Study Desk

But we are happy, because everyone has voluntarily given you these things. You know what is in everyone's heart, and you are pleased when people are honest.

King Solomon, the son of David, was now in complete control of his kingdom, because the Lord God had blessed him and made him a powerful king.

This will be a great temple, because our God is greater than all other gods.

because I'll need a lot of lumber to build such a large and glorious temple.

Hiram sent his answer back to Solomon: I know that the Lord must love his people, because he has chosen you to be their king.

Then on the twenty-third day of the seventh month, Solomon sent everyone home. They left very happy because of all the good things the Lord had done for David and Solomon, and for his people Israel.

because it belongs to me, and this is where I will be worshiped forever. I will never stop watching over it.

Then they will answer, "It was because the people of Israel rejected the Lord their God, who rescued their ancestors from Egypt, and they started worshiping other gods."

Solomon's cups and dishes in Forest Hall were made of pure gold, because silver was almost worthless in those days.

Rehoboam and the leaders of Judah had gone to Jerusalem to escape Shishak's invasion. And while they were there, Shemaiah the prophet told them, "The Lord says that because you have disobeyed him, he has now abandoned you. The Lord will not help you against Shishak!"

When the Lord heard this, he told Shemaiah: The people of Judah are truly sorry for their sins, and so I won't let Shishak completely destroy them. But because I am still angry,

You don't even have descendants of Aaron on your side, because you forced out the Lord 's priests and Levites. In their place, you appoint ordinary people to be priests, just as the foreign nations do. In fact, anyone who brings a bull and seven rams to the altar can become a priest of your so-called gods.

Judah's army won because they had trusted the Lord God of their ancestors.

He said to the people, "Let's build walls and defense towers for these towns, and put in gates that can be locked with bars. This land still belongs to us, because we have obeyed the Lord our God. He has given us peace from all our enemies." The people did everything Asa had suggested.

Nations were destroying each other, and cities were wiping out other cities, because God was causing trouble and unrest everywhere.

Asa called together the people from Judah and Benjamin, as well as the people from the territories of Ephraim, West Manasseh, and Simeon who were living in Judah. Many of these people were now loyal to Asa, because they had seen that the Lord was with him.

Everyone was happy because they had made this solemn promise, and in return, the Lord blessed them with peace from all their enemies.

and told them: Be careful when you make your decisions in court, because these are the Lord 's people, and he will know what you decide.

Jehoshaphat led the crowd back to Jerusalem. And as they marched, they played harps and blew trumpets. They were very happy because the Lord had given them victory over their enemies, so when they reached the city, they went straight to the temple.

But the prophet Eliezer warned Jehoshaphat, "The Lord will destroy these ships because you have supported Ahaziah." The ships were wrecked and never sailed.