them up images and groves in every high hill, and under every green tree:
11 And there they burnt incense in all the high places, as [did] the heathen whom the LORD carried away before them; and wrought wicked things to provoke the LORD to anger:
12 For they served idols, whereof the LORD had said unto them, Ye shall not do this thing.
13 Yet the LORD testified against Israel“who prevails with God”, and against Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession”, by all the prophets, [and by] all the seers, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments [and] my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets.
14 Notwithstanding they would not hear, but hardened their necks, like to the neck of their fathers, that did not believe in the LORD their God.
15 And they rejected his statutes, and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and his testimonies which he testified against them; and they followed vanity, and became vain, and went after the heathen that [were] round about them, [concerning] whom the LORD had charged them, that they should not do like them.
16 And they left all the commandments of the LORD their God, and made them molten images, [even] two calves, and made a grove, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served Baal“master; lord”.
17 And they caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire, and used divination and enchantments, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.
18 Therefore the LORD was very angry with Israel“who prevails with God”, and removed them out of his sight: there was none left but the tribe of Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession” only.
19 Also Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession” kept not the commandments of the LORD their God, but walked in the statutes of Israel“who prevails with God” which they made.
20 And the LORD rejected all the seed of Israel“who prevails with God”, and afflicted them, and delivered them into the hand of spoilers, until he had cast them out of his sight.
21 For he rent Israel“who prevails with God” from the house of David“well-beloved, dear”; and they made Jeroboam“he that opposes the people” the son of Nebat“that beholds” king: and Jeroboam drave Israel from following the LORD, and made them sin a great sin.
22 For the children of Israel“who prevails with God” walked in all the sins of Jeroboam“he that opposes the people” which he did; they departed not from them;
23 Until the LORD removed Israel“who prevails with God” out of his sight, as he had said by all his servants the prophets. So was Israel carried away out of their own land to Assyria“country of Assur or Ashur” unto this day.
24 ¶ And the king of Assyria“country of Assur or Ashur” brought [men] from Babylon“confusion; mixture”, and from Cuthah“burning”, and from Ava“iniquity”, and from Hamath“anger; heat; a wall”, and from Sepharvaim“the two books; the two scribes”, and placed [them] in the cities of Samaria“watch-mountain” instead of the children of Israel“who prevails with God”: and they possessed Samaria, and dwelt in the cities thereof.
25 And [so] it was at the beginning of their dwelling there, [that] they feared not the LORD: therefore the LORD sent lions among them, which slew [some] of them.
26 Wherefore they spake to the king of Assyria“country of Assur or Ashur”, saying, The nations which thou hast removed, and placed in the cities of Samaria“watch-mountain”, know not the manner of the God of the land: therefore he hath sent lions among them, and, behold, they slay them, because they know not the manner of the God of the land.
27 Then the king of Assyria“country of Assur or Ashur” commanded, saying, Carry thither one of the priests whom ye brought from thence; and let them go and dwell there, and let him teach them the manner of the God of the land.
28 Then one of the priests whom they had carried away from Samaria“watch-mountain” came and dwelt in Beth-el“the house of God”, and taught them how they should fear the LORD.
29 Howbeit every nation made gods of their own, and put [them] in the houses of the high places which the Samaritans had made, every nation in their cities wherein they dwelt.
30 And the men of Babylon“confusion; mixture” made Succoth-benoth“the tents of daughters, or young women; or prostitutes”, and the men of Cuth“burning” made Nergal“the great man; the hero”, and the men of Hamath“anger; heat; a wall” made Ashima“crime; offense”,
31 And the Avites made Nibhaz“budding; prophesying” and Tartak“chained; bound; shut up”, and the Sepharvites burnt their children in fire to Adrammelech“the cloak, glory, grandeur or power of the king” and Anammelech“answer; poverty of the king”, the gods of Sepharvaim“the two books; the two scribes”.
32 So they feared the LORD, and made unto themselves of the lowest of them priests of the high places, which sacrificed for them in the houses of the high places.
33 They feared the LORD, and served their own gods, after the manner of the nations whom they carried away from thence.
34 Unto this day they do after the former manners: they fear not the LORD, neither do they after their statutes, or after their ordinances, or after the law and commandment which the LORD commanded the children of Jacob“that supplants, undermines; the heel”, whom he named Israel“who prevails with God”;
35 With whom the LORD had made a covenant, and charged them, saying, Ye shall not fear other gods, nor bow yourselves to them, nor serve them, nor sacrifice to them:
36 But the LORD, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt“that troubles or oppresses; anguish” with great power and a stretched out arm, him shall ye fear, and him shall ye worship, and to him shall ye do sacrifice.
37 And the statutes, and the ordinances, and the law, and the commandment, which he wrote for you, ye shall observe to do for evermore; and ye shall not fear other gods.
38 And the covenant that I have made with you ye shall not forget; neither shall ye fear other gods.
39 But the LORD your God ye shall fear; and he shall deliver you out of the hand of all your enemies.
40 Howbeit they did not hearken, but they did after their former manner.
41 So these nations feared the LORD, and served their graven images, both their children, and their children’s children: as did their fathers, so do they unto this day.

CHAPTER 18
1 Now it came to pass in the third year of Hoshea“savior; safety” son of Elah“an oak; a curse; perjury” king of Israel“who prevails with God”, [that] Hezekiah“strength of the Lord” the son of Ahaz“one that takes or possesses” king of Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession” began to reign.
2 Twenty and five years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem“vision of peace”. His mother’s name also [was] Abi“my father”, the daughter of Zachariah“memory of the Lord”.
3 And he did [that which was] right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that David“well-beloved, dear” his father did.
4 ¶ He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses“taken out; drawn forth” had made: for unto those days the children of Israel“who prevails with God” did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan“a trifling thing of brass”.
5 He trusted in the LORD God of Israel“who prevails with God”; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession”, nor [any] that were before him.
6 For he clave to the LORD, [and] departed not from following him, but kept his commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses“taken out; drawn forth”.
7 And the LORD was with him; [and] he prospered whithersoever he went forth: and he rebelled against the king of Assyria“country of Assur or Ashur”, and served him not.
8 He smote the Philistines“those who dwell in villages”, [even] unto Gaza“strong; a goat”, and the borders thereof, from the tower of the watchmen to the fenced city.
9 ¶ And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Hezekiah“strength of the Lord”, which [was] the seventh year of Hoshea“savior; safety” son of Elah“an oak; a curse; perjury” king of Israel“who prevails with God”, [that] Shalmaneser“peace; tied; chained; perfection; retribution” king of Assyria“country of Assur or Ashur” came up against Samaria“watch-mountain”, and besieged it.
10 And at the end of three years they took it: [even] in the sixth year of Hezekiah“strength of the Lord”, that [is] the ninth year of Hoshea“savior; safety” king of Israel“who prevails with God”, Samaria“watch-mountain” was taken.
11 And the king of Assyria“country of Assur or Ashur” did carry away Israel“who prevails with God” unto Assyria, and put them in Halah“a moist table” and in Habor“a partaker; a companion” [by] the river of Gozan“fleece; pasture; who nourisheth the body”, and in the cities of the Medes:
12 Because they obeyed not the voice of the LORD their God, but transgressed his covenant, [and] all that Moses“taken out; drawn forth” the servant of the LORD commanded, and would not hear [them], nor do [them].
13 ¶ Now in the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah“strength of the Lord” did Sennacherib“bramble of destruction” king of Assyria“country of Assur or Ashur” come up against all the fenced cities of Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession”, and took them.
14 And Hezekiah“strength of the Lord” king of Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession” sent to the king of Assyria“country of Assur or Ashur” to Lachish“who walks, or exists, of himself”, saying, I have offended; return from me: that which thou puttest on me will I bear. And the king of Assyria appointed unto Hezekiah king of Judah three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold.
15 And Hezekiah“strength of the Lord” gave [him] all the silver that was found in the house of the LORD, and in the treasures of the king’s house.
16 At that time did Hezekiah“strength of the Lord” cut off [the gold from] the doors of the temple of the LORD, and [from] the pillars which Hezekiah king of Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession” had overlaid, and gave it to the king of Assyria“country of Assur or Ashur”.
17 ¶ And the king of Assyria“country of Assur or Ashur” sent Tartan“a general (official title)” and Rabsaris“chief of the eunuchs” and Rabshakeh“cup-bearer of the prince” from Lachish“who walks, or exists, of himself” to king Hezekiah“strength of the Lord” with a great host against Jerusalem“vision of peace”. And they went up and came to Jerusalem. And when they were come up, they came and stood by the conduit of the upper pool, which [is] in the highway of the fuller’s field.
18 And when they had called to the king, there came out to them Eliakim“resurrection of God” the son of Hilkiah“God is my portion”, which [was] over the household, and Shebna“who rests himself; who is now captive” the scribe, and Joah“fraternity; brother of the Lord” the son of Asaph“who gathers together” the recorder.
19 And Rabshakeh“cup-bearer of the prince” said unto them, Speak ye now to Hezekiah“strength of the Lord”, Thus saith the great king, the king of Assyria“country of Assur or Ashur”, What confidence [is] this wherein thou trustest?
20 Thou sayest, (but [they are but] vain words,) [I have] counsel and strength for the war. Now on whom dost thou trust, that thou rebellest against me?
21 Now, behold, thou trustest upon the staff of this bruised reed, [even] upon Egypt“that troubles or oppresses; anguish”, on which if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so [is] Pharaoh“that disperses; that spoils” king of Egypt unto all that trust on him.
22 But if ye say unto me, We trust in the LORD our God: [is] not that he, whose high places and whose altars Hezekiah“strength of the Lord” hath taken away, and hath said to Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession” and Jerusalem“vision of peace”, Ye shall worship before this altar in Jerusalem?
23 Now therefore, I pray thee, give pledges to my lord the king of Assyria“country of Assur or Ashur”, and I will deliver thee two thousand horses, if thou be able on thy part to set riders upon them.
24 How then wilt thou turn away the face of one captain of the least of my master’s servants, and put thy trust on Egypt“that troubles or oppresses; anguish” for chariots and for horsemen?
25 Am I now come up without the LORD against this place to destroy it? The LORD said to me, Go up against this land, and destroy it.
26 Then said Eliakim“resurrection of God” the son of Hilkiah“God is my portion”, and Shebna“who rests himself; who is now captive”, and Joah“fraternity; brother of the Lord”, unto Rabshakeh“cup-bearer of the prince”, Speak, I pray thee, to thy servants in the Syrian language; for we understand [it]: and talk not with us in the Jews’ language in the ears of the people that [are] on the wall.
27 But Rabshakeh“cup-bearer of the prince” said unto them, Hath my master sent me to thy master, and to thee, to speak these words? [hath he] not [sent me] to the men which sit on the wall, that they may eat their own dung, and drink their own piss with you?
28 Then Rabshakeh“cup-bearer of the prince” stood and cried with a loud voice in the Jews’ language, and spake, saying, Hear the word of the great king, the king of Assyria“country of Assur or Ashur”:
29 Thus saith the king, Let not Hezekiah“strength of the Lord” deceive you: for he shall not be able to deliver you out of his hand:
30 Neither let Hezekiah“strength of the Lord” make you trust in the LORD, saying, The LORD will surely deliver us, and this city shall not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria“country of Assur or Ashur”.
31 Hearken not to Hezekiah“strength of the Lord”: for thus saith the king of Assyria“country of Assur or Ashur”, Make [an agreement] with me by a present, and come out to me, and [then] eat ye every man of his own vine, and every one of his fig tree, and drink ye every one the waters of his cistern:
32 Until I come and take you away to a land like your own land, a land of corn and wine, a land of bread and vineyards, a land of oil olive and of honey, that ye may live, and not die: and hearken not unto Hezekiah“strength of the Lord”, when he persuadeth you, saying, The LORD will deliver us.
33 Hath any of the gods of the nations delivered at all his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria“country of Assur or Ashur”?
34 Where [are] the gods of Hamath“anger; heat; a wall”, and of Arpad“the light of redemption”? where [are] the gods of Sepharvaim“the two books; the two scribes”, Hena“troubling”, and Ivah“iniquity”? have they delivered Samaria“watch-mountain” out of mine hand?
35 Who [are] they among all the gods of the countries, that have delivered their country out of mine hand, that the LORD should deliver Jerusalem“vision of peace” out of mine hand?
36 But the people held their peace, and answered him not a word: for the king’s commandment was, saying, Answer him not.
37 Then came Eliakim“resurrection of God” the son of Hilkiah“God is my portion”, which [was] over the household, and Shebna“who rests himself; who is now captive” the scribe, and Joah“fraternity; brother of the Lord” the son of Asaph“who gathers together” the recorder, to Hezekiah“strength of the Lord” with [their] clothes rent, and told him the words of Rabshakeh“cup-bearer of the prince”.

CHAPTER 19
1 And it came to pass, when king Hezekiah“strength of the Lord” heard [it], that he rent his clothes, and covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the LORD.
2 And he sent Eliakim“resurrection of God”, which [was] over the household, and Shebna“who rests himself; who is now captive” the scribe, and the elders of the priests, covered with sackcloth, to Isaiah“the salvation of the Lord” the prophet the son of Amoz“strong; robust”.
3 And they said unto him, Thus saith Hezekiah“strength of the Lord”, This day [is] a day of trouble, and of rebuke, and blasphemy: for the children are come to the birth, and [there is] not strength to bring forth.
4 It may be the LORD thy God will hear all the words of Rabshakeh“cup-bearer of the prince”, whom the king of Assyria“country of Assur or Ashur” his master hath sent to reproach the living God; and will reprove the words which the LORD thy God hath heard: wherefore lift up [thy] prayer for the remnant that are left.
5 So the servants of king Hezekiah“strength of the Lord” came to Isaiah“the salvation of the Lord”.
6 ¶ And Isaiah“the salvation of the Lord” said unto them, Thus shall ye say to your master, Thus saith the LORD, Be not afraid of the words which thou hast heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria“country of Assur or Ashur” have blasphemed me.
7 Behold, I will send a blast upon him, and he shall hear a rumour, and shall return to his own land; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land.
8 ¶ So Rabshakeh“cup-bearer of the prince” returned, and found the king of Assyria“country of Assur or Ashur” warring against Libnah“white; whiteness”: for he had heard that he was departed from Lachish“who walks, or exists, of himself”.
9 And when he heard say of Tirhakah“inquirer; examiner; dull observer” king of Ethiopia“blackness; heat”, Behold, he is come out to fight against thee: he sent messengers again unto Hezekiah“strength of the Lord”, saying,
10 Thus shall ye speak to Hezekiah“strength of the Lord” king of Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession”, saying, Let not thy God in whom thou trustest deceive thee, saying, Jerusalem“vision of peace” shall not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria“country of Assur or Ashur”.
11 Behold, thou hast heard what the kings of Assyria“country of Assur or Ashur” have done to all lands, by destroying them utterly: and shalt thou be delivered?
12 Have the gods of the nations delivered them which my fathers have destroyed; [as] Gozan“fleece; pasture; who nourisheth the body”, and Haran“mountainous country”, and Rezeph“pavement; burning coal”, and the children of Eden“pleasure; delight” which [were] in Thelasar“taking away; heaping up”?
13 Where [is] the king of Hamath“anger; heat; a wall”, and the king of Arpad“the light of redemption”, and the king of the city of Sepharvaim“the two books; the two scribes”, of Hena“troubling”, and Ivah“iniquity”?
14 ¶ And Hezekiah“strength of the Lord” received the letter of the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up into the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD.
15 And Hezekiah“strength of the Lord” prayed before the LORD, and said, O LORD God of Israel“who prevails with God”, which dwellest [between] the cherubims, thou art the God, [even] thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; thou hast made heaven and earth.
16 LORD, bow down thine ear, and hear: open, LORD, thine eyes, and see: and hear the words of Sennacherib“bramble of destruction”, which hath sent him to reproach the living God.
17 Of a truth, LORD, the kings of Assyria“country of Assur or Ashur” have destroyed the nations and their lands,
18 And have cast their gods into the fire: for they [were] no gods, but the work of men’s hands, wood and stone: therefore they have destroyed them.
19 Now therefore, O LORD our God, I beseech thee, save thou us out of his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou [art] the LORD God, [even] thou only.
20 ¶ Then Isaiah“the salvation of the Lord” the son of Amoz“strong; robust” sent to Hezekiah“strength of the Lord”, saying, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel“who prevails with God”, [That] which thou hast prayed to me against Sennacherib“bramble of destruction” king of Assyria“country of Assur or Ashur” I have heard.
21 This [is] the word that the LORD hath spoken concerning him; The virgin the daughter of Zion“monument; raised up; sepulcher” hath despised thee, [and] laughed thee to scorn; the daughter of Jerusalem“vision of peace” hath shaken her head at thee.
22 Whom hast thou reproached and blasphemed? and against whom hast thou exalted [thy] voice, and lifted up thine eyes on high? [even] against the Holy [One] of Israel“who prevails with God”.
23 By thy messengers thou hast reproached the Lord, and hast said, With the multitude of my chariots I am come up to the height of the mountains, to the sides of Lebanon“white, incense”, and will cut down the tall cedar trees thereof, [and] the choice fir trees thereof: and I will enter into the lodgings of his borders, [and into] the forest of his Carmel“circumcised lamb; harvest; full of ears of corn”.
24 I have digged and drunk strange waters, and with the sole of my feet have I dried up all the rivers of besieged places.
25 Hast thou not heard long ago [how] I have done it, [and] of ancient times that I have formed it? now have I brought it to pass, that thou shouldest be to lay waste fenced cities [into] ruinous heaps.
26 Therefore their inhabitants were of small power, they were dismayed and confounded; they were [as] the grass of the field, and [as] the green herb, [as] the grass on the housetops, and [as corn] blasted before it be grown up.
27 But I know thy abode, and thy going out, and thy coming in, and thy rage against me.
28 Because thy rage against me and thy tumult is come up into mine ears, therefore I will put my hook in thy nose, and my bridle in thy lips, and I will turn thee back by the way by which thou camest.
29 And this [shall be] a sign unto thee, Ye shall eat this year such things as grow of themselves, and in the second year that which springeth of the same; and in the third year sow ye, and reap, and plant vineyards, and eat the fruits thereof.
30 And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession” shall yet again take root downward, and bear fruit upward.
31 For out of Jerusalem“vision of peace” shall go forth a remnant, and they that escape out of mount Zion“monument; raised up; sepulcher”: the zeal of the LORD [of hosts] shall do this.
32 Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the king of Assyria“country of Assur or Ashur”, He shall not come into this city, nor shoot an arrow there, nor come before it with shield, nor cast a bank against it.
33 By the way that he came, by the same shall he return, and shall not come into this city, saith the LORD.
34 For I will defend this city, to save it, for mine own sake, and for my servant David’s sake.
35 ¶ And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the LORD went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they [were] all dead corpses.
36 So Sennacherib“bramble of destruction” king of Assyria“country of Assur or Ashur” departed, and went and returned, and dwelt at Nineveh“handsome; agreeable”.
37 And it came to pass, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch“flight; proof; temptation; delicate” his god, that Adrammelech“the cloak, glory, grandeur or power of the king” and Sharezer“overseer of the treasury, or of the storehouse” his sons smote him with the sword: and they escaped into the land of Armenia. And Esar-haddon“that closes the point; joy; cheerfulness” his son reigned in his stead.

CHAPTER 20
1 In those days was Hezekiah“strength of the Lord” sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah“the salvation of the Lord” the son of Amoz“strong; robust” came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live.
2 Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the LORD, saying,
3 I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done [that which is] good in thy sight. And Hezekiah“strength of the Lord” wept sore.
4 And it came to pass, afore Isaiah“the salvation of the Lord” was gone out into the middle court, that the word of the LORD came to him, saying,
5 Turn again, and tell Hezekiah“strength of the Lord” the captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David“well-beloved, dear” thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the LORD.
6 And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria“country of Assur or Ashur”; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David’s sake.
7 And Isaiah“the salvation of the Lord” said, Take a lump of figs. And they took and laid [it] on the boil, and he recovered.
8 ¶ And Hezekiah“strength of the Lord” said unto Isaiah“the salvation of the Lord”, What [shall be] the sign that the LORD will heal me, and that I shall go up into the house of the LORD the third day?
9 And Isaiah“the salvation of the Lord” said, This sign shalt thou have of the LORD, that the LORD will do the thing that he hath spoken: shall the shadow go forward ten degrees, or go back ten degrees?
10 And Hezekiah“strength of the Lord” answered, It is a light thing for the shadow to go down ten degrees: nay, but let the shadow return backward ten degrees.
11 And Isaiah“the salvation of the Lord” the prophet cried unto the LORD: and he brought the shadow ten degrees backward, by which it had gone down in the dial of Ahaz“one that takes or possesses”.
12 ¶ At that time Berodach-baladan“the son of death”, the son of Baladan“one without judgment”, king of Babylon“confusion; mixture”, sent letters and a present unto Hezekiah“strength of the Lord”: for he had heard that Hezekiah had been sick.
13 And Hezekiah“strength of the Lord” hearkened unto them, and shewed them all the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious ointment, and [all] the house of his armour, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah shewed them not.
14 ¶ Then came Isaiah“the salvation of the Lord” the prophet unto king Hezekiah“strength of the Lord”, and said unto him, What said these men? and from whence came they unto thee? And Hezekiah said, They are come from a far country, [even] from Babylon“confusion; mixture”.
15 And he said, What have they seen in thine house? And Hezekiah“strength of the Lord” answered, All [the things] that [are] in mine house have they seen: there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shewed them.
16 And Isaiah“the salvation of the Lord” said unto Hezekiah“strength of the Lord”, Hear the word of the LORD.
17 Behold, the days come, that all that [is] in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store unto this day, shall be carried into Babylon“confusion; mixture”: nothing shall be left, saith the LORD.
18 And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon“confusion; mixture”.
19 Then said Hezekiah“strength of the Lord” unto Isaiah“the salvation of the Lord”, Good [is] the word of the LORD which thou hast spoken. And he said, [Is it] not [good], if peace and truth be in my days?
20 ¶ And the rest of the acts of Hezekiah“strength of the Lord”, and all his might, and how he made a pool, and a conduit, and brought water into the city, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession”?
21 And Hezekiah“strength of the Lord” slept with his fathers: and Manasseh“forgetfulness; he that is forgotten” his son reigned in his stead.

CHAPTER 21
1 Manasseh“forgetfulness; he that is forgotten” [was] twelve years old when he began to reign, and reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem“vision of peace”. And his mother’s name [was] Hephzi-bah.
2 And he did [that which was] evil in the sight of the LORD, after the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out before the children of Israel“who prevails with God”.
3 For he built up again the high places which Hezekiah“strength of the Lord” his father had destroyed; and he reared up altars for Baal“master; lord”, and made a grove, as did Ahab“uncle, or father’s brother” king of Israel“who prevails with God”; and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.
4 And he built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD said, In Jerusalem“vision of peace” will I put my name.
5 And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD.
6 And he made his son pass through the fire, and observed times, and used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards: he wrought much wickedness in the sight of the LORD, to provoke [him] to anger.
7 And he set a graven image of the grove that he had made in the house, of which the LORD said to David“well-beloved, dear”, and to Solomon“peaceable; perfect; one who recompenses” his son, In this house, and in Jerusalem“vision of peace”, which I have chosen out of all tribes of Israel“who prevails with God”, will I put my name for ever:
8 Neither will I make the feet of Israel“who prevails with God” move any more out of the land which I gave their fathers; only if they will observe to do according to all that I have commanded them, and according to all the law that my servant Moses“taken out; drawn forth” commanded them.
9 But they hearkened not: and Manasseh“forgetfulness; he that is forgotten” seduced them to do more evil than did the nations whom the LORD destroyed before the children of Israel“who prevails with God”.
10 ¶ And the LORD spake by his servants the prophets, saying,
11 Because Manasseh“forgetfulness; he that is forgotten” king of Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession” hath done these abominations, [and] hath done wickedly above all that the Amorites“highlanders, or hill men” did, which [were] before him, and hath made Judah also to sin with his idols:
12 Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel“who prevails with God”, Behold, I [am] bringing [such] evil upon Jerusalem“vision of peace” and Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession”, that whosoever heareth of it, both his ears shall tingle.
13 And I will stretch over Jerusalem“vision of peace” the line of Samaria“watch-mountain”, and the plummet of the house of Ahab“uncle, or father’s brother”: and I will wipe Jerusalem as [a man] wipeth a dish, wiping [it], and turning [it] upside down.
14 And I will forsake the remnant of mine inheritance, and deliver them into the hand of their enemies; and they shall become a prey and a spoil to all their enemies;
15 Because they have done [that which was] evil in my sight, and have provoked me to anger, since the day their fathers came forth out of Egypt“that troubles or oppresses; anguish”, even unto this day.
16 Moreover Manasseh“forgetfulness; he that is forgotten” shed innocent blood very much, till he had filled Jerusalem“vision of peace” from one end to another; beside his sin wherewith he made Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession” to sin, in doing [that which was] evil in the sight of the LORD.
17 ¶ Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh“forgetfulness; he that is forgotten”, and all that he did, and his sin that he sinned, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession”?
18 And Manasseh“forgetfulness; he that is forgotten” slept with his fathers, and was buried in the garden of his own house, in the garden of Uzza: and Amon“faithful; true” his son reigned in his stead.
19 ¶ Amon“faithful; true” [was] twenty and two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned two years in Jerusalem“vision of peace”. And his mother’s name [was] Meshullemeth, the daughter of Haruz“careful” of Jotbah.
20 And he did [that which was] evil in the sight of the LORD, as his father Manasseh“forgetfulness; he that is forgotten” did.
21 And he walked in all the way that his father walked in, and served the idols that his father served, and worshipped them:
22 And he forsook the LORD God of his fathers, and walked not in the way of the LORD.
23 ¶ And the servants of Amon“faithful; true” conspired against him, and slew the king in his own house.
24 And the people of the land slew all them that had conspired against king Amon“faithful; true”; and the people of the land made Josiah“the Lord burns; the fire of the Lord” his son king in his stead.
25 Now the rest of the acts of Amon“faithful; true” which he did, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession”?
26 And he was buried in his sepulchre in the garden of Uzza: and Josiah“the Lord burns; the fire of the Lord” his son reigned in his stead.

CHAPTER 22
1 Josiah“the Lord burns; the fire of the Lord” [was] eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty and one years in Jerusalem“vision of peace”. And his mother’s name [was] Jedidah“well beloved; amiable”, the daughter of Adaiah“the witness of the Lord” of Boscath.
2 And he did [that which was] right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in all the way of David“well-beloved, dear” his father, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left.
3 ¶ And it came to pass in the eighteenth year of king Josiah“the Lord burns; the fire of the Lord”, [that] the king sent Shaphan“rabbit; wild rat; their lip; their brink” the son of Azaliah“near the Lord”, the son of Meshullam“peaceable; perfect; their parables”, the scribe, to the house of the LORD, saying,
4 Go up to Hilkiah“God is my portion” the high priest, that he may sum the silver which is brought into the house of the LORD, which the keepers of the door have gathered of the people:
5 And let them deliver it into the hand of the doers of the work, that have the oversight of the house of the LORD: and let them give it to the doers of the work which [is] in the house of the LORD, to repair the breaches of the house,
6 Unto carpenters, and builders, and masons, and to buy timber and hewn stone to repair the house.
7 Howbeit there was no reckoning made with them of the money that was delivered into their hand, because they dealt faithfully.
8 ¶ And Hilkiah“God is my portion” the high priest said unto Shaphan“rabbit; wild rat; their lip; their brink” the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD. And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it.
9 And Shaphan“rabbit; wild rat; their lip; their brink” the scribe came to the king, and brought the king word again, and said, Thy servants have gathered the money that was found in the house, and have delivered it into the hand of them that do the work, that have the oversight of the house of the LORD.
10 And Shaphan“rabbit; wild rat; their lip; their brink” the scribe shewed the king, saying, Hilkiah“God is my portion” the priest hath delivered me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king.
11 And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the book of the law, that he rent his clothes.
12 And the king commanded Hilkiah“God is my portion” the priest, and Ahikam“a brother who raises up or avenges” the son of Shaphan“rabbit; wild rat; their lip; their brink”, and Achbor“a rat; bruising” the son of Michaiah“poor; humble”, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asahiah a servant of the king’s, saying,
13 Go ye, enquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession”, concerning the words of this book that is found: for great [is] the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book, to do according unto all that which is written concerning us.
14 So Hilkiah“God is my portion” the priest, and Ahikam“a brother who raises up or avenges”, and Achbor“a rat; bruising”, and Shaphan“rabbit; wild rat; their lip; their brink”, and Asahiah, went unto Huldah“the world” the prophetess, the wife of Shallum“perfect; agreeable” the son of Tikvah“hope; a little line; congregation”, the son of Harhas“anger; heat of confidence”, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem“vision of peace” in the college;) and they communed with her.
15 ¶ And she said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel“who prevails with God”, Tell the man that sent you to me,
16 Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, and upon the inhabitants thereof, [even] all the words of the book which the king of Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession” hath read:
17 Because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands; therefore my wrath shall be kindled against this place, and shall not be quenched.
18 But to the king of Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession” which sent you to enquire of the LORD, thus shall ye say to him, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel“who prevails with God”, [As touching] the words which thou hast heard;
19 Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the LORD, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard [thee], saith the LORD.
20 Behold therefore, I will gather thee unto thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace; and thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place. And they brought the king word again.

CHAPTER 23
1 And the king sent, and they gathered unto him all the elders of Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession” and of Jerusalem“vision of peace”.
2 And the king went up into the house of the LORD, and all the men of Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession” and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem“vision of peace” with him, and the priests, and the prophets, and all the people, both small and great: and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant which was found in the house of the LORD.
3 ¶ And the king stood by a pillar, and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes with all [their] heart and all [their] soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people stood to the covenant.
4 And the king commanded Hilkiah“God is my portion” the high priest, and the priests of the second order, and the keepers of the door, to bring forth out of the temple of the LORD all the vessels that were made for Baal“master; lord”, and for the grove, and for all the host of heaven: and he burned them without Jerusalem“vision of peace” in the fields of Kidron“obscure; making black or sad”, and carried the ashes of them unto Beth-el“the house of God”.
5 And he put down the idolatrous priests, whom the kings of Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession” had ordained to burn incense in the high places in the cities of Judah, and in the places round about Jerusalem“vision of peace”; them also that burned incense unto Baal“master; lord”, to the sun, and to the moon, and to the planets, and to all the host of heaven.
6 And he brought out the grove from the house of the LORD, without Jerusalem“vision of peace”, unto the brook Kidron“obscure; making black or sad”, and burned it at the brook Kidron, and stamped [it] small to powder, and cast the powder thereof upon the graves of the children of the people.
7 And he brake down the houses of the sodomites, that [were] by the house of the LORD, where the women wove hangings for the grove.
8 And he brought all the priests out of the cities of Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession”, and defiled the high places where the priests had burned incense, from Geba“a hill; cup” to Beer-sheba, and brake down the high places of the gates that [were] in the entering in of the gate of Joshua“a savior; a deliverer” the governor of the city, which [were] on a man’s left hand at the gate of the city.
9 Nevertheless the priests of the high places came not up to the altar of the LORD in Jerusalem“vision of peace”, but they did eat of the unleavened bread among their brethren.
10 And he defiled Topheth, which [is] in the valley of the children of Hinnom“there they are; their riches”, that no man might make his son or his daughter to pass through the fire to Molech“king”.
11 And he took away the horses that the kings of Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession” had given to the sun, at the entering in of the house of the LORD, by the chamber of Nathan-melech“the gift of the king, or of counsel” the chamberlain, which [was] in the suburbs, and burned the chariots of the sun with fire.
12 And the altars that [were] on the top of the upper chamber of Ahaz“one that takes or possesses”, which the kings of Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession” had made, and the altars which Manasseh“forgetfulness; he that is forgotten” had made in the two courts of the house of the LORD, did the king beat down, and brake [them] down from thence, and cast the dust of them into the brook Kidron“obscure; making black or sad”.
13 And the high places that [were] before Jerusalem“vision of peace”, which [were] on the right hand of the mount of corruption, which Solomon“peaceable; perfect; one who recompenses” the king of Israel“who prevails with God” had builded for Ashtoreth“flocks; sheep; riches” the abomination of the Zidonians, and for Chemosh“handling; stroking; taking away” the abomination of the Moabites, and for Milcom“their king” the abomination of the children of Ammon“a people; the son of my people”, did the king defile.
14 And he brake in pieces the images, and cut down the groves, and filled their places with the bones of men.
15 ¶ Moreover the altar that [was] at Beth-el“the house of God”, [and] the high place which Jeroboam“he that opposes the people” the son of Nebat“that beholds”, who made Israel“who prevails with God” to sin, had made, both that altar and the high place he brake down, and burned the high place, [and] stamped [it] small to powder, and burned the grove.
16 And as Josiah“the Lord burns; the fire of the Lord” turned himself, he spied the sepulchres that [were] there in the mount, and sent, and took the bones out of the sepulchres, and burned [them] upon the altar, and polluted it, according to the word of the LORD which the man of God proclaimed, who proclaimed these words.
17 Then he said, What title [is] that that I see? And the men of the city told him, [It is] the sepulchre of the man of God, which came from Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession”, and proclaimed these things that thou hast done against the altar of Beth-el“the house of God”.
18 And he said, Let him alone; let no man move his bones. So they let his bones alone, with the bones of the prophet that came out of Samaria“watch-mountain”.
19 And all the houses also of the high places that [were] in the cities of Samaria“watch-mountain”, which the kings of Israel“who prevails with God” had made to provoke [the LORD] to anger, Josiah“the Lord burns; the fire of the Lord” took away, and did to them according to all the acts that he had done in Beth-el“the house of God”.
20 And he slew all the priests of the high places that [were] there upon the altars, and burned men’s bones upon them, and returned to Jerusalem“vision of peace”.
21 ¶ And the king commanded all the people, saying, Keep the passover unto the LORD your God, as [it is] written in the book of this covenant.
22 Surely there was not holden such a passover from the days of the judges that judged Israel“who prevails with God”, nor in all the days of the kings of Israel, nor of the kings of Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession”;
23 But in the eighteenth year of king Josiah“the Lord burns; the fire of the Lord”, [wherein] this passover was holden to the LORD in Jerusalem“vision of peace”.
24 ¶ Moreover the [workers with] familiar spirits, and the wizards, and the images, and the idols, and all the abominations that were spied in the land of Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession” and in Jerusalem“vision of peace”, did Josiah“the Lord burns; the fire of the Lord” put away, that he might perform the words of the law which were written in the book that Hilkiah“God is my portion” the priest found in the house of the LORD.
25 And like unto him was there no king before him, that turned to the LORD with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses“taken out; drawn forth”; neither after him arose there [any] like him.
26 ¶ Notwithstanding the LORD turned not from the fierceness of his great wrath, wherewith his anger was kindled against Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession”, because of all the provocations that Manasseh“forgetfulness; he that is forgotten” had provoked him withal.
27 And the LORD said, I will remove Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession” also out of my sight, as I have removed Israel“who prevails with God”, and will cast off this city Jerusalem“vision of peace” which I have chosen, and the house of which I said, My name shall be there.
28 Now the rest of the acts of Josiah“the Lord burns; the fire of the Lord”, and all that he did, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession”?
29 ¶ In his days Pharaoh-nechoh king of Egypt“that troubles or oppresses; anguish” went up against the king of Assyria“country of Assur or Ashur” to the river Euphrates“that makes fruitful”: and king Josiah“the Lord burns; the fire of the Lord” went against him; and he slew him at Megiddo“his precious fruit; declaring a message”, when he had seen him.
30 And his servants carried him in a chariot dead from Megiddo“his precious fruit; declaring a message”, and brought him to Jerusalem“vision of peace”, and buried him in his own sepulchre. And the people of the land took Jehoahaz“possession of the Lord” the son of Josiah“the Lord burns; the fire of the Lord”, and anointed him, and made him king in his father’s stead.
31 ¶ Jehoahaz“possession of the Lord” [was] twenty and three years old when he began to reign; and he reigned three months in Jerusalem“vision of peace”. And his mother’s name [was] Hamutal“the shadow of his heat”, the daughter of Jeremiah“exaltation of the Lord” of Libnah“white; whiteness”.
32 And he did [that which was] evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his fathers had done.
33 And Pharaoh-nechoh put him in bands at Riblah“quarrel; greatness to him” in the land of Hamath“anger; heat; a wall”, that he might not reign in Jerusalem“vision of peace”; and put the land to a tribute of an hundred talents of silver, and a talent of gold.
34 And Pharaoh-nechoh made Eliakim“resurrection of God” the son of Josiah“the Lord burns; the fire of the Lord” king in the room of Josiah his father, and turned his name to Jehoiakim“avenging, or establishing, or resurrection, of the Lord”, and took Jehoahaz“possession of the Lord” away: and he came to Egypt“that troubles or oppresses; anguish”, and died there.
35 And Jehoiakim“avenging, or establishing, or resurrection, of the Lord” gave the silver and the gold to Pharaoh“that disperses; that spoils”; but he taxed the land to give the money according to the commandment of Pharaoh: he exacted the silver and the gold of the people of the land, of every one according to his taxation, to give [it] unto Pharaoh-nechoh.
36 ¶ Jehoiakim“avenging, or establishing, or resurrection, of the Lord” [was] twenty and five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem“vision of peace”. And his mother’s name [was] Zebudah“endowed; endowing”, the daughter of Pedaiah“redemption of the Lord” of Rumah“exalted; sublime; rejected”.
37 And he did [that which was] evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his fathers had done.

CHAPTER 24
1 In his days Nebuchadnezzar“tears and groans of judgment” king of Babylon“confusion; mixture” came up, and Jehoiakim“avenging, or establishing, or resurrection, of the Lord” became his servant three years: then he turned and rebelled against him.
2 And the LORD sent against him bands of the Chaldees, and bands of the Syrians, and bands of the Moabites, and bands of the children of Ammon“a people; the son of my people”, and sent them against Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession” to destroy it, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by his servants the prophets.
3 Surely at the commandment of the LORD came [this] upon Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession”, to remove [them] out of his sight, for the sins of Manasseh“forgetfulness; he that is forgotten”, according to all that he did;
4 And also for the innocent blood that he shed: for he filled Jerusalem“vision of peace” with innocent blood; which the LORD would not pardon.
5 ¶ Now the rest of the acts of Jehoiakim“avenging, or establishing, or resurrection, of the Lord”, and all that he did, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession”?
6 So Jehoiakim“avenging, or establishing, or resurrection, of the Lord” slept with his fathers: and Jehoiachin“preparation, or strength, of the Lord” his son reigned in his stead.
7 And the king of Egypt“that troubles or oppresses; anguish” came not again any more out of his land: for the king of Babylon“confusion; mixture” had taken from the river of Egypt unto the river Euphrates“that makes fruitful” all that pertained to the king of Egypt.
8 ¶ Jehoiachin“preparation, or strength, of the Lord” [was] eighteen years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem“vision of peace” three months. And his mother’s name [was] Nehushta“made of brass”, the daughter of Elnathan“God hath given; the gift of God” of Jerusalem.
9 And he did [that which was] evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father had done.
10 ¶ At that time the servants of Nebuchadnezzar“tears and groans of judgment” king of Babylon“confusion; mixture” came up against Jerusalem“vision of peace”, and the city was besieged.
11 And Nebuchadnezzar“tears and groans of judgment” king of Babylon“confusion; mixture” came against the city, and his servants did besiege it.
12 And Jehoiachin“preparation, or strength, of the Lord” the king of Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession” went out to the king of Babylon“confusion; mixture”, he, and his mother, and his servants, and his princes, and his officers: and the king of Babylon took him in the eighth year of his reign.
13 And he carried out thence all the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king’s house, and cut in pieces all the vessels of gold which Solomon“peaceable; perfect; one who recompenses” king of Israel“who prevails with God” had made in the temple of the LORD, as the LORD had said.
14 And he carried away all Jerusalem“vision of peace”, and all the princes, and all the mighty men of valour, [even] ten thousand captives, and all the craftsmen and smiths: none remained, save the poorest sort of the people of the land.
15 And he carried away Jehoiachin“preparation, or strength, of the Lord” to Babylon“confusion; mixture”, and the king’s mother, and the king’s wives, and his officers, and the mighty of the land, [those] carried he into captivity from Jerusalem“vision of peace” to Babylon.
16 And all the men of might, [even] seven thousand, and craftsmen and smiths a thousand, all [that were] strong [and] apt for war, even them the king of Babylon“confusion; mixture” brought captive to Babylon.
17 ¶ And the king of Babylon“confusion; mixture” made Mattaniah“gift, or hope, of the Lord” his father’s brother king in his stead, and changed his name to Zedekiah“the Lord is my justice; the justice of the Lord”.
18 Zedekiah“the Lord is my justice; the justice of the Lord” [was] twenty and one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem“vision of peace”. And his mother’s name [was] Hamutal“the shadow of his heat”, the daughter of Jeremiah“exaltation of the Lord” of Libnah“white; whiteness”.
19 And he did [that which was] evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that Jehoiakim“avenging, or establishing, or resurrection, of the Lord” had done.
20 For through the anger of the LORD it came to pass in Jerusalem“vision of peace” and Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession”, until he had cast them out from his presence, that Zedekiah“the Lord is my justice; the justice of the Lord” rebelled against the king of Babylon“confusion; mixture”.

CHAPTER 25
1 And it came to pass in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, in the tenth [day] of the month, [that] Nebuchadnezzar“tears and groans of judgment” king of Babylon“confusion; mixture” came, he, and all his host, against Jerusalem“vision of peace”, and pitched against it; and they built forts against it round about.
2 And the city was besieged unto the eleventh year of king Zedekiah“the Lord is my justice; the justice of the Lord”.
3 And on the ninth [day] of the [fourth] month the famine prevailed in the city, and there was no bread for the people of the land.
4 ¶ And the city was broken up, and all the men of war [fled] by night by the way of the gate between two walls, which [is] by the king’s garden: (now the Chaldees [were] against the city round about:) and [the king] went the way toward the plain.
5 And the army of the Chaldees pursued after the king, and overtook him in the plains of Jericho“his moon; his month; his sweet smell”: and all his army were scattered from him.
6 So they took the king, and brought him up to the king of Babylon“confusion; mixture” to Riblah“quarrel; greatness to him”; and they gave judgment upon him.
7 And they slew the sons of Zedekiah“the Lord is my justice; the justice of the Lord” before his eyes, and put out the eyes of Zedekiah, and bound him with fetters of brass, and carried him to Babylon“confusion; mixture”.
8 ¶ And in the fifth month, on the seventh [day] of the month, which [is] the nineteenth year of king Nebuchadnezzar“tears and groans of judgment” king of Babylon“confusion; mixture”, came Nebuzar-adan“fruits or prophecies of judgment”, captain of the guard, a servant of the king of Babylon, unto Jerusalem“vision of peace”:
9 And he burnt the house of the LORD, and the king’s house, and all the houses of Jerusalem“vision of peace”, and every great [man's] house burnt he with fire.
10 And all the army of the Chaldees, that [were with] the captain of the guard, brake down the walls of Jerusalem“vision of peace” round about.
11 Now the rest of the people [that were] left in the city, and the fugitives that fell away to the king of Babylon“confusion; mixture”, with the remnant of the multitude, did Nebuzar-adan“fruits or prophecies of judgment” the captain of the guard carry away.
12 But the captain of the guard left of the poor of the land [to be] vinedressers and husbandmen.
13 And the pillars of brass that [were] in the house of the LORD, and the bases, and the brasen sea that [was] in the house of the LORD, did the Chaldees break in pieces, and carried the brass of them to Babylon“confusion; mixture”.
14 And the pots, and the shovels, and the snuffers, and the spoons, and all the vessels of brass wherewith they ministered, took they away.
15 And the firepans, and the bowls, [and] such things as [were] of gold, [in] gold, and of silver, [in] silver, the captain of the guard took away.
16 The two pillars, one sea, and the bases which Solomon“peaceable; perfect; one who recompenses” had made for the house of the LORD; the brass of all these vessels was without weight.
17 The height of the one pillar [was] eighteen cubits, and the chapiter upon it [was] brass: and the height of the chapiter three cubits; and the wreathen work, and pomegranates upon the chapiter round about, all of brass: and like unto these had the second pillar with wreathen work.
18 ¶ And the captain of the guard took Seraiah“prince of the Lord” the chief priest, and Zephaniah“the Lord is my secret” the second priest, and the three keepers of the door:
19 And out of the city he took an officer that was set over the men of war, and five men of them that were in the king’s presence, which were found in the city, and the principal scribe of the host, which mustered the people of the land, and threescore men of the people of the land [that were] found in the city:
20 And Nebuzar-adan“fruits or prophecies of judgment” captain of the guard took these, and brought them to the king of Babylon“confusion; mixture” to Riblah“quarrel; greatness to him”:
21 And the king of Babylon“confusion; mixture” smote them, and slew them at Riblah“quarrel; greatness to him” in the land of Hamath“anger; heat; a wall”. So Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession” was carried away out of their land.
22 ¶ And [as for] the people that remained in the land of Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession”, whom Nebuchadnezzar“tears and groans of judgment” king of Babylon“confusion; mixture” had left, even over them he made Gedaliah“God is my greatness” the son of Ahikam“a brother who raises up or avenges”, the son of Shaphan“rabbit; wild rat; their lip; their brink”, ruler.
23 And when all the captains of the armies, they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon“confusion; mixture” had made Gedaliah“God is my greatness” governor, there came to Gedaliah to Mizpah“a watch-tower; speculation”, even Ishmael“God that hears” the son of Nethaniah“the gift of the Lord”, and Johanan“who is liberal or merciful” the son of Careah“bald; ice”, and Seraiah“prince of the Lord” the son of Tanhumeth“consolation; repentance” the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah“whom the Lord will hear” the son of a Maachathite, they and their men.
24 And Gedaliah“God is my greatness” sware to them, and to their men, and said unto them, Fear not to be the servants of the Chaldees: dwell in the land, and serve the king of Babylon“confusion; mixture”; and it shall be well with you.
25 But it came to pass in the seventh month, that Ishmael“God that hears” the son of Nethaniah“the gift of the Lord”, the son of Elishama“God hearing”, of the seed royal, came, and ten men with him, and smote Gedaliah“God is my greatness”, that he died, and the Jews and the Chaldees that were with him at Mizpah“a watch-tower; speculation”.
26 And all the people, both small and great, and the captains of the armies, arose, and came to Egypt“that troubles or oppresses; anguish”: for they were afraid of the Chaldees.
27 ¶ And it came to pass in the seven and thirtieth year of the captivity of Jehoiachin“preparation, or strength, of the Lord” king of Judah“the praise of the Lord; confession”, in the twelfth month, on the seven and twentieth [day] of the month, [that] Evil-merodach“the fool of Merodach“bitter contrition”; the fool grinds bitterly” king of Babylon“confusion; mixture” in the year that he began to reign did lift up the head of Jehoiachin king of Judah out of prison;
28 And he spake kindly to him, and set his throne above the throne of the kings that [were] with him in Babylon“confusion; mixture”;
29 And changed his prison garments: and he did eat bread continually before him all the days of his life.
30 And his allowance [was] a continual allowance given him of the king, a daily rate for every day, all the days of his life.

1 Kings (OT)	1 Kings 22 (OT)	2 Kings 1 (OT)	1 Chronicles (OT)

Ark of the Covenant . Ark of the Testimony 

 Tabut Al-Sakina

 تابوت العهد‎אָרוֹן הָבְרִית / ‎

(سكينة‎ שכינה )

By Al-Faarooq

Ruach Hakodesh רוח הקודש

This Article Will Undoubtedly Elevate Your Imaan (Faith) and Increase Your Understanding of True Islaam so that you may obtain Immovable Imaan (Faith)

Bismillah Hir’Rahmaan Nir’Raheem:

In the Name of Allah The Beneficent, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

As’salaamu Alaikum Wa’Rahmatullahi Wa’Barakatu ya Muslimeen.

 This is but a wake up project upon you so that you may get up from your slumber, get out! get out of the cloud you find yourself in and drink not of the water he will blind you with for indeed it is a fire from hell.

Surah 17. Al-Israa (Bani Israel)

81. And say: Truth hath come and falsehood hath vanished away. Lo! falsehood is ever bound to vanish.

Oh Mumineen the sign of Allah has come; the Ark of the Covenant “Holder of the Testimony” comes with an assurance of security from our Lord, our King The Almighty Allah Most High, Most Holy who is The Ruler and Sustainer of the Worlds.

In this (the Ark of the Covenant) “Holder of the Testimony” is a symbol for you if indeed you have faith “Imaan”

Allah Says in the Holy Quran: “We (Allah) will show them Our Signs in the Universe and in their ownselves until it becomes manifest to them that this is the Truth. Is it not enough that thy Lord do witness all things?” Q41:53

Ya Muslimeen shall I tell you what the Ark of the Covenant is? Tabut Al-Sakina

The Ark of the Covenant is an assurance of security from Allah; This Ark is a treasure chest, “a Holder of Heavenly Substance.”

Ya Mumineen shall I tell you what this Holder of Heavenly Substance is?

The Holder of Heavenly Substance is your Heart (The Ark) which holds your Faith “Imaan”

Ya Mumineen shall I tell you what the Covenant “Heavenly Substance” is?

The Covenant “Heavenly Substance” is the Muslim Testimony of Faith “Shahadah”

“I Testify that there’s none worthy of Worship but Allah; And I Testify that Mohammed is His final Messenger”

أشهد أن لا إله إلاَّ الله و أشهد أن محمد رسول الله 

(Qur’an, 2: 248) Their Prophet said to them, ‘The sign of his kingship is that the Ark will come to you, containing serenity from your Lord and certain relics left by the families of Musa and Harun. It will be borne by angels. There is a sign for you in that if you believe.

 تابوت العهد‎

Oh you who submit to the will of the Almighty Allah, be mindful of the Ark of the Covenant “the Imaan (Faith) in your Heart” treat it like a treasure chest of gold and ward off evil. Remember the two angels sit on each side of you; one recording the bad ye do and one recording the good ye do, if ye are of those who truly believe you would accept the sign of Allah. Remember Oh Muslim that on Judgment Day your record from these angels will be weighed and if ye receive the book of deeds in your right hand Jannah (Heaven) will be your abode but if ye receive your book of deeds in your left hand the blazing fire shall be your abode. Oh Muslim so be mindful of what ye do be truthful to the Covenant and serve Allah as He should be served for He is our Lord and King The Most High, Most Holy.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran: “Thus do We explain the signs in detail! Perchance they may turn (unto Us)”. Q7:174. “And He shows you always His Signs; then which of the Signs of Allah will you deny?” Q40:81.

My beloved people the Almighty Allah is the Sole Owner of All the Most High, Most Holy and Most Beautiful Names, Attributes or Titles, to Him Alone belongs such Glory. All Praise be to Him.

99. Verily We have revealed unto thee clear tokens, and only miscreants will disbelieve in them.

100. Is it ever so that when ye make a covenant a party of you set it aside? The truth is, most of them believe not.

101. And when there cometh unto them a messenger from Allah, confirming that which they possess, a party of those who have received the Scripture fling the Scripture of Allah behind their backs as if they knew not,

102. And follow that which the devils falsely related against the kingdom of Solomon. Solomon disbelieved not; but the devils disbelieved, teaching mankind magic and that which was revealed to the two angels in Babel, Harut and Marut. Nor did they (the two angels) teach it to anyone till they had said: We are only a temptation, therefore disbelieve not (in the guidance of Allah). And from these two (angels) people learn that by which they cause division between man and wife; but they injure thereby no one save by Allah’s leave. And they learn that which harmeth them and profiteth them not. And surely they do know that he who trafficketh therein will have no (happy) portion in the Hereafter; and surely evil is the price for which they sell their souls, if they but knew.

103. And if they had believed and kept from evil, a recompense from Allah would be better, if they only knew.

Oh Mumineen (True Believer) shall I tell you the origin and history of the Ark of the Covenant in Islaam?

The Muslim origin or history of the Ark of the Covenant is from the time of Adam Alaihi’Salaam, who brought it out from the Heavenly Abode. Its contents are the Divine Assistance, Might and Power which comes from Allah. The signs hereof can be seen in the miracles of the Hajr al Aswad “the Black Stone”, the Staff of Musa Alaihi’Salaam, the Ring of Sulaiyman Alaihi’Salaam and Zulfiqar “the Sword of Prophet Muhammad Salallahu Alaiyhi Wa’salaam” which is among many other signs and miracles of Allah in the relics of the Ambiya. With the Covenant “Testimony of faith” came set rules and guidelines for mankind. From Nabi Adam, The Ark of the Covenant “Total Submission to the Will of Allah” was passed to Seth, and from Seth, to his son, and it “the religion of Islaam” continued to be guarded by Prophets until the birth of Prophet “Nabi” Ibraheem Alaihi’Salaam. 

Ibraheem Alaihi’Salaam inherited it from his real father, and his father was not Azar the idolater, rather his name was Tarah, Tarah the real father of Ibraheem Alaihi’Salaam died when he was a young boy. In Muslim tradition, there were Prophets who came before Ibraheem Alaihi’Salaam as well, and it is our belief that they guarded it “the Ark of the Covenant”, until it made its way to him, Ibraheem Alaihi Salaam had been given a word of the reality that there’s only One Illah (Deity) worthy of Worship, thus he set on the path of Truth and He was blessed with the covenant. Ibraheem Alaihi’Salaam then gave it to his first son Ishmael. Together, they built the Ka’ba in Makkah, and placed in its corner from the Ark of the Covenant “Container of Heavenly Substance which is their hearts” the black stone (Hajr al Aswad) for the pleasure of Allah. Ibraheem Alaihi’Salaam then also passed the Ark of the Covenant “Faith in Allah which is the Shahadah” to his second son Isaac.

Ya Muslimeen, my brethren the Yahoodi “Israelites” and those who claim to follow the Gospel of Isa Alaihi’Salaam the son of Maryam reflect within you that which is known of the Covenant and ponder:

Our Almighty Lord, Who created everything with sublime knowledge and wisdom, has revealed the existence of the Ark “Which is your Heart that is the Holder of the Covenant/ Testimony of Faith”

The Covenant: “I Testify that there’s none worthy of Worship but Allah; And I Testify that Mohammed is His Final Messenger”

There was nothing in the ark except the two tablets that Musa Alaihi’Salaam had placed in it at Horeb, where the Lord made a covenant with the Israelites after they came out of Egypt. (2 Chronicles 5: 10)

Together with the testimony of faith “There’s none worthy of worship but Allah, and Mohammed is His final Messenger” came the “Shariah” Commandments of Allah.

 
In Islaam Musa Alaihi’Salaam is one of the greatest prophets of Allah. However, Islaam teaches you in truth with facts that the texts of the Blessed Holy Torah and the Gospels of Allah have been corrupted from their divine originals over the years, due to great sin of the people which gathered the Anger of Allah and to which Allah marked them with the sign of division amongst each other, due to their carelessness and self-interest the Ark of the Covenant (The True Religion) was removed from them. Despite this purported corruption, messages from the Blessed Holy Torah and the Gospels still coincide closely with certain verses in the Qur’an. This is by-and-large the truth and the case with the Ten Commandments. Consequently, despite the Ten Commandments not being explicitly mentioned in the Holy Qur’an they are the Commandments; For Allah is Most Merciful and have not led them too far astray so that they may recognize the following verses in the Holy Qur’an:

1. “There is none worthy of Worship beside Allah.” (Qur’an 47:19)
2. “Ibraheem Alaihi’Salaam said: “My Lord, make this a peaceful land, and protect me and my children from worshiping idols.” (Qur’an 14:35)
3. “And make not Allah’s (name) an excuse in your oaths against doing good, or acting rightly, or making peace between persons; for Allah is One Who heareth and knoweth all things.” (Qur’an 2:224) This verse is not entirely analogous to the Old Testament’s “You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the Lord your Creator…” Verse 2:224 is explained by the Prophet Muhammad as: “If anyone takes a solemn oath [that he would do or refrain from doing such-and such a thing], and thereupon realizes that something else would be a more righteous course, then let him do that which is more righteous, and let him break his oath and then atone for it” (Bukhari and Muslim; and other variants of the same Tradition in other compilations).
4. “O you who believe, when the Congregational Prayer (Salat Al-Jumu`ah) is announced on Friday, you shall hasten to the commemoration of Allah, and drop all business.” (Qur’an 62:9)
   The Sabbath was relinquished with the revelation of the Holy Quran. The Quran tells that the Sabbath was only decreed for the Israeli Muslims of that appointed time. (Qur’an 16:124) The Almighty, ordered Muslims to make every effort and drop all businesses to attend the congregational Friday prayer (Jumu’ah). The Submitters may tend to their business during the rest of the day. “The best day over which the sun has ever risen is Jummu’ah (Firday). On this day Nabi Adam was admitted to Jannah (Heaven), on this day he was expelled from Jannah. The Hour (Judgment Day) will be established on the Day of Jumuah.” (Hadith).
5. “….and your parents shall be honoured. As long as one or both of them live, you shall never (even) say to them, “Uff” (the slightest gesture of annoyance), nor shall you shout at them; you shall treat them amicably.” (Qur’an 17:23)
6. “….anyone who murders any person who had not committed murder or horrendous crimes, it shall be as if he murdered all the people.” (Qur’an 5:32)
7. “You shall not commit adultery; it is an abomination (gross sin), and an evil way (evil behaviour).” (Qur’an 17:32)
8. “They shall not steal.” (Al-Mumtahanah 60: 12) and “The thief, male or female, you shall mark their hands (cut it off) as a punishment for their crime, and to serve as an example from Allah. Allah is Almighty, Most Wise.” (Qur’an 5:38)
9. “Do not withhold any testimony by concealing what you had witnessed. Anyone who withholds a testimony is sinful at heart.” (Qur’an 2:283)
10. “And do not covet what we bestowed upon any other people. Such are temporary ornaments of this life, whereby we put them to the test. What your Lord provides for you is far better, and everlasting.” (Qur’an 20:131)

Take note and contemplate on the 17th chapter, of the Holy Quran Surah “Al-Israa” (“The Night Journey”), verses [Qur'an 17:22], the Holy Qur’an provides a set of moral stipulations which are “among the (precepts of) wisdom, which thy Lord has revealed to thee” that can be reasonably categorised as ten in number. These resemble the Ten Commandments of the Scripture which is with you and “represents the fullest statement of the code of behavior every Muslim must follow”. And take note, that these verses are not regarded as being set apart from any other moral stipulations in the Holy Qur’an, nor are they regarded as a substitute, replacement or abrogation of some other set of commandments as found in the previous revelations from Allah The Most Holy, Most Wise.

Holy Quran Surah “Al-Israa” (“The Night Journey”)

1. Worship only God: Take not with Allah another object of worship; or thou (O man!) wilt sit in disgrace and destitution. (17:22)
2. Be kind, honourable and humble to one’s parents: Thy Lord hath decreed that ye worship none but Him, and that ye be kind to parents. Whether one or both of them attain old age in thy life, say not to them a word of contempt, nor repel them, but address them in terms of honour. (17:23) And, out of kindness, lower to them the wing of humility, and say: “My Lord! bestow on them thy Mercy even as they cherished me in childhood.” (17:24)
3. Be neither miserly nor wasteful in one’s expenditure: And render to the kindred their due rights, as (also) to those in want, and to the wayfarer: But squander not (your wealth) in the manner of a spendthrift. (17:26) Verily spendthrifts are brothers of the Evil Ones; and the Evil One is to his Lord (himself) ungrateful. (17:27) And even if thou hast to turn away from them in pursuit of the Mercy from thy Lord which thou dost expect, yet speak to them a word of easy kindness. (17:28) Make not thy hand tied (like a niggard’s) to thy neck, nor stretch it forth to its utmost reach, so that thou become blameworthy and destitute. (17:29)
4. Do not engage in ‘mercy killings’ for fear of starvation: Kill not your children for fear of want: We shall provide sustenance for them as well as for you. Verily the killing of them is a great sin. (17:31)
5. Do not commit adultery: Nor come nigh to adultery: for it is a shameful (deed) and an evil, opening the road (to other evils). (17:32)
6. Do not kill unjustly: Nor take life – which Allah has made sacred – except for just cause. And if anyone is slain wrongfully, we have given his heir authority (to demand qisas or to forgive): but let him not exceed bounds in the matter of taking life; for he is helped (by the Law). (17:33)
7. Care for orphaned children: Come not nigh to the orphan’s property except to improve it, until he attains the age of full strength…(17:34)
8. Keep one’s promises: …fulfil (every) engagement [i.e. promise/covenant], for (every) engagement will be enquired into (on the Day of Reckoning). (17:34)
9. Be honest and fair in one’s interactions: Give full measure when ye measure, and weigh with a balance that is straight: that is the most fitting and the most advantageous in the final determination. (17:35)
10. Do not be arrogant in one’s claims or beliefs: And pursue not that of which thou hast no knowledge; for every act of hearing, or of seeing or of (feeling in) the heart will be enquired into (on the Day of Reckoning). (17:36) Nor walk on the earth with insolence: for thou canst not rend the earth asunder, nor reach the mountains in height. (17:37)

Oh you who claim to believe how can thee deny the confirmation from that which is with thee Named The Ten “Exodus 20:2–17, Exodus 34:11–27 and Deuteronomy 5:6–21.” Will thee give a blind eye, a deaf ear and a bad word to that which have been revealed to thee from thy Lord, surely thy be cursed then for doom if ye can not see nor hear a truth and a confirmation from that which is with thee?

The Torah also states that the Ark “Heart containing Deenul Islaam” was later carried away by the Prophet Dawud Alaihi’Salaam and installed elsewhere by the Prophet Sulaiman Alaihi’Salaam:

 Ya Muslimeen Al- Mumineen “True Believers” shall I tell you about the history of the sons of our beloved Nabi Ibraheem Alaihi’Salaam

The Children of Ishmael (Ishma “Hear My Prayer” El “O Lord)

The Ark then continued to be in the possession of the Children of Ishmael Alaihi’Salaam, amongst whom were both Prophets (Salih, Hud, the Prophet sent to the people of ar-Raas etc.) and Kings (the Kedarites, the descendents of Qedar, the son of Ishmael).  The Kedarites were such a powerful tribe that they also mentioned in the Torah, Assyrian Tablets and by the ancient Greeks.  It is written in the somewhat distorted Holy Bible,

“And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve mighty princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation” (Genesis 17:20)

From Jethro Alaihi’Salaam to Musa Alaihi’Salaam

Contemplate as to why the Children of Ishmael were free, and mighty, while the Children of Israel were still enslaved to the Pharaoh?  Amongst the descendents of Ishmael, the Muslim tradition holds that the Ark “Heart of the Testimony” was eventually inherited by the Prophet Shuaib (Jethro Alaihi’Salaam), whose daughter Safura (Zipporah) married Musa Alaihi’Salaam.  Jethro Alaihi’Salaam was an Ishmaelite, not an Israelite.  Musa Alaihi’Salaam and Aaron were descendents of Ladi (Levi) the son of Yaqub Alaihi’Salaam (Jacob), the son of Isaac, the younger son of Ibraheem Alaihi’Salaam. The Banu Nadhir tribe were also from amongst the descendents of Levi, and the Mother of Believers Lady Safia (r), the wife of the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa’salaam) also descended from it. 

The full truth is, Jethro Alaihi’Salaam was an Ishmaelite.  The Holy Qur’an states, “To the people of Madyan (Madian) (We sent) their brother Shu’aib ” [Qur'an, 7:85], according to this, and even according to the somewhat distorted Holy Bible, the Midianites were Ishmaelites.  See, Genesis 37:25-36 and Judges 8:22,24,26, were the Midianites are referred to as “the Ishmaelites”.

Musa Alaihi’Salaam served Jethro Alaihi’Salaam the Ishmaelite Prophet for a number of years, learnt from him, and was given guardianship of the Ark of the Covenant by him, and the staff of Adam Alaihi’Salaam from it, to go and set the Children of Israel free.  Through the blessings of the Ark, the Children of Israel became free, and the Pharaoh was destroyed.  The Ark stayed with the Children of Israel from this stage in history onwards, and they placed in it the relics “The example of the Muslim way of life” of Musa Alaihi’Salaam and Aaron Alaihi’Salaam as well.

When the Children of Israel began to disobey Allah and kill Prophets, it the Ark of the Covenant “Power of their true faith Islaam” was taken from them and hidden during the era of the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar. The Israelites then asked the Prophet Shamwil (Samuel) to pray that Allah sends them a King, to fight in Allah’s way and take back their lost lands. 

Saul and Dawud

Samuel prayed, and as he was a Prophet, Allah heard his prayer.  Talut (Saul) was appointed as the King of the Children of Israel, and the sign of his Kingdom was that he would be given the Ark of the Covenant (Al-Quran Surah al Baqarah, 246-249).  Saul was a descendent of Ben Yamin (Benjamin), the younger brother of Yusuf (Joseph), the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Ibraheem.  Saul promised to marry his daughter to the person who would kill Goliath, and the Quran states Dawud [alaihi salam], who was a direct descendent of Yahuda (Judah), the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, killed Goliath, and inherited it and the Kingdom from Saul.  Dawud now became the King of the Children of Israel.  The Bible states that Dawud, the greatest King of the Children of Israel also lived amongst the Ishmaelites, see (Psalm 120:5) and his son Sulaiman (alaihi salam); is reported to have said, “I am as dark and lovely as the tents of Kedar” (Song of Sulaiman 1:5). 

Sulaiman and Sheba

King Sulaiman inherited the Ark of the Covenant “Islaam” from Dawud.  He also built the Temple, in Jerusalem, in honor of the Seal of Prophets, Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wa’Salaam, who was to come to it on the night of Ma’raj, and lead all Prophets in prayer… Sulaiman married Sheba (Bilquis), and from her had a son.  Inner Muslim tradition have it that Sulaiman gave the responsibility of “Guarding and preserving Islaam” guarding of the Ark of the Covenant “Imaan in his heart“ to his son from Sheba, who carried it to Ethiopia “Abyssinia” after the death of Sulaiman, which was still kept a secret until sometime. 

Muslim tradition holds the reason the Ark “Faith“ was sent to Ethiopia by Sulaiman was because the delegation of the Seal of Prophets, Muhammad ibn Abdullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa’salaam) was going to come to Ethiopia, and the descendents of Sulaiman and Sheba would surrender it to him through them. 

Negus of Ethiopia: Ashama bin Al-Abjar. The Ark of the Covenant (Imaan “Faith” in their Hearts) is the means of recognising the final Prophet of Allah, this very means is what all of mankind will have to recognise Imam Mohammed Al Mahdi.

Muslim tradition then also holds, the Emperor of Ethiopia Negus, Ashama bin Al-Abjar, who embraced Islaam secretly on the hands of the cousin of the Prophet Muhammad Sallalahu Alaihi Wa’salaam, Ja’far ibn Abi Talib who resembled the Holy Prophet so much in looks, that people often mistook him for the Prophet Muhammad (Sallalahu Alaihi Wa’Salaam). The Ark was surrendered to him by Negus.  The proof is that he embraced Islaam, and that the Prophet Muhammad prayed the funeral prayer over him, and called him pious.

Zulfiqar Sword and Al Mahdi

From it “Ark of the Testimony” the Zulfiqar sword “Sword of Truth” was taken out from it “Ark of the Covenant” and granted to the Rightly Guided spiritual inheritors Chaliphs among the Sahaba of the Prophet Mohammed Sallalahu Alaihi Wa’salaam, The Ark of the Covenant was now kept in the hearts of the new guardians and was granted a distinct status by the Rightly Guided Companions, to whom they pledged their allegiance which continued from their time onwards.  It was through the Will, Power and Might of Allah and their Faith “Imaan” their Ark “Hearts” that the Rightly Guided Caliphs were able to bring Jerusalem into the dominion “Beautiful Kingdom of Islaam”, as well as the entire Middle East, defeating every army who marched against them. Every battle in every form from Jihadul Dawa, Jihadul Nafs and Jihad on the battlefield but as time passed the Ark “Hearts of Muslims” came under danger through the civil wars instigated by the camps of the rebels and that of battles; and so it was due to this that the “Muslim Brotherhood, their Imaan and their Unity” power and knowledge of Arc of the Covenant vanished in and around Antioch. The location and knowledge of it remained a hidden mystery within the hearts and illustrious minds of Muslims seeking for guidance, Its secret location was kept hidden within the Holy Scriptures for an appointed time and only a pure heart of knowledge and understanding would be granted to its secret location which will be naturally known by the Mahdi, whos searches and objectives is solely for the love and pleasure of Allah. Al Mahdi will be from the Ahlul Bayt; the bloodline of the Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wa’Salaam, from the descents of Ibraheem Alaihi’Salaam and Ishmael Alaihi’Salaam. It is due to this that the earliest generation of Muslims prayed in every prayer, “O Allah, bless Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wa’Salaam, and the Family of Muhammad, as thou blessed Ibraheem Alaihi’Salaam, and the Family of Ibraheem Alaihi’Salaam”.

Al Suyuti wrote, “The Mahdi will be known by the true Muslim because he will show the way to a hidden thing. He will bring the Ark “Heart” (of the Covenant) “Shahada” to light from a place called Antioch.

The Ark of the Covenant emerges from the Tabariyya Sea  through the efforts “Searchs and Duas” of Imam al-Mahdi at Sham. It will be placed before him at the Sacred House “his heart”, he then releases the Ark of the Covenant at (Bayt al-Muqaddas in Jerusalem). To the descendents of Judah (the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Ibraheem) who sees this (Ark) “his pure Heart and truth spoken by him”, all but a few will embrace Islaam.

Shall I tell thee the nature of the Tabariyya Sea at Sham?

The Tabariyya Sea at Sham is the Ocean of Wisdom and Knowledge to the very liking of that Divine Wisdom and Knowledge given to the Ambiya from Nabi Adam Alaihi”salaam to Musa Alaihi’Salaam, Isa and Mohammed Sallalahu Alaihi Wa’salaam. The Tabariyya Sea at Sham is located in the Heavenly Abode which is sealed and guarded by Angels from those people of ignorant nations who are one that seek not guidance.

Imam Al Mahdi, who is true and rightful heir of the Ark of the Covenant (Assisting Power of Allah contained in the Covenant) will hold its power in his heart by the Will of Allah, for him Ayatollah Al Mahdi as a descendent of both Ibraheem, Ishmael and the Seal of Prophets, Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wa’salaam, After retrieving this sacred Prophetic treasure of his ancestors, he will be coronated guardian of the Kingdom of Heaven in Jerusalem. Imam of the Ummah Al-Mahdi “The rightly guided one and reminder” will be recognized by the Mumineen because he will be like Mohammed Sallallahu Alaihi Wa’salaam in character and in way “Trust Worthy”

Oh sons of Israel (Isra “Servant(s)” El “Allah”) if you are true to that which you claim to believe and believe that you are assured to be the inhabitants of Jannah (Heaven) why not pray thee for death? If ye are true to thy sworn word then why do thee not sacrifice thy firstborn sons? Exodus 34:20 “The firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb, or if you will not redeem it you shall break its neck. All the firstborn of your sons you shall redeem. (Sacrifice his life by death) No one shall appear before me empty-handed.” Shall I give thee an answer and the answer is in history, this is but a test from our Lord the Most Holy Almighty Allah.

“O People of the Book! Why reject ye the Signs of Allah, when Allah is Himself witness to all ye do?”
“O ye People of the Book! Why obstruct ye those who believe, from the path of Allah, seeking to make it crooked, while ye were yourselves witnesses (to Allah’s Covenant)? But Allah is not unmindful of all that ye do.”
O ye who believe! If ye listen to a faction among the People of the Book, they would (indeed) render you apostates after ye have believed! And how would ye deny Faith while unto you are rehearsed the Signs of Allah. Whoever holds firmly to Allah will be shown a way that is straight.
O ye who believe! Fear Allah as He should be feared, and die not except in a state of Islaam.
And hold fast, all together, by the Rope which Allah (stretches out for you), and be not divided among yourselves; and remember with gratitude Allah’s favor on you; for ye were enemies and He joined your hearts in love, so that by His Grace, ye became brethren; and ye were on the brink of the pit of Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus doth Allah make His Signs clear to you that ye may be guided.
Let there arise out of you a band of people inviting to all that is good, enjoining what is right, and forbidding what is wrong: They are the ones to attain felicity.
Be not like those who are divided amongst themselves and fall into disputations after receiving Clear Signs: For them is a dreadful penalty.

Oh ye who believe there are no divisions in Islaam; Islaam does not tolerate any of such movements. 

There are No additions or removals made or taken to Islaam. Any addition or removal would have one leave and be out of the fold of Islaam 

We (Muslims) believe in what was sent down to us from our Lord “The Holy Quran”, and we the believers; each one believes in Allah and His Angels, and in His Books and His Messengers; we make no division between any one of His Messengers, ‘We hear, and we obey.  

Allah gave His commandments to all the Prophets and said to them: “Establish the Religion and be not divided therein” (Surah Ash- Shurah 42:13) 

Oh you who believe shall I tell thee the story of the sacrifice in place of thy firstborn sons?

Ibraheem Alaihi’Salaam received the divine command from Allah to offer sacrifice to Allah which was to be the life of his firstborn son but this was only a test from Allah, Ibraheem Alaihi’Salaam being an obedient slave of Allah took his son Ishmael to a place for sacrifice and at the time of sacrifice Allah guided Ibraheem Alaihi’Salaam to sacrifice an animal in the place of his son. This is what we should recognize deep within our hearts for it teaches one to surrender to the will of Allah.

Therefore Exodus 34:20 should be treated in the same manner, the rules of Sacrifice “Qurbani” of the Halaal “Kosher” animal is to be done taking the name of Allah and is for the pleasure of Allah: The meat of the sacrificed animal should be distributed in charity to the poor and needy and from the meat you should take a small portion for yourself.

Oh you who believe if ye are in doubt of that which is the truth and seek a sign or an assurance of truth.

Shall I comfort thee with a worthy word of assurance and an oath?

In the Name of Allah, The Beneficent, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

If ye are in doubt then put ye to test the faith, for clearance of the matter take that which ye believe in and compare it with the basics of belief which is what makes religion “The True Religion”

Oh ye who have faith what divides us all is our Understanding and Acceptance of who the Almighty is so therefore put ye to the ultimate test that which ye believe.

Oh True Believers “People of Scripture” It is a well known fact to all that The Almighty is the Lord of the worlds. The Almighty is the Soul Owner of all High Attributes, Names or Titles.

If ye look at the basics and very simple parts of knowing who the Almighty is ye will easily be able to distinguish between the true religion and the misguided religions. The Almighty is Incomparably Great (Meaning He can not be compared to any of His creation); He is the Most High (There’s nothing Higher) and the Most Merciful (Nothing is more Merciful then Him)… None of the creation can call or title themselves as “Almighty”, “Creator”, “Incomparably Great” etc… everyone will agree to this.

Here’s the test for what you believe in: The Almighty is Incomparably Great, and every person will agree that He can not be compared to any of His creation for e.g. a Rock, the Moon, the Sun, a Tree, a Statue, Nature, us humans, being or having a sex (is neither male nor female), is not a father nor a mother, has no sons or daughters, has no beginning or end, etc…

This distinguishes the right path from the wrong path, now think a bit nicely based on only using logic which religion stands out as the only true one?

You will only find one to be the Only True Religion which is Islaam and Allah of Islaam is the Incomparably Great King and Lord of the worlds Most High, Most Holy and He Alone is the Sole Owner who perfectly holds all the Most High Attributes, Names or Titles and He is the Only One Worthy of Worship and there is none comparable to Him.

I know that there are many people who now feel as if they have lost everything they have ever placed their faith in but my loved brethren you have lost nothing you’ve only gained knowledge and understanding you have Allah and you have Islaam and you have the beautiful Muslim World so Welcome to the Kingdom of Islaam.

The Lamb/ The Sacrifice 

Oh Mankind Islaam is the only true religion in the world. I give thee an assurance and reassurance, additionally I give you more assurance and I hereby swear in the Name of our Lord the Almighty (Allah) that if I have told you a lie and I’m wrong by saying Islaam is the true religion and you believe that I have mislead you to the wrong path I offer myself in your place on the Day of Judgement to be thrown in Hell and request the Almighty to grant you Jannah (Heaven) This is my sacrifice to you. Oh Mankind you have all the right in the world to be a Muslim and all the right to embrace your religion Islaam which means “Total Submission to the will of Allah”

Such a worthy offer before you that not even the sacrifice of death reaches its hight, will you then lay down such profit, such wealth with this a pure trasaction with assurance of Heaven? This is the boast of assurance that there have been told no lie, who else would sacrifice to such an extent unless he knows that he have spoken the truth. “There’s none worthy of Worship but Allah; and Mohammed is His Final Messenger”

Al Mahdi the Imam “Rabbi” of the Israelites and Ishmaelites will unite the progeny of Ibraheem Alaihi’Salaam and will house his ruling “care taking” of the true religion “Islaam” in Jerusalem; He will establish the true Israel “The Muslim State of Israel” in peace by the leave of Allah The Almighty Most High.

Ya Muslimeen prepare yourselves for four Jihad’s

1)     Jihadul Nafs (The Struggle against our inner desires for worldly pleasures): “To prepare ourselves inward with firm Imaan.”

2)     Jihadul Dawah (Our Missionary Struggles)

3)     Jihadul Salaam (Our Struggle for World Peace)

4)     Jihad on the battle field (Physical defense of our Religion only if threatened) if all efforts of peaceful debate and reasoning fails and does not bring forth any freedom then only will this be the last option which is to defend and protect our religion Islaam, our people, our lands and our honor which is solely for the pleasure of Allah.

Verily Allah Knows Best, and He reveals what He wishes to whomever He wills.

He “Allah” grants His favours on those who seeks from Him of The Ocean with divine Wisdom and Knowledge solely for His Pleasure to Praise and Glorify Him to the best that He wishes and Allah reveals unto them to the extent He wishes and witholds from whomever He wills.

(Ark of the Covenant = Heart of Imaan)

Revelation 19:11-21

The Rider on the White Horse “Imam Mahdi”

 ¹¹I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True.

Mohammed: “Faithful/ Trustworthy”

Al-Faarooq: “Distinguisher between truth and falsehood” i.e. “True, Truthful (Rightly Guided)”

With justice he judges and makes war. ¹²His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. ¹³He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood “life”, and his name is the Word of Allah ¹⁴The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. ¹⁵Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword (commanding and undeniable Word “Message”) with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron sceptre “Shariah” . “He crushes the winepress of the fury of the wrath of Allah Almighty. ¹⁶On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:
       Imam al Mumineen AND Righteous of those righteous

 ¹⁷And I saw an angel standing in the sun, who cried in a loud voice to all the birds flying in midair, “Come, gather together for the great blessings from Allah, ¹⁸so that you may obtain status of kings, generals, and mighty men, of horses and their riders, and the honour of all people, free and slave, small and great.”

 ¹⁹Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war against the rider on the horse and his army. ²⁰But the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who had performed the miraculous signs on his behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped his image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulphur. ²¹The rest of them were killed with the sword (Powerful, Undeniable Word) that came out of the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds satisfied themselves on their homecoming to Islaam “Total Submission to the will of Allah”

Verily you “The Kufaar/ Non-Believers” have changed The Word “Holy Scripture” with a word of your own to suit and seek your own gains and therefore you have been cursed with division amongst yourselves bare witness to the mark of division a sign from your Lord Almighty Allah that you have gathered His anger.

Return to His Path and enter the Covenant/ Testimony of Faith.

Proclaim! The Covenant “Make the Testimony” to enter the true faith Islaam “Total Submission to the will of Allah”

With all thy heart, thy soul and thy mind in complete truth submit to the will of thy Lord.

Qul (Say): “I testify that there is none worthy of Worship but Allah, And I testify that Mohammed is His final Messenger”

Alhamudullalah (Praise be to Allah) Inshallah (Allahwilling) hereafter you are a Muslim (One who submits to the will of Allah)

“Ameen, “La’ila Ha illallah!”

Nothing can stop this declaration of faith from reaching Allah; it is the fastest moving supplication from the lips of mankind to the Almighty, over all prayers it is the first “The Covenant/ Shahadah” La ila He Illallah “There’s none worthy of worship but Allah”; this declaration recited before death is a guarantee to the entrance of Jannah “Heaven”

Revelation 6

 ¹And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.

 ²And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.

This is a revalation that Islaam is the Biggest and Largest Religion in the World it The True Religion Dominates the Wolrd. Imam Mahdi will conquer the hearts of men in doing so he conquers every land, every nation and even nature from the skies above to the waters and earth below.

Thy Kingdom Come “The Kingdom of Islaam has Come”, Thy Will be Done “People all over the world are revert to Islaam”, On Earth as in Heaven “Can you not see? Clearly the Muslims are growing in number and therefore Jannah (Heaven) is growing”, Give us this day our daily bread “Allah gave us the Spiritual Sustenance Five Times Daily Prayer (Salaah)” For Thine is the Kingdom Forever and Ever Ameen!

THE MAHDI’S PHYSICAL FEATURES

The radiance of his face shines like day .

There is a color in his face like that of a bright star.

He has black hair.

The Mahdi is Arab in coloring…

He is white, but a brownish white.

The Mahdi’s height is like that of the sons of Israel (Bani Israel).

It is as if the Mahdi were one of the People of Israel.

He is … a majestic individual.

Mahdi will be like an official of the People of Israel (one of their leaders).

His … brow is wide. He will fill Earth with justice and hand out goods in abundance.

His eyebrows are curved.

The Mahdi’s eyebrows … will have a space between them.

He has a clear brow and a fine nose.

The Mahdi will have a thick beard (there will be no gaps even directly under the chin), and his front teeth will be bright.

Imam Mahdi will wear a covering (cloak) made from wool which has fingers on the edges. (This is reference to all Ambiya “Prophets” wraped in a cloth, clearly this indicates the Ark of the Covenant “Imaan / Faith in their hearts” which they hold within)

Ultimately he will be recognised in his similarity in lifestyle to Nabi Mohammed Sallallahu Alaihi Wa’salaam, over all he will remind people of  Nabi Sallallahu Alahi Wa’salaam when they look at him.

Like two sides of the same coin shall you find.

 Revelations 19:11 Revelations 11:19

Moses and Jesus Peace be upon them are Muslims!

How Jesus and other Biblical Prophets PRAYED

The Beauty of Islaam

Which Of The Favours From Your Lord Will You Deny?

Allah Says:

“Only those believe in Our Signs who when they (the signs) are recited to them fall down in adoration and celebrate the praises of their Lord nor are they (ever) puffed up with pride.” Q32:15

Allah says: ” Do ye feel secure that He Who is in heaven will not cause you to be swallowed up by the earth when it shakes (as in an earthquake)? Or do ye feel secure that He Who is in Heaven will not send against you a violent tornado (with showers of stones) so that ye shall know how (terrible) was My warning? But indeed men before them rejected (My warning): then how (terrible) was My rejection (of them)?” Q67:16-8. “Such are the Signs of Allah which We rehearse to thee in truth: then in what exposition will they believe after Allah and His Signs? Woe to each sinful liar, who hears the Signs of Allah rehearsed to him yet is obstinate and lofty as if he had not heard them: then announce to him a Penalty Grievous! And when he learns something of Our Signs he takes them in jest: for such there will be a humiliating Penalty.” Q45:6-9

Ya Muslimneen one of the qualities of Mumineen ”true believers” and worshippers of Allah listed in the Holy Qur’an (Q25:63:76) is “… Those who, when they are reminded of the signs of their Lord, fall not deaf and blind thereat”.

 Allah, the Exalted, in His usual way appeals to the intellect of mankind:

“Does not man see that it is We (Allah) Who created Him from sperm? Yet behold! He (stands forth) as an open adversary! And he makes comparisons for us and forgets his own (Origin and) Creation: He says “Who can give life to (dry) bones and decomposed ones (at that)?” Say “He will give them life Who created them for the first time! For He is well-versed in every kind of creation! “The same Who produces for you fire out of the green tree when behold! Ye kindle therewith (your own fires)! “Is not He Who created the heavens and the earth able to create the like thereof?” Yea indeed! For He is the Creator Supreme of skill and knowledge (infinite)! Verily when He intends a thing His command is “Be” and it is! So glory to Him in Whose Hands is the dominion of all things; and to Him will ye be all brought back.” Q36:77-83.

The 7 Seals

Behold the seals of revalation is unfolded, for it is written that none but one can unfold the seals; he is the Lamb, the seals are the seals over your eyes which can not find the clear message before you nor can you see what is truly written in the Word.

Al- Quran Al-Baqra:

Alif Lam Mim.

This is the Scripture wherin there is no doubt, a guidance unto those who ward off evil.

Who believe in the unseen, and establish worship, and spend of that which We (Allah) have bestowed upon them (In Charity).

And who belive in that which have been revealed unto thee and that which was revealed before thee, and are certain of the Hereafter.

These depend on guidance fromtheir Lord. These are the successful.

As for the disbelievers, weather thou warn them or thou warn them not it is all one for them; the believe not.

Allah hath sealed their hearing and their hearts, and on their eyes is a covering. Theirs will be an awful doom.

And of mankind are some who say: We believe in Allah and the last Day, when they believe not.

And Allah Knows Best!

With love to all for the pleasure of Allah

Wa’salaam, Your Brethren.

Al-Faarooq

 FROM THE OCEAN OF WISDOM & KNOWLEDGE ALSO KNOWN AS “DIVINE GUIDANCE”

Ruach Hakodesh רוח הקודש

In the beginning there was the Word “Message” (Divine Holy Scriptures), And the Word “Message” was with the Almighty Allah, And the Word “Message” is about the Almighty Allah… Make reference to the Scripture that is with you, for all Ambiya (Prophets) are men of the Word and likewise are we a people of the Word (People of the Book) who live by their example. Oh mankind can you not then see the likeness between us? Time never changes, for what we behold with earthly eyes seems to have changed but in reality what is past is still present all the good and all the sin of the past can still be found in these times so why callest thow times have changed to justify a so called modern change, can ye not see that ye seek a direction towards an awful doom, Oh mankind speak thee not the language of Prophets then? Have thine eyes and ears been shut so closed, are ye a people doomed with the wrath of Allah so much that there is no hope for thee? Nay! Allah is Most Merciful Most Kind, He surly forgives those who repent with sincerity, humble ye yourselves before Him and practice patience. Assured can ye be that the seals before thine eyes can be removed so ye may be blessed with the sight to see the Truth in the Book. The Torah, Injeel (Gospels of the Bible), Holy Quran and all that have been revealed to the Prophets of prior times is within the Ark (Heart) of the Mumineen (True Believers) that hold firm with Imaan (Faith) to the Shahada (Covenant/ Testimony of faith) they are the saints among the nations. Be ye in the company of the pious so that the likeness of Mohammed (the Spirit of Truth/ Trustworthiness) may enter thine lives so ye may be of those worthy of being trusted. Yahood have slain their Prophets which brought the wrath of Allah on them, Nay! but among thine kind too find we the similarity to the very sin which caused the wrath of Allah on thine nations, for those before thee have slain many a Khalifa (Chaliph) and therefore the mark of Allah’s wrath is on you, this mark is the division among yourselves. Follow ye the word of man over the Word of Allah? For Allah says “This day I have perfected your religion for you and completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you as religion Al-Islaam (Total Submission to the will of Allah).” Quran 5:3 and further as a reminder I give thee what Allah says:  “Establish the religion and be not divided therein.” Quran 5:13

Please note: the above article, its the Tafseer “Commentary” made by Al-Faarooq and is the full responsibility of the spiritual researching done by him, In addition to this he does not lay claim to being the Mahdi but is merely sharing his findings so that it may help in the search of finding the Mahdi, The Mahdi comes from among the House of Rasullullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wa’salaam, Al-Faarooq aka Mohammed Al-Faarooq is posibly not from that family line as his family history is a lost one and can only be traced back for a few years, As the owner thereof “the above article” he declares the Tafseer “Commentary” which is open to the international Ulama for thought, comment and thorough research and review. After reading through the content brought before thee turn to the Holy Scripture in whichever ye may follow by heart and contemplate thereon, verily it will be made clear to thee. We are all human and if we are a people who are true we will surely make a plan to uncover the hidden places, Who said that Imam Mahdi is not mentioned in the Holy Quran when it is reported as per Hadith that Rasullullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wa’salaam says Imam Mahdi will have a name to the liking of his, Islaam is an Investigative Religion, it is based on true facts, divine understanding, and proof seeking on all aspects of life the Deen is complete. Things Imam Mahdi will not do is come with another Book the Holy Quran is the completion of Allah’s message “Word” to mankind. The Holy Quran is not only about the past, it’s about the present and the future, time may change in looks but nothing ever changed all of the past can be found in our lives of today be it the good or the bad. The Heart Containing the Holy Quran “Not just by memory” but by love, respect and honor with understanding is a Heart “Ark/Container” that Holds True Imaan “The Covenant/ Faith”

The Bloodline of Al-Faarooq has many roads one from his mother Fatima leading to Canada and Madagascar which leads to the Middle East and surrounds thereof and his father Junain which leads to German decent which is linked to Israel and surrounds thereof, both his direct family lines  split into various other lines connecting to all of mankind which makes him all but a simple and normal very diverse person like any other. He is linked to all tribes and all nations both black and white in all nationalities.

The views expressed in the above article are not those of the United Muslim Nations but the views of the owner of the article Farook Mohammed aka Al-Faarooq childhood nick name Alut.

From Al-Faarooq: ”If I don’t live to see the Mahdi I hope my allegiance to him can be accepted in this time already may it be so Inshallah.  All verses concerning the Ark of the Covenant are allegorical “symbolic” in meaning you will know if you are of true knowledge and understanding, and those who know not are in doubt of that which they claim. In addition to this article I take no claim to being the Mahdi, this is but knowledge shared with you in hope that it will make it easy to find the Imam of the Ummah.”

I tell you the Truth! The Holy Quran gives testimony to that which have been revealed unto thee.

Al-Quran Surah Al-Imran 3:7

“He (Allah) it is Who hath revealed unto thee the Scripture (Al-Quran) wherein are clear revelations. They are the substance of the Book. and others which are allegorical (symbolic). But those in whose hearts is doubt pursue, forsooth, that which is allegorical seeking (to cause) dissension by seeking to explain it. None knoweth its explanation but Allah. And those who are of sound instruction say: We believe therein; the whole is from our Lord; but only men of understanding really heed.

8. Our Lord! Cause not our hearts to stray after Thou hast guided us, and bestow upon us mercy from Thy Sakina (Tranquility, Reality and Presence).

Lo! Thou, only Thou art the Bestower.

9. Our Lord! it is Thou Who gatherest mankind together to a Day of which there is no doubt. Lo! Allah faileth not to keep the tryst.”

Islaam for Israel

  Ruach Hakodesh רוח הקודש   Ruhollah روح

Holy Spirit/ Ruach HaKodesh רוח הקודש  / Ruh ul Quds الروح القدس  The Spirit,  “Arch-angel” of Allah which brings forth His Sakina  / Shekhinah  unto the hearts of mankind… 

The Holy Spirit is by command of our Lord, for the Almighty Allah by command only, Let it be! And it shall be that the Holy Spirit will come to thee and shall open thine ark (heart) to strengthen thee with the sakina (tranquillity, reality and presence) of Allah and ye will be empowered by His decree on the divine wisdom and knowledge of the Holy Scripture (Word / Messages) in thine ark (heart) whereupon ye will become men of the Word and ye will, learn, teach, speak and understand the Word of the Lord and ye will Praise and Worship Him by His Word to the extent as He wills for thee and ye shall be raised and raised in rank in accord with your spiritual piety, O mankind surrender to His will and ye shall be saved. O mankind surrender to His will and ye shall become a people of royalty. O mankind Proclaim! Testify to the Shahadah! (Covenant) Qul! Say! With sincerity to your heart: “I testify that there’s None worthy of Worship but Allah, and I testify that Mohammed is His Final Prophet and Messenger”

(“May He (Allah) who causes His name to dwell in this House (Bet HaMikdash בית המקדש / Bayt Al-Maqdes), cause to dwell among you love and brotherliness, peace and friendship”). O mankind (Children of Israel) keep the remembrance of our Lord the Almighty Allah in thine heart to the very liking in the remembrance of Him during prayer in all that ye do, before ye take part of anything ye wish to do Qul! Say! In the name of Allah Most Gracious Most Merciful, then proceed with your intentions of good. Always visit the sick, aid the oppressed for you will always find that Allah is there with them, for doing this there is a great reward for you from your Lord.

As I sit here in the company of the angels and the souls of those pious among mankind I behold with my eyes that which I could not see before, now a new light have been brought before me and what I behold is beautiful, it’s description is beyond me and I swear Jannah (Heaven) and Jahanum (Hell) is a reality in the sight I have been blessed with, O mankind, in my childhood I’ve seen it in my dreams, gone there in my sleep and now it became as clear as the reality of the sight of seeing my very finger before me awake in the presence of divine presence as my reality. Everytime I pray I see the skies ripped open before me, Heaven reveals itself and I hear the Thikr of Malaika (Angels) Praising Allah. Saying “La’ila Ha illallah!”

Ashadu Allah Ilaha Illallah, Wa’Ashhadu Anna Mohammedan Abduhu Wa’Rasulullah.

I testify that there’s None worthy of Worship but Allah, and I testify that Mohammed is his Final Prophet and Messenger.

I hope this provides you with enough information.

 Faarooq Mohammed aka Mohammed AlFaarooq

Surah 3. Al-Imran

In the name of Allah Most Gracious Most Merciful

81. When Allah made (His) covenant with the Prophets, (He said): Behold that which I have given you of the Scripture and knowledge. And afterward there will come unto you a messenger, confirming that which ye possess. Ye shall believe in him and ye shah help him. He said: Do ye agree, and will ye take up My burden (which I lay upon you) in this (matter)? They answered: We agree. He said: Then bear ye witness. I will be a witness with you.

82. Then whosoever after this shall turn away: they will be miscreants.

83. Seek they other than the religion of Allah, when unto Him submitteth whosoever is in the heavens and the earth, willingly, or unwillingly, and unto Him they will be returned.

84. Say (O Muhammad): We believe in Allah and that which is revealed unto us and that which was revealed unto Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the tribes, and that which was vouchsafed unto Moses and Jesus and the Prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and unto Him we have surrendered.

85. And whoso seeketh as religion other than the Surrender (to Allah) it will not be accepted from him, and he will be a loser in the Hereafter.

86. How shall Allah guide a people who disbelieved after their belief and (after) they bore witness that the messenger is true and after clear proofs (of Allah’s sovereignty) had come unto them. And Allah guideth not wrongdoing folk.

87. As for such, their guerdon is that on them rests the curse of Allah and of angels and of men combined.

88. They will abide therein. Their doom will not be lightened, neither will they be reprieved;

89. Save those who afterward repent and do right. Lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.

90. Lo! those who disbelieve after their (profession of) belief, and afterward grow violent in disbelief: their repentance will not be accepted. And such are those who are astray.

91. Lo! those who disbelieve, and die in disbelief, the (whole) earth full of gold would not be accepted from such an one if it were offered as a ransom (for his soul). Theirs will be a painful doom and they will have no helpers.

Al-Faarooq: Like those (warners) of afore time have I been commanded to bring forth unto mankind the eternal covenant (Testimony of Faith “Shahada“) and to repeat the Message (Word of Allah “The Book“) unto the nations so that they may be no longer divided but only men of understanding truly heed only the True Believers are the receivers of His Blessing the Sakina (Shekinah) Tranquility, Presence, Security and Assistance of Allah, O People of The Book this is my exodus unto you from my heart to your heart, Mankind believe for the command is clear and I shall put into the heart the Testimony (Covenant) which comes from Allah. “Ashadu Allah Ilaha Illallah, Wa’Ashhadu Anna Mohammedan Abduhu Wa’Rasulullah” I testify that there’s no other Illah (Deity) but Allah, and I testify that Mohammed is His Final Prophet and Messenger. If ye believe not take ye witness that I am Mushlam (Muslim) and have surrendered to the will of Allah Lord of the Book.

I need to know something. Can you pick up the check?

Director: Paul Haggis

Writer: Paul Haggis, Mark Boal

Starring: Tommy Lee Jones, Charlize Theron

A largely quiet meditation on the fractured nature of perception. Army vet Jones’s son goes AWOL upon returning home from Iraq and Jones takes it upon himself to investigate, with the help of taciturn police detective Theron. (These two together don’t produce heat, just the opposite; their lived-in resignation in the face of inalterable truth puts the entire film under a cloud.) There is something wonderful, if not novelistic, in the movie’s march toward its conclusion, one that refuses to tie anything up neatly, but has much to say about pressures soliders face. Jones knows more about himself, his son, and his country by the end of the movie. But to him, there isn’t much reassurance there.

My original Elah fortress post continues to be one of my most active posts, but I don’t seem to be getting many hits on the Elah Fortress website.

It’s a shame if you’re not visiting that site because it has a number of interesting videos and photos along with text. Thus I here give you some links to visual aids.

The photo and video pages are a bit difficult to ferret out on the site right now, so here’s the individual pages:

The Finds
The Site
The Valley
The People
The Video Archive

There is a mostly parallel collection of videos located on YouTube if that floats your boat.

Dr. Jim West has a nice blog post of links to photos of the exciting Elah potsherd/ostracon.

Now go forth and VIEW as well as read about this fascinating new excavation, if you haven’t already.

UPDATE 1: Yosef Garfinkel and Saar Ganor’s slideshow presentation at the 2008 ASOR has been posted as a 6.23 meg pdf file. Plenty of graphics for those interested. Hat tip to Chris Heard at Higgaion

Doar cu cateva zile in urma scriam despre o descoperire care aduce dovezi arheologice pentru existenta minelor de cupru ale lui Solomon. O noua stire vorbeste despre o descoperire de-a dreptul spectaculoasa. Arheologii au gasit un fragment ceramic care pare sa faca referire la Regele David mentionat in Biblie. Artefactul a fost descoperit in cetatea Elah care se afla in sud-vestul Ierusalimului intr-o zona de trecere intre fostele teritorii stapanite de iudei si filisteni. Obiectul a fost datat in jurul anului 1.000 I. Hr, datarile cu radiocarbon confirmand aceasta data. Exactitatea intervalului este de-a dreptul halucinanta: domnia lui David peste Regatul Unit a fost intre 1000 – 967 I. Hr., dupa Anderson. Inscriptiile de pe vas par sa fie in ebraica fiind identificate cuvintele “rege”, “judecator”. In locurile respective nu au fost descoperite resturi de porci, semn ca teritoriul respectiv era in stapanirea iudeilor. Locatia seamana de asemenea cu alte puncte despre care s-a dovedit ca poarta amprenta evreilor. Este pentru prima data, spun arheologii, cand se poate vorbi despre dovezi care sprijina ideea regatului unit al lui Israel si al Iudeeii.  “Trebuie sa asteptam descoperirea mai multor mostre. Nu este suficient sa datam situl pe baza a doua gropi de masline”  – este una din declaratiile expertilor care vorbesc despre acest studiu. Este interesant de remarcat cum nu exista niciodata suficiente dovezi cand e vorba de cele care sprijina veridicitatea istorica a Bibliei, dar intotdeauna sunt suficiente speculatiile puerile pentru a incerca sa fie demolata. Oricum, trebuie sa tinem cont ca Biblia, desi nu are nevoie sa fie validata de descoperiri omenesti pentru a fi crezuta (origine divina si coerenta interna), este in concordanta cu multe dovezi arheologice.

The story just broke in the New York Times, and already the Internet is beginning to buzz. Archaeologists are excavating a five acre fortified site with massive walls, a multi-chambered gate and an estimate population of perhaps five hundred people, which just happens to sit two days walk from Jerusalem, and seven miles from the Philistine city of Gath. Two ancient olive pits discovered there are carbon dated to between 1050 and 970 BC. Pottery remains are reckoned to fit that same period. A pottery shard found within the site has writing tentatively identified as the Hebrew language written in an ancestor script to classical Hebrew. The writing itself is apparently of a quality expected of a trained scribe.

What, the scholars are asking, is this place?

If it is a Philistine site, what were they afraid of to build such a large walled (stones perhaps as heavy as eight tons) “city” in this place? On the other hand, if Israelite, does this finally show archaeological proof of the Biblical stories of a great Davidic kingdom?

Biblical believers and skeptics alike, to say nothing of trained scholars, all agree it is far too early to make firm judgements about the meaning of the site for our understanding of ancient history. Some ninety-five percent of the site is yet to be excavated, and owing to the care modern archaeology takes in uncovering such sites, it could be ten years or more before excavation is completed. But this excavation might well turn out to be one of the major discoveries in our lifetime.

More details about the excavation are found on Jim West’s blog here and here, and you’ll want to read the comments, for sure.

No doubt much more info is to come all over the Internet as more details are made public. The Elah Fortress excavation website, still in its infancy, so to speak, is located here.

The Lifeway Explore the Bible Sunday School study of 1-2 Samuel just got a lot more interesting, I think.

UPDATE: A link to a HaAretz article on the Elah potsherd and fortress, courtesy of John Hobbins.

UPDATE 2: Todd Bolen at his interesting BiblePlaces Blog has a fine post trying to match the Elah Fortress with a biblical place name.  He also has a link page of Elah fortress news coverage and his own brief analysis of the NYT article.

UPDATE 3: John Hobbins makes his own foray into the discussion of the Elah Fortress’ possible biblical name in this post.

UPDATE 4: An article on the San Francisco Chronicle’s SF Gate covers the Fortress, the potsherd, and now Yosef Garfinkel’s tenative identification as the biblical city of Sha’arayim, with words of caution from Aren Maeir. John Hobbins briefly discusses the article in this post on his blog.

UPDATE 5: John Hobbins has another update about the dating ramifications and ID of Khirbet Qeiyafa on Ancient Hebrew Poetry with several links and some more discussion. Have you bookmarked him yet?

UPDATE 6: Here is a chronicle of the events in the discovery and research on the Khirbet Qeiyafa ostracon. And here is an article about the company doing high tech photography on the ostracon in LA, CA.

UPDATE 7: Here is an mp3 wth Yosef Garfinkel about the Elah Fortress, hat tip to BiblePlaces Blog.

UPDATE 8: Todd Bolen is back with links and some thoughts. Duane Smith of Abnormal Interests has a post about probabilities and radiocarbon dating that requires a bit of an attention span but is well worth the effort. In fact, why am I not reading his blog regularly? He’s a Top 50 Biblioblogger!

En el Valle de Elah. (2007)

Dir.(Paul Haggis)

Actores.(Tommy Lee Jones, Charlize Theron, Jason Patric, Susan Sarandon, James Franco)

Un joven soldado del ejército de EEUU, vuelve de Irak, pero no aparece por casa. Entonces su padre emprende una búsqueda para ver que ha pasado con su hijo, se entera de que ha vuelto del permiso a pesar de que el no sabía y cuando llega a su base , se entera de que esta desaparecido. Utilizará su experiencia como ex policia militar y se alía con una policia local, que a pesar de los impedimentos que le ponen el resto de sus compañeros policiales y el mismo ejercito para que lo pasado no salga a la luz.

Nota: 6.75

Realmente lo más destacable es la actuación del señor Jones, que incluso consiguió una nominación al oscar, donde realmente esta mágnifico. Sin ser nada del otro mundo la pelicula y en la que se intercalan los videos que su hijo grabó en el movil para su padre, enseñandoles las miserias de la guerra, va transcurriendo la historia donde nada es lo que parece y donde al final resulta que todo es algo un poco estúpido o por lo menos eso me parecio a mi.

Un militar retirat de l’exèrcit espera notícies del seu fill que acaba de tornar del front d’Iraq, on fa de soldat amb la 82 div. aerotransportada, una unitat d’elit. El fill, però, no dóna senyals de vida i el pare decideix anar al seu campament base a investigar. Efectivament, com tot sembla indicar, el seu fill ha desaparegut i el que deixa darrera seu sembla com a mínim inquietant: uns companys de batalló que afirmen haver sortit amb ell de festa uns dies enrere, un rebut de menjar ràpid i unes sospitoses gravacions d’escenes de combat.

A partir d’aquí, el thriller, per bé que de factura tradicional, està ben construït: unes restes humanes que es corresponen amb el cadàver esquarterat del fill, la policia militar que no sembla voler col·laborar i una policia de peu, la bellesa Charlize Theron, que tractarà d’ajudar al pare contra la voluntat d’uns superiors que ja tenen decidit traspassar el cas als militars. Tot amanit amb unes gotes de crítica al govern Bush, amb la voluntat de donar a conèixer la situació de civils i militars en el país ocupat i amb una defensa del patriotisme ben entès: anticorporatiu i antimilitarista.

El pòster de la pel·lícula, a diferència del que corre per internet, reprodueix les estrelles en el quadrant inferior esquerra. Com diu el protagonista: una senyal de socors internacional. Aquí, mentrestant, un expresident de nom Aznar que diu que les coses van a millor en aquell país. Aquest cop, ben segur, no s’haurà equivocat.

Valoració: passes l’estona i t’ensumes com està el pati al front

6/10

Read 1 Kings 17:1-24.

[Stuff we're skipping:

* Jeroboam got paranoid because he didn't have a temple where was staying near Bethel, so he made two golden calves, shrines, and high places.

* Some guy from Judah came and prophesied that a man named Josiah would have all the false priests of Bethel killed over the altar. To show His power, God made it so that Jeroboam's hand shriveled up; and the altar split in two. After the prophet from Judah left (because he said God told him that he couldn't stop to eat), an old prophet who lived in Bethel went to track him down. This old prophet lied to him by telling him that God had told him to take him home and feed him. Then God was going to punish the prophet for eating when he wasn't supposed to; He did by having a lion eat him. When the old prophet realized what had happened, he realized that this guy was a real prophet and that all that he said about the altar at Bethel was going to really happen. Even so, Jeroboam didn't change.

* Abijah, Jeroboam's son got sick. Jeroboam sent his wife in disguise to Ahijah, the prophet, to find out what would happen to his son. Ahijah told him that, because of his unfaithfulness to God, he will lose everyone of his heirs, including his sick boy. Also, Jeroboam's going to lose the throne. He reigned for 22 years, died, and his son Nadab took over.

* In the meantime, in Judah, Rehoboam was king for 17 years. His mother was an Ammonite woman named Naamah. They, too, set up high places, sacred stones, Asherah poles, and male shrine prostitutes. In year five of his reign, Shishak, king of Egypt, invaded Jerusalem and took all the treasures of the temple and the royal palace. Rehoboam and Jeroboam were constantly at war with one another. Abijah (this would be David's great-grandson), Rehoboam's son, succeeded him as king. (Yes, both kings had sons named Abijah...weird!)

* OK, so while Jeroboam was still king of Israel, Abijah became king of Judah. He only reigned for three years. He was also wicked; but, for David's sake, he did end up having an heir to succeed him as king. He also had war with Jeroboam throughout his lifetime. His son, Asa (David's great-great grandson), became the king after him.

* Asa was king for 41 years. He was a good guy. He cleaned out all of the male shrine prostitutes and got rid of all his father's idols. He even got rid of his pagan grandmother. He never got around to getting rid of the high places but was still considered a committed guy. He also brought treasure back into the Temple. He had war with Israel (and their king Baasha) his whole life. Baasha actually circled the city of Asa, to make it impossible for anyone to leave or enter. Asa bribed the king of Aram to get Baasha away from him. It says that Asa died of a foot disease and his son, Jehoshaphat, succeeded him.

* OK, rewind to Israel. So, Nadab was the son of Jeroboam and king of Israel. He only reigned for two years, and it was an evil reign. Baasha became king by killing Nadab. He went on to kill Jeroboam's whole family (according to the prophecy of Ahijah). Baasha reigned 24 years, and it was an evil reign. A prophet named Jehu prophesied that Baasha's family will suffer the same fate as Jeroboam's. Baasha's son, Elah, succeeded him as king.

* Elah only reigned as king of Israel for 2 years. One of his officials, Zimri, killed him while he was drunk and succeeded him as king. He killed off Baasha's whole family (to fulfill the prophecy of Jehu). Zimri reigned for seven days because Omri was declared king and laid seige to the town he was in. Zimri saw he was cornered and laid the whole place on fire, killing himself.

* Then Israel had two factions: 1) supporters of Tibni and 2) supporters of Omri. Omri's supporters killed Tibni. Omri became king. He reigned 12 years, and he was more evil than any of the kings for before him (idols). When he died, Ahab, his son succeeded him as king.

* Ahab reigned over Israel for 22 years. And, as far as evil went, he took the cake. Ahab married Jezebel (a Baal-worshipping princes of Sidon), and he began to worship Baal too by setting up altars and temples. He also worshipped Asherah.

* Randomly, we also find out that someone had to lose two of his sons in order to rebuild Jericho.]

OK, so can you tell that the times are a little bit tumultuous?

1. Elijah is hitting Ahab where it hurts. Baal is supposed to be the god of rain and fertility. If God made a drought happen, that would be a direct insult to Baal.
2. Interesting command from God. Eat from a brook. Let ravens feed you. Do you think they squished up the food in their beaks too? I guess this is all to prove that God is more powerful than Baal.
3. Again, God gives a command. This time it’s to get food from a widow? Um…back then, widow’s didn’t have much food. Then again, when you get fed by ravens, you listen to God.
4. In a way it sounds like Elijah’s being demanding of this poor old widow; but, then again, isn’t he asking on faith that God is going to provide like He said He was going to provide?
5. It’s sad that she’s about to make her last meal. I guess it’s a God-thing that Elijah showed up right before this last supper.
6. Only until Elijah is there does God tell Elijah that He is going to multiply this grain and oil. He had to go first.
7. In the process of following God, Elijah was able to show a widow in the middle of Baal-country how powerful I AM is.
8. Then the boy dies. The widow thinks that it is because of her own sin. Interesting.
9. This must have been a strange picture: a grown man stretching himself on top of a boy three times. But, it works. Talk about seeing God’s power!
10. And a Baal-worshiper was converted.

I know that was a lot…any thoughts?