וַיִּתְחַזֵּ֛ק שְׁלֹמֹ֥ה בֶן־דָּוִ֖יד עַל־מַלְכוּת֑וֹ וַיהֹוָ֤ה אֱלֹהָיו֙ עִמּ֔וֹ וַֽיְגַדְּלֵ֖הוּ לְמָֽעְלָה׃ ^aWith vv. 3–13, cf. 1 Kings 3.4–15; with vv. 14–17, cf. 1 Kings 10.26–29.Solomon son of David took firm hold of his kingdom, for the LORD his God was with him and made him exceedingly great.

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר שְׁלֹמֹ֣ה לְכׇל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֡ל לְשָׂרֵי֩ הָאֲלָפִ֨ים וְהַמֵּא֜וֹת וְלַשֹּׁפְטִ֗ים וּלְכֹ֛ל נָשִׂ֥יא לְכׇל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל רָאשֵׁ֥י הָאָבֽוֹת׃ Solomon summoned all Israel—the officers of thousands and of hundreds, and the judges, and all the chiefs of all Israel, the heads of the clans.

וַיֵּלְכ֗וּ שְׁלֹמֹה֙ וְכׇל־הַקָּהָ֣ל עִמּ֔וֹ לַבָּמָ֖ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר בְּגִבְע֑וֹן כִּי־שָׁ֣ם הָיָ֗ה אֹ֤הֶל מוֹעֵד֙ הָאֱלֹהִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר עָשָׂ֛ה מֹשֶׁ֥ה עֶבֶד־יְהֹוָ֖ה בַּמִּדְבָּֽר׃ Then Solomon, and all the assemblage with him, went to the shrine at Gibeon, for the Tent of Meeting, which Moses the servant of the LORD had made in the wilderness, was there.

אֲבָ֗ל אֲר֤וֹן הָאֱלֹהִים֙ הֶעֱלָ֤ה דָוִיד֙ מִקִּרְיַ֣ת יְעָרִ֔ים בַּהֵכִ֥ין ל֖וֹ דָּוִ֑יד כִּ֧י נָֽטָה־ל֛וֹ אֹ֖הֶל בִּירוּשָׁלָֽ͏ִם׃ (But the Ark of God David had brought up from Kiriath-jearim to the place which David had prepared for it; for he had pitched a tent for it in Jerusalem.)

וּמִזְבַּ֣ח הַנְּחֹ֗שֶׁת אֲשֶׁ֤ר עָשָׂה֙ בְּצַלְאֵל֙ בֶּן־אוּרִ֣י בֶן־ח֔וּר שָׁ֕ם לִפְנֵ֖י מִשְׁכַּ֣ן יְהֹוָ֑ה וַיִּדְרְשֵׁ֥הוּ שְׁלֹמֹ֖ה וְהַקָּהָֽל׃ The bronze altar, which Bezalel son of Uri son of Hur had made, was also there before the Tabernacle of the LORD, and Solomon and the assemblage resorted to it.

וַיַּ֩עַל֩ שְׁלֹמֹ֨ה שָׁ֜ם עַל־מִזְבַּ֤ח הַנְּחֹ֙שֶׁת֙ לִפְנֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֖ר לְאֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵ֑ד וַיַּ֧עַל עָלָ֛יו עֹל֖וֹת אָֽלֶף׃ There Solomon ascended the bronze altar before the LORD, which was at the Tent of Meeting, and on it sacrificed a thousand burnt offerings.

בַּלַּ֣יְלָה הַה֔וּא נִרְאָ֥ה אֱלֹהִ֖ים לִשְׁלֹמֹ֑ה וַיֹּ֣אמֶר ל֔וֹ שְׁאַ֖ל מָ֥ה אֶתֶּן־לָֽךְ׃ That night, God appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Ask, what shall I grant you?”

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר שְׁלֹמֹה֙ לֵאלֹהִ֔ים אַתָּ֗ה עָשִׂ֛יתָ עִם־דָּוִ֥יד אָבִ֖י חֶ֣סֶד גָּד֑וֹל וְהִמְלַכְתַּ֖נִי תַּחְתָּֽיו׃ Solomon said to God, “You dealt most graciously with my father David, and now You have made me king in his stead.

עַתָּה֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהִ֔ים יֵֽאָמֵן֙ דְּבָ֣רְךָ֔ עִ֖ם דָּוִ֣יד אָבִ֑י כִּ֤י אַתָּה֙ הִמְלַכְתַּ֔נִי עַל־עַ֕ם רַ֖ב כַּעֲפַ֥ר הָאָֽרֶץ׃ Now, O LORD God, let Your promise to my father David be fulfilled; for You have made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth.

עַתָּ֗ה חׇכְמָ֤ה וּמַדָּע֙ תֶּן־לִ֔י וְאֵ֥צְאָ֛ה לִפְנֵ֥י הָעָם־הַזֶּ֖ה וְאָב֑וֹאָה כִּֽי־מִ֣י יִשְׁפֹּ֔ט אֶת־עַמְּךָ֥ הַזֶּ֖ה הַגָּדֽוֹל׃ {ס}         Grant me then the wisdom and the knowledge ^bLit. “that I may go out before this people and come in.”to lead this people,^-b for who can govern Your great people?”

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֱלֹהִ֣ים ׀ לִשְׁלֹמֹ֡ה יַ֣עַן אֲשֶׁר֩ הָיְתָ֨ה זֹ֜את עִם־לְבָבֶ֗ךָ וְלֹֽא־שָׁ֠אַ֠לְתָּ עֹ֣שֶׁר נְכָסִ֤ים וְכָבוֹד֙ וְאֵת֙ נֶ֣פֶשׁ שֹׂנְאֶ֔יךָ וְגַם־יָמִ֥ים רַבִּ֖ים לֹ֣א שָׁאָ֑לְתָּ וַתִּֽשְׁאַל־לְךָ֙ חׇכְמָ֣ה וּמַדָּ֔ע אֲשֶׁ֤ר תִּשְׁפּוֹט֙ אֶת־עַמִּ֔י אֲשֶׁ֥ר הִמְלַכְתִּ֖יךָ עָלָֽיו׃ God said to Solomon, “Because you want this, and have not asked for wealth, property, and glory, nor have you asked for the life of your enemy, or long life for yourself, but you have asked for the wisdom and the knowledge to be able to govern My people over whom I have made you king,

הַחׇכְמָ֥ה וְהַמַּדָּ֖ע נָת֣וּן לָ֑ךְ וְעֹ֨שֶׁר וּנְכָסִ֤ים וְכָבוֹד֙ אֶתֶּן־לָ֔ךְ אֲשֶׁ֣ר ׀ לֹא־הָ֣יָה כֵ֗ן לַמְּלָכִים֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר לְפָנֶ֔יךָ וְאַחֲרֶ֖יךָ לֹ֥א יִֽהְיֶה־כֵּֽן׃ wisdom and knowledge are granted to you, and I grant you also wealth, property, and glory, the like of which no king before you has had, nor shall any after you have.”

וַיָּבֹ֨א שְׁלֹמֹ֜ה לַבָּמָ֤ה אֲשֶׁר־בְּגִבְעוֹן֙ יְר֣וּשָׁלַ֔͏ִם מִלִּפְנֵ֖י אֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵ֑ד וַיִּמְלֹ֖ךְ עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ {פ}
From the shrine at Gibeon, from the Tent of Meeting, Solomon went to Jerusalem and reigned over Israel.

וַיֶּֽאֱסֹ֣ף שְׁלֹמֹה֮ רֶ֣כֶב וּפָרָשִׁים֒ וַֽיְהִי־ל֗וֹ אֶ֤לֶף וְאַרְבַּע־מֵאוֹת֙ רֶ֔כֶב וּשְׁנֵים־עָשָׂ֥ר אֶ֖לֶף פָּרָשִׁ֑ים וַיַּנִּיחֵם֙ בְּעָרֵ֣י הָרֶ֔כֶב וְעִם־הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ בִּירוּשָׁלָֽ͏ִם׃ Solomon assembled chariots and horsemen; he had 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horses that he stationed in the chariot towns and with the king in Jerusalem.

וַיִּתֵּ֨ן הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ אֶת־הַכֶּ֧סֶף וְאֶת־הַזָּהָ֛ב בִּירוּשָׁלַ֖͏ִם כָּאֲבָנִ֑ים וְאֵ֣ת הָאֲרָזִ֗ים נָתַ֛ן כַּשִּׁקְמִ֥ים אֲשֶׁר־בַּשְּׁפֵלָ֖ה לָרֹֽב׃ The king made silver and gold as plentiful in Jerusalem as stones, and cedars as plentiful as the sycamores in the Shephelah.

וּמוֹצָ֧א הַסּוּסִ֛ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר לִשְׁלֹמֹ֖ה מִמִּצְרָ֑יִם וּמִקְוֵ֕א סֹחֲרֵ֣י הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ מִקְוֵ֥א יִקְח֖וּ בִּמְחִֽיר׃ Solomon’s horses were imported from Egypt and from Que; the king’s traders would buy them from Que at the market price.

וַֽ֠יַּעֲל֠וּ וַיּוֹצִ֨יאוּ מִמִּצְרַ֤יִם מֶרְכָּבָה֙ בְּשֵׁ֣שׁ מֵא֣וֹת כֶּ֔סֶף וְס֖וּס בַּֽחֲמִשִּׁ֣ים וּמֵאָ֑ה וְ֠כֵ֠ן לְכׇל־מַלְכֵ֧י הַחִתִּ֛ים וּמַלְכֵ֥י אֲרָ֖ם בְּיָדָ֥ם יוֹצִֽיאוּ׃ A chariot imported from Egypt cost 600 shekels of silver, and a horse 150. These in turn were exported by them^cThat is, Solomon’s dealers. to all the kings of the Hittites and the kings of the Arameans.

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר שְׁלֹמֹ֗ה לִבְנ֥וֹת בַּ֙יִת֙ לְשֵׁ֣ם יְהֹוָ֔ה וּבַ֖יִת לְמַלְכוּתֽוֹ׃ Then Solomon resolved to build a House for the name of the LORD and a royal palace for himself.

וַיִּסְפֹּ֨ר שְׁלֹמֹ֜ה שִׁבְעִ֥ים אֶ֙לֶף֙ אִ֣ישׁ סַבָּ֔ל וּשְׁמוֹנִ֥ים אֶ֛לֶף אִ֖ישׁ חֹצֵ֣ב בָּהָ֑ר וּמְנַצְּחִ֣ים עֲלֵיהֶ֔ם שְׁלֹ֥שֶׁת אֲלָפִ֖ים וְשֵׁ֥שׁ מֵאֽוֹת׃ {פ}
^aCf. 1 Kings 5.Solomon mustered 70,000 basket carriers and 80,000 quarriers in the hills, with 3,600 men supervising them.

וַיִּשְׁלַ֣ח שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה אֶל־חוּרָ֥ם מֶֽלֶךְ־צֹ֖ר לֵאמֹ֑ר כַּאֲשֶׁ֤ר עָשִׂ֙יתָ֙ עִם־דָּוִ֣יד אָבִ֔י וַתִּֽשְׁלַֽח־ל֣וֹ אֲרָזִ֔ים לִבְנֽוֹת־ל֥וֹ בַ֖יִת לָשֶׁ֥בֶת בּֽוֹ׃ Solomon sent this message to King Huram of Tyre, “In view of what you did for my father David in sending him cedars to build a palace for his residence—

הִנֵּה֩ אֲנִ֨י בֽוֹנֶה־בַּ֜יִת לְשֵׁ֣ם ׀ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהָ֗י לְהַקְדִּ֣ישׁ ל֡וֹ לְהַקְטִ֣יר לְפָנָ֣יו קְטֹֽרֶת־סַמִּים֩ וּמַעֲרֶ֨כֶת תָּמִ֤יד וְעֹלוֹת֙ לַבֹּ֣קֶר וְלָעֶ֔רֶב לַשַּׁבָּתוֹת֙ וְלֶ֣חֳדָשִׁ֔ים וּֽלְמוֹעֲדֵ֖י יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵ֑ינוּ לְעוֹלָ֖ם זֹ֥את עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ see, I intend to build a House for the name of the LORD my God; I will dedicate it to Him for making incense offering of sweet spices in His honor, for the regular rows of bread, and for the morning and evening burnt offerings on sabbaths, new moons, and festivals, as is Israel’s eternal duty.

וְהַבַּ֛יִת אֲשֶׁר־אֲנִ֥י בוֹנֶ֖ה גָּד֑וֹל כִּֽי־גָד֥וֹל אֱלֹהֵ֖ינוּ מִכׇּל־הָאֱלֹהִֽים׃ The House that I intend to build will be great, inasmuch as our God is greater than all gods.

וּמִ֤י יַֽעֲצׇר־כֹּ֙חַ֙ לִבְנֽוֹת־ל֣וֹ בַ֔יִת כִּ֧י הַשָּׁמַ֛יִם וּשְׁמֵ֥י הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם לֹ֣א יְכַלְכְּלֻ֑הוּ וּמִ֤י אֲנִי֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אֶבְנֶה־לּ֣וֹ בַ֔יִת כִּ֖י אִם־לְהַקְטִ֥יר לְפָנָֽיו׃ Who indeed is capable of building a House for Him! Even the heavens to their uttermost reaches cannot contain Him, and who am I that I should build Him a House—except as a place for making burnt offerings to Him?

וְעַתָּ֡ה שְֽׁלַֽח־לִ֣י אִישׁ־חָכָ֡ם לַעֲשׂוֹת֩ בַּזָּהָ֨ב וּבַכֶּ֜סֶף וּבַנְּחֹ֣שֶׁת וּבַבַּרְזֶ֗ל וּבָֽאַרְגְּוָן֙ וְכַרְמִ֣יל וּתְכֵ֔לֶת וְיֹדֵ֖עַ לְפַתֵּ֣חַ פִּתּוּחִ֑ים עִם־הַחֲכָמִ֗ים אֲשֶׁ֤ר עִמִּי֙ בִּיהוּדָ֣ה וּבִירוּשָׁלַ֔͏ִם אֲשֶׁ֥ר הֵכִ֖ין דָּוִ֥יד אָבִֽי׃ Now send me a craftsman to work in gold, silver, bronze, and iron, and in purple, crimson, and blue yarn, and who knows how to engrave, alongside the craftsmen I have here in Judah and in Jerusalem, whom my father David provided.

וּֽשְׁלַֽח־לִי֩ עֲצֵ֨י אֲרָזִ֜ים בְּרוֹשִׁ֣ים וְאַלְגּוּמִּים֮ מֵֽהַלְּבָנוֹן֒ כִּ֚י אֲנִ֣י יָדַ֔עְתִּי אֲשֶׁ֤ר עֲבָדֶ֙יךָ֙ יֽוֹדְעִ֔ים לִכְר֖וֹת עֲצֵ֣י לְבָנ֑וֹן וְהִנֵּ֥ה עֲבָדַ֖י עִם־עֲבָדֶֽיךָ׃ Send me cedars, cypress, and algum wood from the Lebanon, for I know that your servants are skilled at cutting the trees of Lebanon. My servants will work with yours

וּלְהָכִ֥ין לִ֛י עֵצִ֖ים לָרֹ֑ב כִּ֥י הַבַּ֛יִת אֲשֶׁר־אֲנִ֥י בוֹנֶ֖ה גָּד֥וֹל וְהַפְלֵֽא׃ to provide me with a great stock of timber; for the House that I intend to build will be singularly great.

וְהִנֵּ֣ה לַֽחֹטְבִ֣ים לְֽכֹרְתֵ֣י הָעֵצִ֡ים נָתַ֩תִּי֩ חִטִּ֨ים ׀ מַכּ֜וֹת לַעֲבָדֶ֗יךָ כֹּרִים֙ עֶשְׂרִ֣ים אֶ֔לֶף וּשְׂעֹרִ֕ים כֹּרִ֖ים עֶשְׂרִ֣ים אָ֑לֶף וְיַ֗יִן בַּתִּים֙ עֶשְׂרִ֣ים אֶ֔לֶף וְשֶׁ֕מֶן בַּתִּ֖ים עֶשְׂרִ֥ים אָֽלֶף׃ {ס}         I have allocated for your servants, the wood-cutters who fell the trees, 20,000 kor of crushed wheat and 20,000 kor of barley, 20,000 bath of wine and 20,000 bath of oil.”

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר חוּרָ֤ם מֶֽלֶךְ־צֹר֙ בִּכְתָ֔ב וַיִּשְׁלַ֖ח אֶל־שְׁלֹמֹ֑ה בְּאַהֲבַ֤ת יְהֹוָה֙ אֶת־עַמּ֔וֹ נְתָנְךָ֥ עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם מֶֽלֶךְ׃ Huram, king of Tyre, sent Solomon this written message in reply, “Because the LORD loved His people, He made you king over them.”

וַיֹּ֘אמֶר֮ חוּרָם֒ בָּר֤וּךְ יְהֹוָה֙ אֱלֹהֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשָׂ֔ה אֶת־הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם וְאֶת־הָאָ֑רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֣ר נָתַן֩ לְדָוִ֨יד הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ בֵּ֣ן חָכָ֗ם יוֹדֵ֙עַ֙ שֵׂ֣כֶל וּבִינָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֤ר יִבְנֶה־בַּ֙יִת֙ לַיהֹוָ֔ה וּבַ֖יִת לְמַלְכוּתֽוֹ׃ Huram continued, “Blessed is the LORD, God of Israel, who made the heavens and the earth, who gave King David a wise son, endowed with intelligence and understanding, to build a House for the LORD and a royal palace for himself.

וְעַתָּ֗ה שָׁלַ֧חְתִּי אִישׁ־חָכָ֛ם יוֹדֵ֥עַ בִּינָ֖ה לְחוּרָ֥ם אָבִֽי׃ Now I am sending you a skillful and intelligent man, my master^bLit. “my father.” Huram,

בֶּן־אִשָּׁ֞ה מִן־בְּנ֣וֹת דָּ֗ן וְאָבִ֣יו אִישׁ־צֹרִ֡י יוֹדֵ֡עַ לַעֲשׂ֣וֹת בַּזָּֽהָב־וּ֠בַכֶּ֠סֶף בַּנְּחֹ֨שֶׁת בַּבַּרְזֶ֜ל בָּאֲבָנִ֣ים וּבָעֵצִ֗ים בָּאַרְגָּמָ֤ן בַּתְּכֵ֙לֶת֙ וּבַבּ֣וּץ וּבַכַּרְמִ֔יל וּלְפַתֵּ֙חַ֙ כׇּל־פִּתּ֔וּחַ וְלַחְשֹׁ֖ב כׇּל־מַֽחֲשָׁ֑בֶת אֲשֶׁ֤ר יִנָּֽתֶן־לוֹ֙ עִם־חֲכָמֶ֔יךָ וְֽחַכְמֵ֔י אֲדֹנִ֖י דָּוִ֥יד אָבִֽיךָ׃ the son of a Danite woman, his father a Tyrian. He is skilled at working in gold, silver, bronze, iron, precious stones, and wood; in purple, blue, and crimson yarn and in fine linen; and at engraving and designing whatever will be required of him, alongside your craftsmen and the craftsmen of my lord, your father David.

וְ֠עַתָּ֠ה הַחִטִּ֨ים וְהַשְּׂעֹרִ֜ים הַשֶּׁ֤מֶן וְהַיַּ֙יִן֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אָמַ֣ר אֲדֹנִ֔י יִשְׁלַ֖ח לַעֲבָדָֽיו׃ As to the wheat, barley, oil, and wine which my lord mentioned, let him send them to his servants.

וַ֠אֲנַ֠חְנוּ נִכְרֹ֨ת עֵצִ֤ים מִן־הַלְּבָנוֹן֙ כְּכׇל־צׇרְכֶּ֔ךָ וּנְבִיאֵ֥ם לְךָ֛ רַפְסֹד֖וֹת עַל־יָ֣ם יָפ֑וֹ וְאַתָּ֛ה תַּעֲלֶ֥ה אֹתָ֖ם יְרוּשָׁלָֽ͏ִם׃ {פ}
We undertake to cut down as many trees of Lebanon as you need, and deliver them to you as rafts by sea to Jaffa; you will transport them to Jerusalem.”

וַיִּסְפֹּ֣ר שְׁלֹמֹ֗ה כׇּל־הָאֲנָשִׁ֤ים הַגֵּירִים֙ אֲשֶׁר֙ בְּאֶ֣רֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אַחֲרֵ֣י הַסְּפָ֔ר אֲשֶׁ֥ר סְפָרָ֖ם דָּוִ֣יד אָבִ֑יו וַיִּמָּֽצְא֗וּ מֵאָ֤ה וַחֲמִשִּׁים֙ אֶ֔לֶף וּשְׁלֹ֥שֶׁת אֲלָפִ֖ים וְשֵׁ֥שׁ מֵאֽוֹת׃ Solomon took a census of all the aliens who were in the land of Israel, besides the census taken by his father David, and they were found to be 153,600.

וַיַּ֨עַשׂ מֵהֶ֜ם שִׁבְעִ֥ים אֶ֙לֶף֙ סַבָּ֔ל וּשְׁמֹנִ֥ים אֶ֖לֶף חֹצֵ֣ב בָּהָ֑ר וּשְׁלֹ֤שֶׁת אֲלָפִים֙ וְשֵׁ֣שׁ מֵא֔וֹת מְנַצְּחִ֖ים לְהַעֲבִ֥יד אֶת־הָעָֽם׃ He made 70,000 of them basket carriers, and 80,000 of them quarriers, with 3,600 supervisors to see that the people worked.

וַיָּ֣חֶל שְׁלֹמֹ֗ה לִבְנ֤וֹת אֶת־בֵּית־יְהֹוָה֙ בִּיר֣וּשָׁלַ֔͏ִם בְּהַר֙ הַמּ֣וֹרִיָּ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר נִרְאָ֖ה לְדָוִ֣יד אָבִ֑יהוּ אֲשֶׁ֤ר הֵכִין֙ בִּמְק֣וֹם דָּוִ֔יד בְּגֹ֖רֶן אׇרְנָ֥ן הַיְבוּסִֽי׃ ^aWith vv. 2–17, cf. 1 Kings 6; 7.1–22.Then Solomon began to build the House of the LORD in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where [the LORD] had appeared to his father David, at the place which David had designated, at the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.

וַ֠יָּ֠חֶל לִבְנ֞וֹת בַּחֹ֤דֶשׁ הַשֵּׁנִי֙ בַּשֵּׁנִ֔י בִּשְׁנַ֥ת אַרְבַּ֖ע לְמַלְכוּתֽוֹ׃ He began to build on the second day of the second month of the fourth year of his reign.

וְאֵ֙לֶּה֙ הוּסַ֣ד שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה לִבְנ֖וֹת אֶת־בֵּ֣ית הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים הָאֹ֡רֶךְ אַמּ֞וֹת בַּמִּדָּ֤ה הָרִֽאשׁוֹנָה֙ אַמּ֣וֹת שִׁשִּׁ֔ים וְרֹ֖חַב אַמּ֥וֹת עֶשְׂרִֽים׃ These were the dimensions Solomon established for building the House of God: its length in cubits, by the former measure, was 60, and its breadth was 20.

וְהָאוּלָ֡ם אֲשֶׁר֩ עַל־פְּנֵ֨י הָאֹ֜רֶךְ עַל־פְּנֵ֤י רֹֽחַב־הַבַּ֙יִת֙ אַמּ֣וֹת עֶשְׂרִ֔ים וְהַגֹּ֖בַהּ מֵאָ֣ה וְעֶשְׂרִ֑ים וַיְצַפֵּ֥הוּ מִפְּנִ֖ימָה זָהָ֥ב טָהֽוֹר׃ The length of the porch in front [was equal] to the breadth of the House—20 cubits, and its height was 120. Inside he overlaid it with pure gold.

וְאֵ֣ת ׀ הַבַּ֣יִת הַגָּד֗וֹל חִפָּה֙ עֵ֣ץ בְּרוֹשִׁ֔ים וַיְחַפֵּ֖הוּ זָהָ֣ב ט֑וֹב וַיַּ֧עַל עָלָ֛יו תִּמֹרִ֖ים וְשַׁרְשְׁרֹֽת׃ The House itself he paneled with cypress wood. He overlaid it with fine gold and embossed on it palms and chains.

וַיְצַ֧ף אֶת־הַבַּ֛יִת אֶ֥בֶן יְקָרָ֖ה לְתִפְאָ֑רֶת וְהַזָּהָ֖ב זְהַ֥ב פַּרְוָֽיִם׃ He studded the House with precious stones for decoration; the gold was from Parvaim.

וַיְחַ֨ף אֶת־הַבַּ֜יִת הַקֹּר֧וֹת הַסִּפִּ֛ים וְקִירוֹתָ֥יו וְדַלְתוֹתָ֖יו זָהָ֑ב וּפִתַּ֥ח כְּרוּבִ֖ים עַל־הַקִּירֽוֹת׃ {ס}         He overlaid the House with gold—the beams, the thresholds, its walls and doors; he carved cherubim on the walls.

וַיַּ֙עַשׂ֙ אֶת־בֵּֽית־קֹ֣דֶשׁ הַקֳּדָשִׁ֔ים אׇרְכּ֞וֹ עַל־פְּנֵ֤י רֹֽחַב־הַבַּ֙יִת֙ אַמּ֣וֹת עֶשְׂרִ֔ים וְרׇחְבּ֖וֹ אַמּ֣וֹת עֶשְׂרִ֑ים וַיְחַפֵּ֙הוּ֙ זָהָ֣ב ט֔וֹב לְכִכָּרִ֖ים שֵׁ֥שׁ מֵאֽוֹת׃ He made the Holy of Holies: its length was [equal to] the breadth of the house—20 cubits, and its breadth was 20 cubits. He overlaid it with 600 talents of fine gold.

וּמִשְׁקָ֛ל לְמִסְמְר֥וֹת לִשְׁקָלִ֖ים חֲמִשִּׁ֣ים זָהָ֑ב וְהָעֲלִיּ֖וֹת חִפָּ֥ה זָהָֽב׃ The weight of the nails was 50 shekels of gold; the upper chambers he overlaid with gold.

וַיַּ֜עַשׂ בְּבֵֽית־קֹ֤דֶשׁ הַקֳּדָשִׁים֙ כְּרוּבִ֣ים שְׁנַ֔יִם מַעֲשֵׂ֖ה צַעֲצֻעִ֑ים וַיְצַפּ֥וּ אֹתָ֖ם זָהָֽב׃ He made two sculptured cherubim in the Holy of Holies, and they were overlaid with gold.

וְכַנְפֵי֙ הַכְּרוּבִ֔ים אׇרְכָּ֖ם אַמּ֣וֹת עֶשְׂרִ֑ים כְּנַ֨ף הָאֶחָ֜ד לְאַמּ֣וֹת חָמֵ֗שׁ מַגַּ֙עַת֙ לְקִ֣יר הַבַּ֔יִת וְהַכָּנָ֤ף הָאַחֶ֙רֶת֙ אַמּ֣וֹת חָמֵ֔שׁ מַגִּ֕יעַ לִכְנַ֖ף הַכְּר֥וּב הָאַחֵֽר׃ The outspread wings of the cherubim were 20 cubits across: one wing 5 cubits long touching one wall of the House, and the other wing 5 cubits long touching the wing of the other cherub;

וּכְנַ֨ף הַכְּר֤וּב הָאֶחָד֙ אַמּ֣וֹת חָמֵ֔שׁ מַגִּ֖יעַ לְקִ֣יר הַבָּ֑יִת וְהַכָּנָ֤ף הָאַחֶ֙רֶת֙ אַמּ֣וֹת חָמֵ֔שׁ דְּבֵקָ֕ה לִכְנַ֖ף הַכְּר֥וּב הָאַחֵֽר׃ one wing of the other [cherub] 5 cubits long extending to the other wall of the House, and its other wing 5 cubits long touching the wing of the first cherub.

כַּנְפֵי֙ הַכְּרוּבִ֣ים הָאֵ֔לֶּה פֹּרְשִׂ֖ים אַמּ֣וֹת עֶשְׂרִ֑ים וְהֵ֛ם עֹמְדִ֥ים עַל־רַגְלֵיהֶ֖ם וּפְנֵיהֶ֥ם לַבָּֽיִת׃ {ס}         The wingspread of these cherubim was thus 20 cubits across, and they were standing up facing the House.

וַיַּ֙עַשׂ֙ אֶת־הַפָּרֹ֔כֶת תְּכֵ֥לֶת וְאַרְגָּמָ֖ן וְכַרְמִ֣יל וּב֑וּץ וַיַּ֥עַל עָלָ֖יו כְּרוּבִֽים׃ {ס}         He made the curtain of blue, purple, and crimson yarn and fine linen, and he worked cherubim into it.

וַיַּ֜עַשׂ לִפְנֵ֤י הַבַּ֙יִת֙ עַמּוּדִ֣ים שְׁנַ֔יִם אַמּ֕וֹת שְׁלֹשִׁ֥ים וְחָמֵ֖שׁ אֹ֑רֶךְ וְהַצֶּ֥פֶת אֲשֶׁר־עַל־רֹאשׁ֖וֹ אַמּ֥וֹת חָמֵֽשׁ׃ {ס}         At the front of the House he made two columns 35 cubits high; the capitals^bMeaning of Heb. uncertain. on top of them were 5 cubits high.

וַיַּ֤עַשׂ שַׁרְשְׁרוֹת֙ בַּדְּבִ֔יר וַיִּתֵּ֖ן עַל־רֹ֣אשׁ הָעַמֻּדִ֑ים וַיַּ֤עַשׂ רִמּוֹנִים֙ מֵאָ֔ה וַיִּתֵּ֖ן בַּֽשַּׁרְשְׁרֽוֹת׃ He made chainwork in the inner Sanctuary and set it on the top of the columns; he made a hundred pomegranates and set them into the chainwork.

וַיָּ֤קֶם אֶת־הָֽעַמּוּדִים֙ עַל־פְּנֵ֣י הַהֵיכָ֔ל אֶחָ֥ד מִיָּמִ֖ין וְאֶחָ֣ד מֵֽהַשְּׂמֹ֑אול וַיִּקְרָ֤א שֵׁם־[הַיְמָנִי֙] (הימיני) יָכִ֔ין וְשֵׁ֥ם הַשְּׂמָאלִ֖י בֹּֽעַז׃ {ס}         He erected the columns in front of the Great Hall, one to its right and one to its left; the one to the right was called Jachin, and the one to the left, Boaz.

וַיַּ֙עַשׂ֙ מִזְבַּ֣ח נְחֹ֔שֶׁת עֶשְׂרִ֤ים אַמָּה֙ אׇרְכּ֔וֹ וְעֶשְׂרִ֥ים אַמָּ֖ה רׇחְבּ֑וֹ וְעֶ֥שֶׂר אַמּ֖וֹת קוֹמָתֽוֹ׃ {ס}         ^aCf. 1 Kings 7.23–50.He made an altar of bronze 20 cubits long, 20 cubits wide, and 10 cubits high.

וַיַּ֥עַשׂ אֶת־הַיָּ֖ם מוּצָ֑ק עֶ֣שֶׂר בָּ֠אַמָּ֠ה מִשְּׂפָת֨וֹ אֶל־שְׂפָת֜וֹ עָג֣וֹל ׀ סָבִ֗יב וְחָמֵ֤שׁ בָּֽאַמָּה֙ קוֹמָת֔וֹ וְקָו֙ שְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים בָּאַמָּ֔ה יָסֹ֥ב אֹת֖וֹ סָבִֽיב׃ He made the sea^bI.e., a large basin. of cast metal 10 cubits across from brim to brim, perfectly round; it was 5 cubits high, and its circumference was 30 cubits.

וּדְמ֣וּת בְּקָרִים֩ תַּ֨חַת ל֜וֹ סָבִ֤יב ׀ סָבִיב֙ סוֹבְבִ֣ים אֹת֔וֹ עֶ֚שֶׂר בָּֽאַמָּ֔ה מַקִּיפִ֥ים אֶת־הַיָּ֖ם סָבִ֑יב שְׁנַ֤יִם טוּרִים֙ הַבָּקָ֔ר יְצוּקִ֖ים בְּמֻצַקְתּֽוֹ׃ Beneath were figures of oxen set all around it, of 10 cubits, encircling the sea; the oxen were in two rows, cast in one piece with it.

עוֹמֵ֞ד עַל־שְׁנֵ֧ים עָשָׂ֣ר בָּקָ֗ר שְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה פֹנִ֣ים ׀ צָפ֡וֹנָה וּשְׁלוֹשָׁה֩ פֹנִ֨ים ׀ יָ֜מָּה וּשְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה ׀ פֹּנִ֣ים נֶ֗גְבָּה וּשְׁלֹשָׁה֙ פֹּנִ֣ים מִזְרָ֔חָה וְהַיָּ֥ם עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם מִלְמָ֑עְלָה וְכׇל־אֲחֹרֵיהֶ֖ם בָּֽיְתָה׃ It stood upon twelve oxen: three faced north, three faced west, three faced south, and three faced east, with the sea resting upon them; their haunches were all turned inward.

וְעׇבְי֣וֹ טֶ֔פַח וּשְׂפָתוֹ֙ כְּמַעֲשֵׂ֣ה שְׂפַת־כּ֔וֹס פֶּ֖רַח שׁוֹשַׁנָּ֑ה מַחֲזִ֣יק בַּתִּ֔ים שְׁלֹ֥שֶׁת אֲלָפִ֖ים יָכִֽיל׃ {ס}         It was a handbreadth thick, and its brim was made like that of a cup, like the petals of a lily. It held 3,000 bath.

וַיַּ֣עַשׂ כִּיּוֹרִים֮ עֲשָׂרָה֒ וַ֠יִּתֵּ֠ן חֲמִשָּׁ֨ה מִיָּמִ֜ין וַֽחֲמִשָּׁ֤ה מִשְּׂמֹאול֙ לְרׇחְצָ֣ה בָהֶ֔ם אֶת־מַעֲשֵׂ֥ה הָעוֹלָ֖ה יָדִ֣יחוּ בָ֑ם וְהַיָּ֕ם לְרׇחְצָ֥ה לַכֹּהֲנִ֖ים בּֽוֹ׃ {ס}         He made ten bronze lavers for washing; he set five on the right and five on the left; they would rinse off in them the parts of the burnt offering; but the sea served the priests for washing.

וַ֠יַּ֠עַשׂ אֶת־מְנֹר֧וֹת הַזָּהָ֛ב עֶ֖שֶׂר כְּמִשְׁפָּטָ֑ם וַיִּתֵּן֙ בַּֽהֵיכָ֔ל חָמֵ֥שׁ מִיָּמִ֖ין וְחָמֵ֥שׁ מִשְּׂמֹֽאול׃ {ס}         He made ten lampstands of gold as prescribed, and placed them in the Great Hall, five on the right and five on the left.

וַיַּ֣עַשׂ שֻׁלְחָנוֹת֮ עֲשָׂרָה֒ וַיַּנַּח֙ בַּהֵיכָ֔ל חֲמִשָּׁ֥ה מִיָּמִ֖ין וַחֲמִשָּׁ֣ה מִשְּׂמֹ֑אול וַיַּ֛עַשׂ מִזְרְקֵ֥י זָהָ֖ב מֵאָֽה׃ {ס}         He made ten tables and placed them in the Great Hall, five on the right and five on the left. He made one hundred gold basins.

וַיַּ֙עַשׂ֙ חֲצַ֣ר הַכֹּהֲנִ֔ים וְהָעֲזָרָ֖ה הַגְּדוֹלָ֑ה וּדְלָת֧וֹת לָעֲזָרָ֛ה וְדַלְתוֹתֵיהֶ֖ם צִפָּ֥ה נְחֹֽשֶׁת׃ He built the court of the priests and the great court, and doors for the great court; he overlaid the doors with bronze.

וְאֶת־הַיָּ֗ם נָתַ֞ן מִכֶּ֧תֶף הַיְמָנִ֛ית קֵ֖דְמָה מִמּ֥וּל נֶֽגְבָּה׃ He set the sea on the right side, at the southeast corner.

וַיַּ֣עַשׂ חוּרָ֔ם אֶ֨ת־הַסִּיר֔וֹת וְאֶת־הַיָּעִ֖ים וְאֶת־הַמִּזְרָק֑וֹת וַיְכַ֣ל (חירם) [חוּרָ֗ם] לַעֲשׂוֹת֙ אֶת־הַמְּלָאכָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר עָשָׂ֛ה לַמֶּ֥לֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹ֖ה בְּבֵ֥ית הָאֱלֹהִֽים׃ Huram made the pails, the shovels, and the basins. With that Huram completed the work he had undertaken for King Solomon in the House of God:

עַמּוּדִ֣ים שְׁנַ֔יִם וְהַגֻּלּ֧וֹת וְהַכֹּתָר֛וֹת עַל־רֹ֥אשׁ הָעַמּוּדִ֖ים שְׁתָּ֑יִם וְהַשְּׂבָכ֣וֹת שְׁתַּ֔יִם לְכַסּ֗וֹת אֶת־שְׁתֵּי֙ גֻּלּ֣וֹת הַכֹּתָר֔וֹת אֲשֶׁ֖ר עַל־רֹ֥אשׁ הָעַמּוּדִֽים׃ the two columns, the globes, and the two capitals on top of the columns; and the two pieces of network to cover the two globes of the capitals on top of the columns;

וְאֶת־הָרִמּוֹנִ֛ים אַרְבַּ֥ע מֵא֖וֹת לִשְׁתֵּ֣י הַשְּׂבָכ֑וֹת שְׁנַ֨יִם טוּרִ֤ים רִמּוֹנִים֙ לַשְּׂבָכָ֣ה הָאֶחָ֔ת לְכַסּ֗וֹת אֶת־שְׁתֵּי֙ גֻּלּ֣וֹת הַכֹּתָר֔וֹת אֲשֶׁ֖ר עַל־פְּנֵ֥י הָעַמּוּדִֽים׃ the four hundred pomegranates for the two pieces of network, two rows of pomegranates for each network, to cover the two globes of the capitals on top of the columns;

וְאֶת־הַמְּכֹנ֖וֹת עָשָׂ֑ה וְאֶת־הַכִּיֹּר֥וֹת עָשָׂ֖ה עַל־הַמְּכֹנֽוֹת׃ he made the stands and the lavers upon the stands;

אֶת־הַיָּ֖ם אֶחָ֑ד וְאֶת־הַבָּקָ֥ר שְׁנֵים־עָשָׂ֖ר תַּחְתָּֽיו׃ one sea with the twelve oxen beneath it;

וְאֶת־הַ֠סִּיר֠וֹת וְאֶת־הַיָּעִ֤ים וְאֶת־הַמִּזְלָגוֹת֙ וְאֶת־כׇּל־כְּלֵיהֶ֔ם עָשָׂ֞ה חוּרָ֥ם אָבִ֛יו לַמֶּ֥לֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹ֖ה לְבֵ֣ית יְהֹוָ֑ה נְחֹ֖שֶׁת מָרֽוּק׃ the pails, the shovels, and the bowls.^cOr “forks.” And all the vessels made for King Solomon for the House of the LORD by Huram his master were of burnished bronze.

בְּכִכַּ֤ר הַיַּרְדֵּן֙ יְצָקָ֣ם הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ בַּעֲבִ֖י הָאֲדָמָ֑ה בֵּ֥ין סֻכּ֖וֹת וּבֵ֥ין צְרֵדָֽתָה׃ The king had them cast in molds dug out of the earth, in the plain of the Jordan between Succoth and Zeredah.

וַיַּ֧עַשׂ שְׁלֹמֹ֛ה כׇּל־הַכֵּלִ֥ים הָאֵ֖לֶּה לָרֹ֣ב מְאֹ֑ד כִּ֛י לֹ֥א נֶחְקַ֖ר מִשְׁקַ֥ל הַנְּחֹֽשֶׁת׃ {ס}         Solomon made a very large number of vessels; the weight of the bronze used could not be reckoned.

וַיַּ֣עַשׂ שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה אֵ֚ת כׇּל־הַכֵּלִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֖ר בֵּ֣ית הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים וְאֵת֙ מִזְבַּ֣ח הַזָּהָ֔ב וְאֶ֨ת־הַשֻּׁלְחָנ֔וֹת וַעֲלֵיהֶ֖ם לֶ֥חֶם הַפָּנִֽים׃ And Solomon made all the furnishings that were in the House of God: the altar of gold; the tables for the bread of display;

וְאֶת־הַמְּנֹר֞וֹת וְנֵרֹֽתֵיהֶ֗ם לְבַעֲרָ֧ם כַּמִּשְׁפָּ֛ט לִפְנֵ֥י הַדְּבִ֖יר זָהָ֥ב סָגֽוּר׃ the lampstands and their lamps, to burn as prescribed in front of the inner Sanctuary, of solid gold;

וְהַפֶּ֧רַח וְהַנֵּר֛וֹת וְהַמֶּלְקַחַ֖יִם זָהָ֑ב ה֖וּא מִכְל֥וֹת זָהָֽב׃ and the petals, lamps, and tongs, of purest gold;

וְהַֽמְזַמְּר֧וֹת וְהַמִּזְרָק֛וֹת וְהַכַּפּ֥וֹת וְהַמַּחְתּ֖וֹת זָהָ֣ב סָג֑וּר וּפֶ֣תַח הַ֠בַּ֠יִת דַּלְתוֹתָ֨יו הַפְּנִֽימִיּ֜וֹת לְקֹ֣דֶשׁ הַקֳּדָשִׁ֗ים וְדַלְתֵ֥י הַבַּ֛יִת לַֽהֵיכָ֖ל זָהָֽב׃ the snuffers, basins, ladles, and fire pans, of solid gold; and the entrance to the House: the doors of the innermost part of the House, the Holy of Holies, and the doors of the Great Hall of the House, of gold.

וַתִּשְׁלַם֙ כׇּל־הַמְּלָאכָ֔ה אֲשֶׁר־עָשָׂ֥ה שְׁלֹמֹ֖ה לְבֵ֣ית יְהֹוָ֑ה {ס}        וַיָּבֵ֨א שְׁלֹמֹ֜ה אֶת־קׇדְשֵׁ֣י ׀ דָּוִ֣יד אָבִ֗יו וְאֶת־הַכֶּ֤סֶף וְאֶת־הַזָּהָב֙ וְאֶת־כׇּל־הַכֵּלִ֔ים נָתַ֕ן בְּאֹצְר֖וֹת בֵּ֥ית הָאֱלֹהִֽים׃ {פ}
^aCf. 1 Kings 7.51–8.11.When all the work that King Solomon undertook for the House of the LORD was completed, Solomon brought the things that his father David had consecrated—the silver, the gold, and the utensils—and deposited them in the treasury of the House of God.

אָז֩ יַקְהֵ֨יל שְׁלֹמֹ֜ה אֶת־זִקְנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל וְאֶת־כׇּל־רָאשֵׁ֨י הַמַּטּ֜וֹת נְשִׂיאֵ֧י הָֽאָב֛וֹת לִבְנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל אֶל־יְרוּשָׁלָ֑͏ִם לְֽהַעֲל֞וֹת אֶת־אֲר֧וֹן בְּרִית־יְהֹוָ֛ה מֵעִ֥יר דָּוִ֖יד הִ֥יא צִיּֽוֹן׃ Then Solomon convoked the elders of Israel—all the heads of the tribes and the ancestral chiefs of the Israelites—in Jerusalem, to bring up the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD from the City of David, that is, Zion.

וַיִּקָּהֲל֧וּ אֶל־הַמֶּ֛לֶךְ כׇּל־אִ֥ישׁ יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בֶּחָ֑ג ה֖וּא הַחֹ֥דֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִעִֽי׃ All the men of Israel assembled before the king at the Feast,^bI.e., of Tabernacles. in the seventh month.

וַיָּבֹ֕אוּ כֹּ֖ל זִקְנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַיִּשְׂא֥וּ הַלְוִיִּ֖ם אֶת־הָאָרֽוֹן׃ When all the elders of Israel had come, the Levites carried the Ark.

וַיַּעֲל֤וּ אֶת־הָאָרוֹן֙ וְאֶת־אֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵ֔ד וְאֶת־כׇּל־כְּלֵ֥י הַקֹּ֖דֶשׁ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בָּאֹ֑הֶל הֶעֱל֣וּ אֹתָ֔ם הַכֹּהֲנִ֖ים הַלְוִיִּֽם׃ They brought up the Ark and the Tent of Meeting and all the holy vessels that were in the Tent—the Levite priests brought them up.

וְהַמֶּ֣לֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹ֗ה וְכׇל־עֲדַ֧ת יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל הַנּוֹעָדִ֥ים עָלָ֖יו לִפְנֵ֣י הָאָר֑וֹן מְזַבְּחִים֙ צֹ֣אן וּבָקָ֔ר אֲשֶׁ֧ר לֹא־יִסָּפְר֛וּ וְלֹ֥א יִמָּנ֖וּ מֵרֹֽב׃ Meanwhile, King Solomon and the whole community of Israel, who had gathered to him before the Ark, were sacrificing sheep and oxen in such abundance that they could not be numbered or counted.

וַיָּבִ֣יאוּ הַ֠כֹּהֲנִ֠ים אֶת־אֲר֨וֹן בְּרִית־יְהֹוָ֧ה אֶל־מְקוֹמ֛וֹ אֶל־דְּבִ֥יר הַבַּ֖יִת אֶל־קֹ֣דֶשׁ הַקֳּדָשִׁ֑ים אֶל־תַּ֖חַת כַּנְפֵ֥י הַכְּרוּבִֽים׃ The priests brought the Ark of the LORD’s Covenant to its place in the inner Sanctuary of the House, in the Holy of Holies, beneath the wings of the cherubim;

וַיִּהְי֤וּ הַכְּרוּבִים֙ פֹּרְשִׂ֣ים כְּנָפַ֔יִם עַל־מְק֖וֹם הָאָר֑וֹן וַיְכַסּ֧וּ הַכְּרוּבִ֛ים עַל־הָאָר֥וֹן וְעַל־בַּדָּ֖יו מִלְמָֽעְלָה׃ for the cherubim had their wings spread out over the place of the Ark so that the cherubim covered the Ark and its poles from above.

וַֽיַּאֲרִ֘יכוּ֮ הַבַּדִּים֒ וַיֵּרָאוּ֩ רָאשֵׁ֨י הַבַּדִּ֤ים מִן־הָאָרוֹן֙ עַל־פְּנֵ֣י הַדְּבִ֔יר וְלֹ֥א יֵרָא֖וּ הַח֑וּצָה וַֽיְהִי־שָׁ֔ם עַ֖ד הַיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה׃ The poles projected beyond the Ark and the ends of the poles were visible from the front of the inner Sanctuary, but they could not be seen from the outside; and there they remain to this day.

אֵ֚ין בָּאָר֔וֹן רַ֚ק שְׁנֵ֣י הַלֻּח֔וֹת אֲשֶׁר־נָתַ֥ן מֹשֶׁ֖ה בְּחֹרֵ֑ב אֲשֶׁ֨ר כָּרַ֤ת יְהֹוָה֙ עִם־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל בְּצֵאתָ֖ם מִמִּצְרָֽיִם׃ {פ}
There was nothing inside the Ark but the two tablets that Moses placed [there] at Horeb, when the LORD made [a Covenant] with the Israelites after their departure from Egypt.

וַיְהִ֕י בְּצֵ֥את הַכֹּהֲנִ֖ים מִן־הַקֹּ֑דֶשׁ כִּ֠י כׇּל־הַכֹּהֲנִ֤ים הַֽנִּמְצְאִים֙ הִתְקַדָּ֔שׁוּ אֵ֖ין לִשְׁמ֥וֹר לְמַחְלְקֽוֹת׃ When the priests came out of the Sanctuary—all the priests present had sanctified themselves, without keeping to the set divisions—

וְהַלְוִיִּ֣ם הַמְשֹׁרְרִ֣ים לְכֻלָּ֡ם לְאָסָ֡ף לְהֵימָ֣ן לִ֠ידֻת֠וּן וְלִבְנֵיהֶ֨ם וְלַאֲחֵיהֶ֜ם מְלֻבָּשִׁ֣ים בּ֗וּץ בִּמְצִלְתַּ֙יִם֙ וּבִנְבָלִ֣ים וְכִנֹּר֔וֹת עֹמְדִ֖ים מִזְרָ֣ח לַמִּזְבֵּ֑חַ וְעִמָּהֶ֤ם כֹּֽהֲנִים֙ לְמֵאָ֣ה וְעֶשְׂרִ֔ים (מחצררים) [מַחְצְרִ֖ים] בַּחֲצֹצְרֽוֹת׃ all the Levite singers, Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, their sons and their brothers, dressed in fine linen, holding cymbals, harps, and lyres, were standing to the east of the altar, and with them were 120 priests who blew trumpets.

וַיְהִ֣י כְ֠אֶחָ֠ד (למחצצרים) [לַמְחַצְּרִ֨ים] וְלַמְשֹׁרְרִ֜ים לְהַשְׁמִ֣יעַ קוֹל־אֶחָ֗ד לְהַלֵּ֣ל וּלְהֹדוֹת֮ לַיהֹוָה֒ וּכְהָרִ֣ים ק֠וֹל בַּחֲצֹצְר֨וֹת וּבִמְצִלְתַּ֜יִם וּבִכְלֵ֣י הַשִּׁ֗יר וּבְהַלֵּ֤ל לַֽיהֹוָה֙ כִּ֣י ט֔וֹב כִּ֥י לְעוֹלָ֖ם חַסְדּ֑וֹ וְהַבַּ֛יִת מָלֵ֥א עָנָ֖ן בֵּ֥ית יְהֹוָֽה׃ The trumpeters and the singers joined in unison to praise and extol the LORD; and as the sound of the trumpets, cymbals, and other musical instruments, and the praise of the LORD, “For He is good, for His steadfast love is eternal,” grew louder, the House, the House of the LORD, was filled with a cloud.

וְלֹֽא־יָכְל֧וּ הַכֹּהֲנִ֛ים לַעֲמ֥וֹד לְשָׁרֵ֖ת מִפְּנֵ֣י הֶעָנָ֑ן כִּֽי־מָלֵ֥א כְבוֹד־יְהֹוָ֖ה אֶת־בֵּ֥ית הָאֱלֹהִֽים׃ {פ}
The priests could not stay and perform the service because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled the House of God.

אָ֖ז אָמַ֣ר שְׁלֹמֹ֑ה יְהֹוָ֣ה אָמַ֔ר לִשְׁכּ֖וֹן בָּעֲרָפֶֽל׃ ^aCf. 1 Kings 8.12–53.Then Solomon declared:
“The LORD has chosen
To abide in a thick cloud;

וַאֲנִ֛י בָּנִ֥יתִי בֵית־זְבֻ֖ל לָ֑ךְ וּמָכ֥וֹן לְשִׁבְתְּךָ֖ עוֹלָמִֽים׃ I have built for You
A stately House,
And a place where You
May dwell forever.”

וַיַּסֵּ֤ב הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ אֶת־פָּנָ֔יו וַיְבָ֕רֶךְ אֵ֖ת כׇּל־קְהַ֣ל יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וְכׇל־קְהַ֥ל יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל עוֹמֵֽד׃ Then, as the whole congregation of Israel stood, the king turned and blessed the whole congregation of Israel.

וַיֹּ֗אמֶר בָּר֤וּךְ יְהֹוָה֙ אֱלֹהֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אֲשֶׁר֙ דִּבֶּ֣ר בְּפִ֔יו אֵ֖ת דָּוִ֣יד אָבִ֑י וּבְיָדָ֥יו מִלֵּ֖א לֵאמֹֽר׃ He said,“Blessed is the LORD God of Israel, ^bLit. “who spoke with His own mouth a promise to my father David and has fulfilled with His own hands.”who made a promise to my father David and fulfilled it.^-b For He said,

מִן־הַיּ֗וֹם אֲשֶׁ֨ר הוֹצֵ֣אתִי אֶת־עַמִּי֮ מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֒יִם֒ לֹא־בָחַ֣רְתִּֽי בְעִ֗יר מִכֹּל֙ שִׁבְטֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל לִבְנ֣וֹת בַּ֔יִת לִהְי֥וֹת שְׁמִ֖י שָׁ֑ם וְלֹא־בָחַ֣רְתִּֽי בְאִ֔ישׁ לִהְי֥וֹת נָגִ֖יד עַל־עַמִּ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ ‘From the time I brought My people out of the land of Egypt, I never chose a city from among all the tribes of Israel to build a House where My name might abide; nor did I choose anyone to be the leader of my people Israel.

וָֽאֶבְחַר֙ בִּיר֣וּשָׁלַ֔͏ִם לִהְי֥וֹת שְׁמִ֖י שָׁ֑ם וָאֶבְחַ֣ר בְּדָוִ֔יד לִהְי֖וֹת עַל־עַמִּ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ But then I chose Jerusalem for My name to abide there, and I chose David to rule My people Israel.’

וַיְהִ֕י עִם־לְבַ֖ב דָּוִ֣יד אָבִ֑י לִבְנ֣וֹת בַּ֔יִת לְשֵׁ֥ם יְהֹוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ “Now my father David had wanted to build a House for the name of the LORD God of Israel.

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהֹוָה֙ אֶל־דָּוִ֣יד אָבִ֔י יַ֗עַן אֲשֶׁ֤ר הָיָה֙ עִם־לְבָ֣בְךָ֔ לִבְנ֥וֹת בַּ֖יִת לִשְׁמִ֑י הֱֽטִיב֔וֹתָ כִּ֥י הָיָ֖ה עִם־לְבָבֶֽךָ׃ But the LORD said to my father David, ‘As for your wanting to build a House for My name, you do well to want that.

רַ֣ק אַתָּ֔ה לֹ֥א תִבְנֶ֖ה הַבָּ֑יִת כִּ֤י בִנְךָ֙ הַיּוֹצֵ֣א מֵחֲלָצֶ֔יךָ הוּא־יִבְנֶ֥ה הַבַּ֖יִת לִשְׁמִֽי׃ However, you shall not build the House; your son, the issue of your loins, he shall build the House for My name.’

וַיָּ֣קֶם יְהֹוָ֔ה אֶת־דְּבָר֖וֹ אֲשֶׁ֣ר דִּבֵּ֑ר וָאָק֡וּם תַּ֩חַת֩ דָּוִ֨יד אָבִ֜י וָאֵשֵׁ֣ב ׀ עַל־כִּסֵּ֣א יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל כַּֽאֲשֶׁר֙ דִּבֶּ֣ר יְהֹוָ֔ה וָאֶבְנֶ֣ה הַבַּ֔יִת לְשֵׁ֥ם יְהֹוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ Now the LORD has fulfilled the promise that He made. I have succeeded^cLit. “risen in place of.” my father David and have ascended the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised. I have built the House for the name of the LORD God of Israel,

וָאָשִׂ֥ים שָׁם֙ אֶת־הָ֣אָר֔וֹן אֲשֶׁר־שָׁ֖ם בְּרִ֣ית יְהֹוָ֑ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר כָּרַ֖ת עִם־בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ and there I have set the Ark containing the Covenant that the LORD made with the Israelites.”

וַֽיַּעֲמֹ֗ד לִפְנֵי֙ מִזְבַּ֣ח יְהֹוָ֔ה נֶ֖גֶד כׇּל־קְהַ֣ל יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַיִּפְרֹ֖שׂ כַּפָּֽיו׃ Then, standing before the altar of the LORD in front of the whole congregation of Israel, he spread forth his hands.

כִּֽי־עָשָׂ֨ה שְׁלֹמֹ֜ה כִּיּ֣וֹר נְחֹ֗שֶׁת וַֽיִּתְּנֵ֘הוּ֮ בְּת֣וֹךְ הָעֲזָרָה֒ חָמֵ֨שׁ אַמּ֜וֹת אׇרְכּ֗וֹ וְחָמֵ֤שׁ אַמּוֹת֙ רׇחְבּ֔וֹ וְאַמּ֥וֹת שָׁל֖וֹשׁ קוֹמָת֑וֹ וַיַּעֲמֹ֣ד עָלָ֗יו וַיִּבְרַ֤ךְ עַל־בִּרְכָּיו֙ נֶ֚גֶד כׇּל־קְהַ֣ל יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וַיִּפְרֹ֥שׂ כַּפָּ֖יו הַשָּׁמָֽיְמָה׃ {פ}
Solomon had made a bronze platform^dMeaning of Heb. uncertain. and placed it in the midst of the Great Court; it was 5 cubits long and 5 cubits wide and 3 cubits high. He stood on it; then, kneeling in front of the whole congregation of Israel, he spread forth his hands to heaven

וַיֹּאמַ֗ר {פ}
יְהֹוָ֞ה אֱלֹהֵ֤י יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ אֵין־כָּמ֣וֹךָ אֱלֹהִ֔ים בַּשָּׁמַ֖יִם וּבָאָ֑רֶץ שֹׁמֵ֤ר הַבְּרִית֙ וְֽהַחֶ֔סֶד לַעֲבָדֶ֕יךָ הַהֹלְכִ֥ים לְפָנֶ֖יךָ בְּכׇל־לִבָּֽם׃ and said, “O LORD God of Israel, there is no god like You in the heavens and on the earth, You who steadfastly maintain the Covenant with Your servants who walk before You with all their heart;

אֲשֶׁ֣ר שָׁמַ֗רְתָּ לְעַבְדְּךָ֙ דָּוִ֣יד אָבִ֔י אֵ֥ת אֲשֶׁר־דִּבַּ֖רְתָּ ל֑וֹ וַתְּדַבֵּ֥ר בְּפִ֛יךָ וּבְיָדְךָ֥ מִלֵּ֖אתָ כַּיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה׃ You who have kept the promises You made to Your servant, my father David; You made a promise and have fulfilled it—as is now the case.

וְעַתָּ֞ה יְהֹוָ֣ה ׀ אֱלֹהֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל שְׁ֠מֹ֠ר לְעַבְדְּךָ֨ דָוִ֤יד אָבִי֙ אֵת֩ אֲשֶׁ֨ר דִּבַּ֤רְתָּ לּוֹ֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר לֹא־יִכָּרֵ֨ת לְךָ֥ אִישׁ֙ מִלְּפָנַ֔י יוֹשֵׁ֖ב עַל־כִּסֵּ֣א יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל רַ֠ק אִם־יִשְׁמְר֨וּ בָנֶ֜יךָ אֶת־דַּרְכָּ֗ם לָלֶ֙כֶת֙ בְּת֣וֹרָתִ֔י כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר הָלַ֖כְתָּ לְפָנָֽי׃ And now, O LORD God of Israel, keep that promise that You made to Your servant, my father David, ‘You shall never lack a descendant in My sight sitting on the throne of Israel if only your children will look to their way and walk in the [path] of My teachings as you have walked before Me.’

וְעַתָּ֕ה יְהֹוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל יֵֽאָמֵן֙ דְּבָ֣רְךָ֔ אֲשֶׁ֥ר דִּבַּ֖רְתָּ לְעַבְדְּךָ֥ לְדָוִֽיד׃ Now, therefore, O God of Israel, let the promise that You made to Your servant, my father David, be confirmed.

כִּ֚י הַֽאֻמְנָ֔ם יֵשֵׁ֧ב אֱלֹהִ֛ים אֶת־הָאָדָ֖ם עַל־הָאָ֑רֶץ הִ֠נֵּ֠ה שָׁמַ֜יִם וּשְׁמֵ֤י הַשָּׁמַ֙יִם֙ לֹ֣א יְכַלְכְּל֔וּךָ אַ֕ף כִּֽי־הַבַּ֥יִת הַזֶּ֖ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר בָּנִֽיתִי׃ “Does God really dwell with man on earth? Even the heavens to their uttermost reaches cannot contain You; how much less this House that I have built!

וּפָנִ֜יתָ אֶל־תְּפִלַּ֧ת עַבְדְּךָ֛ וְאֶל־תְּחִנָּת֖וֹ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהָ֑י לִשְׁמֹ֤עַ אֶל־הָֽרִנָּה֙ וְאֶל־הַתְּפִלָּ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר עַבְדְּךָ֖ מִתְפַּלֵּ֥ל לְפָנֶֽיךָ׃ Yet turn, O LORD my God, to the prayer and supplication of Your servant, and hear the cry and the prayer that Your servant offers to You.

לִהְיוֹת֩ עֵינֶ֨יךָ פְתֻח֜וֹת אֶל־הַבַּ֤יִת הַזֶּה֙ יוֹמָ֣ם וָלַ֔יְלָה אֶ֨ל־הַמָּק֔וֹם אֲשֶׁ֣ר אָמַ֔רְתָּ לָשׂ֥וּם שִׁמְךָ֖ שָׁ֑ם לִשְׁמ֙וֹעַ֙ אֶל־הַתְּפִלָּ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר יִתְפַּלֵּ֣ל עַבְדְּךָ֔ אֶל־הַמָּק֖וֹם הַזֶּֽה׃ May Your eyes be open day and night toward this House, toward the place where You have resolved to make Your name abide; may You heed the prayers that Your servant offers toward this place.

וְשָׁ֨מַעְתָּ֜ אֶל־תַּחֲנוּנֵ֤י עַבְדְּךָ֙ וְעַמְּךָ֣ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר יִֽתְפַּלְל֖וּ אֶל־הַמָּק֣וֹם הַזֶּ֑ה וְ֠אַתָּ֠ה תִּשְׁמַ֞ע מִמְּק֤וֹם שִׁבְתְּךָ֙ מִן־הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם וְשָׁמַעְתָּ֖ וְסָלָֽחְתָּ׃ And when You hear the supplications that Your servant and Your people Israel offer toward this place, give heed in Your heavenly abode—give heed and pardon.

אִם־יֶחֱטָ֥א אִישׁ֙ לְרֵעֵ֔הוּ וְנָשָׁא־ב֥וֹ אָלָ֖ה לְהַאֲלֹת֑וֹ וּבָ֗א אָלָ֛ה לִפְנֵ֥י מִֽזְבַּחֲךָ֖ בַּבַּ֥יִת הַזֶּֽה׃ “If a man commits an offense against his fellow, and an oath is exacted from him, causing him to utter an imprecation against himself, and he comes with his imprecation before Your altar in this House,

וְאַתָּ֣ה ׀ תִּשְׁמַ֣ע מִן־הַשָּׁמַ֗יִם וְעָשִׂ֙יתָ֙ וְשָׁפַטְתָּ֣ אֶת־עֲבָדֶ֔יךָ לְהָשִׁ֣יב לְרָשָׁ֔ע לָתֵ֥ת דַּרְכּ֖וֹ בְּרֹאשׁ֑וֹ וּלְהַצְדִּ֣יק צַדִּ֔יק לָ֥תֶת ל֖וֹ כְּצִדְקָתֽוֹ׃ {ס}         may You hear in heaven and take action to judge Your servants, requiting him who is in the wrong by bringing down the punishment of his conduct on his head, vindicating him who is in the right by rewarding him according to his righteousness.

וְֽאִם־יִנָּגֵ֞ף עַמְּךָ֧ יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל לִפְנֵ֥י אוֹיֵ֖ב כִּ֣י יֶחֶטְאוּ־לָ֑ךְ וְשָׁ֙בוּ֙ וְהוֹד֣וּ אֶת־שְׁמֶ֔ךָ וְהִתְפַּֽלְל֧וּ וְהִֽתְחַנְּנ֛וּ לְפָנֶ֖יךָ בַּבַּ֥יִת הַזֶּֽה׃ “Should Your people Israel be defeated by an enemy because they have sinned against You, and then once again acknowledge Your name and offer prayer and supplication to You in this House,

וְאַתָּה֙ תִּשְׁמַ֣ע מִן־הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם וְסָ֣לַחְתָּ֔ לְחַטַּ֖את עַמְּךָ֣ יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַהֲשֵֽׁיבוֹתָם֙ אֶל־הָ֣אֲדָמָ֔ה אֲשֶׁר־נָתַ֥תָּה לָהֶ֖ם וְלַאֲבֹתֵיהֶֽם׃ {פ}
may You hear in heaven and pardon the sin of Your people Israel, and restore them to the land that You gave to them and to their fathers.

בְּהֵעָצֵ֧ר הַשָּׁמַ֛יִם וְלֹא־יִהְיֶ֥ה מָטָ֖ר כִּ֣י יֶחֶטְאוּ־לָ֑ךְ וְהִֽתְפַּֽלְל֞וּ אֶל־הַמָּק֤וֹם הַזֶּה֙ וְהוֹד֣וּ אֶת־שְׁמֶ֔ךָ מֵחַטָּאתָ֥ם יְשׁוּב֖וּן כִּ֥י תַעֲנֵֽם׃ “Should the heavens be shut up and there be no rain because they have sinned against You, and then they pray toward this place and acknowledge Your name and repent of their sins, because You humbled them,

וְאַתָּ֣ה ׀ תִּשְׁמַ֣ע הַשָּׁמַ֗יִם וְסָ֨לַחְתָּ֜ לְחַטַּ֤את עֲבָדֶ֙יךָ֙ וְעַמְּךָ֣ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל כִּ֥י תוֹרֵ֛ם אֶל־הַדֶּ֥רֶךְ הַטּוֹבָ֖ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר יֵֽלְכוּ־בָ֑הּ וְנָֽתַתָּ֤ה מָטָר֙ עַֽל־אַרְצְךָ֔ אֲשֶׁר־נָתַ֥תָּה לְעַמְּךָ֖ לְנַחֲלָֽה׃ {ס}         may You hear in heaven and pardon the sin of Your servants, Your people Israel, when You have shown them the proper way in which they are to walk, and send down rain upon the land that You gave to Your people as their heritage.

רָעָ֞ב כִּֽי־יִהְיֶ֣ה בָאָ֗רֶץ דֶּ֣בֶר כִּֽי־יִ֠הְיֶ֠ה שִׁדָּפ֨וֹן וְיֵֽרָק֜וֹן אַרְבֶּ֤ה וְחָסִיל֙ כִּ֣י יִֽהְיֶ֔ה כִּ֧י יָצַר־ל֛וֹ אֹיְבָ֖יו בְּאֶ֣רֶץ שְׁעָרָ֑יו כׇּל־נֶ֖גַע וְכׇֽל־מַחֲלָֽה׃ So, too, if there is a famine in the land, if there is pestilence, blight, mildew, locusts, or caterpillars, or if an enemy oppresses them in any of the settlements of their land.
“In any plague and in any disease,

כׇּל־תְּפִלָּ֣ה כׇל־תְּחִנָּ֗ה אֲשֶׁ֤ר יִֽהְיֶה֙ לְכׇל־הָ֣אָדָ֔ם וּלְכֹ֖ל עַמְּךָ֣ יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל אֲשֶׁ֣ר יֵדְע֗וּ אִ֤ישׁ נִגְעוֹ֙ וּמַכְאֹב֔וֹ וּפָרַ֥שׂ כַּפָּ֖יו אֶל־הַבַּ֥יִת הַזֶּֽה׃ any prayer or supplication offered by any person among all Your people Israel—each of whom knows his affliction and his pain—when he spreads forth his hands toward this House,

וְ֠אַתָּ֠ה תִּשְׁמַ֨ע מִן־הַשָּׁמַ֜יִם מְכ֤וֹן שִׁבְתֶּ֙ךָ֙ וְסָ֣לַחְתָּ֔ וְנָתַתָּ֤ה לָאִישׁ֙ כְּכׇל־דְּרָכָ֔יו אֲשֶׁ֥ר תֵּדַ֖ע אֶת־לְבָב֑וֹ כִּ֤י אַתָּה֙ לְבַדְּךָ֣ יָדַ֔עְתָּ אֶת־לְבַ֖ב בְּנֵ֥י הָאָדָֽם׃ may You hear in Your heavenly abode, and pardon. Deal with each man according to his ways as You know his heart to be—for You alone know the hearts of all men—

לְמַ֣עַן יִירָא֗וּךָ לָלֶ֙כֶת֙ בִּדְרָכֶ֔יךָ כׇּ֨ל־הַיָּמִ֔ים אֲשֶׁר־הֵ֥ם חַיִּ֖ים עַל־פְּנֵ֣י הָאֲדָמָ֑ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר נָתַ֖תָּה לַאֲבֹתֵֽינוּ׃ {ס}         so that they may revere You all the days that they live on the land that You gave to our fathers.

וְגַ֣ם אֶל־הַנׇּכְרִ֗י אֲ֠שֶׁ֠ר לֹ֥א מֵעַמְּךָ֣ יִשְׂרָאֵל֮ הוּא֒ וּבָ֣א ׀ מֵאֶ֣רֶץ רְחוֹקָ֗ה לְמַ֨עַן שִׁמְךָ֤ הַגָּדוֹל֙ וְיָדְךָ֣ הַחֲזָקָ֔ה וּֽזְרוֹעֲךָ֖ הַנְּטוּיָ֑ה וּבָ֥אוּ וְהִֽתְפַּֽלְל֖וּ אֶל־הַבַּ֥יִת הַזֶּֽה׃ “Or if a foreigner who is not of Your people Israel comes from a distant land for the sake of Your great name, Your mighty hand, and Your outstretched arm, if he comes to pray toward this House,

וְאַתָּ֞ה תִּשְׁמַ֤ע מִן־הַשָּׁמַ֙יִם֙ מִמְּכ֣וֹן שִׁבְתֶּ֔ךָ וְעָשִׂ֕יתָ כְּכֹ֛ל אֲשֶׁר־יִקְרָ֥א אֵלֶ֖יךָ הַנׇּכְרִ֑י לְמַ֣עַן יֵדְעוּ֩ כׇל־עַמֵּ֨י הָאָ֜רֶץ אֶת־שְׁמֶ֗ךָ וּלְיִרְאָ֤ה אֹֽתְךָ֙ כְּעַמְּךָ֣ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וְלָדַ֕עַת כִּֽי־שִׁמְךָ֣ נִקְרָ֔א עַל־הַבַּ֥יִת הַזֶּ֖ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר בָּנִֽיתִי׃ may You hear in Your heavenly abode and grant whatever the foreigner appeals to You for. Thus all the peoples of the earth will know Your name and revere You, as does Your people Israel; and they will recognize that Your name is attached to this House that I have built.

כִּֽי־יֵצֵ֨א עַמְּךָ֤ לַמִּלְחָמָה֙ עַל־אֹ֣יְבָ֔יו בַּדֶּ֖רֶךְ אֲשֶׁ֣ר תִּשְׁלָחֵ֑ם וְהִתְפַּֽלְל֣וּ אֵלֶ֗יךָ דֶּ֣רֶךְ הָעִ֤יר הַזֹּאת֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בָּחַ֣רְתָּ בָּ֔הּ וְהַבַּ֖יִת אֲשֶׁר־בָּנִ֥יתִי לִשְׁמֶֽךָ׃ “When Your people take the field against their enemies in a campaign on which You send them, and they pray to You in the direction of the city which You have chosen and the House which I have built to Your name,

וְשָֽׁמַעְתָּ֙ מִן־הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם אֶת־תְּפִלָּתָ֖ם וְאֶת־תְּחִנָּתָ֑ם וְעָשִׂ֖יתָ מִשְׁפָּטָֽם׃ may You hear in heaven their prayer and supplication and uphold their cause.

כִּ֣י יֶחֶטְאוּ־לָ֗ךְ כִּ֣י אֵ֤ין אָדָם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר לֹא־יֶחֱטָ֔א וְאָנַפְתָּ֣ בָ֔ם וּנְתַתָּ֖ם לִפְנֵ֣י אוֹיֵ֑ב וְשָׁב֧וּם שׁוֹבֵיהֶ֛ם אֶל־אֶ֥רֶץ רְחוֹקָ֖ה א֥וֹ קְרוֹבָֽה׃ “When they sin against You—for there is no person who does not sin—and You are angry with them and deliver them to the enemy, and their captors carry them off to an enemy land, near or far;

וְהֵשִׁ֙יבוּ֙ אֶל־לְבָבָ֔ם בָּאָ֖רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֣ר נִשְׁבּוּ־שָׁ֑ם וְשָׁ֣בוּ ׀ וְהִֽתְחַנְּנ֣וּ אֵלֶ֗יךָ בְּאֶ֤רֶץ שִׁבְיָם֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר חָטָ֥אנוּ הֶעֱוִ֖ינוּ וְרָשָֽׁעְנוּ׃ and they take it to heart in the land to which they have been carried off, and repent and make supplication to You in the land of their captivity, saying, ‘We have sinned, we have acted perversely, we have acted wickedly,’

וְשָׁ֣בוּ אֵלֶ֗יךָ בְּכׇל־לִבָּם֙ וּבְכׇל־נַפְשָׁ֔ם בְּאֶ֥רֶץ שִׁבְיָ֖ם אֲשֶׁר־שָׁב֣וּ אֹתָ֑ם וְהִֽתְפַּֽלְל֗וּ דֶּ֤רֶךְ אַרְצָם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר נָתַ֣תָּה לַאֲבוֹתָ֔ם וְהָעִיר֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בָּחַ֔רְתָּ וְלַבַּ֖יִת אֲשֶׁר־בָּנִ֥יתִי לִשְׁמֶֽךָ׃ and they turn back to You with all their heart and soul, in the land of their captivity where they were carried off, and pray in the direction of their land which You gave to their fathers and the city which You have chosen, and toward the House which I have built for Your name—

וְשָׁמַעְתָּ֨ מִן־הַשָּׁמַ֜יִם מִמְּכ֣וֹן שִׁבְתְּךָ֗ אֶת־תְּפִלָּתָם֙ וְאֶת־תְּחִנֹּ֣תֵיהֶ֔ם וְעָשִׂ֖יתָ מִשְׁפָּטָ֑ם וְסָלַחְתָּ֥ לְעַמְּךָ֖ אֲשֶׁ֥ר חָטְאוּ־לָֽךְ׃ may You hear their prayer and supplication in Your heavenly abode, uphold their cause, and pardon Your people who have sinned against You.

עַתָּ֣ה אֱלֹהַ֗י יִֽהְיוּ־נָ֤א עֵינֶ֙יךָ֙ פְּתֻח֔וֹת וְאׇזְנֶ֖יךָ קַשֻּׁב֑וֹת לִתְפִלַּ֖ת הַמָּק֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה׃ {ס}         Now My God, may Your eyes be open and Your ears attentive to prayer from this place, and now,

וְעַתָּ֗ה קוּמָ֞ה יְהֹוָ֤ה אֱלֹהִים֙ לְֽנוּחֶ֔ךָ אַתָּ֖ה וַאֲר֣וֹן עֻזֶּ֑ךָ כֹּהֲנֶ֜יךָ יְהֹוָ֤ה אֱלֹהִים֙ יִלְבְּשׁ֣וּ תְשׁוּעָ֔ה וַחֲסִידֶ֖יךָ יִשְׂמְח֥וּ בַטּֽוֹב׃ Advance, O LORD God, to your resting-place,
You and Your mighty Ark.
Your priests, O LORD God, are clothed in triumph;
Your loyal ones will rejoice in [Your] goodness.

יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהִ֔ים אַל־תָּשֵׁ֖ב פְּנֵ֣י מְשִׁיחֶ֑ךָ זׇכְרָ֕ה לְחַֽסְדֵ֖י דָּוִ֥יד עַבְדֶּֽךָ׃ {פ}
O LORD God,
do not reject Your anointed one;
remember the loyalty of Your servant David.”

וּכְכַלּ֤וֹת שְׁלֹמֹה֙ לְהִתְפַּלֵּ֔ל וְהָאֵ֗שׁ יָֽרְדָה֙ מֵֽהַשָּׁמַ֔יִם וַתֹּ֥אכַל הָעֹלָ֖ה וְהַזְּבָחִ֑ים וּכְב֥וֹד יְהֹוָ֖ה מָלֵ֥א אֶת־הַבָּֽיִת׃ ^aCf. 1 Kings 8.54–9.9.When Solomon finished praying, fire descended from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the House.

וְלֹ֤א יָֽכְלוּ֙ הַכֹּ֣הֲנִ֔ים לָב֖וֹא אֶל־בֵּ֣ית יְהֹוָ֑ה כִּֽי־מָלֵ֥א כְבוֹד־יְהֹוָ֖ה אֶת־בֵּ֥ית יְהֹוָֽה׃ The priests could not enter the House of the LORD, for the glory of the LORD filled the House of the LORD.

וְכֹ֣ל ׀ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל רֹאִים֙ בְּרֶ֣דֶת הָאֵ֔שׁ וּכְב֥וֹד יְהֹוָ֖ה עַל־הַבָּ֑יִת וַיִּכְרְעוּ֩ אַפַּ֨יִם אַ֤רְצָה עַל־הָרִֽצְפָה֙ וַיִּֽשְׁתַּחֲו֔וּ וְהֹד֤וֹת לַֽיהֹוָה֙ כִּ֣י ט֔וֹב כִּ֥י לְעוֹלָ֖ם חַסְדּֽוֹ׃ All the Israelites witnessed the descent of the fire and the glory of the LORD on the House; they knelt with their faces to the ground and prostrated themselves, praising the LORD, “For He is good, for His steadfast love is eternal.”

וְהַמֶּ֖לֶךְ וְכׇל־הָעָ֑ם זֹבְחִ֥ים זֶ֖בַח לִפְנֵ֥י יְהֹוָֽה׃ {ס}         Then the king and all the people offered sacrifices before the LORD.

וַיִּזְבַּ֞ח הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹה֮ אֶת־זֶ֣בַח הַבָּקָר֒ עֶשְׂרִ֤ים וּשְׁנַ֙יִם֙ אֶ֔לֶף וְצֹ֕אן מֵאָ֥ה וְעֶשְׂרִ֖ים אָ֑לֶף וַֽיַּחְנְכוּ֙ אֶת־בֵּ֣ית הָאֱלֹהִ֔ים הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ וְכׇל־הָעָֽם׃ King Solomon offered as sacrifices 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep; thus the king and all the people dedicated the House of God.

וְהַכֹּהֲנִ֞ים עַל־מִשְׁמְרוֹתָ֣ם עֹמְדִ֗ים וְהַלְוִיִּ֞ם בִּכְלֵי־שִׁ֤יר יְהֹוָה֙ אֲשֶׁ֨ר עָשָׂ֜ה דָּוִ֣יד הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ לְהֹד֤וֹת לַֽיהֹוָה֙ כִּֽי־לְעוֹלָ֣ם חַסְדּ֔וֹ בְּהַלֵּ֥ל דָּוִ֖יד בְּיָדָ֑ם וְהַכֹּֽהֲנִים֙ (מחצצרים) [מַחְצְרִ֣ים] נֶגְדָּ֔ם וְכׇל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל עֹמְדִֽים׃ {ס}         The priests stood at their watches; the Levites with the instruments for the LORD’s music that King David had made to praise the LORD, “For His steadfast love is eternal,” by means of the psalms of David that they knew. The priests opposite them blew trumpets while all Israel were standing.

וַיְקַדֵּ֣שׁ שְׁלֹמֹ֗ה אֶת־תּ֤וֹךְ הֶחָצֵר֙ אֲשֶׁר֙ לִפְנֵ֣י בֵית־יְהֹוָ֔ה כִּי־עָ֤שָׂה שָׁם֙ הָעֹל֔וֹת וְאֵ֖ת חֶלְבֵ֣י הַשְּׁלָמִ֑ים כִּֽי־מִזְבַּ֤ח הַנְּחֹ֙שֶׁת֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשָׂ֣ה שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה לֹ֣א יָכ֗וֹל לְהָכִ֛יל אֶת־הָעֹלָ֥ה וְאֶת־הַמִּנְחָ֖ה וְאֶת־הַחֲלָבִֽים׃ Solomon consecrated the center of the court in front of the House of the LORD, because he presented there the burnt offerings and the fat parts of the offerings of well-being, since the bronze altar that Solomon had made was not able to hold the burnt offerings, the meal offerings, and the fat parts.

וַיַּ֣עַשׂ שְׁלֹמֹ֣ה אֶת־הֶ֠חָ֠ג בָּעֵ֨ת הַהִ֜יא שִׁבְעַ֤ת יָמִים֙ וְכׇל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל עִמּ֔וֹ קָהָ֖ל גָּד֣וֹל מְאֹ֑ד מִלְּב֥וֹא חֲמָ֖ת עַד־נַ֥חַל מִצְרָֽיִם׃ At that time Solomon kept the Feast for seven days—all Israel with him—a great assemblage from Lebo-hamath to the Wadi of Egypt.

וַֽיַּעֲשׂ֛וּ בַּיּ֥וֹם הַשְּׁמִינִ֖י עֲצָ֑רֶת כִּ֣י ׀ חֲנֻכַּ֣ת הַמִּזְבֵּ֗חַ עָשׂוּ֙ שִׁבְעַ֣ת יָמִ֔ים וְהֶחָ֖ג שִׁבְעַ֥ת יָמִֽים׃ On the eighth day they held a solemn gathering; they observed the dedication of the altar seven days, and the Feast seven days.

וּבְי֨וֹם עֶשְׂרִ֤ים וּשְׁלֹשָׁה֙ לַחֹ֣דֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִ֔י שִׁלַּ֥ח אֶת־הָעָ֖ם לְאׇהֳלֵיהֶ֑ם שְׂמֵחִים֙ וְט֣וֹבֵי לֵ֔ב עַל־הַטּוֹבָ֗ה אֲשֶׁ֨ר עָשָׂ֤ה יְהֹוָה֙ לְדָוִ֣יד וְלִשְׁלֹמֹ֔ה וּלְיִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל עַמּֽוֹ׃ On the twenty-third day of the seventh month he dismissed the people to their homes, rejoicing and in good spirits over the goodness that the LORD had shown to David and Solomon and His people Israel.

וַיְכַ֧ל שְׁלֹמֹ֛ה אֶת־בֵּ֥ית יְהֹוָ֖ה וְאֶת־בֵּ֣ית הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ וְאֵ֨ת כׇּל־הַבָּ֜א עַל־לֵ֣ב שְׁלֹמֹ֗ה לַעֲשׂ֧וֹת בְּבֵית־יְהֹוָ֛ה וּבְבֵית֖וֹ הִצְלִֽיחַ׃ {פ}
Thus Solomon finished building the House of the LORD and the royal palace; Solomon succeeded in everything he had set his heart on accomplishing with regard to the House of the LORD and his palace.

וַיֵּרָ֧א יְהֹוָ֛ה אֶל־שְׁלֹמֹ֖ה בַּלָּ֑יְלָה וַיֹּ֣אמֶר ל֗וֹ שָׁמַ֙עְתִּי֙ אֶת־תְּפִלָּתֶ֔ךָ וּבָחַ֜רְתִּי בַּמָּק֥וֹם הַזֶּ֛ה לִ֖י לְבֵ֥ית זָֽבַח׃ The LORD appeared to Solomon at night and said to him, “I have heard your prayer and have chosen this site as My House of sacrifice.

הֵ֣ן אֶעֱצֹ֤ר הַשָּׁמַ֙יִם֙ וְלֹא־יִהְיֶ֣ה מָטָ֔ר וְהֵן־אֲצַוֶּ֥ה עַל־חָגָ֖ב לֶאֱכ֣וֹל הָאָ֑רֶץ וְאִם־אֲשַׁלַּ֥ח דֶּ֖בֶר בְּעַמִּֽי׃ If I shut up the heavens and there is no rain; if I command the locusts to ravage the land; or if I let loose pestilence against My people,

וְיִכָּנְע֨וּ עַמִּ֜י אֲשֶׁ֧ר נִֽקְרָא־שְׁמִ֣י עֲלֵיהֶ֗ם וְיִֽתְפַּֽלְלוּ֙ וִיבַקְשׁ֣וּ פָנַ֔י וְיָשֻׁ֖בוּ מִדַּרְכֵיהֶ֣ם הָרָעִ֑ים וַֽאֲנִי֙ אֶשְׁמַ֣ע מִן־הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם וְאֶסְלַח֙ לְחַטָּאתָ֔ם וְאֶרְפָּ֖א אֶת־אַרְצָֽם׃ when My people, who bear My name, humble themselves, pray, and seek My favor and turn from their evil ways, I will hear in My heavenly abode and forgive their sins and heal their land.

עַתָּ֗ה עֵינַי֙ יִֽהְי֣וּ פְתֻח֔וֹת וְאׇזְנַ֖י קַשֻּׁב֑וֹת לִתְפִלַּ֖ת הַמָּק֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה׃ Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to the prayers from this place.

וְעַתָּ֗ה בָּחַ֤רְתִּי וְהִקְדַּ֙שְׁתִּי֙ אֶת־הַבַּ֣יִת הַזֶּ֔ה לִֽהְיוֹת־שְׁמִ֥י שָׁ֖ם עַד־עוֹלָ֑ם וְהָי֨וּ עֵינַ֧י וְלִבִּ֛י שָׁ֖ם כׇּל־הַיָּמִֽים׃ And now I have chosen and consecrated this House that My name be there forever. My eyes and My heart shall always be there.

וְאַתָּ֞ה אִם־תֵּלֵ֣ךְ לְפָנַ֗י כַּאֲשֶׁ֤ר הָלַךְ֙ דָּוִ֣יד אָבִ֔יךָ וְלַעֲשׂ֕וֹת כְּכֹ֖ל אֲשֶׁ֣ר צִוִּיתִ֑יךָ וְחֻקַּ֥י וּמִשְׁפָּטַ֖י תִּשְׁמֽוֹר׃ As for you, if you walk before Me as your father David walked before Me, doing all that I have commanded you, keeping My laws and rules,

וַהֲקִ֣ימוֹתִ֔י אֵ֖ת כִּסֵּ֣א מַלְכוּתֶ֑ךָ כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר כָּרַ֗תִּי לְדָוִ֤יד אָבִ֙יךָ֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר לֹֽא־יִכָּרֵ֤ת לְךָ֙ אִ֔ישׁ מוֹשֵׁ֖ל בְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ then I will establish your royal throne over Israel forever, in accordance with the Covenant I made with your father David, saying, ‘You shall never lack a descendant ruling over Israel.’

וְאִם־תְּשׁוּב֣וּן אַתֶּ֔ם וַֽעֲזַבְתֶּם֙ חֻקּוֹתַ֣י וּמִצְוֺתַ֔י אֲשֶׁ֥ר נָתַ֖תִּי לִפְנֵיכֶ֑ם וַהֲלַכְתֶּ֗ם וַֽעֲבַדְתֶּם֙ אֱלֹהִ֣ים אֲחֵרִ֔ים וְהִשְׁתַּחֲוִיתֶ֖ם לָהֶֽם׃ But if you turn away from Me and forsake My laws and commandments that I set before you, and go and serve other gods and worship them,

וּנְתַשְׁתִּ֗ים מֵעַ֤ל אַדְמָתִי֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר נָתַ֣תִּי לָהֶ֔ם וְאֶת־הַבַּ֤יִת הַזֶּה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר הִקְדַּ֣שְׁתִּי לִשְׁמִ֔י אַשְׁלִ֖יךְ מֵעַ֣ל פָּנָ֑י וְאֶתְּנֶ֛נּוּ לְמָשָׁ֥ל וְלִשְׁנִינָ֖ה בְּכׇל־הָעַמִּֽים׃ then I will uproot them^bI.e., Israel; cf. 1 Kings 9.7. from My land that I gave them, and this House that I consecrated to My name I shall cast out of my sight, and make it a proverb and a byword among all peoples.

וְהַבַּ֤יִת הַזֶּה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר הָיָ֣ה עֶלְי֔וֹן לְכׇל־עֹבֵ֥ר עָלָ֖יו יִשֹּׁ֑ם וְאָמַ֗ר בַּמֶּ֨ה עָשָׂ֤ה יְהֹוָה֙ כָּ֔כָה לָאָ֥רֶץ הַזֹּ֖את וְלַבַּ֥יִת הַזֶּֽה׃ And as for this House, once so exalted, everyone passing by it shall be appalled and say, ‘Why did the LORD do thus to this land and to this House?’

וְאָמְר֗וּ עַל֩ אֲשֶׁ֨ר עָזְב֜וּ אֶת־יְהֹוָ֣ה ׀ אֱלֹהֵ֣י אֲבֹתֵיהֶ֗ם אֲשֶׁ֣ר הוֹצִיאָם֮ מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֒יִם֒ וַֽיַּחֲזִ֙יקוּ֙ בֵּאלֹהִ֣ים אֲחֵרִ֔ים וַיִּשְׁתַּחֲו֥וּ לָהֶ֖ם וַיַּעַבְד֑וּם עַל־כֵּן֙ הֵבִ֣יא עֲלֵיהֶ֔ם אֵ֥ת כׇּל־הָרָעָ֖ה הַזֹּֽאת׃ {פ}
And the reply will be, ‘It is because they forsook the LORD God of their fathers who freed them from the land of Egypt, and adopted other gods and worshiped them and served them; therefore He brought all this calamity upon them.’”

וַיְהִ֞י מִקֵּ֣ץ ׀ עֶשְׂרִ֣ים שָׁנָ֗ה אֲשֶׁ֨ר בָּנָ֧ה שְׁלֹמֹ֛ה אֶת־בֵּ֥ית יְהֹוָ֖ה וְאֶת־בֵּיתֽוֹ׃ ^aCf. 1 Kings 9.10–28.At the end of twenty years, during which Solomon constructed the House of the LORD and his palace—

וְהֶעָרִ֗ים אֲשֶׁ֨ר נָתַ֤ן חוּרָם֙ לִשְׁלֹמֹ֔ה בָּנָ֥ה שְׁלֹמֹ֖ה אֹתָ֑ם וַיּ֥וֹשֶׁב שָׁ֖ם אֶת־בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ Solomon also rebuilt the cities that Huram had given to him,^bLit. “Solomon.” and settled Israelites in them—

וַיֵּ֤לֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹה֙ חֲמָ֣ת צוֹבָ֔ה וַיֶּחֱזַ֖ק עָלֶֽיהָ׃ Solomon marched against Hamath-zobah and overpowered it.

וַיִּ֥בֶן אֶת־תַּדְמֹ֖ר בַּמִּדְבָּ֑ר וְאֵת֙ כׇּל־עָרֵ֣י הַֽמִּסְכְּנ֔וֹת אֲשֶׁ֥ר בָּנָ֖ה בַּחֲמָֽת׃ He built Tadmor in the desert and all the garrison towns that he built in Hamath.

וַיִּ֜בֶן אֶת־בֵּ֤ית חוֹרוֹן֙ הָעֶלְי֔וֹן וְאֶת־בֵּ֥ית חוֹר֖וֹן הַתַּחְתּ֑וֹן עָרֵ֣י מָצ֔וֹר חוֹמ֖וֹת דְּלָתַ֥יִם וּבְרִֽיחַ׃ He built Upper Beth-horon and Lower Beth-horon as fortified cities with walls, gates, and bars,

וְאֶֽת־בַּעֲלָ֗ת וְאֵ֨ת כׇּל־עָרֵ֤י הַֽמִּסְכְּנוֹת֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר הָי֣וּ לִשְׁלֹמֹ֔ה וְאֵת֙ כׇּל־עָרֵ֣י הָרֶ֔כֶב וְאֵ֖ת עָרֵ֣י הַפָּרָשִׁ֑ים וְאֵ֣ת ׀ כׇּל־חֵ֣שֶׁק שְׁלֹמֹ֗ה אֲשֶׁ֤ר חָשַׁק֙ לִבְנ֤וֹת בִּירוּשָׁלַ֙͏ִם֙ וּבַלְּבָנ֔וֹן וּבְכֹ֖ל אֶ֥רֶץ מֶמְשַׁלְתּֽוֹ׃ as well as Baalath and all of Solomon’s garrison towns, chariot towns, and cavalry towns—everything that Solomon desired to build in Jerusalem and in the Lebanon, and throughout the territory that he ruled.

כׇּל־הָ֠עָ֠ם הַנּוֹתָ֨ר מִן־הַחִתִּ֜י וְהָאֱמֹרִ֤י וְהַפְּרִזִּי֙ וְהַחִוִּ֣י וְהַיְבוּסִ֔י אֲשֶׁ֛ר לֹ֥א מִיִּשְׂרָאֵ֖ל הֵֽמָּה׃ All the people that were left of the Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, none of whom were of Israelite stock—

מִן־בְּנֵיהֶ֗ם אֲשֶׁ֨ר נוֹתְר֤וּ אַֽחֲרֵיהֶם֙ בָּאָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֥ר לֹֽא־כִלּ֖וּם בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַיַּעֲלֵ֤ם שְׁלֹמֹה֙ לְמַ֔ס עַ֖ד הַיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה׃ those of their descendants who were left after them in the land, whom the Israelites had not annihilated—these Solomon subjected to forced labor, as is still the case.

וּמִן־בְּנֵי֙ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אֲ֠שֶׁ֠ר לֹא־נָתַ֧ן שְׁלֹמֹ֛ה לַעֲבָדִ֖ים לִמְלַאכְתּ֑וֹ כִּי־הֵ֜מָּה אַנְשֵׁ֤י מִלְחָמָה֙ וְשָׂרֵ֣י שָׁלִישָׁ֔יו וְשָׂרֵ֥י רִכְבּ֖וֹ וּפָרָשָֽׁיו׃ {פ}
But the Israelites, none of whom Solomon enslaved for his works, served as soldiers and as his chief officers, and as commanders of his chariotry and cavalry.

וְאֵ֨לֶּה שָׂרֵ֧י (הנציבים) [הַנִּצָּבִ֛ים] אֲשֶׁר־לַמֶּ֥לֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹ֖ה חֲמִשִּׁ֣ים וּמָאתָ֑יִם הָרֹדִ֖ים בָּעָֽם׃ These were King Solomon’s prefects—250 foremen over the people.

וְאֶת־בַּת־פַּרְעֹ֗ה הֶעֱלָ֤ה שְׁלֹמֹה֙ מֵעִ֣יר דָּוִ֔יד לַבַּ֖יִת אֲשֶׁ֣ר בָּנָה־לָ֑הּ כִּ֣י אָמַ֗ר לֹא־תֵשֵׁ֨ב אִשָּׁ֥ה לִי֙ בְּבֵית֙ דָּוִ֣יד מֶלֶךְ־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל כִּֽי־קֹ֣דֶשׁ הֵ֔מָּה אֲשֶׁר־בָּ֥אָֽה־אֲלֵיהֶ֖ם אֲר֥וֹן יְהֹוָֽה׃ {פ}
Solomon brought up Pharaoh’s daughter from the City of David to the palace that he had built for her, for he said, “No wife of mine shall dwell in a palace of King David of Israel, for [the area] is sacred since the Ark of the LORD has entered it.”

אָ֣ז הֶעֱלָ֧ה שְׁלֹמֹ֛ה עֹל֖וֹת לַֽיהֹוָ֑ה עַ֚ל מִזְבַּ֣ח יְהֹוָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר בָּנָ֖ה לִפְנֵ֥י הָאוּלָֽם׃ At that time, Solomon offered burnt offerings on the altar that he had built in front of the porch.

וּבִדְבַר־י֣וֹם בְּי֗וֹם לְהַֽעֲלוֹת֙ כְּמִצְוַ֣ת מֹשֶׁ֔ה לַשַּׁבָּתוֹת֙ וְלֶ֣חֳדָשִׁ֔ים וְלַמּ֣וֹעֲד֔וֹת שָׁל֥וֹשׁ פְּעָמִ֖ים בַּשָּׁנָ֑ה בְּחַ֧ג הַמַּצּ֛וֹת וּבְחַ֥ג הַשָּׁבֻע֖וֹת וּבְחַ֥ג הַסֻּכּֽוֹת׃ What was due for each day he sacrificed according to the commandment of Moses for the sabbaths, the new moons, and the thrice-yearly festivals—the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Booths.

וַיַּעֲמֵ֣ד כְּמִשְׁפַּ֣ט דָּֽוִיד־אָ֠בִ֠יו אֶת־מַחְלְק֨וֹת הַכֹּהֲנִ֜ים עַל־עֲבֹדָתָ֗ם וְהַלְוִיִּ֣ם עַל־מִ֠שְׁמְרוֹתָ֠ם לְהַלֵּ֨ל וּלְשָׁרֵ֜ת נֶ֤גֶד הַכֹּֽהֲנִים֙ לִדְבַר־י֣וֹם בְּיוֹמ֔וֹ וְהַשֹּׁעֲרִ֥ים בְּמַחְלְקוֹתָ֖ם לְשַׁ֣עַר וָשָׁ֑עַר כִּ֣י כֵ֔ן מִצְוַ֖ת דָּוִ֥יד אִישׁ־הָאֱלֹהִֽים׃ Following the prescription of his father David, he set up the divisions of the priests for their duties, and the Levites for their watches, to praise and to serve alongside the priests, according to each day’s requirement, and the gatekeepers in their watches, gate by gate, for such was the commandment of David, the man of God.

וְלֹ֣א סָ֩רוּ֩ מִצְוַ֨ת הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ עַל־הַכֹּהֲנִ֧ים וְהַלְוִיִּ֛ם לְכׇל־דָּבָ֖ר וְלָאֹצָרֽוֹת׃ They did not depart from the commandment of the king relating to the priests and the Levites in all these matters and also relating to the treasuries.

וַתִּכֹּן֙ כׇּל־מְלֶ֣אכֶת שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה עַד־הַיּ֛וֹם מוּסַ֥ד בֵּית־יְהֹוָ֖ה וְעַד־כְּלֹת֑וֹ שָׁלֵ֖ם בֵּ֥ית יְהֹוָֽה׃ {ס}         And all of Solomon’s work was well executed from the day the House of the LORD was founded until the House of the LORD was completed to perfection.

אָז֩ הָלַ֨ךְ שְׁלֹמֹ֜ה לְעֶצְיֽוֹן־גֶּ֧בֶר וְאֶל־אֵיל֛וֹת עַל־שְׂפַ֥ת הַיָּ֖ם בְּאֶ֥רֶץ אֱדֽוֹם׃ At that time Solomon went to Ezion-geber and to Eloth on the seacoast of the land of Edom.

וַיִּֽשְׁלַֽח־לוֹ֩ חוּרָ֨ם בְּיַד־עֲבָדָ֜יו (אוניות) [אֳנִיּ֗וֹת] וַעֲבָדִים֮ י֣וֹדְעֵי יָם֒ וַיָּבֹ֜אוּ עִם־עַבְדֵ֤י שְׁלֹמֹה֙ אוֹפִ֔ירָה וַיִּקְח֣וּ מִשָּׁ֔ם אַרְבַּע־מֵא֥וֹת וַחֲמִשִּׁ֖ים כִּכַּ֣ר זָהָ֑ב וַיָּבִ֖יאוּ אֶל־הַמֶּ֥לֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹֽה׃ {פ}
Huram sent him, under the charge of servants, a fleet with a crew of expert seamen; they went with Solomon’s men to Ophir, and obtained gold there in the amount of 450 talents, which they brought to King Solomon.

וּמַֽלְכַּת־שְׁבָ֗א שָֽׁמְעָה֮ אֶת־שֵׁ֣מַע שְׁלֹמֹה֒ וַתָּב֣וֹא לְנַסּוֹת֩ אֶת־שְׁלֹמֹ֨ה בְחִיד֜וֹת בִּירוּשָׁלַ֗͏ִם בְּחַ֣יִל כָּבֵ֣ד מְאֹ֡ד וּ֠גְמַלִּ֠ים נֹשְׂאִ֨ים בְּשָׂמִ֧ים וְזָהָ֛ב לָרֹ֖ב וְאֶ֣בֶן יְקָרָ֑ה וַתָּבוֹא֙ אֶל־שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה וַתְּדַבֵּ֣ר עִמּ֔וֹ אֵ֛ת כׇּל־אֲשֶׁ֥ר הָיָ֖ה עִם־לְבָבָֽהּ׃ ^aCf. 1 Kings 10; 11.41–43.The queen of Sheba heard of Solomon’s fame, and came to Jerusalem to test Solomon with hard questions, accompanied by a very large retinue, including camels bearing spices, a great quantity of gold, and precious stones. When she came to Solomon, she spoke to him of all that she had on her mind.

וַיַּגֶּד־לָ֥הּ שְׁלֹמֹ֖ה אֶת־כׇּל־דְּבָרֶ֑יהָ וְלֹֽא־נֶעְלַ֤ם דָּבָר֙ מִשְּׁלֹמֹ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֧ר לֹ֦א הִגִּ֖יד לָֽהּ׃ Solomon had answers for all her questions; there was nothing that Solomon did not know, nothing to which he could not give her an answer.

וַתֵּ֙רֶא֙ מַֽלְכַּת־שְׁבָ֔א אֵ֖ת חׇכְמַ֣ת שְׁלֹמֹ֑ה וְהַבַּ֖יִת אֲשֶׁ֥ר בָּנָֽה׃ When the queen of Sheba saw how wise Solomon was and the palace he had built,

וּמַאֲכַ֣ל שֻׁלְחָנ֡וֹ וּמוֹשַׁ֣ב עֲבָדָיו֩ וּמַעֲמַ֨ד מְשָׁרְתָ֜יו וּמַלְבּוּשֵׁיהֶ֗ם וּמַשְׁקָיו֙ וּמַלְבּ֣וּשֵׁיהֶ֔ם וַֽעֲלִיָּת֔וֹ אֲשֶׁ֥ר יַעֲלֶ֖ה בֵּ֣ית יְהֹוָ֑ה וְלֹא־הָ֥יָה ע֛וֹד בָּ֖הּ רֽוּחַ׃ the fare of his table, the seating of his courtiers, the service and attire of his attendants, his butlers and their attire, and the procession with which he went up to the House of the LORD, it took her breath away.

וַתֹּ֙אמֶר֙ אֶל־הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ אֱמֶת֙ הַדָּבָ֔ר אֲשֶׁ֥ר שָׁמַ֖עְתִּי בְּאַרְצִ֑י עַל־דְּבָרֶ֖יךָ וְעַל־חׇכְמָתֶֽךָ׃ She said to the king, “What I heard in my own land about you and your wisdom was true.

וְלֹא־הֶאֱמַ֣נְתִּי לְדִבְרֵיהֶ֗ם עַ֤ד אֲשֶׁר־בָּ֙אתִי֙ וַתִּרְאֶ֣ינָה עֵינַ֔י וְהִנֵּה֙ לֹ֣א הֻגַּד־לִ֔י חֲצִ֖י מַרְבִּ֣ית חׇכְמָתֶ֑ךָ יָסַ֕פְתָּ עַל־הַשְּׁמוּעָ֖ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר שָׁמָֽעְתִּי׃ I did not believe what they said until I came and saw with my own eyes that not even the half of your great wisdom had been described to me; you surpass the report that I heard.

אַשְׁרֵ֣י אֲנָשֶׁ֔יךָ וְאַשְׁרֵ֖י עֲבָדֶ֣יךָ אֵ֑לֶּה הָעֹמְדִ֤ים לְפָנֶ֙יךָ֙ תָּמִ֔יד וְשֹׁמְעִ֖ים אֶת־חׇכְמָתֶֽךָ׃ How fortunate are your men and how fortunate are these courtiers of yours who are always in attendance on you and can hear your wisdom!

יְהִ֨י יְהֹוָ֤ה אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙ בָּר֔וּךְ אֲשֶׁ֣ר ׀ חָפֵ֣ץ בְּךָ֗ לְתִתְּךָ֤ עַל־כִּסְאוֹ֙ לְמֶ֔לֶךְ לַֽיהֹוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ בְּאַהֲבַ֨ת אֱלֹהֶ֤יךָ אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ לְהַעֲמִיד֣וֹ לְעוֹלָ֔ם וַיִּתֶּנְךָ֤ עֲלֵיהֶם֙ לְמֶ֔לֶךְ לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת מִשְׁפָּ֖ט וּצְדָקָֽה׃ Blessed is the LORD your God, who favored you and set you on His throne as a king before the LORD. It is because of your God’s love for Israel and in order to establish them forever that He made you king over them to execute righteous justice.”

וַתִּתֵּ֨ן לַמֶּ֜לֶךְ מֵאָ֥ה וְעֶשְׂרִ֣ים ׀ כִּכַּ֣ר זָהָ֗ב וּבְשָׂמִ֛ים לָרֹ֥ב מְאֹ֖ד וְאֶ֣בֶן יְקָרָ֑ה וְלֹ֤א הָיָה֙ כַּבֹּ֣שֶׂם הַה֔וּא אֲשֶׁר־נָתְנָ֥ה מַֽלְכַּת־שְׁבָ֖א לַמֶּ֥לֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹֽה׃ She presented the king with 120 talents of gold, and a vast quantity of spices and precious stones. There were no such spices as those which the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon—

וְגַם־עַבְדֵ֤י (חירם) [חוּרָם֙] וְעַבְדֵ֣י שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה אֲשֶׁר־הֵבִ֥יאוּ זָהָ֖ב מֵאוֹפִ֑יר הֵבִ֛יאוּ עֲצֵ֥י אַלְגּוּמִּ֖ים וְאֶ֥בֶן יְקָרָֽה׃ also, the servants of Huram and Solomon who brought gold from Ophir brought algum-wood and precious stones.

וַיַּ֣עַשׂ הַ֠מֶּ֠לֶךְ אֶת־עֲצֵ֨י הָאַלְגּוּמִּ֜ים מְסִלּ֤וֹת לְבֵית־יְהֹוָה֙ וּלְבֵ֣ית הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ וְכִנֹּר֥וֹת וּנְבָלִ֖ים לַשָּׁרִ֑ים וְלֹא־נִרְא֥וּ כָהֵ֛ם לְפָנִ֖ים בְּאֶ֥רֶץ יְהוּדָֽה׃ The king made of the algum-wood ramps for the House of the LORD and for the royal palace, and lyres and harps for the musicians, whose like had never before been seen in the land of Judah—

וְהַמֶּ֨לֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹ֜ה נָתַ֣ן לְמַֽלְכַּת־שְׁבָ֗א אֶת־כׇּל־חֶפְצָהּ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר שָׁאָ֔לָה מִלְּבַ֖ד אֲשֶׁר־הֵבִ֣יאָה אֶל־הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ וַֽתַּהֲפֹ֛ךְ וַתֵּ֥לֶךְ לְאַרְצָ֖הּ הִ֥יא וַעֲבָדֶֽיהָ׃ {פ}
King Solomon, in turn, gave the queen of Sheba everything she expressed a desire for, exceeding a return for what she had brought to the king. Then she and her courtiers left and returned to her own land.

וַֽיְהִי֙ מִשְׁקַ֣ל הַזָּהָ֔ב אֲשֶׁר־בָּ֥א לִשְׁלֹמֹ֖ה בְּשָׁנָ֣ה אֶחָ֑ת שֵׁ֥שׁ מֵא֛וֹת וְשִׁשִּׁ֥ים וָשֵׁ֖שׁ כִּכְּרֵ֥י זָהָֽב׃ The gold that Solomon received every year weighed 666 gold talents,

לְבַ֨ד מֵאַנְשֵׁ֧י הַתָּרִ֛ים וְהַסֹּחֲרִ֖ים מְבִיאִ֑ים וְכׇל־מַלְכֵ֤י עֲרַב֙ וּפַח֣וֹת הָאָ֔רֶץ מְבִיאִ֛ים זָהָ֥ב וָכֶ֖סֶף לִשְׁלֹמֹֽה׃ besides what traders and merchants brought, and the gold and silver that all the kings of Arabia and governors of the regions brought to Solomon.

וַיַּ֨עַשׂ הַמֶּ֧לֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹ֛ה מָאתַ֥יִם צִנָּ֖ה זָהָ֣ב שָׁח֑וּט שֵׁ֤שׁ מֵאוֹת֙ זָהָ֣ב שָׁח֔וּט יַעֲלֶ֖ה עַל־הַצִּנָּ֥ה הָֽאֶחָֽת׃ King Solomon made 200 shields of beaten gold—600 shekels of beaten gold for each shield,

וּשְׁלֹשׁ־מֵא֤וֹת מָֽגִנִּים֙ זָהָ֣ב שָׁח֔וּט שְׁלֹ֤שׁ מֵאוֹת֙ זָהָ֔ב יַעֲלֶ֖ה עַל־הַמָּגֵ֣ן הָאֶחָ֑ת וַיִּתְּנֵ֣ם הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ בְּבֵ֖ית יַ֥עַר הַלְּבָנֽוֹן׃ and 300 bucklers of beaten gold—300 [shekels] of gold for each buckler. The king placed them in the Lebanon Forest House.

וַיַּ֧עַשׂ הַמֶּ֛לֶךְ כִּסֵּא־שֵׁ֖ן גָּד֑וֹל וַיְצַפֵּ֖הוּ זָהָ֥ב טָהֽוֹר׃ The king also made a large throne of ivory, overlaid with pure gold.

וְשֵׁ֣שׁ מַעֲל֣וֹת לַ֠כִּסֵּ֠א וְכֶ֨בֶשׁ בַּזָּהָ֤ב לַכִּסֵּא֙ מׇאֳחָזִ֔ים וְיָד֛וֹת מִזֶּ֥ה וּמִזֶּ֖ה עַל־מְק֣וֹם הַשָּׁ֑בֶת וּשְׁנַ֣יִם אֲרָי֔וֹת עֹמְדִ֖ים אֵ֥צֶל הַיָּדֽוֹת׃ Six steps led up to the throne; and the throne had a golden footstool attached to it, and arms on either side of the seat. Two lions stood beside the arms,

וּשְׁנֵ֧ים עָשָׂ֣ר אֲרָי֗וֹת עֹמְדִ֥ים שָׁ֛ם עַל־שֵׁ֥שׁ הַֽמַּעֲל֖וֹת מִזֶּ֣ה וּמִזֶּ֑ה לֹא־נַעֲשָׂ֥ה כֵ֖ן לְכׇל־מַמְלָכָֽה׃ and twelve lions stood on the six steps, six on either side. None such was ever made for any other kingdom.

וְ֠כֹ֠ל כְּלֵ֞י מַשְׁקֵ֨ה הַמֶּ֤לֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹה֙ זָהָ֔ב וְכֹ֗ל כְּלֵ֛י בֵּֽית־יַ֥עַר הַלְּבָנ֖וֹן זָהָ֣ב סָג֑וּר אֵ֣ין כֶּ֗סֶף נֶחְשָׁ֛ב בִּימֵ֥י שְׁלֹמֹ֖ה לִמְאֽוּמָה׃ All of King Solomon’s drinking vessels were of gold, and all the utensils of the Lebanon Forest House were of pure gold; silver counted for nothing in Solomon’s days.

כִּֽי־אֳנִיּ֤וֹת לַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ הֹלְכ֣וֹת תַּרְשִׁ֔ישׁ עִ֖ם עַבְדֵ֣י חוּרָ֑ם אַחַת֩ לְשָׁל֨וֹשׁ שָׁנִ֜ים תָּב֣וֹאנָה ׀ אֳנִיּ֣וֹת תַּרְשִׁ֗ישׁ נֹֽשְׂאוֹת֙ זָהָ֣ב וָכֶ֔סֶף שֶׁנְהַבִּ֥ים וְקוֹפִ֖ים וְתוּכִּיִּֽים׃ {פ}
The king’s fleet traveled to Tarshish with Huram’s servants. Once every three years, the Tarshish fleet came in, bearing gold and silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks.

וַיִּגְדַּל֙ הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה מִכֹּ֖ל מַלְכֵ֣י הָאָ֑רֶץ לְעֹ֖שֶׁר וְחׇכְמָֽה׃ King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in wealth and wisdom.

וְכֹל֙ מַלְכֵ֣י הָאָ֔רֶץ מְבַקְשִׁ֖ים אֶת־פְּנֵ֣י שְׁלֹמֹ֑ה לִשְׁמֹ֙עַ֙ אֶת־חׇכְמָת֔וֹ אֲשֶׁר־נָתַ֥ן הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים בְּלִבּֽוֹ׃ All the kings of the earth came to pay homage to Solomon and to listen to the wisdom with which God had endowed him.

וְהֵ֣ם מְבִיאִ֣ים אִ֣ישׁ מִנְחָת֡וֹ כְּלֵ֣י כֶ֩סֶף֩ וּכְלֵ֨י זָהָ֤ב וּשְׂלָמוֹת֙ נֵ֣שֶׁק וּבְשָׂמִ֔ים סוּסִ֖ים וּפְרָדִ֑ים דְּבַר־שָׁנָ֖ה בְּשָׁנָֽה׃ {ס}         Each brought his tribute—silver and gold objects, robes, weapons, and spices, horses and mules—in the amount due each year.

וַיְהִ֨י לִשְׁלֹמֹ֜ה אַרְבַּ֩עַת֩ אֲלָפִ֨ים אֻֽרְי֤וֹת סוּסִים֙ וּמַרְכָּב֔וֹת וּשְׁנֵים־עָשָׂ֥ר אֶ֖לֶף פָּרָשִׁ֑ים וַיַּנִּיחֵם֙ בְּעָרֵ֣י הָרֶ֔כֶב וְעִם־הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ בִּירוּשָׁלָֽ͏ִם׃ Solomon had 4,000 stalls for horses and chariots, and 12,000 horsemen, which he stationed in the chariot towns and with the king in Jerusalem.

וַיְהִ֥י מוֹשֵׁ֖ל בְּכׇל־הַמְּלָכִ֑ים מִן־הַנָּהָר֙ וְעַד־אֶ֣רֶץ פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים וְעַ֖ד גְּב֥וּל מִצְרָֽיִם׃ He ruled over all the kings from the Euphrates to the land of the Philistines and to the border of Egypt.

וַיִּתֵּ֨ן הַמֶּ֧לֶךְ אֶת־הַכֶּ֛סֶף בִּירוּשָׁלַ֖͏ִם כָּאֲבָנִ֑ים וְאֵ֣ת הָאֲרָזִ֗ים נָתַ֛ן כַּשִּׁקְמִ֥ים אֲשֶׁר־בַּשְּׁפֵלָ֖ה לָרֹֽב׃ The king made silver as plentiful in Jerusalem as stones, and cedars as plentiful as sycamores in the Shephelah.

וּמוֹצִיאִ֨ים סוּסִ֧ים מִמִּצְרַ֛יִם לִשְׁלֹמֹ֖ה וּמִכׇּל־הָאֲרָצֽוֹת׃ Horses were brought for Solomon from Egypt and all the lands.

וּשְׁאָר֙ דִּבְרֵ֣י שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה הָרִאשֹׁנִ֖ים וְהָאַחֲרוֹנִ֑ים הֲלֹא־הֵ֣ם כְּתוּבִ֗ים עַל־דִּבְרֵי֙ נָתָ֣ן הַנָּבִ֔יא וְעַל־נְבוּאַ֞ת אֲחִיָּ֣ה הַשִּׁילוֹנִ֗י וּבַֽחֲזוֹת֙ (יעדי) [יֶעְדּ֣וֹ] הַחֹזֶ֔ה עַל־יָרׇבְעָ֖ם בֶּן־נְבָֽט׃ The other events of Solomon’s reign, early and late, are recorded in the chronicle of the prophet Nathan and in the prophecies of Ahijah the Shilonite and in the visions of Jedo the seer concerning Jeroboam son of Nebat.

וַיִּמְלֹ֨ךְ שְׁלֹמֹ֧ה בִירוּשָׁלַ֛͏ִם עַל־כׇּל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל אַרְבָּעִ֥ים שָׁנָֽה׃ Solomon reigned forty years over all Israel in Jerusalem.

וַיִּשְׁכַּ֤ב שְׁלֹמֹה֙ עִם־אֲבֹתָ֔יו וַֽיִּקְבְּרֻ֔הוּ בְּעִ֖יר דָּוִ֣יד אָבִ֑יו וַיִּמְלֹ֛ךְ רְחַבְעָ֥ם בְּנ֖וֹ תַּחְתָּֽיו׃ {פ}
Solomon slept with his fathers and was buried in the city of his father David; his son Rehoboam succeeded him as king.

וַיֵּ֥לֶךְ רְחַבְעָ֖ם שְׁכֶ֑מָה כִּ֥י שְׁכֶ֛ם בָּ֥אוּ כׇל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לְהַמְלִ֥יךְ אֹתֽוֹ׃ ^aCf. 1 Kings 12.1–19.Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had come to Shechem to acclaim him king.

וַיְהִ֞י כִּשְׁמֹ֨עַ יָרׇבְעָ֤ם בֶּן־נְבָט֙ וְה֣וּא בְמִצְרַ֔יִם אֲשֶׁ֣ר בָּרַ֔ח מִפְּנֵ֖י שְׁלֹמֹ֣ה הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ וַיָּ֥שׇׁב יָרׇבְעָ֖ם מִמִּצְרָֽיִם׃ Jeroboam son of Nebat learned of it while he was in Egypt where he had fled from King Solomon, and Jeroboam returned from Egypt.

וַֽיִּשְׁלְחוּ֙ וַיִּקְרְאוּ־ל֔וֹ וַיָּבֹ֥א יָרׇבְעָ֖ם וְכׇל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַֽיְדַבְּר֔וּ אֶל־רְחַבְעָ֖ם לֵאמֹֽר׃ They sent for him; and Jeroboam and all Israel came and spoke to Rehoboam as follows:

אָבִ֖יךָ הִקְשָׁ֣ה אֶת־עֻלֵּ֑נוּ וְעַתָּ֡ה הָקֵל֩ מֵעֲבוֹדַ֨ת אָבִ֜יךָ הַקָּשָׁ֗ה וּמֵעֻלּ֧וֹ הַכָּבֵ֛ד אֲשֶׁר־נָתַ֥ן עָלֵ֖ינוּ וְנַעַבְדֶֽךָּ׃ “Your father made our yoke heavy. Now lighten the harsh labor and the heavy yoke that your father laid on us, and we will serve you.”

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֲלֵהֶ֗ם ע֛וֹד שְׁלֹ֥שֶׁת יָמִ֖ים וְשׁ֣וּבוּ אֵלָ֑י וַיֵּ֖לֶךְ הָעָֽם׃ {ס}         He answered them, “Come back to me in three days.” So the people went away.

וַיִּוָּעַ֞ץ הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ רְחַבְעָ֗ם אֶת־הַזְּקֵנִים֙ אֲשֶׁר־הָי֣וּ עֹמְדִ֗ים לִפְנֵי֙ שְׁלֹמֹ֣ה אָבִ֔יו בִּהְיֹת֥וֹ חַ֖י לֵאמֹ֑ר אֵ֚יךְ אַתֶּ֣ם נֽוֹעָצִ֔ים לְהָשִׁ֥יב לָעָם־הַזֶּ֖ה דָּבָֽר׃ King Rehoboam took counsel with the elders who had served during the lifetime of his father Solomon. He said, “What answer do you counsel to give these people?”

וַיְדַבְּר֨וּ אֵלָ֜יו לֵאמֹ֗ר אִם־תִּהְיֶ֨ה לְט֜וֹב לְהָעָ֤ם הַזֶּה֙ וּרְצִיתָ֔ם וְדִבַּרְתָּ֥ אֲלֵהֶ֖ם דְּבָרִ֣ים טוֹבִ֑ים וְהָי֥וּ לְךָ֛ עֲבָדִ֖ים כׇּל־הַיָּמִֽים׃ They answered him, “If you will be good to these people and appease them and speak to them with kind words, they will be your servants always.”

וַֽיַּעֲזֹ֛ב אֶת־עֲצַ֥ת הַזְּקֵנִ֖ים אֲשֶׁ֣ר יְעָצֻ֑הוּ וַיִּוָּעַ֗ץ אֶת־הַיְלָדִים֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר גָּדְל֣וּ אִתּ֔וֹ הָעֹמְדִ֖ים לְפָנָֽיו׃ But he ignored the counsel that the elders gave him, and took counsel with the young men who had grown up with him and were serving him.

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֲלֵהֶ֗ם מָ֚ה אַתֶּ֣ם נוֹעָצִ֔ים וְנָשִׁ֥יב דָּבָ֖ר אֶת־הָעָ֣ם הַזֶּ֑ה אֲשֶׁ֨ר דִּבְּר֤וּ אֵלַי֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר הָקֵל֙ מִן־הָעֹ֔ל אֲשֶׁר־נָתַ֥ן אָבִ֖יךָ עָלֵֽינוּ׃ “What,” he asked, “do you counsel that we reply to these people who said to me, ‘Lighten the yoke that your father laid on us’?”

וַיְדַבְּר֣וּ אִתּ֗וֹ הַיְלָדִים֙ אֲשֶׁ֨ר גָּדְל֣וּ אִתּוֹ֮ לֵאמֹר֒ כֹּה־תֹאמַ֡ר לָעָם֩ אֲשֶׁר־דִּבְּר֨וּ אֵלֶ֜יךָ לֵאמֹ֗ר אָבִ֙יךָ֙ הִכְבִּ֣יד אֶת־עֻלֵּ֔נוּ וְאַתָּ֖ה הָקֵ֣ל מֵעָלֵ֑ינוּ כֹּ֚ה תֹּאמַ֣ר אֲלֵהֶ֔ם קָטׇנִּ֥י עָבָ֖ה מִמׇּתְנֵ֥י אָבִֽי׃ And the young men who had grown up with him answered, “Speak thus to the people who said to you, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, now you make it lighter for us.’ Say to them, ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s loins.

וְעַתָּ֗ה אָבִי֙ הֶעְמִ֤יס עֲלֵיכֶם֙ עֹ֣ל כָּבֵ֔ד וַאֲנִ֖י אֹסִ֣יף עַֽל־עֻלְּכֶ֑ם אָבִ֗י יִסַּ֤ר אֶתְכֶם֙ בַּשּׁוֹטִ֔ים וַאֲנִ֖י בָּעַקְרַבִּֽים׃ {פ}
My father imposed a heavy yoke on you, and I will add to your yoke; my father flogged you with whips, but I [will do so] with scorpions.’”

וַיָּבֹ֨א יָרׇבְעָ֧ם וְכׇל־הָעָ֛ם אֶל־רְחַבְעָ֖ם בַּיּ֣וֹם הַשְּׁלִשִׁ֑י כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר דִּבֶּ֤ר הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר שׁ֥וּבוּ אֵלַ֖י בַּיּ֥וֹם הַשְּׁלִשִֽׁי׃ Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam on the third day, since the king had told them, “Come back on the third day.”

וַיַּעֲנֵ֥ם הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ קָשָׁ֑ה וַֽיַּעֲזֹב֙ הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ רְחַבְעָ֔ם אֵ֖ת עֲצַ֥ת הַזְּקֵנִֽים׃ The king answered them harshly; thus King Rehoboam ignored the elders’ counsel.

וַיְדַבֵּ֣ר אֲלֵהֶ֗ם כַּעֲצַ֤ת הַיְלָדִים֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר אַכְבִּיד֙ אֶֽת־עֻלְּכֶ֔ם וַאֲנִ֖י אֹסִ֣יף עָלָ֑יו אָבִ֗י יִסַּ֤ר אֶתְכֶם֙ בַּשּׁוֹטִ֔ים וַאֲנִ֖י בָּעַקְרַבִּֽים׃ He spoke to them in accordance with the counsel of the young men, and said, ^bSome mss. and printed editions read “my father made”; cf. 1 Kings 12.14.“I will make^-b your yoke heavy, and I will add to it; my father flogged you with whips, but I [will do so] with scorpions.”

וְלֹא־שָׁמַ֥ע הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ אֶל־הָעָ֑ם כִּֽי־הָיְתָ֤ה נְסִבָּה֙ מֵעִ֣ם הָאֱלֹהִ֔ים לְמַ֩עַן֩ הָקִ֨ים יְהֹוָ֜ה אֶת־דְּבָר֗וֹ אֲשֶׁ֤ר דִּבֶּר֙ בְּיַד֙ אֲחִיָּ֣הוּ הַשִּׁלוֹנִ֔י אֶל־יָרׇבְעָ֖ם בֶּן־נְבָֽט׃ The king did not listen to the people, for God had brought it about in order that the LORD might fulfill the promise that He had made through Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam son of Nebat.

וְכׇל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל כִּ֠י לֹֽא־שָׁמַ֣ע הַמֶּ֘לֶךְ֮ לָהֶם֒ וַיָּשִׁ֣יבוּ הָעָ֣ם אֶת־הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ ׀ לֵאמֹ֡ר מַה־לָּ֩נוּ֩ חֵ֨לֶק בְּדָוִ֜יד וְלֹא־נַחֲלָ֣ה בְּבֶן־יִשַׁ֗י אִ֤ישׁ לְאֹהָלֶ֙יךָ֙ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל עַתָּ֕ה רְאֵ֥ה בֵיתְךָ֖ דָּוִ֑יד וַיֵּ֥לֶךְ כׇּל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לְאֹהָלָֽיו׃ {ס}         When all Israel [saw] that the king had not listened to them, the people answered the king:
“We have no portion in David,
No share in Jesse’s son!
To your tents, O Israel!
Now look to your own house, O David.”
So all Israel returned to their homes.^cLit. “tents.”

וּבְנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל הַיֹּשְׁבִ֖ים בְּעָרֵ֣י יְהוּדָ֑ה וַיִּמְלֹ֥ךְ עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם רְחַבְעָֽם׃ But Rehoboam continued to reign over the Israelites who lived in the towns of Judah.

וַיִּשְׁלַ֞ח הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ רְחַבְעָ֗ם אֶת־הֲדֹרָם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר עַל־הַמַּ֔ס וַיִּרְגְּמוּ־ב֧וֹ בְנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל אֶ֖בֶן וַיָּמֹ֑ת {ס}        וְהַמֶּ֣לֶךְ רְחַבְעָ֗ם הִתְאַמֵּץ֙ לַעֲל֣וֹת בַּמֶּרְכָּבָ֔ה לָנ֖וּס יְרוּשָׁלָֽ͏ִם׃ {ס}         King Rehoboam sent out Hadoram, who was in charge of the forced labor, but the Israelites pelted him to death with stones. Thereupon, King Rehoboam hurriedly mounted his chariot and fled to Jerusalem.

וַיִּפְשְׁע֤וּ יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ בְּבֵ֣ית דָּוִ֔יד עַ֖ד הַיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה׃ Israel has been in revolt against the house of David to this day.

וַיָּבֹ֣א רְחַבְעָם֮ יְרוּשָׁלַ֒͏ִם֒ וַיַּקְהֵל֩ אֶת־בֵּ֨ית יְהוּדָ֜ה וּבִנְיָמִ֗ן מֵאָ֨ה וּשְׁמוֹנִ֥ים אֶ֛לֶף בָּח֖וּר עֹשֵׂ֣ה מִלְחָמָ֑ה לְהִלָּחֵם֙ עִם־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל לְהָשִׁ֥יב אֶת־הַמַּמְלָכָ֖ה לִרְחַבְעָֽם׃ {פ}
^aWith 11.1–4, cf. 1 Kings 12.21–24.When Rehoboam arrived in Jerusalem, he mustered the house of Judah and Benjamin, 180,000 picked fighting men, to make war with Israel in order to restore the kingdom to Rehoboam.

וַֽיְהִי֙ דְּבַר־יְהֹוָ֔ה אֶל־שְׁמַעְיָ֥הוּ אִישׁ־הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים לֵאמֹֽר׃ But the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah, the man of God:

אֱמֹ֕ר אֶל־רְחַבְעָ֥ם בֶּן־שְׁלֹמֹ֖ה מֶ֣לֶךְ יְהוּדָ֑ה וְאֶל֙ כׇּל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל בִּיהוּדָ֥ה וּבִנְיָמִ֖ן לֵאמֹֽר׃ “Say to Rehoboam son of Solomon king of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin:

כֹּ֣ה אָמַ֣ר יְהֹוָ֡ה לֹא־תַעֲלוּ֩ וְלֹא־תִלָּ֨חֲמ֜וּ עִם־אֲחֵיכֶ֗ם שׁ֚וּבוּ אִ֣ישׁ לְבֵית֔וֹ כִּ֧י מֵאִתִּ֛י נִֽהְיָ֖ה הַדָּבָ֣ר הַזֶּ֑ה וַֽיִּשְׁמְעוּ֙ אֶת־דִּבְרֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֔ה וַיָּשֻׁ֖בוּ מִלֶּ֥כֶת אֶל־יָרׇבְעָֽם׃ {פ}
Thus said the LORD: You shall not set out to make war on your kinsmen. Let every man return to his home, for this thing has been brought about by Me.” They heeded the words of the LORD and refrained from marching against Jeroboam.

וַיֵּ֥שֶׁב רְחַבְעָ֖ם בִּירוּשָׁלָ֑͏ִם וַיִּ֧בֶן עָרִ֛ים לְמָצ֖וֹר בִּיהוּדָֽה׃ Rehoboam dwelt in Jerusalem and built fortified towns in Judah.

וַיִּ֧בֶן אֶת־בֵּֽית־לֶ֛חֶם וְאֶת־עֵיטָ֖ם וְאֶת־תְּקֽוֹעַ׃ He built up Bethlehem, and Etam, and Tekoa,

וְאֶת־בֵּֽית־צ֥וּר וְאֶת־שׂוֹכ֖וֹ וְאֶת־עֲדֻלָּֽם׃ and Beth-zur, and Soco, and Adullam,

וְאֶת־גַּ֥ת וְאֶת־מָרֵשָׁ֖ה וְאֶת־זִֽיף׃ and Gath, and Mareshah, and Ziph,

וְאֶת־אֲדוֹרַ֥יִם וְאֶת־לָכִ֖ישׁ וְאֶת־עֲזֵקָֽה׃ and Adoraim, and Lachish, and Azekah,

וְאֶת־צׇרְעָה֙ וְאֶת־אַיָּל֔וֹן וְאֶ֨ת־חֶבְר֔וֹן אֲשֶׁ֥ר בִּֽיהוּדָ֖ה וּבְבִנְיָמִ֑ן עָרֵ֖י מְצֻרֽוֹת׃ and Zorah, and Aijalon, and Hebron, which are in Judah and in Benjamin, as fortified towns.

וַיְחַזֵּ֖ק אֶת־הַמְּצוּר֑וֹת וַיִּתֵּ֤ן בָּהֶם֙ נְגִידִ֔ים וְאֹצְר֥וֹת מַאֲכָ֖ל וְשֶׁ֥מֶן וָיָֽיִן׃ He strengthened the fortified towns and put commanders in them, along with stores of food, oil, and wine,

וּבְכׇל־עִ֤יר וָעִיר֙ צִנּ֣וֹת וּרְמָחִ֔ים וַֽיְחַזְּקֵ֖ם לְהַרְבֵּ֣ה מְאֹ֑ד וַֽיְהִי־ל֖וֹ יְהוּדָ֥ה וּבִנְיָמִֽן׃ {ס}         and shields and spears in every town. He strengthened them exceedingly; thus Judah and Benjamin were his.

וְהַכֹּֽהֲנִים֙ וְהַלְוִיִּ֔ם אֲשֶׁ֖ר בְּכׇל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל הִֽתְיַצְּב֥וּ עָלָ֖יו מִכׇּל־גְּבוּלָֽם׃ The priests and the Levites, from all their territories throughout Israel, presented themselves to him.

כִּֽי־עָזְב֣וּ הַלְוִיִּ֗ם אֶת־מִגְרְשֵׁיהֶם֙ וַאֲחֻזָּתָ֔ם וַיֵּלְכ֥וּ לִֽיהוּדָ֖ה וְלִירוּשָׁלָ֑͏ִם כִּֽי־הִזְנִיחָ֤ם יָֽרׇבְעָם֙ וּבָנָ֔יו מִכַּהֵ֖ן לַיהֹוָֽה׃ The Levites had left their pasturelands and their holdings and had set out for Judah and Jerusalem, for Jeroboam and his sons had prevented them from serving the LORD,

וַיַּֽעֲמֶד־לוֹ֙ כֹּֽהֲנִ֔ים לַבָּמ֖וֹת וְלַשְּׂעִירִ֑ים וְלָעֲגָלִ֖ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר עָשָֽׂה׃ having appointed his own priests for the shrines, goat-demons, and calves which he had made.

וְאַֽחֲרֵיהֶ֗ם מִכֹּל֙ שִׁבְטֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל הַנֹּֽתְנִים֙ אֶת־לְבָבָ֔ם לְבַקֵּ֕שׁ אֶת־יְהֹוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל בָּ֚אוּ יְר֣וּשָׁלַ֔͏ִם לִזְבּ֕וֹחַ לַֽיהֹוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵ֥י אֲבוֹתֵיהֶֽם׃ From all the tribes of Israel, those intent on seeking the LORD God of Israel followed them to Jerusalem, to sacrifice to the LORD God of their fathers.

וַֽיְחַזְּקוּ֙ אֶת־מַלְכ֣וּת יְהוּדָ֔ה וַֽיְאַמְּצ֛וּ אֶת־רְחַבְעָ֥ם בֶּן־שְׁלֹמֹ֖ה לְשָׁנִ֣ים שָׁל֑וֹשׁ כִּ֣י הָלְכ֗וּ בְּדֶ֧רֶךְ דָּוִ֛יד וּשְׁלֹמֹ֖ה לְשָׁנִ֥ים שָׁלֽוֹשׁ׃ They strengthened the kingdom of Judah, and supported Rehoboam son of Solomon for three years, for they followed the ways of David and Solomon for three years.

וַיִּֽקַּֽח־ל֤וֹ רְחַבְעָם֙ אִשָּׁ֔ה אֶת־מָ֣חֲלַ֔ת (בן) [בַּת־]יְרִימ֖וֹת בֶּן־דָּוִ֑יד אֲבִיהַ֕יִל בַּת־אֱלִיאָ֖ב בֶּן־יִשָֽׁי׃ Rehoboam married Mahalath daughter of Jerimoth son of David, and Abihail daughter of Eliab son of Jesse.

וַתֵּ֥לֶד ל֖וֹ בָּנִ֑ים אֶת־יְע֥וּשׁ וְאֶת־שְׁמַרְיָ֖ה וְאֶת־זָֽהַם׃ She bore him sons: Jeush, Shemariah, and Zaham.

וְאַחֲרֶ֣יהָ לָקַ֔ח אֶֽת־מַעֲכָ֖ה בַּת־אַבְשָׁל֑וֹם וַתֵּ֣לֶד ל֗וֹ אֶת־אֲבִיָּה֙ וְאֶת־עַתַּ֔י וְאֶת־זִיזָ֖א וְאֶת־שְׁלֹמִֽית׃ He then took Maacah daughter of Absalom; she bore him Abijah, Attai, Ziza, and Shelomith.

וַיֶּאֱהַ֨ב רְחַבְעָ֜ם אֶת־מַעֲכָ֣ה בַת־אַבְשָׁל֗וֹם מִכׇּל־נָשָׁיו֙ וּפִ֣ילַגְשָׁ֔יו כִּ֠י נָשִׁ֤ים שְׁמוֹנֶֽה־עֶשְׂרֵה֙ נָשָׂ֔א וּפִֽילַגְשִׁ֖ים שִׁשִּׁ֑ים וַיּ֗וֹלֶד עֶשְׂרִ֧ים וּשְׁמוֹנָ֛ה בָּנִ֖ים וְשִׁשִּׁ֥ים בָּנֽוֹת׃ Rehoboam loved Maacah daughter of Absalom more than his other wives and concubines—for he took eighteen wives and sixty concubines; he begot twenty-eight sons and sixty daughters.

וַיַּעֲמֵ֨ד לָרֹ֧אשׁ רְחַבְעָ֛ם אֶת־אֲבִיָּ֥ה בֶֽן־מַעֲכָ֖ה לְנָגִ֣יד בְּאֶחָ֑יו כִּ֖י לְהַמְלִיכֽוֹ׃ Rehoboam designated Abijah son of Maacah as chief and leader among his brothers, for he intended him to be his successor.

וַיָּ֩בֶן֩ וַיִּפְרֹ֨ץ מִכׇּל־בָּנָ֜יו לְֽכׇל־אַרְצ֧וֹת יְהוּדָ֣ה וּבִנְיָמִ֗ן לְכֹל֙ עָרֵ֣י הַמְּצֻר֔וֹת וַיִּתֵּ֥ן לָהֶ֛ם הַמָּז֖וֹן לָרֹ֑ב וַיִּשְׁאַ֖ל הֲמ֥וֹן נָשִֽׁים׃ He prudently distributed all his sons throughout the regions of Judah and Benjamin and throughout the fortified towns; he provided them with abundant food, and he sought many wives for them.

וַיְהִ֗י כְּהָכִ֞ין מַלְכ֤וּת רְחַבְעָם֙ וּכְחֶזְקָת֔וֹ עָזַ֖ב אֶת־תּוֹרַ֣ת יְהֹוָ֑ה וְכׇל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל עִמּֽוֹ׃ {פ}
When the kingship of Rehoboam was firmly established, and he grew strong, he abandoned the Teaching of the LORD, he and all Israel with him.

וַיְהִ֞י בַּשָּׁנָ֤ה הַֽחֲמִישִׁית֙ לַמֶּ֣לֶךְ רְחַבְעָ֔ם עָלָ֛ה שִׁישַׁ֥ק מֶלֶךְ־מִצְרַ֖יִם עַל־יְרוּשָׁלָ֑͏ִם כִּ֥י מָעֲל֖וּ בַּיהֹוָֽה׃ In the fifth year of King Rehoboam, King Shishak of Egypt marched against Jerusalem—for they had trespassed against the LORD—

בְּאֶ֤לֶף וּמָאתַ֙יִם֙ רֶ֔כֶב וּבְשִׁשִּׁ֥ים אֶ֖לֶף פָּרָשִׁ֑ים וְאֵ֣ין מִסְפָּ֗ר לָעָ֞ם אֲשֶׁר־בָּ֤אוּ עִמּוֹ֙ מִמִּצְרַ֔יִם לוּבִ֥ים סֻכִּיִּ֖ים וְכוּשִֽׁים׃ with 1,200 chariots, 60,000 horsemen and innumerable troops who came with him from Egypt: Lybians, Sukkites, and Kushites.

וַיִּלְכֹּ֛ד אֶת־עָרֵ֥י הַמְּצֻר֖וֹת אֲשֶׁ֣ר לִיהוּדָ֑ה וַיָּבֹ֖א עַד־יְרוּשָׁלָֽ͏ִם׃ {ס}         He took the fortified towns of Judah and advanced on Jerusalem.

וּֽשְׁמַעְיָ֤ה הַנָּבִיא֙ בָּ֣א אֶל־רְחַבְעָ֔ם וְשָׂרֵ֣י יְהוּדָ֔ה אֲשֶׁר־נֶאֶסְפ֥וּ אֶל־יְרוּשָׁלַ֖͏ִם מִפְּנֵ֣י שִׁישָׁ֑ק וַיֹּ֨אמֶר לָהֶ֜ם כֹּה־אָמַ֣ר יְהֹוָ֗ה אַתֶּם֙ עֲזַבְתֶּ֣ם אֹתִ֔י וְאַף־אֲנִ֛י עָזַ֥בְתִּי אֶתְכֶ֖ם בְּיַד־שִׁישָֽׁק׃ The prophet Shemaiah came to Rehoboam and the officers of Judah, who had assembled in Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said to them, “Thus said the LORD: You have abandoned Me, so I am abandoning you to Shishak.”

וַיִּכָּנְע֥וּ שָׂרֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל וְהַמֶּ֑לֶךְ וַיֹּאמְר֖וּ צַדִּ֥יק ׀ יְהֹוָֽה׃ Then the officers of Israel and the king humbled themselves and declared, “The LORD is in the right.”

וּבִרְא֤וֹת יְהֹוָה֙ כִּ֣י נִכְנָ֔עוּ הָיָה֩ דְבַר־יְהֹוָ֨ה אֶל־שְׁמַעְיָ֧ה ׀ לֵאמֹ֛ר נִכְנְע֖וּ לֹ֣א אַשְׁחִיתֵ֑ם וְנָתַתִּ֨י לָהֶ֤ם כִּמְעַט֙ לִפְלֵיטָ֔ה וְלֹא־תִתַּ֧ךְ חֲמָתִ֛י בִּירוּשָׁלַ֖͏ִם בְּיַד־שִׁישָֽׁק׃ When the LORD saw that they had submitted, the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah, saying, “Since they have humbled themselves, I will not destroy them but will grant them some measure of deliverance, and My wrath will not be poured out on Jerusalem through Shishak.

כִּ֥י יִֽהְיוּ־ל֖וֹ לַעֲבָדִ֑ים וְיֵֽדְעוּ֙ עֲב֣וֹדָתִ֔י וַעֲבוֹדַ֖ת מַמְלְכ֥וֹת הָאֲרָצֽוֹת׃ {ס}         They will be subject to him, and they will know the difference between serving Me and serving the kingdoms of the earth.” King Shishak of Egypt marched against Jerusalem.

וַיַּ֨עַל שִׁישַׁ֥ק מֶֽלֶךְ־מִצְרַ֘יִם֮ עַל־יְרוּשָׁלַ֒͏ִם֒ וַיִּקַּ֞ח אֶת־אֹצְר֣וֹת בֵּית־יְהֹוָ֗ה וְאֶת־אֹֽצְרוֹת֙ בֵּ֣ית הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ אֶת־הַכֹּ֖ל לָקָ֑ח וַיִּקַּח֙ אֶת־מָגִנֵּ֣י הַזָּהָ֔ב אֲשֶׁ֥ר עָשָׂ֖ה שְׁלֹמֹֽה׃ ^aWith vv. 9–16, cf. 1 Kings 14.26–31.He took away the treasures of the House of the LORD and the treasures of the royal palace; he took away everything; he took away the golden shields that Solomon had made.

וַיַּ֨עַשׂ הַמֶּ֤לֶךְ רְחַבְעָם֙ תַּחְתֵּיהֶ֔ם מָגִנֵּ֖י נְחֹ֑שֶׁת וְהִפְקִ֗יד עַל־יַד֙ שָׂרֵ֣י הָרָצִ֔ים הַשֹּׁ֣מְרִ֔ים פֶּ֖תַח בֵּ֥ית הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ King Rehoboam had bronze shields made in their place, and entrusted them to the officers of the guard^bLit. “runners.” who guarded the entrance to the royal palace.

וַיְהִ֛י מִדֵּי־ב֥וֹא הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ בֵּ֣ית יְהֹוָ֑ה בָּ֤אוּ הָֽרָצִים֙ וּנְשָׂא֔וּם וֶהֱשִׁב֖וּם אֶל־תָּ֥א הָרָצִֽים׃ Whenever the king entered the House of the LORD, the guards would carry them and then bring them back to the armory of the guards.

וּבְהִכָּֽנְע֗וֹ שָׁ֤ב מִמֶּ֙נּוּ֙ אַף־יְהֹוָ֔ה וְלֹ֥א לְהַשְׁחִ֖ית לְכָלָ֑ה וְגַם֙ בִּֽיהוּדָ֔ה הָיָ֖ה דְּבָרִ֥ים טוֹבִֽים׃ {ס}         After he had humbled himself, the anger of the LORD was averted and He did not destroy him entirely; in Judah, too, good things were found.

וַיִּתְחַזֵּ֞ק הַמֶּ֧לֶךְ רְחַבְעָ֛ם בִּירוּשָׁלַ֖͏ִם וַיִּמְלֹ֑ךְ כִּ֣י בֶן־אַרְבָּעִ֣ים וְאַחַ֣ת שָׁנָה֩ רְחַבְעָ֨ם בְּמׇלְכ֜וֹ וּֽשְׁבַ֨ע עֶשְׂרֵ֥ה שָׁנָ֣ה ׀ מָלַ֣ךְ בִּירוּשָׁלַ֗͏ִם הָ֠עִ֠יר אֲשֶׁר־בָּחַ֨ר יְהֹוָ֜ה לָשׂ֨וּם אֶת־שְׁמ֥וֹ שָׁם֙ מִכֹּל֙ שִׁבְטֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וְשֵׁ֣ם אִמּ֔וֹ נַעֲמָ֖ה הָעַמֹּנִֽית׃ King Rehoboam grew strong in Jerusalem and exercised kingship. Rehoboam was forty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem—the city the LORD had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel to establish His name there. His mother’s name was Naamah the Ammonitess.

וַיַּ֖עַשׂ הָרָ֑ע כִּ֣י לֹ֤א הֵכִין֙ לִבּ֔וֹ לִדְר֖וֹשׁ אֶת־יְהֹוָֽה׃ {ס}         He did what was wrong, for he had not set his heart to seek the LORD.

וְדִבְרֵ֣י רְחַבְעָ֗ם הָרִֽאשֹׁנִים֙ וְהָאַ֣חֲרוֹנִ֔ים הֲלֹא־הֵ֨ם כְּתוּבִ֜ים בְּדִבְרֵ֨י שְׁמַעְיָ֧ה הַנָּבִ֛יא וְעִדּ֥וֹ הַחֹזֶ֖ה לְהִתְיַחֵ֑שׂ וּמִלְחֲמ֧וֹת רְחַבְעָ֛ם וְיָרׇבְעָ֖ם כׇּל־הַיָּמִֽים׃ The deeds of Rehoboam, early and late, are recorded in the chronicles of the prophet Shemaiah and Iddo the seer, in the manner of genealogy. There was continuous war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam.

וַיִּשְׁכַּ֤ב רְחַבְעָם֙ עִם־אֲבֹתָ֔יו וַיִּקָּבֵ֖ר בְּעִ֣יר דָּוִ֑יד וַיִּמְלֹ֛ךְ אֲבִיָּ֥ה בְנ֖וֹ תַּחְתָּֽיו׃ {פ}
Rehoboam slept with his fathers and was buried in the City of David. His son Abijah succeeded him as king.

בִּשְׁנַ֛ת שְׁמוֹנֶ֥ה עֶשְׂרֵ֖ה לַמֶּ֣לֶךְ יָרׇבְעָ֑ם וַיִּמְלֹ֥ךְ אֲבִיָּ֖ה עַל־יְהוּדָֽה׃ In the eighteenth year of King Jeroboam, Abijah became king over Judah.

שָׁל֣וֹשׁ שָׁנִ֗ים מָלַךְ֙ בִּיר֣וּשָׁלַ֔͏ִם וְשֵׁ֣ם אִמּ֔וֹ מִיכָיָ֥הוּ בַת־אוּרִיאֵ֖ל מִן־גִּבְעָ֑ה וּמִלְחָמָ֥ה הָֽיְתָ֛ה בֵּ֥ין אֲבִיָּ֖ה וּבֵ֥ין יָרׇבְעָֽם׃ He reigned three years in Jerusalem; his mother’s name was Micaiah daughter of Uriel of Gibeah. There was war between Abijah and Jeroboam.

וַיֶּאְסֹ֨ר אֲבִיָּ֜ה אֶת־הַמִּלְחָמָ֗ה בְּחַ֙יִל֙ גִּבּוֹרֵ֣י מִלְחָמָ֔ה אַרְבַּע־מֵא֥וֹת אֶ֖לֶף אִ֣ישׁ בָּח֑וּר {ס}        וְיָרׇבְעָ֗ם עָרַ֤ךְ עִמּוֹ֙ מִלְחָמָ֔ה בִּשְׁמוֹנֶ֨ה מֵא֥וֹת אֶ֛לֶף אִ֥ישׁ בָּח֖וּר גִּבּ֥וֹר חָֽיִל׃ {ס}         Abijah joined battle with a force of warriors, 400,000 picked men. Jeroboam arrayed for battle against him 800,000 picked men, warriors.

וַיָּ֣קׇם אֲבִיָּ֗ה מֵעַל֙ לְהַ֣ר צְמָרַ֔יִם אֲשֶׁ֖ר בְּהַ֣ר אֶפְרָ֑יִם וַיֹּ֕אמֶר שְׁמָע֖וּנִי יָרׇבְעָ֥ם וְכׇל־יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ Abijah stood on top of Mount Zemaraim in the hill country of Ephraim and said, “Listen to me, Jeroboam and all Israel.

הֲלֹ֤א לָכֶם֙ לָדַ֔עַת כִּ֞י יְהֹוָ֣ה ׀ אֱלֹהֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל נָתַ֨ן מַמְלָכָ֧ה לְדָוִ֛יד עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לְעוֹלָ֑ם ל֥וֹ וּלְבָנָ֖יו בְּרִ֥ית מֶֽלַח׃ {פ}
Surely you know that the LORD God of Israel gave David kingship over Israel forever—to him and his sons—by a covenant of salt.

וַיָּ֙קׇם֙ יָרׇבְעָ֣ם בֶּן־נְבָ֔ט עֶ֖בֶד שְׁלֹמֹ֣ה בֶן־דָּוִ֑יד וַיִּמְרֹ֖ד עַל־אֲדֹנָֽיו׃ Jeroboam son of Nebat had been in the service of Solomon son of David, but he rose up and rebelled against his master.

וַיִּקָּבְצ֣וּ עָלָ֗יו אֲנָשִׁ֤ים רֵקִים֙ בְּנֵ֣י בְלִיַּ֔עַל וַיִּֽתְאַמְּצ֖וּ עַל־רְחַבְעָ֣ם בֶּן־שְׁלֹמֹ֑ה וּרְחַבְעָ֗ם הָ֤יָֽה נַ֙עַר֙ וְרַךְ־לֵבָ֔ב וְלֹ֥א הִתְחַזַּ֖ק לִפְנֵיהֶֽם׃ Riffraff and scoundrels gathered around him and pressed hard upon Rehoboam son of Solomon. Rehoboam was inexperienced and fainthearted and could not stand up to them.

וְעַתָּ֣ה ׀ אַתֶּ֣ם אֹמְרִ֗ים לְהִתְחַזֵּק֙ לִפְנֵי֙ מַמְלֶ֣כֶת יְהֹוָ֔ה בְּיַ֖ד בְּנֵ֣י דָוִ֑יד וְאַתֶּם֙ הָמ֣וֹן רָ֔ב וְעִמָּכֶם֙ עֶגְלֵ֣י זָהָ֔ב אֲשֶׁ֨ר עָשָׂ֥ה לָכֶ֛ם יָרׇבְעָ֖ם לֵאלֹהִֽים׃ Now you are bent on opposing the kingdom of the LORD, which is in the charge of the sons of David, because you are a great multitude and possess the golden calves that Jeroboam made for you as gods.

הֲלֹ֤א הִדַּחְתֶּם֙ אֶת־כֹּהֲנֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֔ה אֶת־בְּנֵ֥י אַהֲרֹ֖ן וְהַלְוִיִּ֑ם וַתַּעֲשׂ֨וּ לָכֶ֤ם כֹּֽהֲנִים֙ כְּעַמֵּ֣י הָאֲרָצ֔וֹת כׇּל־הַבָּ֗א לְמַלֵּ֨א יָד֜וֹ בְּפַ֤ר בֶּן־בָּקָר֙ וְאֵילִ֣ם שִׁבְעָ֔ה וְהָיָ֥ה כֹהֵ֖ן לְלֹ֥א אֱלֹהִֽים׃ {ס}         Did you not banish the priests of the LORD, the sons of Aaron and the Levites, and, like the peoples of the land, appoint your own priests? Anyone who offered himself for ordination with a young bull of the herd and seven rams became a priest of no-gods!

וַאֲנַ֛חְנוּ יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵ֖ינוּ וְלֹ֣א עֲזַבְנֻ֑הוּ וְכֹ֨הֲנִ֜ים מְשָׁרְתִ֤ים לַֽיהֹוָה֙ בְּנֵ֣י אַהֲרֹ֔ן וְהַלְוִיִּ֖ם בַּמְלָֽאכֶת׃ As for us, the LORD is our God, and we have not forsaken Him. The priests who minister to the LORD are the sons of Aaron, and the Levites are at their tasks.

וּמַקְטִרִ֣ים לַיהֹוָ֡ה עֹל֣וֹת בַּבֹּֽקֶר־בַּבֹּ֣קֶר וּבָעֶֽרֶב־בָּעֶ֣רֶב וּקְטֹֽרֶת־סַמִּים֩ וּמַעֲרֶ֨כֶת לֶ֜חֶם עַל־הַשֻּׁלְחָ֣ן הַטָּה֗וֹר וּמְנוֹרַ֨ת הַזָּהָ֤ב וְנֵרֹתֶ֙יהָ֙ לְבָעֵר֙ בָּעֶ֣רֶב בָּעֶ֔רֶב כִּֽי־שֹׁמְרִ֣ים אֲנַ֔חְנוּ אֶת־מִשְׁמֶ֖רֶת יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵ֑ינוּ וְאַתֶּ֖ם עֲזַבְתֶּ֥ם אֹתֽוֹ׃ They offer burnt offerings in smoke each morning and each evening, and the aromatic incense, the rows of bread on the pure table; they kindle the golden lampstand with its lamps burning each evening, for we keep the charge of the LORD our God, while you have forsaken it.

וְהִנֵּה֩ עִמָּ֨נוּ בָרֹ֜אשׁ הָאֱלֹהִ֧ים ׀ וְכֹהֲנָ֛יו וַחֲצֹצְר֥וֹת הַתְּרוּעָ֖ה לְהָרִ֣יעַ עֲלֵיכֶ֑ם בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל אַל־תִּלָּ֥חֲמ֛וּ עִם־יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵֽי־אֲבֹתֵיכֶ֖ם כִּי־לֹ֥א תַצְלִֽיחוּ׃ See, God is with us as our chief, and His priests have the trumpets for sounding blasts against you. O children of Israel, do not fight the LORD God of your fathers, because you will not succeed.”

וְיָרׇבְעָ֗ם הֵסֵב֙ אֶת־הַמַּאְרָ֔ב לָב֖וֹא מֵאַחֲרֵיהֶ֑ם וַיִּֽהְיוּ֙ לִפְנֵ֣י יְהוּדָ֔ה וְהַמַּאְרָ֖ב מֵאַחֲרֵיהֶֽם׃ Jeroboam, however, had directed the ambush to go around and come from the rear, thus ^aLit. “they were.”the main body was^-a in front of Judah, while the ambush was behind them.

וַיִּפְנ֣וּ יְהוּדָ֗ה וְהִנֵּ֨ה לָהֶ֤ם הַמִּלְחָמָה֙ פָּנִ֣ים וְאָח֔וֹר וַֽיִּצְעֲק֖וּ לַיהֹוָ֑ה וְהַכֹּ֣הֲנִ֔ים (מחצצרים) [מַחְצְרִ֖ים] בַּחֲצֹצְרֽוֹת׃ When Judah turned around and saw that the fighting was before and behind them, they cried out to the LORD, and the priests blew the trumpets.

וַיָּרִ֖יעוּ אִ֣ישׁ יְהוּדָ֑ה וַיְהִ֗י בְּהָרִ֙יעַ֙ אִ֣ישׁ יְהוּדָ֔ה וְהָאֱלֹהִ֗ים נָגַ֤ף אֶת־יָרׇבְעָם֙ וְכׇל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל לִפְנֵ֥י אֲבִיָּ֖ה וִיהוּדָֽה׃ The men of Judah raised a shout; and when the men of Judah raised a shout, God routed Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah.

וַיָּנ֥וּסוּ בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל מִפְּנֵ֣י יְהוּדָ֑ה וַיִּתְּנֵ֥ם אֱלֹהִ֖ים בְּיָדָֽם׃ The Israelites fled before Judah, and God delivered them into their hands.

וַיַּכּ֥וּ בָהֶ֛ם אֲבִיָּ֥ה וְעַמּ֖וֹ מַכָּ֣ה רַבָּ֑ה וַיִּפְּל֤וּ חֲלָלִים֙ מִיִּשְׂרָאֵ֔ל חֲמֵשׁ־מֵא֥וֹת אֶ֖לֶף אִ֥ישׁ בָּחֽוּר׃ Abijah and his army inflicted a severe defeat on them; 500,000 picked men of Israel fell slain.

וַיִּכָּנְע֥וּ בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בָּעֵ֣ת הַהִ֑יא וַיֶּֽאֶמְצוּ֙ בְּנֵ֣י יְהוּדָ֔ה כִּ֣י נִשְׁעֲנ֔וּ עַל־יְהֹוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵ֥י אֲבוֹתֵיהֶֽם׃ The Israelites were crushed at that time, while the people of Judah triumphed because they relied on the LORD God of their fathers.

וַיִּרְדֹּ֣ף אֲבִיָּה֮ אַחֲרֵ֣י יָרׇבְעָם֒ וַיִּלְכֹּ֤ד מִמֶּ֙נּוּ֙ עָרִ֔ים אֶת־בֵּֽית־אֵל֙ וְאֶת־בְּנוֹתֶ֔יהָ וְאֶת־יְשָׁנָ֖ה וְאֶת־בְּנוֹתֶ֑יהָ וְאֶת־(עפרון) [עֶפְרַ֖יִן] וּבְנֹתֶֽיהָ׃ Abijah pursued Jeroboam and captured some of his cities—Bethel with its dependencies, Jeshanah with its dependencies, and Ephrain with its dependencies.

וְלֹֽא־עָצַ֧ר כֹּֽחַ־יָרׇבְעָ֛ם ע֖וֹד בִּימֵ֣י אֲבִיָּ֑הוּ וַיִּגְּפֵ֥הוּ יְהֹוָ֖ה וַיָּמֹֽת׃ {פ}
Jeroboam could not muster strength again during the days of Abijah. The LORD struck him down and he died.

וַיִּתְחַזֵּ֣ק אֲבִיָּ֔הוּ וַיִּ֨שָּׂא־ל֔וֹ נָשִׁ֖ים אַרְבַּ֣ע עֶשְׂרֵ֑ה וַיּ֗וֹלֶד עֶשְׂרִ֤ים וּשְׁנַ֙יִם֙ בָּנִ֔ים וְשֵׁ֥שׁ עֶשְׂרֵ֖ה בָּנֽוֹת׃ But Abijah grew powerful; he married fourteen wives and begat twenty-two sons and sixteen daughters.

וְיֶ֙תֶר֙ דִּבְרֵ֣י אֲבִיָּ֔ה וּדְרָכָ֖יו וּדְבָרָ֑יו כְּתוּבִ֕ים בְּמִדְרַ֖שׁ הַנָּבִ֥יא עִדּֽוֹ׃ The other events of Abijah’s reign, his conduct and his acts, are recorded in the story of the prophet Iddo.

וַיִּשְׁכַּ֨ב אֲבִיָּ֜ה עִם־אֲבֹתָ֗יו וַיִּקְבְּר֤וּ אֹתוֹ֙ בְּעִ֣יר דָּוִ֔יד וַיִּמְלֹ֛ךְ אָסָ֥א בְנ֖וֹ תַּחְתָּ֑יו בְּיָמָ֛יו שָׁקְטָ֥ה הָאָ֖רֶץ עֶ֥שֶׂר שָׁנִֽים׃ {פ}
Abijah slept with his fathers and was buried in the City of David; his son Asa succeeded him as king. The land was untroubled for ten years.

וַיַּ֤עַשׂ אָסָא֙ הַטּ֣וֹב וְהַיָּשָׁ֔ר בְּעֵינֵ֖י יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהָֽיו׃ Asa did what was good and pleasing to the LORD his God.

וַיָּ֛סַר אֶת־מִזְבְּח֥וֹת הַנֵּכָ֖ר וְהַבָּמ֑וֹת וַיְשַׁבֵּר֙ אֶת־הַמַּצֵּב֔וֹת וַיְגַדַּ֖ע אֶת־הָאֲשֵׁרִֽים׃ He abolished the alien altars and shrines; he smashed the pillars and cut down the sacred posts.

וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ לִֽיהוּדָ֔ה לִדְר֕וֹשׁ אֶת־יְהֹוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵ֣י אֲבוֹתֵיהֶ֑ם וְלַעֲשׂ֖וֹת הַתּוֹרָ֥ה וְהַמִּצְוָֽה׃ He ordered Judah to turn to the LORD God of their fathers and to observe the Teaching and the Commandment.

וַיָּ֙סַר֙ מִכׇּל־עָרֵ֣י יְהוּדָ֔ה אֶת־הַבָּמ֖וֹת וְאֶת־הַחַמָּנִ֑ים וַתִּשְׁקֹ֥ט הַמַּמְלָכָ֖ה לְפָנָֽיו׃ He abolished the shrines and the incense stands throughout the cities of Judah, and the kingdom was untroubled under him.

וַיִּ֛בֶן עָרֵ֥י מְצוּרָ֖ה בִּֽיהוּדָ֑ה כִּֽי־שָׁקְטָ֣ה הָאָ֗רֶץ וְאֵין־עִמּ֤וֹ מִלְחָמָה֙ בַּשָּׁנִ֣ים הָאֵ֔לֶּה כִּֽי־הֵנִ֥יחַ יְהֹוָ֖ה לֽוֹ׃ He built fortified towns in Judah, since the land was untroubled and he was not engaged in warfare during those years, for the LORD had granted him respite.

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר לִיהוּדָ֜ה נִבְנֶ֣ה ׀ אֶת־הֶעָרִ֣ים הָאֵ֗לֶּה וְנָסֵ֨ב חוֹמָ֣ה וּמִגְדָּלִים֮ דְּלָתַ֣יִם וּבְרִיחִים֒ עוֹדֶ֨נּוּ הָאָ֜רֶץ לְפָנֵ֗ינוּ כִּ֤י דָרַ֙שְׁנוּ֙ אֶת־יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵ֔ינוּ דָּרַ֕שְׁנוּ וַיָּ֥נַֽח־לָ֖נוּ מִסָּבִ֑יב וַיִּבְנ֖וּ וַיַּצְלִֽיחוּ׃ {פ}
He said to Judah, “Let us build up these cities and surround them with walls and towers, gates and bars, while the land is at our disposal because we turned to the LORD our God—we turned [to Him] and He gave us respite on all sides.” They were successful in their building.

וַיְהִ֣י לְאָסָ֗א חַ֘יִל֮ נֹשֵׂ֣א צִנָּ֣ה וָרֹ֒מַח֒ מִֽיהוּדָה֙ שְׁלֹ֣שׁ מֵא֣וֹת אֶ֔לֶף {ס}        וּמִבִּנְיָמִ֗ן נֹשְׂאֵ֤י מָגֵן֙ וְדֹ֣רְכֵי קֶ֔שֶׁת מָאתַ֥יִם וּשְׁמוֹנִ֖ים אָ֑לֶף כׇּל־אֵ֖לֶּה גִּבּ֥וֹרֵי חָֽיִל׃ Asa had an army of 300,000 men from Judah bearing shields and spears, and 280,000 from Benjamin bearing bucklers and drawing the bow; all these were valiant men.

וַיֵּצֵ֨א אֲלֵיהֶ֜ם זֶ֣רַח הַכּוּשִׁ֗י בְּחַ֙יִל֙ אֶ֣לֶף אֲלָפִ֔ים וּמַרְכָּב֖וֹת שְׁלֹ֣שׁ מֵא֑וֹת וַיָּבֹ֖א עַד־מָרֵשָֽׁה׃ Zerah the Cushite marched out against them with an army of a thousand thousand and 300 chariots. When he reached Mareshah

וַיֵּצֵ֥א אָסָ֖א לְפָנָ֑יו וַיַּֽעַרְכוּ֙ מִלְחָמָ֔ה בְּגֵ֥יא צְפַ֖תָה לְמָרֵשָֽׁה׃ Asa confronted him, and the battle lines were drawn in the valley of Zephat by Mareshah.

וַיִּקְרָ֨א אָסָ֜א אֶל־יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהָיו֮ וַיֹּאמַר֒ יְהֹוָ֗ה אֵֽין־עִמְּךָ֤ לַעְזֹר֙ בֵּ֥ין רַב֙ לְאֵ֣ין כֹּ֔חַ עׇזְרֵ֜נוּ יְהֹוָ֤ה אֱלֹהֵ֙ינוּ֙ כִּֽי־עָלֶ֣יךָ נִשְׁעַ֔נּוּ וּבְשִׁמְךָ֣ בָ֔אנוּ עַל־הֶהָמ֖וֹן הַזֶּ֑ה יְהֹוָ֤ה אֱלֹהֵ֙ינוּ֙ אַ֔תָּה אַל־יַעְצֹ֥ר עִמְּךָ֖ אֱנֽוֹשׁ׃ {ס}         Asa called to the LORD his God, and said, “O LORD, it is all the same to You to help the numerous and the powerless. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on You, and in Your name we have come against this great multitude. You are the LORD our God. Let no mortal hinder You.”

וַיִּגֹּ֤ף יְהֹוָה֙ אֶת־הַכּוּשִׁ֔ים לִפְנֵ֥י אָסָ֖א וְלִפְנֵ֣י יְהוּדָ֑ה וַיָּנֻ֖סוּ הַכּוּשִֽׁים׃ So the LORD routed the Cushites before Asa and Judah, and the Cushites fled.

וַיִּרְדְּפֵ֨ם אָסָ֜א וְהָעָ֣ם אֲשֶׁר־עִמּוֹ֮ עַד־לִגְרָר֒ וַיִּפֹּ֤ל מִכּוּשִׁים֙ לְאֵ֣ין לָהֶ֣ם מִֽחְיָ֔ה כִּֽי־נִשְׁבְּר֥וּ לִפְנֵי־יְהֹוָ֖ה וְלִפְנֵ֣י מַחֲנֵ֑הוּ וַיִּשְׂא֥וּ שָׁלָ֖ל הַרְבֵּ֥ה מְאֹֽד׃ Asa and the army with him pursued them as far as Gerar. Many of the Cushites fell wounded beyond recovery, for they broke before the LORD and His camp. Very much spoil was taken.

וַיַּכּ֗וּ אֵ֤ת כׇּל־הֶעָרִים֙ סְבִיב֣וֹת גְּרָ֔ר כִּי־הָיָ֥ה פַֽחַד־יְהֹוָ֖ה עֲלֵיהֶ֑ם וַיָּבֹ֙זּוּ֙ אֶת־כׇּל־הֶ֣עָרִ֔ים כִּֽי־בִזָּ֥ה רַבָּ֖ה הָיְתָ֥ה בָהֶֽם׃ All the cities in the vicinity of Gerar were ravaged, for a terror of the LORD seized them. All the cities were plundered, and they yielded much booty.

וְגַם־אׇהֳלֵ֥י מִקְנֶ֖ה הִכּ֑וּ וַיִּשְׁבּ֨וּ צֹ֤אן לָרֹב֙ וּגְמַלִּ֔ים וַיָּשֻׁ֖בוּ יְרוּשָׁלָֽ͏ִם׃ {ס}         They also ravaged the encampment of herdsmen, capturing much sheep and camels. Then they returned to Jerusalem.

וַעֲזַרְיָ֙הוּ֙ בֶּן־עוֹדֵ֔ד הָיְתָ֥ה עָלָ֖יו ר֥וּחַ אֱלֹהִֽים׃ The spirit of God came upon Azariah son of Oded.

וַיֵּצֵא֮ לִפְנֵ֣י אָסָא֒ וַיֹּ֣אמֶר ל֔וֹ שְׁמָע֕וּנִי אָסָ֖א וְכׇל־יְהוּדָ֣ה וּבִנְיָמִ֑ן יְהֹוָ֤ה עִמָּכֶם֙ בִּֽהְיוֹתְכֶ֣ם עִמּ֔וֹ וְאִֽם־תִּדְרְשֻׁ֙הוּ֙ יִמָּצֵ֣א לָכֶ֔ם וְאִם־תַּעַזְבֻ֖הוּ יַעֲזֹ֥ב אֶתְכֶֽם׃ {ס}         He came to Asa and said to him, “Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin; the LORD is with you as long as you are with Him. If you turn to Him, He will respond to you, but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you.

וְיָמִ֥ים רַבִּ֖ים לְיִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל לְלֹ֣א ׀ אֱלֹהֵ֣י אֱמֶ֗ת וּלְלֹ֛א כֹּהֵ֥ן מוֹרֶ֖ה וּלְלֹ֥א תוֹרָֽה׃ Israel has gone many days without the true God, without a priest to give instruction and without Teaching.

וַיָּ֙שׇׁב֙ בַּצַּר־ל֔וֹ עַל־יְהֹוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַיְבַקְשֻׁ֖הוּ וַיִּמָּצֵ֥א לָהֶֽם׃ But in distress it returned to the LORD God of Israel, and sought Him, and He responded to them.

וּבָעִתִּ֣ים הָהֵ֔ם אֵ֥ין שָׁל֖וֹם לַיּוֹצֵ֣א וְלַבָּ֑א כִּ֚י מְהוּמֹ֣ת רַבּ֔וֹת עַ֥ל כׇּל־יֹשְׁבֵ֖י הָאֲרָצֽוֹת׃ At those times, ^aLit. “one who goes out and one who comes in.”no wayfarer^-a was safe, for there was much tumult among all the inhabitants of the lands.

וְכֻתְּת֥וּ גוֹי־בְּג֖וֹי וְעִ֣יר בְּעִ֑יר כִּֽי־אֱלֹהִ֥ים הֲמָמָ֖ם בְּכׇל־צָרָֽה׃ Nation was crushed by nation and city by city, for God threw them into panic with every kind of trouble.

וְאַתֶּ֣ם חִזְק֔וּ וְאַל־יִרְפּ֖וּ יְדֵיכֶ֑ם כִּ֛י יֵ֥שׁ שָׂכָ֖ר לִפְעֻלַּתְכֶֽם׃ {ס}         As for you, be strong, do not be disheartened, for there is reward for your labor.”

וְכִשְׁמֹ֨עַ אָסָ֜א הַדְּבָרִ֣ים הָאֵ֗לֶּה וְהַנְּבוּאָה֮ עֹדֵ֣ד הַנָּבִיא֒ הִתְחַזַּ֗ק וַיַּעֲבֵ֤ר הַשִּׁקּוּצִים֙ מִכׇּל־אֶ֤רֶץ יְהוּדָה֙ וּבִנְיָמִ֔ן וּמִן־הֶ֣עָרִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר לָכַ֖ד מֵהַ֣ר אֶפְרָ֑יִם וַיְחַדֵּשׁ֙ אֶת־מִזְבַּ֣ח יְהֹוָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֕ר לִפְנֵ֖י אוּלָ֥ם יְהֹוָֽה׃ When Asa heard these words, the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage and removed the abominations from the entire land of Judah and Benjamin and from the cities that he had captured in the hill country of Ephraim. He restored the altar of the LORD in front of the porch of the LORD.

וַיִּקְבֹּ֗ץ אֶת־כׇּל־יְהוּדָה֙ וּבִנְיָמִ֔ן וְהַגָּרִים֙ עִמָּהֶ֔ם מֵאֶפְרַ֥יִם וּמְנַשֶּׁ֖ה וּמִשִּׁמְע֑וֹן כִּֽי־נָפְל֨וּ עָלָ֤יו מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל֙ לָרֹ֔ב בִּרְאֹתָ֕ם כִּֽי־יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהָ֖יו עִמּֽוֹ׃ {פ}
He assembled all the people of Judah and Benjamin and those people of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon who sojourned among them, for many in Israel had thrown in their lot with him when they saw that the LORD his God was with him.

וַיִּקָּבְצ֥וּ יְרוּשָׁלַ֖͏ִם בַּחֹ֣דֶשׁ הַשְּׁלִשִׁ֑י לִשְׁנַ֥ת חֲמֵשׁ־עֶשְׂרֵ֖ה לְמַלְכ֥וּת אָסָֽא׃ They were assembled in Jerusalem in the third month of the fifteenth year of the reign of Asa.

וַיִּזְבְּח֤וּ לַֽיהֹוָה֙ בַּיּ֣וֹם הַה֔וּא מִן־הַשָּׁלָ֖ל הֵבִ֑יאוּ בָּקָר֙ שְׁבַ֣ע מֵא֔וֹת וְצֹ֖אן שִׁבְעַ֥ת אֲלָפִֽים׃ They brought sacrifices to the LORD on that day; they brought 700 oxen and 7,000 sheep of the spoil.

וַיָּבֹ֣אוּ בַבְּרִ֔ית לִדְר֕וֹשׁ אֶת־יְהֹוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵ֣י אֲבוֹתֵיהֶ֑ם בְּכׇל־לְבָבָ֖ם וּבְכׇל־נַפְשָֽׁם׃ They entered into a covenant to worship the LORD God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul.

וְכֹ֨ל אֲשֶׁ֧ר לֹֽא־יִדְרֹ֛שׁ לַיהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל יוּמָ֑ת לְמִן־קָטֹן֙ וְעַד־גָּד֔וֹל לְמֵאִ֖ישׁ וְעַד־אִשָּֽׁה׃ Whoever would not worship the LORD God of Israel would be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman.

וַיִּשָּֽׁבְעוּ֙ לַֽיהֹוָ֔ה בְּק֥וֹל גָּד֖וֹל וּבִתְרוּעָ֑ה וּבַחֲצֹצְר֖וֹת וּבְשׁוֹפָרֽוֹת׃ So they took an oath to the LORD in a loud voice and with shouts, with trumpeting and blasts of the horn.

וַיִּשְׂמְח֨וּ כׇל־יְהוּדָ֜ה עַל־הַשְּׁבוּעָ֗ה כִּ֤י בְכׇל־לְבָבָם֙ נִשְׁבָּ֔עוּ וּבְכׇל־רְצוֹנָ֣ם בִּקְשֻׁ֔הוּ וַיִּמָּצֵ֖א לָהֶ֑ם וַיָּ֧נַח יְהֹוָ֛ה לָהֶ֖ם מִסָּבִֽיב׃ All Judah rejoiced over the oath, for they swore with all their heart and sought Him with all their will. He responded to them and gave them respite on every side.

וְגַֽם־מַעֲכָ֞ה אֵ֣ם ׀ אָסָ֣א הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ הֱסִירָהּ֙ מִגְּבִירָ֔ה אֲשֶׁר־עָשְׂתָ֥ה לָאֲשֵׁרָ֖ה מִפְלָ֑צֶת וַיִּכְרֹ֤ת אָסָא֙ אֶת־מִפְלַצְתָּ֔הּ וַיָּ֕דֶק וַיִּשְׂרֹ֖ף בְּנַ֥חַל קִדְרֽוֹן׃ ^bWith vv. 16–19, cf. 1 Kings 15.13–16.He^cI.e., Asa. also deposed Maacah mother of King Asa from the rank of queen mother, because she had made an abominable thing for [the goddess] Asherah. Asa cut down her abominable thing, reduced it to dust, and burned it in the Wadi Kidron.

וְהַ֨בָּמ֔וֹת לֹא־סָ֖רוּ מִיִּשְׂרָאֵ֑ל רַ֧ק לְבַב־אָסָ֛א הָיָ֥ה שָׁלֵ֖ם כׇּל־יָמָֽיו׃ The shrines, indeed, were not abolished in Israel; however, Asa was wholehearted [with the LORD] all his life.

וַיָּבֵ֞א אֶת־קׇדְשֵׁ֥י אָבִ֛יו וְקׇדָשָׁ֖יו בֵּ֣ית הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים כֶּ֥סֶף וְזָהָ֖ב וְכֵלִֽים׃ He brought into the House of God the things that he and his father had consecrated—silver, gold, and utensils.

וּמִלְחָמָ֖ה לֹ֣א הָיָ֑תָה עַ֛ד שְׁנַת־שְׁלֹשִׁ֥ים וְחָמֵ֖שׁ לְמַלְכ֥וּת אָסָֽא׃ {פ}
There was no war until the thirty-fifth year of the reign of Asa.

בִּשְׁנַ֨ת שְׁלֹשִׁ֤ים וָשֵׁשׁ֙ לְמַלְכ֣וּת אָסָ֔א עָלָ֞ה בַּעְשָׁ֤א מֶֽלֶךְ־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ עַל־יְהוּדָ֔ה וַיִּ֖בֶן אֶת־הָרָמָ֑ה לְבִלְתִּ֗י תֵּ֚ת יוֹצֵ֣א וָבָ֔א לְאָסָ֖א מֶ֥לֶךְ יְהוּדָֽה׃ ^aCf. 1 Kings 15.17–24.In the thirty-sixth year of the reign of Asa, King Baasha of Israel marched against Judah and built up Ramah to block ^bLit. “one who goes out and one who comes in.”all movement^-b of King Asa of Judah.

וַיֹּצֵ֨א אָסָ֜א כֶּ֣סֶף וְזָהָ֗ב מֵאֹ֥צְר֛וֹת בֵּ֥ית יְהֹוָ֖ה וּבֵ֣ית הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ וַיִּשְׁלַ֗ח אֶל־בֶּן־הֲדַד֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ אֲרָ֔ם הַיּוֹשֵׁ֥ב בְּדַרְמֶ֖שֶׂק לֵאמֹֽר׃ Asa took all the silver and gold from the treasuries of the House of the LORD and the royal palace, and sent them to King Ben-hadad of Aram, who resided in Damascus, with this message:

בְּרִית֙ בֵּינִ֣י וּבֵינֶ֔ךָ וּבֵ֥ין אָבִ֖י וּבֵ֣ין אָבִ֑יךָ הִנֵּ֨ה שָׁלַ֤חְתִּֽי לְךָ֙ כֶּ֣סֶף וְזָהָ֔ב לֵ֞ךְ הָפֵ֣ר בְּרִֽיתְךָ֗ אֶת־בַּעְשָׁא֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וְיַעֲלֶ֖ה מֵעָלָֽי׃ “There is a pact between me and you, as there was between my father and your father. I herewith send you silver and gold; go and break your pact with King Baasha of Israel so that he may withdraw from me.”

וַיִּשְׁמַ֨ע בֶּן־הֲדַ֜ד אֶל־הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ אָסָ֗א וַ֠יִּשְׁלַ֠ח אֶת־שָׂרֵ֨י הַחֲיָלִ֤ים אֲשֶׁר־לוֹ֙ אֶל־עָרֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וַיַּכּוּ֙ אֶת־עִיּ֣וֹן וְאֶת־דָּ֔ן וְאֵ֖ת אָבֵ֣ל מָ֑יִם וְאֵ֥ת כׇּֽל־מִסְכְּנ֖וֹת עָרֵ֥י נַפְתָּלִֽי׃ Ben-hadad acceded to King Asa’s request; he sent his army commanders against the towns of Israel and ravaged Ijon, Dan, Abel-maim, and all the garrison towns of Naphtali.

וַֽיְהִי֙ כִּשְׁמֹ֣עַ בַּעְשָׁ֔א וַיֶּחְדַּ֕ל מִבְּנ֖וֹת אֶת־הָרָמָ֑ה וַיַּשְׁבֵּ֖ת אֶת־מְלַאכְתּֽוֹ׃ {ס}         When Baasha heard about it, he stopped building up Ramah and put an end to the work on it.

וְאָסָ֣א הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ לָקַח֙ אֶת־כׇּל־יְהוּדָ֔ה וַיִּשְׂא֞וּ אֶת־אַבְנֵ֤י הָרָמָה֙ וְאֶת־עֵצֶ֔יהָ אֲשֶׁ֥ר בָּנָ֖ה בַּעְשָׁ֑א וַיִּ֣בֶן בָּהֶ֔ם אֶת־גֶּ֖בַע וְאֶת־הַמִּצְפָּֽה׃ {ס}         Then King Asa mustered all Judah, and they carried away the stones and timber with which Baasha had built up Ramah; with these King Asa built up Geba and Mizpah.

וּבָעֵ֣ת הַהִ֗יא בָּ֚א חֲנָ֣נִי הָרֹאֶ֔ה אֶל־אָסָ֖א מֶ֣לֶךְ יְהוּדָ֑ה וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֵלָ֗יו בְּהִשָּׁ֨עֶנְךָ֜ עַל־מֶ֤לֶךְ אֲרָם֙ וְלֹ֤א נִשְׁעַ֙נְתָּ֙ עַל־יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ עַל־כֵּ֗ן נִמְלַ֛ט חֵ֥יל מֶלֶךְ־אֲרָ֖ם מִיָּדֶֽךָ׃ At that time, Hanani the seer came to King Asa of Judah and said to him, “Because you relied on the king of Aram and did not rely on the LORD your God, therefore the army of the king of Aram has slipped out of your hands.

הֲלֹ֧א הַכּוּשִׁ֣ים וְהַלּוּבִ֗ים הָי֨וּ לְחַ֧יִל ׀ לָרֹ֛ב לְרֶ֥כֶב וּלְפָרָשִׁ֖ים לְהַרְבֵּ֣ה מְאֹ֑ד וּבְהִשָּׁעֶנְךָ֥ עַל־יְהֹוָ֖ה נְתָנָ֥ם בְּיָדֶֽךָ׃ The Cushites and Lybians were a mighty army with chariots and horsemen in very great numbers, yet because you relied on the LORD He delivered them into your hands.

כִּ֣י יְהֹוָ֗ה עֵינָ֞יו מְשֹׁטְט֤וֹת בְּכׇל־הָאָ֙רֶץ֙ לְ֠הִתְחַזֵּ֠ק עִם־לְבָבָ֥ם שָׁלֵ֛ם אֵלָ֖יו נִסְכַּ֣לְתָּ עַל־זֹ֑את כִּ֣י מֵעַ֔תָּה יֵ֥שׁ עִמְּךָ֖ מִלְחָמֽוֹת׃ For the eyes of the LORD range over the entire earth, to give support to those who are wholeheartedly with Him. You have acted foolishly in this matter, and henceforth you will be beset by wars.”

וַיִּכְעַ֨ס אָסָ֜א אֶל־הָרֹאֶ֗ה וַֽיִּתְּנֵ֙הוּ֙ בֵּ֣ית הַמַּהְפֶּ֔כֶת כִּֽי־בְזַ֥עַף עִמּ֖וֹ עַל־זֹ֑את וַיְרַצֵּ֥ץ אָסָ֛א מִן־הָעָ֖ם בָּעֵ֥ת הַהִֽיא׃ Asa was vexed at the seer and put him into the stocks,^cMeaning of Heb. uncertain. for he was furious with him because of that. Asa inflicted cruelties on some of the people at that time.

וְהִנֵּה֙ דִּבְרֵ֣י אָסָ֔א הָרִאשׁוֹנִ֖ים וְהָאַחֲרוֹנִ֑ים הִנָּ֤ם כְּתוּבִים֙ עַל־סֵ֣פֶר הַמְּלָכִ֔ים לִיהוּדָ֖ה וְיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ The acts of Asa, early and late, are recorded in the annals of the kings of Judah and Israel.

וַיֶּחֱלֶ֣א אָסָ֡א בִּשְׁנַת֩ שְׁלוֹשִׁ֨ים וָתֵ֤שַׁע לְמַלְכוּתוֹ֙ בְּרַגְלָ֔יו עַד־לְמַ֖עְלָה חׇלְי֑וֹ וְגַם־בְּחׇלְיוֹ֙ לֹא־דָרַ֣שׁ אֶת־יְהֹוָ֔ה כִּ֖י בָּרֹפְאִֽים׃ In the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa suffered from an acute foot ailment; but ill as he was, he still did not turn to the LORD but to physicians.

וַיִּשְׁכַּ֥ב אָסָ֖א עִם־אֲבֹתָ֑יו וַיָּ֕מׇת בִּשְׁנַ֛ת אַרְבָּעִ֥ים וְאַחַ֖ת לְמׇלְכֽוֹ׃ Asa slept with his fathers. He died in the forty-first year of his reign

וַיִּקְבְּרֻ֣הוּ בְקִבְרֹתָ֗יו אֲשֶׁ֣ר כָּרָה־לוֹ֮ בְּעִ֣יר דָּוִיד֒ וַיַּשְׁכִּיבֻ֗הוּ בַּמִּשְׁכָּב֙ אֲשֶׁ֤ר מִלֵּא֙ בְּשָׂמִ֣ים וּזְנִ֔ים מְרֻקָּחִ֖ים בְּמִרְקַ֣חַת מַעֲשֶׂ֑ה וַיִּשְׂרְפוּ־ל֥וֹ שְׂרֵפָ֖ה גְּדוֹלָ֥ה עַד־לִמְאֹֽד׃ {פ}
and was buried in the grave that he had made for himself in the City of David. He was laid in his resting-place, which was filled with spices of all kinds, expertly blended; a very great fire was made in his honor.

וַיִּמְלֹ֛ךְ יְהוֹשָׁפָ֥ט בְּנ֖וֹ תַּחְתָּ֑יו וַיִּתְחַזֵּ֖ק עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ His son Jehoshaphat succeeded him as king, and took firm hold of Israel.

וַיִּ֨תֶּן־חַ֔יִל בְּכׇל־עָרֵ֥י יְהוּדָ֖ה הַבְּצֻר֑וֹת וַיִּתֵּ֤ן נְצִיבִים֙ בְּאֶ֣רֶץ יְהוּדָ֔ה וּבְעָרֵ֣י אֶפְרַ֔יִם אֲשֶׁ֥ר לָכַ֖ד אָסָ֥א אָבִֽיו׃ He stationed troops in all the fortified towns of Judah, and stationed garrisons throughout the land of Judah and the cities of Ephraim which his father Asa had captured.

וַיְהִ֥י יְהֹוָ֖ה עִם־יְהוֹשָׁפָ֑ט כִּ֣י הָלַ֗ךְ בְּדַרְכֵ֞י דָּוִ֤יד אָבִיו֙ הָרִ֣אשֹׁנִ֔ים וְלֹ֥א דָרַ֖שׁ לַבְּעָלִֽים׃ The LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the earlier ways of his father David, and did not worship the Baalim,

כִּ֠י לֵאלֹהֵ֤י אָבִיו֙ דָּרָ֔שׁ וּבְמִצְוֺתָ֖יו הָלָ֑ךְ וְלֹ֖א כְּמַעֲשֵׂ֥ה יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ but worshiped the God of his father and followed His commandments—unlike the behavior of Israel.

וַיָּ֨כֶן יְהֹוָ֤ה אֶת־הַמַּמְלָכָה֙ בְּיָד֔וֹ וַיִּתְּנ֧וּ כׇל־יְהוּדָ֛ה מִנְחָ֖ה לִיהֽוֹשָׁפָ֑ט וַיְהִי־ל֥וֹ עֹשֶׁר־וְכָב֖וֹד לָרֹֽב׃ So the LORD established the kingdom in his hands, and all Judah gave presents to Jehoshaphat. He had wealth and glory in abundance.

וַיִּגְבַּ֥הּ לִבּ֖וֹ בְּדַרְכֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֑ה וְע֗וֹד הֵסִ֛יר אֶת־הַבָּמ֥וֹת וְאֶת־הָאֲשֵׁרִ֖ים מִיהוּדָֽה׃ {פ}
His mind was elevated in the ways of the LORD. Moreover, he abolished the shrines and the sacred posts from Judah.

וּבִשְׁנַ֨ת שָׁל֜וֹשׁ לְמׇלְכ֗וֹ שָׁלַ֤ח לְשָׂרָיו֙ לְבֶן־חַ֙יִל֙ וּלְעֹבַדְיָ֣ה וְלִזְכַרְיָ֔ה וְלִנְתַנְאֵ֖ל וּלְמִיכָיָ֑הוּ לְלַמֵּ֖ד בְּעָרֵ֥י יְהוּדָֽה׃ In the third year of his reign he sent his officers Ben-hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah throughout the cities of Judah to offer instruction.

וְעִמָּהֶ֣ם הַלְוִיִּ֗ם שְֽׁמַעְיָ֡הוּ וּנְתַנְיָ֡הוּ וּזְבַדְיָ֡הוּ וַעֲשָׂהאֵ֡ל (ושמרימות) [וּשְׁמִירָמ֡וֹת] וִיהוֹנָתָן֩ וַאֲדֹ֨נִיָּ֧הוּ וְטוֹבִיָּ֛הוּ וְט֥וֹב אֲדוֹנִיָּ֖ה הַלְוִיִּ֑ם וְעִמָּהֶ֛ם אֱלִישָׁמָ֥ע וִיהוֹרָ֖ם הַכֹּהֲנִֽים׃ With them were the Levites, Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah and Tob-adonijah the Levites; with them were Elishama and Jehoram the priests.

וַֽיְלַמְּדוּ֙ בִּיהוּדָ֔ה וְעִ֨מָּהֶ֔ם סֵ֖פֶר תּוֹרַ֣ת יְהֹוָ֑ה וַיָּסֹ֙בּוּ֙ בְּכׇל־עָרֵ֣י יְהוּדָ֔ה וַֽיְלַמְּד֖וּ בָּעָֽם׃ They offered instruction throughout Judah, having with them the Book of the Teaching of the LORD. They made the rounds of all the cities of Judah and instructed the people.

וַיְהִ֣י ׀ פַּ֣חַד יְהֹוָ֗ה עַ֚ל כׇּל־מַמְלְכ֣וֹת הָאֲרָצ֔וֹת אֲשֶׁ֖ר סְבִיב֣וֹת יְהוּדָ֑ה וְלֹ֥א נִלְחֲמ֖וּ עִם־יְהוֹשָׁפָֽט׃ A terror of the LORD seized all the kingdoms of the lands around Judah, and they did not go to war with Jehoshaphat.

וּמִן־פְּלִשְׁתִּ֗ים מְבִיאִ֧ים לִיהוֹשָׁפָ֛ט מִנְחָ֖ה וְכֶ֣סֶף מַשָּׂ֑א גַּ֣ם הָעַרְבִיאִ֗ים מְבִיאִ֥ים לוֹ֙ צֹ֕אן אֵילִ֗ים שִׁבְעַ֤ת אֲלָפִים֙ וּשְׁבַ֣ע מֵא֔וֹת וּתְיָשִׁ֕ים שִׁבְעַ֥ת אֲלָפִ֖ים וּשְׁבַ֥ע מֵאֽוֹת׃ {פ}
From Philistia a load of silver was brought to Jehoshaphat as tribute. The Arabs, too, brought him flocks: 7,700 rams and 7,700 he-goats.

וַיְהִ֧י יְהוֹשָׁפָ֛ט הֹלֵ֥ךְ וְגָדֵ֖ל עַד־לְמָ֑עְלָה וַיִּ֧בֶן בִּיהוּדָ֛ה בִּירָנִיּ֖וֹת וְעָרֵ֥י מִסְכְּנֽוֹת׃ Jehoshaphat grew greater and greater, and he built up fortresses and garrison towns in Judah.

וּמְלָאכָ֥ה רַבָּ֛ה הָ֥יָה ל֖וֹ בְּעָרֵ֣י יְהוּדָ֑ה וְאַנְשֵׁ֧י מִלְחָמָ֛ה גִּבּ֥וֹרֵי חַ֖יִל בִּירוּשָׁלָֽ͏ִם׃ He carried out extensive works in the towns of Judah, and had soldiers, valiant men, in Jerusalem.

וְאֵ֥לֶּה פְקֻדָּתָ֖ם לְבֵ֣ית אֲבוֹתֵיהֶ֑ם לִֽיהוּדָה֙ שָׂרֵ֣י אֲלָפִ֔ים {ס}        עַדְנָ֣ה הַשָּׂ֔ר וְעִמּוֹ֙ גִּבּ֣וֹרֵי חַ֔יִל שְׁלֹ֥שׁ מֵא֖וֹת אָֽלֶף׃ {ס}         They were enrolled according to their clans. Judah: chiefs of thousands, Adnah the chief, who had 300,000 valiant men;

וְעַל־יָד֖וֹ יְהוֹחָנָ֣ן הַשָּׂ֑ר וְעִמּ֕וֹ מָאתַ֥יִם וּשְׁמוֹנִ֖ים אָֽלֶף׃ {ס}         next to him was Jehohanan the captain, who had 280,000;

וְעַל־יָדוֹ֙ עֲמַסְיָ֣ה בֶן־זִכְרִ֔י הַמִּתְנַדֵּ֖ב לַיהֹוָ֑ה וְעִמּ֛וֹ מָאתַ֥יִם אֶ֖לֶף גִּבּ֥וֹר חָֽיִל׃ {ס}         next to him was Amasiah son of Zichri, who made a freewill offering to the LORD. He had 200,000 valiant men.

וּמִ֨ן־בִּנְיָמִ֔ן גִּבּ֥וֹר חַ֖יִל אֶלְיָדָ֑ע וְעִמּ֛וֹ נֹשְׁקֵי־קֶ֥שֶׁת וּמָגֵ֖ן מָאתַ֥יִם אָֽלֶף׃ {ס}         Benjamin: Eliada, a valiant man, who had 200,000 men armed with bow and buckler;

וְעַל־יָד֖וֹ יְהוֹזָבָ֑ד וְעִמּ֛וֹ מֵאָה־וּשְׁמוֹנִ֥ים אֶ֖לֶף חֲלוּצֵ֥י צָבָֽא׃ {ס}         next to him was Jehozabad, who had 180,000 armed men.

אֵ֖לֶּה הַמְשָׁרְתִ֣ים אֶת־הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ מִלְּבַ֞ד אֲשֶׁר־נָתַ֥ן הַמֶּ֛לֶךְ בְּעָרֵ֥י הַמִּבְצָ֖ר בְּכׇל־יְהוּדָֽה׃ {פ}
These served the king, besides those whom the king assigned to the fortified towns throughout Judah.

וַיְהִ֧י לִיהוֹשָׁפָ֛ט עֹ֥שֶׁר וְכָב֖וֹד לָרֹ֑ב וַיִּתְחַתֵּ֖ן לְאַחְאָֽב׃ ^aCf. 1 Kings 22.So Jehoshaphat had wealth and honor in abundance, and he allied himself by marriage to Ahab.

וַיֵּ֩רֶד֩ לְקֵ֨ץ שָׁנִ֤ים אֶל־אַחְאָב֙ לְשֹׁ֣מְר֔וֹן וַיִּֽזְבַּֽח־ל֨וֹ אַחְאָ֜ב צֹ֤אן וּבָקָר֙ לָרֹ֔ב וְלָעָ֖ם אֲשֶׁ֣ר עִמּ֑וֹ וַיְסִיתֵ֕הוּ לַעֲל֖וֹת אֶל־רָמֹ֥ת גִּלְעָֽד׃ After some years had passed, he came to visit Ahab at Samaria. Ahab slaughtered sheep and oxen in abundance for him and for the people with him, and persuaded him to march against Ramoth-gilead.

וַיֹּ֜אמֶר אַחְאָ֣ב מֶלֶךְ־יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל אֶל־יְהֽוֹשָׁפָט֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ יְהוּדָ֔ה הֲתֵלֵ֥ךְ עִמִּ֖י רָמֹ֣ת גִּלְעָ֑ד וַיֹּ֣אמֶר ל֗וֹ כָּמ֤וֹנִי כָמ֙וֹךָ֙ וּכְעַמְּךָ֣ עַמִּ֔י וְעִמְּךָ֖ בַּמִּלְחָמָֽה׃ King Ahab of Israel said to King Jehoshaphat of Judah, “Will you accompany me to Ramoth-gilead?” He answered him, “I will do what you do; my troops shall be your troops and shall accompany you in battle.”

וַיֹּ֥אמֶר יְהוֹשָׁפָ֖ט אֶל־מֶ֣לֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל דְּרׇשׁ־נָ֥א כַיּ֖וֹם אֶת־דְּבַ֥ר יְהֹוָֽה׃ Jehoshaphat then said to the king of Israel, “But first inquire for the word of the LORD.”

וַיִּקְבֹּ֨ץ מֶלֶךְ־יִשְׂרָאֵ֥ל אֶֽת־הַנְּבִאִים֮ אַרְבַּ֣ע מֵא֣וֹת אִישׁ֒ וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֲלֵהֶ֗ם הֲנֵלֵ֞ךְ אֶל־רָמֹ֥ת גִּלְעָ֛ד לַמִּלְחָמָ֖ה אִם־אֶחְדָּ֑ל וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ עֲלֵ֔ה וְיִתֵּ֥ן הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים בְּיַ֥ד הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ So the king of Israel gathered the prophets, four hundred men, and asked them, “Shall I march upon Ramoth-gilead for battle, or shall I not?” “March,” they said, “and God will deliver it into the king’s hands.”

וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ יְה֣וֹשָׁפָ֔ט הַאֵ֨ין פֹּ֥ה נָבִ֛יא לַיהֹוָ֖ה ע֑וֹד וְנִדְרְשָׁ֖ה מֵאֹתֽוֹ׃ Then Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there not another prophet of the LORD here through whom we can inquire?”

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר מֶלֶךְ־יִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל ׀ אֶֽל־יְהוֹשָׁפָ֡ט ע֣וֹד אִישׁ־אֶחָ֡ד לִדְרוֹשׁ֩ אֶת־יְהֹוָ֨ה מֵֽאֹת֜וֹ וַאֲנִ֣י שְׂנֵאתִ֗יהוּ כִּֽי־אֵ֠ינֶ֠נּוּ מִתְנַבֵּ֨א עָלַ֤י לְטוֹבָה֙ כִּ֣י כׇל־יָמָ֣יו לְרָעָ֔ה ה֖וּא מִיכָ֣יְהוּ בֶן־יִמְלָ֑א וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ יְה֣וֹשָׁפָ֔ט אַל־יֹאמַ֥ר הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ כֵּֽן׃ And the king of Israel answered Jehoshaphat, “There is one more man through whom we can inquire of the LORD; but I hate him, because he never prophesies anything good for me but always misfortune. He is Micaiah son of Imlah.” Jehoshaphat replied, “Let the king not say such a thing.”

וַיִּקְרָא֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אֶל־סָרִ֖יס אֶחָ֑ד וַיֹּ֕אמֶר מַהֵ֖ר (מיכהו) [מִיכָ֥יְהוּ] בֶן־יִמְלָֽא׃ So the king of Israel summoned an officer and said, “Bring Micaiah son of Imlah at once.”

וּמֶ֣לֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵ֡ל וִיהוֹשָׁפָ֣ט מֶלֶךְ־יְהוּדָ֡ה יוֹשְׁבִים֩ אִ֨ישׁ עַל־כִּסְא֜וֹ מְלֻבָּשִׁ֤ים בְּגָדִים֙ וְיֹשְׁבִ֣ים בְּגֹ֔רֶן פֶּ֖תַח שַׁ֣עַר שֹׁמְר֑וֹן וְכׇ֨ל־הַנְּבִיאִ֔ים מִֽתְנַבְּאִ֖ים לִפְנֵיהֶֽם׃ The king of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah, wearing their robes, were seated on their thrones situated in the threshing floor at the entrance of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets were prophesying before them.

וַיַּ֥עַשׂ ל֛וֹ צִדְקִיָּ֥הוּ בֶֽן־כְּנַעֲנָ֖ה קַרְנֵ֣י בַרְזֶ֑ל וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ כֹּֽה־אָמַ֣ר יְהֹוָ֔ה בְּאֵ֛לֶּה תְּנַגַּ֥ח אֶת־אֲרָ֖ם עַד־כַּלּוֹתָֽם׃ Zedekiah son of Chenaanah had provided himself with iron horns; and he said, “Thus said the LORD: With these you shall gore the Arameans till you make an end of them.”

וְכׇ֨ל־הַנְּבִאִ֔ים נִבְּאִ֥ים כֵּ֖ן לֵאמֹ֑ר עֲלֵ֞ה רָמֹ֤ת גִּלְעָד֙ וְהַצְלַ֔ח וְנָתַ֥ן יְהֹוָ֖ה בְּיַ֥ד הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ All the other prophets were prophesying similarly, “March against Ramoth-gilead and be victorious! The LORD will deliver it into Your Majesty’s hands.”

וְהַמַּלְאָ֞ךְ אֲשֶׁר־הָלַ֣ךְ ׀ לִקְרֹ֣א לְמִיכָ֗יְהוּ דִּבֶּ֤ר אֵלָיו֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר הִנֵּ֞ה דִּבְרֵ֧י הַנְּבִאִ֛ים פֶּה־אֶחָ֥ד ט֖וֹב אֶל־הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ וִיהִי־נָ֧א דְבָרְךָ֛ כְּאַחַ֥ד מֵהֶ֖ם וְדִבַּ֥רְתָּ טּֽוֹב׃ The messenger who had gone to summon Micaiah said to him, “Look, the words of the prophets are unanimously favorable to the king. Let your word be like that of the rest of them; speak a favorable word.”

וַיֹּ֖אמֶר מִיכָ֑יְהוּ חַי־יְהֹוָ֕ה כִּ֛י אֶת־אֲשֶׁר־יֹאמַ֥ר אֱלֹהַ֖י אֹת֥וֹ אֲדַבֵּֽר׃ “By the life of the LORD,” Micaiah answered, “I will speak only what my God tells me.”

וַיָּבֹא֮ אֶל־הַמֶּ֒לֶךְ֒ וַיֹּ֨אמֶר הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ אֵלָ֗יו מִיכָה֙ הֲנֵלֵ֞ךְ אֶל־רָמֹ֥ת גִּלְעָ֛ד לַמִּלְחָמָ֖ה אִם־אֶחְדָּ֑ל וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ עֲל֣וּ וְהַצְלִ֔יחוּ וְיִנָּתְנ֖וּ בְּיֶדְכֶֽם׃ When he came before the king, the king said to him, “Micah,^bA shortened form of Micaiah. shall we march against Ramoth-gilead for battle or shall we not?” He answered him, “March and be victorious! They will be delivered into your hands.”

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֵלָיו֙ הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ עַד־כַּמֶּ֥ה פְעָמִ֖ים אֲנִ֣י מַשְׁבִּיעֶ֑ךָ אֲ֠שֶׁ֠ר לֹֽא־תְדַבֵּ֥ר אֵלַ֛י רַק־אֱמֶ֖ת בְּשֵׁ֥ם יְהֹוָֽה׃ The king said to him, “How many times must I adjure you to tell me nothing but the truth in the name of the LORD?”

וַיֹּ֗אמֶר רָאִ֤יתִי אֶת־כׇּל־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ נְפוֹצִ֣ים עַל־הֶהָרִ֔ים כַּצֹּ֕אן אֲשֶׁ֥ר אֵין־לָהֶ֖ן רֹעֶ֑ה וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהֹוָה֙ לֹֽא־אֲדֹנִ֣ים לָאֵ֔לֶּה יָשׁ֥וּבוּ אִישׁ־לְבֵית֖וֹ בְּשָׁלֽוֹם׃ Then he said, “I saw all Israel scattered over the hills like sheep without a shepherd; and the LORD said, ‘These have no master; let everyone return to his home in safety.’”

וַיֹּ֥אמֶר מֶלֶךְ־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל אֶל־יְהוֹשָׁפָ֑ט הֲלֹא֙ אָמַ֣רְתִּי אֵלֶ֔יךָ לֹא־יִתְנַבֵּ֥א עָלַ֛י ט֖וֹב כִּ֥י אִם־לְרָֽע׃ {ס}         The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Did I not tell you that he would not prophesy good fortune for me, but only misfortune?”

וַיֹּ֕אמֶר לָכֵ֖ן שִׁמְע֣וּ דְבַר־יְהֹוָ֑ה רָאִ֤יתִי אֶת־יְהֹוָה֙ יוֹשֵׁ֣ב עַל־כִּסְא֔וֹ וְכׇל־צְבָ֤א הַשָּׁמַ֙יִם֙ עֹמְדִ֔ים עַל־יְמִינ֖וֹ וּשְׂמֹאלֽוֹ׃ Then [Micaiah] said, “Indeed, hear now the word of the LORD! I saw the LORD seated upon His throne, with all the host of heaven standing in attendance to the right and to the left of Him.

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יְהֹוָ֗ה מִ֤י יְפַתֶּה֙ אֶת־אַחְאָ֣ב מֶלֶךְ־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וְיַ֕עַל וְיִפֹּ֖ל בְּרָמ֣וֹת גִּלְעָ֑ד וַיֹּ֕אמֶר זֶ֚ה אֹמֵ֣ר כָּ֔כָה וְזֶ֖ה אֹמֵ֥ר כָּֽכָה׃ The LORD asked, ‘Who will entice King Ahab of Israel so that he will march and fall at Ramoth-gilead?’ Then one said this and another said that,

וַיֵּצֵ֣א הָר֗וּחַ וַֽיַּעֲמֹד֙ לִפְנֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֔ה וַיֹּ֖אמֶר אֲנִ֣י אֲפַתֶּ֑נּוּ וַיֹּ֧אמֶר יְהֹוָ֛ה אֵלָ֖יו בַּמָּֽה׃ until a certain spirit came forward and stood before the LORD and said, ‘I will entice him.’ ‘How?’ said the LORD to him.

וַיֹּ֗אמֶר אֵצֵא֙ וְהָיִ֙יתִי֙ לְר֣וּחַ שֶׁ֔קֶר בְּפִ֖י כׇּל־נְבִיאָ֑יו וַיֹּ֗אמֶר תְּפַתֶּה֙ וְגַם־תּוּכָ֔ל צֵ֖א וַעֲשֵׂה־כֵֽן׃ And he replied, ‘I will go forth and become a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’ Then He said, ‘You will entice with success. Go forth and do it.’

וְעַתָּ֗ה הִנֵּ֨ה נָתַ֤ן יְהֹוָה֙ ר֣וּחַ שֶׁ֔קֶר בְּפִ֖י נְבִיאֶ֣יךָ אֵ֑לֶּה וַֽיהֹוָ֔ה דִּבֶּ֥ר עָלֶ֖יךָ רָעָֽה׃ {ס}         Thus the LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these prophets of yours; for the LORD has decreed misfortune for you.”

וַיִּגַּשׁ֙ צִדְקִיָּ֣הוּ בֶֽן־כְּנַעֲנָ֔ה וַיַּ֥ךְ אֶת־מִיכָ֖יְהוּ עַל־הַלֶּ֑חִי וַיֹּ֗אמֶר אֵ֣י זֶ֤ה הַדֶּ֙רֶךְ֙ עָבַ֧ר רוּחַ־יְהֹוָ֛ה מֵאִתִּ֖י לְדַבֵּ֥ר אֹתָֽךְ׃ Thereupon Zedekiah son of Chenaanah came up and struck Micaiah on the cheek, and exclaimed, “However did the spirit of the LORD pass from me to speak with you!”

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר מִיכָ֔יְהוּ הִנְּךָ֥ רֹאֶ֖ה בַּיּ֣וֹם הַה֑וּא אֲשֶׁ֥ר תָּב֛וֹא חֶ֥דֶר בְּחֶ֖דֶר לְהֵחָבֵֽא׃ Micaiah replied, “You will see on the day when you try to hide in the innermost room.”

וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל קְחוּ֙ אֶת־מִיכָ֔יְהוּ וַהֲשִׁיבֻ֖הוּ אֶל־אָמ֣וֹן שַׂר־הָעִ֑יר וְאֶל־יוֹאָ֖שׁ בֶּן־הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ Then the king of Israel said, “Take Micaiah and turn him over to Amon, the governor of the city, and to Prince Joash,

וַאֲמַרְתֶּ֗ם כֹּ֚ה אָמַ֣ר הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ שִׂ֥ימוּ זֶ֖ה בֵּ֣ית הַכֶּ֑לֶא וְהַאֲכִלֻ֜הוּ לֶ֤חֶם לַ֙חַץ֙ וּמַ֣יִם לַ֔חַץ עַ֖ד שׁוּבִ֥י בְשָׁלֽוֹם׃ and say, ‘The king’s orders are: Put this fellow in prison, and let his fare be scant bread and scant water until I come home safe.’”

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר מִיכָ֔יְהוּ אִם־שׁ֤וֹב תָּשׁוּב֙ בְּשָׁל֔וֹם לֹא־דִבֶּ֥ר יְהֹוָ֖ה בִּ֑י וַיֹּ֕אמֶר שִׁמְע֖וּ עַמִּ֥ים כֻּלָּֽם׃ To which Micaiah retorted, “If you ever come home safe, the LORD has not spoken through me.” He said further, ^cCf. Mic. 1.2.“Listen, all you peoples!”^-c

וַיַּ֧עַל מֶלֶךְ־יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל וִיהוֹשָׁפָ֥ט מֶלֶךְ־יְהוּדָ֖ה אֶל־רָמֹ֥ת גִּלְעָֽד׃ The king of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah marched against Ramoth-gilead.

וַיֹּ֩אמֶר֩ מֶ֨לֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל אֶל־יְהוֹשָׁפָ֗ט הִתְחַפֵּשׂ֙ וָב֣וֹא בַמִּלְחָמָ֔ה וְאַתָּ֖ה לְבַ֣שׁ בְּגָדֶ֑יךָ וַיִּתְחַפֵּשׂ֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וַיָּבֹ֖אוּ בַּמִּלְחָמָֽה׃ The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, ^dInfinitives used for finite verb; cf. note at 1 Kings 22.30.“I will disguise myself and go^-d into the battle, but you, wear your robes.” So the king of Israel disguised himself, and they went into the battle.

וּמֶ֣לֶךְ אֲרָ֡ם צִוָּה֩ אֶת־שָׂרֵ֨י הָרֶ֤כֶב אֲשֶׁר־לוֹ֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר לֹ֚א תִּלָּ֣חֲמ֔וּ אֶת־הַקָּטֹ֖ן אֶת־הַגָּד֑וֹל כִּ֛י אִֽם־אֶת־מֶ֥לֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לְבַדּֽוֹ׃ The king of Aram had given these instructions to his chariot officers: “Do not attack anyone, small or great, except the king of Israel.”

וַיְהִ֡י כִּרְאוֹת֩ שָׂרֵ֨י הָרֶ֜כֶב אֶת־יְהוֹשָׁפָ֗ט וְהֵ֤מָּה אָֽמְרוּ֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל ה֔וּא וַיָּסֹ֥בּוּ עָלָ֖יו לְהִלָּחֵ֑ם וַיִּזְעַ֤ק יְהֽוֹשָׁפָט֙ וַיהֹוָ֣ה עֲזָר֔וֹ וַיְסִיתֵ֥ם אֱלֹהִ֖ים מִמֶּֽנּוּ׃ When the chariot officers saw Jehoshaphat, whom they took for the king of Israel, they wheeled around to attack him, and Jehoshaphat cried out and the LORD helped him, and God diverted them from him.

וַיְהִ֗י כִּרְאוֹת֙ שָׂרֵ֣י הָרֶ֔כֶב כִּ֥י לֹֽא־הָיָ֖ה מֶ֣לֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַיָּשׁ֖וּבוּ מֵאַחֲרָֽיו׃ And when the chariot officers realized that he was not the king of Israel, they gave up the pursuit.

וְאִ֗ישׁ מָשַׁ֤ךְ בַּקֶּ֙שֶׁת֙ לְתֻמּ֔וֹ וַיַּךְ֙ אֶת־מֶ֣לֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל בֵּ֥ין הַדְּבָקִ֖ים וּבֵ֣ין הַשִּׁרְיָ֑ן וַיֹּ֣אמֶר לָרַכָּ֗ב הֲפֹ֧ךְ (ידיך) [יָדְךָ֛] וְהוֹצֵאתַ֥נִי מִן־הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֖ה כִּ֥י הׇֽחֳלֵֽיתִי׃ Then a man drew his bow at random and hit the king of Israel between the ^eMeaning of Heb. uncertain.plates of the^-e armor and he said to his charioteer, “Turn around and get me behind the lines; I am wounded.”

וַתַּ֤עַל הַמִּלְחָמָה֙ בַּיּ֣וֹם הַה֔וּא וּמֶ֣לֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל הָיָ֨ה מַעֲמִ֧יד בַּמֶּרְכָּבָ֛ה נֹ֥כַח אֲרָ֖ם עַד־הָעָ֑רֶב וַיָּ֕מׇת לְעֵ֖ת בּ֥וֹא הַשָּֽׁמֶשׁ׃ The battle ^eMeaning of Heb. uncertain.raged all day long,^-e and the king remained propped up in the chariot facing Aram until dusk; he died as the sun was setting.

וַ֠יָּ֠שׇׁב יְהוֹשָׁפָ֨ט מֶלֶךְ־יְהוּדָ֧ה אֶל־בֵּית֛וֹ בְּשָׁל֖וֹם לִירוּשָׁלָֽ͏ִם׃ {ס}         King Jehoshaphat of Judah returned safely to his palace, to Jerusalem.

וַיֵּצֵ֣א אֶל־פָּנָ֗יו יֵה֣וּא בֶן־חֲנָ֘נִי֮ הַחֹזֶה֒ וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ אֶל־הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ יְהוֹשָׁפָ֔ט הֲלָרָשָׁ֣ע לַעְזֹ֔ר וּלְשֹׂנְאֵ֥י יְהֹוָ֖ה תֶּאֱהָ֑ב וּבָזֹאת֙ עָלֶ֣יךָ קֶּ֔צֶף מִלִּפְנֵ֖י יְהֹוָֽה׃ Jehu son of Hanani the seer went out to meet King Jehoshaphat and said to him, “Should one give aid to the wicked and befriend those who hate the LORD? For this, wrath is upon you from the LORD.

אֲבָ֕ל דְּבָרִ֥ים טוֹבִ֖ים נִמְצְא֣וּ עִמָּ֑ךְ כִּֽי־בִעַ֤רְתָּ הָאֲשֵׁרוֹת֙ מִן־הָאָ֔רֶץ וַהֲכִינ֥וֹתָ לְבָבְךָ֖ לִדְרֹ֥שׁ הָאֱלֹהִֽים׃ However, there is some good in you, for you have purged the land of the sacred posts and have dedicated yourself to worship God.”

וַיֵּ֥שֶׁב יְהוֹשָׁפָ֖ט בִּירוּשָׁלָ֑͏ִם וַיָּ֜שׇׁב וַיֵּצֵ֣א בָעָ֗ם מִבְּאֵ֥ר שֶׁ֙בַע֙ עַד־הַ֣ר אֶפְרַ֔יִם וַיְשִׁיבֵ֕ם אֶל־יְהֹוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵ֥י אֲבוֹתֵיהֶֽם׃ Jehoshaphat remained in Jerusalem a while and then went out among the people from Beer-sheba to the hill country of Ephraim; he brought them back to the LORD God of their fathers.

וַיַּעֲמֵ֨ד שֹׁפְטִ֜ים בָּאָ֗רֶץ בְּכׇל־עָרֵ֧י יְהוּדָ֛ה הַבְּצֻר֖וֹת לְעִ֥יר וָעִֽיר׃ He appointed judges in the land in all the fortified towns of Judah, in each and every town.

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֶל־הַשֹּׁפְטִ֗ים רְאוּ֙ מָה־אַתֶּ֣ם עֹשִׂ֔ים כִּ֣י לֹ֧א לְאָדָ֛ם תִּשְׁפְּט֖וּ כִּ֣י לַיהֹוָ֑ה וְעִמָּכֶ֖ם בִּדְבַ֥ר מִשְׁפָּֽט׃ He charged the judges: “Consider what you are doing, for you judge not on behalf of man, but on behalf of the LORD, and He is with you when you pass judgment.

וְעַתָּ֕ה יְהִ֥י פַחַד־יְהֹוָ֖ה עֲלֵיכֶ֑ם שִׁמְר֣וּ וַעֲשׂ֔וּ כִּֽי־אֵ֞ין עִם־יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵ֗ינוּ עַוְלָ֛ה וּמַשֹּׂ֥א פָנִ֖ים וּמִקַּח־שֹֽׁחַד׃ Now let the dread of the LORD be upon you; act with care, for there is no injustice or favoritism or bribe-taking with the LORD our God.”

וְגַ֣ם בִּ֠ירוּשָׁלַ֠͏ִם הֶעֱמִ֨יד יְהוֹשָׁפָ֜ט מִן־הַלְוִיִּ֣ם וְהַכֹּהֲנִ֗ים וּמֵרָאשֵׁ֤י הָאָבוֹת֙ לְיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל לְמִשְׁפַּ֥ט יְהֹוָ֖ה וְלָרִ֑יב וַיָּשֻׁ֖בוּ יְרוּשָׁלָֽ͏ִם׃ Jehoshaphat also appointed in Jerusalem some Levites and priests and heads of the clans of Israelites for rendering judgment in matters of the LORD, and for disputes. Then they returned to Jerusalem.

וַיְצַ֥ו עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם לֵאמֹ֑ר כֹּ֤ה תַֽעֲשׂוּן֙ בְּיִרְאַ֣ת יְהֹוָ֔ה בֶּאֱמוּנָ֖ה וּבְלֵבָ֥ב שָׁלֵֽם׃ He charged them, “This is how you shall act: in fear of the LORD, with fidelity, and with whole heart.

וְכׇל־רִיב֩ אֲשֶׁר־יָב֨וֹא עֲלֵיכֶ֜ם מֵאֲחֵיכֶ֣ם ׀ הַיֹּשְׁבִ֣ים בְּעָרֵיהֶ֗ם בֵּֽין־דָּ֣ם ׀ לְדָם֮ בֵּין־תּוֹרָ֣ה לְמִצְוָה֮ לְחֻקִּ֣ים וּלְמִשְׁפָּטִים֒ וְהִזְהַרְתֶּ֣ם אֹתָ֔ם וְלֹ֤א יֶאְשְׁמוּ֙ לַֽיהֹוָ֔ה וְהָיָה־קֶ֥צֶף עֲלֵיכֶ֖ם וְעַל־אֲחֵיכֶ֑ם כֹּ֥ה תַעֲשׂ֖וּן וְלֹ֥א תֶאְשָֽׁמוּ׃ When a dispute comes before you from your brothers living in their towns, whether about homicide, or about ritual, or laws or rules, you must instruct them so that they do not incur guilt before the LORD and wrath be upon you and your brothers. Act so and you will not incur guilt.

וְהִנֵּ֡ה אֲמַרְיָ֣הוּ כֹהֵן֩ הָרֹ֨אשׁ עֲלֵיכֶ֜ם לְכֹ֣ל דְּבַר־יְהֹוָ֗ה וּזְבַדְיָ֨הוּ בֶן־יִשְׁמָעֵ֜אל הַנָּגִ֤יד לְבֵית־יְהוּדָה֙ לְכֹ֣ל דְּבַר־הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ וְשֹׁטְרִ֥ים הַלְוִיִּ֖ם לִפְנֵיכֶ֑ם חִזְק֣וּ וַעֲשׂ֔וּ וִיהִ֥י יְהֹוָ֖ה עִם־הַטּֽוֹב׃ {פ}
See, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all cases concerning the LORD, and Zebadiah son of Ishmael is the commander of the house of Judah in all cases concerning the king; the Levitical officials are at your disposal; act with resolve and the LORD be with the good.”

וַיְהִ֣י אַחֲרֵי־כֵ֡ן בָּ֣אוּ בְנֵי־מוֹאָב֩ וּבְנֵ֨י עַמּ֜וֹן וְעִמָּהֶ֧ם ׀ מֵהָעַמּוֹנִ֛ים עַל־יְהוֹשָׁפָ֖ט לַמִּלְחָמָֽה׃ After that, Moabites, Ammonites, together with some Ammonim,^aProbably for m‘nym “Meunites” (1 Chron. 4.41); cf. Kimhi. came against Jehoshaphat to wage war.

וַיָּבֹ֗אוּ וַיַּגִּ֤ידוּ לִיהֽוֹשָׁפָט֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר בָּ֣א עָלֶ֜יךָ הָמ֥וֹן רָ֛ב מֵעֵ֥בֶר לַיָּ֖ם מֵאֲרָ֑ם וְהִנָּם֙ בְּחַֽצְצ֣וֹן תָּמָ֔ר הִ֖יא עֵ֥ין גֶּֽדִי׃ The report was brought to Jehoshaphat: “A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, from Aram, and is now in Hazazon-tamar”—that is, Ein-gedi.

וַיִּרָ֕א וַיִּתֵּ֧ן יְהוֹשָׁפָ֛ט אֶת־פָּנָ֖יו לִדְר֣וֹשׁ לַֽיהֹוָ֑ה וַיִּקְרָא־צ֖וֹם עַל־כׇּל־יְהוּדָֽה׃ Jehoshaphat was afraid; he decided to resort to the LORD and proclaimed a fast for all Judah.

וַיִּקָּבְצ֣וּ יְהוּדָ֔ה לְבַקֵּ֖שׁ מֵיְהֹוָ֑ה גַּ֚ם מִכׇּל־עָרֵ֣י יְהוּדָ֔ה בָּ֖אוּ לְבַקֵּ֥שׁ אֶת־יְהֹוָֽה׃ Judah assembled to beseech the LORD. They also came from all the towns of Judah to seek the LORD.

וַיַּעֲמֹ֣ד יְהֽוֹשָׁפָ֗ט בִּקְהַ֧ל יְהוּדָ֛ה וִירוּשָׁלַ֖͏ִם בְּבֵ֣ית יְהֹוָ֑ה לִפְנֵ֖י הֶחָצֵ֥ר הַחֲדָשָֽׁה׃ Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation of Judah and Jerusalem in the House of the LORD at the front of the new court.

וַיֹּאמַ֗ר יְהֹוָ֞ה אֱלֹהֵ֤י אֲבֹתֵ֙ינוּ֙ הֲלֹ֨א אַתָּה־ה֤וּא אֱלֹהִים֙ בַּשָּׁמַ֔יִם וְאַתָּ֣ה מוֹשֵׁ֔ל בְּכֹ֖ל מַמְלְכ֣וֹת הַגּוֹיִ֑ם וּבְיָֽדְךָ֙ כֹּ֣חַ וּגְבוּרָ֔ה וְאֵ֥ין עִמְּךָ֖ לְהִתְיַצֵּֽב׃ He said, “LORD God of our fathers, truly You are the God in heaven and You rule over the kingdoms of the nations; power and strength are Yours; none can oppose You.

הֲלֹ֣א ׀ אַתָּ֣ה אֱלֹהֵ֗ינוּ הוֹרַ֙שְׁתָּ֙ אֶת־יֹֽשְׁבֵי֙ הָאָ֣רֶץ הַזֹּ֔את מִלִּפְנֵ֖י עַמְּךָ֣ יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַֽתִּתְּנָ֗הּ לְזֶ֛רַע אַבְרָהָ֥ם אֹהַבְךָ֖ לְעוֹלָֽם׃ O our God, you dispossessed the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel, and You gave it to the descendants of Your friend Abraham forever.

וַיֵּשְׁב֖וּ־בָ֑הּ וַיִּבְנ֨וּ לְךָ֧ ׀ בָּ֛הּ מִקְדָּ֖שׁ לְשִׁמְךָ֥ לֵאמֹֽר׃ They settled in it and in it built for You a House for Your name. They said,

אִם־תָּב֨וֹא עָלֵ֜ינוּ רָעָ֗ה חֶ֘רֶב֮ שְׁפוֹט֮ וְדֶ֣בֶר וְרָעָב֒ נַעַמְדָ֞ה לִפְנֵ֨י הַבַּ֤יִת הַזֶּה֙ וּלְפָנֶ֔יךָ כִּ֥י שִׁמְךָ֖ בַּבַּ֣יִת הַזֶּ֑ה וְנִזְעַ֥ק אֵלֶ֛יךָ מִצָּרָתֵ֖נוּ וְתִשְׁמַ֥ע וְתוֹשִֽׁיעַ׃ ‘Should misfortune befall us—the punishing sword, pestilence, or famine, we shall stand before this House and before You—for Your name is in this House—and we shall cry out to You in our distress, and You will listen and deliver us.’

וְעַתָּ֡ה הִנֵּה֩ בְנֵי־עַמּ֨וֹן וּמוֹאָ֜ב וְהַר־שֵׂעִ֗יר אֲ֠שֶׁ֠ר לֹֽא־נָתַ֤תָּה לְיִשְׂרָאֵל֙ לָב֣וֹא בָהֶ֔ם בְּבֹאָ֖ם מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרָ֑יִם כִּ֛י סָ֥רוּ מֵעֲלֵיהֶ֖ם וְלֹ֥א הִשְׁמִידֽוּם׃ Now the people of Ammon, Moab, and the hill country of Seir, into whose [land] You did not let Israel come when they came from Egypt, but they turned aside from them and did not wipe them out,

וְהִ֨נֵּה־הֵ֔ם גֹּמְלִ֖ים עָלֵ֑ינוּ לָבוֹא֙ לְגָ֣רְשֵׁ֔נוּ מִיְּרֻשָּׁתְךָ֖ אֲשֶׁ֥ר הוֹרַשְׁתָּֽנוּ׃ these now repay us by coming to expel us from Your possession which You gave us as ours.

אֱלֹהֵ֙ינוּ֙ הֲלֹ֣א תִשְׁפׇּט־בָּ֔ם כִּ֣י אֵ֥ין בָּ֙נוּ֙ כֹּ֔חַ לִ֠פְנֵ֠י הֶהָמ֥וֹן הָרָ֛ב הַזֶּ֖ה הַבָּ֣א עָלֵ֑ינוּ וַאֲנַ֗חְנוּ לֹ֤א נֵדַע֙ מַֽה־נַּעֲשֶׂ֔ה כִּ֥י עָלֶ֖יךָ עֵינֵֽינוּ׃ O our God, surely You will punish them, for we are powerless before this great multitude that has come against us, and do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You.”

וְכׇ֨ל־יְהוּדָ֔ה עֹמְדִ֖ים לִפְנֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֑ה גַּם־טַפָּ֖ם נְשֵׁיהֶ֥ם וּבְנֵיהֶֽם׃ {ס}         All Judah stood before the LORD with their little ones, their womenfolk, and their children.

וְיַחֲזִיאֵ֡ל בֶּן־זְכַרְיָ֡הוּ בֶּן־בְּ֠נָיָ֠ה בֶּן־יְעִיאֵ֧ל בֶּן־מַתַּנְיָ֛ה הַלֵּוִ֖י מִן־בְּנֵ֣י אָסָ֑ף הָיְתָ֤ה עָלָיו֙ ר֣וּחַ יְהֹוָ֔ה בְּת֖וֹךְ הַקָּהָֽל׃ Then in the midst of the congregation the spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel son of Zechariah son of Benaiah son of Jeiel son of Mattaniah the Levite, of the sons of Asaph,

וַיֹּ֗אמֶר הַקְשִׁ֤יבוּ כׇל־יְהוּדָה֙ וְיֹשְׁבֵ֣י יְרוּשָׁלַ֔͏ִם וְהַמֶּ֖לֶךְ יְהוֹשָׁפָ֑ט כֹּה־אָמַ֨ר יְהֹוָ֜ה לָכֶ֗ם אַ֠תֶּ֠ם אַל־תִּֽירְא֤וּ וְאַל־תֵּחַ֙תּוּ֙ מִפְּנֵ֨י הֶהָמ֤וֹן הָרָב֙ הַזֶּ֔ה כִּ֣י לֹ֥א לָכֶ֛ם הַמִּלְחָמָ֖ה כִּ֥י לֵאלֹהִֽים׃ and he said, “Give heed, all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat; thus said the LORD to you, ‘Do not fear or be dismayed by this great multitude, for the battle is God’s, not yours.

מָחָר֙ רְד֣וּ עֲלֵיהֶ֔ם הִנָּ֥ם עֹלִ֖ים בְּמַעֲלֵ֣ה הַצִּ֑יץ וּמְצָאתֶ֤ם אֹתָם֙ בְּס֣וֹף הַנַּ֔חַל פְּנֵ֖י מִדְבַּ֥ר יְרוּאֵֽל׃ March down against them tomorrow as they come up by the Ascent of Ziz; you will find them at the end of the wadi in the direction of the wilderness of Jeruel.

לֹ֥א לָכֶ֖ם לְהִלָּחֵ֣ם בָּזֹ֑את הִתְיַצְּב֣וּ עִמְד֡וּ וּרְא֣וּ אֶת־יְשׁוּעַת֩ יְהֹוָ֨ה עִמָּכֶ֜ם יְהוּדָ֣ה וִירוּשָׁלַ֗͏ִם אַל־תִּֽירְאוּ֙ וְאַל־תֵּחַ֔תּוּ מָחָר֙ צְא֣וּ לִפְנֵיהֶ֔ם וַיהֹוָ֖ה עִמָּכֶֽם׃ It is not for you to fight this battle; stand by, wait, and witness your deliverance by the LORD, O Judah and Jerusalem; do not fear or be dismayed; go forth to meet them tomorrow and the LORD will be with you.’”

וַיִּקֹּ֧ד יְהוֹשָׁפָ֛ט אַפַּ֖יִם אָ֑רְצָה וְכׇל־יְהוּדָ֞ה וְיֹשְׁבֵ֣י יְרוּשָׁלַ֗͏ִם נָֽפְלוּ֙ לִפְנֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֔ה לְהִֽשְׁתַּחֲוֺ֖ת לַיהֹוָֽה׃ Jehoshaphat bowed low with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem threw themselves down before the LORD to worship the LORD.

וַיָּקֻ֧מוּ הַלְוִיִּ֛ם מִן־בְּנֵ֥י הַקְּהָתִ֖ים וּמִן־בְּנֵ֣י הַקׇּרְחִ֑ים לְהַלֵּ֗ל לַֽיהֹוָה֙ אֱלֹהֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל בְּק֥וֹל גָּד֖וֹל לְמָֽעְלָה׃ Levites of the sons of Kohath and of the sons of Korah got up to extol the LORD God of Israel at the top of their voices.

וַיַּשְׁכִּ֣ימוּ בַבֹּ֔קֶר וַיֵּצְא֖וּ לְמִדְבַּ֣ר תְּק֑וֹעַ וּבְצֵאתָ֞ם עָמַ֣ד יְהוֹשָׁפָ֗ט וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ שְׁמָע֗וּנִי יְהוּדָה֙ וְיֹשְׁבֵ֣י יְרוּשָׁלַ֔͏ִם הַאֲמִ֜ינוּ בַּֽיהֹוָ֤ה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶם֙ וְתֵ֣אָמֵ֔נוּ הַאֲמִ֥ינוּ בִנְבִיאָ֖יו וְהַצְלִֽיחוּ׃ Early the next morning they arose and went forth to the wilderness of Tekoa. As they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, O Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: Trust firmly in the LORD your God and you will stand firm; trust firmly in His prophets and you will succeed.”

וַיִּוָּעַץ֙ אֶל־הָעָ֔ם וַיַּעֲמֵ֤ד מְשֹֽׁרְרִים֙ לַיהֹוָ֔ה וּֽמְהַלְלִ֖ים לְהַדְרַת־קֹ֑דֶשׁ בְּצֵאת֙ לִפְנֵ֣י הֶחָל֔וּץ וְאֹמְרִים֙ הוֹד֣וּ לַיהֹוָ֔ה כִּ֥י לְעוֹלָ֖ם חַסְדּֽוֹ׃ After taking counsel with the people, he stationed singers to the LORD extolling the One majestic in holiness as they went forth ahead of the vanguard, saying, “Praise the LORD, for His steadfast love is eternal.”

וּבְעֵת֩ הֵחֵ֨לּוּ בְרִנָּ֜ה וּתְהִלָּ֗ה נָתַ֣ן יְהֹוָ֣ה ׀ מְ֠אָֽרְבִ֠ים עַל־בְּנֵ֨י עַמּ֜וֹן מוֹאָ֧ב וְהַר־שֵׂעִ֛יר הַבָּאִ֥ים לִֽיהוּדָ֖ה וַיִּנָּגֵֽפוּ׃ As they began their joyous shouts and hymns, the LORD set ambushes for the men of Ammon, Moab, and the hill country of Seir, who were marching against Judah, and they were routed.

וַ֠יַּעַמְד֠וּ בְּנֵ֨י עַמּ֧וֹן וּמוֹאָ֛ב עַל־יֹשְׁבֵ֥י הַר־שֵׂעִ֖יר לְהַחֲרִ֣ים וּלְהַשְׁמִ֑יד וּכְכַלּוֹתָם֙ בְּיוֹשְׁבֵ֣י שֵׂעִ֔יר עָזְר֥וּ אִישׁ־בְּרֵעֵ֖הוּ לְמַשְׁחִֽית׃ The Ammonites and Moabites turned against the men of the hill country of Seir to exterminate and annihilate them. When they had made an end of the men of Seir, each helped to destroy his fellow.

וִיהוּדָ֛ה בָּ֥א עַל־הַמִּצְפֶּ֖ה לַמִּדְבָּ֑ר וַיִּפְנוּ֙ אֶל־הֶ֣הָמ֔וֹן וְהִנָּ֧ם פְּגָרִ֛ים נֹפְלִ֥ים אַ֖רְצָה וְאֵ֥ין פְּלֵיטָֽה׃ When Judah reached the lookout in the wilderness and looked for the multitude, they saw them lying on the ground as corpses; not one had survived.

וַיָּבֹ֨א יְהוֹשָׁפָ֣ט וְעַמּוֹ֮ לָבֹ֣ז אֶת־שְׁלָלָם֒ וַיִּמְצְאוּ֩ בָהֶ֨ם לָרֹ֜ב וּרְכ֤וּשׁ וּפְגָרִים֙ וּכְלֵ֣י חֲמֻד֔וֹת וַיְנַצְּל֥וּ לָהֶ֖ם לְאֵ֣ין מַשָּׂ֑א וַיִּהְי֞וּ יָמִ֧ים שְׁלוֹשָׁ֛ה בֹּזְזִ֥ים אֶת־הַשָּׁלָ֖ל כִּ֥י רַב־הֽוּא׃ Jehoshaphat and his army came to take the booty, and found an abundance of goods, corpses, and precious objects, which they pillaged, more than they could carry off. For three days they were taking booty, there was so much of it.

וּבַיּ֣וֹם הָרְבִעִ֗י נִקְהֲלוּ֙ לְעֵ֣מֶק בְּרָכָ֔ה כִּי־שָׁ֖ם בֵּרְכ֣וּ אֶת־יְהֹוָ֑ה עַל־כֵּ֡ן קָרְא֞וּ אֶת־שֵׁ֨ם הַמָּק֥וֹם הַה֛וּא עֵ֥מֶק בְּרָכָ֖ה עַד־הַיּֽוֹם׃ On the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Blessing—for there they blessed the LORD; that is why that place is called the Valley of Blessing to this day.

וַ֠יָּשֻׁב֠וּ כׇּל־אִ֨ישׁ יְהוּדָ֤ה וִירוּשָׁלַ֙͏ִם֙ וִיהוֹשָׁפָ֣ט בְּרֹאשָׁ֔ם לָשׁ֥וּב אֶל־יְרוּשָׁלַ֖͏ִם בְּשִׂמְחָ֑ה כִּֽי־שִׂמְּחָ֥ם יְהֹוָ֖ה מֵאוֹיְבֵיהֶֽם׃ All the men of Judah and Jerusalem with Jehoshaphat at their head returned joyfully to Jerusalem, for the LORD had given them cause for rejoicing over their enemies.

וַיָּבֹ֙אוּ֙ יְר֣וּשָׁלַ֔͏ִם בִּנְבָלִ֥ים וּבְכִנֹּר֖וֹת וּבַחֲצֹֽצְר֑וֹת אֶל־בֵּ֖ית יְהֹוָֽה׃ They came to Jerusalem to the House of the LORD, to the accompaniment of harps, lyres, and trumpets.

וַֽיְהִי֙ פַּ֣חַד אֱלֹהִ֔ים עַ֖ל כׇּל־מַמְלְכ֣וֹת הָאֲרָצ֑וֹת בְּשׇׁמְעָ֕ם כִּ֚י נִלְחַ֣ם יְהֹוָ֔ה עִ֖ם אוֹיְבֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ The terror of God seized all the kingdoms of the lands when they heard that the LORD had fought the enemies of Israel.

וַתִּשְׁקֹ֖ט מַלְכ֣וּת יְהוֹשָׁפָ֑ט וַיָּ֧נַֽח ל֦וֹ אֱלֹהָ֖יו מִסָּבִֽיב׃ {פ}
The kingdom of Jehoshaphat was untroubled, and his God granted him respite on all sides.

וַיִּמְלֹ֥ךְ יְהוֹשָׁפָ֖ט עַל־יְהוּדָ֑ה בֶּן־שְׁלֹשִׁים֩ וְחָמֵ֨שׁ שָׁנָ֜ה בְּמׇלְכ֗וֹ וְעֶשְׂרִ֨ים וְחָמֵ֤שׁ שָׁנָה֙ מָלַ֣ךְ בִּירוּשָׁלַ֔͏ִם וְשֵׁ֣ם אִמּ֔וֹ עֲזוּבָ֖ה בַּת־שִׁלְחִֽי׃ ^bWith vv. 31–37, cf. 1 Kings 22.41–49.Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah. He was thirty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem for twenty-five years. His mother’s name was Azubah daughter of Shilhi.

וַיֵּ֗לֶךְ בְּדֶ֛רֶךְ אָבִ֥יו אָסָ֖א וְלֹא־סָ֣ר מִמֶּ֑נָּה לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת הַיָּשָׁ֖ר בְּעֵינֵ֥י יְהֹוָֽה׃ He followed the course of his father Asa and did not deviate from it, doing what was pleasing to the LORD.

אַ֥ךְ הַבָּמ֖וֹת לֹא־סָ֑רוּ וְע֤וֹד הָעָם֙ לֹא־הֵכִ֣ינוּ לְבָבָ֔ם לֵאלֹהֵ֖י אֲבֹתֵיהֶֽם׃ However, the shrines did not cease; the people still did not direct their heart toward the God of their fathers.

וְיֶ֙תֶר֙ דִּבְרֵ֣י יְהוֹשָׁפָ֔ט הָרִאשֹׁנִ֖ים וְהָאַחֲרֹנִ֑ים הִנָּ֣ם כְּתוּבִ֗ים בְּדִבְרֵי֙ יֵה֣וּא בֶן־חֲנָ֔נִי אֲשֶׁ֣ר הֹֽעֲלָ֔ה עַל־סֵ֖פֶר מַלְכֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ As for the other events of Jehoshaphat’s reign, early and late, they are recorded in the annals of Jehu son of Hanani, which were included in the book of the kings of Israel.

וְאַחֲרֵי־כֵ֗ן אֶתְחַבַּר֙ יְהוֹשָׁפָ֣ט מֶלֶךְ־יְהוּדָ֔ה עִ֖ם אֲחַזְיָ֣ה מֶֽלֶךְ־יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל ה֖וּא הִרְשִׁ֥יעַ לַעֲשֽׂוֹת׃ Afterward, King Jehoshaphat of Judah entered into a partnership with King Ahaziah of Israel, thereby acting wickedly.

וַיְחַבְּרֵ֣הוּ עִמּ֔וֹ לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת אֳנִיּ֖וֹת לָלֶ֣כֶת תַּרְשִׁ֑ישׁ וַיַּעֲשׂ֥וּ אֳנִיּ֖וֹת בְּעֶצְי֥וֹן גָּֽבֶר׃ He joined with him in constructing ships to go to Tarshish; the ships were constructed in Ezion-geber.

וַיִּתְנַבֵּ֞א אֱלִיעֶ֤זֶר בֶּן־דֹּדָוָ֙הוּ֙ מִמָּ֣רֵשָׁ֔ה עַל־יְהוֹשָׁפָ֖ט לֵאמֹ֑ר כְּהִֽתְחַבֶּרְךָ֣ עִם־אֲחַזְיָ֗הוּ פָּרַ֤ץ יְהֹוָה֙ אֶֽת־מַעֲשֶׂ֔יךָ וַיִּשָּׁבְר֣וּ אֳנִיּ֔וֹת וְלֹ֥א עָצְר֖וּ לָלֶ֥כֶת אֶל־תַּרְשִֽׁישׁ׃ Eliezer son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, “As you have made a partnership with Ahaziah, the LORD will break up your work.” The ships were wrecked and were unable to go to Tarshish.

וַיִּשְׁכַּ֤ב יְהוֹשָׁפָט֙ עִם־אֲבֹתָ֔יו וַיִּקָּבֵ֥ר עִם־אֲבֹתָ֖יו בְּעִ֣יר דָּוִ֑יד וַיִּמְלֹ֛ךְ יְהוֹרָ֥ם בְּנ֖וֹ תַּחְתָּֽיו׃ ^aCf. 2 Kings 8.17–24.Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers and was buried with his fathers in the City of David; his son Jehoram succeeded him as king.

וְלוֹ־אַחִ֞ים בְּנֵ֣י יְהוֹשָׁפָ֗ט עֲזַרְיָ֤ה וִֽיחִיאֵל֙ וּזְכַרְיָ֣הוּ וַעֲזַרְיָ֔הוּ וּמִיכָאֵ֖ל וּשְׁפַטְיָ֑הוּ כׇּל־אֵ֕לֶּה בְּנֵ֖י יְהוֹשָׁפָ֥ט מֶלֶךְ־יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ He had brothers, sons of Jehoshaphat: Azariah, Jehiel, Zechariah, Azariahu, Michael, and Shephatiah; all these were sons of King Jehoshaphat of Israel.

וַיִּתֵּ֣ן לָהֶ֣ם ׀ אֲ֠בִיהֶ֠ם מַתָּנ֨וֹת רַבּ֜וֹת לְכֶ֤סֶף וּלְזָהָב֙ וּלְמִגְדָּנ֔וֹת עִם־עָרֵ֥י מְצֻר֖וֹת בִּֽיהוּדָ֑ה וְאֶת־הַמַּמְלָכָ֛ה נָתַ֥ן לִֽיהוֹרָ֖ם כִּי־ה֥וּא הַבְּכֽוֹר׃ {פ}
Their father gave them many gifts of silver, gold, and [other] presents, as well as fortified towns in Judah, but he gave the kingdom to Jehoram because he was the first-born.

וַיָּ֨קׇם יְהוֹרָ֜ם עַל־מַמְלֶ֤כֶת אָבִיו֙ וַיִּתְחַזַּ֔ק וַיַּהֲרֹ֥ג אֶת־כׇּל־אֶחָ֖יו בֶּחָ֑רֶב וְגַ֖ם מִשָּׂרֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ Jehoram proceeded to take firm hold of his father’s kingdom and put to the sword all his brothers, as well as some of the officers of Israel.

בֶּן־שְׁלֹשִׁ֥ים וּשְׁתַּ֛יִם שָׁנָ֖ה יְהוֹרָ֣ם בְּמׇלְכ֑וֹ וּשְׁמוֹנֶ֣ה שָׁנִ֔ים מָלַ֖ךְ בִּירוּשָׁלָֽ͏ִם׃ Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years.

וַיֵּ֜לֶךְ בְּדֶ֣רֶךְ ׀ מַלְכֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל כַּאֲשֶׁ֤ר עָשׂוּ֙ בֵּ֣ית אַחְאָ֔ב כִּ֚י בַּת־אַחְאָ֔ב הָ֥יְתָה לּ֖וֹ אִשָּׁ֑ה וַיַּ֥עַשׂ הָרַ֖ע בְּעֵינֵ֥י יְהֹוָֽה׃ He followed the practices of the kings of Israel doing what the House of Ahab had done, for he married a daughter of Ahab; he did what was displeasing to the LORD.

וְלֹא־אָבָ֣ה יְהֹוָ֗ה לְהַשְׁחִית֙ אֶת־בֵּ֣ית דָּוִ֔יד לְמַ֣עַן הַבְּרִ֔ית אֲשֶׁ֥ר כָּרַ֖ת לְדָוִ֑יד וְכַאֲשֶׁ֣ר אָמַ֗ר לָתֵ֨ת ל֥וֹ נִ֛יר וּלְבָנָ֖יו כׇּל־הַיָּמִֽים׃ However, the LORD refrained from destroying the House of David for the sake of the covenant he had made with David, and in accordance with his promise to maintain a lamp for him and his descendants for all time.

בְּיָמָיו֙ פָּשַׁ֣ע אֱד֔וֹם מִתַּ֖חַת יַד־יְהוּדָ֑ה וַיַּמְלִ֥יכוּ עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם מֶֽלֶךְ׃ During his reign, the Edomites rebelled against Judah’s rule and set up a king of their own.

וַיַּעֲבֹ֤ר יְהוֹרָם֙ עִם־שָׂרָ֔יו וְכׇל־הָרֶ֖כֶב עִמּ֑וֹ וַֽיְהִי֙ קָ֣ם לַ֔יְלָה וַיַּ֗ךְ אֶת־אֱדוֹם֙ הַסּוֹבֵ֣ב אֵלָ֔יו וְאֵ֖ת שָׂרֵ֥י הָרָֽכֶב׃ Jehoram advanced [against them] with his officers and all his chariotry. He arose by night and attacked the Edomites, who surrounded him and the chariot commanders.

וַיִּפְשַׁ֨ע אֱד֜וֹם מִתַּ֣חַת יַד־יְהוּדָ֗ה עַ֚ד הַיּ֣וֹם הַזֶּ֔ה אָ֣ז תִּפְשַׁ֥ע לִבְנָ֛ה בָּעֵ֥ת הַהִ֖יא מִתַּ֣חַת יָד֑וֹ כִּ֣י עָזַ֔ב אֶת־יְהֹוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵ֥י אֲבֹתָֽיו׃ Edom has been in rebellion against Judah, to this day; Libnah also rebelled against him at that time, because he had forsaken the LORD God of his fathers.

גַּם־ה֥וּא עָשָֽׂה־בָמ֖וֹת בְּהָרֵ֣י יְהוּדָ֑ה וַיֶּ֙זֶן֙ אֶת־יֹשְׁבֵ֣י יְרוּשָׁלַ֔͏ִם וַיַּדַּ֖ח אֶת־יְהוּדָֽה׃ {פ}
Moreover, he built shrines in the hill country of Judah; he led astray the inhabitants of Jerusalem and made Judah wayward.

וַיָּבֹ֤א אֵלָיו֙ מִכְתָּ֔ב מֵאֵלִיָּ֥הוּ הַנָּבִ֖יא לֵאמֹ֑ר כֹּ֣ה ׀ אָמַ֣ר יְהֹוָ֗ה אֱלֹהֵי֙ דָּוִ֣יד אָבִ֔יךָ תַּ֗חַת אֲשֶׁ֤ר לֹֽא־הָלַ֙כְתָּ֙ בְּדַרְכֵי֙ יְהוֹשָׁפָ֣ט אָבִ֔יךָ וּבְדַרְכֵ֖י אָסָ֥א מֶֽלֶךְ־יְהוּדָֽה׃ A letter from Elijah the prophet came to him which read, “Thus says the LORD God of your father David: Since you have not followed the practices of your father Jehoshaphat and the practices of King Asa of Judah,

וַתֵּ֗לֶךְ בְּדֶ֙רֶךְ֙ מַלְכֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וַתַּזְנֶ֤ה אֶת־יְהוּדָה֙ וְאֶת־יֹשְׁבֵ֣י יְרוּשָׁלַ֔͏ִם כְּהַזְנ֖וֹת בֵּ֣ית אַחְאָ֑ב וְגַ֨ם אֶת־אַחֶ֧יךָ בֵית־אָבִ֛יךָ הַטּוֹבִ֥ים מִמְּךָ֖ הָרָֽגְתָּ׃ but have followed the practices of the kings of Israel, leading astray Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem as the House of Ahab led them astray, and have also killed your brothers of your father’s house, who were better than you,

הִנֵּ֣ה יְהֹוָ֗ה נֹגֵ֛ף מַגֵּפָ֥ה גְדוֹלָ֖ה בְּעַמֶּ֑ךָ וּבְבָנֶ֥יךָ וּבְנָשֶׁ֖יךָ וּבְכׇל־רְכוּשֶֽׁךָ׃ therefore, the LORD will inflict a great blow upon your people, your sons, and your wives and all your possessions.

וְאַתָּ֛ה בׇּחֳלָיִ֥ים רַבִּ֖ים בְּמַחֲלֵ֣ה מֵעֶ֑יךָ עַד־יֵצְא֤וּ מֵעֶ֙יךָ֙ מִן־הַחֹ֔לִי יָמִ֖ים עַל־יָמִֽים׃ As for you, you will be severely stricken with a disorder of the bowels year after year until your bowels drop out.”

וַיָּ֨עַר יְהֹוָ֜ה עַל־יְהוֹרָ֗ם אֵ֣ת ר֤וּחַ הַפְּלִשְׁתִּים֙ וְהָ֣עַרְבִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֖ר עַל־יַ֥ד כּוּשִֽׁים׃ The LORD stirred up the spirit of the Philistines and the Arabs who were neighbors of the Cushites against Jehoram.

וַיַּעֲל֤וּ בִיהוּדָה֙ וַיִּבְקָע֔וּהָ וַיִּשְׁבּ֗וּ אֵ֤ת כׇּל־הָרְכוּשׁ֙ הַנִּמְצָ֣א לְבֵית־הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ וְגַם־בָּנָ֖יו וְנָשָׁ֑יו וְלֹ֤א נִשְׁאַר־לוֹ֙ בֵּ֔ן כִּ֥י אִם־יְהוֹאָחָ֖ז קְטֹ֥ן בָּנָֽיו׃ They marched against Judah, breached its defenses, and carried off all the property that was found in the king’s palace, as well as his sons and his wives. The only son who remained was Jehoahaz, his youngest.

וְאַחֲרֵ֖י כׇּל־זֹ֑את נְגָפ֨וֹ יְהֹוָ֧ה ׀ בְּמֵעָ֛יו לׇחֳלִ֖י לְאֵ֥ין מַרְפֵּֽא׃ After this, the LORD afflicted him with an incurable disease of the bowels.

וַיְהִ֣י לְיָמִ֣ים ׀ מִיָּמִ֡ים וּכְעֵת֩ צֵ֨את הַקֵּ֜ץ לְיָמִ֣ים ׀ שְׁנַ֗יִם יָצְא֤וּ מֵעָיו֙ עִם־חׇלְי֔וֹ וַיָּ֖מׇת בְּתַחֲלֻאִ֣ים רָעִ֑ים וְלֹא־עָ֨שׂוּ ל֥וֹ עַמּ֛וֹ שְׂרֵפָ֖ה כִּשְׂרֵפַ֥ת אֲבֹתָֽיו׃ Some years later, when a period of two years had elapsed, his bowels dropped out because of his disease, and he died a gruesome death. His people did not make a fire for him like the fire for his fathers.

בֶּן־שְׁלֹשִׁ֤ים וּשְׁתַּ֙יִם֙ הָיָ֣ה בְמׇלְכ֔וֹ וּשְׁמוֹנֶ֣ה שָׁנִ֔ים מָלַ֖ךְ בִּירוּשָׁלָ֑͏ִם וַיֵּ֙לֶךְ֙ בְּלֹ֣א חֶמְדָּ֔ה וַֽיִּקְבְּרֻ֙הוּ֙ בְּעִ֣יר דָּוִ֔יד וְלֹ֖א בְּקִבְר֥וֹת הַמְּלָכִֽים׃ He was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years. He departed unpraised,^bFollowing Septuagint; cf. Arabic ḥamada, “praise.” and was buried in the City of David, but not in the tombs of the kings.

וַיַּמְלִ֩יכוּ֩ יוֹשְׁבֵ֨י יְרוּשָׁלַ֜͏ִם אֶת־אֲחַזְיָ֨הוּ בְנ֤וֹ הַקָּטֹן֙ תַּחְתָּ֔יו כִּ֤י כׇל־הָרִֽאשֹׁנִים֙ הָרַ֣ג הַגְּד֔וּד הַבָּ֥א בָעַרְבִ֖ים לַֽמַּחֲנֶ֑ה וַיִּמְלֹ֛ךְ אֲחַזְיָ֥הוּ בֶן־יְהוֹרָ֖ם מֶ֥לֶךְ יְהוּדָֽה׃ {פ}
^aWith vv. 1–6, cf. 2 Kings 8.25–29; with vv. 8–9, cf. 2 Kings 9.27–28; with vv. 10–12, cf. 2 Kings 11.1–3.The inhabitants of Jerusalem made Ahaziah, his youngest son, king in his stead, because all the older ones had been killed by the troops that penetrated the camp with the Arabs. Ahaziah son of Jehoram reigned as king of Judah.

בֶּן־אַרְבָּעִ֨ים וּשְׁתַּ֤יִם שָׁנָה֙ אֲחַזְיָ֣הוּ בְמׇלְכ֔וֹ וְשָׁנָ֣ה אַחַ֔ת מָלַ֖ךְ בִּירוּשָׁלָ֑͏ִם וְשֵׁ֣ם אִמּ֔וֹ עֲתַלְיָ֖הוּ בַּת־עׇמְרִֽי׃ Ahaziah was forty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem one year; his mother’s name was Athaliah daughter of Omri.

גַּם־ה֣וּא הָלַ֔ךְ בְּדַרְכֵ֖י בֵּ֣ית אַחְאָ֑ב כִּ֥י אִמּ֛וֹ הָיְתָ֥ה יוֹעַצְתּ֖וֹ לְהַרְשִֽׁיעַ׃ He too followed the practices of the house of Ahab, for his mother counseled him to do evil.

וַיַּ֧עַשׂ הָרַ֛ע בְּעֵינֵ֥י יְהֹוָ֖ה כְּבֵ֣ית אַחְאָ֑ב כִּי־הֵ֜מָּה הָיוּ־ל֣וֹ יֽוֹעֲצִ֗ים אַֽחֲרֵ֛י מ֥וֹת אָבִ֖יו לְמַשְׁחִ֥ית לֽוֹ׃ He did what was displeasing to the LORD, like the house of Ahab, for they became his counselors after his father’s death, to his ruination.

גַּ֣ם בַּעֲצָתָם֮ הָלַךְ֒ וַיֵּ֩לֶךְ֩ אֶת־יְהוֹרָ֨ם בֶּן־אַחְאָ֜ב מֶ֣לֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל לַמִּלְחָמָ֛ה עַל־חֲזָאֵ֥ל מֶלֶךְ־אֲרָ֖ם בְּרָמ֣וֹת גִּלְעָ֑ד וַיַּכּ֥וּ הָרַמִּ֖ים אֶת־יוֹרָֽם׃ Moreover, he followed their counsel and marched with Jehoram son of King Ahab of Israel to battle against King Hazael of Aram at Ramoth-gilead, where the Arameans wounded Joram.

וַיָּ֜שׇׁב לְהִתְרַפֵּ֣א בְיִזְרְעֶ֗אל כִּ֤י הַמַּכִּים֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר הִכֻּ֣הוּ בָרָמָ֔ה בְּהִלָּ֣חֲמ֔וֹ אֶת־חֲזָהאֵ֖ל מֶ֣לֶךְ אֲרָ֑ם וַעֲזַרְיָ֨הוּ בֶן־יְהוֹרָ֜ם מֶ֣לֶךְ יְהוּדָ֗ה יָרַ֡ד לִרְא֞וֹת אֶת־יְהוֹרָ֧ם בֶּן־אַחְאָ֛ב בְּיִזְרְעֶ֖אל כִּי־חֹלֶ֥ה הֽוּא׃ He returned to Jezreel to recover from the wounds inflicted on him at Ramah when he fought against King Hazael of Aram. King Azariah son of Jehoram of Judah went down to Jezreel to visit Jehoram son of Ahab while he was ill.

וּמֵאֱלֹהִ֗ים הָֽיְתָה֙ תְּבוּסַ֣ת אֲחַזְיָ֔הוּ לָב֖וֹא אֶל־יוֹרָ֑ם וּבְבֹא֗וֹ יָצָ֤א עִם־יְהוֹרָם֙ אֶל־יֵה֣וּא בֶן־נִמְשִׁ֔י אֲשֶׁ֣ר מְשָׁח֣וֹ יְהֹוָ֔ה לְהַכְרִ֖ית אֶת־בֵּ֥ית אַחְאָֽב׃ God caused the downfall of Ahaziah because he visited Joram. During his visit he went out with Jehoram to Jehu son of Nimshi, whom the LORD had anointed to cut off the house of Ahab.

וַיְהִ֕י כְּהִשָּׁפֵ֥ט יֵה֖וּא עִם־בֵּ֣ית אַחְאָ֑ב וַיִּמְצָא֩ אֶת־שָׂרֵ֨י יְהוּדָ֜ה וּבְנֵ֨י אֲחֵ֧י אֲחַזְיָ֛הוּ מְשָׁרְתִ֥ים לַאֲחַזְיָ֖הוּ וַיַּהַרְגֵֽם׃ In the course of bringing the house of Ahab to judgment, Jehu came upon the officers of Judah and the nephews of Ahaziah, ministers of Ahaziah, and killed them.

וַיְבַקֵּשׁ֩ אֶת־אֲחַזְיָ֨הוּ וַֽיִּלְכְּדֻ֜הוּ וְה֧וּא מִתְחַבֵּ֣א בְשֹׁמְר֗וֹן וַיְבִאֻ֣הוּ אֶל־יֵהוּא֮ וַיְמִיתֻ֒הוּ֒ וַֽיִּקְבְּרֻ֔הוּ כִּ֤י אָֽמְרוּ֙ בֶּן־יְהוֹשָׁפָ֣ט ה֔וּא אֲשֶׁר־דָּרַ֥שׁ אֶת־יְהֹוָ֖ה בְּכׇל־לְבָב֑וֹ וְאֵין֙ לְבֵ֣ית אֲחַזְיָ֔הוּ לַעְצֹ֥ר כֹּ֖חַ לְמַמְלָכָֽה׃ He sent in search of Ahaziah, who was caught hiding in Samaria, was brought to Jehu, and put to death. He was given a burial, because it was said, “He is the son of Jehoshaphat who worshiped the LORD wholeheartedly.” So the house of Ahaziah could not muster the strength to rule.

וַעֲתַלְיָ֙הוּ֙ אֵ֣ם אֲחַזְיָ֔הוּ רָאֲתָ֖ה כִּ֣י מֵ֣ת בְּנָ֑הּ וַתָּ֗קׇם וַתְּדַבֵּ֛ר אֶת־כׇּל־זֶ֥רַע הַמַּמְלָכָ֖ה לְבֵ֥ית יְהוּדָֽה׃ When Athaliah, Ahaziah’s mother, learned that her son was dead, she promptly did away with all who were of the royal stock of the house of Judah.

וַתִּקַּח֩ יְהוֹשַׁבְעַ֨ת בַּת־הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ אֶת־יוֹאָ֣שׁ בֶּן־אֲחַזְיָ֗הוּ וַתִּגְנֹ֤ב אֹתוֹ֙ מִתּ֤וֹךְ בְּנֵֽי־הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ הַמּ֣וּמָתִ֔ים וַתִּתֵּ֥ן אֹת֛וֹ וְאֶת־מֵינִקְתּ֖וֹ בַּחֲדַ֣ר הַמִּטּ֑וֹת וַתַּסְתִּירֵ֡הוּ יְהוֹשַׁבְעַ֣ת בַּת־הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ יְהוֹרָ֡ם אֵ֩שֶׁת֩ יְהוֹיָדָ֨ע הַכֹּהֵ֜ן כִּ֣י הִיא֩ הָיְתָ֨ה אֲח֧וֹת אֲחַזְיָ֛הוּ מִפְּנֵ֥י עֲתַלְיָ֖הוּ וְלֹ֥א הֱמִיתָֽתְהוּ׃ But Jehoshabeath, daughter of the king, spirited away Ahaziah’s son Joash from among the princes who were being slain, and put him and his nurse in a bedroom. Jehoshabeath, daughter of King Jehoram, wife of the priest Jehoiada—she was the sister of Ahaziah—kept him hidden from Athaliah so that he was not put to death.

וַיְהִ֤י אִתָּם֙ בְּבֵ֣ית הָאֱלֹהִ֔ים מִתְחַבֵּ֖א שֵׁ֣שׁ שָׁנִ֑ים וַעֲתַלְיָ֖ה מֹלֶ֥כֶת עַל־הָאָֽרֶץ׃ {פ}
He stayed with them for six years, hidden in the House of God, while Athaliah reigned over the land.

וּבַשָּׁנָ֨ה הַשְּׁבִעִ֜ית הִתְחַזַּ֣ק יְהוֹיָדָ֗ע וַיִּקַּ֣ח אֶת־שָׂרֵ֣י הַמֵּא֡וֹת לַעֲזַרְיָ֣הוּ בֶן־יְרֹחָ֡ם וּלְיִשְׁמָעֵ֣אל בֶּן־יְ֠הוֹחָנָ֠ן וְלַעֲזַרְיָ֨הוּ בֶן־עוֹבֵ֜ד וְאֶת־מַעֲשֵׂיָ֧הוּ בֶן־עֲדָיָ֛הוּ וְאֶת־אֱלִישָׁפָ֥ט בֶּן־זִכְרִ֖י עִמּ֥וֹ בַבְּרִֽית׃ ^aCf. 2 Kings 11.4–20.In the seventh year, Jehoiada took courage and brought the chiefs of the hundreds, Azariah son of Jeroham, Ishmael son of Jehohanan, Azariah son of Obed, Maaseiah son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat son of Zichri, into a compact with him.

וַיָּסֹ֙בּוּ֙ בִּֽיהוּדָ֔ה וַיִּקְבְּצ֤וּ אֶת־הַלְוִיִּם֙ מִכׇּל־עָרֵ֣י יְהוּדָ֔ה וְרָאשֵׁ֥י הָאָב֖וֹת לְיִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַיָּבֹ֖אוּ אֶל־יְרוּשָׁלָֽ͏ִם׃ They went through Judah and assembled the Levites from all the towns of Judah, and the chiefs of the clans of Israel. They came to Jerusalem

וַיִּכְרֹ֨ת כׇּל־הַקָּהָ֥ל בְּרִ֛ית בְּבֵ֥ית הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים עִם־הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ וַיֹּ֣אמֶר לָהֶ֗ם הִנֵּ֤ה בֶן־הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ יִמְלֹ֔ךְ כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר דִּבֶּ֥ר יְהֹוָ֖ה עַל־בְּנֵ֥י דָוִֽיד׃ and the entire assembly made a covenant with the king in the House of God. He^bI.e., Jehoiada. said to them, “The son of the king shall be king according to the promise the LORD made concerning the sons of David.

זֶ֥ה הַדָּבָ֖ר אֲשֶׁ֣ר תַּעֲשׂ֑וּ הַשְּׁלִשִׁ֨ית מִכֶּ֜ם בָּאֵ֣י הַשַּׁבָּ֗ת לַכֹּֽהֲנִים֙ וְלַלְוִיִּ֔ם לְשֹׁעֲרֵ֖י הַסִּפִּֽים׃ This is what you must do: One third of you, priests and Levites, who are on duty for the week, shall be gatekeepers at the thresholds;

וְהַשְּׁלִשִׁית֙ בְּבֵ֣ית הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ וְהַשְּׁלִשִׁ֖ית בְּשַׁ֣עַר הַיְס֑וֹד וְכׇ֨ל־הָעָ֔ם בְּחַצְר֖וֹת בֵּ֥ית יְהֹוָֽה׃ another third shall be stationed in the royal palace, and the other third at the Foundation Gate. All the people shall be in the courts of the House of the LORD.

וְאַל־יָב֣וֹא בֵית־יְהֹוָ֗ה כִּ֤י אִם־הַכֹּֽהֲנִים֙ וְהַמְשָׁרְתִ֣ים לַלְוִיִּ֔ם הֵ֥מָּה יָבֹ֖אוּ כִּי־קֹ֣דֶשׁ הֵ֑מָּה וְכׇ֨ל־הָעָ֔ם יִשְׁמְר֖וּ מִשְׁמֶ֥רֶת יְהֹוָֽה׃ Let no one enter the House of the LORD except the priests and the ministering Levites. They may enter because they are sanctified, but all the people shall obey the proscription of the LORD.

וְהִקִּ֩יפוּ֩ הַלְוִיִּ֨ם אֶת־הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ סָבִ֗יב אִ֚ישׁ וְכֵלָ֣יו בְּיָד֔וֹ וְהַבָּ֥א אֶל־הַבַּ֖יִת יוּמָ֑ת וִֽהְי֥וּ אֶת־הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ בְּבֹא֥וֹ וּבְצֵאתֽוֹ׃ The Levites shall surround the king on every side, every man with his weapons at the ready; and whoever enters the House shall be killed. Stay close to the king in his comings and goings.”

וַיַּעֲשׂ֨וּ הַלְוִיִּ֜ם וְכׇל־יְהוּדָ֗ה כְּכֹ֣ל אֲשֶׁר־צִוָּה֮ יְהוֹיָדָ֣ע הַכֹּהֵן֒ וַיִּקְחוּ֙ אִ֣ישׁ אֶת־אֲנָשָׁ֔יו בָּאֵ֣י הַשַּׁבָּ֔ת עִ֖ם יוֹצְאֵ֣י הַשַּׁבָּ֑ת כִּ֣י לֹ֥א פָטַ֛ר יְהוֹיָדָ֥ע הַכֹּהֵ֖ן אֶת־הַֽמַּחְלְקֽוֹת׃ The Levites and all Judah did just as Jehoiada the priest ordered: each took his men—those who were on duty that week and those who were off duty that week, for Jehoiada the priest had not dismissed the divisions.

וַיִּתֵּן֩ יְהוֹיָדָ֨ע הַכֹּהֵ֜ן לְשָׂרֵ֣י הַמֵּא֗וֹת אֶת־הַֽחֲנִיתִים֙ וְאֶת־הַמָּֽגִנּוֹת֙ וְאֶת־הַשְּׁלָטִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֖ר לַמֶּ֣לֶךְ דָּוִ֑יד אֲשֶׁ֖ר בֵּ֥ית הָאֱלֹהִֽים׃ Jehoiada the priest gave the chiefs of the hundreds King David’s spears and shields and quivers that were kept in the House of God.

וַיַּעֲמֵ֨ד אֶת־כׇּל־הָעָ֜ם וְאִ֣ישׁ ׀ שִׁלְח֣וֹ בְיָד֗וֹ מִכֶּ֨תֶף הַבַּ֤יִת הַיְמָנִית֙ עַד־כֶּ֤תֶף הַבַּ֙יִת֙ הַשְּׂמָאלִ֔ית לַמִּזְבֵּ֖חַ וְלַבָּ֑יִת עַל־הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ סָבִֽיב׃ He stationed the entire force, each man with his weapons at the ready, from the south end of the House to the north end of the House, at the altar and the House, to guard the king on every side.

וַיּוֹצִ֣יאוּ אֶת־בֶּן־הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ וַיִּתְּנ֤וּ עָלָיו֙ אֶת־הַנֵּ֙זֶר֙ וְאֶת־הָ֣עֵד֔וּת וַיַּמְלִ֖יכוּ אֹת֑וֹ וַיִּמְשָׁחֻ֙הוּ֙ יְהוֹיָדָ֣ע וּבָנָ֔יו וַיֹּאמְר֖וּ יְחִ֥י הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ {ס}         Then they brought out the king’s son, and placed upon him the crown and the insignia. They proclaimed him king, and Jehoiada and his sons anointed him and shouted, “Long live the king!”

וַתִּשְׁמַ֣ע עֲתַלְיָ֗הוּ אֶת־ק֤וֹל הָעָם֙ הָרָצִ֔ים וְהַֽמְהַלְלִ֖ים אֶת־הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ וַתָּב֥וֹא אֶל־הָעָ֖ם בֵּ֥ית יְהֹוָֽה׃ When Athaliah heard the shouting of the people and the guards and the acclamation of the king, she came out to the people, to the House of the LORD.

וַתֵּ֡רֶא וְהִנֵּ֣ה הַמֶּ֩לֶךְ֩ עוֹמֵ֨ד עַֽל־עַמּוּד֜וֹ בַּמָּב֗וֹא וְהַשָּׂרִ֣ים וְהַחֲצֹצְרוֹת֮ עַל־הַמֶּ֒לֶךְ֒ וְכׇל־עַ֨ם הָאָ֜רֶץ שָׂמֵ֗חַ וְתוֹקֵ֙עַ֙ בַּחֲצֹ֣צְר֔וֹת וְהַמְשֽׁוֹרְרִים֙ בִּכְלֵ֣י הַשִּׁ֔יר וּמוֹדִיעִ֖ים לְהַלֵּ֑ל וַתִּקְרַ֤ע עֲתַלְיָ֙הוּ֙ אֶת־בְּגָדֶ֔יהָ וַתֹּ֖אמֶר קֶ֥שֶׁר קָֽשֶׁר׃ {ס}         She looked about and saw the king standing by his pillar at the entrance, the chiefs with their trumpets beside the king, and all the people of the land rejoicing and blowing trumpets, and the singers with musical instruments leading the hymns. Athaliah rent her garments and cried out, “Treason, treason!”

וַיּוֹצֵא֩ יְהֽוֹיָדָ֨ע הַכֹּהֵ֜ן אֶת־שָׂרֵ֥י הַמֵּא֣וֹת ׀ פְּקוּדֵ֣י הַחַ֗יִל וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֲלֵהֶם֙ הוֹצִיא֙וּהָ֙ אֶל־מִבֵּ֣ית הַשְּׂדֵר֔וֹת וְהַבָּ֥א אַחֲרֶ֖יהָ יוּמַ֣ת בֶּחָ֑רֶב כִּ֚י אָמַ֣ר הַכֹּהֵ֔ן לֹ֥א תְמִית֖וּהָ בֵּ֥ית יְהֹוָֽה׃ Then the priest Jehoiada ordered out the army officers, the chiefs of hundreds, and said to them, “Take her out between the ranks, and if anyone follows her, put him to the sword.” For the priest thought, “Let her not be put to death in the House of the LORD.”

וַיָּשִׂ֤ימוּ לָהּ֙ יָדַ֔יִם וַתָּב֛וֹא אֶל־מְב֥וֹא שַֽׁעַר־הַסּוּסִ֖ים בֵּ֣ית הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ וַיְמִית֖וּהָ שָֽׁם׃ {פ}
They cleared a passage for her and she came to the entrance of the Horse Gate to the royal palace; there she was put to death.

וַיִּכְרֹ֤ת יְהֽוֹיָדָע֙ בְּרִ֔ית בֵּינ֕וֹ וּבֵ֥ין כׇּל־הָעָ֖ם וּבֵ֣ין הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ לִהְי֥וֹת לְעָ֖ם לַֽיהֹוָֽה׃ Then Jehoiada solemnized a covenant between himself and the people and the king that they should be the people of the LORD.

וַיָּבֹ֨אוּ כׇל־הָעָ֤ם בֵּית־הַבַּ֙עַל֙ וַֽיִּתְּצֻ֔הוּ וְאֶת־מִזְבְּחֹתָ֥יו וְאֶת־צְלָמָ֖יו שִׁבֵּ֑רוּ וְאֵ֗ת מַתָּן֙ כֹּהֵ֣ן הַבַּ֔עַל הָרְג֖וּ לִפְנֵ֥י הַֽמִּזְבְּחֽוֹת׃ All the people then went to the temple of Baal; they tore it down and smashed its altars and images to bits, and they slew Mattan, the priest of Baal, in front of the altars.

וַיָּ֩שֶׂם֩ יְהוֹיָדָ֨ע פְּקֻדּ֜וֹת בֵּ֣ית יְהֹוָ֗ה בְּיַ֨ד הַכֹּהֲנִ֣ים הַלְוִיִּם֮ אֲשֶׁ֣ר חָלַ֣ק דָּוִיד֮ עַל־בֵּ֣ית יְהֹוָה֒ לְֽהַעֲל֞וֹת עֹל֣וֹת יְהֹוָ֗ה כַּכָּת֛וּב בְּתוֹרַ֥ת מֹשֶׁ֖ה בְּשִׂמְחָ֣ה וּבְשִׁ֑יר עַ֖ל יְדֵ֥י דָוִֽיד׃ Jehoiada put the officers of the House of the LORD in the charge of Levite priests whom David had assigned over the House of the LORD to offer up burnt offerings, as is prescribed in the Teaching of Moses, accompanied by joyful song as ordained by David.

וַֽיַּעֲמֵד֙ הַשּׁ֣וֹעֲרִ֔ים עַֽל־שַׁעֲרֵ֖י בֵּ֣ית יְהֹוָ֑ה וְלֹא־יָב֥וֹא טָמֵ֖א לְכׇל־דָּבָֽר׃ He stationed the gatekeepers at the gates of the House of the LORD to prevent the entry of anyone unclean for any reason.

וַיִּקַּ֣ח אֶת־שָׂרֵ֣י הַמֵּא֡וֹת וְאֶת־הָאַדִּירִים֩ וְאֶת־הַמּוֹשְׁלִ֨ים בָּעָ֜ם וְאֵ֣ת ׀ כׇּל־עַ֣ם הָאָ֗רֶץ וַיּ֤וֹרֶד אֶת־הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ מִבֵּ֣ית יְהֹוָ֔ה וַיָּבֹ֛אוּ בְּתֽוֹךְ־שַׁ֥עַר הָעֶלְי֖וֹן בֵּ֣ית הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ וַיּוֹשִׁ֙יבוּ֙ אֶת־הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ עַ֖ל כִּסֵּ֥א הַמַּמְלָכָֽה׃ He took the chiefs of hundreds, the nobles, and the rulers of the people and all the people of the land, and they escorted the king down from the House of the LORD into the royal palace by the upper gate, and seated the king on the royal throne.

וַיִּשְׂמְח֥וּ כׇל־עַם־הָאָ֖רֶץ וְהָעִ֣יר שָׁקָ֑טָה וְאֶת־עֲתַלְיָ֖הוּ הֵמִ֥יתוּ בֶחָֽרֶב׃ All the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was quiet. As for Athaliah, she had been put to the sword.

בֶּן־שֶׁ֤בַע שָׁנִים֙ יֹאָ֣שׁ בְּמׇלְכ֔וֹ וְאַרְבָּעִ֣ים שָׁנָ֔ה מָלַ֖ךְ בִּירוּשָׁלָ֑͏ִם וְשֵׁ֣ם אִמּ֔וֹ צִבְיָ֖ה מִבְּאֵ֥ר שָֽׁבַע׃ ^aCf. 2 Kings 12.1–22.Jehoash was seven years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem forty years. His mother’s name was Zibiah of Beer-sheba.

וַיַּ֧עַשׂ יוֹאָ֛שׁ הַיָּשָׁ֖ר בְּעֵינֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֑ה כׇּל־יְמֵ֖י יְהוֹיָדָ֥ע הַכֹּהֵֽן׃ {ס}         All the days of the priest Jehoiada, Jehoash did what was pleasing to the LORD.

וַיִּשָּׂא־ל֥וֹ יְהוֹיָדָ֖ע נָשִׁ֣ים שְׁתָּ֑יִם וַיּ֖וֹלֶד בָּנִ֥ים וּבָנֽוֹת׃ Jehoiada took two wives for him, by whom he had sons and daughters.

וַיְהִ֖י אַחֲרֵי־כֵ֑ן הָיָה֙ עִם־לֵ֣ב יוֹאָ֔שׁ לְחַדֵּ֖שׁ אֶת־בֵּ֥ית יְהֹוָֽה׃ Afterward, Joash decided to renovate the House of the LORD.

וַיִּקְבֹּץ֮ אֶת־הַכֹּהֲנִ֣ים וְהַלְוִיִּם֒ וַיֹּ֣אמֶר לָהֶ֡ם צְא֣וּ לְעָרֵ֪י יְהוּדָ֟ה וְקִבְצוּ֩ מִכׇּל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֨ל כֶּ֜סֶף לְחַזֵּ֣ק ׀ אֶת־בֵּ֣ית אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֗ם מִדֵּ֤י שָׁנָה֙ בְּשָׁנָ֔ה וְאַתֶּ֖ם תְּמַהֲר֣וּ לַדָּבָ֑ר וְלֹ֥א מִהֲר֖וּ הַלְוִיִּֽם׃ He assembled the priests and the Levites and charged them as follows: “Go out to the towns of Judah and collect money from all Israel for the annual repair of the House of your God. Do it quickly.” But the Levites did not act quickly.

וַיִּקְרָ֣א הַמֶּ֘לֶךְ֮ לִיהוֹיָדָ֣ע הָרֹאשׁ֒ וַיֹּ֣אמֶר ל֗וֹ מַדּ֙וּעַ֙ לֹא־דָרַ֣שְׁתָּ עַל־הַלְוִיִּ֔ם לְהָבִ֞יא מִיהוּדָ֣ה וּמִירוּשָׁלַ֗͏ִם אֶת־מַשְׂאַת֙ מֹשֶׁ֣ה עֶבֶד־יְהֹוָ֔ה וְהַקָּהָ֖ל לְיִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל לְאֹ֖הֶל הָעֵדֽוּת׃ The king summoned Jehoiada the chief and said to him, “Why have you not seen to it that the Levites brought the tax imposed by Moses, the servant of the LORD, and the congregation of Israel from Judah and Jerusalem to the Tent of the Pact?”

כִּ֤י עֲתַלְיָ֙הוּ֙ הַמִּרְשַׁ֔עַת בָּנֶ֥יהָ פָרְצ֖וּ אֶת־בֵּ֣ית הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים וְגַם֙ כׇּל־קׇדְשֵׁ֣י בֵית־יְהֹוָ֔ה עָשׂ֖וּ לַבְּעָלִֽים׃ For the children of the wicked Athaliah had violated the House of God and had even used the sacred things of the House of the LORD for the Baals.

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ וַֽיַּעֲשׂ֖וּ אֲר֣וֹן אֶחָ֑ד וַֽיִּתְּנֻ֛הוּ בְּשַׁ֥עַר בֵּית־יְהֹוָ֖ה חֽוּצָה׃ The king ordered that a chest be made and placed on the outside of the gate of the House of the LORD.

וַיִּתְּנוּ־ק֞וֹל בִּיהוּדָ֣ה וּבִירוּשָׁלַ֗͏ִם לְהָבִ֤יא לַֽיהֹוָה֙ מַשְׂאַ֞ת מֹשֶׁ֧ה עֶבֶד־הָאֱלֹהִ֛ים עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בַּמִּדְבָּֽר׃ A proclamation was issued in Judah and Jerusalem to bring the tax imposed on Israel in the wilderness by Moses, the servant of God.

וַיִּשְׂמְח֥וּ כׇל־הַשָּׂרִ֖ים וְכׇל־הָעָ֑ם וַיָּבִ֛יאוּ וַיַּשְׁלִ֥יכוּ לָאָר֖וֹן עַד־לְכַלֵּֽה׃ All the officers and all the people gladly brought it and threw it into the chest till it was full.

וַיְהִ֡י בְּעֵת֩ יָבִ֨יא אֶת־הָאָר֜וֹן אֶל־פְּקֻדַּ֣ת הַמֶּ֘לֶךְ֮ בְּיַ֣ד הַלְוִיִּם֒ וְכִרְאוֹתָ֞ם כִּֽי־רַ֣ב הַכֶּ֗סֶף וּבָ֨א סוֹפֵ֤ר הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ וּפְקִיד֙ כֹּהֵ֣ן הָרֹ֔אשׁ וִיעָ֙רוּ֙ אֶת־הָ֣אָר֔וֹן וְיִשָּׂאֻ֖הוּ וִישִׁיבֻ֣הוּ אֶל־מְקֹמ֑וֹ כֹּ֤ה עָשׂוּ֙ לְי֣וֹם ׀ בְּי֔וֹם וַיַּאַסְפוּ־כֶ֖סֶף לָרֹֽב׃ Whenever the chest was brought to the royal officers by the Levites, and they saw that it contained much money, the royal scribe and the agent of the chief priest came and emptied out the chest and carried it back to its place. They did this day by day, and much money was collected.

וַיִּתְּנֵ֨הוּ הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ וִיהוֹיָדָ֗ע אֶל־עוֹשֵׂה֙ מְלֶ֙אכֶת֙ עֲבוֹדַ֣ת בֵּית־יְהֹוָ֔ה וַיִּהְי֤וּ שֹֽׂכְרִים֙ חֹצְבִ֣ים וְחָרָשִׁ֔ים לְחַדֵּ֖שׁ בֵּ֣ית יְהֹוָ֑ה וְ֠גַ֠ם לְחָרָשֵׁ֤י בַרְזֶל֙ וּנְחֹ֔שֶׁת לְחַזֵּ֖ק אֶת־בֵּ֥ית יְהֹוָֽה׃ The king and Jehoiada delivered the money to those who oversaw the tasks connected with the work of the House of the LORD. They hired masons and carpenters to renovate the House of the LORD, as well as craftsmen in iron and bronze to repair the House of the LORD.

וַֽיַּעֲשׂוּ֙ עֹשֵׂ֣י הַמְּלָאכָ֔ה וַתַּ֧עַל אֲרוּכָ֛ה לַמְּלָאכָ֖ה בְּיָדָ֑ם וַֽיַּעֲמִ֜ידוּ אֶת־בֵּ֧ית הָאֱלֹהִ֛ים עַל־מַתְכֻּנְתּ֖וֹ וַֽיְאַמְּצֻֽהוּ׃ The overseers did their work; under them the work went well and they restored the House of God to its original form and repaired it.

וּֽכְכַלּוֹתָ֡ם הֵבִ֣יאוּ לִפְנֵי֩ הַמֶּ֨לֶךְ וִיהוֹיָדָ֜ע אֶת־שְׁאָ֣ר הַכֶּ֗סֶף וַיַּעֲשֵׂ֨הוּ כֵלִ֤ים לְבֵית־יְהֹוָה֙ כְּלֵ֣י שָׁרֵ֔ת וְהַעֲל֣וֹת וְכַפּ֔וֹת וּכְלֵ֥י זָהָ֖ב וָכָ֑סֶף וַ֠יִּהְי֠וּ מַעֲלִ֨ים עֹל֤וֹת בְּבֵית־יְהֹוָה֙ תָּמִ֔יד כֹּ֖ל יְמֵ֥י יְהוֹיָדָֽע׃ {פ}
When they had finished, they brought the money that was left over to the king and Jehoiada; it was made into utensils for the House of the LORD, service vessels: buckets and ladles, golden and silver vessels. Burnt offerings were offered up regularly in the House of the LORD all the days of Jehoiada.

וַיִּזְקַ֧ן יְהוֹיָדָ֛ע וַיִּשְׂבַּ֥ע יָמִ֖ים וַיָּמֹ֑ת בֶּן־מֵאָ֧ה וּשְׁלֹשִׁ֛ים שָׁנָ֖ה בְּמוֹתֽוֹ׃ Jehoiada reached a ripe old age and died; he was one hundred and thirty years old at his death.

וַיִּקְבְּרֻ֥הוּ בְעִיר־דָּוִ֖יד עִם־הַמְּלָכִ֑ים כִּֽי־עָשָׂ֤ה טוֹבָה֙ בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וְעִ֥ם הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים וּבֵיתֽוֹ׃ {פ}
They buried him in the City of David together with the kings, because he had done good in Israel, and on behalf of God and His House.

וְאַחֲרֵ֥י מוֹת֙ יְה֣וֹיָדָ֔ע בָּ֚אוּ שָׂרֵ֣י יְהוּדָ֔ה וַיִּֽשְׁתַּחֲו֖וּ לַמֶּ֑לֶךְ אָ֛ז שָׁמַ֥ע הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ אֲלֵיהֶֽם׃ But after the death of Jehoiada, the officers of Judah came, bowing low to the king; and the king listened to them.

וַיַּעַזְב֗וּ אֶת־בֵּ֤ית יְהֹוָה֙ אֱלֹהֵ֣י אֲבֽוֹתֵיהֶ֔ם וַיַּֽעַבְד֥וּ אֶת־הָאֲשֵׁרִ֖ים וְאֶת־הָעֲצַבִּ֑ים וַֽיְהִי־קֶ֗צֶף עַל־יְהוּדָה֙ וִיר֣וּשָׁלַ֔͏ִם בְּאַשְׁמָתָ֖ם זֹֽאת׃ They forsook the House of the LORD God of their fathers to serve the sacred posts and idols; and there was wrath upon Judah and Jerusalem because of this guilt of theirs.

וַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח בָּהֶם֙ נְבִאִ֔ים לַהֲשִׁיבָ֖ם אֶל־יְהֹוָ֑ה וַיָּעִ֥ידוּ בָ֖ם וְלֹ֥א הֶאֱזִֽינוּ׃ {ס}         The LORD sent prophets among them to bring them back to Him; they admonished them but they would not pay heed.

וְר֣וּחַ אֱלֹהִ֗ים לָֽבְשָׁה֙ אֶת־זְכַרְיָה֙ בֶּן־יְהוֹיָדָ֣ע הַכֹּהֵ֔ן וַֽיַּעֲמֹ֖ד מֵעַ֣ל לָעָ֑ם וַיֹּ֨אמֶר לָהֶ֜ם כֹּ֣ה ׀ אָמַ֣ר הָאֱלֹהִ֗ים לָמָה֩ אַתֶּ֨ם עֹבְרִ֜ים אֶת־מִצְוֺ֤ת יְהֹוָה֙ וְלֹ֣א תַצְלִ֔יחוּ כִּֽי־עֲזַבְתֶּ֥ם אֶת־יְהֹוָ֖ה וַיַּעֲזֹ֥ב אֶתְכֶֽם׃ Then the spirit of God enveloped Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest; he stood above the people and said to them, “Thus God said: Why do you transgress the commandments of the LORD when you cannot succeed? Since you have forsaken the LORD, He has forsaken you.”

וַיִּקְשְׁר֣וּ עָלָ֔יו וַיִּרְגְּמֻ֥הוּ אֶ֖בֶן בְּמִצְוַ֣ת הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ בַּחֲצַ֖ר בֵּ֥ית יְהֹוָֽה׃ They conspired against him and pelted him with stones in the court of the House of the LORD, by order of the king.

וְלֹא־זָכַ֞ר יוֹאָ֣שׁ הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ הַחֶ֙סֶד֙ אֲשֶׁ֨ר עָשָׂ֜ה יְהוֹיָדָ֤ע אָבִיו֙ עִמּ֔וֹ וַֽיַּהֲרֹ֖ג אֶת־בְּנ֑וֹ וּכְמוֹת֣וֹ אָמַ֔ר יֵ֥רֶא יְהֹוָ֖ה וְיִדְרֹֽשׁ׃ {פ}
King Joash disregarded the loyalty that his father Jehoiada had shown to him, and killed his son. As he was dying, he said, “May the LORD see and requite it.”

וַיְהִ֣י ׀ לִתְקוּפַ֣ת הַשָּׁנָ֗ה עָלָ֣ה עָלָיו֮ חֵ֣יל אֲרָם֒ וַיָּבֹ֗אוּ אֶל־יְהוּדָה֙ וִיר֣וּשָׁלַ֔͏ִם וַיַּשְׁחִ֛יתוּ אֶת־כׇּל־שָׂרֵ֥י הָעָ֖ם מֵעָ֑ם וְכׇל־שְׁלָלָ֥ם שִׁלְּח֖וּ לְמֶ֥לֶךְ דַּרְמָֽשֶׂק׃ At the turn of the year, the army of Aram marched against him; they invaded Judah and Jerusalem, and wiped out all the officers of the people from among the people, and sent all the booty they took to the king of Damascus.

כִּי֩ בְמִצְעַ֨ר אֲנָשִׁ֜ים בָּ֣אוּ ׀ חֵ֣יל אֲרָ֗ם וַֽיהֹוָה֙ נָתַ֨ן בְּיָדָ֥ם חַ֙יִל֙ לָרֹ֣ב מְאֹ֔ד כִּ֣י עָֽזְב֔וּ אֶת־יְהֹוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵ֣י אֲבוֹתֵיהֶ֑ם וְאֶת־יוֹאָ֖שׁ עָשׂ֥וּ שְׁפָטִֽים׃ The invading army of Aram had come with but a few men, but the LORD delivered a very large army into their hands, because they had forsaken the LORD God of their fathers. They inflicted punishments on Joash.

וּבְלֶכְתָּ֣ם מִמֶּ֗נּוּ כִּי־עָזְב֣וּ אֹתוֹ֮ בְּמַחֲלֻיִ֣ים רַבִּים֒ הִתְקַשְּׁר֨וּ עָלָ֜יו עֲבָדָ֗יו בִּדְמֵי֙ בְּנֵי֙ יְהֽוֹיָדָ֣ע הַכֹּהֵ֔ן וַיַּהַרְגֻ֥הוּ עַל־מִטָּת֖וֹ וַיָּמֹ֑ת וַֽיִּקְבְּרֻ֙הוּ֙ בְּעִ֣יר דָּוִ֔יד וְלֹ֥א קְבָרֻ֖הוּ בְּקִבְר֥וֹת הַמְּלָכִֽים׃ When they withdrew, having left him with many wounds, his courtiers plotted against him because of the murder^bLit. “blood.” of the sons of Jehoiada the priest, and they killed him in bed. He died and was buried in the City of David; he was not buried in the tombs of the kings.

וְאֵ֖לֶּה הַמִּתְקַשְּׁרִ֣ים עָלָ֑יו זָבָ֗ד בֶּן־שִׁמְעָת֙ הָעַמּוֹנִ֔ית וִיה֣וֹזָבָ֔ד בֶּן־שִׁמְרִ֖ית הַמּוֹאָבִֽית׃ These were the men who conspired against him: Zabad son of Shimeath the Ammonitess, and Jehozabad son of Shimrith the Moabitess.

וּבָנָ֞יו (ורב) [יִ֧רֶב] הַמַּשָּׂ֣א עָלָ֗יו וִיסוֹד֙ בֵּ֣ית הָאֱלֹהִ֔ים הִנָּ֣ם כְּתוּבִ֔ים עַל־מִדְרַ֖שׁ סֵ֣פֶר הַמְּלָכִ֑ים וַיִּמְלֹ֛ךְ אֲמַצְיָ֥הוּ בְנ֖וֹ תַּחְתָּֽיו׃ {פ}
As to his sons, and the many pronouncements against him, and his rebuilding of the House of God, they are recorded in the story in the book of the kings. His son Amaziah succeeded him as king.

בֶּן־עֶשְׂרִ֨ים וְחָמֵ֤שׁ שָׁנָה֙ מָלַ֣ךְ אֲמַצְיָ֔הוּ וְעֶשְׂרִ֤ים וָתֵ֙שַׁע֙ שָׁנָ֔ה מָלַ֖ךְ בִּירוּשָׁלָ֑͏ִם וְשֵׁ֣ם אִמּ֔וֹ יְהוֹעַדָּ֖ן מִירוּשָׁלָֽיִם׃ ^aCf. 2 Kings 14.Amaziah was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem; his mother’s name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem.

וַיַּ֥עַשׂ הַיָּשָׁ֖ר בְּעֵינֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֑ה רַ֕ק לֹ֖א בְּלֵבָ֥ב שָׁלֵֽם׃ He did what was pleasing to the LORD, but not with a whole heart.

וַיְהִ֕י כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר חָזְקָ֥ה הַמַּמְלָכָ֖ה עָלָ֑יו וַֽיַּהֲרֹג֙ אֶת־עֲבָדָ֔יו הַמַּכִּ֖ים אֶת־הַמֶּ֥לֶךְ אָבִֽיו׃ Once he had the kingdom firmly under control, he executed the courtiers who had assassinated his father the king.

וְאֶת־בְּנֵיהֶ֖ם לֹ֣א הֵמִ֑ית כִּ֣י כַכָּת֣וּב בַּתּוֹרָ֡ה בְּסֵ֣פֶר מֹשֶׁה֩ אֲשֶׁר־צִוָּ֨ה יְהֹוָ֜ה לֵאמֹ֗ר לֹא־יָמ֨וּתוּ אָב֤וֹת עַל־בָּנִים֙ וּבָנִים֙ לֹא־יָמ֣וּתוּ עַל־אָב֔וֹת כִּ֛י אִ֥ישׁ בְּחֶטְא֖וֹ יָמֽוּתוּ׃ But he did not put their children to death for [he acted] in accordance with what is written in the Teaching, in the Book of Moses, where the LORD commanded, ^bCf. Deut. 24.16.“Parents shall not die for children, nor shall children die for parents, but every person shall die only for his own crime.”^-b

וַיִּקְבֹּ֤ץ אֲמַצְיָ֙הוּ֙ אֶת־יְהוּדָ֔ה וַיַּעֲמִידֵ֣ם לְבֵית־אָב֗וֹת לְשָׂרֵ֤י הָאֲלָפִים֙ וּלְשָׂרֵ֣י הַמֵּא֔וֹת לְכׇל־יְהוּדָ֖ה וּבִנְיָמִ֑ן וַֽיִּפְקְדֵ֗ם לְמִבֶּ֨ן עֶשְׂרִ֤ים שָׁנָה֙ וָמַ֔עְלָה וַיִּמְצָאֵ֗ם שְׁלֹשׁ־מֵא֨וֹת אֶ֤לֶף בָּחוּר֙ יוֹצֵ֣א צָבָ֔א אֹחֵ֖ז רֹ֥מַח וְצִנָּֽה׃ Amaziah assembled the men of Judah, and he put all the men of Judah and Benjamin under officers of thousands and officers of hundreds, by clans. He mustered them from the age of twenty upward, and found them to be 300,000 picked men fit for service, able to bear spear and shield.

וַיִּשְׂכֹּ֣ר מִיִּשְׂרָאֵ֗ל מֵ֥אָה אֶ֛לֶף גִּבּ֥וֹר חָ֖יִל בְּמֵאָ֥ה כִכַּר־כָּֽסֶף׃ He hired 100,000 warriors from Israel for 100 talents of silver.

וְאִ֣ישׁ הָאֱלֹהִ֗ים בָּ֤א אֵלָיו֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר הַמֶּ֕לֶךְ אַל־יָב֥וֹא עִמְּךָ֖ צְבָ֣א יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל כִּ֣י אֵ֤ין יְהֹוָה֙ עִם־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל כֹּ֖ל בְּנֵ֥י אֶפְרָֽיִם׃ Then a man of God came to him and said, “O king! Do not let the army of Israel go with you, for the LORD is not with Israel—all these Ephraimites.

כִּ֚י אִם־בֹּ֣א אַתָּ֔ה עֲשֵׂ֖ה חֲזַ֣ק לַמִּלְחָמָ֑ה יַכְשִֽׁילְךָ֤ הָאֱלֹהִים֙ לִפְנֵ֣י אוֹיֵ֔ב כִּ֥י יֶשׁ־כֹּ֛חַ בֵּאלֹהִ֖ים לַעְז֥וֹר וּלְהַכְשִֽׁיל׃ But go by yourself and do it; take courage for battle, [else] God will make you fall before the enemy. For in God there is power to help one or make one fall!”

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֲמַצְיָ֙הוּ֙ לְאִ֣ישׁ הָאֱלֹהִ֔ים וּמַֽה־לַּעֲשׂוֹת֙ לִמְאַ֣ת הַכִּכָּ֔ר אֲשֶׁ֥ר נָתַ֖תִּי לִגְד֣וּד יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ אִ֣ישׁ הָאֱלֹהִ֔ים יֵ֚שׁ לַֽיהֹוָ֔ה לָ֥תֶת לְךָ֖ הַרְבֵּ֥ה מִזֶּֽה׃ Amaziah said to the man of God, “And what am I to do about the 100 talents I gave for the Israelite force?” The man of God replied, “The LORD has the means to give you much more than that.”

וַיַּבְדִּילֵ֣ם אֲמַצְיָ֗הוּ לְהַגְּדוּד֙ אֲשֶׁר־בָּ֤א אֵלָיו֙ מֵאֶפְרַ֔יִם לָלֶ֖כֶת לִמְקוֹמָ֑ם וַיִּ֨חַר אַפָּ֤ם מְאֹד֙ בִּֽיהוּדָ֔ה וַיָּשׁ֥וּבוּ לִמְקוֹמָ֖ם בׇּחֳרִי־אָֽף׃ {ס}         So Amaziah detached the force that came to him from Ephraim, [ordering them] to go back to their place. They were greatly enraged against Judah and returned to their place in a rage.

וַאֲמַצְיָ֙הוּ֙ הִתְחַזַּ֔ק וַיִּנְהַג֙ אֶת־עַמּ֔וֹ וַיֵּ֖לֶךְ גֵּ֣יא הַמֶּ֑לַח וַיַּ֥ךְ אֶת־בְּנֵֽי־שֵׂעִ֖יר עֲשֶׂ֥רֶת אֲלָפִֽים׃ Amaziah took courage and, leading his army, he marched to the Valley of Salt. He slew 10,000 men of Seir;

וַעֲשֶׂ֨רֶת אֲלָפִ֜ים חַיִּ֗ים שָׁבוּ֙ בְּנֵ֣י יְהוּדָ֔ה וַיְבִיא֖וּם לְרֹ֣אשׁ הַסָּ֑לַע וַיַּשְׁלִיכ֥וּם מֵֽרֹאשׁ־הַסֶּ֖לַע וְכֻלָּ֥ם נִבְקָֽעוּ׃ another 10,000 the men of Judah captured alive and brought to the top of Sela. They threw them down from the top of Sela and every one of them was burst open.

וּבְנֵ֣י הַגְּד֗וּד אֲשֶׁ֨ר הֵשִׁ֤יב אֲמַצְיָ֙הוּ֙ מִלֶּ֤כֶת עִמּוֹ֙ לַמִּלְחָמָ֔ה וַֽיִּפְשְׁטוּ֙ בְּעָרֵ֣י יְהוּדָ֔ה מִשֹּׁמְר֖וֹן וְעַד־בֵּ֣ית חוֹר֑וֹן וַיַּכּ֤וּ מֵהֶם֙ שְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת אֲלָפִ֔ים וַיָּבֹ֖זּוּ בִּזָּ֥ה רַבָּֽה׃ {פ}
The men of the force that Amaziah had sent back so they would not go with him into battle made forays against the towns of Judah from Samaria to Beth-horon. They slew 3,000 of them, and took much booty.

וַיְהִ֗י אַחֲרֵ֨י ב֤וֹא אֲמַצְיָ֙הוּ֙ מֵֽהַכּ֣וֹת אֶת־אֲדוֹמִ֔ים וַיָּבֵ֗א אֶת־אֱלֹהֵי֙ בְּנֵ֣י שֵׂעִ֔יר וַיַּעֲמִידֵ֥ם ל֖וֹ לֵאלֹהִ֑ים וְלִפְנֵיהֶ֥ם יִֽשְׁתַּחֲוֶ֖ה וְלָהֶ֥ם יְקַטֵּֽר׃ After Amaziah returned from defeating the Edomites, he had the gods of the men of Seir brought, and installed them as his gods; he prostrated himself before them, and to them he made sacrifice.

וַיִּֽחַר־אַ֥ף יְהֹוָ֖ה בַּאֲמַצְיָ֑הוּ וַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח אֵלָיו֙ נָבִ֔יא וַיֹּ֣אמֶר ל֗וֹ לָ֤מָּה דָרַ֙שְׁתָּ֙ אֶת־אֱלֹהֵ֣י הָעָ֔ם אֲשֶׁ֛ר לֹא־הִצִּ֥ילוּ אֶת־עַמָּ֖ם מִיָּדֶֽךָ׃ The LORD was enraged at Amaziah, and sent a prophet to him who said to him, “Why are you worshiping the gods of a people who could not save their people from you?”

וַיְהִ֣י ׀ בְּדַבְּר֣וֹ אֵלָ֗יו וַיֹּ֤אמֶר לוֹ֙ הַלְיוֹעֵ֤ץ לַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ נְתַנּ֔וּךָ חֲדַל־לְךָ֖ לָ֣מָּה יַכּ֑וּךָ וַיֶּחְדַּ֣ל הַנָּבִ֗יא וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ יָדַ֗עְתִּי כִּֽי־יָעַ֤ץ אֱלֹהִים֙ לְהַשְׁחִיתֶ֔ךָ כִּֽי־עָשִׂ֣יתָ זֹּ֔את וְלֹ֥א שָׁמַ֖עְתָּ לַעֲצָתִֽי׃ {פ}
As he spoke to him, [Amaziah] said to him, “Have we appointed you a counselor to the king? Stop, else you will be killed!” The prophet stopped, saying, “I see God has counseled that you be destroyed, since you act this way and disregard my counsel.”

וַיִּוָּעַ֗ץ אֲמַצְיָ֙הוּ֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ יְהוּדָ֔ה וַ֠יִּשְׁלַ֠ח אֶל־יוֹאָ֨שׁ בֶּן־יְהוֹאָחָ֧ז בֶּן־יֵה֛וּא מֶ֥לֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לֵאמֹ֑ר לְךָ֖ נִתְרָאֶ֥ה פָנִֽים׃ Then King Amaziah of Judah took counsel and sent this message to Joash son of Jehoahaz son of Jehu, king of Israel, “Come, let us confront each other!”

וַיִּשְׁלַ֞ח יוֹאָ֣שׁ מֶֽלֶךְ־יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל אֶל־אֲמַצְיָ֣הוּ מֶלֶךְ־יְהוּדָה֮ לֵאמֹר֒ הַח֜וֹחַ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בַּלְּבָנ֗וֹן שָׁ֠לַ֠ח אֶל־הָאֶ֜רֶז אֲשֶׁ֤ר בַּלְּבָנוֹן֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר תְּנָֽה־אֶת־בִּתְּךָ֥ לִבְנִ֖י לְאִשָּׁ֑ה וַֽתַּעֲבֹ֞ר חַיַּ֤ת הַשָּׂדֶה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בַּלְּבָנ֔וֹן וַתִּרְמֹ֖ס אֶת־הַחֽוֹחַ׃ King Joash of Israel sent back this message to King Amaziah of Judah, “The thistle in Lebanon sent this message to the cedar in Lebanon, ‘Give your daughter to my son in marriage.’ But a wild beast in Lebanon passed by and trampled the thistle.

אָמַ֗רְתָּ הִנֵּ֤ה הִכִּ֙יתָ֙ אֶת־אֱד֔וֹם וּנְשָׂאֲךָ֥ לִבְּךָ֖ לְהַכְבִּ֑יד עַתָּה֙ שְׁבָ֣ה בְּבֵיתֶ֔ךָ לָ֤מָּה תִתְגָּרֶה֙ בְּרָעָ֔ה וְנָ֣פַלְתָּ֔ אַתָּ֖ה וִיהוּדָ֥ה עִמָּֽךְ׃ You boast that you have defeated the Edomites and you are ambitious to get more glory. Now stay at home, lest, provoking disaster you fall, dragging Judah down with you.”

וְלֹא־שָׁמַ֣ע אֲמַצְיָ֔הוּ כִּ֤י מֵהָֽאֱלֹהִים֙ הִ֔יא לְמַ֖עַן תִּתָּ֣ם בְּיָ֑ד כִּ֣י דָֽרְשׁ֔וּ אֵ֖ת אֱלֹהֵ֥י אֱדֽוֹם׃ But Amaziah paid no heed—it was God’s doing, in order to deliver them up because they worshiped the gods of Edom.

וַיַּ֨עַל יוֹאָ֤שׁ מֶֽלֶךְ־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ וַיִּתְרָא֣וּ פָנִ֔ים ה֖וּא וַאֲמַצְיָ֣הוּ מֶלֶךְ־יְהוּדָ֑ה בְּבֵ֥ית שֶׁ֖מֶשׁ אֲשֶׁ֥ר לִיהוּדָֽה׃ King Joash of Israel marched up, and he and King Amaziah of Judah confronted each other at Beth-shemesh in Judah.

וַיִּנָּ֥גֶף יְהוּדָ֖ה לִפְנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַיָּנֻ֖סוּ אִ֥ישׁ לְאֹהָלָֽיו׃ The men of Judah were routed by Israel, and they all fled to their homes.

וְאֵת֩ אֲמַצְיָ֨הוּ מֶלֶךְ־יְהוּדָ֜ה בֶּן־יוֹאָ֣שׁ בֶּן־יְהוֹאָחָ֗ז תָּפַ֛שׂ יוֹאָ֥שׁ מֶלֶךְ־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בְּבֵ֣ית שָׁ֑מֶשׁ וַיְבִיאֵ֙הוּ֙ יְר֣וּשָׁלַ֔͏ִם וַיִּפְרֹ֞ץ בְּחוֹמַ֣ת יְרוּשָׁלַ֗͏ִם מִשַּׁ֤עַר אֶפְרַ֙יִם֙ עַד־שַׁ֣עַר הַפּוֹנֶ֔ה אַרְבַּ֥ע מֵא֖וֹת אַמָּֽה׃ King Joash of Israel captured Amaziah son of Joash son of Jehoahaz, king of Judah, in Beth-shemesh. He brought him to Jerusalem and made a breach of 400 cubits in the wall of Jerusalem, from the Ephraim Gate to the Corner Gate.

וְכׇֽל־הַזָּהָ֣ב וְהַכֶּ֡סֶף וְאֵ֣ת כׇּל־הַ֠כֵּלִ֠ים הַנִּמְצְאִ֨ים בְּבֵית־הָאֱלֹהִ֜ים עִם־עֹבֵ֣ד אֱד֗וֹם וְאֶת־אֽוֹצְרוֹת֙ בֵּ֣ית הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ וְאֵ֖ת בְּנֵ֣י הַתַּעֲרֻב֑וֹת וַיָּ֖שׇׁב שֹׁמְרֽוֹן׃ {פ}
Then, with all the gold and silver and all the utensils that were to be found in the House of God in the custody of Obed-edom, and with the treasuries of the royal palace, and with the hostages, he returned to Samaria.

וַיְחִ֨י אֲמַצְיָ֤הוּ בֶן־יוֹאָשׁ֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ יְהוּדָ֔ה אַחֲרֵ֣י מ֔וֹת יוֹאָ֥שׁ בֶּן־יְהוֹאָחָ֖ז מֶ֣לֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל חֲמֵ֥שׁ עֶשְׂרֵ֖ה שָׁנָֽה׃ King Amaziah son of Joash of Judah lived fifteen years after the death of King Joash son of Jehoahaz of Israel.

וְיֶ֙תֶר֙ דִּבְרֵ֣י אֲמַצְיָ֔הוּ הָרִאשֹׁנִ֖ים וְהָאַחֲרוֹנִ֑ים הֲלֹא֙ הִנָּ֣ם כְּתוּבִ֔ים עַל־סֵ֥פֶר מַלְכֵֽי־יְהוּדָ֖ה וְיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ The other events of Amaziah’s reign, early and late, are recorded in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.

וּמֵעֵ֗ת אֲשֶׁר־סָ֤ר אֲמַצְיָ֙הוּ֙ מֵאַחֲרֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֔ה וַיִּקְשְׁר֨וּ עָלָ֥יו קֶ֛שֶׁר בִּירוּשָׁלַ֖͏ִם וַיָּ֣נׇס לָכִ֑ישָׁה וַיִּשְׁלְח֤וּ אַחֲרָיו֙ לָכִ֔ישָׁה וַיְמִיתֻ֖הוּ שָֽׁם׃ From the time that Amaziah turned from following the LORD, a conspiracy was formed against him in Jerusalem, and he fled to Lachish; but they sent men after him to Lachish and they put him to death there.

וַיִּשָּׂאֻ֖הוּ עַל־הַסּוּסִ֑ים וַֽיִּקְבְּר֥וּ אֹת֛וֹ עִם־אֲבֹתָ֖יו בְּעִ֥יר יְהוּדָֽה׃ They brought his body back on horses and buried him with his fathers in the city of Judah.

וַיִּקְח֞וּ כׇּל־עַ֤ם יְהוּדָה֙ אֶת־עֻזִּיָּ֔הוּ וְה֕וּא בֶּן־שֵׁ֥שׁ עֶשְׂרֵ֖ה שָׁנָ֑ה וַיַּמְלִ֣יכוּ אֹת֔וֹ תַּ֖חַת אָבִ֥יו אֲמַצְיָֽהוּ׃ Then all the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and proclaimed him king to succeed his father Amaziah.

ה֚וּא בָּנָ֣ה אֶת־אֵיל֔וֹת וַיְשִׁיבֶ֖הָ לִֽיהוּדָ֑ה אַחֲרֵ֥י שְׁכַֽב־הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ עִם־אֲבֹתָֽיו׃ {פ}
It was he who rebuilt Eloth and restored it to Judah after King [Amaziah] slept with his fathers.

בֶּן־שֵׁ֨שׁ עֶשְׂרֵ֤ה שָׁנָה֙ עֻזִּיָּ֣הוּ בְמׇלְכ֔וֹ וַחֲמִשִּׁ֤ים וּשְׁתַּ֙יִם֙ שָׁנָ֔ה מָלַ֖ךְ בִּירוּשָׁלָ֑͏ִם וְשֵׁ֣ם אִמּ֔וֹ (יכיליה) [יְכׇלְיָ֖ה] מִן־יְרוּשָׁלָֽ͏ִם׃ Uzziah was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem; his mother’s name was Jecoliah of Jerusalem.

וַיַּ֥עַשׂ הַיָּשָׁ֖ר בְּעֵינֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֑ה כְּכֹ֥ל אֲשֶׁר־עָשָׂ֖ה אֲמַצְיָ֥הוּ אָבִֽיו׃ He did what was pleasing to the LORD just as his father Amaziah had done.

וַֽיְהִי֙ לִדְרֹ֣שׁ אֱלֹהִ֔ים בִּימֵ֣י זְכַרְיָ֔הוּ הַמֵּבִ֖ין בִּרְאֹ֣ת הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים וּבִימֵי֙ דׇּרְשׁ֣וֹ אֶת־יְהֹוָ֔ה הִצְלִיח֖וֹ הָאֱלֹהִֽים׃ He applied himself to the worship of God during the time of Zechariah, instructor in the visions^aSome Heb. mss. read byr’t; compare ancient versions, “fear.” of God; during the time he worshiped the LORD, God made him prosper.

וַיֵּצֵא֙ וַיִּלָּ֣חֶם בַּפְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים וַיִּפְרֹ֞ץ אֶת־ח֣וֹמַת גַּ֗ת וְאֵת֙ חוֹמַ֣ת יַבְנֵ֔ה וְאֵ֖ת חוֹמַ֣ת אַשְׁדּ֑וֹד וַיִּבְנֶ֣ה עָרִ֔ים בְּאַשְׁדּ֖וֹד וּבַפְּלִשְׁתִּֽים׃ He went forth to fight the Philistines, and breached the wall of Gath and the wall of Jabneh and the wall of Ashdod; he built towns in [the region of] Ashdod and among the Philistines.

וַיַּעְזְרֵ֨הוּ הָאֱלֹהִ֜ים עַל־פְּלִשְׁתִּ֧ים וְעַל־[הָעַרְבִ֛ים] (הערביים) הַיֹּשְׁבִ֥ים בְּגוּר־בָּ֖עַל וְהַמְּעוּנִֽים׃ God helped him against the Philistines, against the Arabs who lived in Gur-baal, and the Meunites.

וַיִּתְּנ֧וּ הָעַמּוֹנִ֛ים מִנְחָ֖ה לְעֻזִּיָּ֑הוּ וַיֵּ֤לֶךְ שְׁמוֹ֙ עַד־לְב֣וֹא מִצְרַ֔יִם כִּ֥י הֶחֱזִ֖יק עַד־לְמָֽעְלָה׃ The Ammonites paid tribute to Uzziah, and his fame spread to the approaches of Egypt, for he grew exceedingly strong.

וַיִּ֨בֶן עֻזִּיָּ֤הוּ מִגְדָּלִים֙ בִּיר֣וּשָׁלַ֔͏ִם עַל־שַׁ֧עַר הַפִּנָּ֛ה וְעַל־שַׁ֥עַר הַגַּ֖יְא וְעַל־הַמִּקְצ֑וֹעַ וַֽיְחַזְּקֵֽם׃ Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem on the Corner Gate and the Valley Gate and on the Angle, and fortified them.

וַיִּ֨בֶן מִגְדָּלִ֜ים בַּמִּדְבָּ֗ר וַיַּחְצֹב֙ בֹּר֣וֹת רַבִּ֔ים כִּ֤י מִקְנֶה־רַּב֙ הָ֣יָה ל֔וֹ וּבַשְּׁפֵלָ֖ה וּבַמִּישׁ֑וֹר אִכָּרִ֣ים וְכֹרְמִ֗ים בֶּהָרִים֙ וּבַכַּרְמֶ֔ל כִּי־אֹהֵ֥ב אֲדָמָ֖ה הָיָֽה׃ {ס}         He built towers in the wilderness and hewed out many cisterns, for he had much cattle, and farmers in the foothills and on the plain, and vine dressers in the mountains and on the fertile lands, for he loved the soil.

וַיְהִ֣י לְעֻזִּיָּ֡הוּ חַ֩יִל֩ עֹשֵׂ֨ה מִלְחָמָ֜ה יוֹצְאֵ֧י צָבָ֣א לִגְד֗וּד בְּמִסְפַּר֙ פְּקֻדָּתָ֔ם בְּיַד֙ (יעואל) [יְעִיאֵ֣ל] הַסּוֹפֵ֔ר וּמַעֲשֵׂיָ֖הוּ הַשּׁוֹטֵ֑ר עַ֚ל יַד־חֲנַנְיָ֔הוּ מִשָּׂרֵ֖י הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ Uzziah had an army of warriors, a battle-ready force who were mustered by Jeiel the scribe and Maasseiah the adjutant under Hananiah, one of the king’s officers.

כֹּ֠ל מִסְפַּ֞ר רָאשֵׁ֤י הָאָבוֹת֙ לְגִבּ֣וֹרֵי חָ֔יִל אַלְפַּ֖יִם וְשֵׁ֥שׁ מֵאֽוֹת׃ The clan chiefs, valiants, totaled 2,600;

וְעַל־יָדָם֩ חֵ֨יל צָבָ֜א שְׁלֹ֧שׁ מֵא֣וֹת אֶ֗לֶף וְשִׁבְעַ֤ת אֲלָפִים֙ וַחֲמֵ֣שׁ מֵא֔וֹת עוֹשֵׂ֥י מִלְחָמָ֖ה בְּכֹ֣חַ חָ֑יִל לַעְזֹ֥ר לַמֶּ֖לֶךְ עַל־הָֽאוֹיֵֽב׃ under them was the trained army of 307,500, who made war with might and power to aid the king against the enemy.

וַיָּ֩כֶן֩ לָהֶ֨ם עֻזִּיָּ֜הוּ לְכׇל־הַצָּבָ֗א מָגִנִּ֤ים וּרְמָחִים֙ וְכ֣וֹבָעִ֔ים וְשִׁרְיֹנ֖וֹת וּקְשָׁת֑וֹת וּלְאַבְנֵ֖י קְלָעִֽים׃ Uzziah provided them—the whole army—with shields and spears, and helmets and mail, and bows and slingstones.

וַיַּ֣עַשׂ ׀ בִּירוּשָׁלַ֨͏ִם חִשְּׁבֹנ֜וֹת מַחֲשֶׁ֣בֶת חוֹשֵׁ֗ב לִהְי֤וֹת עַל־הַמִּגְדָּלִים֙ וְעַל־הַפִּנּ֔וֹת לִירוֹא֙ בַּחִצִּ֔ים וּבָאֲבָנִ֖ים גְּדֹל֑וֹת וַיֵּצֵ֤א שְׁמוֹ֙ עַד־לְמֵ֣רָח֔וֹק כִּֽי־הִפְלִ֥יא לְהֵעָזֵ֖ר עַ֥ד כִּֽי־חָזָֽק׃ He made clever devices in Jerusalem, set on the towers and the corners, for shooting arrows and large stones. His fame spread far, for he was helped wonderfully, and he became strong.

וּכְחֶזְקָת֗וֹ גָּבַ֤הּ לִבּוֹ֙ עַד־לְהַשְׁחִ֔ית וַיִּמְעַ֖ל בַּיהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהָ֑יו וַיָּבֹא֙ אֶל־הֵיכַ֣ל יְהֹוָ֔ה לְהַקְטִ֖יר עַל־מִזְבַּ֥ח הַקְּטֹֽרֶת׃ When he was strong, he grew so arrogant he acted corruptly: he trespassed against his God by entering the Temple of the LORD to offer incense on the incense altar.

וַיָּבֹ֥א אַחֲרָ֖יו עֲזַרְיָ֣הוּ הַכֹּהֵ֑ן וְעִמּ֞וֹ כֹּהֲנִ֧ים ׀ לַיהֹוָ֛ה שְׁמוֹנִ֖ים בְּנֵי־חָֽיִל׃ The priest Azariah, with eighty other brave priests of the LORD, followed him in

וַיַּעַמְד֞וּ עַל־עֻזִּיָּ֣הוּ הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ וַיֹּ֤אמְרוּ לוֹ֙ לֹֽא־לְךָ֣ עֻזִּיָּ֗הוּ לְהַקְטִיר֙ לַיהֹוָ֔ה כִּ֣י לַכֹּהֲנִ֧ים בְּנֵֽי־אַהֲרֹ֛ן הַמְקֻדָּשִׁ֖ים לְהַקְטִ֑יר צֵ֤א מִן־הַמִּקְדָּשׁ֙ כִּ֣י מָעַ֔לְתָּ וְלֹֽא־לְךָ֥ לְכָב֖וֹד מֵיְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהִֽים׃ and, confronting King Uzziah, said to him, “It is not for you, Uzziah, to offer incense to the LORD, but for the Aaronite priests, who have been consecrated, to offer incense. Get out of the Sanctuary, for you have trespassed; there will be no glory in it for you from the LORD God.”

וַיִּזְעַף֙ עֻזִּיָּ֔הוּ וּבְיָד֥וֹ מִקְטֶ֖רֶת לְהַקְטִ֑יר וּבְזַעְפּ֣וֹ עִם־הַכֹּהֲנִ֗ים וְ֠הַצָּרַ֠עַת זָרְחָ֨ה בְמִצְח֜וֹ לִפְנֵ֤י הַכֹּֽהֲנִים֙ בְּבֵ֣ית יְהֹוָ֔ה מֵעַ֖ל לְמִזְבַּ֥ח הַקְּטֹֽרֶת׃ Uzziah, holding the censer and ready to burn incense, got angry; but as he got angry with the priests, leprosy broke out on his forehead in front of the priests in the House of the LORD beside the incense altar.

וַיִּ֣פֶן אֵלָ֡יו עֲזַרְיָ֩הוּ֩ כֹהֵ֨ן הָרֹ֜אשׁ וְכׇל־הַכֹּהֲנִ֗ים וְהִנֵּה־ה֤וּא מְצֹרָע֙ בְּמִצְח֔וֹ וַיַּבְהִל֖וּהוּ מִשָּׁ֑ם וְגַם־הוּא֙ נִדְחַ֣ף לָצֵ֔את כִּ֥י נִגְּע֖וֹ יְהֹוָֽה׃ When the chief priest Azariah and all the other priests looked at him, his forehead was leprous, so they rushed him out of there; he too made haste to get out, for the LORD had struck him with a plague.

וַיְהִי֩ עֻזִּיָּ֨הוּ הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ מְצֹרָ֣ע ׀ עַד־י֣וֹם מוֹת֗וֹ וַיֵּ֜שֶׁב בֵּ֤ית (החפשות) [הַֽחׇפְשִׁית֙] מְצֹרָ֔ע כִּ֥י נִגְזַ֖ר מִבֵּ֣ית יְהֹוָ֑ה וְיוֹתָ֤ם בְּנוֹ֙ עַל־בֵּ֣ית הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ שׁוֹפֵ֖ט אֶת־עַ֥ם הָאָֽרֶץ׃ King Uzziah was a leper until the day of his death. He lived in ^bMeaning of Heb. uncertain.isolated quarters^-b as a leper, for he was cut off from the House of the LORD—while Jotham his son was in charge of the king’s house and governed the people of the land.

וְיֶ֙תֶר֙ דִּבְרֵ֣י עֻזִּיָּ֔הוּ הָרִאשֹׁנִ֖ים וְהָאַחֲרֹנִ֑ים כָּתַ֛ב יְשַֽׁעְיָ֥הוּ בֶן־אָמ֖וֹץ הַנָּבִֽיא׃ The other events of Uzziah’s reign, early and late, were recorded by the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz.

וַיִּשְׁכַּ֨ב עֻזִּיָּ֜הוּ עִם־אֲבֹתָ֗יו וַיִּקְבְּר֨וּ אֹת֤וֹ עִם־אֲבֹתָיו֙ בִּשְׂדֵ֤ה הַקְּבוּרָה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר לַמְּלָכִ֔ים כִּ֥י אָמְר֖וּ מְצוֹרָ֣ע ה֑וּא וַיִּמְלֹ֛ךְ יוֹתָ֥ם בְּנ֖וֹ תַּחְתָּֽיו׃ {פ}
Uzziah slept with his fathers in the burial field of the kings, because, they said, he was a leper; his son Jotham succeeded him as king.

בֶּן־עֶשְׂרִ֨ים וְחָמֵ֤שׁ שָׁנָה֙ יוֹתָ֣ם בְּמׇלְכ֔וֹ וְשֵׁשׁ־עֶשְׂרֵ֣ה שָׁנָ֔ה מָלַ֖ךְ בִּירוּשָׁלָ֑͏ִם וְשֵׁ֣ם אִמּ֔וֹ יְרוּשָׁ֖ה בַּת־צָדֽוֹק׃ Jotham was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem; his mother’s name was Jerushah daughter of Zadok.

וַיַּ֨עַשׂ הַיָּשָׁ֜ר בְּעֵינֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֗ה כְּכֹ֤ל אֲשֶׁר־עָשָׂה֙ עֻזִּיָּ֣הוּ אָבִ֔יו רַ֕ק לֹא־בָ֖א אֶל־הֵיכַ֣ל יְהֹוָ֑ה וְע֥וֹד הָעָ֖ם מַשְׁחִיתִֽים׃ He did what was pleasing to the LORD just as his father Uzziah had done, but he did not enter the Temple of the LORD; however, the people still acted corruptly.

ה֗וּא בָּנָ֛ה אֶת־שַׁ֥עַר בֵּית־יְהֹוָ֖ה הָעֶלְי֑וֹן וּבְחוֹמַ֥ת הָעֹ֛פֶל בָּנָ֖ה לָרֹֽב׃ It was he who built the Upper Gate of the House of the LORD; he also built extensively on the wall of Ophel.

וְעָרִ֥ים בָּנָ֖ה בְּהַר־יְהוּדָ֑ה וּבֶחֳרָשִׁ֣ים בָּנָ֔ה בִּירָנִיּ֖וֹת וּמִגְדָּלִֽים׃ He built towns in the hill country of Judah, and in the woods he built fortresses and towers.

וְ֠ה֠וּא נִלְחַ֞ם עִם־מֶ֣לֶךְ בְּנֵֽי־עַמּוֹן֮ וַיֶּחֱזַ֣ק עֲלֵיהֶם֒ וַיִּתְּנוּ־ל֨וֹ בְנֵי־עַמּ֜וֹן בַּשָּׁנָ֣ה הַהִ֗יא מֵאָה֙ כִּכַּר־כֶּ֔סֶף וַעֲשֶׂ֨רֶת אֲלָפִ֤ים כֹּרִים֙ חִטִּ֔ים וּשְׂעוֹרִ֖ים עֲשֶׂ֣רֶת אֲלָפִ֑ים זֹ֗את הֵשִׁ֤יבוּ לוֹ֙ בְּנֵ֣י עַמּ֔וֹן וּבַשָּׁנָ֥ה הַשֵּׁנִ֖ית וְהַשְּׁלִשִֽׁית׃ Moreover, he fought with the king of the Ammonites and overcame them; the Ammonites gave him that year 100 talents of silver and 10,000 kor of wheat and another 10,000 of barley; that is what the Ammonites paid him, and [likewise] in the second and third years.

וַיִּתְחַזֵּ֖ק יוֹתָ֑ם כִּ֚י הֵכִ֣ין דְּרָכָ֔יו לִפְנֵ֖י יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהָֽיו׃ Jotham was strong because he maintained a faithful course before the LORD his God.

וְיֶ֙תֶר֙ דִּבְרֵ֣י יוֹתָ֔ם וְכׇל־מִלְחֲמֹתָ֖יו וּדְרָכָ֑יו הִנָּ֣ם כְּתוּבִ֔ים עַל־סֵ֥פֶר מַלְכֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל וִיהוּדָֽה׃ The other events of Jotham’s reign, and all his battles and his conduct, are recorded in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah.

בֶּן־עֶשְׂרִ֧ים וְחָמֵ֛שׁ שָׁנָ֖ה הָיָ֣ה בְמׇלְכ֑וֹ וְשֵׁשׁ־עֶשְׂרֵ֣ה שָׁנָ֔ה מָלַ֖ךְ בִּירוּשָׁלָֽ͏ִם׃ He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem.

וַיִּשְׁכַּ֤ב יוֹתָם֙ עִם־אֲבֹתָ֔יו וַיִּקְבְּר֥וּ אֹת֖וֹ בְּעִ֣יר דָּוִ֑יד וַיִּמְלֹ֛ךְ אָחָ֥ז בְּנ֖וֹ תַּחְתָּֽיו׃ {פ}
Jotham slept with his fathers, and was buried in the City of David; his son Ahaz succeeded him as king.

בֶּן־עֶשְׂרִ֤ים שָׁנָה֙ אָחָ֣ז בְּמׇלְכ֔וֹ וְשֵׁשׁ־עֶשְׂרֵ֣ה שָׁנָ֔ה מָלַ֖ךְ בִּירוּשָׁלָ֑͏ִם וְלֹֽא־עָשָׂ֧ה הַיָּשָׁ֛ר בְּעֵינֵ֥י יְהֹוָ֖ה כְּדָוִ֥יד אָבִֽיו׃ Ahaz was twenty years old when he became king, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. He did not do what was pleasing to the LORD as his father David had done,

וַיֵּ֕לֶךְ בְּדַרְכֵ֖י מַלְכֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וְגַ֧ם מַסֵּכ֛וֹת עָשָׂ֖ה לַבְּעָלִֽים׃ but followed the ways of the kings of Israel; he even made molten images for the Baals.

וְה֥וּא הִקְטִ֖יר בְּגֵ֣יא בֶן־הִנֹּ֑ם וַיַּבְעֵ֤ר אֶת־בָּנָיו֙ בָּאֵ֔שׁ כְּתֹֽעֲבוֹת֙ הַגּוֹיִ֔ם אֲשֶׁר֙ הֹרִ֣ישׁ יְהֹוָ֔ה מִפְּנֵ֖י בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ He made offerings in the Valley of Ben-hinnom and burned his sons in fire, in the abhorrent fashion of the nations which the LORD had dispossessed before the Israelites.

וַיְזַבֵּ֧חַ וַיְקַטֵּ֛ר בַּבָּמ֖וֹת וְעַל־הַגְּבָע֑וֹת וְתַ֖חַת כׇּל־עֵ֥ץ רַֽעֲנָֽן׃ He sacrificed and made offerings at the shrines, on the hills, and under every leafy tree.

וַֽיִּתְּנֵ֜הוּ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהָיו֮ בְּיַ֣ד מֶ֣לֶךְ אֲרָם֒ וַיַּ֨כּוּ־ב֔וֹ וַיִּשְׁבּ֤וּ מִמֶּ֙נּוּ֙ שִׁבְיָ֣ה גְדוֹלָ֔ה וַיָּבִ֖יאוּ דַּרְמָ֑שֶׂק וְ֠גַ֠ם בְּיַד־מֶ֤לֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ נִתָּ֔ן וַיַּךְ־בּ֖וֹ מַכָּ֥ה גְדוֹלָֽה׃ {ס}         The LORD his God delivered him over to the king of Aram, who defeated him and took many of his men captive, and brought them to Damascus. He was also delivered over to the king of Israel, who inflicted a great defeat on him.

וַיַּהֲרֹג֩ פֶּ֨קַח בֶּן־רְמַלְיָ֜הוּ בִּיהוּדָ֗ה מֵאָ֨ה וְעֶשְׂרִ֥ים אֶ֛לֶף בְּי֥וֹם אֶחָ֖ד הַכֹּ֣ל בְּנֵי־חָ֑יִל בְּעׇזְבָ֕ם אֶת־יְהֹוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵ֥י אֲבוֹתָֽם׃ Pekah son of Remaliah killed 120,000 in Judah—all brave men—in one day, because they had forsaken the LORD God of their fathers.

וַֽיַּהֲרֹ֞ג זִכְרִ֣י ׀ גִּבּ֣וֹר אֶפְרַ֗יִם אֶת־מַעֲשֵׂיָ֙הוּ֙ בֶּן־הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ וְאֶת־עַזְרִיקָ֖ם נְגִ֣יד הַבָּ֑יִת וְאֶת־אֶלְקָנָ֖ה מִשְׁנֵ֥ה הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ {ס}         Zichri, the champion of Ephraim, killed Maaseiah the king’s son, and Azrikam chief of the palace, and Elkanah, the second to the king.

וַיִּשְׁבּוּ֩ בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֨ל מֵאֲחֵיהֶ֜ם מָאתַ֣יִם אֶ֗לֶף נָשִׁים֙ בָּנִ֣ים וּבָנ֔וֹת וְגַם־שָׁלָ֥ל רָ֖ב בָּזְז֣וּ מֵהֶ֑ם וַיָּבִ֥יאוּ אֶת־הַשָּׁלָ֖ל לְשֹׁמְרֽוֹן׃ {ס}         The Israelites captured 200,000 of their kinsmen, women, boys, and girls; they also took a large amount of booty from them and brought the booty to Samaria.

וְ֠שָׁ֠ם הָיָ֨ה נָבִ֥יא לַֽיהֹוָה֮ עֹדֵ֣ד שְׁמוֹ֒ וַיֵּצֵ֗א לִפְנֵ֤י הַצָּבָא֙ הַבָּ֣א לְשֹׁמְר֔וֹן וַיֹּ֣אמֶר לָהֶ֗ם הִ֠נֵּ֠ה בַּחֲמַ֨ת יְהֹוָ֧ה אֱלֹהֵֽי־אֲבוֹתֵיכֶ֛ם עַל־יְהוּדָ֖ה נְתָנָ֣ם בְּיֶדְכֶ֑ם וַתַּהַרְגוּ־בָ֣ם בְּזַ֔עַף עַ֥ד לַשָּׁמַ֖יִם הִגִּֽיעַ׃ A prophet of the LORD by the name of Oded was there, who went out to meet the army on its return to Samaria. He said to them, “Because of the fury of the LORD God of your fathers against Judah, He delivered them over to you, and you killed them in a rage that reached heaven.

וְ֠עַתָּ֠ה בְּנֵֽי־יְהוּדָ֤ה וִירוּשָׁלַ֙͏ִם֙ אַתֶּ֣ם אֹֽמְרִ֔ים לִכְבֹּ֛שׁ לַעֲבָדִ֥ים וְלִשְׁפָח֖וֹת לָכֶ֑ם הֲלֹ֤א רַק־אַתֶּם֙ עִמָּכֶ֣ם אֲשָׁמ֔וֹת לַיהֹוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם׃ Do you now intend to subjugate the men and women of Judah and Jerusalem to be your slaves? As it is, you have nothing but offenses against the LORD your God.

וְעַתָּ֣ה שְׁמָע֔וּנִי וְהָשִׁ֙יבוּ֙ הַשִּׁבְיָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר שְׁבִיתֶ֖ם מֵאֲחֵיכֶ֑ם כִּ֛י חֲר֥וֹן אַף־יְהֹוָ֖ה עֲלֵיכֶֽם׃ {ס}         Now then, listen to me, and send back the captives you have taken from your kinsmen, for the wrath of the LORD is upon you!”

וַיָּקֻ֨מוּ אֲנָשִׁ֜ים מֵרָאשֵׁ֣י בְנֵֽי־אֶפְרַ֗יִם עֲזַרְיָ֤הוּ בֶן־יְהֽוֹחָנָן֙ בֶּרֶכְיָ֣הוּ בֶן־מְשִׁלֵּמ֔וֹת וִֽיחִזְקִיָּ֙הוּ֙ בֶּן־שַׁלֻּ֔ם וַעֲמָשָׂ֖א בֶּן־חַדְלָ֑י עַל־הַבָּאִ֖ים מִן־הַצָּבָֽא׃ Some of the chief men of the Ephraimites—Azariah son of Jehohanan, Berechiah son of Meshillemoth, Jehizkiah son of Shallum, and Amasa son of Hadlai—confronted those returning from the campaign

וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ לָהֶ֗ם לֹֽא־תָבִ֤יאוּ אֶת־הַשִּׁבְיָה֙ הֵ֔נָּה כִּי֩ לְאַשְׁמַ֨ת יְהֹוָ֤ה עָלֵ֙ינוּ֙ אַתֶּ֣ם אֹֽמְרִ֔ים לְהֹסִ֥יף עַל־חַטֹּאתֵ֖נוּ וְעַל־אַשְׁמָתֵ֑נוּ כִּֽי־רַבָּ֤ה אַשְׁמָה֙ לָ֔נוּ וַחֲר֥וֹן אָ֖ף עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ {ס}         and said to them, “Do not bring these captives here, for it would mean our offending the LORD, adding to our sins and our offenses; for our offense is grave enough, and there is already wrath upon Israel.”

וַיַּעֲזֹ֣ב הֶחָל֗וּץ אֶת־הַשִּׁבְיָה֙ וְאֶת־הַבִּזָּ֔ה לִפְנֵ֥י הַשָּׂרִ֖ים וְכׇל־הַקָּהָֽל׃ So the soldiers released the captives and the booty in the presence of the officers and all the congregation.

וַיָּקֻ֣מוּ הָאֲנָשִׁים֩ אֲשֶׁר־נִקְּב֨וּ בְשֵׁמ֜וֹת וַיַּחֲזִ֣יקוּ בַשִּׁבְיָ֗ה וְכׇֽל־מַעֲרֻמֵּיהֶם֮ הִלְבִּ֣ישׁוּ מִן־הַשָּׁלָל֒ וַיַּלְבִּשֻׁ֣ם וַ֠יַּנְעִל֠וּם וַיַּאֲכִל֨וּם וַיַּשְׁק֜וּם וַיְסֻכ֗וּם וַיְנַהֲל֤וּם בַּֽחֲמֹרִים֙ לְכׇל־כּוֹשֵׁ֔ל וַיְבִיא֛וּם יְרֵח֥וֹ עִיר־הַתְּמָרִ֖ים אֵ֣צֶל אֲחֵיהֶ֑ם וַיָּשׁ֖וּבוּ שֹׁמְרֽוֹן׃ {פ}
Then the men named above proceeded to take the captives in hand, and with the booty they clothed all the naked among them—they clothed them and shod them and gave them to eat and drink and anointed them and provided donkeys for all who were failing and brought them to Jericho, the city of palms, back to their kinsmen. Then they returned to Samaria.

בָּעֵ֣ת הַהִ֗יא שָׁלַ֞ח הַמֶּ֧לֶךְ אָחָ֛ז עַל־מַלְכֵ֥י אַשּׁ֖וּר לַעְזֹ֥ר לֽוֹ׃ At that time, King Ahaz sent to the king of Assyria for help.

וְע֥וֹד אֲדוֹמִ֖ים בָּ֑אוּ וַיַּכּ֥וּ בִיהוּדָ֖ה וַיִּשְׁבּוּ־שֶֽׁבִי׃ Again the Edomites came and inflicted a defeat on Judah and took captives.

וּפְלִשְׁתִּ֣ים פָּֽשְׁט֗וּ בְּעָרֵ֨י הַשְּׁפֵלָ֣ה וְהַנֶּ֘גֶב֮ לִֽיהוּדָה֒ וַֽ֠יִּלְכְּד֠וּ אֶת־בֵּֽית־שֶׁ֨מֶשׁ וְאֶת־אַיָּל֜וֹן וְאֶת־הַגְּדֵר֗וֹת וְאֶת־שׂוֹכ֤וֹ וּבְנוֹתֶ֙יהָ֙ וְאֶת־תִּמְנָ֣ה וּבְנוֹתֶ֔יהָ וְאֶת־גִּמְז֖וֹ וְאֶת־בְּנֹתֶ֑יהָ וַיֵּשְׁב֖וּ שָֽׁם׃ And the Philistines made forays against the cities of the Shephelah and the Negeb of Judah; they seized Beth-shemesh and Aijalon and Gederoth, and Soco with its villages, and Timnah with its villages, and Gimzo with its villages; and they settled there.

כִּֽי־הִכְנִ֤יעַ יְהֹוָה֙ אֶת־יְהוּדָ֔ה בַּעֲב֖וּר אָחָ֣ז מֶלֶךְ־יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל כִּ֤י הִפְרִ֙יעַ֙ בִּֽיהוּדָ֔ה וּמָע֥וֹל מַ֖עַל בַּיהֹוָֽה׃ Thus the LORD brought Judah low on account of King Ahaz of Israel,^aSome mss. and ancient versions read “Judah.” for he threw off restraint in Judah and trespassed against the LORD.

וַיָּבֹ֣א עָלָ֔יו תִּלְּגַ֥ת פִּלְנְאֶ֖סֶר מֶ֣לֶךְ אַשּׁ֑וּר וַיָּ֥צַר ל֖וֹ וְלֹ֥א חֲזָקֽוֹ׃ Tillegath-pilneser, king of Assyria, marched against him and gave him trouble, instead of supporting him.

כִּֽי־חָלַ֤ק אָחָז֙ אֶת־בֵּ֣ית יְהֹוָ֔ה וְאֶת־בֵּ֥ית הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ וְהַשָּׂרִ֑ים וַיִּתֵּן֙ לְמֶ֣לֶךְ אַשּׁ֔וּר וְלֹ֥א לְעֶזְרָ֖ה לֽוֹ׃ For Ahaz plundered the House of the LORD and the house of the king and the officers, and made a gift to the king of Assyria—to no avail.

וּבְעֵת֙ הָצֵ֣ר ל֔וֹ וַיּ֖וֹסֶף לִמְע֣וֹל בַּֽיהֹוָ֑ה ה֖וּא הַמֶּ֥לֶךְ אָחָֽז׃ In his time of trouble, this King Ahaz trespassed even more against the LORD,

וַיִּזְבַּ֗ח לֵאלֹהֵ֣י דַרְמֶ֘שֶׂק֮ הַמַּכִּ֣ים בּוֹ֒ וַיֹּ֗אמֶר כִּ֠י אֱלֹהֵ֤י מַלְכֵֽי־אֲרָם֙ הֵ֚ם מַעְזְרִ֣ים אֹתָ֔ם לָהֶ֥ם אֲזַבֵּ֖חַ וְיַעְזְר֑וּנִי וְהֵ֛ם הָיוּ־ל֥וֹ לְהַכְשִׁיל֖וֹ וּלְכׇל־יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ sacrificing to the gods of Damascus which had defeated him, for he thought, “The gods of the kings of Aram help them; I shall sacrifice to them and they will help me”; but they were his ruin and that of all Israel.

וַיֶּאֱסֹ֨ף אָחָ֜ז אֶת־כְּלֵ֣י בֵית־הָאֱלֹהִ֗ים וַיְקַצֵּץ֙ אֶת־כְּלֵ֣י בֵית־הָאֱלֹהִ֔ים וַיִּסְגֹּ֖ר אֶת־דַּלְת֣וֹת בֵּית־יְהֹוָ֑ה וַיַּ֨עַשׂ ל֧וֹ מִזְבְּח֛וֹת בְּכׇל־פִּנָּ֖ה בִּירוּשָׁלָֽ͏ִם׃ Ahaz collected the utensils of the House of God, and cut the utensils of the House of God to pieces. He shut the doors of the House of the LORD and made himself altars in every corner of Jerusalem.

וּבְכׇל־עִ֨יר וָעִ֤יר לִֽיהוּדָה֙ עָשָׂ֣ה בָמ֔וֹת לְקַטֵּ֖ר לֵאלֹהִ֣ים אֲחֵרִ֑ים וַיַּכְעֵ֕ס אֶת־יְהֹוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵ֥י אֲבֹתָֽיו׃ In every town in Judah he set up shrines to make offerings to other gods, vexing the LORD God of his fathers.

וְיֶ֤תֶר דְּבָרָיו֙ וְכׇל־דְּרָכָ֔יו הָרִאשֹׁנִ֖ים וְהָאַחֲרוֹנִ֑ים הִנָּ֣ם כְּתוּבִ֔ים עַל־סֵ֥פֶר מַלְכֵֽי־יְהוּדָ֖ה וְיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ The other events of his reign and all his conduct, early and late, are recorded in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.

וַיִּשְׁכַּ֨ב אָחָ֜ז עִם־אֲבֹתָ֗יו וַֽיִּקְבְּרֻ֤הוּ בָעִיר֙ בִּיר֣וּשָׁלַ֔͏ִם כִּ֚י לֹ֣א הֱבִיאֻ֔הוּ לְקִבְרֵ֖י מַלְכֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַיִּמְלֹ֛ךְ יְחִזְקִיָּ֥הוּ בְנ֖וֹ תַּחְתָּֽיו׃ {פ}
Ahaz slept with his fathers and was buried in the city, in Jerusalem; his body was not brought to the tombs of the kings of Israel. His son Hezekiah succeeded him as king.