# verses

book: 2Kgs
contenido:
I will punish Jerusalem as I did Samaria, and as I did King Ahab of Israel and his descendants. I will wipe away the people of Jerusalem as a man wipes a dish and turns it upside down to dry.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
Then I will reject even those few of my people who are left, and I will hand them over to their enemies.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
In addition to the idolatry which God hated and into which Manasseh led the people of Judah, he murdered great numbers of innocent people. And Jerusalem was filled from one end to the other with the bodies of his victims.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
When he died he was buried in the garden of his palace at Uzza, and his son Amon became the new king.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
New king of Judah: Amon
His age at the beginning of his reign: 22 years old
Length of reign: 2 years, in Jerusalem
Mother’s name: Meshullemeth (daughter of Haruz, of Jotbah)
Character of his reign: evil


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
New king of Judah: Josiah
His age at the beginning of his reign: 8 years old
Length of reign: 31 years, in Jerusalem
Mother’s name: Jedidah (daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath)
Character of his reign: good; he followed in the steps of his ancestor King David, obeying the Lord completely


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
In the eighteenth year of his reign, King Josiah sent his secretary Shaphan (son of Azaliah, son of Meshullam) to the Temple to give instruction to Hilkiah, the High Priest:
“Collect the money given to the priests at the door of the Temple when the people come to worship.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
Give this money to the building superintendents so that they can hire carpenters and masons to repair the Temple, and to buy lumber and stone.”


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
(The building superintendents were not required to keep account of their expenditures, for they were honest men.)


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
One day Hilkiah the High Priest went to Shaphan the secretary and exclaimed, “I have discovered a scroll in the Temple, with God’s laws written on it!”
He gave the scroll to Shaphan to read.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
When Shaphan reported to the king about the progress of the repairs at the Temple, he also mentioned the scroll found by Hilkiah. Then Shaphan read it to the king.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
He commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Shaphan, and Asaiah, the king’s assistant, and Ahikam (Shaphan’s son), and Achbor (Michaiah’s son) to ask the Lord, “What shall we do? For we have not been following the instructions of this book: you must be very angry with us, for neither we nor our ancestors have followed your commands.”


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asaiah went to the Mishneh section of Jerusalem to find Huldah the prophetess. (She was the wife of Shallum—son of Tikvah, son of Harhas—who was in charge of the palace tailor shop.)


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
She gave them this message from the Lord God of Israel:
“Tell the man who sent you to me that I am going to destroy this city and its people, just as I stated in that book you read.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
For the people of Judah have thrown me aside and have worshiped other gods and have made me very angry; and my anger can’t be stopped.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
But because you were sorry and concerned and humbled yourself before the Lord when you read the book and its warnings that this land would be cursed and become desolate, and because you have torn your clothing and wept before me in contrition, I will listen to your plea.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
The death of this nation will not occur until after you die—you will not see the evil that I will bring upon this place.”
So they took the message to the king.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
Then the king sent for the elders and other leaders of Judah and Jerusalem to go to the Temple with him. So all the priests and prophets and the people, small and great, of Jerusalem and Judah gathered there at the Temple so that the king could read to them the entire book of God’s laws which had been discovered in the Temple.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
He stood beside the pillar in front of the people, and he and they made a solemn promise to the Lord to obey him at all times and to do everything the book commanded.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
Then the king instructed Hilkiah the High Priest and the rest of the priests and the guards of the Temple to destroy all the equipment used in the worship of Baal, Asherah, and the sun, moon, and stars. The king had it all burned in the fields of the Kidron Valley outside Jerusalem, and he carried the ashes to Bethel.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
He killed the heathen priests who had been appointed by the previous kings of Judah, for they had burned incense in the shrines on the hills throughout Judah and even in Jerusalem. They had also offered incense to Baal and to the sun, moon, stars, and planets.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
He removed the shameful idol of Asherah from the Temple and took it outside Jerusalem to Kidron Brook; there he burned it and beat it to dust and threw the dust on the graves of the common people.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
He also tore down the houses of male prostitution around the Temple, where the women wove robes for the Asherah idol.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
He brought back to Jerusalem the priests of the Lord, who were living in other cities of Judah, and tore down all the shrines on the hills where they had burned incense, even those as far away as Geba and Beersheba. He also destroyed the shrines at the entrance of the palace of Joshua, the former mayor of Jerusalem, located on the left side as one enters the city gate.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
However, these priests did not serve at the altar of the Lord in Jerusalem, even though they ate with the other priests.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
Then the king destroyed the altar of Topheth in the valley of the sons of Hinnom, so that no one could ever again use it to burn his son or daughter to death as a sacrifice to Molech.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
He tore down the statues of horses and chariots located near the entrance of the Temple, next to the quarters of Nathan-melech the eunuch. These had been dedicated by former kings of Judah to the sun god.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
Then he tore down the altars that the kings of Judah had built on the palace roof above the Ahaz Room. He also destroyed the altars that Manasseh had built in the two courts of the Temple; he smashed them to bits and scattered the pieces in Kidron Valley.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
Next he removed the shrines on the hills east of Jerusalem and south of Destruction Mountain. (Solomon had built these shrines for Ashtoreth, the evil goddess of the Sidonians; and for Chemosh, the evil god of Moab; and for Milcom, the evil god of the Ammonites.)


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
He smashed the obelisks and cut down the shameful idols of Asherah; then he defiled these places by scattering human bones over them.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
He also tore down the altar and shrine at Bethel that Jeroboam I had made when he led Israel into sin. He crushed the stones to dust and burned the shameful idol of Asherah.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
As Josiah was looking around, he noticed several graves in the side of the mountain. He ordered his men to bring out the bones in them and to burn them there upon the altar at Bethel to defile it, just as the Lord’s prophet had declared would happen to Jeroboam’s altar.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
“What is that monument over there?” he asked.
And the men of the city told him, “It is the grave of the prophet who came from Judah and proclaimed that what you have just done would happen here at the altar at Bethel!”


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
So King Josiah replied, “Leave it alone. Don’t disturb his bones.”
So they didn’t burn his bones or those of the prophet from Samaria.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
Josiah demolished the shrines on the hills in all of Samaria. They had been built by the various kings of Israel and had made the Lord very angry. But now he crushed them into dust, just as he had done at Bethel.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
He executed the priests of the heathen shrines upon their own altars, and he burned human bones upon the altars to defile them. Finally he returned to Jerusalem.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
The king then issued orders for his people to observe the Passover ceremonies as recorded by the Lord their God in The Book of the Covenant.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
There had not been a Passover celebration like that since the days of the judges of Israel, and there was never another like it in all the years of the kings of Israel and Judah.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
This Passover was in the eighteenth year of the reign of King Josiah, and it was celebrated in Jerusalem.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
Josiah also exterminated the mediums and wizards, and every kind of idol worship, both in Jerusalem and throughout the land. For Josiah wanted to follow all the laws that were written in the book that Hilkiah the priest had found in the Temple.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
There was no other king who so completely turned to the Lord and followed all the laws of Moses; and no king since the time of Josiah has approached his record of obedience.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
But the Lord still did not hold back his great anger against Judah, caused by the evils of King Manasseh.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
For the Lord had said, “I will destroy Judah just as I have destroyed Israel; and I will discard my chosen city of Jerusalem and the Temple that I said was mine.”


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
In those days King Neco of Egypt went out to help the king of Assyria at the Euphrates River. Then King Josiah went out with his troops to fight King Neco; but King Neco withstood him at Megiddo and killed him.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
His officers took his body back in a chariot from Megiddo to Jerusalem and buried him in the grave he had selected. And his son Jehoahaz was chosen by the nation as its new king.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
New king of Judah: Jehoahaz
His age at the beginning of his reign: 23 years old
Length of reign: 3 months, in Jerusalem
Mother’s name: Hamutal (the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah)
Character of his reign: evil, like the other kings who had preceded him


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
Pharaoh Neco jailed him at Riblah in Hamath to prevent his reigning in Jerusalem, and he levied a tax against Judah totaling $230,000.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
The Egyptian king then chose Eliakim, another of Josiah’s sons, to reign in Jerusalem; and he changed his name to Jehoiakim. Then he took King Jehoahaz to Egypt, where he died.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
New king of Judah: Jehoiakim
His age at the beginning of his reign: 25 years old
Length of reign: 11 years, in Jerusalem
Mother’s name: Zebidah (daughter of Pedaiah of Rumah)
Character of his reign: evil, like the other kings who had preceded him


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
During the reign of King Jehoiakim, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon attacked Jerusalem. Jehoiakim surrendered and paid him tribute for three years, but then rebelled.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
And the Lord sent bands of Chaldeans, Syrians, Moabites, and Ammonites against Judah in order to destroy the nation, just as the Lord had warned through his prophets that he would.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
It is clear that these disasters befell Judah at the direct command of the Lord. He had decided to wipe Judah out of his sight because of the many sins of Manasseh, for he had filled Jerusalem with blood, and the Lord would not pardon it.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
(The Egyptian Pharaoh never returned after that, for the king of Babylon occupied the entire area claimed by Egypt—all of Judah from the brook of Egypt to the Euphrates River.)


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
New king of Judah: Jehoiachin
His age at the beginning of his reign: 18 years old
Length of reign: 3 months, in Jerusalem
Mother’s name: Nehushta (daughter of Elnathan, a citizen of Jerusalem)


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
and King Jehoiachin, all of his officials, and the queen mother surrendered to him. The surrender was accepted, and Jehoiachin was imprisoned in Babylon during the eighth year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
The Babylonians carried home all the treasures from the Temple and the royal palace; and they cut apart all the gold bowls which King Solomon of Israel had placed in the Temple at the Lord’s directions.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
King Nebuchadnezzar took ten thousand captives from Jerusalem, including all the princes and the best of the soldiers, craftsmen, and smiths. So only the poorest and least skilled people were left in the land.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
He also took seven thousand of the best troops and one thousand craftsmen and smiths, all of whom were strong and fit for war.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
Then the king of Babylon appointed King Jehoiachin’s great-uncle, Mattaniah, to be the next king; and he changed his name to Zedekiah.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
New king of Judah: Zedekiah
His age at the beginning of his reign: 21 years old
Length of reign: 11 years, in Jerusalem
Mother’s name: Hamutal (daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah)
Character of his reign: evil, like that of Jehoiakim


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
So the Lord finally, in his anger, destroyed the people of Jerusalem and Judah. But now King Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
Then King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon mobilized his entire army and laid siege to Jerusalem, arriving on March 25 of the ninth year of the reign of King Zedekiah of Judah.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
and that night the king and his troops made a hole in the inner wall and fled out toward the Arabah through a gate that lay between the double walls near the king’s garden. The Babylonian troops surrounding the city took out after him and captured him in the plains of Jericho, and all his men scattered.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
He was forced to watch as his sons were killed before his eyes; then his eyes were put out, and he was bound with chains and taken away to Babylon.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
General Nebuzaradan, the captain of the royal bodyguard, arrived at Jerusalem from Babylon on July 22 of the nineteenth year of the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
The remainder of the people in the city and the Jewish deserters who had declared their allegiance to the king of Babylon were all taken as exiles to Babylon.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
The Babylonians broke up the bronze pillars of the Temple and the bronze tank and its bases and carried all the bronze to Babylon.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
They also took all the pots, shovels, firepans, snuffers, spoons, and other bronze instruments used for the sacrifices. The gold and silver bowls, with all the rest of the gold and silver, were melted down to bullion.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
It was impossible to estimate the weight of the two pillars and the great tank and its bases—all made for the Temple by King Solomon—because they were so heavy.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
Each pillar was 27 feet high, with an intricate bronze network of pomegranates decorating the 4½-foot capitals at the tops of the pillars.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
The general took Seraiah, the chief priest, his assistant Zephaniah, and the three Temple guards to Babylon as captives.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
A commander of the army of Judah, the chief recruiting officer, five of the king’s counselors, and sixty farmers, all of whom were discovered hiding in the city,


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
Then King Nebuchadnezzar appointed Gedaliah (the son of Ahikam and grandson of Shaphan) as governor over the people left in Judah.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
When the Israeli guerrilla forces learned that the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah as governor, some of these underground leaders and their men joined him at Mizpah. These included Ishmael, the son of Nethaniah; Johanan, the son of Kareah; Seraiah, the son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite; and Jaazaniah, son of Maachathite, and their men.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
Gedaliah vowed that if they would give themselves up and submit to the Babylonians, they would be allowed to live in the land and would not be exiled.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
But seven months later, Ishmael, who was a member of the royal line, went to Mizpah with ten men and killed Gedaliah and his court—both the Jews and the Babylonians.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
Then all the men of Judah and the guerrilla leaders fled in panic to Egypt, for they were afraid of what the Babylonians would do to them.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
King Jehoiachin was released from prison on the twenty-seventh day of the last month of the thirty-seventh year of his captivity.
This occurred during the first year of the reign of King Evil-merodach of Babylon.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
He treated Jehoiachin kindly and gave him preferential treatment over all the other kings who were being held as prisoners in Babylon.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
Jehoiachin was given civilian clothing to replace his prison garb, and for as long as he lived, he ate regularly at the king’s table.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
These are the earliest generations of mankind: Adam, Seth, Enosh, Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared, Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech, Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.*


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The sons of Japheth were: Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras.
The sons of Gomer: Ashkenaz, Diphath, and Togarmah.
The sons of Javan: Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, and Rodanim.
The sons of Ham: Cush, Mizraim, Canaan, and Put.
The sons of Cush were: Seba, Havilah, Sabta, Raama, and Sabteca.
The sons of Raama were Sheba and Dedan.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The clans named after the sons of Mizraim were: the Ludim, the Anamim, the Lehabim, the Naphtuhim, the Pathrusim, the Caphtorim, and the Casluhim (the ancestors of the Philistines).


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Among Canaan’s sons were: Sidon (his firstborn) and Heth.
Canaan was also the ancestor of the Jebusites, Amorites, Girgashites, Hivites, Arkites, Sinites, Arvadites, Zemarites, and Hamathites.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Eber had two sons: Peleg (which means “Divided,” for it was during his lifetime that the people of the earth were divided into different language groups) and Joktan.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The sons of Joktan: Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah, Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah, Ebal, Abimael, Sheba, Ophir, Havilah, and Jobab.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
So the son of Shem was Arpachshad, the son of Arpachshad was Shelah, the son of Shelah was Eber, the son of Eber was Peleg, the son of Peleg was Reu, the son of Reu was Serug, the son of Serug was Nahor, the son of Nahor was Terah, the son of Terah was Abram (later known as Abraham).


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Abraham’s sons were Isaac and Ishmael.
The sons of Ishmael: Nebaioth (the oldest), Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Abraham also had sons by his concubine Keturah: Zimram, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah.
Jokshan’s sons were Sheba and Dedan.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The sons of Midian: Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah. These were the descendants of Abraham by his concubine Keturah.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The sons of Esau also included Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan; and Esau’s daughter was named Timna. Lotan’s sons: Hori and Homam.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Here is a list of the names of the kings of Edom who reigned before the kingdom of Israel began:
Bela (the son of Beor), who lived in the city of Dinhabah.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
When Husham died, Hadad the son of Bedad—the one who destroyed the army of Midian in the fields of Moab—became king and ruled from the city of Avith.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
When Baal-hanan died, Hadad became king and ruled from the city of Pai (his wife was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred and granddaughter of Mezahab).


book: 1Chr
contenido:
At the time of Hadad’s death, the kings of Edom were: Chief Timna, Chief Aliah, Chief Jetheth, Chief Oholibamah, Chief Elah, Chief Pinon, Chief Kenaz, Chief Teman, Chief Mibzar, Chief Magdiel, Chief Iram.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The sons of Israel were: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Dan, Joseph, Benjamin, Naphtali, Gad, Asher.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Judah had three sons by Bathshua, a girl from Canaan: Er, Onan, and Shelah. But the oldest son, Er, was so wicked that the Lord killed him.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Then Er’s widow, Tamar, and her father-in-law, Judah, became the parents of twin sons, Perez and Zerah. So Judah had five sons.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
He also had two girls (by the same wife) named Zeruiah and Abigail.
Zeruiah’s sons were Abishai, Joab, and Asahel.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Caleb (the son of Hezron) had two wives, Azubah and Jerioth. These are the children of Azubah: Jesher, Shobab, and Ardon.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Hezron married Machir’s daughter at the age of sixty, and she presented him with a son, Segub. (Machir was also the father of Gilead.)


book: 1Chr
contenido:
But Geshur and Aram wrested these cities from him and also took Kenath and its sixty surrounding villages.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Soon after his father Hezron’s death, Caleb married Ephrathah, his father’s widow, and she gave birth to Ashhur, the father of Tekoa.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
These are the sons of Jerahmeel (the oldest son of Hezron): Ram (the oldest), Bunah, Oren, Ozem, and Ahijah.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Sheshan had no sons, although he had several daughters. He gave one of his daughters to be the wife of Jarha, his Egyptian servant. And they had a son whom they named Attai.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The oldest son of Caleb (Jerahmeel’s brother) was Mesha; he was the father of Ziph, who was father of Mareshah, who was the father of Hebron.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Another of Caleb’s concubines, Maacah, bore him Sheber, Tirhanah, Shaaph (the father of Madmannah), and Sheva (the father of Machbenah and of Gibea). Caleb also had a daughter, whose name was Achsah.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The sons of Hur (who was the oldest son of Caleb and Ephrathah) were Shobal (the father of Kiriath-jearim),


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The families of Kiriath-jearim were the Ithrites, the Puthites, the Shumathites, and the Mishraites (from whom descended the Zorathites and Eshtaolites).


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The descendants of Salma were his son Bethlehem, the Netophathites, Atrothbeth-joab, half the Manahathites, and the Zorites;


book: 1Chr
contenido:
they also included the families of the writers living at Jabez—the Tirathites, Shimeathites, and Sucathites. All these are Kenites who descended from Hammath, the founder of the family of Rechab.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
King David’s oldest son was Amnon, who was born to his wife, Ahinoam of Jezreel.
The second was Daniel, whose mother was Abigail from Carmel.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The third was Absalom, the son of his wife Maacah, who was the daughter of King Talmai of Geshur.
The fourth was Adonijah, the son of Haggith.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
These six were born to him in Hebron, where he reigned seven and a half years. Then he moved the capital to Jerusalem, where he reigned another thirty-three years.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
While he was in Jerusalem, his wife Bathsheba (the daughter of Ammiel) became the mother of his sons Shimea, Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
David also had nine other sons: Ibhar, Elishama, Eliphelet, Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
These are the descendants of King Solomon: Rehoboam, Abijah, Asa, Jehoshaphat, Jehoram, Ahaziah, Joash, Amaziah, Azariah,* Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah, Manasseh, Amon, Josiah.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
These are the sons who were born to King Jeconiah during the years that he was under house arrest: Shealtiel, Malchiram, Pedaiah, Shenazzar, Jekamiah, Hoshama, Nedabiah.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Pedaiah was the father of Zerubbabel and Shimei.
Zerubbabel’s children were: Meshullam, Hananiah, Hashubah, Ohel, Berechiah, Hasadiah, Jushab-hesed, Shelomith (a daughter).


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Hananiah’s sons were Pelatiah and Jeshaiah; Jeshaiah’s son was Rephaiah; Rephaiah’s son was Arnan; Arnan’s son was Obadiah; Obadiah’s son was Shecaniah. Shecaniah’s son was Shemaiah; Shemaiah had six sons, including Hattush, Igal, Bariah, Neariah, and Shaphat.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Shobal’s son Reaiah was the father of Jahath, the ancestor of Ahumai and Lahad. These were known as the Zorathite clans.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The descendants of Etam: Jezreel, Ishma, Idbash, Hazzelelponi (his daughter), Penuel (the ancestor of Gedor), Ezer (the ancestor of Hushah), the son of Hur, the oldest son of Ephrathah, who was the father of Bethlehem.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Koz was the father of Anub and Zobebah; he was also the ancestor of the clan named after Aharhel, the son of Harum.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Jabez was more distinguished than any of his brothers. His mother named him Jabez because she had such a hard time at his birth (Jabez means “Distress”).


book: 1Chr
contenido:
He was the one who prayed to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would wonderfully bless me and help me in my work; please be with me in all that I do, and keep me from all evil and disaster!” And God granted him his request.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The descendants of Recah were:
Chelub (the brother of Shuhah), whose son was Mahir, the father of Eshton;
Eshton was the father of Bethrapha, Paseah, and Tehinnah;
Tehinnah was the father of Irnahash.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Meonothai was the father of Ophrah;
Seraiah was the father of Joab, the ancestor of the inhabitants of Craftsman Valley (called that because many craftsmen lived there).


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Ezrah’s sons were: Jether, Mered, Epher, Jalon.
Mered married Bithiah, an Egyptian princess. She was the mother of Miriam, Shammai, and Ishbah—an ancestor of Eshtemoa.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Eshtemoa’s wife was a Jewess; she was the mother of Jered, Heber, and Jekuthiel, who were, respectively, the ancestors of the Gedorites, Socoites, and Zanoahites.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Hodiah’s wife was the sister of Naham. One of her sons was the father of Keilah the Garmite, and another was the father of Eshtemoa the Maacathite.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The sons of Shelah (the son of Judah):
Er (the father of Lecah),
Laadah (the father of Mareshah),
The families of the linen workers who worked at Beth-ashbea,
Jokim,
The clans of Cozeba,
Joash,
Saraph (who was a ruler in Moab before he returned to Lehem).
These names all come from very ancient records.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Shimei had sixteen sons and six daughters, but none of his brothers had large families—they all had fewer children than was normal in Judah.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Beth-marcaboth, Hazar-susim, Beth-biri, and Shaaraim. These cities were under their control until the time of David.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Their descendants also lived in or near Etam, Ain, Rimmon, Tochen, and Ashan; some were as far away as Baal. (These facts are recorded in their genealogies.)


book: 1Chr
contenido:
These are the names of some of the princes of wealthy clans who traveled to the east side of Gedor Valley in search of pasture for their flocks: Meshobab, Jamlech, Joshah, Joel, Jehu, Elioenai, Jaakobah, Jeshohaiah, Asaiah, Adiel, Jesimiel, Benaiah, Ziza (the son of Shiphi, son of Allon, son of Jedaiah, son of Shimri, son of Shemaiah).


book: 1Chr
contenido:
They found good pastures, and everything was quiet and peaceful; but the land belonged to the descendants of Ham.
So during the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah these princes invaded the land and struck down the tents and houses of the descendants of Ham; they killed the inhabitants of the land and took possession of it for themselves.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Later, five hundred of these invaders from the tribe of Simeon went to Mount Seir. (Their leaders were Pelatiah, Neariah, Rephaiah, and Uzziel—all sons of Ishi.)


book: 1Chr
contenido:
There they destroyed the few surviving members of the tribe of Amalek. And they have lived there ever since.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The oldest son of Israel was Reuben, but since he dishonored his father by sleeping with one of his father’s wives, his birthright was given to his half brother, Joseph. So the official genealogy doesn’t name Reuben as the oldest son.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Although Joseph received the birthright, yet Judah was a powerful and influential tribe in Israel, and from Judah came a prince.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Baal’s son was Beerah. He was a prince of the tribe of Reuben and was taken into captivity by King Tilgath-pilneser of Assyria.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
His relatives became heads of clans and were included in the official genealogy: Jeiel, Zechariah, Bela (the son of Azaz, grandson of Shema, and great-grandson of Joel).
These Reubenites lived in Aroer and as far distant as Mount Nebo and Baal-meon.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Joel was a cattleman, and he pastured his animals eastward to the edge of the desert and to the Euphrates River, for there were many cattle in the land of Gilead.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
During the reign of King Saul, the men of Reuben defeated the Hagrites in war and moved into their tents on the eastern edge of Gilead.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Across from them, in the land of Bashan, lived the descendants of Gad, who were spread as far as Salecah.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Their relatives, the heads of the seven clans, were Michael, Meshullam, Sheba, Jorai, Jacan, Zia, and Eber.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The descendants of Buz, in the order of their generations, were: Jahdo, Jeshishai, Michael, Gilead, Jaroah, Huri, Abihail.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The clan lived in and around Gilead (in the land of Bashan) and throughout the entire pasture country of Sharon.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
All were included in the official genealogy at the time of King Jotham of Judah and King Jeroboam of Israel.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
There were 44,760 armed, trained, and brave troops in the army of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
They cried out to God to help them, and he did, for they trusted in him. So the Hagrites and all their allies were defeated.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
A great number of the enemy also died in the battle, for God was fighting against them. So the Reubenites lived in the territory of the Hagrites until the time of the exile.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The half-tribe of Manasseh spread through the land from Bashan to Baal-hermon, Senir, and Mount Hermon. They too were very numerous.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The chiefs of their clans were the following: Epher, Ishi, Eliel, Azriel, Jeremiah, Hodaviah, Jahdiel.
Each of these men had a great reputation as a warrior and leader.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
But they were not true to the God of their fathers; instead they worshiped the idols of the people whom God had destroyed.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
So God caused King Pul of Assyria (also known as Tilgath-pilneser III) to invade the land and deport the men of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. They took them to Halah, Habor, Hara, and the Gozan River, where they remain to this day.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Amram’s descendants included: Aaron, Moses, Miriam.
Aaron’s sons were: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, Ithamar.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The oldest sons of the successive generations of Aaron were as follows:
Eleazar, the father of
Phinehas, the father of
Abishua, the father of
Bukki, the father of
Uzzi, the father of
Zerahiah, the father of
Meraioth, the father of
Amariah, the father of
Ahitub, the father of
Zadok, the father of
Ahimaaz, the father of
Azariah, the father of
Johanan, the father of
Azariah (the High Priest in Solomon’s Temple at Jerusalem), the father of
Amariah, the father of
Ahitub, the father of
Zadok, the father of
Shallum, the father of
Hilkiah, the father of
Azariah, the father of
Seraiah, the father of
Jehozadak (who went into exile when the Lord sent the people of Judah and Jerusalem into captivity under Nebuchadnezzar).


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The sons of Merari were: Mahli, Mushi.
The subclans of the Levites were:
In the Gershom clan: Libni, Jahath, Zimmah, Joah, Iddo, Zerah, Jeatherai.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
In the Kohath clan: Amminadab, Korah, Assir, Elkanah, Ebiasaph, Assir, Tahath, Uriel, Uzziah, Shaul.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The subclan of Elkanah was further divided into the families of his sons: Amasai, Ahimoth, Elkanah, Zophai, Nahath, Eliab, Jeroham, Elkanah.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The families of the subclan of Samuel were headed by Samuel’s sons: Joel, the oldest; Abijah, the second.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The subclans of the clan of Merari were headed by his sons: Mahli, Libni, Shimei, Uzzah, Shimea, Haggiah, Asaiah.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
King David appointed song leaders and choirs to praise God in the Tabernacle after he had placed the Ark in it.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
These are the names and ancestries of choir leaders: Heman the Cantor was from the clan of Kohath; his genealogy was traced back through: Joel, Samuel, Elkanah III, Jeroham, Eliel, Toah, Zuph, Elkanah II, Mahath, Amasai, Elkanah I, Joel, Azariah, Zephaniah, Tahath, Assir, Ebiasaph, Korah, Izhar, Kohath, Levi, Israel.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Heman’s assistant was his colleague Asaph, whose genealogy was traced back through: Berechiah, Shimea, Michael, Baaseiah, Malchijah, Ethni, Zerah, Adaiah, Ethan, Zimmah, Shimei, Jahath, Gershom, Levi.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Heman’s second assistant was Ethan, a representative from the clan of Merari, who stood on his left. Merari’s ancestry was traced back through: Kishi, Abdi, Malluch, Hashabiah, Amaziah, Hilkiah, Amzi, Bani, Shemer, Mahli, Mushi, Merari, Levi.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
But only Aaron and his descendants were the priests. Their duties included sacrificing burnt offerings and incense, handling all the tasks relating to the inner sanctuary—the Holy of Holies—and the tasks relating to the annual Day of Atonement for Israel. They saw to it that all the details commanded by Moses the servant of God were strictly followed.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The descendants of Aaron were: Eleazar, Phinehas, Abishua, Bukki, Uzzi, Zerahiah, Meraioth, Amariah, Ahitub, Zadok, Ahimaaz.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
This is a record of the cities and land assigned by lot to the descendants of Aaron, all of whom were members of the Kohath clan:


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Hebron and its surrounding pasturelands in Judah (although the fields and suburbs were given to Caleb the son of Jephunneh),


book: 1Chr
contenido:
and the following Cities of Refuge with their surrounding pasturelands: Libnah, Jattir, Eshtemoa, Hilen, Debir, Ashan, Beth-shemesh.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Thirteen other cities with surrounding pastures—including Geba, Alemeth, and Anathoth—were given to the priests by the tribe of Benjamin.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Lots were then drawn to assign land to the remaining descendants of Kohath, and they received ten cities in the territory of the half-tribe of Manasseh.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The subclans of the Gershom clan received by lot thirteen cities in the Bashan area from the tribes of Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and Manasseh.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Cities and pasturelands were also assigned by lot to the Levites (and then renamed) from the tribes of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The tribe of Ephraim gave these Cities of Refuge with the surrounding pasturelands to the subclans of Kohath: Shechem in Mount Ephraim, Gezer, Jokmeam, Beth-horon, Aijalon, Gath-rimmon.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The following Cities of Refuge and their pasturelands were given to the subclans of the Kohathites by the half-tribe of Manasseh: Aner, Bileam.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Cities of Refuge and pastureland given to the clan of Gershom by the half-tribe of Manasseh were: Golan, in Bashan; Ashtaroth.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
And across the Jordan River, opposite Jericho, the tribe of Reuben gave them Bezer (a desert town), Jahzah, Kedemoth, and Mephaath, along with their pasturelands.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The sons of Tola, each of whom was the head of a subclan: Uzzi, Rephaiah, Jeriel, Jahmai, Ibsam, Shemuel.
At the time of King David, the total number of men of war from these families was 22,600.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Uzzi’s son was Izrahiah among whose five sons were Michael, Obadiah, Joel, and Isshiah, all chiefs of subclans.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Their descendants, at the time of King David, numbered 36,000 troops; for all five of them had several wives and many sons.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The total number of men available for military service from all the clans of the tribe of Issachar was 87,000 stouthearted warriors, all included in the official genealogy.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The sons of Bela: Ezbon, Uzzi, Uzziel, Jerimoth, Iri.
These five mighty warriors were chiefs of subclans and were the leaders of 22,034 troops (all of whom were recorded in the official genealogies).


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The sons of Becher were: Zemirah, Joash, Eliezer, Elioenai, Omri, Jeremoth, Abijah, Anathoth, Alemeth.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
At the time of David there were 20,200 mighty warriors among their descendants; and they were led by their clan chiefs.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The son of Jediael was Bilhan.
The sons of Bilhan were: Jeush, Benjamin, Ehud, Chenaanah, Zethan, Tarshish, Ahishahar.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
They were the chiefs of the subclans of Jediael, and their descendants included 17,200 warriors at the time of King David.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The sons of Manasseh, born to his Aramaean concubine, were Asriel and Machir (who became the father of Gilead).


book: 1Chr
contenido:
It was Machir who found wives for Huppim and Shuppim. Machir’s sister was Maacah. Another descendant was Zelophehad, who had only daughters.*


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Machir’s wife, also named Maacah, bore him a son whom she named Peresh; his brother’s name was Sheresh, and he had sons named Ulam and Rakem.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Ulam’s son was Bedan. So these were the sons of Gilead, the grandsons of Machir, and the great-grandsons of Manasseh.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The sons of Ephraim: Shuthelah, Bered, Tahath, Eleadah, Tahath, Zabad, Shuthelah, Ezer, Elead.
Elead and Ezer attempted to rustle cattle at Gath, but they were killed by the local farmers.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Afterwards his wife conceived and bore a son whom he called Beriah (meaning “a tragedy”) because of what had happened.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
This is Ephraim’s line of descent:
Rephah, the father of
Resheph, the father of
Telah, the father of
Tahan, the father of
Ladan, the father of
Ammihud, the father of
Elishama, the father of
Nun, the father of
Joshua.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
They lived in an area bounded on one side by Bethel and its surrounding towns, on the east by Naaran, on the west by Gezer and its villages, and finally by Shechem and its surrounding villages as far as Ayyah and its towns.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The tribe of Manasseh, descendants of Joseph the son of Israel, controlled the following cities and their surrounding areas: Beth-shean, Taanach, Megiddo, and Dor.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The sons of Zophah were: Suah, Harnepher, Shual, Beri, Imrah, Bezer, Hod, Shamma, Shilshah, Ithran, Beera.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
These descendants of Asher were heads of subclans and were all skilled warriors and chiefs. Their descendants in the official genealogy numbered 36,000 men of war.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The sons of Benjamin, according to age, were: Bela, the first, Ashbel, the second, Aharah, the third, Nohah, the fourth, Rapha, the fifth.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The sons of Ehud, chiefs of the subclans living at Geba, were captured in war and exiled to Manahath. They were: Naaman, Ahijah, Gera (also called Heglam), the father of Uzza and Ahihud.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Shaharaim divorced his wives Hushim and Baara, but he had children in the land of Moab by Hodesh, his new wife: Jobab, Zibia, Mesha, Malcam, Jeuz, Sachia, Mirmah.
These sons all became chiefs of subclans.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The sons of Elpaal were: Eber, Misham, Shemed (who built Ono and Lod and their surrounding villages).


book: 1Chr
contenido:
His other sons were Beriah and Shema, chiefs of subclans living in Aijalon; they chased out the inhabitants of Gath.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The sons of Shimei were: Jakim, Zichri, Zabdi, Elienai, Zillethai, Eliel, Adaiah, Beraiah, Shimrath.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The sons of Shashak were: Ishpan, Eber, Eliel, Abdon, Zichri, Hanan, Hananiah, Elam, Anthothijah, Iphdeiah, Penuel.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
His oldest son was named Abdon, followed by: Zur, Kish, Baal, Nadab, Gedor, Ahio, Zecher, Mikloth who was the father of Shimeah.
All of these families lived together near Jerusalem.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Ner was the father of Kish, and Kish was the father of Saul;
Saul’s sons included: Jonathan, Malchi-shua, Abinadab, Eshbaal.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Ahaz was the father of Jehoaddah, Jehoaddah was the father of: Alemeth, Azmaveth, Zimri. Zimri’s son was Moza.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Ulam’s sons were prominent warriors who were expert marksmen with their bows. These men had 150 sons and grandsons, and they were all from the tribe of Benjamin.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The family tree of every person in Israel was carefully recorded in The Annals of the Kings of Israel.
Judah was exiled to Babylon because the people worshiped idols.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The first to return and live again in their former cities were families from the tribes of Israel and also the priests, the Levites, and the Temple assistants.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
One family was that of Uthai (the son of Ammihud, son of Omri, son of Imri, son of Bani) of the clan of Perez (son of Judah).


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Among the members of the tribe of Benjamin who returned were these:
Sallu (the son of Meshullam, the son of Hodaviah, the son of Hassenuah);
Ibneiah (the son of Jeroham);
Elah (the son of Uzzi, the son of Michri);
Meshullam (the son of Shephatiah, the son of Reuel, the son of Ibnijah).


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The priests who returned were:
Jedaiah, Jehoiarib, Jachin,
Azariah (the son of Hilkiah, son of Meshullam, son of Zadok, son of Meraioth, son of Ahitub). He was the chief custodian of the Temple.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Another of the returning priests was Adaiah (son of Jeroham, son of Pashhur, son of Malchijah).
Another priest was Maasai (son of Adiel, son of Jahzerah, son of Meshullam, son of Meshillemith, son of Immer).


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Among the Levites who returned was Shemaiah (son of Hasshub, son of Azrikam, son of Hashabiah, who was a descendant of Merari).


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Other Levites who returned included:
Bakbakkar, Heresh, Galal,
Mattaniah (the son of Mica, who was the son of Zichri, who was the son of Asaph),
Obadiah (the son of Shemaiah, son of Galal, son of Jeduthun),
Berechiah (the son of Asa, son of Elkanah, who lived in the area of the Netophathites).


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The gatekeepers were Shallum (the chief gatekeeper), Akkub, Talmon, and Ahiman—all Levites. They are still responsible for the eastern royal gate.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Shallum’s ancestry went back through Kore and Ebiasaph to Korah. He and his close relatives the Korahites were in charge of the sacrifices and the protection of the sanctuary, just as their ancestors had supervised and guarded the Tabernacle.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, was the first director of this division in ancient times. And the Lord was with him.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
At that time Zechariah, the son of Meshelemiah, had been responsible for the protection of the entrance to the Tabernacle.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
There were 212 doorkeepers in those days. They were chosen from their villages on the basis of their genealogies, and they were appointed by David and Samuel because of their reliability.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
And their relatives in the villages were assigned to help them from time to time, for seven days at a time.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The four head gatekeepers, all Levites, were in an office of great trust, for they were responsible for the rooms and treasuries in the Tabernacle of God.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Because of their important positions, they lived near the Tabernacle, and they opened the gates each morning.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Some of them were assigned to care for the various vessels used in the sacrifices and worship; they checked them in and out to avoid loss.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Others were responsible for the furniture, the items in the sanctuary, and the supplies such as fine flour, wine, incense, and spices.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
And Mattithiah (a Levite and the oldest son of Shallum the Korahite) was entrusted with making the flat cakes for grain offerings.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Some members of the Kohath clan were in charge of the preparation of the special bread each Sabbath.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The cantors were all prominent Levites. They lived in Jerusalem at the Temple and were on duty at all hours. They were free from other responsibilities and were selected by their genealogies.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Jeiel (whose wife was Maacah) lived in Gibeon. He had many sons, including: Gibeon, Abdon (the oldest), Zur, Kish, Baal, Ner, Nadab, Gedor, Ahio, Zechariah, Mikloth.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Ner was the father of Kish, Kish was the father of Saul, Saul was the father of Jonathan, Malchi-shua, Abinadab, and Eshbaal.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Ahaz was the father of Jarah;
Jarah was the father of Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri;
Zimri was the father of Moza.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The Philistines attacked and defeated the Israeli troops, who turned and fled and were slaughtered on the slopes of Mount Gilboa.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
They caught up with Saul and his three sons, Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchi-shua, and killed them all.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Saul had been hard pressed with heavy fighting all around him, when the Philistine archers shot and wounded him.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
He cried out to his bodyguard, “Quick, kill me with your sword before these uncircumcised heathen capture and torture me.”
But the man was afraid to do it, so Saul took his own sword and fell against its point; and it pierced his body.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
When the Israelis in the valley below the mountain heard that their troops had been routed and that Saul and his sons were dead, they abandoned their cities and fled. And the Philistines came and lived in them.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
When the Philistines went back the next day to strip the bodies of the men killed in action and to gather the booty from the battlefield, they found the bodies of Saul and his sons.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
So they stripped off Saul’s armor and cut off his head; then they displayed them throughout the nation and celebrated the wonderful news before their idols.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
They fastened his armor to the walls of the Temple of the Gods and nailed his head to the wall of Dagon’s temple.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
their heroic warriors went out to the battlefield and brought back his body and the bodies of his three sons. Then they buried them beneath the oak tree at Jabesh and mourned and fasted for seven days.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
and did not ask the Lord for guidance. So the Lord killed him and gave the kingdom to David, the son of Jesse.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
and even when Saul was king, you were the one who led our armies to battle and brought them safely back again. And the Lord your God has told you, ‘You shall be the shepherd of my people Israel. You shall be their king.’”


book: 1Chr
contenido:
So David made a contract with them before the Lord, and they anointed him as king of Israel, just as the Lord had told Samuel.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Then David and the leaders went to Jerusalem (or Jebus, as it used to be called) where the Jebusites—the original inhabitants of the land—lived.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
But the people of Jebus refused to let them enter the city. So David captured the fortress of Zion, later called the City of David, and said to his men, “The first man to kill a Jebusite shall be made commander-in-chief!” Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was the first, so he became the general of David’s army.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
These are the names of some of the bravest of David’s warriors (who also encouraged the leaders of Israel to make David their king, as the Lord had said would happen):


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Jashobeam (the son of a man from Hachmon) was the leader of The Top Three—the three greatest heroes among David’s men. He once killed 300 men with his spear.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
He was with David in the battle against the Philistines at Pasdammim. The Israeli army was in a barley field and had begun to run away,


book: 1Chr
contenido:
but he held his ground in the middle of the field, and recovered it and slaughtered the Philistines; and the Lord saved them with a great victory.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Another time, three of The Thirty went to David while he was hiding in the cave of Adullam. The Philistines were camped in the valley of Rephaim,


book: 1Chr
contenido:
David wanted a drink from the Bethlehem well beside the gate, and when he mentioned this to his men,


book: 1Chr
contenido:
these three broke through to the Philistine camp, drew some water from the well, and brought it back to David. But he refused to drink it! Instead he poured it out as an offering to the Lord and said, “God forbid that I should drink it! It is the very blood of these men who risked their lives to get it.”


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Abishai, Joab’s brother, was commander of The Thirty. He had gained his place among The Thirty by killing 300 men at one time with his spear.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Benaiah, whose father was a mighty warrior from Kabzeel, killed the two famous giants from Moab. He also killed a lion in a slippery pit when there was snow on the ground.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Once he killed an Egyptian who was seven and a half feet tall, whose spear was as thick as a weaver’s beam. But Benaiah went up to him with only a club in his hand, and pulled the spear away from him and used it to kill him.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
He was nearly as great as The Three, and he was very famous among The Thirty. David made him captain of his bodyguard.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Other famous warriors among David’s men were:
Asahel (Joab’s brother);
Elhanan, the son of Dodo from Bethlehem;
Shammoth from Harod;
Helez from Pelon;
Ira (son of Ikkesh) from Tekoa;
Abiezer from Anathoth;
Sibbecai from Hushath;
Ilai from Ahoh;
Maharai from Netophah;
Heled (son of Baanah) from Netophah;
Ithai (son of Ribai) a Benjaminite from Gibeah;
Benaiah from Pirathon;
Hurai from near the brooks of Gaash;
Abiel from Arbath;
Azmaveth from Baharum;
Eliahba from Shaalbon;
The sons of Hashem from Gizon;
Jonathan (son of Shagee) from Harar;
Ahiam (son of Sacher) from Harar;
Eliphal (son of Ur);
Hepher from Mecherath;
Ahijah from Pelon;
Hezro from Carmel;
Naarai (son of Ezbai);
Joel (brother of Nathan);
Mibhar (son of Hagri);
Zelek from Ammon;
Naharai from Beeroth—he was General Joab’s armor bearer;
Ira from Ithra;
Gareb from Ithra;
Uriah the Hittite;
Zabad (son of Ahlai);
Adina (son of Shiza) from the tribe of Reuben—he was among the thirty-one leaders of the tribe of Reuben;
Hanan (son of Maacah);
Joshaphat from Mithna;
Uzzia from Ashterath;
Shama and Jeiel (sons of Hotham) from Aroer;
Jediael (son of Shimri);
Joha (his brother) from Tiza;
Eliel from Mahavi;
Jeribai and Joshaviah (sons of Elnaam);
Ithmah from Moab;
Eliel; Obed; Jaasiel from Mezoba.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
These are the names of the famous warriors who joined David at Ziklag while he was hiding from King Saul.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
All of them were expert archers and slingers, and they could use their left hands as readily as their right! Like King Saul, they were all of the tribe of Benjamin.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Their chief was Ahiezer, son of Shemaah from Gibeah. The others were:
His brother Joash; Jeziel and Pelet, sons of Azmaveth; Beracah; Jehu from Anathoth; Ishmaiah from Gibeon (a brave warrior rated as high or higher than The Thirty); Jeremiah; Jahaziel; Johanan; Jozabad from Gederah; Eluzai; Jerimoth; Bealiah; Shemariah; Shephatiah from Haruph; Elkanah, Isshiah, Azarel, Joezer, Jashobeam—all Korahites; Joelah and Zebadiah (sons of Jeroham from Gedor).


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Great and brave warriors from the tribe of Gad also went to David in the wilderness. They were experts with both shield and spear and were “lion-faced men, swift as deer upon the mountains.”
Ezer was the chief;
Obadiah was second in command;
Eliab was third in command;
Mishmannah was fourth in command;
Jeremiah was fifth in command;
Attai was sixth in command;
Eliel was seventh in command;
Johanan was eighth in command;
Elzabad was ninth in command;
Jeremiah was tenth in command;
Machbannai was eleventh in command.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
These men were army officers; the weakest was worth a hundred normal troops, and the greatest was worth a thousand!


book: 1Chr
contenido:
They crossed the Jordan River during its seasonal flooding and conquered the lowlands on both the east and west banks.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
David went out to meet them and said, “If you have come to help me, we are friends; but if you have come to betray me to my enemies when I am innocent, then may the God of our fathers see and judge you.”


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Then the Holy Spirit came upon them, and Amasai, a leader of The Thirty, replied,
“We are yours, David;
We are on your side, son of Jesse.
Peace, peace be unto you,
And peace to all who aid you;
For your God is with you.”
So David let them join him, and he made them captains of his army.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Some men from Manasseh deserted the Israeli army and joined David just as he was going into battle with the Philistines against King Saul. But as it turned out, the Philistine generals refused to let David and his men go with them. After much discussion they sent them back, for they were afraid that David and his men would imperil them by deserting to King Saul.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Here is a list of the men from Manasseh who deserted to David as he was en route to Ziklag: Adnah, Jozabad, Jediael, Michael, Jozabad, Elihu, Zillethai.
Each was a high-ranking officer of Manasseh’s troops.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
They were brave and able warriors, and they assisted David when he fought against the Amalek raiders at Ziklag.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Here is the registry of recruits who joined David at Hebron. They were all anxious to see David become king instead of Saul, just as the Lord had said would happen.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
From Judah, 6,800 troops armed with shields and spears.
From the tribe of Simeon, 7,100 outstanding warriors.
From the Levites, 4,600.
From the priests—descendants of Aaron—there were 3,700 troops under the command of Zadok, a young man of unusual courage, and Jehoiada. (He and twenty-two members of his family were officers of the fighting priests.)
From the tribe of Benjamin, the same tribe Saul was from, there were 3,000. (Most of that tribe retained its allegiance to Saul.)
From the tribe of Ephraim, 20,800 mighty warriors, each famous in his respective clan.
From the half-tribe of Manasseh, 18,000 were sent for the express purpose of helping David become king.
From the tribe of Issachar there were 200 leaders of the tribe with their relatives—all men who understood the temper of the times and knew the best course for Israel to take.
From the tribe of Zebulun there were 50,000 trained warriors; they were fully armed and totally loyal to David.
From Naphtali there were 1,000 officers and 37,000 troops equipped with shields and spears.
From the tribe of Dan there were 28,600 troops, all of them prepared for war.
From the tribe of Asher, there were 40,000 trained and ready troops.
From the other side of the Jordan River—where the tribes of Reuben and Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh lived—there were 120,000 troops equipped with every kind of weapon.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
All these men came in battle array to Hebron with the single purpose of making David the king of Israel. In fact, all of Israel was ready for this change.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
People from nearby and from as far away as Issachar, Zebulun, and Naphtali brought food on donkeys, camels, mules, and oxen. Vast supplies of flour, fig cakes, raisins, wine, oil, cattle, and sheep were brought to the celebration, for joy had spread throughout the land.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
he addressed the assembled men of Israel as follows:
“Since you think that I should be your king, and since the Lord our God has given his approval, let us send messages to our brothers throughout the land of Israel, including the priests and Levites, inviting them to come and join us.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
And let us bring back the Ark of our God, for we have been neglecting it ever since Saul became king.”


book: 1Chr
contenido:
So David summoned the people of Israel from all across the nation so that they could be present when the Ark of God was brought from Kiriath-jearim.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Then David and all Israel went to Baalah (i.e., Kiriath-jearim) in Judah to bring back the Ark of the Lord God enthroned above the Guardian Angels.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Then David and all the people danced before the Lord with great enthusiasm, accompanied by singing and by zithers, harps, tambourines, cymbals, and trumpets.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
But as they arrived at the threshing floor of Chidon, the oxen stumbled and Uzza reached out his hand to steady the Ark.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Then the anger of the Lord blazed out against Uzza, and killed him because he had touched the Ark. And so he died there before God.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
David was angry at the Lord for what he had done to Uzza and he named the place “The Outbreak Against Uzza.” And it is still called that today.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Finally he decided to take it to the home of Obed-edom the Gittite instead of bringing it to the City of David.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The Ark remained there with the family of Obed-edom for three months, and the Lord blessed him and his family.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
King Hiram of Tyre sent masons and carpenters to help build David’s palace and he supplied him with much cedar lumber.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
David now realized why the Lord had made him king and why he had made his kingdom so great; it was for a special reason—to give joy to God’s people!


book: 1Chr
contenido:
After David moved to Jerusalem, he married additional wives and became the father of many sons and daughters.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
These are the names of the sons born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet, Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, Elishama, Beeliada, Eliphelet.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
When the Philistines heard that David was Israel’s new king, they mobilized their forces to capture him. But David learned that they were on the way, so he called together his army.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
and David asked the Lord, “If I go out and fight them, will you give me the victory?”
And the Lord replied, “Yes, I will.”


book: 1Chr
contenido:
So he attacked them at Baal-perazim and wiped them out. He exulted, “God has used me to sweep away my enemies like water bursting through a dam!” That is why the place has been known as Baal-perazim ever since (meaning, “The Place of Breaking Through”).


book: 1Chr
contenido:
After the battle the Israelis picked up many idols left by the Philistines, but David ordered them burned.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
and again David asked God what to do.
The Lord replied, “Go around by the mulberry trees and attack from there.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
When you hear a sound like marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, that is your signal to attack, for God will go before you and destroy the enemy.”


book: 1Chr
contenido:
So David did as the Lord commanded him; and he cut down the army of the Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
David now built several palaces for himself in Jerusalem, and he also built a new Tabernacle to house the Ark of God,


book: 1Chr
contenido:
and issued these instructions: “When we transfer the Ark to its new home, no one except the Levites may carry it, for God has chosen them for this purpose; they are to minister to him forever.”


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Then David summoned all Israel to Jerusalem to celebrate the bringing of the Ark into the new Tabernacle.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
These were the priests and Levites present:
120 from the clan of Kohath; with Uriel as their leader;
220 from the clan of Merari; with Asaiah as their leader;
130 from the clan of Gershom; with Joel as their leader;
200 from the subclan of Elizaphan; with Shemaiah as their leader;
80 from the subclan of Hebron; with Eliel as their leader;
112 from the subclan of Uzziel; with Amminadab as their leader.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Then David called for Zadok and Abiathar, the High Priests, and for the Levite leaders: Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel, and Amminadab.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
“You are the leaders of the clans of the Levites,” he told them. “Now sanctify yourselves with all your brothers so that you may bring the Ark of Jehovah, the God of Israel, to the place I have prepared for it.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
So the priests and the Levites underwent the ceremonies of sanctification in preparation for bringing home the Ark of Jehovah, the God of Israel.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Then the Levites carried the Ark on their shoulders with its carrying poles, just as the Lord had instructed Moses.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
King David also ordered the Levite leaders to organize the singers into an orchestra, and they played loudly and joyously upon psaltries, harps, and cymbals.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Heman (son of Joel), Asaph (son of Berechiah), and Ethan (son of Kushaiah) from the clan of Merari were the heads of the musicians.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The following men were chosen as their assistants: Zechariah, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-edom and Jeiel, the doorkeepers.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
and Zechariah, Aziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Maaseiah, and Benaiah comprised an octet accompanied by harps.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah, and Eliezer—all of whom were priests—formed a bugle corps to march at the head of the procession. And Obed-edom and Jehiah guarded the Ark.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Then David and the elders of Israel and the high officers of the army went with great joy to the home of Obed-edom to take the Ark to Jerusalem.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
And because God didn’t destroy the Levites who were carrying the Ark, they sacrificed seven bulls and seven lambs.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
David, the Levites carrying the Ark, the singers, and Chenaniah the song leader were all dressed in linen robes. David also wore a linen ephod.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
So the leaders of Israel took the Ark to Jerusalem with shouts of joy, the blowing of horns and trumpets, the crashing of cymbals, and loud playing on the harps and zithers.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
(But as the Ark arrived in Jerusalem, David’s wife Michal, the daughter of King Saul, felt a deep disgust for David as she watched from the window and saw him dancing like a madman.)


book: 1Chr
contenido:
So they brought the Ark of God into the special tent that David had prepared for it, and the leaders of Israel sacrificed burnt offerings and peace offerings before God.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
then he gave every person present (men and women alike) a loaf of bread, some wine, and a cake of raisins.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
He appointed certain of the Levites to minister before the Ark by giving constant praise and thanks to the Lord God of Israel and by asking for his blessings upon his people. These are the names of those given this assignment:


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Asaph, the leader of this detail, sounded the cymbals. His associates were Zechariah, Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-edom, and Jeiel; they played the harps and zithers.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
At that time David began the custom of using choirs in the Tabernacle to sing thanksgiving to the Lord. Asaph was the director of this choral group of priests.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
“Oh, give thanks to the Lord and pray to him,” they sang.
“Tell the peoples of the world
About his mighty doings.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
O descendants of his servant Abraham,
O chosen sons of Jacob,
Remember his mighty miracles
And his marvelous miracles
And his authority:


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Yes, ascribe to the Lord
The glory due his name!
Bring an offering and come before him;
Worship the Lord when clothed with holiness!


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Cry out to him, ‘Oh, save us, God of our salvation;
Bring us safely back from among the nations.
Then we will thank your holy name,
And triumph in your praise.’


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Blessed be Jehovah, God of Israel,
Forever and forevermore.”
And all the people shouted “Amen!” and praised the Lord.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
David arranged for Asaph and his fellow Levites to minister regularly at the Tabernacle, doing each day whatever needed to be done.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
This group included Obed-edom (the son of Jeduthun), Hosah, and sixty-eight of their colleagues as guards.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Meanwhile the old Tabernacle of the Lord on the hill of Gibeon continued to be active. David left Zadok the priest and his fellow priests to minister to the Lord there.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
They sacrificed burnt offerings to the Lord each morning and evening upon the altar set aside for that purpose, just as the Lord had commanded Israel.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
David also appointed Heman, Jeduthun, and several others who were chosen by name to give thanks to the Lord for his constant love and mercy.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
They used their trumpets and cymbals to accompany the singers with loud praises to God. And Jeduthun’s sons were appointed as guards.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
At last the celebration ended and the people returned to their homes, and David returned to bless his own household.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
After David had been living in his new palace for some time he said to Nathan the prophet, “Look! I’m living here in a cedar-paneled home while the Ark of the Covenant of God is out there in a tent!”


book: 1Chr
contenido:
In all that time I never suggested to any of the leaders of Israel—the shepherds I appointed to care for my people—that they should build me a cedar-lined temple.’


book: 1Chr
contenido:
“Tell my servant David, ‘The Lord of heaven says to you, I took you from being a shepherd and made you the king of my people.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
And I have been with you everywhere you’ve gone; I have destroyed your enemies, and I will make your name as great as the greatest of the earth.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
And I will give a permanent home to my people Israel and will plant them in their land. They will not be disturbed again; the wicked nations won’t conquer them as they did before


book: 1Chr
contenido:
when the judges ruled them. I will subdue all of your enemies. And I now declare that I will cause your descendants to be kings of Israel just as you are.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
“‘When your time here on earth is over and you die, I will place one of your sons upon your throne; and I will make his kingdom strong.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
I will be his father, and he shall be my son; I will never remove my mercy and love from him as I did from Saul.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
I will place him over my people and over the kingdom of Israel forever—and his descendants will always be kings.’”


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Then King David went in and sat before the Lord and said, “Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my family that you have given me all this?


book: 1Chr
contenido:
For all the great things you have already done for me are nothing in comparison to what you have promised to do in the future! For now, O Lord God, you are speaking of future generations of my children being kings too! You speak as though I were someone very great.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
O Lord, you have given me these wonderful promises just because you want to be kind to me, because of your own great heart.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
O Lord, there is no one like you—there is no other God. In fact, we have never even heard of another god like you!


book: 1Chr
contenido:
“And what other nation in all the earth is like Israel? You have made a unique nation and have redeemed it from Egypt so that the people could be your people. And you made a great name for yourself when you did glorious miracles in driving out the nations from before your people.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
And may this bring eternal honor to your name as everyone realizes that you always do what you say. They will exclaim, ‘The Lord of heaven is indeed the God of Israel!’ And Israel shall always be ruled by my children and their posterity!


book: 1Chr
contenido:
May this blessing rest upon my children forever, for when you grant a blessing, Lord, it is an eternal blessing!”


book: 1Chr
contenido:
He conquered the dominion of King Hadadezer of Zobah (as far as Hamath) at the time Hadadezer went to tighten his grip along the Euphrates River.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
David captured a thousand of his chariots, seven thousand cavalry, and twenty thousand troops. He crippled all the chariot teams except a hundred that he kept for his own use.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
When the Syrians arrived from Damascus to help King Hadadezer, David killed twenty-two thousand of them;


book: 1Chr
contenido:
then he placed a garrison of his troops in Damascus, the Syrian capital. So the Syrians, too, were forced to send him large amounts of money every year. And the Lord gave David victory everywhere he went.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
as well as a great amount of bronze from Hadadezer’s cities of Tibhath and Cun. (King Solomon later melted the bronze and used it for the Temple. He molded it into the bronze tank, the pillars, and the instruments used in offering sacrifices on the altar.)


book: 1Chr
contenido:
he sent his son Hadoram to greet and congratulate King David on his success and to present him with many gifts of gold, silver, and bronze, seeking an alliance. For Hadadezer and Tou had been enemies and there had been many wars between them.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
King David dedicated these gifts to the Lord, as he did the silver and gold he took from the nations of Edom, Moab, Ammon, Amalek, and the Philistines.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
He put garrisons in Edom and forced the Edomites to pay large sums of money annually to David. This is just another example of how the Lord gave David victory after victory.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Joab (son of Zeruiah) was commander-in-chief of the army; Jehoshaphat (son of Ahilud) was the historian;


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Zadok (son of Ahitub) and Ahimelech (son of Abiathar) were the head priests; Shavsha was the king’s special assistant;


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Benaiah (son of Jehoiada) was in charge of the king’s bodyguard—the Cherethites and Pelethites—and David’s sons were his chief aides.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Then David declared, “I am going to show friendship to Hanun because of all the kind things his father did for me.”
So David sent a message of sympathy to Hanun for the death of his father. But when David’s ambassadors arrived, King Hanun’s counselors warned him, “Don’t fool yourself that David has sent these men to honor your father! They are here to spy out the land so that they can come in and conquer it!”


book: 1Chr
contenido:
So King Hanun insulted King David’s ambassadors by shaving their beards and cutting their robes off at the middle to expose their buttocks; then he sent them back to David in shame.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
When David heard what had happened, he sent a message to his embarrassed emissaries, telling them to stay at Jericho until their beards had grown out again.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
When King Hanun realized his mistake he sent $2,000,000 to enlist mercenary troops, chariots, and cavalry from Mesopotamia, Aram-maacah, and Zobah.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
He hired thirty-two thousand chariots, as well as the support of the king of Maacah and his entire army. These forces camped at Medeba where they were joined by the troops King Hanun had recruited from his cities.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The army of Ammon went out to meet them and began the battle at the gates of the city of Medeba. Meanwhile, the mercenary forces were out in the field.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
When Joab realized that the enemy forces were both in front and behind him, he divided his army and sent one group to engage the Syrians.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
“If the Syrians are too strong for me, come and help me,” Joab told his brother; “and if the Ammonites are too strong for you, I’ll come and help you.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Be courageous and let us act like men to save our people and the cities of our God. And may the Lord do what is best.”


book: 1Chr
contenido:
When the Ammonites, under attack by Abishai’s troops, saw that the Syrians were retreating, they fled into the city. Then Joab returned to Jerusalem.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
After their defeat, the Syrians summoned additional troops from east of the Euphrates River, led personally by Shophach, King Hadadezer’s commander-in-chief.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
When this news reached David, he mobilized all Israel, crossed the Jordan River, and engaged the enemy troops in battle. But the Syrians again fled from David, and he killed seven thousand charioteers and forty thousand of their troops. He also killed Shophach, the commander-in-chief of the Syrian army.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Then King Hadadezer’s troops surrendered to King David and became his subjects. And never again did the Syrians aid the Ammonites in their battles.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The following spring (spring was the season when wars usually began) Joab led the Israeli army in successful attacks against the cities and villages of the people of Ammon. After destroying them, he laid siege to Rabbah and conquered it. Meanwhile, David had stayed in Jerusalem.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
When David arrived on the scene, he removed the crown from the head of King Milcom of Rabbah and placed it upon his own head. It was made of gold inlaid with gems and weighed seventy-five pounds! David also took great amounts of plunder from the city.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
He drove the people from the city and set them to work with saws, iron picks, and axes, as was his custom with all the conquered Ammonite peoples. Then David and all his army returned to Jerusalem.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The next war was against the Philistines again, at Gezer. But Sibbecai, a man from Hushath, killed one of the sons of the giant, Sippai, and so the Philistines surrendered.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
During another war with the Philistines, Elhanan (the son of Jair) killed Lahmi, the brother of Goliath the giant; the handle of his spear was like a weaver’s beam!


book: 1Chr
contenido:
During another battle, at Gath, a giant with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot (his father was also a giant) defied and taunted Israel; but he was killed by David’s nephew Jonathan, the son of David’s brother Shimea.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
These giants were descendants of the giants of Gath, and they were killed by David and his soldiers.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
“Take a complete census throughout the land and bring me the totals,” he told Joab and the other leaders.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
But Joab objected. “If the Lord were to multiply his people a hundred times, would they not all be yours? So why are you asking us to do this? Why must you cause Israel to sin?”


book: 1Chr
contenido:
But the king won the argument, and Joab did as he was told; he traveled all through Israel and returned to Jerusalem.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The total population figure which he gave came to 1,100,000 men of military age in Israel and 470,000 in Judah.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
But he didn’t include the tribes of Levi and Benjamin in his figures because he was so distressed at what the king had made him do.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
But David said to God, “I am the one who has sinned. Please forgive me, for I realize now how wrong I was to do this.”


book: 1Chr
contenido:
You may have three years of famine, or three months of destruction by the enemies of Israel, or three days of deadly plague as the Angel of the Lord brings destruction to the land. Think it over and let me know what answer to return to the one who sent me.’”


book: 1Chr
contenido:
“This is a terrible decision to make,” David replied, “but let me fall into the hands of the Lord rather than into the power of men, for God’s mercies are very great.”


book: 1Chr
contenido:
During the plague God sent an Angel to destroy Jerusalem; but then he felt such compassion that he changed his mind and commanded the destroying Angel, “Stop! It is enough!” (The Angel of the Lord was standing at the time by the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.)


book: 1Chr
contenido:
When David saw the Angel of the Lord standing between heaven and earth with his sword drawn, pointing toward Jerusalem, he and the elders of Israel clothed themselves in sackcloth and fell to the ground before the Lord.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
And David said to God, “I am the one who sinned by ordering the census. But what have these sheep done? O Lord my God, destroy me and my family, but do not destroy your people.”


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Then the Angel of the Lord told Gad to instruct David to build an altar to the Lord at the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
So David went to see Ornan, who was threshing wheat at the time. Ornan saw the Angel as he turned, and his four sons ran and hid.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Then Ornan saw the king approaching. So he left the threshing floor and bowed to the ground before King David.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
David said to Ornan, “Let me buy this threshing floor from you at its full price; then I will build an altar to the Lord and the plague will stop.”


book: 1Chr
contenido:
“Take it, my lord, and use it as you wish,” Ornan said to David. “Take the oxen, too, for burnt offerings; use the threshing instruments for wood for the fire and use the wheat for the grain offering. I give it all to you.”


book: 1Chr
contenido:
“No,” the king replied, “I will buy it for the full price; I cannot take what is yours and give it to the Lord. I will not offer a burnt offering that has cost me nothing!”


book: 1Chr
contenido:
and built an altar to the Lord there, and sacrificed burnt offerings and peace offerings upon it; and he called out to the Lord, who answered by sending down fire from heaven to burn up the offering on the altar.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
but David didn’t have time to go there to plead before the Lord, for he was terrified by the drawn sword of the Angel of Jehovah.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Then David said, “Right here at Ornan’s threshing floor is the place where I’ll build the Temple of the Lord and construct the altar for Israel’s burnt offering!”


book: 1Chr
contenido:
David now drafted all the resident aliens in Israel to prepare blocks of squared stone for the Temple.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
They also manufactured iron into the great quantity of nails needed for the doors in the gates and for the clamps; and they smelted so much bronze that it was too much to weigh.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
“Solomon my son is young and tender,” David said, “and the Temple of the Lord must be a marvelous structure, famous and glorious throughout the world; so I will begin the preparations for it now.”
So David collected the construction materials before his death.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
“but the Lord said not to do it. ‘You have killed too many men in great wars,’ he told me. ‘You have reddened the ground before me with blood: so you are not to build my Temple.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
But I will give you a son,’ he told me, ‘who will be a man of peace, for I will give him peace with his enemies in the surrounding lands. His name shall be Solomon (meaning “Peaceful”), and I will give peace and quietness to Israel during his reign.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
He shall build my Temple, and he shall be as my own son and I will be his father; and I will cause his sons and his descendants to reign over every generation of Israel.’


book: 1Chr
contenido:
“So now, my son, may the Lord be with you and prosper you as you do what he told you to do and build the Temple of the Lord.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
And may the Lord give you the good judgment to follow all his laws when he makes you king of Israel.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
For if you carefully obey the rules and regulations that he gave to Israel through Moses, you will prosper. Be strong and courageous, fearless and enthusiastic!


book: 1Chr
contenido:
“By hard work I have collected several billion dollars worth of gold bullion, millions in silver, and so much iron and bronze that I haven’t even weighed it; I have also gathered timber and stone for the walls. This is at least a beginning, something with which to start.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
They are expert gold and silver smiths and bronze and iron workers. So get to work, and may the Lord be with you!”


book: 1Chr
contenido:
“The Lord your God is with you,” he declared. “He has given you peace with the surrounding nations, for I have conquered them in the name of the Lord and for his people.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Now try with every fiber of your being to obey the Lord your God, and you will soon be bringing the Ark and the other holy articles of worship into the Temple of the Lord!”


book: 1Chr
contenido:
By this time David was an old, old man, so he stepped down from the throne and appointed his son Solomon as the new king of Israel.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
At this time a census was taken of the men of the tribe of Levi who were thirty years or older. The total came to 38,000.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
“Twenty-four thousand of them will supervise the work at the Temple,” David instructed, “6,000 are to be bailiffs and judges, 4,000 will be Temple guards, and 4,000 will praise the Lord with the musical instruments I have made.”


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Then David divided them into three main divisions named after the sons of Levi—the Gershom division, the Kohath division, and the Merari division.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
These subdivisions were still further divided into six groups named after the sons of Ladan: Jehiel the leader, Zetham, Joel; and the sons of Shimei—Shelomoth, Haziel, and Haran.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The subclans of Shimei were named after his four sons: Jahath was greatest, Zizah was next, and Jeush and Beriah were combined into a single subclan because neither had many sons.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The division of Kohath was subdivided into four groups named after his sons Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Amram was the ancestor of Aaron and Moses. Aaron and his sons were set apart for the holy service of sacrificing the people’s offerings to the Lord. He served the Lord constantly and pronounced blessings in his name at all times.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The sons of Hebron were led by Jeriah. Amariah was second in command, Jahaziel was third, and Jekameam was fourth.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
In the census, all the men of Levi who were twenty years old or older were classified under the names of these clans and subclans; and they were all assigned to the ministry at the Temple.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Now the Levites will no longer need to carry the Tabernacle and its instruments from place to place.”


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The work of the Levites was to assist the priests—the descendants of Aaron—in the sacrifices at the Temple; they also did the custodial work and helped perform the ceremonies of purification.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
They provided the Bread of the Presence, the flour for the grain offerings, and the wafers made without yeast (either fried or mixed with olive oil); they also checked all the weights and measures.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
They assisted in the special sacrifices of burnt offerings, the Sabbath sacrifices, the new moon celebrations, and at all the festivals. There were always as many Levites present as were required for the occasion.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
And they took care of the Tabernacle and the Temple and assisted the priests in whatever way they were needed.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The priests (the descendants of Aaron) were placed into two divisions named after Aaron’s sons, Eleazar and Ithamar.
Nadab and Abihu were also sons of Aaron, but they died before their father did and had no children; so only Eleazar and Ithamar were left to carry on.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
David consulted with Zadok, who represented the Eleazar clan, and with Ahimelech, who represented the Ithamar clan; then he divided Aaron’s descendants into many groups to serve at various times.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Eleazar’s descendants were divided into sixteen groups and Ithamar’s into eight (for there was more leadership ability among the descendants of Eleazar).


book: 1Chr
contenido:
All tasks were assigned to the various groups by coin-toss so that there would be no preference, for there were many famous men and high officials of the Temple in each division.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Shemaiah, a Levite and the son of Nethanel, acted as recording secretary and wrote down the names and assignments in the presence of the king and of these leaders: Zadok the priest, Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and the heads of the priests and Levites. Two groups from the division of Eleazar and one from the division of Ithamar were assigned to each task.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The work was assigned (by coin-toss) in this order:
First, the group led by Jehoiarib;
Second, the group led by Jedaiah;
Third, the group led by Harim;
Fourth, the group led by Seorim;
Fifth, the group led by Malchijah;
Sixth, the group led by Mijamin;
Seventh, the group led by Hakkoz;
Eighth, the group led by Ahijah;
Ninth, the group led by Jeshua;
Tenth, the group led by Shecaniah;
Eleventh, the group led by Eliashib;
Twelfth, the group led by Jakim;
Thirteenth, the group led by Huppah;
Fourteenth, the group led by Jeshebeab;
Fifteenth, the group led by Bilgah;
Sixteenth, the group led by Immer;
Seventeenth, the group led by Hezir;
Eighteenth, the group led by Happizzez;
Nineteenth, the group led by Pethahiah;
Twentieth, the group led by Jehezkel;
Twenty-first, the group led by Jachin;
Twenty-second, the group led by Gamul;
Twenty-third, the group led by Delaiah;
Twenty-fourth, the group led by Maaziah.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Each group carried out the Temple duties as originally assigned by God through their ancestor Aaron.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
These were the other descendants of Levi: Amram; his descendant Shubael; and Shubael’s descendant Jehdeiah;


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The Hebron group: Jeriah, Hebron’s oldest son; Amariah, his second son; Jahaziel, his third son; Jekameam, his fourth son.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The Uzziel group was led by his son Micah and his grandsons Shamir and Isshiah, and by Isshiah’s son Zechariah.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The Merari group was led by his sons: Mahli and Mushi. (Jaaziah’s group, led by his son Beno, included his brothers Shoham, Zaccur, and Ibri.)


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The sons of Mushi were Mahli, Eder, and Jerimoth.
These were the descendants of Levi in their various clans.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Like the descendants of Aaron, they were assigned to their duties by coin-toss without distinction as to age or rank. It was done in the presence of King David, Zadok, Ahimelech, and the leaders of the priests and the Levites.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
David and the officials of the Tabernacle then appointed men to prophesy to the accompaniment of zithers, harps, and cymbals. These men were from the groups of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun. Here is a list of their names and their work:


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Under the leadership of Asaph, the king’s private prophet, were his sons Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asharelah.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Under Jeduthun, who led in giving thanks and praising the Lord (while accompanied by the zither), were his six sons: Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Under the direction of Heman, the king’s private chaplain, were his sons: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Geddalti, Romamti-ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, and Mahazioth. (For God had honored him with fourteen sons and three daughters.)


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Their music ministry included the playing of cymbals, harps, and zithers; all were under the direction of their father as they performed this ministry in the Tabernacle.
Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman reported directly to the king. They and their families were all trained in singing praises to the Lord; each one—288 of them in all—was a master musician.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The singers were appointed to their particular term of service by coin-toss, without regard to age or reputation.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The first toss indicated Joseph of the Asaph clan;
The second, Gedaliah, along with twelve of his sons and brothers;
The third, Zaccur and twelve of his sons and brothers;
The fourth, Izri and twelve of his sons and brothers;
Fifth, Nethaniah and twelve of his sons and brothers;
Sixth, Bukkiah and twelve of his sons and brothers;
Seventh, Jesharelah and twelve of his sons and brothers;
Eighth, Jeshaiah and twelve of his sons and brothers;
Ninth, Mattaniah and twelve of his sons and brothers;
Tenth, Shimei and twelve of his sons and brothers;
Eleventh, Azarel and twelve of his sons and brothers;
Twelfth, Hashabiah and twelve of his sons and brothers;
Thirteenth, Shubael and twelve of his sons and brothers;
Fourteenth, Mattithiah and twelve of his sons and brothers;
Fifteenth, Jeremoth and twelve of his sons and brothers;
Sixteenth, Hananiah and twelve of his sons and brothers;
Seventeenth, Joshbekasha and twelve of his sons and brothers;
Eighteenth, Hanani and twelve of his sons and brothers;
Nineteenth, Mallothi and twelve of his sons and brothers;
Twentieth, Eliathah and twelve of his sons and brothers;
Twenty-first, Hothir and twelve of his sons and brothers;
Twenty-second, Giddalti and twelve of his sons and brothers;
Twenty-third, Mahazioth and twelve of his sons and brothers;
Twenty-fourth, Romamti-ezer and twelve of his sons and brothers.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The Temple guards were from the Asaph division of the Korah clan. The captain of the guard was Meshelemiah, the son of Kore.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
His sergeants were his sons: Zechariah (the oldest), Jediael (the second), Zebadiah (the third), Jathniel (the fourth), Elam (the fifth), Jehohanan (the sixth), Eliehoenai (the seventh).


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The sons of Obed-edom were also appointed as Temple guards: Shemaiah (the oldest), Jehozabad (the second), Joah (the third), Sacar (the fourth), Nethanel (the fifth), Ammiel (the sixth), Issachar (the seventh), Peullethai (the eighth). What a blessing God gave him with all those sons!


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Shemaiah’s sons were all outstanding men and had positions of great authority in their clan. Their names were: Othni, Rephael, Obed, Elzabad.
Their brave brothers, Elihu and Semachiah, were also very able men.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
All of these sons and grandsons of Obed-edom—all sixty-two of them—were outstanding men who were particularly well qualified for their work.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Hosah, one of the Merari group, appointed Shimri as the leader among his sons, though he was not the oldest.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The names of some of his other sons were: Hilkiah, the second; Tebaliah, the third; Zechariah, the fourth. Hosah’s sons and brothers numbered thirteen in all.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The divisions of the Temple guards were named after the leaders. Like the other Levites, they were responsible to minister at the Temple.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
They were assigned guard duty at the various gates without regard to the reputation of their families, for it was all done by coin-toss.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The responsibility of the east gate went to Shelemiah and his group; of the north gate to his son Zechariah, a man of unusual wisdom; of the south gate to Obed-edom and his group (his sons were given charge of the storehouses);


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Six guards were assigned daily to the east gate, four to the north gate, four to the south gate, and two to each of the storehouses.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Six guards were assigned each day to the west gate, four to the upper road, and two to the nearby areas.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Other Levites, led by Ahijah, were given the care of the gifts brought to the Lord and placed in the Temple treasury. These men of the Ladan subclan from the clan of Gershom included Zetham and Joel, the sons of Jehieli.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Shebuel, son of Gershom and grandson of Moses, was the chief officer of the treasury. He was in charge of the divisions named after Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Shelomoth and his brothers were appointed to care for the gifts given to the Lord by King David and the other leaders of the nation such as the officers and generals of the army.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Shelomoth and his brothers were also responsible for the care of the items dedicated to the Lord by Samuel the prophet, Saul the son of Kish, Abner the son of Ner, Joab the son of Zeruiah, and anyone else of distinction who brought gifts to the Lord.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Hashabiah and 1,700 of his clansmen from Hebron, all outstanding men, were placed in charge of the territory of Israel west of the Jordan River; they were responsible for the religious affairs and public administration of that area.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Twenty-seven hundred outstanding men of the clan of the Hebronites, under the supervision of Jerijah, were appointed to control the religious and public affairs of the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. These men, all of whom had excellent qualifications, were appointed on the basis of their ancestry and ability at Jazer in Gilead in the fortieth year of King David’s reign.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The Israeli army was divided into twelve regiments, each with 24,000 troops, including officers and administrative staff. These units were called up for active duty one month each year. Here is the list of the units and their regimental commanders:


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The commander of the First Division was Jashobeam. He had charge of 24,000 troops who were on duty the first month of each year.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The commander of the Second Division was Dodai (a descendant of Ahohi). He had charge of 24,000 troops who were on duty the second month of each year. Mikloth was his executive officer.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The commander of the Third Division was Benaiah. His 24,000 men were on duty the third month of each year. (He was the son of Jehoiada the High Priest and was the chief of The Thirty, a group including the mightiest of David’s men.) His son Ammizabad succeeded him as division commander.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The commander of the Fourth Division was Asahel (the brother of Joab), who was later replaced by his son Zebadiah. He had 24,000 men on duty the fourth month of each year.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The commander of the Fifth Division was Shamuth from Izrah, with 24,000 men on duty the fifth month of each year.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The commander of the Sixth Division was Ira, the son of Ikkesh from Tekoa; he had 24,000 men on duty the sixth month of each year.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The commander of the Seventh Division was Helez from Pelona in Ephraim, with 24,000 men on duty the seventh month of each year.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The commander of the Eighth Division was Sibbecai of the Hushite subclan from Zerah, who had 24,000 men on duty the eighth month of each year.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The commander of the Ninth Division was Abiezer (from Anathoth in the tribe of Benjamin), who commanded 24,000 troops during the ninth month of each year.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The commander of the Tenth Division was Maharai from Netophah in Zerah, with 24,000 men on duty the tenth month of each year.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The commander of the Eleventh Division was Benaiah from Pirathon in Ephraim, with 24,000 men on duty during the eleventh month of each year.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The commander of the Twelfth Division was Heldai from Netophah in the area of Othniel, who commanded 24,000 men on duty during the twelfth month of each year.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The top political officers of the tribes of Israel were as follows:
Over Reuben, Eliezer (son of Zichri);
Over Simeon, Shephatiah (son of Maacah);
Over Levi, Hashabiah (son of Kemuel);
Over the descendants of Aaron, Zadok;
Over Judah, Elihu (a brother of King David);
Over Issachar, Omri (son of Michael);
Over Zebulun, Ishmaiah (son of Obadiah);
Over Naphtali, Jeremoth (son of Azriel);
Over Ephraim, Hoshea (son of Azaziah);
Over the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joel (son of Pedaiah);
Over the other half of Manasseh, in Gilead, Iddo (son of Zechariah);
Over Benjamin, Jaasiel (son of Abner);
Over Dan, Azarel (son of Jeroham).


book: 1Chr
contenido:
When David took his census, he didn’t include the twenty-year-olds or those younger, for the Lord had promised a population explosion for his people.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Joab began the census, but he never finished it, for the anger of God broke out upon Israel; the final total was never put into the annals of King David.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Azmaveth (son of Adiel) was the chief financial officer in charge of the palace treasuries, and Jonathan (son of Uzziah) was chief of the regional treasuries throughout the cities, villages, and fortresses of Israel.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
And Shimei from Ramath had the oversight of the king’s vineyards; and Zabdi from Shiphma was responsible for his wine production and storage.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Baal-hanan from Gedera was responsible for the king’s olive yards and sycamore trees in the lowlands bordering Philistine territory, while Joash had charge of the supplies of olive oil.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Shitrai from Sharon was in charge of the cattle on the plains of Sharon, and Shaphat (son of Adlai) had charge of those in the valleys.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Obil, from the territory of Ishmael, had charge of the camels, and Jehdeiah from Meronoth had charge of the donkeys.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The attendant to the king’s sons was Jonathan, David’s uncle, a wise counselor and an educated man. Jehiel (the son of Hachmoni) was their tutor.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Ahithophel was assisted by Jehoiada (the son of Benaiah) and by Abiathar. Joab was commander-in-chief of the Israeli army.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
David now summoned all of his officials to Jerusalem—the political leaders, the commanders of the twelve army divisions, the other army officers, those in charge of his property and livestock, and all the other men of authority in his kingdom.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
He rose and stood before them and addressed them as follows:
“My brothers and my people! It was my desire to build a temple in which the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord could rest—a place for our God to live in. I have now collected everything that is necessary for the building,


book: 1Chr
contenido:
but God has told me, ‘You are not to build my temple, for you are a warrior and have shed much blood.’


book: 1Chr
contenido:
“Nevertheless, the Lord God of Israel has chosen me from among all my father’s family to begin a dynasty that will rule Israel forever; he has chosen the tribe of Judah, and from among the families of Judah, my father’s family; and from among his sons, the Lord took pleasure in me and has made me king over all Israel.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
And from among my sons—the Lord has given me many children—he has chosen Solomon to succeed me on the throne of his kingdom of Israel.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
He has told me, ‘Your son Solomon shall build my Temple; for I have chosen him as my son and I will be his father.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
And if he continues to obey my commandments and instructions as he has until now, I will make his kingdom last forever.’”


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Then David turned to Solomon and said:
“Here before the leaders of Israel, the people of God, and in the sight of our God, I am instructing you to search out every commandment of the Lord so that you may continue to rule this good land and leave it to your children to rule forever.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Solomon, my son, get to know the God of your fathers. Worship and serve him with a clean heart and a willing mind, for the Lord sees every heart and understands and knows every thought. If you seek him, you will find him; but if you forsake him, he will permanently throw you aside.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
So be very careful, for the Lord has chosen you to build his holy Temple. Be strong and do as he commands.”


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Then David gave Solomon the blueprint of the Temple and its surroundings—the treasuries, the upstairs rooms, the inside rooms, and the sanctuary for the place of mercy.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
He also gave Solomon his plans for the outer court, the outside rooms, the Temple storage areas, and the treasuries for the gifts dedicated by famous persons. For the Holy Spirit had given David all these plans.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The king also passed on to Solomon the instructions concerning the work of the various groups of priests and Levites; and he gave specifications for each item in the Temple which was to be used for worship and sacrifice.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
as well as the specific amount of gold needed for the lampstands and lamps. He also weighed out enough silver for the silver candlesticks and lamps, each according to its use.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
He weighed out the gold for the table on which the Bread of the Presence would be placed and for the other gold tables, and he weighed the silver for the silver tables.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Then he weighed out the gold for the solid gold hooks used in handling the sacrificial meat and for the basins, cups, and bowls of gold and silver.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Finally, he weighed out the refined gold for the altar of incense and for the gold Guardian Angels whose wings were stretched over the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
“Every part of this blueprint,” David told Solomon, “was given to me in writing from the hand of the Lord.”


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Then he continued, “Be strong and courageous and get to work. Don’t be frightened by the size of the task, for the Lord my God is with you; he will not forsake you. He will see to it that everything is finished correctly.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
And these various groups of priests and Levites will serve in the Temple. Others with skills of every kind will volunteer, and the army and the entire nation are at your command.”


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Then King David turned to the entire assembly and said: “My son Solomon, whom God has chosen to be the next king of Israel, is still young and inexperienced, and the work ahead of him is enormous; for the temple he will build is not just another building—it is for the Lord God himself!


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Using every resource at my command, I have gathered as much as I could for building it—enough gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, and great quantities of onyx, other precious stones, costly jewels, and marble.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
And now, because of my devotion to the Temple of God, I am giving all of my own private treasures to aid in the construction. This is in addition to the building materials I have already collected.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
These personal contributions consist of millions of dollars of gold from Ophir and huge amounts of silver to be used for overlaying the walls of the buildings. It will also be used for the articles made of gold and silver and for the artistic decorations. Now then, who will follow my example? Who will give himself and all that he has to the Lord?”


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Then the clan leaders, the heads of the tribes, the army officers, and the administrative officers of the king pledged huge sums of gold, silver, and foreign currency, also 675 tons of bronze and 3,750 tons of iron.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
They also contributed great amounts of jewelry, which were deposited at the Temple treasury with Jehiel (a descendant of Gershom).


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Everyone was excited and happy for this opportunity of service, and King David was moved with deep joy.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
While still in the presence of the whole assembly, David expressed his praises to the Lord: “O Lord God of our father Israel, praise your name for ever and ever!


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Yours is the mighty power and glory and victory and majesty. Everything in the heavens and earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as being in control of everything.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Riches and honor come from you alone, and you are the ruler of all mankind; your hand controls power and might, and it is at your discretion that men are made great and given strength.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
but who am I and who are my people that we should be permitted to give anything to you? Everything we have has come from you, and we only give you what is yours already!


book: 1Chr
contenido:
For we are here for but a moment, strangers in the land as our fathers were before us; our days on earth are like a shadow, gone so soon, without a trace.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
O Lord our God, all of this material that we have gathered to build a temple for your holy name comes from you! It all belongs to you!


book: 1Chr
contenido:
I know, my God, that you test men to see if they are good; for you enjoy good men. I have done all this with good motives, and I have watched your people offer their gifts willingly and joyously.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
“O Lord, God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Israel! Make your people always want to obey you, and see to it that their love for you never changes.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Give my son Solomon a good heart toward God, so that he will want to obey you in the smallest detail and will look forward eagerly to finishing the building of your Temple, for which I have made all of these preparations.”


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Then David said to all the people, “Give praise to the Lord your God!” And they did, bowing low before the Lord and the king.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The next day they brought a thousand young bulls, a thousand rams, and a thousand lambs as burnt offerings to the Lord; they also offered drink offerings and many other sacrifices on behalf of all Israel.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Then they feasted and drank before the Lord with great joy.
And again they crowned King David’s son Solomon as their king. They anointed him before the Lord as their leader, and they anointed Zadok as their priest.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
So God appointed Solomon to take the throne of his father David; and he prospered greatly, and all Israel obeyed him.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
The national leaders, the army officers, and his brothers all pledged their allegiance to King Solomon.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
And the Lord gave him great popularity with all the people of Israel, and he amassed even greater wealth and honor than his father.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
David was king of the land of Israel for forty years; seven of them during his reign in Hebron and thirty-three in Jerusalem.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
Detailed biographies of King David have been written in the history of Samuel the prophet, in the history written by Nathan the prophet, and in the history written by the prophet Gad.


book: 1Chr
contenido:
These accounts tell of his reign and of his might and all that happened to him and to Israel and to the kings of the nearby nations.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
King David’s son Solomon was now the undisputed ruler of Israel, for the Lord his God had made him a powerful monarch.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He summoned all the army officers and judges to Gibeon as well as all the political and religious leaders of Israel. He led them up the hill to the old Tabernacle* constructed by Moses, the Lord’s assistant, while he was in the wilderness.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
(There was a later Tabernacle in Jerusalem, built by King David for the Ark of God when he removed it from Kiriath-jearim.)


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The bronze altar made by Bezalel (son of Uri, son of Hur) still stood in front of the old Tabernacle, and now Solomon and those he had invited assembled themselves before it, as he sacrificed upon it 1,000 burnt offerings to the Lord.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Solomon replied, “O God, you have been so kind and good to my father David, and now you have given me the kingdom—


book: 2Chr
contenido:
this is all I want! For you have fulfilled your promise to David my father and have made me king over a nation as full of people as the earth is full of dust!


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Now give me wisdom and knowledge to rule them properly, for who is able to govern by himself such a great nation as this one of yours?”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
God replied, “Because your greatest desire is to help your people, and you haven’t asked for personal wealth and honor, and you haven’t asked me to curse your enemies, and you haven’t asked for a long life, but for wisdom and knowledge to properly guide my people—


book: 2Chr
contenido:
yes, I am giving you the wisdom and knowledge you asked for! And I am also giving you riches, wealth, and honor such as no other king has ever had before you! And there will never again be so great a king in all the world!”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Solomon then left the Tabernacle, returned down the hill, and went back to Jerusalem to rule Israel.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He built up a huge force of 1,400 chariots and recruited 12,000 cavalry to guard the cities where the chariots were garaged, though some, of course, were stationed at Jerusalem near the king.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
During Solomon’s reign, silver and gold were as plentiful in Jerusalem as rocks on the road! And expensive cedar lumber was used like common sycamore!


book: 2Chr
contenido:
At that time Egyptian chariots sold for $400 each and horses for $100, delivered at Jerusalem. Many of these were then resold to the kings of the Hittites and Syria.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Solomon sent an ambassador to King Hiram at Tyre, requesting shipments of cedar lumber such as Hiram had supplied to David when he was building his palace.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
“I am about to build a temple for the Lord my God,” Solomon told Hiram. “It will be a place where I can burn incense and sweet spices before God, and display the special sacrificial bread, and sacrifice burnt offerings each morning and evening, and on the Sabbaths, and at the new moon celebration and other regular festivals of the Lord our God. For God wants Israel always to celebrate these special occasions.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
But who can ever build him a worthy home? Not even the highest heaven would be beautiful enough! And who am I to be allowed to build a temple for God? But it will be a place to worship him.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
“So send me skilled craftsmen—goldsmiths and silversmiths, brass and iron workers; and send me weavers to make purple, crimson, and blue cloth; and skilled engravers to work beside the craftsmen of Judah and Jerusalem who were selected by my father David.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Also send me cedar trees, fir trees, and algum trees from the forests of Lebanon, for your men are without equal as lumbermen, and I will send my men to help them.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
An immense amount of lumber will be needed, for the temple I am going to build will be large and incredibly beautiful.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
As to the financial arrangements, I will pay your men 20,000 sacks of crushed wheat, 20,000 barrels of barley, 20,000 barrels of wine, and 20,000 barrels of olive oil.”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
King Hiram replied to King Solomon: “It is because the Lord loves his people that he has made you their king!


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Blessed be the Lord God of Israel who made the heavens and the earth and who has given to David such a wise, intelligent, and understanding son to build God’s Temple and a royal palace for himself.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
the son of a Jewish woman from Dan in Israel; his father is from here in Tyre. He is a skillful goldsmith and silversmith, and also does exquisite work with brass and iron and knows all about stonework, carpentry, and weaving; and he is an expert in the dyeing of purple and blue linen and crimson cloth. He is an engraver besides, and an inventor! He will work with your craftsmen and those appointed by my lord David, your father.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
and we will begin cutting wood from the Lebanon mountains, as much as you need, and bring it to you in log floats across the sea to Joppa, and from there you can take them inland to Jerusalem.”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Solomon now took a census of all foreigners in the country (just as his father David had done) and found that there were 153,600 of them.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Finally the actual construction of the Temple began. Its location was in Jerusalem at the top of Mount Moriah, where the Lord had appeared to Solomon’s father, King David, and where the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite had been. David had selected it as the site for the Temple.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The actual construction began on the seventeenth day of April in the fourth year of King Solomon’s reign.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
A covered porch ran along the entire thirty-foot width of the Temple, with the inner walls and ceiling overlaid with pure gold! The roof was 180 feet high.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The main part of the Temple was paneled with cypress wood, plated with pure gold, and engraved with palm trees and chains.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Beautiful jewels were inlaid into the walls to add to the beauty; the gold, by the way, was of the best, from Parvaim.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
All the walls, beams, doors, and thresholds throughout the Temple were plated with gold, with Guardian Angels engraved on the walls.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Within the Temple, at one end, was the most sacred room—the Holy of Holies—thirty feet square. This too was overlaid with the finest gold, valued at millions of dollars.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Within the innermost room, the Holy of Holies, Solomon placed two sculptured statues of Guardian Angels and plated them with gold.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
They stood on the floor facing the outer room, with wings stretched wing tip to wing tip across the room, from wall to wall.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Across the entrance to this room he placed a veil of blue and crimson finespun linen, decorated with Guardian Angels.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
At the front of the Temple were two pillars 52½ feet high, topped by a 7½-foot capital flaring out to the roof.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Then he set up the pillars at the front of the Temple, one on the right and the other on the left. And he gave them names: Jachin (the one on the right), and Boaz (the one on the left).


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Then he forged a huge round tank 15 feet across from rim to rim. The rim stood 7½ feet above the floor, and was 45 feet around.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The tank stood on twelve metal oxen facing outward; three faced north, three faced west, three faced south, and three faced east.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The walls of the tank were five inches thick, flaring out like the cup of a lily. It held 3,000 barrels of water.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He also constructed ten vats for water to wash the offerings, five to the right of the huge tank and five to the left. The priests used the tank, and not the vats, for their own washing.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Carefully following God’s instructions, he then cast ten gold lampstands and placed them in the Temple, five against each wall;


book: 2Chr
contenido:
he also built ten tables and placed five against each wall on the right and left. And he molded 100 solid gold bowls.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Then he constructed a court for the priests, also the public court, and overlaid the doors of these courts with bronze.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Huramabi also made the necessary pots, shovels, and basins for use in connection with the sacrifices.
So at last he completed the work assigned to him by King Solomon:


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The construction of the two pillars,
The two flared capitals on the tops of the pillars,
The two sets of chains on the capitals,
The 400 pomegranates hanging from the two sets of chains on the capitals,
The bases for the vats and the vats themselves,
The huge tank and the twelve oxen under it,
The pots, shovels, and fleshhooks.
This skillful craftsman, Huramabi, made all of the above-mentioned items for King Solomon using polished bronze.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The king did the casting at the claybanks of the Jordan Valley between Succoth and Zeredah. Great quantities of bronze were used, too heavy to weigh.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Solomon commanded that all of the furnishings of the Temple—the utensils, the altar, and the table for the Bread of the Presence must be made of gold;


book: 2Chr
contenido:
lamp snuffers, basins, spoons, and firepans—all were made of solid gold. Even the doorway of the Temple, the main door, and the inner doors to the Holy of Holies were overlaid with gold.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
So the Temple was finally finished. Then Solomon brought in the gifts dedicated to the Lord by his father, King David. They were stored in the Temple treasuries.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Solomon now summoned to Jerusalem all of the leaders of Israel—the heads of the tribes and clans—for the ceremony of transferring the Ark from the Tabernacle in the City of David, also known as Zion, to its new home in the Temple.*


book: 2Chr
contenido:
As the leaders of Israel watched, the Levites lifted the Ark and carried it out of the Tabernacle, along with all the other sacred vessels.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
King Solomon and the others sacrificed sheep and oxen before the Ark in such numbers that no one tried to keep count!


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Then the priests carried the Ark into the inner room of the Temple—the Holy of Holies—and placed it beneath the wings of the Guardian Angels; their wings spread over the Ark and its carrying poles.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
These carrying poles were so long that their ends could be seen from the outer room, but not from the outside doorway.
The Ark is still there at the time of this writing.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Nothing was in the Ark except the two stone tablets that Moses had put there at Mount Horeb, when the Lord made a covenant with the people of Israel as they were leaving Egypt.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
When the priests had undergone the purification rites for themselves, they all took part in the ceremonies without regard to their normal duties. And how the Levites were praising the Lord as the priests came out of the Holy of Holies! The singers were Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, and all their sons and brothers, dressed in finespun linen robes and standing at the east side of the altar. The choir was accompanied by 120 priests who were trumpeters, while others played the cymbals, lyres, and harps.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The band and chorus united as one to praise and thank the Lord; their selections were interspersed with trumpet obbligatos, the clashing of cymbals, and the loud playing of other musical instruments—all praising and thanking the Lord. Their theme was “He is so good! His loving-kindness lasts forever!”
And at that moment the glory of the Lord, coming as a bright cloud, filled the Temple so that the priests could not continue their work.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
This is the prayer prayed by Solomon on that occasion:
“The Lord has said that he would live in the thick darkness,
But I have made a Temple for you, O Lord, to live in forever!”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,” he said to them, “the God who talked personally to my father David and has now fulfilled the promise he made to him. For he told him,


book: 2Chr
contenido:
‘I have never before, since bringing my people from the land of Egypt, chosen a city anywhere in Israel as the location of my Temple where my name will be glorified; and never before have I chosen a king for my people Israel. But now I have chosen Jerusalem as that city, and David as that king.’


book: 2Chr
contenido:
And now the Lord has done what he promised, for I have become king in my father’s place, and I have built the Temple for the name of the Lord God of Israel


book: 2Chr
contenido:
As he spoke, Solomon was standing before the people on a platform in the center of the outer court, in front of the altar of the Lord. The platform was made of bronze, 7½ feet square and 4½ feet high. Now, as all the people watched, he knelt down, reached out his arms toward heaven, and prayed this prayer:


book: 2Chr
contenido:
“O Lord God of Israel, there is no God like you in all of heaven and earth. You are the God who keeps his kind promises to all those who obey you and who are anxious to do your will.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
And now, O God of Israel, carry out your further promise to him that ‘your descendants shall always reign over Israel if they will obey my laws as you have.’


book: 2Chr
contenido:
But will God really live upon the earth with men? Why, even the heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain you—how much less this Temple I have built!


book: 2Chr
contenido:
“How I pray that you will heed my prayers, O Lord my God! Listen to my prayer that I am praying to you now!


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Look down with favor day and night upon this Temple—upon this place where you have said that you would put your name. May you always hear and answer the prayers I will pray to you as I face toward this place. Listen to my prayers and to those of your people Israel when they pray toward this Temple; yes, hear us from heaven, and when you hear, forgive.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
“If your people Israel are destroyed before their enemies because they have sinned against you, and if they turn to you and call themselves your people, and pray to you here in this Temple,


book: 2Chr
contenido:
then listen to them from heaven and forgive their sins and give them back this land you gave to their fathers.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
“When the skies are shut and there is no rain because of our sins, and then we pray toward this Temple and claim you as our God, and turn from our sins because you have punished us,


book: 2Chr
contenido:
then listen from heaven and forgive the sins of your people, and teach them what is right; and send rain upon this land that you have given to your people as their own property.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
“If there is a famine in the land, or plagues, or crop disease, or attacks of locusts or caterpillars, or if your people’s enemies are in the land besieging our cities—whatever the trouble is—


book: 2Chr
contenido:
listen to every individual’s prayer concerning his private sorrow, as well as all the public prayers.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Hear from heaven where you live and forgive, and give each one whatever he deserves, for you know the hearts of all mankind.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
“And when foreigners hear of your power, and come from distant lands to worship your great name, and to pray toward this Temple,


book: 2Chr
contenido:
hear them from heaven where you live, and do what they request of you. Then all the peoples of the earth will hear of your fame and will reverence you, just as your people Israel do; and they too will know that this Temple I have built is truly yours.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
“If your people go out at your command to fight their enemies, and they pray toward this city of Jerusalem that you have chosen, and this Temple that I have built for your name,


book: 2Chr
contenido:
“If they sin against you (and who has never sinned?) and you become angry with them, and you let their enemies defeat them and take them away as captives to some foreign nation near or far;


book: 2Chr
contenido:
and if in that land of exile they turn to you again, and face toward this land you gave their fathers and this city and your Temple I have built, and plead with you with all their hearts to forgive them,


book: 2Chr
contenido:
then hear from heaven where you live and help them, and forgive your people who have sinned against you.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
And now, O Lord God, arise and enter this resting place of yours where the Ark of your strength has been placed. Let your priests, O Lord God, be clothed with salvation, and let your people rejoice in your kind deeds.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
O Lord God, do not ignore me—do not turn your face away from me, your anointed one. Oh, remember your love for David and your kindness to him.”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
As Solomon finished praying, fire flashed down from heaven and burned up the sacrifices! And the glory of the Lord filled the Temple, so that the priests couldn’t enter!


book: 2Chr
contenido:
All the people had been watching, and now they fell flat on the pavement and worshiped and thanked the Lord.
“How good he is!” they exclaimed. “He is always so loving and kind.”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Then the king and all the people dedicated the Temple by sacrificing burnt offerings to the Lord. King Solomon’s contribution for this purpose was 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The priests were standing at their posts of duty, and the Levites were playing their thanksgiving song, “His Loving-Kindness Is Forever,” using the musical instruments King David himself had made and had used to praise the Lord. Then, when the priests blew the trumpets, all the people stood again.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Solomon consecrated the inner court of the Temple for use that day as a place of sacrifice because there were too many sacrifices for the bronze altar to accommodate.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
For the next seven days they celebrated the Tabernacle Festival, with large crowds coming in from all over Israel; they arrived from as far away as Hamath at one end of the country to the brook of Egypt at the other.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Then on October 7 he sent the people home, joyful and happy because the Lord had been so good to David and Solomon and to his people Israel.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
So Solomon finished building the Temple as well as his own palace. He completed what he had planned to do.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
One night the Lord appeared to Solomon and told him, “I have heard your prayer and have chosen this Temple as the place where I want you to sacrifice to me.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust swarms to eat up all of your crops, or if I send an epidemic among you,


book: 2Chr
contenido:
then if my people will humble themselves and pray, and search for me, and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear them from heaven and forgive their sins and heal their land.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
For I have chosen this Temple and sanctified it to be my home forever; my eyes and my heart shall always be here.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
then I will destroy my people from this land of mine that I have given them, and this Temple shall be destroyed even though I have sanctified it for myself. Instead, I will make it a public horror and disgrace.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Instead of its being famous, all who pass by will be incredulous.
“‘Why has the Lord done such a terrible thing to this land and to this Temple?’ they will ask.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
“And the answer will be, ‘Because his people abandoned the Lord God of their fathers, the God who brought them out of the land of Egypt, and they worshiped other gods instead. That is why he has done all this to them.’”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
It was now twenty years since Solomon had become king, and the great building projects of the Lord’s Temple and his own royal palace were completed.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He now turned his energies to rebuilding the cities that King Hiram of Tyre had given to him, and he relocated some of the people of Israel into them.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He fortified the cities of upper Beth-horon and lower Beth-horon, both being supply centers, building their walls and installing barred gates.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He also built Baalath and other supply centers at this time and constructed cities where his chariots and horses were kept. He built to his heart’s desire in Jerusalem and Lebanon and throughout the entire realm.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He began the practice that still continues of conscripting as slave laborers the Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites—the descendants of those nations that the Israelis had not completely wiped out.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
However, he didn’t make slaves of any of the Israeli citizens, but used them as soldiers, officers, charioteers, and cavalrymen;


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Solomon now moved his wife (she was Pharaoh’s daughter) from the City of David sector of Jerusalem to the new palace he had built for her. For he said, “She must not live in King David’s palace for the Ark of the Lord was there, and it is holy ground.”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Then Solomon sacrificed burnt offerings to the Lord on the altar he had built in front of the porch of the Temple.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The number of sacrifices differed from day to day in accordance with the instructions Moses had given; there were extra sacrifices on the Sabbaths, on new moon festivals, and at the three annual festivals—the Passover celebration, the Festival of Weeks, and the Festival of Tabernacles.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
In assigning the priests to their posts of duty he followed the organizational chart prepared by his father David; he also assigned the Levites to their work of praise and of helping the priests in each day’s duties; and he assigned the gatekeepers to their gates.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Solomon did not deviate in any way from David’s instructions concerning these matters and concerning the treasury personnel.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Then he went to the seaport towns of Ezion-geber and Eloth, in Edom, to launch a fleet presented to him by King Hiram. These ships, with King Hiram’s experienced crews working alongside Solomon’s men, went to Ophir and brought back to him several million dollars worth of gold on each trip!


book: 2Chr
contenido:
When the queen of Sheba heard of Solomon’s fabled wisdom, she came to Jerusalem to test him with hard questions. A very great retinue of aides and servants accompanied her, including camel loads of spices, gold, and jewels.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
And Solomon answered all her problems. Nothing was hidden from him; he could explain everything to her.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
and how wonderful the food at his tables, and how many servants and aides he had, and when she saw their spectacular uniforms and his stewards in full regalia, and saw the size of the men in his bodyguard, she could scarcely believe it!


book: 2Chr
contenido:
I didn’t believe it until I got here and saw it with my own eyes. Your wisdom is far greater than I could ever have imagined.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Blessed be the Lord your God! How he must love Israel to give them a just king like you! He wants them to be a great, strong nation forever.”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
She gave the king a gift of over a million dollars in gold, and great quantities of spices of incomparable quality, and many, many jewels.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The king used the sandalwood to make terraced steps for the Temple and the palace and to construct harps and lyres for the choir. Never before had there been such beautiful instruments in all the land of Judah.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
King Solomon gave the queen of Sheba gifts of the same value as she had brought to him, plus everything else she asked for! Then she and her retinue returned to their own land.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Solomon received a quarter of a billion dollars worth of gold each year from the kings of Arabia and many other lands that paid annual tribute to him. In addition, there was a trade balance from the exports of his merchants.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
and 300 smaller shields, each worth $50,000. The king placed these in the Forest of Lebanon Room in his palace.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Gold lions also stood at each side of each step. No other throne in all the world could be compared with it!


book: 2Chr
contenido:
All of King Solomon’s cups were solid gold, as were all the furnishings in the Forest of Lebanon Room. Silver was too cheap to count for much in those days!


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Every three years the king sent his ships to Tarshish, using sailors supplied by King Hiram, to bring back gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Each brought him annual tribute of silver and gold bowls, clothing, armor, spices, horses, and mules.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
In addition, Solomon had 4,000 stalls of horses and chariots, and 12,000 cavalrymen stationed in the chariot cities as well as in Jerusalem to protect the king.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He ruled over all kings and kingdoms from the Euphrates River to the land of the Philistines and as far away as the border of Egypt.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He made silver become as plentiful in Jerusalem as stones in the road! And cedar was used as though it were common sycamore.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The rest of Solomon’s biography is written in the history of Nathan the prophet and in the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite, and also in the visions of Iddo the seer concerning Jeroboam the son of Nebat.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Meanwhile, friends of Jeroboam (son of Nebat) sent word to him of Solomon’s death. He was in Egypt at the time, where he had gone to escape from King Solomon. He now quickly returned, and was present at the coronation, and led the people’s demands on Rehoboam:


book: 2Chr
contenido:
“Your father was a hard master,” they said. “Be easier on us than he was, and we will let you be our king!”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He discussed their demand with the old men who had counseled his father Solomon.
“What shall I tell them?” he asked.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
“If you want to be their king,” they replied, “you will have to give them a favorable reply and treat them with kindness.”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
But he rejected their advice and asked the opinion of the young men who had grown up with him. “What do you fellows think I should do?” he asked. “Shall I be easier on them than my father was?”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
“No!” they replied. “Tell them, ‘If you think my father was hard on you, just wait and see what I’ll be like!’ Tell them, ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s loins!


book: 2Chr
contenido:
and followed the counsel of the younger ones.
“My father gave you heavy burdens, but I will give you heavier!” he told them. “My father punished you with whips, but I will punish you with scorpions!”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
So the king turned down the people’s demands. (God caused him to do it in order to fulfill his prediction spoken to Jeroboam by Ahijah the Shilonite.)


book: 2Chr
contenido:
When the people realized what the king was saying, they turned their backs and deserted him.
“Forget David and his dynasty!” they shouted angrily. “We’ll get someone else to be our king. Let Rehoboam rule his own tribe of Judah! Let’s go home!” So they did.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Afterwards, when King Rehoboam sent Hadoram to draft forced labor from the other tribes of Israel, the people stoned him to death. When this news reached King Rehoboam, he jumped into his chariot and fled to Jerusalem.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Upon arrival at Jerusalem, Rehoboam mobilized the armies of Judah and Benjamin, 180,000 strong, and declared war against the rest of Israel in an attempt to reunite the kingdom.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
“‘The Lord says, Do not fight against your brothers. Go home, for I am behind their rebellion.’” So they obeyed the Lord and refused to fight against Jeroboam.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Rehoboam stayed in Jerusalem and fortified these cities of Judah with walls and gates to protect himself: Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa, Beth-zur, Soco, Adullam, Gath, Mareshah, Ziph, Adoraim, Lachish, Azekah, Zorah, Aijalon, and Hebron.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He also rebuilt and strengthened the forts, and manned them with companies of soldiers under their officers, and stored them with food, olive oil, and wine.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Shields and spears were placed in armories in every city as a further safety measure. For only Judah and Benjamin remained loyal to him.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
However, the priests and Levites from the other tribes now abandoned their homes and moved to Judah and Jerusalem, for King Jeroboam had fired them, telling them to stop being priests of the Lord.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He had appointed other priests instead who encouraged the people to worship idols instead of God and to sacrifice to carved statues of goats and calves, which he placed on the hills.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Laymen, too, from all over Israel began moving to Jerusalem where they could freely worship the Lord God of their fathers and sacrifice to him.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
This strengthened the kingdom of Judah, so King Rehoboam survived for three years without difficulty; for during those years there was an earnest effort to obey the Lord as King David and King Solomon had done.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Rehoboam married his cousin Mahalath. She was the daughter of David’s son Jerimoth and of Abihail, the daughter of David’s brother Eliab.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Later he married Maacah, the daughter of Absalom. The children she bore him were Abijah, Attai, Ziza, and Shelomith.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He loved Maacah more than any of his other wives and concubines (he had eighteen wives and sixty concubines—with twenty-eight sons and sixty daughters).


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He very wisely scattered his other sons in the fortified cities throughout the land of Judah and Benjamin, and gave them large allowances and arranged for them to have several wives apiece.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
But just when Rehoboam was at the height of his popularity and power he abandoned the Lord, and the people followed him in this sin.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
with 1,200 chariots, 60,000 cavalrymen and an unnumbered host of infantrymen—Egyptians, Libyans, Sukkiim, and Ethiopians.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The prophet Shemaiah now met with Rehoboam and the Judean leaders from every part of the nation (they had fled to Jerusalem for safety) and told them, “The Lord says, ‘You have forsaken me, so I have forsaken you and abandoned you to Shishak.’”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Then the king and the leaders of Israel confessed their sins and exclaimed, “The Lord is right in doing this to us!”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
And when the Lord saw them humble themselves, he sent Shemaiah to tell them, “Because you have humbled yourselves, I will not completely destroy you; some will escape. I will not use Shishak to pour out my anger upon Jerusalem.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
But you must pay annual tribute to him. Then you will realize how much better it is to serve me than to serve him!”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
So King Shishak of Egypt conquered Jerusalem and took away all the treasures of the Temple and of the palace, also all of Solomon’s gold shields.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
King Rehoboam replaced them with bronze shields and committed them to the care of the captain of his bodyguard.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Whenever the king went to the Temple, the guards would carry them and afterwards return them to the armory.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
When the king humbled himself, the Lord’s anger was turned aside and he didn’t send total destruction; in fact, even after Shishak’s invasion, the economy of Judah remained strong.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
King Rehoboam reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city God had chosen as his residence after considering all the other cities of Israel. He had become king at the age of forty-one, and his mother’s name was Naamah the Ammonitess.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The complete biography of Rehoboam is recorded in the histories written by Shemaiah the prophet and by Iddo the seer and in The Genealogical Register.
There were continual wars between Rehoboam and Jeroboam.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Abijah became the new king of Judah in Jerusalem in the eighteenth year of the reign of King Jeroboam of Israel. He lasted three years. His mother’s name was Micaiah (daughter of Uriel of Gibeah).
Early in his reign war broke out between Judah and Israel.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Judah, led by King Abijah, fielded 400,000 seasoned warriors against twice as many Israeli troops—strong, courageous men led by King Jeroboam.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
When the army of Judah arrived at Mount Zemaraim, in the hill country of Ephraim, King Abijah shouted to King Jeroboam and the Israeli army:


book: 2Chr
contenido:
“Listen! Don’t you realize that the Lord God of Israel swore that David’s descendants would always be the kings of Israel?


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Then a whole gang of worthless rebels joined him, defying Solomon’s son Rehoboam, for he was young and frightened and couldn’t stand up to them.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Do you really think you can defeat the kingdom of the Lord that is led by a descendant of David? Your army is twice as large as mine, but you are cursed with those gold calves you have with you that Jeroboam made for you—he calls them your gods!


book: 2Chr
contenido:
And you have driven away the priests of the Lord and the Levites and have appointed heathen priests instead. Just like the people of other lands, you accept as priests anybody who comes along with a young bullock and seven rams for consecration. Anyone at all can be a priest of these no-gods of yours!


book: 2Chr
contenido:
“But as for us, the Lord is our God and we have not forsaken him. Only the descendants of Aaron are our priests, and the Levites alone may help them in their work.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
They burn sacrifices to the Lord every morning and evening—burnt offerings and sweet incense; and they place the Bread of the Presence upon the holy table. The gold lampstand is lighted every night, for we are careful to follow the instructions of the Lord our God; but you have forsaken him.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
So you see, God is with us; he is our leader. His priests, trumpeting as they go, will lead us into battle against you. O people of Israel, do not fight against the Lord God of your fathers, for you will not succeed!”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Meanwhile, Jeroboam had secretly sent part of his army around behind the men of Judah to ambush them; so Judah was surrounded, with the enemy before and behind them. Then they cried out to the Lord for mercy, and the priests blew the trumpets.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The men of Judah began to shout. And as they shouted, God used King Abijah and the men of Judah to turn the tide of battle against King Jeroboam and the army of Israel,


book: 2Chr
contenido:
So Judah, depending upon the Lord God of their fathers, defeated Israel, and chased King Jeroboam’s troops, and captured some of his cities—Bethel, Jeshanah, Ephron, and their suburbs.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
King Jeroboam of Israel never regained his power during Abijah’s lifetime, and eventually the Lord struck him and he died.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Meanwhile, King Abijah of Judah became very strong. He married fourteen wives and had twenty-two sons and sixteen daughters.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
King Abijah was buried in Jerusalem. Then his son Asa became the new king of Judah, and there was peace in the land for the first ten years of his reign,


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He demolished the heathen altars on the hills, and broke down the obelisks, and chopped down the shameful Asherim idols,


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Also, he removed the sun images from the hills and the incense altars from every one of Judah’s cities. That is why God gave his kingdom peace.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
“Now is the time to do it, while the Lord is blessing us with peace because of our obedience to him,” he told his people. “Let us build and fortify cities now, with walls, towers, gates, and bars.” So they went ahead with these projects very successfully.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
King Asa’s Judean army was 300,000 strong, equipped with light shields and spears. His army of Benjaminites numbered 280,000, armed with large shields and bows. Both armies were composed of well-trained, brave men.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
But now he was attacked by an army of 1,000,000 troops from Ethiopia with 300 chariots, under the leadership of General Zerah. They advanced to the city of Mareshah, in the valley of Zephathah, and King Asa sent his troops to battle with them there.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
“O Lord,” he cried out to God, “no one else can help us! Here we are, powerless against this mighty army. Oh, help us, Lord our God! For we trust in you alone to rescue us, and in your name we attack this vast horde. Don’t let mere men defeat you!”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Then the Lord defeated the Ethiopians, and Asa and the army of Judah triumphed as the Ethiopians fled.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
They chased them as far as Gerar, and the entire Ethiopian army was wiped out so that not one man remained; for the Lord and his army destroyed them all. Then the army of Judah carried off vast quantities of plunder.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
While they were at Gerar they attacked all the cities in that area, and terror from the Lord came upon the residents. As a result, additional vast quantities of plunder were collected from these cities too.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
They not only plundered the cities but destroyed the cattle tents and captured great herds of sheep and camels before finally returning to Jerusalem.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
and he went out to meet King Asa as he was returning from the battle.
“Listen to me, Asa! Listen, armies of Judah and Benjamin!” he shouted. “The Lord will stay with you as long as you stay with him! Whenever you look for him, you will find him. But if you forsake him, he will forsake you.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
For a long time now, over in Israel, the people haven’t worshiped the true God and have not had a true priest to teach them. They have lived without God’s laws.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
But whenever they have turned again to the Lord God of Israel in their distress and searched for him he has helped them.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
In their times of rebellion against God there was no peace. Problems troubled the nation on every hand. Crime was on the increase everywhere.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
There were external wars and internal fighting of city against city, for God was plaguing them with all sorts of trouble.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
When King Asa heard this message from God, he took courage and destroyed all the idols in the land of Judah and Benjamin and in the cities he had captured in the hill country of Ephraim, and he rebuilt the altar of the Lord in front of the Temple.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Then he summoned all the people of Judah and Benjamin and the immigrants from Israel (for many had come from the territories of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon in Israel when they saw that the Lord God was with King Asa).


book: 2Chr
contenido:
and sacrificed to the Lord seven hundred oxen and seven thousand sheep—it was part of the plunder they had captured in the battle.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
All were happy for this covenant with God, for they had entered into it with all their hearts and wills and wanted him above everything else, and they found him! And he gave them peace throughout the nation.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
King Asa even removed his mother Maacah from being the queen mother because she made an Asherah idol; he cut down the idol and crushed and burned it at Kidron Brook.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Over in Israel the idol-temples were not removed. But here in Judah and Benjamin the heart of King Asa was perfect before God throughout his lifetime.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He brought back into the Temple the silver and gold bowls that he and his father had dedicated to the Lord.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
In the thirty-sixth year of King Asa’s reign, King Baasha of Israel declared war on him and built the fortress of Ramah in order to control the road to Judah.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Asa’s response was to take the silver and gold from the Temple and from the palace, and to send it to King Ben-hadad of Syria at Damascus with this message:


book: 2Chr
contenido:
“Let us renew the mutual security pact that there was between your father and my father. See, here is silver and gold to induce you to break your alliance with King Baasha of Israel, so that he will leave me alone.”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Ben-hadad agreed to King Asa’s request and mobilized his armies to attack Israel. They destroyed the cities of Ijon, Dan, Abel-maim and all of the supply centers in Naphtali.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
As soon as King Baasha of Israel heard what was happening, he discontinued building Ramah and gave up his plan to attack Judah.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Then King Asa and the people of Judah went out to Ramah and carried away the building stones and timbers and used them to build Geba and Mizpah instead.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
About that time the prophet Hanani came to King Asa and told him, “Because you have put your trust in the king of Syria instead of in the Lord your God, the army of the king of Syria has escaped from you.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Don’t you remember what happened to the Ethiopians and Libyans and their vast army, with all of their chariots and cavalrymen? But you relied then on the Lord, and he delivered them all into your hand.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
For the eyes of the Lord search back and forth across the whole earth, looking for people whose hearts are perfect toward him, so that he can show his great power in helping them. What a fool you have been! From now on you shall have wars.”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Asa was so angry with the prophet for saying this that he threw him into jail. And Asa oppressed all the people at that time.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
In the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa became seriously diseased in his feet, but he didn’t go to the Lord with the problem but to the doctors.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
So he died in the forty-first year of his reign and was buried in his own vault that he had hewn out for himself in Jerusalem. He was laid on a bed perfumed with sweet spices and ointments, and his people made a very great burning of incense for him at his funeral.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He placed garrisons in all of the fortified cities of Judah, in various other places throughout the country, and in the cities of Ephraim that his father had conquered.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he followed in the good footsteps of his father’s early years and did not worship idols.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He obeyed the commandments of his father’s God—quite unlike the people across the border in the land of Israel.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
So the Lord strengthened his position as king of Judah. All the people of Judah cooperated by paying their taxes, so he became very wealthy as well as being very popular.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He boldly followed the paths of God—even knocking down the heathen altars on the hills and destroying the Asherim idols.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
In the third year of his reign he began a nationwide religious education program. He sent out top government officials as teachers in all the cities of Judah. These men included Ben-hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah. He also used the Levites for this purpose, including Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tobadonijah; also the priests, Elishama and Jehoram. They took copies of The Book of the Law of the Lord to all the cities of Judah to teach the Scriptures to the people.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Then the fear of the Lord fell upon all the surrounding kingdoms so that none of them declared war on King Jehoshaphat.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Even some of the Philistines brought him presents and annual tribute, and the Arabs donated 7,700 rams and 7,700 male goats.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
His public works program was also extensive, and he had a huge army stationed at Jerusalem, his capital.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Three hundred thousand Judean troops were there under General Adnah. Next in command was Jehohanan with an army of 280,000 men.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Benjamin supplied 200,000 men equipped with bows and shields under the command of Eliada, a great general.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
These were the troops in Jerusalem in addition to those placed by the king in the fortified cities throughout the nation.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
But rich, popular King Jehoshaphat of Judah made a marriage alliance for his son with the daughter of* King Ahab of Israel.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
A few years later he went down to Samaria to visit King Ahab, and King Ahab gave a great party for him and his aides, butchering great numbers of sheep and oxen for the feast. Then he asked King Jehoshaphat to join forces with him against Ramoth-gilead.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
“Why, of course!” King Jehoshaphat replied. “I’m with you all the way. My troops are at your command! However, let’s check with the Lord first.”
So King Ahab summoned 400 of his heathen prophets and asked them, “Shall we go to war with Ramoth-gilead or not?”
And they replied, “Go ahead, for God will give you a great victory!”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
But Jehoshaphat wasn’t satisfied. “Isn’t there some prophet of the Lord around here too?” he asked. “I’d like to ask him the same question.”
“Well,” Ahab told him, “there is one, but I hate him, for he never prophesies anything but evil! His name is Micaiah (son of Imlah).”
“Oh, come now, don’t talk like that!” Jehoshaphat exclaimed. “Let’s hear what he has to say.”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
So the king of Israel called one of his aides. “Quick! Go and get Micaiah (son of Imlah),” he ordered.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The two kings were sitting on thrones in full regalia at an open place near the Samaria gate, and all the “prophets” were prophesying before them.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
One of them, Zedekiah (son of Chenaanah), made some iron horns for the occasion and proclaimed, “The Lord says you will gore the Syrians to death with these!”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
And all the others agreed. “Yes,” they chorused, “go up to Ramoth-gilead and prosper, for the Lord will cause you to conquer.”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The man who went to get Micaiah told him what was happening and what all the prophets were saying—that the war would end in triumph for the king.
“I hope you will agree with them and give the king a favorable reading,” the man ventured.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
When he arrived before the king, the king asked him, “Micaiah, shall we go to war against Ramoth-gilead or not?”
And Micaiah replied, “Sure, go ahead! It will be a glorious victory!”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
“Look here,” the king said sharply, “how many times must I tell you to speak nothing except what the Lord tells you to?”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Then Micaiah told him, “In my vision I saw all Israel scattered upon the mountain as sheep without a shepherd. And the Lord said, ‘Their master has been killed. Send them home.’”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
“Didn’t I tell you?” the king of Israel exclaimed to Jehoshaphat. “He does it every time. He never prophesies anything but evil against me.”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
“Listen to what else the Lord has told me,” Micaiah continued. “I saw him upon his throne surrounded by vast throngs of angels.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
“And the Lord said, ‘Who can get King Ahab to go to battle against Ramoth-gilead and be killed there?’
“There were many suggestions, but finally a spirit stepped forward before the Lord and said, ‘I can do it!’
“‘How?’ the Lord asked him.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
“He replied, ‘I will be a lying spirit in the mouths of all of the king’s prophets!’
“‘It will work,’ the Lord said; ‘go and do it.’


book: 2Chr
contenido:
“So you see, the Lord has put a lying spirit in the mouths of these prophets of yours, when actually he has determined just the opposite of what they are telling you!”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Then Zedekiah (son of Chenaanah) walked up to Micaiah and slapped him across the face. “You liar!” he yelled. “When did the Spirit of the Lord leave me and enter you?”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
“Arrest this man and take him back to Governor Amon and to my son Joash,” the king of Israel ordered.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
“Tell them, ‘The king says to put this fellow in prison and feed him with bread and water until I return safely from the battle!’”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Micaiah replied, “If you return safely, the Lord has not spoken through me.” Then, turning to those around them, he remarked, “Take note of what I have said.”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “I’ll disguise myself so that no one will recognize me, but you put on your royal robes!” So that is what they did.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Now the king of Syria had issued these instructions to his charioteers: “Ignore everyone but the king of Israel!”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
So when the Syrian charioteers saw King Jehoshaphat of Judah in his royal robes, they went for him, supposing that he was the man they were after. But Jehoshaphat cried out to the Lord to save him, and the Lord made the charioteers see their mistake and leave him.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
But one of the Syrian soldiers shot an arrow haphazardly at the Israeli troops, and it struck the king of Israel at the opening where the lower armor and the breastplate meet. “Get me out of here,” he groaned to the driver of his chariot, “for I am badly wounded.”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The battle grew hotter and hotter all that day, and King Ahab went back in, propped up in his chariot, to fight the Syrians, but just as the sun sank into the western skies, he died.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
the prophet Jehu (son of Hanani) went out to meet him.
“Should you be helping the wicked, and loving those who hate the Lord?” he asked him. “Because of what you have done, God’s wrath is upon you.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
But there are some good things about you in that you got rid of the shameful idols throughout the land, and you have tried to be faithful to God.”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
So Jehoshaphat made no more trips to Israel after that but remained quietly at Jerusalem. Later he went out again among the people, traveling from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim to encourage them to worship the God of their ancestors.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
and instructed them:
“Watch your step—I have not appointed you—God has; and he will stand beside you and help you give justice in each case that comes before you.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Be very much afraid to give any other decision than what God tells you to. For there must be no injustice among God’s judges, no partiality, no taking of bribes.”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Jehoshaphat set up courts in Jerusalem, too, with the Levites and priests and clan leaders and judges.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Whenever a case is referred to you by the judges out in the provinces, whether murder cases or other violations of the laws and ordinances of God, you are to clarify the evidence for them and help them to decide justly, lest the wrath of God come down upon you and them; if you do this, you will discharge your responsibility.”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Then he appointed Amariah the High Priest to be the court of final appeal in cases involving violation of sacred affairs; and Zebadiah (son of Ishmael), a ruler in Judah, as the court of final appeal in all civil cases; with the Levites as their assistants. “Be fearless in your stand for truth and honesty. And may God use you to defend the innocent,” was his final word to them.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Later on the armies of the kings of Moab, Ammon, and of the Meunites declared war on Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Word reached Jehoshaphat that “a vast army is marching against you from beyond the Dead Sea from Syria. It is already at Hazazon-tamar” (also called Engedi).


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Jehoshaphat was badly shaken by this news and determined to beg for help from the Lord; so he announced that all the people of Judah should go without food for a time, in penitence and intercession before God.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Jehoshaphat stood among them as they gathered at the new court of the Temple and prayed this prayer:


book: 2Chr
contenido:
“O Lord God of our fathers—the only God in all the heavens, the ruler of all the kingdoms of the earth—you are so powerful, so mighty. Who can stand against you?


book: 2Chr
contenido:
O our God, didn’t you drive out the heathen who lived in this land when your people arrived? And didn’t you give this land forever to the descendants of your friend Abraham?


book: 2Chr
contenido:
truly believing that in a time like this—whenever we are faced with any calamity such as war, disease, or famine—we can stand here before this Temple and before you—for you are here in this Temple—and cry out to you to save us; and that you will hear us and rescue us.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
“And now see what the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir are doing. You wouldn’t let our ancestors invade those nations when Israel left Egypt, so we went around and didn’t destroy them.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Now see how they reward us! For they have come to throw us out of your land which you have given us.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
O our God, won’t you stop them? We have no way to protect ourselves against this mighty army. We don’t know what to do, but we are looking to you.”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
As the people from every part of Judah stood before the Lord with their little ones, wives, and children,


book: 2Chr
contenido:
the Spirit of the Lord came upon one of the men standing there—Jahaziel (son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah the Levite, who was one of the sons of Asaph).


book: 2Chr
contenido:
“Listen to me, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem, and you, O king Jehoshaphat!” he exclaimed. “The Lord says, ‘Don’t be afraid! Don’t be paralyzed by this mighty army! For the battle is not yours, but God’s!


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Tomorrow, go down and attack them! You will find them coming up the slopes of Ziz at the end of the valley that opens into the wilderness of Jeruel.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
But you will not need to fight! Take your places; stand quietly and see the incredible rescue operation God will perform for you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem! Don’t be afraid or discouraged! Go out there tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!’”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Then King Jehoshaphat fell to the ground with his face to the earth, and all the people of Judah and the people of Jerusalem did the same, worshiping the Lord.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Then the Levites of the Kohath clan and the Korah clan stood to praise the Lord God of Israel with songs of praise that rang out strong and clear.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Early the next morning the army of Judah went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. On the way Jehoshaphat stopped and called them to attention. “Listen to me, O people of Judah and Jerusalem,” he said. “Believe in the Lord your God and you shall have success! Believe his prophets and everything will be all right!”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
After consultation with the leaders of the people, he determined that there should be a choir leading the march, clothed in sanctified garments and singing the song “His Loving-Kindness Is Forever” as they walked along praising and thanking the Lord!


book: 2Chr
contenido:
And at the moment they began to sing and to praise, the Lord caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to begin fighting among themselves, and they destroyed each other!


book: 2Chr
contenido:
For the Ammonites and Moabites turned against their allies from Mount Seir and killed every one of them. And when they had finished that job, they turned against each other!


book: 2Chr
contenido:
So, when the army of Judah arrived at the watchtower that looks out over the wilderness, as far as they could look there were dead bodies lying on the ground—not a single one of the enemy had escaped.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
King Jehoshaphat and his people went out to plunder the bodies and came away loaded with money, garments, and jewels stripped from the corpses—so much that it took them three days to cart it all away!


book: 2Chr
contenido:
On the fourth day they gathered in the Valley of Blessing, as it is called today, and how they praised the Lord!


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Then they returned to Jerusalem, with Jehoshaphat leading them, full of joy that the Lord had given them this marvelous rescue from their enemies.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
They marched into Jerusalem accompanied by a band of harps, lyres, and trumpets and proceeded to the Temple.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
And as had happened before, when the surrounding kingdoms heard that the Lord himself had fought against the enemies of Israel, the fear of God fell upon them.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
A thumbnail sketch of King Jehoshaphat: He became king of Judah when he was thirty-five years old and reigned twenty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Azubah, the daughter of Shilhi.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
with the exception that he did not destroy the idol shrines on the hills, nor had the people as yet really decided to follow the God of their ancestors.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The details of Jehoshaphat’s reign from first to last are written in the history of Jehu the son of Hanani, which is inserted in The Annals of the Kings of Israel.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
But at the close of his life, Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, went into partnership with Ahaziah, king of Israel, who was a very wicked man.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Then Eliezer, son of Dodavahu from Mareshah, prophesied against Jehoshaphat, telling him, “Because you have allied yourself with King Ahaziah, the Lord has destroyed your work.” So the ships met disaster and never arrived at Tarshish.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
When Jehoshaphat died, he was buried in the cemetery of the kings in Jerusalem, and his son Jehoram became the new ruler of Judah.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
His brothers—other sons of Jehoshaphat—were Azariah, Jehiel, Zechariah, Azariah, Michael, and Shephatiah.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Their father had given each of them valuable gifts of money and jewels, also the ownership of some of the fortified cities of Judah. However, he gave the kingship to Jehoram because he was the oldest. But when Jehoram had become solidly established as king, he killed all of his brothers and many other leaders of Israel.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
But he was as wicked as the kings who were over in Israel. Yes, as wicked as Ahab, for Jehoram had married one of the daughters of Ahab, and his whole life was one constant binge of doing evil.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
However, the Lord was unwilling to end the dynasty of David, for he had made a covenant with David always to have one of his descendants upon the throne.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Jehoram attacked him with his full army and with all of his chariots, marching by night, and almost managed to subdue him.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
But to this day Edom has been successful in throwing off the yoke of Judah. Libnah revolted too because Jehoram had turned away from the Lord God of his fathers.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
What’s more, Jehoram constructed idol shrines in the mountains of Judah and led the people of Jerusalem in worshiping idols; in fact, he compelled his people to worship them.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Then Elijah the prophet wrote him this letter: “The Lord God of your ancestor David says that because you have not followed in the good ways of your father Jehoshaphat, nor the good ways of King Asa,


book: 2Chr
contenido:
but you have been as evil as the kings over in Israel and have made the people of Jerusalem and Judah worship idols just as in the times of King Ahab, and because you have killed your brothers who were better than you,


book: 2Chr
contenido:
now the Lord will destroy your nation with a great plague. You, your children, your wives, and all that you have will be struck down.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Then the Lord stirred up the Philistines and the Arabs living next to the Ethiopians to attack Jehoram.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
They marched against Judah, broke across the border, and carried away everything of value in the king’s palace, including his sons and his wives; only his youngest son, Jehoahaz, escaped.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
In the process of time, at the end of two years, his intestines came out, and he died in terrible suffering. (The customary pomp and ceremony was omitted at his funeral.)


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He was thirty-two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years and died unmourned. He was buried in Jerusalem, but not in the royal cemetery.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Then the people of Jerusalem chose Ahaziah, his youngest son, as their new king (for the marauding bands of Arabs had killed his older sons).


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Athaliah, granddaughter of Omri.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Yes, he was as evil as Ahab, for Ahab’s family became his advisors after his father’s death, and they led him on to ruin.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Following their evil advice, Ahaziah made an alliance with King Joram of Israel (the son of Ahab), who was at war with King Hazael of Syria at Ramoth-gilead. Ahaziah led his army there to join the battle. King Joram of Israel was wounded


book: 2Chr
contenido:
but this turned out to be a fatal mistake; for God had decided to punish Ahaziah for his alliance with Joram. It was during this visit that Ahaziah went out with Joram to challenge Jehu (son of Nimshi), whom the Lord had appointed to end the dynasty of Ahab.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
While Jehu was hunting down and killing the family and friends of Ahab, he met King Ahaziah’s nephews, the princes of Judah, and killed them.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
As he and his men were searching for Ahaziah, they found him hiding in the city of Samaria and brought him to Jehu, who killed him. Even so, Ahaziah was given a royal burial because he was the grandson of King Jehoshaphat—a man who enthusiastically served the Lord. None of his sons, however, except for Joash, lived to succeed him as king,


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Joash was rescued by his Aunt Jehoshabeath, who was King Ahaziah’s sister, and was hidden away in a storage room in the Temple. She was a daughter of King Jehoram and the wife of Jehoiada the priest.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Joash remained hidden in the Temple for six years while Athaliah reigned as queen. He was cared for by his nurse and by his aunt and uncle.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
In the seventh year of the reign of Queen Athaliah, Jehoiada the priest got up his courage and took some of the army officers into his confidence: Azariah (son of Jeroham), Ishmael (son of Jehohanan), Azariah (son of Obed), Maaseiah (son of Adaiah), and Elishaphat (son of Zichri).


book: 2Chr
contenido:
These men traveled out across the nation secretly to tell the Levites and clan leaders about his plans and to summon them to Jerusalem. On arrival they swore allegiance to the young king, who was still in hiding at the Temple.
“At last the time has come for the king’s son to reign!” Jehoiada exclaimed. “The Lord’s promise—that a descendant of King David shall be our king—will be true again.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
This is how we’ll proceed: A third of you priests and Levites who come off duty on the Sabbath will stay at the entrance as guards.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Another third will go over to the palace, and a third will be at the Lower Gate. Everyone else must stay in the outer courts of the Temple, as required by God’s laws. For only the priests and Levites on duty may enter the Temple itself, for they are sanctified.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
You Levites, form a bodyguard for the king, weapons in hand, and kill any unauthorized person entering the Temple. Stay right beside the king.”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
So all the arrangements were made. Each of the three leaders led a third of the priests arriving for duty that Sabbath, and a third of those whose week’s work was done and were going off duty—for Jehoiada the chief priest didn’t release them to go home.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Then Jehoiada issued spears and shields to all the army officers. These had once belonged to King David and were stored in the Temple.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
These officers, fully armed, formed a line from one side to the other in front of the Temple and around the altar in the outer court.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Then they brought out the little prince and placed the crown upon his head, and handed him a copy of the law of God, and proclaimed him king.
A great shout went up, “Long live the king!” as Jehoiada and his sons anointed him.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
When Queen Athaliah heard all the noise and commotion and the shouts of praise to the king, she rushed over to the Temple to see what was going on—and there stood the king by his pillar at the entrance, with the army officers and the trumpeters surrounding him, and people from all over the land rejoicing and blowing trumpets, and the singers singing, accompanied by an orchestra leading the people in a great psalm of praise.
Athaliah ripped her clothes and screamed, “Treason! Treason!”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
“Take her out and kill her,” Jehoiada the priest shouted to the army officers. “Don’t do it here at the Temple. And kill anyone who tries to help her.”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
So the crowd opened up for them to take her out, and they killed her at the palace stables.
Then Jehoiada made a solemn contract that he and the king and the people would be the Lord’s. And all the people rushed over to the temple of Baal and knocked it down, and broke up the altars, and knocked down the idols, and killed Mattan the priest of Baal before his altar.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Jehoiada now appointed the Levite priests as guards, and to sacrifice the burnt offering to the Lord as prescribed in the law of Moses. He made the identical assignments of the Levite clans that King David had. They sang with joy as they worked.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The guards at the Temple gates kept out everything that was not consecrated and all unauthorized personnel.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Then the army officers, nobles, governors, and all the people escorted the king from the Temple, wending their way from the Upper Gate to the palace, and seated the king upon his throne.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
So all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was quiet and peaceful because Queen Athaliah was dead.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Joash was seven years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Zibiah, from Beersheba.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He summoned the priests and Levites and gave them these instructions:
“Go to all the cities of Judah and collect offerings for the building fund so that we can maintain the Temple in good repair. Get at it right away. Don’t delay.” But the Levites took their time.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
So the king called for Jehoiada the High Priest and asked him, “Why haven’t you demanded that the Levites go out and collect the Temple taxes from the cities of Judah and from Jerusalem? The tax law enacted by Moses the servant of the Lord must be enforced so that the Temple can be repaired.”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
(The followers of wicked Athaliah had ravaged the Temple, and everything dedicated to the worship of God had been removed to the temple of Baalim.) So now the king instructed that a chest be made and set outside the Temple gate.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Then a proclamation was sent to all the cities of Judah and throughout Jerusalem telling the people to bring to the Lord the tax that Moses the servant of God had assessed upon Israel.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
And all the leaders and the people were glad, and brought the money and placed it in the chest until it was full.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Then the Levites carried the chest to the king’s accounting office, where the recording secretary and the representative of the High Priest counted the money and took the chest back to the Temple again. This went on day after day, and money continued to pour in.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The king and Jehoiada gave the money to the building superintendents, who hired masons and carpenters to restore the Temple, and to foundrymen, who made articles of iron and brass.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
When all was finished, the remaining money was brought to the king and Jehoiada, and it was agreed to use it for making the gold and silver spoons and bowls used for incense, and for making the instruments used in the sacrifices and offerings.
Burnt offerings were sacrificed continually during the lifetime of Jehoiada the priest.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He was buried in the City of David among the kings because he had done so much good for Israel, for God, and for the Temple.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
But after his death, the leaders of Judah came to King Joash and induced him to abandon the Temple of the God of their ancestors and to worship shameful idols instead! So the wrath of God came down upon Judah and Jerusalem again.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah, Jehoiada’s son. He called a meeting of all the people. Standing before them upon a platform, he said to them, “God wants to know why you are disobeying his commandments. For when you do, everything you try fails. You have forsaken the Lord, and now he has forsaken you.”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Then the leaders plotted to kill Zechariah, and finally King Joash himself ordered him executed in the court of the Temple.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
That was how King Joash repaid Jehoiada for his love and loyalty—by killing his son. Zechariah’s last words as he died were, “Lord, see what they are doing and pay them back.”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
A few months later the Syrian army arrived and conquered Judah and Jerusalem, killing all the leaders of the nation and sending back great quantities of booty to the king of Damascus.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
It was a great triumph for the tiny Syrian army, but the Lord let the great army of Judah be conquered by them because they had forsaken the Lord God of their ancestors. In that way God executed judgment upon Joash.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
When the Syrians left—leaving Joash severely wounded—his own officials decided to kill him for murdering the son of Jehoiada the priest. They assassinated him as he lay in bed, and buried him in the City of David, but not in the cemetery of the kings.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The conspirators were Zabad, whose mother was Shimeath, a woman from Ammon; and Jehozabad, whose mother was Shimrith, a woman from Moab.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
If you want to read about the sons of Joash and the curses laid upon Joash, and about the restoration of the Temple, see The Annals of the Kings.
When Joash died, his son Amaziah became the new king.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Amaziah was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jehoaddan, a native of Jerusalem.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
However, he didn’t kill their children but followed the command of the Lord written in the law of Moses, that the fathers shall not die for the children’s sins, nor the children for the father’s sins. No, everyone must pay for his own sins.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Another thing Amaziah did was to organize the army, assigning leaders to each clan from Judah and Benjamin. Then he took a census and found that he had an army of 300,000 men twenty years old and older, all trained and highly skilled in the use of spear and sword. He also paid $200,000 to hire 100,000 experienced mercenaries from Israel.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
But a prophet arrived with this message from the Lord: “Sir, do not hire troops from Israel, for the Lord is not with them.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
If you let them go with your troops to battle, you will be defeated no matter how well you fight; for God has power to help or to frustrate.”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
“But the money!” Amaziah whined. “What shall I do about that?”
And the prophet replied, “The Lord is able to give you much more than this!”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Another 10,000 were taken alive to the top of a cliff and thrown over so that they were crushed upon the rocks below.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Meanwhile, the army of Israel that had been sent home raided several of the cities of Judah in the vicinity of Beth-horon toward Samaria, killing 3,000 people and carrying off great quantities of booty.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
When King Amaziah returned from this slaughter of the Edomites, he brought with him idols taken from the people of Seir, set them up as gods, bowed before them, and burned incense to them!


book: 2Chr
contenido:
This made the Lord very angry, and he sent a prophet to demand, “Why have you worshiped gods who couldn’t even save their own people from you?”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
“Since when have I asked your advice?” the king retorted. “Be quiet now before I have you killed.”
The prophet left with this parting warning: “I know that God has determined to destroy you because you have worshiped these idols and have not accepted my counsel.”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
King Amaziah of Judah now took the advice of his counselors and declared war on King Joash of Israel (son of Jehoahaz, grandson of Jehu).


book: 2Chr
contenido:
King Joash replied with this parable: “Out in the Lebanon mountains a thistle demanded of a cedar tree, ‘Give your daughter in marriage to my son.’ Just then a wild animal came by and stepped on the thistle, crushing it!


book: 2Chr
contenido:
You are very proud about your conquest of Edom, but my advice is to stay home and don’t meddle with me, lest you and all Judah get badly hurt.”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
King Joash of Israel captured the defeated King Amaziah of Judah and took him as a prisoner to Jerusalem. Then King Joash ordered 200 yards of the walls of Jerusalem dismantled, from the gate of Ephraim to the Corner Gate.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He carried off all the treasures and gold bowls from the Temple, as well as the treasures from the palace; and he took hostages, including Obed-edom, and returned to Samaria.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
This account includes a report of Amaziah’s turning away from God, how his people conspired against him in Jerusalem, and how he fled to Lachish—but they went after him and killed him there.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He followed in the footsteps of his father Amaziah and was, in general, a good king in the Lord’s sight.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
While Zechariah was alive Uzziah was always eager to please God. Zechariah was a man who had special revelations from God. And as long as the king followed the paths of God, he prospered, for God blessed him.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He declared war on the Philistines and captured the city of Gath and broke down its walls, also those of Jabneh and Ashdod. Then he built new cities in the Ashdod area and in other parts of the Philistine country.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
God helped him not only with his wars against the Philistines but also in his battles with the Arabs of Gur-baal and in his wars with the Meunites.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The Ammonites paid annual tribute to him, and his fame spread even to Egypt, for he was very powerful.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He built fortified towers in Jerusalem at the Corner Gate, and the Valley Gate, and at the turning of the wall.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He also constructed forts in the Negeb and made many water reservoirs, for he had great herds of cattle out in the valleys and on the plains. He was a man who loved the soil and had many farms and vineyards, both on the hillsides and in the fertile valleys.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He organized his army into regiments to which men were drafted under quotas set by Jeiel, the secretary of the army, and his assistant, Maaseiah. The commander-in-chief was General Hananiah.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
And he produced engines of war manufactured in Jerusalem, invented by brilliant men to shoot arrows and huge stones from the towers and battlements. So he became very famous, for the Lord helped him wonderfully until he was very powerful.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
But at that point he became proud—and corrupt. He sinned against the Lord his God by entering the forbidden sanctuary of the Temple and personally burning incense upon the altar.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Azariah the High Priest went in after him with eighty other priests, all brave men, and demanded that he get out.
“It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense,” they declared. “That is the work of the priests alone, the sons of Aaron who are consecrated to this work. Get out, for you have trespassed, and the Lord is not going to honor you for this!”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Uzziah was furious and refused to set down the incense burner he was holding. But look! Suddenly—leprosy appeared on his forehead!


book: 2Chr
contenido:
When Azariah and the others saw it, they rushed him out; in fact, he himself was as anxious to get out as they were to get him out because the Lord had struck him.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
So King Uzziah was a leper until the day of his death and lived in isolation, cut off from his people and from the Temple. His son Jotham became vice-regent, in charge of the king’s affairs and of the judging of the people of the land.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The other details of Uzziah’s reign from first to last are recorded by the prophet Isaiah (son of Amoz).


book: 2Chr
contenido:
When Uzziah died, he was buried in the royal cemetery even though he was a leper, and his son Jotham became the new king.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Jotham was twenty-five years old at the time he became king, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. His mother was Jerushah, daughter of Zadok.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He followed the generally good example of his father, Uzziah—who had, however, sinned by invading the Temple—but even so his people became very corrupt.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He built the Upper Gate of the Temple and also did extensive rebuilding of the walls on the hill where the Temple was situated.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
And he built cities in the hill country of Judah and erected fortresses and towers on the wooded hills.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
His war against the Ammonites was successful so that for the next three years he received from them an annual tribute of $200,000 in silver, 10,000 sacks of wheat, and 10,000 sacks of barley.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The remainder of his history, including his wars and other activities, is written in The Annals of the Kings of Israel and Judah.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
In summary, then, he was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Ahaz was twenty years old when he became king, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. But he was an evil king, unlike his ancestor King David.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He even went out to the valley of Hinnom, and it was not just to burn incense to the idols, for he even sacrificed his own children in the fire, just like the heathen nations that were thrown out of the land by the Lord to make room for Israel.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
That is why the Lord God allowed the king of Syria to defeat him and deport large numbers of his people to Damascus. The armies from Israel also slaughtered great numbers of his troops.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
On a single day Pekah, the son of Remaliah, killed 120,000 of his bravest soldiers because they had turned away from the Lord God of their fathers.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Then Zichri, a great warrior from Ephraim, killed the king’s son Maaseiah, the king’s administrator Azrikam, and the king’s second-in-command Elkanah.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The armies from Israel also captured 200,000 Judean women and children and tremendous amounts of booty, which they took to Samaria.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
But Oded, a prophet of the Lord, was there in Samaria, and he went out to meet the returning army.
“Look!” he exclaimed. “The Lord God of your fathers was angry with Judah and let you capture them, but you have butchered them without mercy, and all heaven is disturbed.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
And now are you going to make slaves of these people from Judah and Jerusalem? What about your own sins against the Lord your God?


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Listen to me and return these relatives of yours to their homes, for now the fierce anger of the Lord is upon you.”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Some of the top leaders of Ephraim also added their opposition. These men were Azariah the son of Johanan, Berechiah the son of Meshillemoth, Jehizkiah the son of Shallum, and Amasa the son of Hadlai.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
“You must not bring the captives here!” they declared. “If you do, the Lord will be angry, and this sin will be added to our many others. We are in enough trouble with God as it is.”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
So the army officers turned over the captives and booty to the political leaders to decide what to do.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Then the four men already mentioned distributed captured stores of clothing to the women and children who needed it and gave them shoes, food, and wine, and put those who were sick and old on donkeys, and took them back to their families in Jericho, the City of Palm Trees. Then their escorts returned to Samaria.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
About that time King Ahaz of Judah asked the king of Assyria to be his ally in his war against the armies of Edom. For Edom was invading Judah and capturing many people as slaves.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Meanwhile, the Philistines had invaded the lowland cities and the Negeb and had already captured Beth-shemesh, Aijalon, Gederoth, Soco, Timnah, and Gimzo with their surrounding villages, and were living there.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
For the Lord brought Judah very low on account of the evil deeds of King Ahaz of Israel, for he had destroyed the spiritual fiber of Judah and had been faithless to the Lord.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
But when Tilgath-pilneser, king of Assyria, arrived, he caused trouble for King Ahaz instead of helping him.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He sacrificed to the gods of the people of Damascus who had defeated him, for he felt that since these gods had helped the kings of Syria, they would help him too if he sacrificed to them. But instead, they were his ruin, and that of all his people.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The king took the gold bowls from the Temple and slashed them to pieces, and nailed the door of the Temple shut so that no one could worship there, and made altars to the heathen gods in every corner of Jerusalem.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The other details of his life and activities are recorded in The Annals of the Kings of Judah and Israel.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
When King Ahaz died, he was buried in Jerusalem but not in the royal tombs, and his son Hezekiah became the new king.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Hezekiah was twenty-five years old when he became the king of Judah, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Abijah, the daughter of Zechariah.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
In the very first month of the first year of his reign, he reopened the doors of the Temple and repaired them.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He summoned the priests and Levites to meet him at the open space east of the Temple and addressed them thus:
“Listen to me, you Levites. Sanctify yourselves and sanctify the Temple of the Lord God of your ancestors—clean all the debris from the holy place.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
For our fathers have committed a deep sin before the Lord our God; they abandoned the Lord and his Temple and turned their backs on it.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The doors have been shut tight, the perpetual flame has been put out, and the incense and burnt offerings have not been offered.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Therefore, the wrath of the Lord has been upon Judah and Jerusalem. He has caused us to be objects of horror, amazement, and contempt, as you see us today.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Our fathers have been killed in war, and our sons and daughters and wives are in captivity because of this.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
“But now I want to make a covenant with the Lord God of Israel so that his fierce anger will turn away from us.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
My children, don’t neglect your duties any longer, for the Lord has chosen you to minister to him and to burn incense.”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Then the Levites went into action:
From the Kohath clan, Mahath (son of Amasai) and Joel (son of Azariah);
From the Merari clan, Kish (son of Abdi) and Azariah (son of Jehallelel);
From the Gershon clan, Joah (son of Zimmah) and Eden (son of Joah).
From the Elizaphan clan, Shimri and Jeuel;
From the Asaph clan, Zechariah and Mattaniah;
From the Hemanite clan, Jehuel and Shimei;
From the Jeduthun clan, Shemaiah and Uzziel.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
They in turn summoned their fellow Levites and sanctified themselves, and began to clean up and sanctify the Temple, as the king (who was speaking for the Lord) had commanded them.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The priests cleaned up the inner room of the Temple and brought out into the court all the filth and decay they found there. The Levites then carted it out to Kidron Brook.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
This all began on the first day of April, and by the eighth day they had reached the outer court, which took eight days to clean up, so the entire job was completed in sixteen days.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Then they went back to the palace and reported to King Hezekiah, “We have completed the cleansing of the Temple and of the altar of burnt offerings and of its accessories, also the table of the Bread of the Presence and its equipment.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
What’s more, we have recovered and sanctified all the utensils thrown away by King Ahaz when he closed the Temple. They are beside the altar of the Lord.”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
taking seven young bulls, seven rams, seven lambs, and seven male goats for a sin offering for the nation and for the Temple.
He instructed the priests, the sons of Aaron, to sacrifice them on the altar of the Lord.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
So they killed the young bulls, and the priests took the blood and sprinkled it on the altar, and they killed the rams and sprinkled their blood upon the altar, and did the same with the lambs.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The male goats for the sin offering were then brought before the king and his officials, who laid their hands upon them.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Then the priests killed the animals and made a sin offering with their blood upon the altar to make atonement for all Israel, as the king had commanded—for the king had specified that the burnt offering and sin offering must be sacrificed for the entire nation.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He organized Levites at the Temple into an orchestral group, using cymbals, psalteries, and harps. This was in accordance with the directions of David and the prophets Gad and Nathan, who had received their instructions from the Lord. The priests formed a trumpet corps.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Then Hezekiah ordered the burnt offering to be placed upon the altar, and as the sacrifice began, the instruments of music began to play the songs of the Lord, accompanied by the trumpets.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Throughout the entire ceremony everyone worshiped the Lord as the singers sang and the trumpets blew.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Then King Hezekiah ordered the Levites to sing before the Lord some of the psalms of David and of the prophet Asaph, which they gladly did, and bowed their heads and worshiped.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
“The consecration ceremony is now ended,” Hezekiah said. “Now bring your sacrifices and thank offerings.” So the people from every part of the nation brought their sacrifices and thank offerings, and those who wished to brought burnt offerings too.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
In all, there were 70 young bulls for burnt offerings, 100 rams, and 200 lambs. In addition, 600 oxen and 3,000 sheep were brought as holy gifts.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
But there were too few priests to prepare the burnt offerings, so their brothers the Levites helped them until the work was finished—and until more priests had reported to work—for the Levites were much more ready to sanctify themselves than the priests were.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
There was an abundance of burnt offerings, and the usual drink offering with each, and many peace offerings. So it was that the Temple was restored to service, and the sacrifices offered again.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
King Hezekiah now sent letters throughout all of Israel, Judah, Ephraim, and Manasseh, inviting everyone to come to the Temple at Jerusalem for the annual Passover celebration.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The king, his aides, and all the assembly of Jerusalem had voted to celebrate the Passover in May this time, rather than at the normal time in April, because not enough priests were sanctified at the earlier date, and there wasn’t enough time to get notices out.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
so they sent a Passover proclamation throughout Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, inviting everyone. They had not kept it in great numbers as prescribed.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
“Come back to the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel,” the king’s letter said, “so that he will return to us who have escaped from the power of the kings of Assyria.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Do not be like your fathers and brothers who sinned against the Lord God of their fathers and were destroyed.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Do not be stubborn, as they were, but yield yourselves to the Lord and come to his Temple which he has sanctified forever, and worship the Lord your God so that his fierce anger will turn away from you.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
For if you turn to the Lord again, your brothers and your children will be treated mercifully by their captors, and they will be able to return to this land. For the Lord your God is full of kindness and mercy and will not continue to turn away his face from you if you return to him.”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
So the messengers went from city to city throughout Ephraim and Manasseh and as far as Zebulun. But for the most part they were received with laughter and scorn!


book: 2Chr
contenido:
But in Judah the entire nation felt a strong, God-given desire to obey the Lord’s direction as commanded by the king and his officers.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
And so it was that a very large crowd assembled at Jerusalem in the month of May for the Passover celebration.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
They set to work and destroyed the heathen altars in Jerusalem, and knocked down all the incense altars, and threw them into Kidron Brook.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
On the first day of May the people killed their Passover lambs. Then the priests and Levites became ashamed of themselves for not taking a more active part, so they sanctified themselves and brought burnt offerings into the Temple.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
They stood at their posts as instructed by the law of Moses the man of God; and the priests sprinkled the blood received from the Levites.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Since many of the people arriving from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun were ceremonially impure because they had not undergone the purification rites, the Levites killed their Passover lambs for them, to sanctify them. Then King Hezekiah prayed for them, and they were permitted to eat the Passover anyway, even though this was contrary to God’s rules. But Hezekiah said, “May the good Lord pardon everyone who determines to follow the Lord God of his fathers, even though he is not properly sanctified for the ceremony.”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
So the people of Israel celebrated the Passover at Jerusalem for seven days with great joy.
Meanwhile the Levites and priests praised the Lord with music and cymbals day after day.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
(King Hezekiah spoke very appreciatively to the Levites of their excellent music.)
So for seven days the observance continued, and peace offerings were sacrificed, and the people confessed their sins to the Lord God of their fathers.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The enthusiasm continued, so it was unanimously decided to continue the observance for another seven days.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
King Hezekiah gave the people 1,000 young bulls for offerings and 7,000 sheep; and the princes donated 1,000 young bulls and 10,000 sheep. And at this time another large group of priests stepped forward and sanctified themselves.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Then the people of Judah, together with the priests, the Levites, the foreign residents, and the visitors from Israel, were filled with deep joy.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Then the priests and Levites stood and blessed the people, and the Lord heard their prayers from his holy temple in heaven.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Afterwards a massive campaign against idol worship was begun. Those who were at Jerusalem for the Passover went out to the cities of Judah, Benjamin, Ephraim, and Manasseh and tore down the idol altars, the obelisks, the shameful images, and other heathen centers of worship. Then the people who had come to the Passover from the northern tribes returned again to their own homes.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Hezekiah now organized the priests and Levites into service corps to offer the burnt offerings and peace offerings, and to worship and give thanks and praise to the Lord.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He also made a personal contribution of animals for the daily morning and evening burnt offerings, as well as for the weekly Sabbath and monthly new moon festivals, and for the other annual feasts as required in the law of God.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
In addition, he required the people in Jerusalem to bring their tithes to the priests and Levites so that they wouldn’t need other employment but could apply themselves fully to their duties as required in the law of God.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The people responded immediately and generously with the first of their crops and grain, new wine, olive oil, honey, and everything else—a tithe of all they owned, as required by law to be given to the Lord their God. Everything was laid out in great piles. The people who had moved to Judah from the northern tribes and the people of Judah living in the provinces also brought in the tithes of their cattle and sheep, and brought a tithe of the dedicated things to give to the Lord, and piled them up in great heaps.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The first of these tithes arrived in June, and the piles continued to grow until October. When Hezekiah and his officials came and saw these huge piles, how they blessed the Lord and praised his people!


book: 2Chr
contenido:
And Azariah the High Priest from the clan of Zadok replied, “These are tithes! We have been eating from these stores of food for many weeks, but all this is left over, for the Lord has blessed his people.”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
All the dedicated supplies were brought into the Lord’s house. Conaniah the Levite was put in charge, assisted by his brother Shimei and the following aides: Jehiel, Azaziah, Nahath, Asahel, Jerimoth, Jozabad, Eliel, Ismachiah, Mahath, Benaiah.
These appointments were made by King Hezekiah and Azariah the High Priest.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Kore (son of Imnah, the Levite), who was the gatekeeper at the East Gate, was put in charge of distributing the offerings to the priests. His faithful assistants were Eden, Miniamin, Jeshua, Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah. They distributed the gifts to the clans of priests in their cities, dividing them to young and old alike.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
However, the priests on duty at the Temple and their families were supplied directly from there, so they were not included in this distribution.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The priests were listed in the genealogical register by clans, and the Levites twenty years old and older were listed under the names of their work corps. A regular food allotment was given to all families of properly registered priests, for they had no other source of income because their time and energies were devoted to the service of the Temple.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
One of the priests was appointed in each of the cities of the priests to issue food and other supplies to all priests in the area and to all registered Levites.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
In this way King Hezekiah handled the distribution throughout all Judah, doing what was just and fair in the sight of the Lord his God.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He worked very hard to encourage respect for the Temple, the law, and godly living, and was very successful.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Some time later after this good work of King Hezekiah, King Sennacherib of Assyria invaded Judah and laid siege to the fortified cities, planning to place them under tribute.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Hezekiah summoned his princes and officers for a council of war, and it was decided to plug the springs outside the city.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
They organized a huge work crew to block them and to cut off the brook running through the fields.
“Why should the king of Assyria come and find water?” they asked.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Then Hezekiah further strengthened his defenses by repairing the wall wherever it was broken down, and by adding to the fortifications, and constructing a second wall outside it. He also reinforced Fort Millo in the City of David and manufactured large numbers of weapons and shields.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He recruited an army and appointed officers, and summoned them to the plains before the city, and encouraged them with this address:


book: 2Chr
contenido:
“Be strong, be brave, and do not be afraid of the king of Assyria or his mighty army, for there is someone with us who is far greater than he is!


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He has a great army, but they are all mere men, while we have the Lord our God to fight our battles for us!” This greatly encouraged them.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Then King Sennacherib of Assyria, while still besieging the city of Lachish, sent ambassadors with this message to King Hezekiah and the citizens of Jerusalem:


book: 2Chr
contenido:
King Hezekiah is trying to persuade you to commit suicide by staying there—to die by famine and thirst—while he promises that “the Lord our God will deliver us from the king of Assyria”!


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Don’t you realize that Hezekiah is the very person who destroyed all the idols, and commanded Judah and Jerusalem to use only the one altar at the Temple, and to burn incense upon it alone?


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Don’t you realize that I and the other kings of Assyria before me have never yet failed to conquer a nation we attacked? The gods of those nations weren’t able to do a thing to save their lands!


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Name just one time when anyone, anywhere, was able to resist us successfully. What makes you think your God can do any better?


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Don’t let Hezekiah fool you! Don’t believe him. I say it again—no god of any nation has ever yet been able to rescue his people from me or my ancestors; how much less your God!’”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
King Sennacherib also sent letters scorning the Lord God of Israel.
“The gods of all the other nations failed to save their people from my hand, and the God of Hezekiah will fail too,” he wrote.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The messengers who brought the letters shouted threats in the Jewish language to the people gathered on the walls of the city, trying to frighten and dishearten them.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
These messengers talked about the God of Jerusalem just as though he were one of the heathen gods—a handmade idol!


book: 2Chr
contenido:
and the Lord sent an angel who destroyed the Assyrian army with all its officers and generals! So Sennacherib returned home in deep shame to his own land. And when he arrived at the temple of his god, some of his own sons killed him there.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
That is how the Lord saved Hezekiah and the people of Jerusalem. And now there was peace at last throughout his realm.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
From then on King Hezekiah became immensely respected among the surrounding nations, and many gifts for the Lord arrived at Jerusalem, with valuable presents for King Hezekiah too.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
But about that time Hezekiah became deathly sick, and he prayed to the Lord, and the Lord replied with a miracle.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
However, Hezekiah didn’t respond with true thanksgiving and praise for he had become proud, and so the anger of God was upon him and upon Judah and Jerusalem.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
But finally Hezekiah and the residents of Jerusalem humbled themselves, so the wrath of the Lord did not fall upon them during Hezekiah’s lifetime.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
So Hezekiah became very wealthy and was highly honored. He had to construct special treasury buildings for his silver, gold, precious stones, and spices, and for his shields and gold bowls.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He also built many storehouses for his grain, new wine, and olive oil, with many stalls for his animals and folds for the great flocks of sheep and goats he purchased; and he acquired many towns, for God had given him great wealth.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He dammed up Gihon’s Upper Spring and brought the water down through an aqueduct to the west side of the City of David sector in Jerusalem. He prospered in everything he did.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
However, when ambassadors arrived from Babylon to find out about the miracle of his being healed, God left him to himself in order to test him and to see what he was really like.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The rest of the story of Hezekiah and all of the good things he did are written in The Book of Isaiah (the prophet, the son of Amoz), and in The Annals of the Kings of Judah and Israel.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
When Hezekiah died, he was buried in the royal hillside cemetery among the other kings, and all Judah and Jerusalem honored him at his death. Then his son Manasseh became the new king.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Manasseh was only twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
But it was an evil reign, for he encouraged his people to worship the idols of the heathen nations destroyed by the Lord when the people of Israel entered the land.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He rebuilt the heathen altars his father Hezekiah had destroyed—the altars of Baal, and of the shameful images, and of the sun, moon, and stars.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He even constructed heathen altars in both courts of the Temple of the Lord for worshiping the sun, moon, and stars—in the very place where the Lord had said that he would be honored forever.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
And Manasseh sacrificed his own children as burnt offerings in the valley of Hinnom. He consulted spirit-mediums, too, and fortune-tellers and sorcerers, and encouraged every sort of evil, making the Lord very angry.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Think of it! He placed an idol in the very Temple of God, where God had told David and his son Solomon, “I will be honored here in this Temple and in Jerusalem—the city I have chosen to be honored forever above all the other cities of Israel.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
And if you will only obey my commands—all the laws and instructions given to you by Moses—I won’t ever again exile Israel from this land which I gave your ancestors.”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
But Manasseh encouraged the people of Judah and Jerusalem to do even more evil than the nations the Lord destroyed when Israel entered the land.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
So God sent the Assyrian armies, and they seized him with hooks and bound him with bronze chains and carted him away to Babylon.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
And the Lord listened and answered his plea by returning him to Jerusalem and to his kingdom! At that point Manasseh finally realized that the Lord was really God!


book: 2Chr
contenido:
It was after this that he rebuilt the outer wall of the City of David and the wall from west of the spring of Gihon in the Kidron Valley, and then to the Fish Gate, and around Citadel Hill, where it was built very high. And he stationed his army generals in all of the fortified cities of Judah.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He also removed the foreign gods from the hills and took his idol from the Temple, and tore down the altars he had built on the mountain, where the Temple stood, and the altars that were in Jerusalem, and dumped them outside the city.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Then he rebuilt the altar of the Lord and offered sacrifices upon it—peace offerings and thanksgiving offerings—and demanded that the people of Judah worship the Lord God of Israel.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The rest of Manasseh’s deeds, and his prayer to God, and God’s reply through the prophets—this is all written in The Annals of the Kings of Israel.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
His prayer, and the way God answered, and a frank account of his sins and errors, including a list of the locations where he built idols on the hills and set up shameful and graven images (this of course was before the great change in his attitude), are recorded in The Annals of the Prophets.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
When Manasseh died, he was buried beneath his own palace, and his son Amon became the new king. Amon was twenty-two years old when he began to reign in Jerusalem, but he lasted for only two years.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
It was an evil reign like the early years of his father Manasseh; for Amon sacrificed to all the idols just as his father had.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
But some public-spirited citizens killed all of those who assassinated him and declared his son Josiah to be the new king.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
For when he was sixteen years old, in the eighth year of his reign, he began to search for the God of his ancestor David; and four years later he began to clean up Judah and Jerusalem, destroying the heathen altars and the shameful idols on the hills.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He went out personally to watch as the altars of Baal were knocked apart, the obelisks above the altars chopped down, and the shameful idols ground into dust and scattered over the graves of those who had sacrificed to them.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Then he burned the bones of the heathen priests upon their own altars, feeling that this action would clear the people of Judah and Jerusalem from the guilt of their sin of idol worship.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Then he went to the cities of Manasseh, Ephraim, and Simeon, even to distant Naphtali, and did the same thing there.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He broke down the heathen altars, ground to powder the shameful idols, and chopped down the obelisks. He did this everywhere throughout the whole land of Israel before returning to Jerusalem.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
During the eighteenth year of his reign, after he had purged the land and cleaned up the situation at the Temple, he appointed Shaphan (son of Azaliah) and Maaseiah, governor of Jerusalem, and Joah (son of Joahaz), the city treasurer, to repair the Temple.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
They set up a collection system for gifts for the Temple. The money was collected at the Temple gates by the Levites on guard duty there. Gifts were brought by the people coming from Manasseh, Ephraim, and other parts of the remnant of Israel, as well as from the people of Jerusalem. The money was taken to Hilkiah the High Priest for accounting,


book: 2Chr
contenido:
and then used by the Levites to pay the carpenters and stonemasons and to purchase building materials—stone building blocks, timber, lumber, and beams. He now rebuilt what earlier kings of Judah had torn down.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The workmen were energetic under the leadership of Jahath and Obadiah, Levites of the subclan of Merari. Zechariah and Meshullam, of the subclan of Kohath, were the building superintendents. The Levites who were skilled musicians played background music while the work progressed.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Other Levites superintended the unskilled laborers who carried in the materials to the workmen. Still others assisted as accountants, supervisors, and carriers.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
One day when Hilkiah the High Priest was at the Temple recording the money collected at the gates, he found an old scroll that turned out to be the laws of God as given to Moses!


book: 2Chr
contenido:
“Look!” Hilkiah exclaimed to Shaphan, the king’s secretary. “See what I have found in the Temple! These are the laws of God!” Hilkiah gave the scroll to Shaphan, and Shaphan took it to the king, along with his report that there was good progress being made in the reconstruction of the Temple.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
“The money chests have been opened and counted, and the money has been put into the hand of the overseers and workmen,” he said to the king.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
and summoned Hilkiah, Ahikam (son of Shaphan), Abdon (son of Micah), Shaphan the treasurer, and Asaiah, the king’s personal aide.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
“Go to the Temple and plead with the Lord for me!” the king told them. “Pray for all the remnant of Israel and Judah! For this scroll says that the reason the Lord’s great anger has been poured out upon us is that our ancestors have not obeyed these laws that are written here.”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
So the men went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum (son of Tokhath, son of Hasrah). (Shallum was the king’s tailor, living in the second ward.) When they told her of the king’s trouble,


book: 2Chr
contenido:
“‘Yes, the Lord will destroy this city and its people. All the curses written in the scroll will come true.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
For my people have forsaken me and have worshiped heathen gods, and I am very angry with them for their deeds. Therefore, my unquenchable wrath is poured out upon this place.’


book: 2Chr
contenido:
“But the Lord also says this to the king of Judah who sent you to ask me about this: Tell him, the Lord God of Israel says,


book: 2Chr
contenido:
‘Because you are sorry and have humbled yourself before God when you heard my words against this city and its people, and have ripped your clothing in despair and wept before me—I have heard you, says the Lord,


book: 2Chr
contenido:
and I will not send the promised evil upon this city and its people until after your death.’” So they brought back to the king this word from the Lord.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
and the priests and Levites and all the people great and small, to accompany him to the Temple. There the king read the scroll to them—the covenant of God that was found in the Temple.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
As the king stood before them, he made a pledge to the Lord to follow his commandments with all his heart and soul and to do what was written in the scroll.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
And he required everyone in Jerusalem and Benjamin to subscribe to this pact with God, and all of them did.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
So Josiah removed all idols from the areas occupied by the Jews and required all of them to worship Jehovah their God. And throughout the remainder of his lifetime they continued serving Jehovah, the God of their ancestors.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Then Josiah announced that the Passover would be celebrated on the first day of April in Jerusalem. The Passover lambs were slain that evening.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He also reestablished the priests in their duties and encouraged them to begin their work at the Temple again.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He issued this order to the sanctified Levites, the religious teachers in Israel:
“Since the Ark is now in Solomon’s Temple and you don’t need to carry it back and forth upon your shoulders, spend your time ministering to the Lord and to his people.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Form yourselves into the traditional service corps of your ancestors, as first organized by King David of Israel and by his son Solomon. Each corps will assist particular clans of the people who bring in their offerings to the Temple.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Kill the Passover lambs and sanctify yourselves and prepare to assist the people who come. Follow all of the instructions of the Lord through Moses.”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Then the king contributed 30,000 lambs and young goats for the people’s Passover offerings and 3,000 young bulls.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The king’s officials made willing contributions to the priests and Levites. Hilkiah, Zechariah, and Jehiel, the overseers of the Temple, gave the priests 2,600 sheep and goats and 300 oxen as Passover offerings.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The Levite leaders—Conaniah, Shemaiah, and Nethanel, and his brothers Hashabiah, Jeiel, and Jozabad—gave 5,000 sheep and goats and 500 oxen to the Levites for their Passover offerings.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
When everything was organized and the priests were standing in their places, and the Levites were formed into service corps as the king had instructed,


book: 2Chr
contenido:
then the Levites killed the Passover lambs and presented the blood to the priests, who sprinkled it upon the altar as the Levites removed the skins.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
They piled up the carcasses for each tribe to present its own burnt sacrifices to the Lord, as it is written in the law of Moses. They did the same with the oxen.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Then, as directed by the laws of Moses, they roasted the Passover lambs and boiled the holy offerings in pots, kettles, and pans, and hurried them out to the people to eat.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Afterwards the Levites prepared a meal for themselves and for the priests, for they had been busy from morning till night offering the fat of the burnt offerings.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The singers (the sons of Asaph) were in their places, following directions issued centuries earlier by King David, Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun the king’s prophet. The gatekeepers guarded the gates and didn’t need to leave their posts of duty, for their meals were brought to them by their Levite brothers.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The entire Passover ceremony was completed in that one day. All the burnt offerings were sacrificed upon the altar of the Lord, as Josiah had instructed.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Everyone present in Jerusalem took part in the Passover observance, and this was followed by the Feast of Unleavened Bread for the next seven days.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Never since the time of Samuel the prophet had there been such a Passover—not one of the kings of Israel could vie with King Josiah in this respect, involving so many of the priests, Levites, and people from Jerusalem and from all parts of Judah, and from Israel.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Afterwards King Neco of Egypt led his army to Carchemish on the Euphrates River, and Josiah declared war on him.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
But King Neco sent ambassadors to Josiah with this message: “I don’t want a fight with you, O king of Judah! I have come only to fight the power with which I am at war. Leave me alone! God has told me to hurry! Don’t meddle with God or he will destroy you, for he is with me.”


book: 2Chr
contenido:
But Josiah refused to turn back. Instead he led his army into the battle at the valley of Megiddo. (He laid aside his royal robes so that the enemy wouldn’t recognize him.) Josiah refused to believe that Neco’s message was from God.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The enemy archers struck King Josiah with their arrows and fatally wounded him.
“Take me out of the battle,” he exclaimed to his aides.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
So they lifted him out of his chariot and placed him in his second chariot and brought him back to Jerusalem where he died. He was buried there in the royal cemetery. And all Judah and Jerusalem, including even Jeremiah the prophet, mourned for him, as did the Temple choirs. To this day they still sing sad songs about his death, for these songs of sorrow were recorded among the official lamentations.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The king of Egypt now appointed Eliakim, the brother of Jehoahaz, as the new king of Judah. (Eliakim’s name was changed to Jehoiakim.) Jehoahaz was taken to Egypt as a prisoner.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem; but his reign was an evil one.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Finally Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon conquered Jerusalem and took away the king in chains to Babylon.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Nebuchadnezzar also took some of the gold bowls and other items from the Temple, placing them in his own temple in Babylon.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The rest of the deeds of Jehoiakim and all the evil he did are written in The Annals of the Kings of Judah; and his son Jehoiachin became the new king.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he ascended the throne. But he lasted only three months and ten days, and it was an evil reign as far as the Lord was concerned.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
The following spring he was summoned to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar. Many treasures from the Temple were taken away to Babylon at that time, and King Nebuchadnezzar appointed Jehoiachin’s brother Zedekiah as the new king of Judah and Jerusalem.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
His reign, too, was evil so far as the Lord was concerned, for he refused to take the counsel of Jeremiah the prophet, who gave him messages from the Lord.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar, even though he had taken an oath of loyalty. Zedekiah was a hard and stubborn man so far as obeying the Lord God of Israel was concerned, for he refused to follow him.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
All the important people of the nation, including the High Priests, worshiped the heathen idols of the surrounding nations, thus polluting the Temple of the Lord in Jerusalem.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Jehovah the God of their fathers sent his prophets again and again to warn them, for he had compassion on his people and on his Temple.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
But the people mocked these messengers of God and despised their words, scoffing at the prophets until the anger of the Lord could no longer be restrained, and there was no longer any remedy.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Then the Lord brought the king of Babylon against them and killed their young men, even going after them right into the Temple, and had no pity upon them, killing even young girls and old men. The Lord used the king of Babylon to destroy them completely.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
He also took home with him all the items, great and small, used in the Temple, and treasures from both the Temple and the palace, and took with him all the royal princes.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Then his army burned the Temple and broke down the walls of Jerusalem and burned all the palaces and destroyed all the valuable Temple utensils.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Those who survived were taken away to Babylon as slaves to the king and his sons until the kingdom of Persia conquered Babylon.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
Thus the word of the Lord spoken through Jeremiah came true, that the land must rest for seventy years to make up for the years when the people refused to observe the Sabbath.


book: 2Chr
contenido:
But in the first year of King Cyrus of Persia, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus to make this proclamation throughout his kingdom, putting it into writing:
“All the kingdoms of the earth have been given to me by the Lord God of heaven, and he has instructed me to build him a Temple in Jerusalem, in the land of Judah. All among you who are the Lord’s people return to Israel for this task, and the Lord be with you.”
This also fulfilled the prediction of Jeremiah the prophet.


book: Ezra
contenido:
During the first year of the reign of King Cyrus of Persia, the Lord fulfilled Jeremiah’s prophecy by giving King Cyrus the desire to send this proclamation throughout his empire (he also put it into the permanent records of the realm):


book: Ezra
contenido:
“Cyrus, king of Persia, hereby announces that Jehovah, the God of heaven who gave me my vast empire, has now given me the responsibility of building him a Temple in Jerusalem, in the land of Judah.


book: Ezra
contenido:
All Jews throughout the kingdom may now return to Jerusalem to rebuild this Temple of Jehovah, who is the God of Israel and of Jerusalem. May his blessings rest upon you.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Those Jews who do not go should contribute toward the expenses of those who do and also supply them with clothing, transportation, supplies for the journey, and a freewill offering for the Temple.”


book: Ezra
contenido:
Then God gave a great desire to the leaders of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, and to the priests and Levites, to return to Jerusalem at once to rebuild the Temple.


book: Ezra
contenido:
And all the Jewish exiles* who chose to remain in Persia gave them whatever assistance they could, as well as gifts for the Temple.


book: Ezra
contenido:
King Cyrus himself donated the gold bowls and other valuable items, which King Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the Temple at Jerusalem and had placed in the temple of his own gods.


book: Ezra
contenido:
He instructed Mithredath, the treasurer of Persia, to present these gifts to Sheshbazzar, the leader of the exiles returning to Judah.


book: Ezra
contenido:
The items Cyrus donated included: 1,000 gold trays, 1,000 silver trays, 29 censers, 30 bowls of solid gold, 2,410 silver bowls (of various designs), 1,000 miscellaneous items.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Here is the list of the Jewish exiles who now returned to Jerusalem and to the other cities of Judah, from which their parents had been deported to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar.


book: Ezra
contenido:
The leaders were: Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, Baanah.
Here is a census of those who returned (listed by subclans):


book: Ezra
contenido:
From the subclan of Parosh, 2,172;
From the subclan of Shephatiah, 372;
From the subclan of Arah, 775;
From the subclan of Pahath-moab (the descendants of Jeshua and Joab), 2,812;
From the subclan of Elam, 1,254;
From the subclan of Zattu, 945;
From the subclan of Zaccai, 760;
From the subclan of Bani, 642;
From the subclan of Bebai, 623;
From the subclan of Azgad, 1,222;
From the subclan of Adonikam, 666;
From the subclan of Bigvai, 2,056;
From the subclan of Adin, 454;
From the subclan of Ater (the descendants of Hezekiah), 98;
From the subclan of Bezai, 323;
From the subclan of Jorah, 112;
From the subclan of Hashum, 223;
From the subclan of Gibbar, 95;
From the subclan of Bethlehem, 123;
From the subclan of Netophah, 56;
From the subclan of Anathoth, 128;
From the subclan of Azmaveth, 42;
From the subclans of Kiriath-arim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, 743;
From the subclans of Ramah and Geba, 621;
From the subclan of Michmas, 122;
From the subclans of Bethel and Ai, 223;
From the subclan of Nebo, 52;
From the subclan of Magbish, 156;
From the subclan of Elam, 1,254;
From the subclan of Harim, 320;
From the subclans of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, 725;
From the subclan of Jericho, 345;
From the subclan of Senaah, 3,630.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Here are the statistics concerning the returning priests:
From the families of Jedaiah of the subclan of Jeshua, 973;
From the subclan of Immer, 1,052;
From the subclan of Pashhur, 1,247;
From the subclan of Harim, 1,017.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Here are the statistics concerning the Levites who returned:
From the families of Jeshua and Kadmiel of the subclan of Hodaviah, 74;
The choir members from the clan of Asaph, 128;
From the descendants of the gatekeepers (the families of Shallum, Ater, Talmon, Akkub, Hatita, and Shobai), 139.


book: Ezra
contenido:
The following families of the Temple assistants were represented:
Ziha, Hasupha, Tabbaoth, Keros, Siaha, Padon, Lebanah, Hagabah, Akkub, Hagab, Shamlai, Hanan, Giddel, Gahar, Reaiah, Rezin, Nekoda, Gazzam, Uzza, Paseah, Besai, Asnah, Meunim, Nephisim, Bakbuk, Hakupha, Harhur, Bazluth, Mehida, Harsha, Barkos, Sisera, Temah, Neziah, Hatipha.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Those who made the trip also included the descendants of King Solomon’s officials:
Sotai, Hassophereth, Peruda, Jaalah, Darkon, Giddel, Shephatiah, Hattil, Pochereth-hazzebaim, Ami.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Another group returned to Jerusalem at this time from the Persian cities of Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addan, and Immer. However, they had lost their genealogies and could not prove that they were really Israelites.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Three subclans of priests—Habaiah, Hakkoz, and Barzillai (he married one of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite and took her family name)—also returned to Jerusalem.


book: Ezra
contenido:
But they too had lost their genealogies, so the leaders refused to allow them to continue as priests; they would not even allow them to eat the priests’ share of food from the sacrifices until the Urim and Thummim could be consulted to find out from God whether they actually were descendants of priests or not.


book: Ezra
contenido:
So a total of 42,360 persons returned to Judah; in addition to 7,337 slaves and 200 choir members, both men and women.


book: Ezra
contenido:
and each gave as much as he could. The total value of their gifts amounted to $300,000 of gold, $170,000 of silver, and 100 robes for the priests.


book: Ezra
contenido:
So the priests and Levites and some of the common people settled in Jerusalem and its nearby villages; and the singers, the gatekeepers, the Temple workers, and the rest of the people returned to the other cities of Judah from which they had come.


book: Ezra
contenido:
During the month of September everyone who had returned to Judah came to Jerusalem from their homes in the other towns. Then Jeshua (son of Jozadak) with his fellow priests, and Zerubbabel (son of Shealtiel) and his clan, rebuilt the altar of the God of Israel and sacrificed burnt offerings upon it, as instructed in the laws of Moses, the man of God.


book: Ezra
contenido:
The altar was rebuilt on its old site, and it was used immediately to sacrifice morning and evening burnt offerings to the Lord; for the people were fearful of attack.


book: Ezra
contenido:
And they celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles as prescribed in the laws of Moses, sacrificing the burnt offerings specified for each day of the feast.


book: Ezra
contenido:
They also offered the special sacrifices required for the Sabbaths, the new moon celebrations, and the other regular annual feasts of the Lord. Voluntary offerings of the people were also sacrificed.


book: Ezra
contenido:
It was on the fifteenth day of September that the priests began sacrificing the burnt offerings to the Lord. (This was before they began building the foundation of the Temple.)


book: Ezra
contenido:
Then they hired masons and carpenters and bought cedar logs from the people of Tyre and Sidon, paying for them with food, wine, and olive oil. The logs were brought down from the Lebanon mountains and floated along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea to Joppa, for King Cyrus had included this provision in his grant.


book: Ezra
contenido:
The actual construction of the Temple began in June of the second year of their arrival at Jerusalem. The work force was made up of all those who had returned, and they were under the direction of Zerubbabel (son of Shealtiel), Jeshua (son of Jozadak), and their fellow priests and the Levites. The Levites who were twenty years old or older were appointed to supervise the workmen.


book: Ezra
contenido:
The supervision of the entire project was given to Jeshua, Kadmiel, Henadad, and their sons and relatives, all of whom were Levites.


book: Ezra
contenido:
When the builders completed the foundation of the Temple, the priests put on their official robes and blew their trumpets; and the descendants of Asaph crashed their cymbals to praise the Lord in the manner ordained by King David.


book: Ezra
contenido:
They sang rounds of praise and thanks to God, singing this song: “He is good, and his love and mercy toward Israel will last forever.” Then all the people gave a great shout, praising God because the foundation of the Temple had been laid.


book: Ezra
contenido:
But many of the priests and Levites and other leaders—the old men who remembered Solomon’s beautiful Temple—wept aloud, while others were shouting for joy!


book: Ezra
contenido:
When the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the exiles had returned and were rebuilding the Temple,


book: Ezra
contenido:
they approached Zerubbabel and the other leaders and suggested, “Let us work with you, for we are just as interested in your God as you are; we have sacrificed to him ever since King Esar-haddon of Assyria brought us here.”


book: Ezra
contenido:
But Zerubbabel and Jeshua and the other Jewish leaders replied, “No, you may have no part in this work. The Temple of the God of Israel must be built by the Israelis, just as King Cyrus has commanded.”


book: Ezra
contenido:
Then the local residents tried to discourage and frighten them by sending agents to tell lies about them to King Cyrus. This went on during his entire reign and lasted until King Darius took the throne.


book: Ezra
contenido:
And afterwards, when King Ahasuerus began to reign, they wrote him a letter of accusation against the people of Judah and Jerusalem


book: Ezra
contenido:
and did the same thing during the reign of Artaxerxes. Bishlam, Mithredath, and Tabeel and their associates wrote a letter to him in the Aramaic language, and it was translated to him.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Others who participated were Governor Rehum, Shimshai (a scribe), several judges and other local leaders, the Persians, the Babylonians, the men of Erech and Susa,


book: Ezra
contenido:
and men from several other nations. (They had been taken from their own lands by the great and noble Osnappar and relocated in Jerusalem, Samaria, and throughout the neighboring lands west of the Euphrates River.)


book: Ezra
contenido:
Here is the text of the letter they sent to King Artaxerxes:
“Sir: Greetings from your loyal subjects west of the Euphrates River.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Please be informed that the Jews sent to Jerusalem from Babylon are rebuilding this historically rebellious and evil city; they have already rebuilt its walls and have repaired the foundations of the Temple.


book: Ezra
contenido:
But we wish you to know that if this city is rebuilt, it will be much to your disadvantage, for the Jews will then refuse to pay their taxes to you.


book: Ezra
contenido:
“Since we are grateful to you as our patron, and we do not want to see you taken advantage of and dishonored in this way, we have decided to send you this information.


book: Ezra
contenido:
We suggest that you search the ancient records to discover what a rebellious city this has been in the past; in fact, it was destroyed because of its long history of sedition against the kings and countries who attempted to control it.


book: Ezra
contenido:
We wish to declare that if this city is rebuilt and the walls finished, you might as well forget about this part of your empire beyond the Euphrates, for it will be lost to you.”


book: Ezra
contenido:
Then the king made this reply to Governor Rehum and Shimshai the scribe, and to their companions living in Samaria and throughout the area west of the Euphrates River:


book: Ezra
contenido:
I have ordered a search made of the records and have indeed found that Jerusalem has in times past been a hotbed of insurrection against many kings; in fact, rebellion and sedition are normal there!


book: Ezra
contenido:
I find, moreover, that there have been some very great kings in Jerusalem who have ruled the entire land beyond the Euphrates River and have received vast tribute, custom, and toll.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Therefore, I command that these men must stop their work until I have investigated the matter more thoroughly.


book: Ezra
contenido:
When this letter from King Artaxerxes was read to Rehum and Shimshai, they hurried to Jerusalem and forced the Jews to stop building.


book: Ezra
contenido:
But there were prophets in Jerusalem and Judah at that time—Haggai, and Zechariah (the son of Iddo)—who brought messages from the God of Israel to Zerubbabel (son of Shealtiel) and Jeshua (son of Jozadak), encouraging them to begin building again! So they did and the prophets helped them.


book: Ezra
contenido:
But Tattenai, the governor of the lands west of the Euphrates, and Shethar-bozenai, and their companions soon arrived in Jerusalem and demanded, “Who gave you permission to rebuild this Temple and finish these walls?”


book: Ezra
contenido:
But because the Lord was overseeing the entire situation, our enemies did not force us to stop building, but let us continue while King Darius looked into the matter and returned his decision.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Following is the letter which Governors Tattenai and Shethar-bozenai and the other officials sent to King Darius:


book: Ezra
contenido:
“We wish to inform you that we went to the construction site of the Temple of the great God of Judah. It is being built with huge stones, and timber is being laid in the city walls. The work is going forward with great energy and success.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Their answer was, ‘We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth and we are rebuilding the Temple that was constructed here many centuries ago by a great king of Israel.


book: Ezra
contenido:
But afterwards our ancestors angered the God of heaven, and he abandoned them and let King Nebuchadnezzar destroy this Temple and exile the people to Babylonia.’


book: Ezra
contenido:
“But they insist that King Cyrus of Babylon, during the first year of his reign, issued a decree that the Temple should be rebuilt,


book: Ezra
contenido:
and they say King Cyrus returned the gold and silver bowls which Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the Temple in Jerusalem and had placed in the temple of Babylon. They say these items were delivered into the safekeeping of a man named Sheshbazzar, whom King Cyrus appointed as governor of Judah.


book: Ezra
contenido:
The king instructed him to return the bowls to Jerusalem and to let the Temple of God be built there as before.


book: Ezra
contenido:
So Sheshbazzar came and laid the foundations of the Temple at Jerusalem; and the people have been working on it ever since, though it is not yet completed.


book: Ezra
contenido:
We request that you search in the royal library of Babylon to discover whether King Cyrus ever made such a decree; and then let us know your pleasure in this matter.”


book: Ezra
contenido:
So King Darius issued orders that a search be made in the Babylonian archives, where documents were stored.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Eventually the record was found in the palace at Ecbatana, in the province of Media. This is what it said:


book: Ezra
contenido:
“In this first year of the reign of King Cyrus, a decree has been sent out concerning the Temple of God at Jerusalem where the Jews offer sacrifices. It is to be rebuilt, and the foundations are to be strongly laid. The height will be ninety feet and the width will be ninety feet.


book: Ezra
contenido:
There will be three layers of huge stones in the foundation, topped with a layer of new timber. All expenses will be paid by the king.


book: Ezra
contenido:
And the gold and silver bowls, which were taken from the Temple of God by Nebuchadnezzar, shall be taken back to Jerusalem and put into the Temple as they were before.”


book: Ezra
contenido:
So King Darius II sent this message to Governor Shethar-bozenai and the other officials west of the Euphrates:
“Do not disturb the construction of the Temple. Let it be rebuilt on its former site,


book: Ezra
contenido:
Moreover, I decree that you are to pay the full construction costs without delay from my taxes collected in your territory.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Give the priests in Jerusalem young bulls, rams, and lambs for burnt offerings to the God of heaven; and give them wheat, wine, salt, and olive oil each day without fail.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Then they will be able to offer acceptable sacrifices to the God of heaven and pray for me and my sons.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Anyone who attempts to change this message in any way shall have the beams pulled from his house and built into a gallows on which he will be hanged; and his house shall be reduced to a pile of rubble.


book: Ezra
contenido:
The God who has chosen the city of Jerusalem will destroy any king and any nation that alters this commandment and destroys this Temple. I, Darius, have issued this decree; let it be obeyed with all diligence.”


book: Ezra
contenido:
Governors Tattenai and Shethar-bozenai, and their companions complied at once with the command of King Darius.


book: Ezra
contenido:
So the Jewish leaders continued in their work, and they were greatly encouraged by the preaching of the prophets Haggai and Zechariah (son of Iddo).
The Temple was finally finished, as had been commanded by God and decreed by Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes, the kings of Persia.


book: Ezra
contenido:
During the dedication celebration 100 young bulls, 200 rams, and 400 lambs were sacrificed; and twelve male goats were presented as a sin offering for the twelve tribes of Israel.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Then the priests and Levites were divided into their various service corps to do the work of God as instructed in the laws of Moses.


book: Ezra
contenido:
And some of the heathen people who had been relocated in Judah turned from their immoral customs and joined the Israelis in worshiping the Lord God. They, with the entire nation, ate the Passover feast and celebrated the Feast of Unleavened Bread for seven days. There was great joy throughout the land because the Lord had caused the king of Assyria to be generous to Israel and to assist in the construction of the Temple.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Here is the genealogy of Ezra, who traveled from Babylon to Jerusalem during the reign of King Artaxerxes of Persia:
Ezra was the son of Seriah;
Seriah was the son of Azariah;
Azariah was the son of Hilkiah;
Hilkiah was the son of Shallum;
Shallum was the son of Zadok;
Zadok was the son of Ahitub;
Ahitub was the son of Amariah;
Amariah was the son of Meraioth;
Meraioth was the son of Zerahiah;
Zerahiah was the son of Uzzi;
Uzzi was the son of Bukki;
Bukki was the son of Abishua;
Abishua was the son of Phinehas;
Phinehas was the son of Eleazar;
Eleazar was the son of Aaron, the chief priest.


book: Ezra
contenido:
As a Jewish religious leader, Ezra was well versed in Jehovah’s laws, which Moses had given to the people of Israel. He asked to be allowed to return to Jerusalem, and the king granted his request; for the Lord his God was blessing him.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Many ordinary people as well as priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, and Temple workers traveled with him. They left Babylon in the middle of March in the seventh year of the reign of Artaxerxes and arrived at Jerusalem in the month of August; for the Lord gave them a good trip.


book: Ezra
contenido:
This was because Ezra had determined to study and obey the laws of the Lord and to become a Bible teacher, teaching those laws to the people of Israel.


book: Ezra
contenido:
“From: Artaxerxes, the king of kings.
“To: Ezra the priest, the teacher of the laws of the God of heaven.


book: Ezra
contenido:
“I decree that any Jew in my realm, including the priests and Levites, may return to Jerusalem with you.


book: Ezra
contenido:
I and my Council of Seven hereby instruct you to take a copy of God’s laws to Judah and Jerusalem and to send back a report of the religious progress being made there.


book: Ezra
contenido:
We also commission you to take with you to Jerusalem the silver and gold, which we are presenting as an offering to the God of Israel.


book: Ezra
contenido:
“Moreover, you are to collect voluntary Temple offerings of silver and gold from the Jews and their priests in all of the provinces of Babylon.


book: Ezra
contenido:
These funds are to be used primarily for the purchase of oxen, rams, lambs, grain offerings, and drink offerings, all of which will be offered upon the altar of your Temple when you arrive in Jerusalem.


book: Ezra
contenido:
The money that is left over may be used in whatever way you and your brothers feel is the will of your God.


book: Ezra
contenido:
And take with you the gold bowls and other items we are giving you for the Temple of your God at Jerusalem.


book: Ezra
contenido:
If you run short of money for the construction of the Temple or for any similar needs, you may requisition funds from the royal treasury.


book: Ezra
contenido:
“I, Artaxerxes the king, send this decree to all the treasurers in the provinces west of the Euphrates River: ‘You are to give Ezra whatever he requests of you (for he is a priest and teacher of the laws of the God of heaven),


book: Ezra
contenido:
and whatever else the God of heaven demands for his Temple; for why should we risk God’s wrath against the king and his sons?


book: Ezra
contenido:
I also decree that no priest, Levite, choir member, gatekeeper, Temple attendant, or other worker in the Temple shall be required to pay taxes of any kind.’


book: Ezra
contenido:
“And you, Ezra, are to use the wisdom God has given you to select and appoint judges and other officials to govern all the people west of the Euphrates River; if they are not familiar with the laws of your God, you are to teach them.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Anyone refusing to obey the law of your God and the law of the king shall be punished immediately by death, banishment, confiscation of goods, or imprisonment.”


book: Ezra
contenido:
Well, praise the Lord God of our ancestors, who made the king want to beautify the Temple of the Lord in Jerusalem!


book: Ezra
contenido:
And praise God for demonstrating such loving-kindness to me by honoring me before the king and his Council of Seven and before all of his mighty princes! I was given great status because the Lord my God was with me; and I persuaded some of the leaders of Israel to return with me to Jerusalem.


book: Ezra
contenido:
These are the names and genealogies of the leaders who accompanied me from Babylon during the reign of King Artaxerxes:


book: Ezra
contenido:
From the clan of Phinehas—Gershom;
From the clan of Ithamar—Daniel;
From the subclan of David of the clan of Shecaniah—Hattush;
From the clan of Parosh—Zechariah, and 150 other men;
From the clan of Pahath-moab—Eliehoenai (son of Zerahiah), and 200 other men;
From the clan of Shecaniah—the son of Jahaziel, and 300 other men;
From the clan of Adin—Ebed (son of Jonathan), and 50 other men;
From the clan of Elam—Jeshaiah (son of Athaliah), and 70 other men;
From the clan of Shephatiah—Zebadiah (son of Michael), and 80 other men;
From the clan of Joab—Obadiah (son of Jehiel), and 218 other men;
From the clan of Bani—Shelomith (son of Josiphiah), and 160 other men;
From the clan of Bebai—Zechariah (son of Bebai), and 28 other men;
From the clan of Azgad—Johanan (son of Hakkatan), and 110 other men;
From the clan of Adonikam—Eliphelet, Jeuel, Shemaiah, and 60 other men (they arrived at a later time);
From the clan of Bigvai—Uthai, Zaccur, and 70 other men.


book: Ezra
contenido:
We assembled at the Ahava River and camped there for three days while I went over the lists of the people and the priests who had arrived; and I found that not one Levite had volunteered!


book: Ezra
contenido:
So I sent for Eliezer, Ariel, Shemaiah, Elnathan, Jarib, Elnathan, Nathan, Zechariah, and Meshullam, the Levite leaders; I also sent for Joiarib and Elnathan, who were very wise men.


book: Ezra
contenido:
I sent them to Iddo, the leader of the Jews at Casiphia, to ask him and his brothers and the Temple attendants to send us priests for the Temple of God at Jerusalem.


book: Ezra
contenido:
And God was good! He sent us an outstanding man named Sherebiah, along with eighteen of his sons and brothers; he was a very astute man and a descendant of Mahli, the son of Levi and grandson of Israel.


book: Ezra
contenido:
and 220 Temple attendants. (The Temple attendants were assistants to the Levites—a job classification of Temple employees first instituted by King David.) These 220 men were all listed by name.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Then I declared a fast while we were at the Ahava River so that we would humble ourselves before our God; and we prayed that he would give us a good journey and protect us, our children, and our goods as we traveled.


book: Ezra
contenido:
For I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and cavalry to accompany us and protect us from the enemies along the way. After all, we had told the king that our God would protect all those who worshiped him, and that disaster could come only to those who had forsaken him!


book: Ezra
contenido:
to be in charge of transporting the silver, gold, the gold bowls, and the other items that the king and his council and the leaders and people of Israel had presented to the Temple of God.


book: Ezra
contenido:
I weighed the money as I gave it to them and found it to total $1,300,000 in silver; $200,000 in silver utensils; many millions in gold; and twenty gold bowls worth a total of $100,000. There were also two beautiful pieces of brass that were as precious as gold.


book: Ezra
contenido:
I consecrated these men to the Lord and then consecrated the treasures—the equipment and money and bowls that had been given as freewill offerings to the Lord God of our fathers.


book: Ezra
contenido:
“Guard these treasures well!” I told them; “present them without a penny lost to the priests and the Levite leaders and the elders of Israel at Jerusalem, where they are to be placed in the treasury of the Temple.”


book: Ezra
contenido:
So the priests and the Levites accepted the responsibility of taking them to God’s Temple in Jerusalem.


book: Ezra
contenido:
We broke camp at the Ahava River at the end of March and started off to Jerusalem; and God protected us and saved us from enemies and bandits along the way.


book: Ezra
contenido:
On the fourth day after our arrival, the silver, gold, and other valuables were weighed in the Temple by Meremoth (the son of Uriah the priest), Eleazar (son of Phinehas), Jozabad (son of Jeshua), and Noadiah (son of Binnui)—all of whom were Levites.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Then everyone in our party sacrificed burnt offerings to the God of Israel—twelve oxen for the nation of Israel; ninety-six rams; seventy-seven lambs; and twelve goats as a sin offering.


book: Ezra
contenido:
The king’s decrees were delivered to his lieutenants and the governors of all the provinces west of the Euphrates River, and of course they then cooperated in the rebuilding of the Temple of God.


book: Ezra
contenido:
But then the Jewish leaders came to tell me that many of the Jewish people and even some of the priests and Levites had taken up the horrible customs of the heathen people who lived in the land—the Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians, and Amorites.


book: Ezra
contenido:
The men of Israel had married girls from these heathen nations and had taken them as wives for their sons. So the holy people of God were being polluted by these mixed marriages, and the political leaders were some of the worst offenders.


book: Ezra
contenido:
When I heard this, I tore my clothing and pulled hair from my head and beard and sat down utterly baffled.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Then many who feared the God of Israel because of this sin of his people came and sat with me until the time of the evening burnt offering.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Finally I stood before the Lord in great embarrassment; then I fell to my knees and lifted my hands to the Lord,


book: Ezra
contenido:
and cried out, “O my God, I am ashamed; I blush to lift up my face to you, for our sins are piled higher than our heads and our guilt is as boundless as the heavens.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Our whole history has been one of sin; that is why we and our kings and our priests were slain by the heathen kings—we were captured, robbed, and disgraced, just as we are today.


book: Ezra
contenido:
But now we have been given a moment of peace, for you have permitted a few of us to return to Jerusalem from our exile. You have given us a moment of joy and new life in our slavery.


book: Ezra
contenido:
For we were slaves, but in your love and mercy you did not abandon us to slavery; instead, you caused the kings of Persia to be favorable to us. They have even given us their assistance in rebuilding the Temple of our God and in giving us Jerusalem as a walled city in Judah.


book: Ezra
contenido:
“And now, O God, what can we say after all of this? For once again we have abandoned you and broken your laws!


book: Ezra
contenido:
The prophets warned us that the land we would possess was totally defiled by the horrible practices of the people living there. From one end to the other it is filled with corruption.


book: Ezra
contenido:
You told us not to let our daughters marry their sons, and not to let our sons marry their daughters, and not to help those nations in any way. You warned us that only if we followed this rule could we become a prosperous nation and forever leave that prosperity to our children as an inheritance.


book: Ezra
contenido:
And now, even after our punishment in exile because of our wickedness (and we have been punished far less than we deserved), and even though you have let some of us return,


book: Ezra
contenido:
we have broken your commandments again and intermarried with people who do these awful things. Surely your anger will destroy us now until not even this little remnant escapes.


book: Ezra
contenido:
O Lord God of Israel, you are a just God; what hope can we have if you give us justice as we stand here before you in our wickedness?”


book: Ezra
contenido:
As I lay on the ground in front of the Temple, weeping and praying and making this confession, a large crowd of men, women, and children gathered around and cried with me.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Then Shecaniah (the son of Jehiel of the clan of Elam) said to me, “We acknowledge our sin against our God, for we have married these heathen women. But there is hope for Israel in spite of this.


book: Ezra
contenido:
For we agree before our God to divorce our heathen wives and to send them away with our children; we will follow your commands and the commands of the others who fear our God. We will obey the laws of God.


book: Ezra
contenido:
So I stood up and demanded that the leaders of the priests and the Levites and all the people of Israel swear that they would do as Shecaniah had said; and they all agreed.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Then I went into the room of Jehohanan in the Temple and refused all food and drink, for I was mourning because of the sin of the returned exiles.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Then a proclamation was made throughout Judah and Jerusalem that everyone should appear at Jerusalem within three days and that the leaders and elders had decided that anyone who refused to come would be disinherited and excommunicated from Israel.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Within three days, on the fifth day of December, all the men of Judah and Benjamin had arrived and were sitting in the open space before the Temple; and they were trembling because of the seriousness of the matter and because of the heavy rainfall.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Then I, Ezra the priest, arose and addressed them:
“You have sinned, for you have married heathen women; now we are even more deeply under God’s condemnation than we were before.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Confess your sin to the Lord God of your fathers and do what he demands: separate yourselves from the heathen people about you and from these women.”


book: Ezra
contenido:
But this isn’t something that can be done in a day or two, for there are many of us involved in this sinful affair. And it is raining so hard that we can’t stay out here much longer.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Let our leaders arrange trials for us. Everyone who has a heathen wife will come at the scheduled time with the elders and judges of his city; then each case will be decided and the situation will be cleared up, and the fierce wrath of our God will be turned away from us.”


book: Ezra
contenido:
Only Jonathan (son of Asahel), Jahzeiah (son of Tikvah), Meshullam, and Shabbethai the Levite opposed this course of action.


book: Ezra
contenido:
So this was the plan that was followed: Some of the clan leaders and I were designated as judges; we began our work on December 15 and finished by March 15.
Following is the list of priests who had married heathen wives (they vowed to divorce their wives and acknowledged their guilt by offering rams as sacrifices): Maaseiah, Eliezer, Jarib, Gedaliah.


book: Ezra
contenido:
The Levites who were guilty: Jozabad, Shimei, Kelaiah (also called Kelita), Pethahaiah, Judah, Eliezer.


book: Ezra
contenido:
Here is the list of ordinary citizens who were declared guilty:
From the clan of Parosh: Ramiah, Izziah, Malchijah, Mijamin, Eleazar, Hashabiah, Benaiah.


book: Ezra
contenido:
From the clan of Pahath-moab: Adna, Chelal, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattaniah, Bezalel, Binnui, Manasseh.


book: Ezra
contenido:
From the clan of Harim: Eliezer, Isshijah, Malchijah, Shemaiah, Shimeon, Benjamin, Malluch, Shemariah.


book: Ezra
contenido:
From the clan of Bani: Maadai, Amram, Uel, Banaiah, Bedeiah, Cheluhi, Vaniah, Meremoth, Eliashib, Mattaniah, Mattenai, Jaasu, Bani, Binnui, Shimei, Shelemiah, Nathan, Adaiah, Machnadebai, Shashai, Sharai, Azarel, Shelemiah, Shemariah, Shallum, Amariah, Joseph.


book: Neh
contenido:
The autobiography of Nehemiah, the son of Hecaliah:
In December of the twentieth year of the reign of King Artaxerxes of Persia, when I was at the palace at Shushan,


book: Neh
contenido:
one of my fellow Jews named Hanani came to visit me with some men who had arrived from Judah. I took the opportunity to inquire about how things were going in Jerusalem.
“How are they getting along—,” I asked, “the Jews who returned to Jerusalem from their exile here?”


book: Neh
contenido:
“Well,” they replied, “things are not good; the wall of Jerusalem is still torn down, and the gates are burned.”


book: Neh
contenido:
When I heard this, I sat down and cried. In fact, I refused to eat for several days, for I spent the time in prayer to the God of heaven.


book: Neh
contenido:
“O Lord God,” I cried out; “O great and awesome God who keeps his promises and is so loving and kind to those who love and obey him! Hear my prayer!


book: Neh
contenido:
Listen carefully to what I say! Look down and see me praying night and day for your people Israel. I confess that we have sinned against you; yes, I and my people have committed the horrible sin of not obeying the commandments you gave us through your servant Moses.


book: Neh
contenido:
Oh, please remember what you told Moses! You said,
“‘If you sin, I will scatter you among the nations;


book: Neh
contenido:
but if you return to me and obey my laws, even though you are exiled to the farthest corners of the universe, I will bring you back to Jerusalem. For Jerusalem is the place in which I have chosen to live.’


book: Neh
contenido:
O Lord, please hear my prayer! Heed the prayers of those of us who delight to honor you. Please help me now as I go in and ask the king for a great favor—put it into his heart to be kind to me.” (I was the king’s cupbearer.)


book: Neh
contenido:
One day in April, four months later, as I was serving the king his wine he asked me, “Why so sad? You aren’t sick, are you? You look like a man with deep troubles.” (For until then I had always been cheerful when I was with him.) I was badly frightened,


book: Neh
contenido:
but I replied, “Sir, why shouldn’t I be sad? For the city where my ancestors are buried is in ruins, and the gates have been burned down.”


book: Neh
contenido:
“Well, what should be done?” the king asked.
With a quick prayer to the God of heaven, I replied, “If it please Your Majesty and if you look upon me with your royal favor, send me to Judah to rebuild the city of my fathers!”


book: Neh
contenido:
The king replied, with the queen sitting beside him, “How long will you be gone? When will you return?”
So it was agreed! And I set a time for my departure!


book: Neh
contenido:
Then I added this to my request: “If it please the king, give me letters to the governors west of the Euphrates River instructing them to let me travel through their countries on my way to Judah;


book: Neh
contenido:
also a letter to Asaph, the manager of the king’s forest, instructing him to give me timber for the beams and for the gates of the fortress near the Temple, and for the city walls, and for a house for myself.”
And the king granted these requests, for God was being gracious to me.


book: Neh
contenido:
When I arrived in the provinces west of the Euphrates River, I delivered the king’s letters to the governors there. (The king, I should add, had sent along army officers and troops to protect me!)


book: Neh
contenido:
But when Sanballat (the Horonite) and Tobiah (an Ammonite who was a government official) heard of my arrival, they were very angry that anyone was interested in helping Israel.


book: Neh
contenido:
Three days after my arrival at Jerusalem I stole out during the night, taking only a few men with me; for I hadn’t told a soul about the plans for Jerusalem that God had put into my heart. I was mounted on my donkey and the others were on foot,


book: Neh
contenido:
and we went out through the Valley Gate toward the Jackal’s Well and over to the Dung Gate to see the broken walls and burned gates.


book: Neh
contenido:
Then we went to the Fountain Gate and to the King’s Pool, but my donkey couldn’t get through the rubble. So we circled the city, and I followed the brook, inspecting the wall, and entered again at the Valley Gate.


book: Neh
contenido:
The city officials did not know I had been out there or why, for as yet I had said nothing to anyone about my plans—not to the political or religious leaders, or even to those who would be doing the work.


book: Neh
contenido:
But now I told them, “You know full well the tragedy of our city; it lies in ruins and its gates are burned. Let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem and rid ourselves of this disgrace!”


book: Neh
contenido:
Then I told them about the desire God had put into my heart, and of my conversation with the king, and the plan to which he had agreed.
They replied at once, “Good! Let’s rebuild the wall!” And so the work began.


book: Neh
contenido:
But when Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem the Arab heard of our plan, they scoffed and said, “What are you doing, rebelling against the king like this?”


book: Neh
contenido:
But I replied, “The God of heaven will help us, and we, his servants, will rebuild this wall; but you may have no part in this affair.”


book: Neh
contenido:
Then Eliashib the High Priest and the other priests rebuilt the wall as far as the Tower of the Hundred and the Tower of Hananel; then they rebuilt the Sheep Gate, hung its doors, and dedicated it.


book: Neh
contenido:
Men from the city of Jericho worked next to them, and beyond them was the work crew led by Zaccur (son of Imri).


book: Neh
contenido:
The Fish Gate was built by the sons of Hassenaah; they did the whole thing—cut the beams, hung the doors, and made the bolts and bars.


book: Neh
contenido:
Meremoth (son of Uriah, son of Hakkoz) repaired the next section of wall, and beyond him were Meshullam (son of Berechiah, son of Meshezabel) and Zadok (son of Baana).


book: Neh
contenido:
The Old Gate was repaired by Joiada (son of Paseah) and Meshullam (son of Besodeiah). They laid the beams, set up the doors, and installed the bolts and bars.


book: Neh
contenido:
Next to them were Melatiah from Gibeon; Jadon from Meronoth; and men from Gibeon and Mizpah, who were citizens of the province.


book: Neh
contenido:
Uzziel (son of Harhaiah) was a goldsmith by trade, but he too worked on the wall. Beyond him was Hananiah, a manufacturer of perfumes. Repairs were not needed from there to the Broad Wall.


book: Neh
contenido:
Jedaiah (son of Harumaph) repaired the wall beside his own house, and next to him was Hattush (son of Hashabneiah).


book: Neh
contenido:
Then came Malchijah (son of Harim) and Hasshub (son of Pahath-moab), who repaired the Furnace Tower in addition to a section of the wall.


book: Neh
contenido:
Shallum (son of Hallohesh) and his daughters repaired the next section. He was the mayor of the other half of Jerusalem.


book: Neh
contenido:
The people from Zanoah, led by Hanun, built the Valley Gate, hung the doors, and installed the bolts and bars; then they repaired the 1,500 feet of wall to the Dung Gate.


book: Neh
contenido:
The Dung Gate was repaired by Malchijah (son of Rechab), the mayor of the Beth-haccherem area; and after building it, he hung the doors and installed the bolts and bars.


book: Neh
contenido:
Shallum (son of Col-hozeh), the mayor of the Mizpah district, repaired the Fountain Gate. He rebuilt it, roofed it, hung its doors, and installed its locks and bars. Then he repaired the wall from the pool of Siloam to the king’s garden and the stairs that descend from the City of David section of Jerusalem.


book: Neh
contenido:
Next to him was Nehemiah (son of Azbuk), the mayor of half the Beth-zur district; he built as far as the royal cemetery, the water reservoir, and the old Officers’ Club building.


book: Neh
contenido:
Next was a group of Levites working under the supervision of Rehum (son of Bani). Then came Hashabiah, the mayor of half the Keilah district, who supervised the building of the wall in his own district.


book: Neh
contenido:
Next down the line were his clan brothers led by Bavvai (son of Henadad), the mayor of the other half of the Keilah district.


book: Neh
contenido:
Next to them the workers were led by Ezer (son of Jeshua), the mayor of another part of Mizpah; they also worked on the section of wall across from the armory where the wall turns.


book: Neh
contenido:
Next to him was Baruch (son of Zabbai), who built from the turn in the wall to the home of Eliashib the High Priest.


book: Neh
contenido:
Meremoth (son of Uriah, son of Hakkoz) built a section of the wall extending from a point opposite the door of Eliashib’s house to the side of the house.


book: Neh
contenido:
Benjamin, Hasshub, and Azariah (son of Maaseiah, son of Ananiah) repaired the sections next to their own houses.


book: Neh
contenido:
Next was Binnui (son of Henadad), who built the portion of the wall from Azariah’s house to the corner.


book: Neh
contenido:
Palal (son of Uzai) carried on the work from the corner to the foundations of the upper tower of the king’s castle beside the prison yard. Next was Pedaiah (son of Parosh).


book: Neh
contenido:
The Temple attendants living in Ophel repaired the wall as far as the East Water Gate and the Projecting Tower.


book: Neh
contenido:
Then came the Tekoites, who repaired the section opposite the Castle Tower and over to the wall of Ophel.


book: Neh
contenido:
The priests repaired the wall beyond the Horse Gate, each one doing the section immediately opposite his own house.


book: Neh
contenido:
Zadok (son of Immer) also rebuilt the wall next to his own house, and beyond him was Shemaiah (son of Shecaniah), the gatekeeper of the East Gate.


book: Neh
contenido:
Next was Hananiah (son of Shelemiah); Hanun (the sixth son of Zalaph); and Meshullam (son of Berechiah), who built next to his own house.


book: Neh
contenido:
Malchijah, one of the goldsmiths, repaired as far as the Temple attendants’ and merchants’ Guild Hall, opposite the Muster Gate; then to the upper room at the corner.


book: Neh
contenido:
Sanballat was very angry when he learned that we were rebuilding the wall. He flew into a rage, and insulted and mocked us and laughed at us, and so did his friends and the Samaritan army officers. “What does this bunch of poor, feeble Jews think they are doing?” he scoffed. “Do they think they can build the wall in a day if they offer enough sacrifices? And look at those charred stones they are pulling out of the rubbish and using again!”


book: Neh
contenido:
Tobiah, who was standing beside him, remarked, “If even a fox walked along the top of their wall, it would collapse!”


book: Neh
contenido:
Then I prayed, “Hear us, O Lord God, for we are being mocked. May their scoffing fall back upon their own heads, and may they themselves become captives in a foreign land!


book: Neh
contenido:
Do not ignore their sin. Do not blot it out, for they have despised you in despising us who are building your wall.”


book: Neh
contenido:
At last the wall was completed to half its original height around the entire city—for the workers worked hard.


book: Neh
contenido:
But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabians, Ammonites, and Ashdodites heard that the work was going right ahead and that the breaks in the wall were being repaired, they became furious.


book: Neh
contenido:
Then some of the leaders began complaining that the workmen were becoming tired; and there was so much rubble to be removed that we could never get it done by ourselves.


book: Neh
contenido:
And whenever the workers who lived in the nearby cities went home for a visit, our enemies tried to talk them out of returning to Jerusalem.


book: Neh
contenido:
Then as I looked over the situation, I called together the leaders and the people and said to them, “Don’t be afraid! Remember the Lord who is great and glorious; fight for your friends, your families, and your homes!”


book: Neh
contenido:
Our enemies learned that we knew of their plot, and that God had exposed and frustrated their plan. Now we all returned to our work on the wall;


book: Neh
contenido:
“The work is so spread out,” I explained to them, “and we are separated so widely from each other, that when you hear the trumpet blow, you must rush to where I am; and God will fight for us.”


book: Neh
contenido:
I told everyone living outside the walls to move into Jerusalem so that their servants could go on guard duty as well as work during the day.


book: Neh
contenido:
During this period none of us—I, nor my brothers, nor the servants, nor the guards who were with me—ever took off our clothes except for washing. And we carried our weapons with us at all times.


book: Neh
contenido:
About this time there was a great outcry of protest from parents against some of the rich Jews who were profiteering on them.


book: Neh
contenido:
What was happening was that families who ran out of money for food had to sell their children or mortgage their fields, vineyards, and homes to these rich men; and some couldn’t even do that, for they already had borrowed to the limit to pay their taxes.


book: Neh
contenido:
“We are their brothers, and our children are just like theirs,” the people protested. “Yet we must sell our children into slavery to get enough money to live. We have already sold some of our daughters, and we are helpless to redeem them, for our fields, too, are mortgaged to these men.”


book: Neh
contenido:
so after thinking about it I spoke out against these rich government officials.
“What is this you are doing?” I demanded. “How dare you demand a mortgage as a condition for helping another Israelite!”
Then I called a public trial to deal with them.


book: Neh
contenido:
At the trial I shouted at them, “The rest of us are doing all we can to help our Jewish brothers who have returned from exile as slaves in distant lands, but you are forcing them right back into slavery again. How often must we redeem them?”
And they had nothing to say in their own defense.


book: Neh
contenido:
Then I pressed further. “What you are doing is very evil,” I exclaimed. “Should you not walk in the fear of our God? Don’t we have enough enemies among the nations around us who are trying to destroy us?


book: Neh
contenido:
The rest of us are lending money and grain to our fellow Jews without any interest. I beg you, gentlemen, stop this business of usury.


book: Neh
contenido:
Restore their fields, vineyards, olive yards, and homes to them this very day and drop your claims against them.”


book: Neh
contenido:
So they agreed to do it and said that they would assist their brothers without requiring them to mortgage their lands and sell them their children. Then I summoned the priests and made these men formally vow to carry out their promises.


book: Neh
contenido:
And I invoked the curse of God upon any of them who refused.
“May God destroy your homes and livelihood if you fail to keep this promise,” I declared.
And all the people shouted, “Amen,” and praised the Lord. And the rich men did as they had promised.


book: Neh
contenido:
I would like to mention that for the entire twelve years that I was governor of Judah—from the twentieth until the thirty-second year of the reign of King Artaxerxes—my aides and I accepted no salaries or other assistance from the people of Israel.


book: Neh
contenido:
This was quite a contrast to the former governors who had demanded food and wine and $100 a day in cash, and had put the population at the mercy of their aides who tyrannized them; but I obeyed God and did not act that way.


book: Neh
contenido:
I stayed at work on the wall and refused to speculate in land; I also required my officials to spend time on the wall.


book: Neh
contenido:
All this despite the fact that I regularly fed 150 Jewish officials at my table, besides visitors from other countries!


book: Neh
contenido:
The provisions required for each day were one ox, six fat sheep, and a large number of domestic fowls; and we needed a huge supply of all kinds of wines every ten days. Yet I refused to make a special levy against the people, for they were already having a difficult time.


book: Neh
contenido:
When Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies found out that we had almost completed the rebuilding of the wall—though we had not yet hung all the doors of the gates—


book: Neh
contenido:
they sent me a message asking me to meet them in one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But I realized they were plotting to kill me,


book: Neh
contenido:
so I replied by sending back this message to them: “I am doing a great work! Why should I stop to come and visit with you?”


book: Neh
contenido:
The fifth time, Sanballat’s servant came with an open letter in his hand, and this is what it said:
“Geshem tells me that everywhere he goes he hears that the Jews are planning to rebel, and that is why you are building the wall. He claims you plan to be their king—that is what is being said.


book: Neh
contenido:
He also reports that you have appointed prophets to campaign for you at Jerusalem by saying, ‘Look! Nehemiah is just the man we need!’
“You can be very sure that I am going to pass along these interesting comments to King Artaxerxes! I suggest that you come and talk it over with me—for that is the only way you can save yourself!”


book: Neh
contenido:
A few days later I went to visit Shemaiah (son of Delaiah, who was the son of Mehetabel), for he said he was receiving a message from God.
“Let us hide in the Temple and bolt the door,” he exclaimed, “for they are coming tonight to kill you.”


book: Neh
contenido:
But I replied, “Should I, the governor, run away from danger? And if I go into the Temple, not being a priest, I would forfeit my life. No, I won’t do it!”


book: Neh
contenido:
Then I realized that God had not spoken to him, but Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him to scare me and make me sin by fleeing to the Temple; and then they would be able to accuse me.


book: Neh
contenido:
“O my God,” I prayed, “don’t forget all the evil of Tobiah, Sanballat, Noadiah the prophetess, and all the other prophets who have tried to discourage me.”


book: Neh
contenido:
When our enemies and the surrounding nations heard about it, they were frightened and humiliated, and they realized that the work had been done with the help of our God.


book: Neh
contenido:
During those fifty-two days many letters went back and forth between Tobiah and the wealthy politicians of Judah.


book: Neh
contenido:
For many in Judah had sworn allegiance to him because his father-in-law was Shecaniah (son of Arah) and because his son Jehohanan was married to the daughter of Meshullam (son of Berechiah).


book: Neh
contenido:
They all told me what a wonderful man Tobiah was, and then they told him everything I had said; and Tobiah sent many threatening letters to frighten me.


book: Neh
contenido:
After the wall was finished and we had hung the doors in the gates and had appointed the gatekeepers, singers, and Levites,


book: Neh
contenido:
I gave the responsibility of governing Jerusalem to my brother Hanani and to Hananiah, the commander of the fortress—a very faithful man who revered God more than most people do.


book: Neh
contenido:
I issued instructions to them not to open the Jerusalem gates until well after sunrise, and to close and lock them while the guards were still on duty. I also directed that the guards be residents of Jerusalem, and that they must be on duty at regular times, and that each homeowner who lived near the wall must guard the section of wall next to his own home.


book: Neh
contenido:
For the city was large, but the population was small; and only a few houses were scattered throughout the city.


book: Neh
contenido:
Then the Lord told me to call together all the leaders of the city, along with the ordinary citizens, for registration. For I had found the record of the genealogies of those who had returned to Judah before, and this is what was written in it:


book: Neh
contenido:
“The following is a list of the names of the Jews who returned to Judah after being exiled by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon.


book: Neh
contenido:
“Their leaders were: Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, Baanah.
“The others who returned at that time were:


book: Neh
contenido:
From the subclan of Parosh, 2,172;
From the subclan of Shephatiah, 372;
From the subclan of Arah, 652;
From the families of Jeshua and Joab of the subclan of Pahath-moab, 2,818;
From the subclan of Elam, 1,254;
From the subclan of Zattu, 845;
From the subclan of Zaccai, 760;
From the subclan of Binnui, 648;
From the subclan of Bebai, 628;
From the subclan of Azgad, 2,322;
From the subclan of Adonikam, 667;
From the subclan of Bigvai, 2,067;
From the subclan of Adin, 655;
From the family of Hezekiah of the subclan of Ater, 98;
From the subclan of Hashum, 328;
From the subclan of Bezai, 324;
From the subclan of Hariph, 112;
From the subclan of Gibeon, 95;
From the subclans of Bethlehem and Netophah, 188;
From the subclan of Anathoth, 128;
From the subclan of Beth-azmaveth, 42;
From the subclans of Kiriath-jearim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, 743;
From the subclans of Ramah and Geba, 621;
From the subclan of Michmas, 122;
From the subclans of Bethel and Ai, 123;
From the subclan of Nebo, 52;
From the subclan of Elam, 1,254;
From the subclan of Harim, 320;
From the subclan of Jericho, 345;
From the subclans of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, 721;
From the subclan of Senaah, 3,930.


book: Neh
contenido:
“Here are the statistics concerning the returning priests:
From the family of Jeshua of the subclan of Jedaiah, 973;
From the subclan of Immer, 1,052;
From the subclan of Pashhur, 1,247;
From the subclan of Harim, 1,017.


book: Neh
contenido:
“Here are the statistics concerning the Levites:
From the family of Kadmiel of the subclan of Hodevah of the clan of Jeshua, 74;
The choir members from the clan of Asaph, 148;
From the clans of Shallum, (all of whom were gatekeepers), 138.


book: Neh
contenido:
“Of the Temple assistants, the following subclans were represented: Ziha, Hasupha, Tabbaoth, Keros, Sia, Padon, Lebana, Hagaba, Shalmai, Hanan, Giddel, Gahar, Reaiah, Rezin, Nekoda, Gazzam, Uzza, Paseah, Besai, Asnah, Meunim, Nephushesim, Bakbuk, Hakupha, Harhur, Bazlith, Mehida, Harsha, Barkos, Sisera, Temah, Neziah, Hatipha.


book: Neh
contenido:
“Following is a list of the descendants of Solomon’s officials who returned to Judah: Sotai, Sophereth, Perida, Jaala, Darkon, Giddel, Shephatiah, Hattil, Pochereth-hazzebaim, Amon.


book: Neh
contenido:
Another group returned to Jerusalem at that time from the Persian cities of Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer. But they had lost their genealogies and could not prove their Jewish ancestry;


book: Neh
contenido:
There were also several subclans of priests named after Hobaiah, Hakkoz, and Barzillai (he married one of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite and took her family name),


book: Neh
contenido:
whose genealogies had been lost. So they were not allowed to continue as priests or even to receive the priests’ share of food from the sacrifices until the Urim and Thummim had been consulted to find out from God whether or not they actually were descendants of priests.


book: Neh
contenido:
Some of their leaders gave gifts for the work. The governor gave $5,000 in gold, 50 gold bowls, and 530 sets of clothing for the priests.


book: Neh
contenido:
and the common people gave $100,000 in gold, $70,000 in silver, and sixty-seven sets of clothing for the priests.


book: Neh
contenido:
The priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the choir members, the Temple attendants, and the rest of the people now returned home to their own towns and villages throughout Judah. But during the month of September, they came back to Jerusalem.


book: Neh
contenido:
Now, in mid-September, all the people assembled at the plaza in front of the Water Gate and requested Ezra, their religious leader, to read to them the law of God, which he had given to Moses.
So Ezra the priest brought out to them the scroll of Moses’ laws. He stood on a wooden stand made especially for the occasion so that everyone could see him as he read. He faced the square in front of the Water Gate and read from early morning until noon. Everyone stood up as he opened the scroll. And all who were old enough to understand paid close attention. To his right stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah. To his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hash-baddenah, Zechariah, and Meshullam.


book: Neh
contenido:
Then Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people said, “Amen,” and lifted their hands toward heaven; then they bowed and worshiped the Lord with their faces toward the ground.


book: Neh
contenido:
As Ezra read from the scroll, Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites went among the people and explained the meaning of the passage that was being read.


book: Neh
contenido:
All the people began sobbing when they heard the commands of the law.
Then Ezra the priest, and I as governor, and the Levites who were assisting me said to them, “Don’t cry on such a day as this! For today is a sacred day before the Lord your God—


book: Neh
contenido:
it is a time to celebrate with a hearty meal and to send presents to those in need, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. You must not be dejected and sad!”


book: Neh
contenido:
And the Levites, too, quieted the people, telling them, “That’s right! Don’t weep! For this is a day of holy joy, not of sadness.”


book: Neh
contenido:
So the people went away to eat a festive meal and to send presents; it was a time of great and joyful celebration because they could hear and understand God’s words.


book: Neh
contenido:
The next day the clan leaders and the priests and Levites met with Ezra to go over the law in greater detail.


book: Neh
contenido:
As they studied it, they noted that Jehovah had told Moses that the people of Israel should live in tents during the Festival of Tabernacles to be held that month.


book: Neh
contenido:
He had said also that a proclamation should be made throughout the cities of the land, especially in Jerusalem, telling the people to go to the hills to get branches from olive, myrtle, palm, and fig trees and to make huts in which to live for the duration of the feast.


book: Neh
contenido:
So the people went out and cut branches and used them to build huts on the roofs of their houses, or in their courtyards, or in the court of the Temple, or on the plaza beside the Water Gate, or at the Ephraim Gate Plaza.


book: Neh
contenido:
They lived in these huts for the seven days of the feast, and everyone was filled with joy! (This procedure had not been carried out since the days of Joshua.)


book: Neh
contenido:
Ezra read from the scroll on each of the seven days of the feast, and on the eighth day there was a solemn closing service as required by the laws of Moses.


book: Neh
contenido:
On October 10 the people returned for another observance; this time they fasted and clothed themselves with sackcloth and sprinkled dirt in their hair. And the Israelis separated themselves from all foreigners.


book: Neh
contenido:
The laws of God were read aloud to them for two or three hours, and for several more hours they took turns confessing their own sins and those of their ancestors. And everyone worshiped the Lord their God.


book: Neh
contenido:
Some of the Levites were on the platform praising the Lord God with songs of joy. These men were Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani.


book: Neh
contenido:
Then the Levite leaders called out to the people, “Stand up and praise the Lord your God, for he lives from everlasting to everlasting. Praise his glorious name! It is far greater than we can think or say.”
The leaders in this part of the service were Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah.


book: Neh
contenido:
Then Ezra prayed, “You alone are God. You have made the skies and the heavens, the earth and the seas, and everything in them. You preserve it all; and all the angels of heaven worship you.


book: Neh
contenido:
“You are the Lord God who chose Abram and brought him from Ur of the Chaldeans and renamed him Abraham.


book: Neh
contenido:
When he was faithful to you, you made a contract with him to forever give him and his descendants the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Jebusites, and Girgashites; and now you have done what you promised, for you are always true to your word.


book: Neh
contenido:
“You saw the troubles and sorrows of our ancestors in Egypt, and you heard their cries from beside the Red Sea.


book: Neh
contenido:
You displayed great miracles against Pharaoh and his people, for you knew how brutally the Egyptians were treating them; you have a glorious reputation because of those never-to-be-forgotten deeds.


book: Neh
contenido:
You divided the sea for your people so they could go through on dry land! And then you destroyed their enemies in the depths of the sea; they sank like stones beneath the mighty waters.


book: Neh
contenido:
You led our ancestors by a pillar of cloud during the day and a pillar of fire at night so that they could find their way.


book: Neh
contenido:
“You came down upon Mount Sinai and spoke with them from heaven and gave them good laws and true commandments,


book: Neh
contenido:
including the laws about the holy Sabbath; and you commanded them, through Moses your servant, to obey them all.


book: Neh
contenido:
“You gave them bread from heaven when they were hungry and water from the rock when they were thirsty. You commanded them to go in and conquer the land you had sworn to give them;


book: Neh
contenido:
“They refused to obey and didn’t pay any attention to the miracles you did for them; instead, they rebelled and appointed a leader to take them back into slavery in Egypt! But you are a God of forgiveness, always ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to become angry, and full of love and mercy; you didn’t abandon them,


book: Neh
contenido:
even though they made a calf idol and proclaimed, ‘This is our God! He brought us out of Egypt!’ They sinned in so many ways,


book: Neh
contenido:
but in your great mercy you didn’t abandon them to die in the wilderness! The pillar of cloud led them forward day by day, and the pillar of fire showed them the way through the night.


book: Neh
contenido:
You sent your good Spirit to instruct them, and you did not stop giving them bread from heaven or water for their thirst.


book: Neh
contenido:
For forty years you sustained them in the wilderness; they lacked nothing in all that time. Their clothes didn’t wear out, and their feet didn’t swell!


book: Neh
contenido:
“Then you helped them conquer great kingdoms and many nations, and you placed your people in every corner of the land; they completely took over the land of King Sihon of Heshbon and King Og of Bashan.


book: Neh
contenido:
You caused a population explosion among the Israelis and brought them into the land you had promised to their ancestors.


book: Neh
contenido:
You subdued whole nations before them—even the kings and the people of the Canaanites were powerless!


book: Neh
contenido:
Your people captured fortified cities and fertile land; they took over houses full of good things, with cisterns and vineyards and olive yards and many, many fruit trees; so they ate and were full and enjoyed themselves in all your blessings.


book: Neh
contenido:
“But despite all this, they were disobedient and rebelled against you. They threw away your law, killed the prophets who told them to return to you, and they did many other terrible things.


book: Neh
contenido:
So you gave them to their enemies. But in their time of trouble they cried to you, and you heard them from heaven, and in great mercy you sent them saviors who delivered them from their enemies.


book: Neh
contenido:
But when all was going well, your people turned to sin again, and once more you let their enemies conquer them. Yet whenever your people returned to you and cried to you for help, once more you listened from heaven, and in your wonderful mercy delivered them!


book: Neh
contenido:
You punished them in order to turn them toward your laws; but even though they should have obeyed them, they were proud and wouldn’t listen, and continued to sin.


book: Neh
contenido:
You were patient with them for many years. You sent your prophets to warn them about their sins, but still they wouldn’t listen. So once again you allowed the heathen nations to conquer them.


book: Neh
contenido:
But in your great mercy you did not destroy them completely or abandon them forever. What a gracious and merciful God you are!


book: Neh
contenido:
“And now, O great and awesome God, you who keep your promises of love and kindness—do not let all the hardships we have gone through become as nothing to you. Great trouble has come upon us and upon our kings and princes and priests and prophets and ancestors from the days when the kings of Assyria first triumphed over us until now.


book: Neh
contenido:
Every time you punished us you were being perfectly fair; we have sinned so greatly that you gave us only what we deserved.


book: Neh
contenido:
They did not worship you despite the wonderful things you did for them and the great goodness you showered upon them. You gave them a large, fat land, but they refused to turn from their wickedness.


book: Neh
contenido:
“So now we are slaves here in the land of plenty that you gave to our ancestors! Slaves among all this abundance!


book: Neh
contenido:
The lush yield of this land passes into the hands of the kings whom you have allowed to conquer us because of our sins. They have power over our bodies and our cattle, and we serve them at their pleasure and are in great misery.


book: Neh
contenido:
Because of all this, we again promise to serve the Lord! And we and our princes and Levites and priests put our names to this covenant.”


book: Neh
contenido:
I, Nehemiah the governor, signed the covenant. The others who signed it were: Zedekiah, Seraiah, Azariah, Jeremiah, Pashhur, Amariah, Malchijah, Hattush, Shebaniah, Malluch, Harim, Meremoth, Obadiah, Daniel, Ginnethon, Baruch, Meshullam, Abijah, Mijamin, Maaziah, Bilgai, Shemaiah. (All those listed above were priests.)


book: Neh
contenido:
These were the Levites who signed: Jeshua (son of Azaniah), Binnui (son of Henadad), Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Hodiah, Kelita, Pelaiah, Hanan, Mica, Rehob, Hashabiah, Zaccur, Sherebiah, Shebaniah, Hodiah, Bani, Beninu.


book: Neh
contenido:
The political leaders who signed: Parosh, Pahath-moab, Elam, Zattu, Bani, Bunni, Azgad, Bebai, Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin, Ater, Hezekiah, Azzur, Hodiah, Hashum, Bezai, Hariph, Anathoth, Nebai, Magpiash, Meshullam, Hezir, Meshezabel, Zadok, Jaddua, Pelatiah, Hanan, Anaiah, Hoshea, Hananiah, Hasshub, Hallohesh, Pilha, Shobek, Rehum, Hashabnah, Maaseiah, Ahiah, Hanan, Anan, Malluch, Harim, Baanah.


book: Neh
contenido:
These men signed on behalf of the entire nation—for the common people, the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the choir members, the Temple servants, and all the rest who, with their wives and sons and daughters who were old enough to understand, had separated themselves from the heathen people of the land in order to serve God.


book: Neh
contenido:
For we all heartily agreed to this oath and vowed to accept the curse of God unless we obeyed God’s laws as issued by his servant Moses.


book: Neh
contenido:
We also agreed not to let our daughters marry non-Jewish men and not to let our sons marry non-Jewish girls.


book: Neh
contenido:
We further agreed that if the heathen people in the land should bring any grain or other produce to be sold on the Sabbath or on any other holy day, we would refuse to buy it. And we agreed not to do any work every seventh year and to forgive and cancel the debts of our brother Jews.


book: Neh
contenido:
We also agreed to charge ourselves annually with a Temple tax so that there would be enough money to care for the Temple of our God;


book: Neh
contenido:
for we needed supplies of the special Bread of the Presence, as well as grain offerings and burnt offerings for the Sabbaths, the new moon feasts, and the annual feasts. We also needed to purchase the other items necessary for the work of the Temple and for the atonement of Israel.


book: Neh
contenido:
Then we tossed a coin to determine when—at regular times each year—the families of the priests, Levites, and leaders should supply the wood for the burnt offerings at the Temple as required in the law.


book: Neh
contenido:
We also agreed always to bring the first part of every crop to the Temple—whether it be a ground crop or from our fruit and olive trees.


book: Neh
contenido:
We agreed to give to God our oldest sons and the firstborn of all our cattle, herds, and flocks, just as the law requires; we presented them to the priests who minister in the Temple of our God.


book: Neh
contenido:
They stored the produce in the Temple of our God—the best of our grain crops, and other contributions, the first of our fruit, and the first of the new wine and olive oil. And we promised to bring to the Levites a tenth of everything our land produced, for the Levites were responsible to collect the tithes in all our rural towns.


book: Neh
contenido:
A priest—a descendant of Aaron—would be with the Levites as they received these tithes, and a tenth of all that was collected as tithes was delivered to the Temple and placed in the storage areas.


book: Neh
contenido:
The people and the Levites were required by law to bring these offerings of grain, new wine, and olive oil to the Temple and place them in the sacred containers for use by the ministering priests, the gatekeepers, and the choir singers.
So we agreed together not to neglect the Temple of our God.


book: Neh
contenido:
The Israeli officials were living in Jerusalem, the Holy City, at this time; but now a tenth of the people from the other cities and towns of Judah and Benjamin were selected by lot to live there too.


book: Neh
contenido:
Following is a list of the names of the provincial officials who came to Jerusalem (though most of the leaders, the priests, the Levites, the Temple assistants, and the descendants of Solomon’s servants continued to live in their own homes in the various cities of Judah).


book: Neh
contenido:
Leaders from the tribe of Judah:
Athaiah (son of Uzziah, son of Zechariah, son of Amariah, son of Shephatiah, son of Mahalalel, a descendant of Perez);
Maaseiah (son of Baruch, son of Col-hozeh, son of Hazaiah, son of Adaiah, son of Joiarib, son of Zechariah, son of the Shilonite).
These were the 468 stalwart descendants of Perez who lived in Jerusalem.


book: Neh
contenido:
Leaders from the tribe of Benjamin:
Sallu (son of Meshullam, son of Joed, son of Pedaiah, son of Kolaiah, son of Maaseiah, son of Ithiel, son of Jeshaiah).
The 968 descendants of Gabbai and Sallai. Their chief was Joel, son of Zichri, who was assisted by Judah, son of Hassenuah.


book: Neh
contenido:
Leaders from among the priests:
Jedaiah (son of Joiarib);
Jachin;
Seraiah (son of Hilkiah, son of Meshullam, son of Zadok, son of Meraioth, son of Ahitub the chief priest).
In all, there were 822 priests doing the work at the Temple under the leadership of these men. And there were 242 priests under the leadership of Adaiah (son of Jeroham, son of Pelaliah, son of Amzi, son of Zechariah, son of Pashhur, son of Malchijah).
There were also 128 stalwart men under the leadership of Amashsai (son of Azarel, son of Ahzai, son of Meshillemoth, son of Immer), who was assisted by Zabdiel (son of Haggedolim).


book: Neh
contenido:
Levite leaders:
Shemaiah (son of Hasshub, son of Azrikam, son of Hashabiah, son of Bunni);
Shabbethai and Jozabad, who were in charge of the work outside the Temple;
Mattaniah (son of Mica, son of Zabdi, son of Asaph) was the one who began the thanksgiving services with prayer;
Bakbukiah and Abda (son of Shammua, son of Galal, son of Jeduthun) were his assistants.


book: Neh
contenido:
The supervisor of the Levites in Jerusalem and of those serving at the Temple was Uzzi (son of Bani, son of Hashabiah, son of Mattaniah, son of Mica), a descendant of Asaph, whose clan became the Tabernacle singers. He was appointed by King David, who also set the pay scale of the singers.


book: Neh
contenido:
Pethahiah (son of Meshezabel, a descendant of Zerah, a son of Judah) assisted in all matters of public administration.


book: Neh
contenido:
Some of the towns where the people of Judah lived were: Kiriath-arba, Dibon, Jekabzeel (and their surrounding villages), Jeshua, Moladah, Beth-pelet, Hazar-shual, Beersheba (and its surrounding villages), Ziklag, Meconah and its villages, En-rimmon, Zorah, Jarmuth, Zanoah, Adullam (and their surrounding villages), Lachish and its nearby fields, Azekah and its towns.
So the people spread from Beersheba to the valley of Hinnom.


book: Neh
contenido:
The people of the tribe of Benjamin lived at: Geba, Michmash, Aija, Bethel (and its surrounding villages), Anathoth, Nob, Ananiah, Hazor, Ramah, Gittaim, Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat, Lod, Ono (the Valley of the Craftsmen).


book: Neh
contenido:
Here is a list of the priests who accompanied Zerubbabel (son of Shealtiel) and Jeshua: Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra, Amariah, Malluch, Hattush, Shecaniah, Rehum, Meremoth, Iddo, Ginnethoi, Abijah, Mijamin, Maadiah, Bilgah, Shemaiah, Joiarib, Jedaiah, Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah, Jedaiah.


book: Neh
contenido:
The Levites who went with them were: Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, Mattaniah—who was the one in charge of the thanksgiving service.


book: Neh
contenido:
Jeshua was the father of Joiakim;
Joiakim was the father of Eliashib;
Eliashib was the father of Joiada;
Joiada was the father of Jonathan;
Jonathan was the father of Jaddua.


book: Neh
contenido:
The following were the clan leaders of the priests who served under the High Priest Joiakim:
Meraiah, leader of the Seraiah clan;
Hananiah, leader of the Jeremiah clan;
Meshullam, leader of the Ezra clan;
Jehohanan, leader of the Amariah clan;
Jonathan, leader of the Malluchi clan;
Joseph, leader of the Shebaniah clan;
Adna, leader of the Harim clan;
Helkai, leader of the Meraioth clan;
Zechariah, leader of the Iddo clan;
Meshullam, leader of the Ginnethon clan;
Zichri, leader of the Abijah clan;
Piltai, leader of the Moadiah and Miniamin clans;
Shammua, leader of the Bilgah clan;
Jehonathan, leader of the Shemaiah clan;
Mattenai, leader of the Joiarib clan;
Uzzi, leader of the Jedaiah clan;
Kallai, leader of the Sallai clan;
Eber, leader of the Amok clan;
Hashabiah, leader of the Hilkiah clan;
Nethanel, leader of the Jedaiah clan.


book: Neh
contenido:
A genealogical record of the heads of the clans of the priests and Levites was compiled during the reign of King Darius of Persia, in the days of Eliashib, Joiada, Johanan, and Jaddua—all of whom were Levites.


book: Neh
contenido:
In The Book of the Chronicles the Levite names were recorded down to the days of Johanan, the son of Eliashib.


book: Neh
contenido:
These were the chiefs of the Levites at that time: Hashabiah, Sherebiah, and Jeshua (son of Kadmiel).
Their fellow clansmen helped them during the ceremonies of praise and thanksgiving, just as commanded by David, the man of God.


book: Neh
contenido:
The gatekeepers who had charge of the collection centers at the gates were: Mattaniah, Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon, Akkub.


book: Neh
contenido:
These were the men who were active in the time of Joiakim (son of Jeshua, son of Jozadak), and when I was the governor, and when Ezra was the priest and teacher of religion.


book: Neh
contenido:
During the dedication of the new Jerusalem wall, all the Levites throughout the land came to Jerusalem to assist in the ceremonies and to take part in the joyous occasion with their thanksgiving, cymbals, psaltries, and harps.


book: Neh
contenido:
The choir members also came to Jerusalem from the surrounding villages and from the villages of the Netophathites;


book: Neh
contenido:
they also came from Beth-gilgal and the area of Geba and Azmaveth, for the singers had built their own villages as suburbs of Jerusalem.


book: Neh
contenido:
I led the Judean leaders to the top of the wall and divided them into two long lines to walk in opposite directions along the top of the wall, giving thanks as they went. The group which went to the right toward the Dung Gate consisted of half of the leaders of Judah,


book: Neh
contenido:
The priests who played the trumpets were Zechariah (son of Jonathan, son of Shemaiah, son of Mattaniah, son of Micaiah, son of Zaccur, son of Asaph), Shemaiah, Azarel, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethanel, Judah, and Hanani. (They used the original musical instruments of King David.) Ezra the priest led this procession.


book: Neh
contenido:
When they arrived at the Fountain Gate they went straight ahead and climbed the stairs that go up beside the castle to the old City of David; then they went to the Water Gate on the east.


book: Neh
contenido:
The other group, of which I was a member, went around the other way to meet them. We walked from the Tower of Furnaces to the Broad Wall,


book: Neh
contenido:
then from the Ephraim Gate to the Old Gate, passed the Fish Gate and the Tower of Hananel, and went on to the gate of the Tower of the Hundred; then we continued on to the Sheep Gate and stopped at the Prison Gate.


book: Neh
contenido:
Both choirs then proceeded to the Temple. Those with me were joined by the trumpet-playing priests—Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Micaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah, and Hananiah,


book: Neh
contenido:
and by the singers—Maaseiah, Shemaiah, Eleazar, Uzzi, Jehohanan, Malchijah, Elam, and Ezer.
They sang loudly and clearly under the direction of Jezrahiah the choirmaster.


book: Neh
contenido:
Many sacrifices were offered on that joyous day, for God had given us cause for great joy. The women and children rejoiced, too, and the joy of the people of Jerusalem was heard far away!


book: Neh
contenido:
On that day men were appointed to be in charge of the treasuries, the wave offerings, the tithes, and first-of-the-harvest offerings, and to collect these from the farms as decreed by the laws of Moses. These offerings were assigned to the priests and Levites, for the people of Judah appreciated the priests and Levites and their ministry.


book: Neh
contenido:
They also appreciated the work of the singers and gatekeepers, who assisted them in worshiping God and performing the purification ceremonies as required by the laws of David and his son Solomon.


book: Neh
contenido:
(It was in the days of David and Asaph that the custom began of having choir directors to lead the choirs in hymns of praise and thanks to God.)


book: Neh
contenido:
So now, in the days of Zerubbabel and Nehemiah, the people brought a daily supply of food for the members of the choir, the gatekeepers, and the Levites. The Levites, in turn, gave a portion of what they received to the priests.


book: Neh
contenido:
On that same day, as the laws of Moses were being read, the people found a statement which said that the Ammonites and Moabites should never be permitted to worship at the Temple.


book: Neh
contenido:
For they had not been friendly to the people of Israel. Instead, they had hired Balaam to curse them—although God turned the curse into a blessing.


book: Neh
contenido:
Before this had happened, Eliashib the priest, who had been appointed as custodian of the Temple storerooms and who was also a good friend of Tobiah,


book: Neh
contenido:
had converted a storage room into a beautiful guest room for Tobiah. The room had previously been used for storing the grain offerings, frankincense, bowls, and tithes of grain, new wine, and olive oil. Moses had decreed that these offerings belonged to the priests, Levites, the members of the choir, and the gatekeepers.


book: Neh
contenido:
I was not in Jerusalem at the time, for I had returned to Babylon in the thirty-second year of the reign of King Artaxerxes (though I later received his permission to go back again to Jerusalem).


book: Neh
contenido:
When I arrived back in Jerusalem and learned of this evil deed of Eliashib—that he had prepared a guest room in the Temple for Tobiah—


book: Neh
contenido:
Then I demanded that the room be thoroughly cleaned, and I brought back the Temple bowls, the grain offerings, and frankincense.


book: Neh
contenido:
I also learned that the Levites had not been given what was due them, so they and the choir singers who were supposed to conduct the worship services had returned to their farms.


book: Neh
contenido:
I immediately confronted the leaders and demanded, “Why has the Temple been forsaken?” Then I called all the Levites back again and restored them to their proper duties.


book: Neh
contenido:
And once more all the people of Judah began bringing their tithes of grain, new wine, and olive oil to the Temple treasury.


book: Neh
contenido:
I put Shelemiah the priest, Zadok the scribe, and Pedaiah the Levite in charge of the administration of the storehouses; and I appointed Hanan (son of Zaccur, son of Mattaniah) as their assistant. These men had an excellent reputation, and their job was to make an honest distribution to their fellow Levites.


book: Neh
contenido:
One day I was on a farm and saw some men treading winepresses on the Sabbath, hauling in sheaves, and loading their donkeys with wine, grapes, figs, and all sorts of produce, which they took that day into Jerusalem. So I opposed them publicly.


book: Neh
contenido:
There were also some men from Tyre bringing in fish and all sorts of wares and selling them on the Sabbath to the people of Jerusalem.


book: Neh
contenido:
Wasn’t it enough that your fathers did this sort of thing and brought the present evil days upon us and upon our city? And now you are bringing more wrath upon the people of Israel by permitting the Sabbath to be desecrated in this way.”


book: Neh
contenido:
So from then on I commanded that the gates of the city be shut as darkness fell on Friday evenings and not be opened until the Sabbath had ended; and I sent some of my servants to guard the gates so that no merchandise could be brought in on the Sabbath day.


book: Neh
contenido:
but I spoke sharply to them and said, “What are you doing out here, camping around the wall? If you do this again, I will arrest you.” And that was the last time they came on the Sabbath.


book: Neh
contenido:
Then I commanded the Levites to purify themselves and to guard the gates in order to preserve the sanctity of the Sabbath. Remember this good deed, O my God! Have compassion upon me in accordance with your great goodness.


book: Neh
contenido:
About the same time I realized that some of the Jews had married women from Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab,


book: Neh
contenido:
and that many of their children spoke in the language of Ashdod and couldn’t speak the language of Judah at all.


book: Neh
contenido:
So I confronted these parents and cursed them and punched a few of them and knocked them around and pulled out their hair; and they vowed before God that they would not let their children intermarry with non-Jews.


book: Neh
contenido:
“Wasn’t this exactly King Solomon’s problem?” I demanded. “There was no king who could compare with him, and God loved him and made him the king over all Israel; but even so he was led into idolatry by foreign women.


book: Neh
contenido:
One of the sons of Jehoiada (the son of Eliashib the High Priest) was a son-in-law of Sanballat the Horonite, so I chased him out of the Temple.


book: Neh
contenido:
Remember them, O my God, for they have defiled the priesthood and the promises and vows of the priests and Levites.


book: Neh
contenido:
So I purged out the foreigners and assigned tasks to the priests and Levites, making certain that each knew his work.


book: Neh
contenido:
They supplied wood for the altar at the proper times and cared for the sacrifices and the first offerings of every harvest. Remember me, my God, with your kindness.


book: Esth
contenido:
It was the third year of the reign of King Ahasuerus, emperor of vast Media-Persia, with its 127 provinces stretching from India to Ethiopia. This was the year of the great celebration at Shushan Palace, to which the emperor invited all his governors, aides, and army officers, bringing them in from every part of Media-Persia for the occasion.


book: Esth
contenido:
When it was all over, the king gave a special party for the palace servants and officials—janitors and cabinet officials alike—for seven days of revelry, held in the courtyard of the palace garden.


book: Esth
contenido:
The decorations were green, white, and blue, fastened with purple ribbons tied to silver rings imbedded in marble pillars. Gold and silver benches stood on pavements of black, red, white, and yellow marble.


book: Esth
contenido:
Drinks were served in gold goblets of many designs, and there was an abundance of royal wine, for the king was feeling very generous.


book: Esth
contenido:
The only restriction on the drinking was that no one should be compelled to take more than he wanted, but those who wished could have as much as they pleased. For the king had instructed his officers to let everyone decide this matter for himself.


book: Esth
contenido:
On the final day when the king was feeling high, half drunk from wine, he told the seven eunuchs who were his personal aides—Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carkas—


book: Esth
contenido:
to bring Queen Vashti to him with the royal crown upon her head so that all the men could gaze upon her beauty—for she was a very beautiful woman.


book: Esth
contenido:
But when they conveyed the emperor’s order to Queen Vashti, she refused to come. The king was furious


book: Esth
contenido:
but first consulted his lawyers, for he did nothing without their advice. They were men of wisdom who knew the temper of the times as well as Persian law and justice, and the king trusted their judgment. These men were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan—seven high officials of Media-Persia. They were his personal friends as well as being the chief officers of the government.
“What shall we do about this situation?” he asked them. “What penalty does the law provide for a queen who refuses to obey the king’s orders, properly sent through his aides?”


book: Esth
contenido:
Memucan answered for the others, “Queen Vashti has wronged not only the king but every official and citizen of your empire.


book: Esth
contenido:
For women everywhere will begin to disobey their husbands when they learn what Queen Vashti has done.


book: Esth
contenido:
And before this day is out, the wife of every one of us officials throughout your empire will hear what the queen did and will start talking to us husbands the same way, and there will be contempt and anger throughout your realm.


book: Esth
contenido:
We suggest that, subject to your agreement, you issue a royal edict, a law of the Medes and Persians that can never be changed, that Queen Vashti be forever banished from your presence and that you choose another queen more worthy than she.


book: Esth
contenido:
When this decree is published throughout your great kingdom, husbands everywhere, whatever their rank, will be respected by their wives!”


book: Esth
contenido:
and sent letters to all of his provinces, in all the local languages, stressing that every man should rule his home and should assert his authority.


book: Esth
contenido:
But after King Ahasuerus’ anger had cooled, he began brooding over the loss of Vashti, realizing that he would never see her again.


book: Esth
contenido:
So his aides suggested, “Let us go and find the most beautiful girls in the empire and bring them to the king for his pleasure.


book: Esth
contenido:
We will appoint agents in each province to select young lovelies for the royal harem. Hegai, the eunuch in charge, will see that they are given beauty treatments,


book: Esth
contenido:
and after that, the girl who pleases you most shall be the queen instead of Vashti.”
This suggestion naturally pleased the king very much, and he put the plan into immediate effect.


book: Esth
contenido:
Now there was a certain Jew at the palace named Mordecai (son of Jair, son of Shimei, son of Kish, a Benjaminite).


book: Esth
contenido:
He had been captured when Jerusalem was destroyed by King Nebuchadnezzar and had been exiled to Babylon along with King Jeconiah of Judah and many others.


book: Esth
contenido:
This man had a beautiful and lovely young cousin, Hadassah (also called Esther), whose father and mother were dead, and whom he had adopted into his family and raised as his own daughter.


book: Esth
contenido:
So now, as a result of the king’s decree, Esther was brought to the king’s harem at Shushan Palace along with many other young girls.


book: Esth
contenido:
Hegai, who was responsible for the harem, was very much impressed with her and did his best to make her happy; he ordered a special menu for her, favored her for the beauty treatments, gave her seven girls from the palace as her maids, and gave her the most luxurious apartment in the harem.


book: Esth
contenido:
He came daily to the court of the harem to ask about Esther and to find out what was happening to her.


book: Esth
contenido:
The instructions concerning these girls were that before being taken to the king’s bed, each would be given six months of beauty treatments with oil of myrrh, followed by six months with special perfumes and ointments. Then, as each girl’s turn came for spending the night with King Ahasuerus, she was given her choice of clothing or jewelry she wished, to enhance her beauty. She was taken to the king’s apartment in the evening and the next morning returned to the second harem where the king’s wives lived. There she was under the care of Shaashgaz, another of the king’s eunuchs and lived there the rest of her life, never seeing the king again unless he had especially enjoyed her and called for her by name.


book: Esth
contenido:
When it was Esther’s turn to go to the king, she accepted the advice of Hegai, the eunuch in charge of the harem, dressing according to his instructions. And all the other girls exclaimed with delight when they saw her.


book: Esth
contenido:
Well, the king loved Esther more than any of the other girls. He was so delighted with her that he set the royal crown on her head and declared her queen instead of Vashti.


book: Esth
contenido:
To celebrate the occasion, he threw another big party for all his officials and servants, giving generous gifts to everyone and making grants to the provinces in the form of remission of taxes.


book: Esth
contenido:
Later the king demanded a second bevy of beautiful girls. By that time Mordecai had become a government official.


book: Esth
contenido:
Esther still hadn’t told anyone she was a Jewess, for she was still following Mordecai’s orders, just as she had in his home.


book: Esth
contenido:
One day as Mordecai was on duty at the palace, two of the king’s eunuchs, Bigthan and Teresh—who were guards at the palace gate—became angry at the king and plotted to assassinate him.


book: Esth
contenido:
Mordecai heard about it and passed on the information to Queen Esther, who told the king, crediting Mordecai with the information.


book: Esth
contenido:
An investigation was made, the two men found guilty, and impaled alive. This was all duly recorded in the book of the history of King Ahasuerus’ reign.


book: Esth
contenido:
Soon afterwards King Ahasuerus appointed Haman (son of Hammedatha the Agagite) as prime minister. He was the most powerful official in the empire next to the king himself.


book: Esth
contenido:
Now all the king’s officials bowed before him in deep reverence whenever he passed by, for so the king had commanded. But Mordecai refused to bow.


book: Esth
contenido:
“Why are you disobeying the king’s commandment?” the others demanded day after day, but he still refused. Finally they spoke to Haman about it to see whether Mordecai could get away with it because of his being a Jew, which was the excuse he had given them.


book: Esth
contenido:
Haman was furious but decided not to lay hands on Mordecai alone, but to move against all of Mordecai’s people, the Jews, and destroy all of them throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus.


book: Esth
contenido:
The most propitious time for this action was determined by throwing dice. This was done in April of the twelfth year of the reign of Ahasuerus, and February of the following year was the date indicated.


book: Esth
contenido:
Haman now approached the king about the matter. “There is a certain race of people scattered through all the provinces of your kingdom,” he began, “and their laws are different from those of any other nation, and they refuse to obey the king’s laws; therefore, it is not in the king’s interest to let them live.


book: Esth
contenido:
If it please the king, issue a decree that they be destroyed, and I will pay $20,000,000 into the royal treasury for the expenses involved in this purge.”


book: Esth
contenido:
The king agreed, confirming his decision by removing his ring from his finger and giving it to Haman, telling him,


book: Esth
contenido:
Two or three weeks later, Haman called in the king’s secretaries and dictated letters to the governors and officials throughout the empire, to each province in its own languages and dialects; these letters were signed in the name of King Ahasuerus and sealed with his ring.


book: Esth
contenido:
They were then sent by messengers into all the provinces of the empire, decreeing that the Jews—young and old, women and children—must all be killed on the 28th day of February of the following year and their property given to those who killed them.


book: Esth
contenido:
“A copy of this edict,” the letter stated, “must be proclaimed as law in every province and made known to all your people, so that they will be ready to do their duty on the appointed day.”


book: Esth
contenido:
The edict went out by the king’s speediest couriers, after being first proclaimed in the city of Shushan. Then the king and Haman sat down for a drinking spree as the city fell into confusion and panic.


book: Esth
contenido:
When Mordecai learned what had been done, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the city, crying with a loud and bitter wail.


book: Esth
contenido:
Then he stood outside the gate of the palace, for no one was permitted to enter in mourning clothes.


book: Esth
contenido:
And throughout all the provinces there was great mourning among the Jews, fasting, weeping, and despair at the king’s decree; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.


book: Esth
contenido:
When Esther’s maids and eunuchs came and told her about Mordecai, she was deeply distressed and sent clothing to him to replace the sackcloth, but he refused it.


book: Esth
contenido:
Then Esther sent for Hathach, one of the king’s eunuchs who had been appointed as her attendant, and told him to go out to Mordecai and find out what the trouble was and why he was acting like that.


book: Esth
contenido:
and heard the whole story from him, and about the $20,000,000 Haman had promised to pay into the king’s treasury for the destruction of the Jews.


book: Esth
contenido:
Mordecai also gave Hathach a copy of the king’s decree dooming all Jews, and told him to show it to Esther and to tell her what was happening and that she should go to the king to plead for her people.


book: Esth
contenido:
“All the world knows that anyone, whether man or woman, who goes into the king’s inner court without his summons is doomed to die unless the king holds out his gold scepter; and the king has not called for me to come to him in more than a month.”


book: Esth
contenido:
This was Mordecai’s reply to Esther: “Do you think you will escape there in the palace when all other Jews are killed?


book: Esth
contenido:
If you keep quiet at a time like this, God will deliver the Jews from some other source, but you and your relatives will die; what’s more, who can say but that God has brought you into the palace for just such a time as this?”


book: Esth
contenido:
“Go and gather together all the Jews of Shushan and fast for me; do not eat or drink for three days, night or day; and I and my maids will do the same; and then, though it is strictly forbidden, I will go in to see the king; and if I perish, I perish.”


book: Esth
contenido:
Three days later Esther put on her royal robes and entered the inner court just beyond the royal hall of the palace, where the king was sitting upon his royal throne.


book: Esth
contenido:
And when he saw Queen Esther standing there in the inner court, he welcomed her, holding out the golden scepter to her. So Esther approached and touched its tip.


book: Esth
contenido:
Then the king asked her, “What do you wish, Queen Esther? What is your request? I will give it to you, even if it is half the kingdom!”


book: Esth
contenido:
And Esther replied, “If it please Your Majesty, I want you and Haman to come to a banquet I have prepared for you today.”


book: Esth
contenido:
The king turned to his aides. “Tell Haman to hurry!” he said. So the king and Haman came to Esther’s banquet.


book: Esth
contenido:
During the wine course the king said to Esther, “Now tell me what you really want, and I will give it to you, even if it is half of the kingdom!”


book: Esth
contenido:
Esther replied, “My request, my deepest wish, is that if Your Majesty loves me and wants to grant my request, that you come again with Haman tomorrow to the banquet I shall prepare for you. And tomorrow I will explain what this is all about.”


book: Esth
contenido:
What a happy man was Haman as he left the banquet! But when he saw Mordecai there at the gate, not standing up or trembling before him, he was furious.


book: Esth
contenido:
However, he restrained himself, went on home, and gathered together his friends and Zeresh, his wife,


book: Esth
contenido:
and boasted to them about his wealth, his many children, and promotions the king had given him, and how he had become the greatest man in the kingdom next to the king himself.


book: Esth
contenido:
Then he delivered his punch line: “Yes, and Esther the queen invited only me and the king himself to the banquet she prepared for us; and tomorrow we are invited again!


book: Esth
contenido:
But yet,” he added, “all this is nothing when I see Mordecai the Jew just sitting there in front of the king’s gate, refusing to bow to me.”


book: Esth
contenido:
“Well,” suggested Zeresh, his wife, and all his friends, “get ready a 75-foot-high gallows, and in the morning ask the king to let you hang Mordecai on it; and when this is done you can go on your merry way with the king to the banquet.” This pleased Haman immensely, and he ordered the gallows built.


book: Esth
contenido:
That night the king had trouble sleeping and decided to read awhile. He ordered the historical records of his kingdom from the library, and in them he came across the item telling how Mordecai had exposed the plot of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs, watchmen at the palace gates, who had plotted to assassinate him.


book: Esth
contenido:
“Who is on duty in the outer court?” the king inquired. Now, as it happened, Haman had just arrived in the outer court of the palace to ask the king to hang Mordecai from the gallows he was building.


book: Esth
contenido:
So Haman came in, and the king said to him, “What should I do to honor a man who truly pleases me?”
Haman thought to himself, “Whom would he want to honor more than me?”


book: Esth
contenido:
So he replied, “Bring out some of the royal robes the king himself has worn, and the king’s own horse, and the royal crown,


book: Esth
contenido:
and instruct one of the king’s most noble princes to robe the man and to lead him through the streets on the king’s own horse, shouting before him, ‘This is the way the king honors those who truly please him!’”


book: Esth
contenido:
“Excellent!” the king said to Haman. “Hurry and take these robes and my horse, and do just as you have said—to Mordecai the Jew, who works at the Chancellery. Follow every detail you have suggested.”


book: Esth
contenido:
So Haman took the robes and put them on Mordecai, and mounted him on the king’s own steed, and led him through the streets of the city, shouting, “This is the way the king honors those he delights in.”


book: Esth
contenido:
When Haman told Zeresh his wife and all his friends what had happened, they said, “If Mordecai is a Jew, you will never succeed in your plans against him; to continue to oppose him will be fatal.”


book: Esth
contenido:
While they were still discussing it with him, the king’s messengers arrived to conduct Haman quickly to the banquet Esther had prepared.


book: Esth
contenido:
Again, during the wine course, the king asked her, “What is your petition, Queen Esther? What do you wish? Whatever it is, I will give it to you, even if it is half of my kingdom!”


book: Esth
contenido:
And at last Queen Esther replied, “If I have won your favor, O King, and if it please Your Majesty, save my life and the lives of my people.


book: Esth
contenido:
For I and my people have been sold to those who will destroy us. We are doomed to destruction and slaughter. If we were only to be sold as slaves, perhaps I could remain quiet, though even then there would be incalculable damage to the king that no amount of money could begin to cover.”


book: Esth
contenido:
Esther replied, “This wicked Haman is our enemy.”
Then Haman grew pale with fright before the king and queen.


book: Esth
contenido:
The king jumped to his feet and went out into the palace garden as Haman stood up to plead for his life to Queen Esther, for he knew that he was doomed.


book: Esth
contenido:
In despair he fell upon the couch where Queen Esther was reclining, just as the king returned from the palace garden.
“Will he even rape the queen right here in the palace, before my very eyes?” the king roared. Instantly the death veil was placed over Haman’s face.


book: Esth
contenido:
Then Harbona, one of the king’s aides, said, “Sir, Haman has just ordered a 75-foot gallows constructed, to hang Mordecai, the man who saved the king from assassination! It stands in Haman’s courtyard.”
“Hang Haman on it,” the king ordered.


book: Esth
contenido:
On that same day King Ahasuerus gave the estate of Haman, the Jews’ enemy, to Queen Esther. Then Mordecai was brought before the king, for Esther had told the king that he was her cousin and foster father.


book: Esth
contenido:
The king took off his ring—which he had taken back from Haman—and gave it to Mordecai appointing him Prime Minister; and Esther appointed Mordecai to be in charge of Haman’s estate.


book: Esth
contenido:
And now once more Esther came before the king, falling down at his feet and begging him with tears to stop Haman’s plot against the Jews.


book: Esth
contenido:
and said, “If it please Your Majesty, and if you love me, send out a decree reversing Haman’s order to destroy the Jews throughout the king’s provinces.


book: Esth
contenido:
Then King Ahasuerus said to Queen Esther and Mordecai the Jew, “I have given Esther the palace of Haman, and he has been hanged upon the gallows because he tried to destroy you.


book: Esth
contenido:
Now go ahead and send a message to the Jews, telling them whatever you want to in the king’s name, and seal it with the king’s ring so that it can never be reversed.”


book: Esth
contenido:
Immediately the king’s secretaries were called in—it was now the 23rd day of the month of July—and they wrote as Mordecai dictated—a decree to the Jews and to the officials, governors, and princes of all the provinces from India to Ethiopia, 127 in all: the decree was translated into the languages and dialects of all the people of the kingdom. Mordecai wrote in the name of King Ahasuerus and sealed the message with the king’s ring and sent the letters by swift carriers—riders on camels, mules, and young dromedaries used in the king’s service.


book: Esth
contenido:
This decree gave the Jews everywhere permission to unite in the defense of their lives and their families, to destroy all the forces opposed to them, and to take their property.


book: Esth
contenido:
The day chosen for this throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus was the 28th day of February!


book: Esth
contenido:
It further stated that a copy of this decree, which must be recognized everywhere as law, must be broadcast to all the people so that the Jews would be ready and prepared to overcome their enemies.


book: Esth
contenido:
So the mail went out swiftly, carried by the king’s couriers and speeded by the king’s commandment. The same decree was also issued at Shushan Palace.


book: Esth
contenido:
Then Mordecai put on the royal robes of blue and white and the great crown of gold, with an outer cloak of fine linen and purple, and went out from the presence of the king through the city streets filled with shouting people.


book: Esth
contenido:
And in every city and province, as the king’s decree arrived, the Jews were filled with joy and had a great celebration and declared a holiday. And many of the people of the land pretended to be Jews, for they feared what the Jews might do to them.


book: Esth
contenido:
So on the 28th day of February, the day the two decrees of the king were to be put into effect—the day the Jews’ enemies had hoped to vanquish them, though it turned out quite to the contrary—the Jews gathered in their cities throughout all the king’s provinces to defend themselves against any who might try to harm them; but no one tried, for they were greatly feared.


book: Esth
contenido:
And all the rulers of the provinces—the governors, officials, and aides—helped the Jews for fear of Mordecai;


book: Esth
contenido:
for Mordecai was a mighty name in the king’s palace and his fame was known throughout all the provinces, for he had become more and more powerful.


book: Esth
contenido:
They also killed the ten sons of Haman (son of Hammedatha), the Jews’ enemy—Parshandatha, Dalphon, Aspatha, Poratha, Adalia, Aridatha, Parmashta, Arisai, Aridai, and Vaizatha. But they did not try to take Haman’s property.


book: Esth
contenido:
he called for Queen Esther. “The Jews have killed 500 men in Shushan alone,” he exclaimed, “and also Haman’s ten sons. If they have done that here, I wonder what has happened in the rest of the provinces! But now, what more do you want? It will be granted to you. Tell me and I will do it.”


book: Esth
contenido:
And Esther said, “If it please Your Majesty, let the Jews who are here at Shushan do again tomorrow as they have done today, and let Haman’s ten sons be hanged upon the gallows.”


book: Esth
contenido:
So the king agreed, and the decree was announced at Shushan, and they hung up the bodies of Haman’s ten sons.


book: Esth
contenido:
Then the Jews at Shushan gathered together the next day also and killed 300 more men, though again they took no property.


book: Esth
contenido:
Meanwhile the other Jews throughout the king’s provinces had gathered together and stood for their lives and destroyed all their enemies, killing 75,000 of those who hated them; but they did not take their goods.


book: Esth
contenido:
Throughout the provinces this was done on the 28th day of February, and the next day they rested, celebrating their victory with feasting and gladness.


book: Esth
contenido:
But the Jews at Shushan went on killing their enemies the second day also and rested the next day, with feasting and gladness.


book: Esth
contenido:
And so it is that the Jews in the unwalled villages throughout Israel to this day have an annual celebration on the second day when they rejoice and send gifts to each other.


book: Esth
contenido:
Mordecai wrote a history of all these events and sent letters to the Jews near and far, throughout all the king’s provinces,


book: Esth
contenido:
to celebrate with feasting, gladness, and the giving of gifts these historic days when the Jews were saved from their enemies, when their sorrow was turned to gladness and their mourning into happiness.


book: Esth
contenido:
as a reminder of the time when Haman (son of Hammedatha the Agagite), the enemy of all the Jews, had plotted to destroy them at the time determined by a throw of the dice; and to remind them that when the matter came before the king, he issued a decree causing Haman’s plot to boomerang, and he and his sons were hanged on the gallows.


book: Esth
contenido:
That is why this celebration is called “Purim” because the word for “throwing dice” in Persian is pur.


book: Esth
contenido:
All the Jews throughout the realm agreed to inaugurate this tradition and to pass it on to their descendants and to all who became Jews; they declared they would never fail to celebrate these two days at the appointed time each year.


book: Esth
contenido:
It would be an annual event from generation to generation, celebrated by every family throughout the countryside and cities of the empire, so that the memory of what had happened would never perish from the Jewish race.


book: Esth
contenido:
Meanwhile Queen Esther (daughter of Abihail and later adopted by Mordecai the Jew) had written a letter throwing her full support behind Mordecai’s letter inaugurating his annual Feast of Purim. In addition, letters were sent to all the Jews throughout the 127 provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus with messages of good will and encouragement to confirm these two days annually as the Feast of Purim, decreed by both Mordecai the Jew and by Queen Esther; indeed, the Jews themselves had decided upon this tradition as a remembrance of the time of their national fasting and prayer.


book: Esth
contenido:
His great deeds, and also the full account of the greatness of Mordecai and the honors given him by the king, are written in The Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Media and Persia.


book: Esth
contenido:
Mordecai the Jew was the Prime Minister, with authority next to that of King Ahasuerus himself. He was, of course, very great among the Jews and respected by all his countrymen because he did his best for his people and was a friend at court for all of them.


book: Job
contenido:
He had a large family of seven sons and three daughters and was immensely wealthy, for he owned 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 teams of oxen, 500 female donkeys, and employed many servants. He was, in fact, the richest cattleman in that entire area.


book: Job
contenido:
Every year when Job’s sons had birthdays, they invited their brothers and sisters to their homes for a celebration. On these occasions they would eat and drink with great merriment.


book: Job
contenido:
When these birthday parties ended—and sometimes they lasted several days—Job would summon his children to him and sanctify them, getting up early in the morning and offering a burnt offering for each of them. For Job said, “Perhaps my sons have sinned and turned away from God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular practice.


book: Job
contenido:
One day as the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, Satan, the Accuser, came with them.


book: Job
contenido:
“Where have you come from?” the Lord asked Satan.
And Satan replied, “From earth, where I’ve been watching everything that’s going on.”


book: Job
contenido:
Then the Lord asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth—a good man who fears God and will have nothing to do with evil.”


book: Job
contenido:
“You have always protected him and his home and his property from all harm. You have prospered everything he does—look how rich he is! No wonder he ‘worships’ you!


book: Job
contenido:
And the Lord replied to Satan, “You may do anything you like with his wealth, but don’t harm him physically.”
So Satan went away; and sure enough, not long afterwards when Job’s sons and daughters were dining at the oldest brother’s house, tragedy struck.


book: Job
contenido:
A messenger rushed to Job’s home with this news: “Your oxen were plowing, with the donkeys feeding beside them, when the Sabeans raided us, drove away the animals, and killed all the farmhands except me. I am the only one left.”


book: Job
contenido:
While this messenger was still speaking, another arrived with more bad news: “The fire of God has fallen from heaven and burned up your sheep and all the herdsmen, and I alone have escaped to tell you.”


book: Job
contenido:
Before this man finished, still another messenger rushed in: “Three bands of Chaldeans have driven off your camels and killed your servants, and I alone have escaped to tell you.”


book: Job
contenido:
As he was still speaking, another arrived to say, “Your sons and daughters were feasting in their oldest brother’s home,


book: Job
contenido:
when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and engulfed the house so that the roof fell in on them and all are dead; and I alone escaped to tell you.”


book: Job
contenido:
“I came naked from my mother’s womb,” he said, “and I shall have nothing when I die. The Lord gave me everything I had, and they were his to take away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.”


book: Job
contenido:
“Where have you come from?” the Lord asked Satan.
“From earth, where I’ve been watching everything that’s going on,” Satan replied.


book: Job
contenido:
“Well, have you noticed my servant Job?” the Lord asked. “He is the finest man in all the earth—a good man who fears God and turns away from all evil. And he has kept his faith in me despite the fact that you persuaded me to let you harm him without any cause.”


book: Job
contenido:
“Skin for skin,” Satan replied. “A man will give anything to save his life. Touch his body with sickness, and he will curse you to your face!”


book: Job
contenido:
So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and struck Job with a terrible case of boils from head to foot.


book: Job
contenido:
His wife said to him, “Are you still trying to be godly when God has done all this to you? Curse him and die.”


book: Job
contenido:
But he replied, “You talk like some heathen woman. What? Shall we receive only pleasant things from the hand of God and never anything unpleasant?” So in all this Job said nothing wrong.


book: Job
contenido:
When three of Job’s friends heard of all the tragedy that had befallen him, they got in touch with each other and traveled from their homes to comfort and console him. Their names were Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite.


book: Job
contenido:
Job was so changed that they could scarcely recognize him. Wailing loudly in despair, they tore their robes and threw dust into the air and put earth on their heads to demonstrate their sorrow.


book: Job
contenido:
Then they sat upon the ground with him silently for seven days and nights, no one speaking a word; for they saw that his suffering was too great for words.


book: Job
contenido:
May it be blotted off the calendar, never again to be counted among the days of the month of that year.


book: Job
contenido:
Let the stars of the night disappear. Let it long for light but never see it, never see the morning light.


book: Job
contenido:
Curse it for its failure to shut my mother’s womb, for letting me be born to come to all this trouble.


book: Job
contenido:
along with prime ministers and kings with all their pomp, and wealthy princes whose castles are full of rich treasures.


book: Job
contenido:
“Oh, why should light and life be given to those in misery and bitterness, who long for death, and it won’t come; who search for death as others search for food or money?


book: Job
contenido:
Why is a man allowed to be born if God is only going to give him a hopeless life of uselessness and frustration?


book: Job
contenido:
In the past you have told many a troubled soul to trust in God* and have encouraged those who are weak or falling, or lie crushed upon the ground or are tempted to despair.


book: Job
contenido:
“At such a time as this should not trust in God still be your confidence? Shouldn’t you believe that God will care for those who are good?


book: Job
contenido:
Stop and think! Have you ever known a truly good and innocent person who was punished? Experience teaches that it is those who sow sin and trouble who harvest the same.


book: Job
contenido:
I felt the spirit’s presence, but couldn’t see it standing there. Then out of the dreadful silence came this voice:


book: Job
contenido:
“If God cannot trust his own messengers (for even angels make mistakes), how much less men made of dust, who are crushed to death as easily as moths!


book: Job
contenido:
They are alive in the morning, but by evening they are dead, gone forever with hardly a thought from anyone.


book: Job
contenido:
“How enviable the man whom God corrects! Oh, do not despise the chastening of the Lord when you sin.


book: Job
contenido:
For the Lord has struck me down with his arrows; he has sent his poisoned arrows deep within my heart. All God’s terrors are arrayed against me.


book: Job
contenido:
When wild donkeys bray, it is because their grass is gone; oxen do not low when they have food; a man complains when there is no salt in his food. And how tasteless is the uncooked white of an egg—my appetite is gone when I look at it; I gag at the thought of eating it!


book: Job
contenido:
“Oh, that God would grant the thing I long for most—to die beneath his hand and be freed from his painful grip.


book: Job
contenido:
This, at least, gives me comfort despite all the pain—that I have not denied the words of the holy God.


book: Job
contenido:
“One should be kind to a fainting friend, but you have accused me without the slightest fear of God.


book: Job
contenido:
My brother, you have proved as unreliable as a brook; it floods when there is ice and snow, but in hot weather, disappears. The caravans turn aside to be refreshed, but there is nothing there to drink, and so they perish.


book: Job
contenido:
When caravans from Tema and from Sheba stop for water there, their hopes are dashed. And so my hopes in you are dashed—you turn away from me in terror and refuse to help.


book: Job
contenido:
“It is wonderful to speak the truth, but your criticisms are not based on fact. Are you going to condemn me just because I impulsively cried out in desperation?


book: Job
contenido:
“Has my sin harmed you, O God, watcher of mankind? Why have you made me your target, and made my life so heavy a burden to me?


book: Job
contenido:
Why not just pardon my sin and take it all away? For all too soon I’ll lie down in the dust and die, and when you look for me, I shall be gone.”


book: Job
contenido:
if you were pure and good, he would hear your prayer and answer you and bless you with a happy home.


book: Job
contenido:
for we were born but yesterday and know so little; our days here on earth are as transient as shadows.


book: Job
contenido:
But the wisdom of the past will teach you. The experience of others will speak to you, reminding you that


book: Job
contenido:
those who forget God have no hope. They are like rushes without any mire to grow in; or grass without water to keep it alive. Suddenly it begins to wither, even before it is cut.


book: Job
contenido:
“Yes, I know all that. You’re not telling me anything new. But how can a man be truly good in the eyes of God?


book: Job
contenido:
When he sends death to snatch a man away, who can stop him? Who dares to ask him, ‘What are you doing?’


book: Job
contenido:
The whole earth is in the hands of the wicked. God blinds the eyes of the judges and lets them be unfair. If not he, then who?


book: Job
contenido:
then he would pour even greater sorrows upon me. For I know that you will not hold me innocent, O God,


book: Job
contenido:
Even if I were to wash myself with purest water and cleanse my hands with lye to make them utterly clean,


book: Job
contenido:
even so you would plunge me into the ditch and mud; and even my clothing would be less filthy than you consider me to be!


book: Job
contenido:
“And I cannot defend myself, for you are no mere man as I am. If you were, then we could discuss it fairly, but there is no umpire between us, no middle man, no mediator to bring us together.


book: Job
contenido:
Does it really seem right to you to oppress and despise me, a man you have made; and to send joy and prosperity to the wicked?


book: Job
contenido:
Are you unjust like men? Is your life so short that you must hound me for sins you know full well I’ve not committed? Is it because you know no one can save me from your hand?


book: Job
contenido:
“‘Yet all the time your real motive in making me was to destroy me if I sinned, and to refuse to forgive my iniquity.


book: Job
contenido:
Just the slightest wickedness, and I am done for. And if I’m good, that doesn’t count. I am filled with frustration.


book: Job
contenido:
Again and again you witness against me and pour out an ever-increasing volume of wrath upon me and bring fresh armies against me.


book: Job
contenido:
Then I would have been spared this miserable existence. I would have gone directly from the womb to the grave.


book: Job
contenido:
Can’t you see how little time I have left? Oh, leave me alone that I may have a little moment of comfort before I leave for the land of darkness and the shadow of death, never to return—


book: Job
contenido:
a land as dark as midnight, a land of the shadow of death where only confusion reigns and where the brightest light is dark as midnight.’”


book: Job
contenido:
Oh, that he would make you truly see yourself, for he knows everything you’ve done. Listen! God is doubtless punishing you far less than you deserve!


book: Job
contenido:
“Do you know the mind and purposes of God? Will long searching make them known to you? Are you qualified to judge the Almighty?


book: Job
contenido:
He is as faultless as heaven is high—but who are you? His mind is fathomless—what can you know in comparison?


book: Job
contenido:
“Before you turn to God and stretch out your hands to him, get rid of your sins and leave all iniquity behind you.


book: Job
contenido:
Only then, without the spots of sin to defile you, can you walk steadily forward to God without fear.


book: Job
contenido:
Well, I know a few things myself—you are no better than I am. And who doesn’t know these things you’ve been saying?


book: Job
contenido:
I, the man who begged God for help, and God answered him, have become a laughingstock to my neighbors. Yes, I, a righteous man, am now the man they scoff at.


book: Job
contenido:
For robbers prosper. Go ahead and provoke God—it makes no difference! He will supply your every need anyway!


book: Job
contenido:
“Who doesn’t know that the Lord does things like that? Ask the dumbest beast—he knows that it is so; ask the birds—they will tell you; or let the earth teach you, or the fish of the sea.


book: Job
contenido:
“And how great is his might! What he destroys can’t be rebuilt. When he closes in on a man, there is no escape.


book: Job
contenido:
He takes away the understanding of presidents and kings, and leaves them wandering, lost and groping, without a guiding light.


book: Job
contenido:
“Must you go on ‘speaking for God’ when he never once has said the things that you are putting in his mouth?


book: Job
contenido:
Be careful that he doesn’t find out what you are doing! Or do you think you can fool God as well as men?


book: Job
contenido:
These tremendous statements you have made have about as much value as ashes. Your defense of God is as fragile as a clay vase!


book: Job
contenido:
God may kill me for saying this—in fact, I expect him to. Nevertheless, I am going to argue my case with him.


book: Job
contenido:
This at least will be in my favor, that I am not godless, to be rejected instantly from his presence.


book: Job
contenido:
Who can argue with me over this? If you could prove me wrong, I would stop defending myself and die.


book: Job
contenido:
You send me to prison and shut me in on every side. I am like a fallen, rotten tree, like a moth-eaten coat.


book: Job
contenido:
He blossoms for a moment like a flower—and withers; as the shadow of a passing cloud, he quickly disappears.


book: Job
contenido:
You have set mankind so brief a span of life—months is all you give him! Not one bit longer may he live.


book: Job
contenido:
So give him a little rest, won’t you? Turn away your angry gaze and let him have a few moments of relief before he dies.


book: Job
contenido:
Though its roots have grown old in the earth, and its stump decays, it may sprout and bud again at the touch of water, like a new seedling.


book: Job
contenido:
As water evaporates from a lake, as a river disappears in drought, so a man lies down for the last time and does not rise again until the heavens are no more; he shall not awaken, nor be roused from his sleep.


book: Job
contenido:
Oh, that you would hide me with the dead and forget me there until your anger ends; but mark your calendar to think of me again!


book: Job
contenido:
“If a man dies, shall he live again? This thought gives me hope, so that in all my anguish I eagerly await sweet death!


book: Job
contenido:
“Mountains wear away and disappear. Water grinds the stones to sand. Torrents tear away the soil. So every hope of man is worn away.


book: Job
contenido:
Always you are against him, and then he passes off the scene. You make him old and wrinkled, then send him away. He never knows it if his sons are honored; or they may fail and face disaster, but he knows it not.


book: Job
contenido:
“You are supposed to be a wise man, and yet you give us all this foolish talk. You are nothing but a windbag.


book: Job
contenido:
Have you no fear of God? No reverence for him? Your sins are telling your mouth what to say! Your words are based on clever deception,


book: Job
contenido:
“Are you the wisest man alive? Were you born before the hills were made? Have you heard the secret counsel of God? Are you called into his counsel room? Do you have a monopoly on wisdom?


book: Job
contenido:
Why, God doesn’t even trust the angels! Even the heavens can’t be absolutely pure compared with him!


book: Job
contenido:
How much less someone like you, who is corrupt and sinful, drinking in sin as a sponge soaks up water!


book: Job
contenido:
“Listen, and I will answer you from my own experience, confirmed by the experience of wise men who have been told this same thing from their fathers—our ancestors to whom alone the land was given—and they have passed this wisdom to us:


book: Job
contenido:
He wanders around begging for food. He lives in fear, distress, and anguish. His enemies conquer him as a king defeats his foes.


book: Job
contenido:
Armed with his tin shield, he clenches his fist against God, defying the Almighty, stubbornly assaulting him.


book: Job
contenido:
“This wicked man is fat and rich, and has lived in conquered cities after killing off their citizens.


book: Job
contenido:
No, darkness shall overtake him forever; the breath of God shall destroy him; the flames shall burn up all he has.


book: Job
contenido:
“Let him no longer trust in foolish riches; let him no longer deceive himself, for the money he trusts in will be his only reward.


book: Job
contenido:
For the godless are barren: they can produce nothing truly good. God’s fire consumes them with all their possessions.


book: Job
contenido:
But perhaps I’d sermonize the same as you—if you were I and I were you. I would spout off my criticisms against you and shake my head at you.


book: Job
contenido:
God hates me and angrily tears at my flesh; he has gnashed upon me with his teeth and watched to snuff out any sign of life.


book: Job
contenido:
These ‘comforters’ have gaping jaws to swallow me; they slap my cheek. My enemies gather themselves against me.


book: Job
contenido:
“I was living quietly until he broke me apart. He has taken me by the neck and dashed me to pieces, then hung me up as his target.


book: Job
contenido:
Will no one anywhere confirm my innocence? But you, O God, have kept them back from understanding this. Oh, do not let them triumph.


book: Job
contenido:
Fair-minded men are astonished when they see me.
“Yet, finally, the innocent shall come out on top, above the godless;


book: Job
contenido:
the righteous shall move onward and forward; those with pure hearts shall become stronger and stronger.


book: Job
contenido:
“If I die, I go out into darkness, and call the grave my father, and the worm my mother and my sister.


book: Job
contenido:
Just because you tear your clothes in anger, is this going to start an earthquake? Shall we all go and hide?


book: Job
contenido:
“The truth remains that if you do not prosper, it is because you are wicked. And your bright flame shall be put out.


book: Job
contenido:
Then he will be on my side! Yes, I shall see him, not as a stranger, but as a friend! What a glorious hope!


book: Job
contenido:
You have tried to make me feel ashamed of myself for calling you a sinner, but my spirit won’t let me stop.


book: Job
contenido:
yet he shall perish forever, cast away like his own dung. Those who knew him will wonder where he has gone.


book: Job
contenido:
The arrow is pulled from his body—and the glittering point comes out from his gall. The terrors of death are upon him.


book: Job
contenido:
“His treasures will be lost in deepest darkness. A raging fire will devour his goods, consuming all he has left.


book: Job
contenido:
they spend their time singing and dancing. They are wealthy and need deny themselves nothing; they are prosperous to the end.


book: Job
contenido:
“Look, everything the wicked touch has turned to gold! But I refuse even to deal with people like that.


book: Job
contenido:
Yet the wicked get away with it every time. They never have trouble, and God skips them when he distributes his sorrows and anger.


book: Job
contenido:
“‘Well,’ you say, ‘at least God will punish their children!’ But I say that God should punish the man who sins, not his children! Let him feel the penalty himself.


book: Job
contenido:
that the evil man is usually spared in the day of calamity and allowed to escape. No one rebukes him openly. No one repays him for what he has done. And an honor guard keeps watch at his grave.


book: Job
contenido:
Is it any pleasure to the Almighty if you are righteous? Would it be any gain to him if you were perfect?


book: Job
contenido:
“For instance, you must have refused to loan money to needy friends unless they gave you all their clothing as a pledge—yes, you must have stripped them to the bone.


book: Job
contenido:
But no doubt you gave men of importance anything they wanted and let the wealthy live wherever they chose.


book: Job
contenido:
But you reply, ‘That is why he can’t see what I am doing! How can he judge through the thick darkness?


book: Job
contenido:
For thick clouds swirl about him so that he cannot see us. He is way up there, walking on the vault of heaven.’


book: Job
contenido:
“Don’t you realize that those treading the ancient paths of sin are snatched away in youth, and the foundations of their lives washed out forever?


book: Job
contenido:
(God forbid that I should say a thing like that.) Yet they forgot that he had filled their homes with good things.


book: Job
contenido:
“Quit quarreling with God! Agree with him and you will have peace at last! His favor will surround you if you will only admit that you were wrong.


book: Job
contenido:
If you are attacked and knocked down, you will know that there is someone who will lift you up again. Yes, he will save the humble


book: Job
contenido:
“My complaint today is still a bitter one, and my punishment far more severe than my fault deserves.


book: Job
contenido:
I would tell him all about my side of this argument, and listen to his reply, and understand what he wants.


book: Job
contenido:
I seek him in his workshop in the north but cannot find him there; nor can I find him in the south; there, too, he hides himself.


book: Job
contenido:
But he knows every detail of what is happening to me; and when he has examined me, he will pronounce me completely innocent—as pure as solid gold!


book: Job
contenido:
Nevertheless, his mind concerning me remains unchanged, and who can turn him from his purposes? Whatever he wants to do, he does.


book: Job
contenido:
God has given me a fainting heart; he, the Almighty, has terrified me with darkness all around me, thick, impenetrable darkness everywhere.


book: Job
contenido:
and even the donkeys of the poor and fatherless are taken. Poor widows must surrender the little they have as a pledge to get a loan.


book: Job
contenido:
Like the wild donkeys in the desert, the poor must spend all their time just getting barely enough to keep soul and body together. They are sent into the desert to search for food for their children.


book: Job
contenido:
“The wicked snatch fatherless children from their mother’s breasts, and take a poor man’s baby as a pledge before they will loan him any money or grain.


book: Job
contenido:
That is why they must go about naked, without clothing, and are forced to carry food while they are starving.


book: Job
contenido:
They are forced to press out the olive oil without tasting it and to tread out the grape juice as they suffer from thirst.


book: Job
contenido:
The bones of the dying cry from the city; the wounded cry for help; yet God does not respond to their moaning.


book: Job
contenido:
They are murderers who rise in the early dawn to kill the poor and needy; at night they are thieves and adulterers, waiting for the twilight ‘when no one will see me,’ they say. They mask their faces so no one will know them.


book: Job
contenido:
“But how quickly they disappear from the face of the earth. Everything they own is cursed. They leave no property for their children.


book: Job
contenido:
Even the sinner’s own mother shall forget him. Worms shall feed sweetly on him. No one will remember him anymore. For wicked men are broken like a tree in the storm.


book: Job
contenido:
For they have taken advantage of the childless who have no protecting sons. They refuse to help the needy widows.


book: Job
contenido:
“Yet sometimes it seems as though God preserves the rich by his power and restores them to life when anyone else would die. God gives them confidence and strength, and helps them in many ways.


book: Job
contenido:
But though they are very great now, yet in a moment they shall be gone like all others, cut off like heads of grain.


book: Job
contenido:
How can mere man stand before God and claim to be righteous? Who in all the earth can boast that he is clean?


book: Job
contenido:
“These are some of the minor things he does, merely a whisper of his power. Who then can withstand his thunder?”


book: Job
contenido:
“I vow by the living God, who has taken away my rights, even the Almighty God who has embittered my soul,


book: Job
contenido:
For he does not delight himself in the Almighty or pay any attention to God except in times of crisis.


book: Job
contenido:
but really, I don’t need to, for you yourselves know as much about him as I do; yet you are saying all these useless things to me.


book: Job
contenido:
Those who survive shall be brought down to the grave by disease and plague, with no one to mourn them, not even their wives.


book: Job
contenido:
yes, he may order them made by his tailor, but the innocent shall wear that clothing and shall divide his silver among them.


book: Job
contenido:
Men know how to put light into darkness so that a mine shaft can be sunk into the earth, and the earth searched and its deep secrets explored. Into the black rock, shadowed by death, men descend on ropes, swinging back and forth.


book: Job
contenido:
for they are deep within the mines. No wild animal has ever walked upon those treasures; no lion has set his paw there.


book: Job
contenido:
Wisdom is far more valuable than gold and glass. It cannot be bought for jewels mounted in fine gold.


book: Job
contenido:
For it is hid from the eyes of all mankind; even the sharp-eyed birds in the sky cannot discover it.


book: Job
contenido:
And God surely knows where it is to be found, for he looks throughout the whole earth, under all the heavens.


book: Job
contenido:
He knows where wisdom is and declares it to all who will listen. He established it and examined it thoroughly.


book: Job
contenido:
And this is what he says to all mankind: ‘Look, to fear the Lord is true wisdom; to forsake evil is real understanding.’”


book: Job
contenido:
“For I, as an honest judge, helped the poor in their need and the fatherless who had no one to help them.


book: Job
contenido:
I helped those who were ready to perish, and they blessed me. And I caused the widows’ hearts to sing for joy.


book: Job
contenido:
They longed for me to speak as those in drought-time long for rain. They waited eagerly with open mouths.


book: Job
contenido:
I told them what they should do and corrected them as their chief, or as a king instructs his army, and as one who comforts those who mourn.


book: Job
contenido:
They are gaunt with famine and have been cast out into deserts and the wastelands, desolate and gloomy.


book: Job
contenido:
These sons of theirs have also turned out to be fools, yes, children of no name, outcasts of civilization.


book: Job
contenido:
For God has placed my life in jeopardy. These young men, having humbled me, now cast off all restraint before me.


book: Job
contenido:
They block my road and do everything they can to hasten my calamity, knowing full well that I have no one to help me.


book: Job
contenido:
“I live in terror now. They hold me in contempt, and my prosperity has vanished as a cloud before a strong wind.


book: Job
contenido:
I expected my fall to be broken, just as one who falls stretches out his hand or cries for help in his calamity.


book: Job
contenido:
I am black but not from sunburn. I stand up and cry to the assembly for help. But I might as well save my breath, for I am considered a brother to jackals and a companion to ostriches.


book: Job
contenido:
or if I have stepped off God’s pathway, or if my heart has lusted for what my eyes have seen, or if I am guilty of any other sin, then let someone else reap the crops I have sown and let all that I have planted be rooted out.


book: Job
contenido:
or if I have seen anyone freezing and not given him clothing or fleece from my sheep to keep him warm,


book: Job
contenido:
if I have done any of these things, then let my arm be torn from its socket! Let my shoulder be wrenched out of place!


book: Job
contenido:
Rather that than face the judgment sent by God; that I dread more than anything else. For if the majesty of God opposes me, what hope is there?


book: Job
contenido:
this, too, must be punished by the judges. For if I had done such things, it would mean that I denied the God of heaven.


book: Job
contenido:
fearing the crowd and its contempt so that I refused to acknowledge my sin and do not go out of my way to help others—


book: Job
contenido:
(oh, that there were someone who would listen to me and try to see my side of this argument. Look, I will sign my signature to my defense; now let the Almighty show me that I am wrong; let him approve the indictments made against me by my enemies.


book: Job
contenido:
Then I would tell him exactly what I have done and why, presenting my defense as one he listens to).


book: Job
contenido:
“Or if my land accuses me because I stole the fruit it bears, or if I have murdered its owners to get their land for myself,


book: Job
contenido:
then let thistles grow on that land instead of wheat, and weeds instead of barley.”
Job’s words are ended.


book: Job
contenido:
Then Elihu (son of Barachel, the Buzite, of the clan of Ram) became angry because Job refused to admit he had sinned and to acknowledge that God had just cause for punishing him.


book: Job
contenido:
But he was also angry with Job’s three friends because they had been unable to answer Job’s arguments and yet had condemned him.


book: Job
contenido:
but it is not mere age that makes men wise. Rather, it is the spirit in a man, the breath of the Almighty that makes him intelligent.


book: Job
contenido:
“I have waited all this time, listening very carefully to your arguments, but not one of them has convinced Job that he is a sinner or has proved that he is.


book: Job
contenido:
Don’t insist that I be cautious lest I insult someone, and don’t make me flatter anyone. Let me be frank lest God should strike me dead.


book: Job
contenido:
“Look, I am the one you were wishing for, someone to stand between you and God and to be both his representative and yours.


book: Job
contenido:
You need not be frightened of me. I am not some person of renown to make you nervous and afraid. I, too, am made of common clay.


book: Job
contenido:
You say God is using a fine-tooth comb to try to find a single fault, and so to count you as his enemy.


book: Job
contenido:
“All right, here is my reply: In this very thing, you have sinned by speaking of God that way. For God is greater than man.


book: Job
contenido:
causing them to change their minds, and keeping them from pride, and warning them of the penalties of sin, and keeping them from falling into some trap.


book: Job
contenido:
so that a man loses all taste and appetite for food and doesn’t care for even the daintiest dessert.


book: Job
contenido:
“But if a messenger from heaven is there to intercede for him as a friend, to show him what is right, then God pities him and says, ‘Set him free. Do not make him die, for I have found a substitute.’


book: Job
contenido:
And when he prays to God, God will hear and answer and receive him with joy, and return him to his duties.


book: Job
contenido:
But if you have anything to say at this point, go ahead. I want to hear it, for I am anxious to justify you.


book: Job
contenido:
and we should choose to follow what is right. But first of all we must define among ourselves what is good.


book: Job
contenido:
I am called a liar, even though I am innocent. I am horribly punished, even though I have not sinned.’


book: Job
contenido:
For he doesn’t care how great a man may be, and doesn’t pay any more attention to the rich than to the poor. He made them all.


book: Job
contenido:
In a moment they die, and at midnight great and small shall suddenly pass away, removed by no human hand.


book: Job
contenido:
Without making a big issue over it, God simply shatters the greatest of men and puts others in their places.


book: Job
contenido:
causing the cry of the poor to come to the attention of God. Yes, he hears the cries of those being oppressed.


book: Job
contenido:
Yet when he chooses not to speak, who can criticize? Again, he may prevent a vile man from ruling, thus saving a nation from ruin, and he can depose an entire nation just as easily.


book: Job
contenido:
“Must God tailor his justice to your demands? Must he change the order of the universe to suit your whims? The answer must be obvious even to you!


book: Job
contenido:
“Do you think it is right for you to claim, ‘I haven’t sinned, but I’m no better off before God than if I had’?


book: Job
contenido:
If you sin, does that shake the heavens and knock God from his throne? Even if you sin again and again, what effect will it have upon him?


book: Job
contenido:
The oppressed may shriek beneath their wrongs and groan beneath the power of the rich; yet none of them cry to God, asking, ‘Where is God my Maker who gives songs in the night


book: Job
contenido:
“But when anyone does cry out this question to him, he never replies by instant punishment of the tyrants.


book: Job
contenido:
and it is even more false to say that he doesn’t see what is going on. He does bring about justice at last if you will only wait. But do you cry out against him because he does not instantly respond in anger?


book: Job
contenido:
“Let me go on and I will show you the truth of what I am saying. For I have not finished defending God!


book: Job
contenido:
then he takes the trouble to point out to them the reason, what they have done that is wrong, or how they have behaved proudly.


book: Job
contenido:
If they won’t listen to him, they shall perish in battle and die because of their lack of good sense.


book: Job
contenido:
“How he wanted to lure you away from danger into a wide and pleasant valley and to prosper you there.


book: Job
contenido:
Watch out! Don’t let your anger at others lead you into scoffing at God! Don’t let your suffering embitter you at the only one who can deliver you.


book: Job
contenido:
Do you really think that if you shout loudly enough against God, he will be ashamed and repent? Will this put an end to your chastisement?


book: Job
contenido:
Turn back from evil, for it was to prevent you from getting into a life of evil that God sent this suffering.


book: Job
contenido:
Do you understand the balancing of the clouds with wonderful perfection and skill? Do you know why you become warm when the south wind is blowing and everything is still?


book: Job
contenido:
“You who think you know so much, teach the rest of us how we should approach God. For we are too dull to know! With your wisdom, would we then dare to approach him? Well, does a man wish to be swallowed alive?


book: Job
contenido:
neither can we gaze at the terrible majesty of God breaking forth upon us from heaven, clothed in dazzling splendor.


book: Job
contenido:
We cannot imagine the power of the Almighty, and yet he is so just and merciful that he does not destroy us.


book: Job
contenido:
What supports its foundations, and who laid its cornerstone as the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?


book: Job
contenido:
“Who decreed the boundaries of the seas when they gushed from the depths? Who clothed them with clouds and thick darkness


book: Job
contenido:
Has the location of the gates of death been revealed to you? Do you realize the extent of the earth? Tell me about it if you know!


book: Job
contenido:
Where does the light come from, and how do you get there? Or tell me about the darkness. Where does it come from?


book: Job
contenido:
But of course you know all this! For you were born before it was all created, and you are so very experienced!


book: Job
contenido:
“Have you visited the treasuries of the snow, or seen where hail is made and stored? For I have reserved it for the time when I will need it in war.


book: Job
contenido:
Who dug the valleys for the torrents of rain? Who laid out the path for the lightning, causing the rain to fall upon the barren deserts, so that the parched and barren ground is satisfied with water and tender grass springs up?


book: Job
contenido:
Can you ensure the proper sequence of the seasons, or guide the constellation of the Bear with her satellites across the heavens?


book: Job
contenido:
Who is wise enough to number all the clouds? Who can tilt the water jars of heaven, when everything is dust and clods?


book: Job
contenido:
Can you stalk prey like a lioness, to satisfy the young lions’ appetites as they lie in their dens or lie in wait in the jungle?


book: Job
contenido:
Who provides for the ravens when their young cry out to God as they try to struggle up from their nest in hunger?


book: Job
contenido:
Do you know how many months of pregnancy they have before they bow themselves to give birth to their young and carry their burden no longer?


book: Job
contenido:
He paws the earth and rejoices in his strength, and when he goes to war, he is unafraid and does not run away though the arrows rattle against him, or the flashing spear and javelin.


book: Job
contenido:
At the sound of the bugle he shouts, ‘Aha!’ He smells the battle when far away. He rejoices at the shouts of battle and the roar of the captain’s commands.


book: Job
contenido:
“Do you still want to argue with the Almighty? Or will you yield? Do you—God’s critic—have the answers?”


book: Job
contenido:
“Stand up like a man and brace yourself for battle. Let me ask you a question, and give me the answer.


book: Job
contenido:
How ferocious he is among all of God’s creation, so let whoever hopes to master him bring a sharp sword!


book: Job
contenido:
“If you lay your hands upon him, you will long remember the battle that ensues and you will never try it again!


book: Job
contenido:
No one dares to stir him up, let alone try to conquer him. And if no one can stand before him, who can stand before me?


book: Job
contenido:
His overlapping scales are his pride, making a tight seal so no air can get between them, and nothing can penetrate.


book: Job
contenido:
“When he sneezes, the sunlight sparkles like lightning across the vapor droplets. His eyes glow like sparks.


book: Job
contenido:
Iron is nothing but straw to him, and brass is rotten wood. Arrows cannot make him flee. Sling stones are as ineffective as straw.


book: Job
contenido:
His belly is covered with scales as sharp as shards; they tear up the ground as he drags through the mud.


book: Job
contenido:
“He makes the water boil with his commotion. He churns the depths. He leaves a shining wake of froth behind him. One would think the sea was made of frost!


book: Job
contenido:
You ask who it is who has so foolishly denied your providence. It is I. I was talking about things I knew nothing about and did not understand, things far too wonderful for me.


book: Job
contenido:
After the Lord had finished speaking with Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite:
“I am angry with you and with your two friends, for you have not been right in what you have said about me, as my servant Job was.


book: Job
contenido:
Now take seven young bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and offer a burnt offering for yourselves; and my servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer on your behalf, and won’t destroy you as I should because of your sin, your failure to speak rightly concerning my servant Job.”


book: Job
contenido:
So Eliphaz the Temanite, and Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite did as the Lord commanded them, and the Lord accepted Job’s prayer on their behalf.


book: Job
contenido:
Then, when Job prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his wealth and happiness! In fact, the Lord gave him twice as much as before!


book: Job
contenido:
Then all of his brothers, sisters, and former friends arrived and feasted with him in his home, consoling him for all his sorrow and comforting him because of all the trials the Lord had brought upon him. And each of them brought him a gift of money and a gold ring.


book: Job
contenido:
So the Lord blessed Job at the end of his life more than at the beginning. For now he had 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 teams of oxen, and 1,000 female donkeys.


book: Job
contenido:
God also gave him seven more sons and three more daughters.
These were the names of his daughters: Jemima, Kezia, Keren.*


book: Job
contenido:
And in all the land there were no other girls as lovely as the daughters of Job; and their father put them into his will along with their brothers.


book: Ps
contenido:
Oh, the joys of those who do not follow evil men’s advice, who do not hang around with sinners, scoffing at the things of God.


book: Ps
contenido:
But they delight in doing everything God wants them to, and day and night are always meditating on his laws and thinking about ways to follow him more closely.


book: Ps
contenido:
They are like trees along a riverbank bearing luscious fruit each season without fail. Their leaves shall never wither, and all they do shall prosper.


book: Ps
contenido:
For the Lord watches over all the plans and paths of godly men, but the paths of the godless lead to doom.


book: Ps
contenido:
What fools the nations are to rage against the Lord! How strange that men should try to outwit God!*


book: Ps
contenido:
For a summit conference of the nations has been called to plot against the Lord and his Messiah, Christ the King.


book: Ps
contenido:
For the Lord declares, “This is the King of my choice, and I have enthroned him in Jerusalem, my holy city.”*


book: Ps
contenido:
His chosen one replies, “I will reveal the everlasting purposes of God, for the Lord has said to me, ‘You are my Son. This is your Coronation Day.* Today I am giving you your glory.’”


book: Ps
contenido:
Fall down before his Son and kiss his feet before his anger is roused and you perish. I am warning you—his wrath will soon begin. But oh, the joys of those who put their trust in him!


book: Ps
contenido:
A psalm of David when he fled from his son Absalom
O Lord, so many are against me. So many seek to harm me. I have so many enemies.


book: Ps
contenido:
But Lord, you are my shield, my glory, and my only hope. You alone can lift my head, now bowed in shame.


book: Ps
contenido:
I will cry to him, “Arise, O Lord! Save me, O my God!” And he will slap them in the face, insulting them and breaking off their teeth.


book: Ps
contenido:
O God, you have declared me perfect in your eyes; you have always cared for me in my distress; now hear me as I call again. Have mercy on me. Hear my prayer.


book: Ps
contenido:
The Lord God asks, “Sons of men, will you forever turn my glory into shame by worshiping these silly idols, when every claim that’s made for them is false?”


book: Ps
contenido:
Mark this well: The Lord has set apart the redeemed for himself. Therefore he will listen to me and answer when I call to him.


book: Ps
contenido:
Stand before the Lord in awe, and do not sin against him. Lie quietly upon your bed in silent meditation.


book: Ps
contenido:
Many say that God will never help us. Prove them wrong, O Lord, by letting the light of your face shine down upon us.


book: Ps
contenido:
Yes, the gladness you have given me is far greater than their joys at harvest time as they gaze at their bountiful crops.


book: Ps
contenido:
But as for me, I will come into your Temple protected by your mercy and your love; I will worship you with deepest awe.


book: Ps
contenido:
Lord, lead me as you promised me you would; otherwise my enemies will conquer me. Tell me clearly what to do, which way to turn.


book: Ps
contenido:
For they cannot speak one truthful word. Their hearts are filled to the brim with wickedness. Their suggestions are full of the stench of sin and death. Their tongues are filled with flatteries to gain their wicked ends.


book: Ps
contenido:
O God, hold them responsible. Catch them in their own traps; let them fall beneath the weight of their own transgressions, for they rebel against you.


book: Ps
contenido:
But make everyone rejoice who puts his trust in you. Keep them shouting for joy because you are defending them. Fill all who love you with your happiness.


book: Ps
contenido:
and I am upset and disturbed. My mind is filled with apprehension and with gloom. Oh, restore me soon.


book: Ps
contenido:
All my enemies shall be suddenly dishonored, terror-stricken, and disgraced. God will turn them back in shame.


book: Ps
contenido:
Don’t let them pounce upon me as a lion would and maul me and drag me away with no one to rescue me.


book: Ps
contenido:
Then it would be right for you to let my enemies destroy me, crush me to the ground, and trample my life in the dust.


book: Ps
contenido:
Gather all peoples before you; sit high above them, judging their sins. But justify me publicly; establish my honor and truth before them all.


book: Ps
contenido:
End all wickedness, O Lord, and bless all who truly worship God; for you, the righteous God, look deep within the hearts of men and examine all their motives and their thoughts.


book: Ps
contenido:
The wicked man conceives an evil plot, labors with its dark details, and brings to birth his treachery and lies;


book: Ps
contenido:
Oh, how grateful and thankful I am to the Lord because he is so good. I will sing praise to the name of the Lord who is above all lords.


book: Ps
contenido:
You have taught the little children to praise you perfectly. May their example shame and silence your enemies!


book: Ps
contenido:
When I look up into the night skies and see the work of your fingers—the moon and the stars you have made—


book: Ps
contenido:
And yet you have made him only a little lower than the angels and placed a crown of glory and honor upon his head.


book: Ps
contenido:
I will be glad, yes, filled with joy because of you. I will sing your praises, O Lord God above all gods.


book: Ps
contenido:
O enemies of mine, you are doomed forever. The Lord will destroy your cities; even the memory of them will disappear.


book: Ps
contenido:
All those who know your mercy, Lord, will count on you for help. For you have never yet forsaken those who trust in you.


book: Ps
contenido:
Oh, sing out your praises to the God who lives in Jerusalem. Tell the world about his unforgettable deeds.


book: Ps
contenido:
He who avenges murder has an open ear to those who cry to him for justice. He does not ignore the prayers of men in trouble when they call to him for help.


book: Ps
contenido:
And now, O Lord, have mercy on me; see how I suffer at the hands of those who hate me. Lord, snatch me back from the jaws of death.


book: Ps
contenido:
Save me, so that I can praise you publicly before all the people at Jerusalem’s gates and rejoice that you have rescued me.


book: Ps
contenido:
For the needs of the needy shall not be ignored forever; the hopes of the poor shall not always be crushed.


book: Ps
contenido:
Make them tremble in fear; put the nations in their place until at last they know they are but puny men.


book: Ps
contenido:
Come and deal with all these proud and wicked men who viciously persecute the poor. Pour upon these men the evil they planned for others!


book: Ps
contenido:
For these men brag of all their evil lusts; they revile God and congratulate those the Lord abhors, whose only goal in life is money.


book: Ps
contenido:
These wicked men, so proud and haughty, seem to think that God is dead. They wouldn’t think of looking for him!


book: Ps
contenido:
Yet there is success in everything they do, and their enemies fall before them. They do not see your punishment awaiting them.


book: Ps
contenido:
Their mouths are full of profanity and lies and fraud. They are always boasting of their evil plans.


book: Ps
contenido:
Like lions they crouch silently, waiting to pounce upon the poor. Like hunters they catch their victims in their traps.


book: Ps
contenido:
Why do you let the wicked get away with this contempt for God? For they think that God will never call them to account.


book: Ps
contenido:
Lord, you see what they are doing. You have noted each evil act. You know what trouble and grief they have caused. Now punish them. O Lord, the poor man trusts himself to you; you are known as the helper of the helpless.


book: Ps
contenido:
Lord, you know the hopes of humble people. Surely you will hear their cries and comfort their hearts by helping them.


book: Ps
contenido:
You will be with the orphans and all who are oppressed, so that mere earthly man will terrify them no longer.


book: Ps
contenido:
For the wicked have strung their bows, drawn their arrows tight against the bowstrings, and aimed from ambush at the people of God.


book: Ps
contenido:
But the Lord is still in his holy temple; he still rules from heaven. He closely watches everything that happens here on earth.


book: Ps
contenido:
But the Lord will not deal gently with people who act like that; he will destroy those proud liars who say, “We will lie to our heart’s content. Our lips are our own; who can stop us?”


book: Ps
contenido:
The Lord replies, “I will arise and defend the oppressed, the poor, the needy. I will rescue them as they have longed for me to do.”


book: Ps
contenido:
The Lord’s promise is sure. He speaks no careless word; all he says is purest truth, like silver seven times refined.


book: Ps
contenido:
That man is a fool who says to himself, “There is no God!” Anyone who talks like that is warped and evil and cannot really be a good person at all.


book: Ps
contenido:
The Lord looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who are wise, who want to please God.


book: Ps
contenido:
Oh, that the time of their rescue were already here, that God would come from Zion now to save his people. What gladness when the Lord has rescued Israel!


book: Ps
contenido:
speaks out against sin, criticizes those committing it, commends the faithful followers of the Lord, keeps a promise even if it ruins him,


book: Ps
contenido:
does not crush his debtors with high interest rates, and refuses to testify against the innocent despite the bribes offered him—such a man shall stand firm forever.


book: Ps
contenido:
Those choosing other gods shall all be filled with sorrow; I will not offer the sacrifices they do or even speak the names of their gods.


book: Ps
contenido:
The Lord himself is my inheritance, my prize. He is my food and drink, my highest joy! He guards all that is mine.


book: Ps
contenido:
You have let me experience the joys of life and the exquisite pleasures of your own eternal presence.


book: Ps
contenido:
I am pleading for your help, O Lord; for I have been honest and have done what is right, and you must listen to my earnest cry!


book: Ps
contenido:
You have tested me and seen that I am good. You have come even in the night and found nothing amiss and know that I have told the truth.


book: Ps
contenido:
Show me your strong love in wonderful ways, O Savior of all those seeking your help against their foes.


book: Ps
contenido:
Protect me as you would the pupil of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings as you hover over me.


book: Ps
contenido:
Lord, arise and stand against them. Push them back! Come and save me from these men of the world whose only concern is earthly gain—these men whom you have filled with your treasures so that their children and grandchildren are rich and prosperous.


book: Ps
contenido:
But as for me, my contentment is not in wealth but in seeing you and knowing all is well between us. And when I awake in heaven, I will be fully satisfied, for I will see you face-to-face.


book: Ps
contenido:
This song of David was written at a time when the Lord had delivered him from his many enemies, including Saul.
Lord, how I love you! For you have done such tremendous things for me.


book: Ps
contenido:
The Lord is my fort where I can enter and be safe; no one can follow me in and slay me. He is a rugged mountain where I hide; he is my Savior, a rock where none can reach me, and a tower of safety. He is my shield. He is like the strong horn of a mighty fighting bull.


book: Ps
contenido:
In my distress I screamed to the Lord for his help. And he heard me from heaven; my cry reached his ears.


book: Ps
contenido:
Then the earth rocked and reeled, and mountains shook and trembled. How they quaked! For he was angry.


book: Ps
contenido:
Suddenly the brilliance of his presence broke through the clouds with lightning and a mighty storm of hail.


book: Ps
contenido:
The Lord thundered in the heavens; the God above all gods has spoken—oh, the hailstones; oh, the fire!


book: Ps
contenido:
Then at your command, O Lord, the sea receded from the shore. At the blast of your breath the depths were laid bare.


book: Ps
contenido:
He reached down from heaven and took me and drew me out of my great trials. He rescued me from deep waters.


book: Ps
contenido:
And so the Lord has paid me with his blessings, for I have done what is right, and I am pure of heart. This he knows, for he watches my every step.


book: Ps
contenido:
Lord, how merciful you are to those who are merciful. And you do not punish those who run from evil.


book: Ps
contenido:
What a God he is! How perfect in every way! All his promises prove true. He is a shield for everyone who hides behind him.


book: Ps
contenido:
He gives me the surefootedness of a mountain goat upon the crags. He leads me safely along the top of the cliffs.


book: Ps
contenido:
You have given me your salvation as my shield. Your right hand, O Lord, supports me; your gentleness has made me great.


book: Ps
contenido:
For you have armed me with strong armor for the battle. My enemies quail before me and fall defeated at my feet.


book: Ps
contenido:
They shouted for help, but no one dared to rescue them; they cried to the Lord, but he refused to answer them.


book: Ps
contenido:
So I crushed them fine as dust and cast them to the wind. I threw them away like sweepings from the floor.


book: Ps
contenido:
You gave me victory in every battle. The nations came and served me. Even those I didn’t know before come now and bow before me. Foreigners who have never seen me submit instantly. They come trembling from their strongholds.


book: Ps
contenido:
He rescues me from my enemies; he holds me safely out of their reach and saves me from these powerful opponents.


book: Ps
contenido:
Many times you have miraculously rescued me, the king you appointed. You have been loving and kind to me and will be to my descendants.


book: Ps
contenido:
Without a sound or word, silent in the skies, their message reaches out to all the world. The sun lives in the heavens where God placed it


