When Solomon requests wisdom, God grants it, along with riches and honor. He acquires builders and materials for the Temple and then builds it. The Ark is brought into the completed Temple, and the presence of the Lord fills the Temple.

Solomon summons Israel's leaders to Gibeon, where the Tabernacle is located.

Solomon sacrifices 1,000 burnt offerings on the bronze altar.

In a dream God promises to give Solomon anything he desires.

Solomon asks for wisdom so that he might properly lead and govern Israel.

God is pleased with Solomon's request and grants it, along with riches and honour.

Just as God promised, Solomon acquires great prestige and wealth (see also 8:1-10, 17-18; 9:10-11, 13-28).

Solomon builds the Temple and brings the Ark into it.

Solomon enlists a workforce of 70,000 common laborers, 80,000 stonecutters, and 3,600 foremen.

Solomon asks King Hiram of Tyre to provide the materials necessary to build the Temple.

Solomon asks King Hiram for a master craftsman, a dyeing expert, and a skilled engraver. Solomon also wants cedar, cypress, and almug logs from Lebanon. Solomon offers payment of grain, wine, and olive oil.

The Temple will serve as a worship center, allowing Israel to honor the Lord by burning incense and sacrificing animals.

King Hiram praises Solomon and agrees to fulfill his request.

Hiram commends Solomon for his wisdom and skill.

Hiram promises to send Huram-abi, a master craftsman, dyer, and skilled engraver, to work with Solomon's craftsmen. Hiram also promises to send the timber that Solomon requested.

The Temple is built on Mount Moriah, where Araunah's threshing floor is. Solomon begins construction in the spring of the fourth year of his reign.

After the Temple is completed, Solomon brings in the gifts dedicated by his father, David, and stores them in the Temple treasuries.

Finally, the Ark of God is brought into the Temple.

The Levites and priests carry the Ark into the Most Holy Place.

The Levites play music and sing praises to the Lord.

The presence of the Lord fills the Temple.

Solomon addresses the assembled people. Then he stands on a specially built platform and prays to the Lord. Fire comes down from heaven and burns up the offerings. The Israelites celebrate the Festival of Shelters for seven days. The Lord responds to Solomon's prayer.

Solomon addresses the people who have assembled to see the Ark placed in the Temple.

Solomon mentions three points, all relating to the Temple.

The Lord had told David that the Temple would be constructed in Jerusalem.

David wanted to construct the Temple, but the Lord had chosen Solomon to do it.

The Temple was built to honor the Lord and house the Ark of God.

Solomon spreads out his hands toward heaven.

Solomon is on a bronze platform 7 ½ feet square and 4 ½ feet high.

Solomon worships the Lord, Israel's unique and faithful God.

Solomon calls on the Lord to hear his prayers in the Temple.

Solomon asks the Lord to dwell in the Temple, where the Ark resides, to clothe the priests with salvation, to cause the people to rejoice in his goodness, and to be faithful to the king.

When Solomon finishes praying, fire comes down from heaven and burns up the sacrifices, and the Lord's glory fills the Temple.

Solomon and his people offer 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep; then they celebrate the Festival of Shelters for seven days.

The Lord appears to Solomon, reassuring him that his prayer has been heard. He tells Solomon that he will punish his people for sin but also that he will forgive them if they repent and turn to him.

Solomon's achievements are reviewed. The queen of Sheba visits Solomon and commends him for his wisdom. Solomon's wealth and splendor are summarized. Solomon reigned 40 years before he died.

Solomon builds and fortifies dozens of cities and supply centers throughout his kingdom.

Solomon moves his wife, Pharaoh's daughter, from the City of David to a new palace he built for her.

Solomon carefully observes the religious festivals and assigns the priests their duties.

Solomon has a fleet of ships on the Red Sea. These ships bring back almost 17 tons of gold from the land of Ophir!

Solomon's reputation as a wise and capable ruler spreads throughout the nations.

The queen of Sheba hears of Solomon's wisdom and travels to Jerusalem to meet him.

The queen tests Solomon to see if he is truly as wise as she has heard.

Solomon wisely answers all of the queen's questions.

The queen is completely amazed by Solomon's wisdom and orderly reign.

Solomon and the queen exchange gifts.

The queen gives Solomon great quantities of gold, spices, and jewels.

Solomon gives the queen gifts that are even more valuable than those she gave him.

Kings from many nations visit Solomon and bring him valuable gifts.

Solomon receives over 25 tons of gold each year! He makes 500 shields of hammered gold and overlays his ivory throne with gold. All his household articles are made of gold.

Solomon owns 4,000 stalls for his many horses.

Solomon also imports silver, ivory, apes, peacocks, and cedarwood.

Solomon's kingdom extends from the Euphrates River to the land of the Philistines and the border of Egypt!

Solomon dies after ruling for 40 years.

Rehoboam becomes king and threatens to rule harshly. After the northern tribes revolt, a prophet warns Rehoboam not to fight against them. Many Levites from the northern kingdom flee to Judah. When Judah is invaded by Egypt, the leaders repent. Rehoboam dies after an evil reign.

Rehoboam succeeds his father, Solomon, as king of all Israel.

Jeroboam, who had fled to Egypt to escape Solomon after a prophet had predicted that he would reign over the 10 northern tribes, returns to act as a spokesman for the tribes. He and the leaders demand that Rehoboam treat them better than Solomon did.

Rehoboam asks two groups of advisers what he should do.

The older men who had been Solomon's advisers tell Rehoboam to treat his people with kindness.

Rehoboam's boyhood friends tell him to deal with the people even more harshly than his father did!

Rehoboam listens to the younger men and warns the people that he will be even harsher than Solomon was.

Upon hearing this, the 10 northern tribes revolt and establish their own kingdom (Israel) with Jeroboam as their new ruler.

Heeding the Lord's message to him through the prophet Shemaiah, Rehoboam calls off his planned attack against the northern tribes.

Rehoboam rebuilds and strengthens key cities throughout Judah, including Bethlehem and Hebron.

Because of Jeroboam's idolatry and wickedness, many Levites flee the northern kingdom and settle in Jerusalem.

Rehoboam marries 18 wives and has 60 concubines, from whom come 28 sons and 60 daughters.

Once Rehoboam becomes strong, he abandons the law of the Lord, and all the people follow him.

Because of the people's rebellion, the Lord allows King Shishak of Egypt to conquer Judah's fortified cities and attack Jerusalem.

Rehoboam and the people humble themselves and confess their sin.

The Lord spares Jerusalem, but he allows Shishak to take all the treasures of the palace.

Rehoboam's reign is reviewed and declared evil. Rehoboam dies.

Abijah succeeds Rehoboam and defeats Jeroboam's forces. Asa succeeds Abijah and removes pagan shrines from Judah. He defeats the Ethiopians and leads the people to recommit themselves to the Lord. Asa bribes the king of Aram to act as his ally, but a prophet rebukes Asa for this. Asa dies.

Abijah becomes involved in a war with Jeroboam of Israel.

Abijah's army is outnumbered two to one (800,000 troops to 400,000).

Before the battle, Abijah makes an impassioned speech.

Abijah recounts how Jeroboam led the northern tribes to rebel against the house of David.

Abijah notes that his people have not abandoned the Lord and warns the northern tribes not to fight against the Lord by fighting the people of Judah.

During Abijah's the speech, Jeroboam's army secretly surrounds Abijah's army.

Judah's soldiers cry out to the Lord for help.

The Lord answers and enables the forces of Judah to completely rout the forces of Israel.

Abijah marries 14 wives and fathers 22 sons and 16 daughters.

Asa destroys the pagan altars and shrines. Following a message from the Lord through the prophet Azariah, Asa continues his reforms, even deposing his own grandmother for her idolatrous practices. He leads the people to recommit themselves to follow the Lord.

Asa rebuilds and fortifies some of Judah's towns, and he amasses an army of 580,000 men!

The Ethiopians attack Judah with an enormous army.

Asa cries out to the Lord for help.

The Lord enables the army of Judah to triumph over its enemies.

When King Baasha of Israel invades Judah, Asa bribes the king of Aram to break his ties with Baasha and attack him.

A prophet named Hanani rebukes Asa for depending on the king of Aram instead of the Lord. Asa becomes angry with Hanani and imprisons him.

Asa develops a serious foot disease but still refuses to turn to the Lord for help, so he dies.

Jehoshaphat succeeds Asa and strengthens Judah. He sends out officials to teach the Book of the Law. Later Jehoshaphat makes an alliance with King Ahab of Israel and attacks Ramoth-gilead despite the warnings of the prophet Micaiah. Ahab disguises himself in battle, but he is still killed.

Jehoshaphat stations troops in the lands that he controls.

Jehoshaphat follows the Lord and sends out Levites to teach the Book of the Law to the people.

The Lord honors Jehoshaphat for all his deeds and strengthens Judah.

Jehoshaphat arranges for his son to marry the daughter of wicked King Ahab of Israel.

Jehoshaphat unwisely joins with King Ahab to fight against Ramoth-gilead.

At a great banquet Ahab entices Jehoshaphat to join him in attacking Ramoth-gilead.

Before the battle, Jehoshaphat wants to seek God's will.

Ahab reluctantly agrees and seeks counsel from two sources:

When King Ahab asks his 400 prophets if he should attack Ramoth-gilead, they tell him what he wants to hear-that he will be victorious.

Jehoshaphat requests that advice be sought from a prophet of the Lord. The prophet Micaiah initially tells the kings the same thing that the other prophets did, but when Ahab orders him to tell the truth, Micaiah relates two visions:

####### The lost sheep (18:16):

Micaiah sees the people of Israel scattered on the mountains, like sheep whose shepherd has been killed.

####### The lying spirit (18:18-22):

Micaiah also sees an interaction in heaven where the Lord allows a spirit to cause Ahab's 400 prophets to lie to him so that Ahab will go to battle and be killed.

After the truth of Micaiah's message is challenged and he is arrested, Micaiah tells Ahab that his message will be proven false if Ahab returns safely from battle.

Ahab attempts to avoid the fate that Micaiah has predicted for him.

Ahab suggests that Jehoshaphat wear his kingly garments into battle while he disguises himself as a normal soldier.

The king of Judah foolishly agrees to Ahab's plan and is nearly killed by the Arameans, who mistake him for Ahab.

Ahab is mortally wounded by a stray arrow.

Jehoshaphat appoints judges throughout Judah. A vast army threatens to attack, and Jehoshaphat prays to the Lord, who causes the enemy forces to be defeated by fighting among themselves. Jehoshaphat's reign is summarized, and he is condemned and punished for becoming an ally to King Ahaziah of Israel.

Jehoshaphat displeases the Lord by some of his actions.

Upon Jehoshaphat's return from Ramoth-gilead, the prophet Jehu rebukes him for helping "those who hate the Lord" (i.e., King Ahab of Israel).

Near the end of his life, Jehoshaphat makes an alliance with wicked King Ahaziah of Israel. They build a fleet of merchant ships, but the ships are destroyed before they ever set sail.

Jehoshaphat appoints godly judges throughout the land, admonishing them to deal justly with all people.

Jehoshaphat does what is right in the Lord's eyes.

Jehoshaphat learns that a vast enemy army is approaching from beyond the Dead Sea.

Jehoshaphat assembles the people in front of the new courtyard at the Temple in Jerusalem.

Jehoshaphat reviews how the Lord has faithfully protected his people in the past.

Jehoshaphat asks the Lord to protect his people again.

The Lord hears Jehoshaphat's prayer and prepares his people for victory.

The Spirit of the Lord comes upon a Levite named Jahaziel, and he prophesies that the Lord will win a great victory for Judah.

Jehoshaphat leads the people in worship.

Jehoshaphat appoints singers to lead the attack by singing praises to God!

The enemy is defeated, providing much plunder for the people of Judah.

After three days of collecting plunder, the people assemble in the Valley of Blessing and give thanks to the Lord. Then they march into Jerusalem to singing and music.

Jehoshaphat is succeeded by Jehoram, the Edomites revolt, and the Philistines and Arabs attack Jerusalem. Jehoram dies, and Ahaziah succeeds him, but he is soon killed. Ahaziah's mother, Athaliah kills all the royal family except for Joash and assumes the throne. After several years, Joash is brought before the people and crowned king, and Athaliah is killed.

Jehoram does what is evil in the Lord's sight.

Jehoram becomes king and murders all his brothers.

Jehoram is influenced to do evil by his wife, who is one of Ahab's daughters.

Jehoram also leads the people of Judah to worship idols.

The Edomites and the town of Libnah revolt against Jehoram.

The Philistines and the Arabs attack Judah and plunder the royal palace.

Elijah sends a message from the Lord to Jehoram, denouncing him for his wickedness and foretelling his death.

Just as Elijah prophesied, Jehoram is struck with a severe intestinal disease and dies in agony.

Ahaziah succeeds Jehoram as king of Judah.

Ahaziah's mother, Athaliah, a daughter of Ahab, encourages him to do evil.

Ahaziah's advisers, who are members of Ahab's family, lead him into an alliance with Joram, Israel's ninth ruler.

Ahaziah is captured and executed in Samaria by Jehu, who becomes Israel's tenth ruler.

When Athaliah learns that her son is dead, she sets out to destroy all rivals to the throne so that she can become queen.

Ahaziah's infant son, Joash, escapes being killed by Athaliah because he is hidden in the Temple by Ahaziah's sister.

After Athaliah rules for seven years, she is deposed and killed.

Jehoiada the high priest and five military leaders prepare to depose Athaliah.

Jehoiada secretly assembles Levites and leaders from throughout Judah and assigns them various posts around the Temple.

When all is ready, seven-year-old Joash is brought out and loudly proclaimed as Judah's new king!

Athaliah is taken out to one of the palace gates and killed.

Jehoiada makes a covenant with the king and the people that they will serve the Lord.

The people tear down the temple of Baal. Jehoiada places Levitical priests in charge of the Temple. The king is escorted to his throne, and the people rejoice.

Joash calls for Temple repairs but allows Judah to return to idolatry. Joash orders Jehoiada's son to be killed. When the Arameans attack Judah, Joash's servants kill him. Amaziah succeeds Joash and defeats the Edomites, but he is defeated by King Jehoash of Israel. Later Amaziah is assassinated for worshiping the gods of the Edomites.

Early in his reign Joash pleases the Lord.

Joash orders the priests and Levites to collect money to repair the Temple.

After a long delay, Joash demands to know why his order has not been carried out.

Joash orders a chest to be made and set outside the Temple gate to receive money from the people. Sufficient funds are collected, and the Temple repairs are completed.

In his final years, Joash disobeys the Lord.

Jehoiada the priest, who guided young Joash, dies.

Joash is influenced by some wicked leaders of Judah.

The people begin worshiping idols again.

Jehoiada's son Zechariah preaches against the people of Judah for abandoning the Lord. Joash orders Zechariah to be stoned to death.

Because the people of Judah abandoned the Lord, he allows the Arameans to attack them, and Joash is wounded. Two of Joash's officials assassinate him in his bed.

Amaziah succeeds Joash as king of Judah.

Amaziah does what is right, but not wholeheartedly.

Amaziah executes the officials who killed his father, but he obeys the Law of Moses and does not kill their children.

Amaziah goes to war against Edom.

Amaziah organizes and counts his troops.

Amaziah musters an army of 300,000 men from Judah and Benjamin.

Amaziah hires 100,000 mercenaries from Israel.

A man of God rebukes Amaziah for hiring mercenaries instead of trusting God, so Amaziah dismisses them.

Amaziah is victorious, killing 20,000 enemy troops!

On their way home, the angry mercenaries from Israel plunder some towns of Judah.

Amaziah angers the Lord by worshiping the gods of Edom, even though he has just defeated that nation in battle.

Amaziah challenges King Jehoash of Israel to war. Despite Jehoash's warnings, Amaziah prepares to attack.

The Judean king is captured, and Jerusalem is plundered by Jehoash.

The reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, and Ahaz are recorded. Uzziah pleases the Lord for most of his reign, but he disobeys near the end. Jotham is a good king of a corrupt nation. Ahaz is evil and is attacked by Aram, Israel, and Assyria. He also closes the Temple and offers sacrifices to foreign gods.

Amaziah's son Uzziah succeeds him as king of Judah.

Uzziah begins his reign as a faithful follower of the Lord.

He rebuilds the town of Elath and constructs towers in Jerusalem.

Uzziah owns many livestock, farms, and vineyards.

Uzziah is successful in battle against the Philistines, the Arabs, and the Meunites.

Uzziah's army numbers 307,500 elite troops.

Uzziah provides his men with armor and produces machines that shoot arrows and huge stones.

After Uzziah becomes powerful, he becomes proud.

Uzziah burns incense in the Temple, which only priests can do.

Azariah the high priest confronts and condemns the king for his sinful act.

A furious and unrepentant Uzziah is struck with leprosy by the Lord.

Uzziah is forced to live in isolation until his death.

Uzziah's son Jotham succeeds him as king of Judah.

Jotham walks in the ways of the Lord.

Jotham rebuilds the Upper Gate and the wall at the hill of Ophel.

Jotham builds towns and fortresses throughout Judah.

Jotham defeats the Ammonites and receives a huge annual tribute from them.

Jotham becomes powerful because the Lord blesses him for his obedience.

Ahaz becomes a fanatical worshiper of Baal, even sacrificing his own sons to him.

Judah is punished for Ahaz's idolatry.

Aram defeats Ahaz and deports large numbers of his people to Damascus.

Israel also defeats Ahaz, killing 120,000 of his soldiers and capturing 200,000 Judean women and children! The prophet Oded warns Israel to return the captives from Judah, lest divine wrath fall upon them. Israel's leaders feed and clothe the captives and send them back to Judah.

Ahaz asks the king of Assyria for help against his enemies. The Assyrian king takes Ahaz's money but oppresses him instead of helping him.

In desperation, Ahaz sacrifices to the gods of Aram and closes the Temple, which leads to the ruin of both the king and all Israel.

Hezekiah succeeds Ahaz and reopens the Temple. The priests and Levites purify themselves and the Temple, and Passover is celebrated. Hezekiah reorganizes the priesthood and requires the people to obey the law of the Lord by supporting the priesthood.

Hezekiah, Judah's thirteenth ruler, succeeds Ahaz as king; he reopens the Temple in the first month of his reign.

The king exhorts the priests and Levites to purify themselves and the Temple, making it ready for public worship.

The priests and Levites complete the purification process in 16 days.

Hezekiah rededicates the Temple by making offerings.

Hezekiah commands the priests to sacrifice seven bulls, seven rams, seven lambs, and seven male goats as a sin offering.

At Hezekiah's instruction, the sacrificing is accompanied by worshipful singing and musical instruments.

The assembled people offer 670 bulls, 100 rams, and over 3,000 lambs and sheep.

Hezekiah invites the people to celebrate the Passover in Jerusalem.

The Passover celebration will be in midspring, a month later than normal.

This delay is caused by the lack of purified priests on the earlier date.

Hezekiah promises that if Israel returns to the Lord, the Lord will return to Israel.

The people assemble in Jerusalem for the Passover and destroy the pagan altars.

Many of the people are ceremonially unclean and ineligible to eat the Passover. Hezekiah prays for their forgiveness, so they can eat the Passover meal.

The people joyfully celebrate the Passover for another seven days, making the celebration the greatest since the days of Solomon!

Hezekiah organizes the priests to offer daily sacrifices once again.

Hezekiah requires the people to fulfill the obligations set forth in the law of the Lord regarding tithes to the priesthood.

Hezekiah requires the tithe to the priesthood so the priests and Levites can devote themselves fully to the Lord.

The people generously respond by bringing a portion of their crops and livestock.

Hezekiah appoints officials to oversee the fair distribution of the tithes to the priests and Levites.

King Sennacherib of Assyria invades Judah, and Hezekiah strengthens Jerusalem's defenses. Sennacherib warns the people of Jerusalem to surrender to him. Hezekiah prays, and the Lord sends an angel to destroy the Assyrian army. Hezekiah recovers from a serious illness, and his wealth increases.

King Sennacherib of Assyria invades Judah.

The situation (32:1-8)

Hezekiah realizes that Sennacherib intends to attack Jerusalem.

Hezekiah fortifies Jerusalem and stops up the springs outside the city.

Hezekiah encourages the people by reminding them that the Lord is on their side.

Sennacherib's ambassadors ridicule Hezekiah's attempts to defend Jerusalem. They note that the gods of the other nations were powerless to protect their cities and assume the God of the Hebrews will be powerless to protect Jerusalem.

Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah cry out to God for deliverance.

The Lord sends an angel to destroy the Assyrian army. Sennacherib is killed by his own sons.

Hezekiah receives great respect and riches during his reign. The people honor him when he dies.

Manasseh becomes king and practices many evils, including setting up idols in the Temple. After Manasseh is led away a captive, he repents and is released. He opposes idolatry and promotes worship of the Lord. Amon succeeds Manasseh as king and does much evil. He is assassinated by his own officials.

Hezekiah's son Manasseh succeeds him as king of Judah.

Manasseh commits idolatry and all sorts of evil. He even sacrifices his own sons to other gods and places an idol in the Temple of the Lord.

The Lord allows the Assyrians to capture Manasseh and lead him away in chains.

Manasseh repents of his wickedness and calls out to the Lord. The Lord hears Manasseh's prayer and allows him to return to his kingdom.

Manasseh returns to Judah, removes the idols, tears down the pagan altars he built, and promotes the worship of the Lord for the rest of his reign.

Manasseh's son Amon succeeds him as king of Judah.

Amon does evil in the Lord's sight and worships idols.

Amon's officials kill him in his palace.

Josiah becomes king and removes idolatry from Judah. He orders repairs made to the Temple, and the Book of the Law is discovered. Josiah reads the scroll to all the leaders, and they recommit themselves to the Lord. Passover is celebrated. Josiah is killed in battle against King Neco.

Josiah succeeds his father, Amon, as king of Judah. He is Judah's last good king.

Josiah begins a massive campaign against idol worship. He destroys pagan altars in Jerusalem, Judah, Manasseh, Ephraim, Simeon, and Naphtali.

Josiah orders repairs to be made to the Temple and appoints men to carry out the task.

While the Temple is being repaired, the high priest, Hilkiah, discovers the Book of the Law (Book of the Covenant).

After Hilkiah finds the Book of the Covenant, he gives it to Shaphan, the court secretary. Shaphan takes it to the king and reads the book to him.

After listening to what is written in the book, Josiah despairs and instructs his leaders to ask the Lord what to do about the situation.

The leaders consult the prophet Huldah.

Huldah issues a twofold prophecy:

The Lord will soon punish the people because of their sins.

Because Josiah humbled himself before God, the Lord will not send his punishment until after Josiah dies.

Josiah reads to the leaders and the people from the Book of the Covenant and renews the covenant between the Lord and his people.

Josiah calls for the people to celebrate the Passover in Jerusalem.

Josiah and his officials provide thousands of animals to be sacrificed. Josiah gives 30,000 lambs and goats and 3,000 bulls. Josiah's officials donate 7,600 lambs and goats and 800 bulls.

The priests make the sacrifices, which are eaten by the people.

The Passover is completed. Never since the time of Samuel has there been such a Passover celebration!

Josiah needlessly engages King Neco in battle.

Josiah is fatally wounded by enemy archers.

The battle occurs on the plain of Megiddo.

All Judah mourns for Josiah, and the prophet Jeremiah composes funeral songs for him.

The reigns of Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah are recorded. Jerusalem falls to the Babylonians, who exile the people to Babylon. Later Cyrus allows the exiles to return.

Jehoahaz rules for only three months.

Jehoahaz is dethroned and imprisoned in Egypt by King Neco, who appoints Jehoahaz's brother king of Judah.

Jehoiakim does what is evil in the Lord's sight.

Jerusalem is captured by Nebuchadnezzar, the Temple is plundered, and Jehoiakim is led away in chains.

Jehoiachin reigns for three months and ten days.

Nebuchadnezzar summons him to Babylon, and many of the Temple treasures are taken as well. Zedekiah is appointed the next king.

Zedekiah rebels against the Lord and against Nebuchadnezzar.

The priests and the people practice idolatry.

Because the people refuse to heed the prophets and repent, the Lord allows the king of Babylon to attack Jerusalem. The walls are broken down, the Temple is destroyed, and many people are killed or taken into exile.

After 70 years, King Cyrus of Persia decrees that the Lord's people may return and rebuild their Temple.