Delphi Septuagint

by Lancelot C L Brenton (ed)

  [8] And when Asa heard these words, and the prophesy of Adad the prophet, then he strengthened himself, and cast out the abominations from all the land of Juda and Benjamin, and from the cities which Jeroboam possessed, in mount Ephraim, and he renewed the altar of the Lord, which was before the temple of the Lord. [9] And he assembled Juda and Benjamin, and the strangers that dwelt with him, of Ephraim, and of Manasse, and of Symeon: for many of Israel were joined to him, when they saw that the Lord his God was with him. [10] And they assembled at Jerusalem in the third month, in the fifteenth year of the reign of Asa. [11] And he sacrificed to the Lord in that day of the spoils which they brought, seven hundred calves and seven thousand sheep.

  [12] And he entered into a covenant that they should seek the Lord God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul. [13] And that whoever should not seek the Lord God of Israel, should die, whether young or old, whether man or woman. [14] And they swore to the Lord with a loud voice, and with trumpets, and with cornets. [15] And all Juda rejoiced concerning the oath: for they swore with all their heart, and they sought him with all their desires; and he was found of them: and the Lord gave them rest round about.

  [16] And he removed Maacha his mother from being priestess to Astarte; and he cut down the idol, and burnt it in the brook of Kedron. [17] Nevertheless they removed not the high places: they still existed in Israel: nevertheless the heart of Asa was perfect all his days. [18] And he brought in the holy things of David his father, and the holy things of the house of God, silver, and gold, and vessels. [19] And there was no war waged with him until the thirty-fifth year of the reign of Asa.

  Chapter 16

  [1] And in the thirty-eighth year of the reign of Asa, the king of Israel went up against Juda, and built Rama, so as not to allow egress or ingress to Asa king of Juda.

  [2] And Asa took silver and gold out of the treasures of the house of the Lord, and of the king’s house, and sent them to the son of Ader king of Syria, which dwelt in Damascus, saying, [3] Make a covenant between me and thee, and between my father and thy father: behold, I have sent thee gold and silver: come, and turn away from me Baasa king of Israel, and let him depart from me.

  [4] And the son of Ader hearkened to king Asa, and sent the captains of his host against the cities of Israel; and smote Æon, and Dan, and Abelmain, and all the country round Nephthali.

  [5] And it came to pass when Baasa heard it he left off building Rama, and put a stop to his work: [6] then king Asa took all Juda, and took the stones of Rama, and its timber, with which Baasa had built; and he built with them Gabae and Maspha.

  [7] And at that time came Anani the prophet to Asa king of Juda, and said to him, Because thou didst trust on the king of Syria, and didst not trust on the Lord thy God, therefore the army of Syria is escaped out of thy hand. [8] Were not the Ethiopians and Libyans a great force, in courage, in horsemen, in great numbers? and did not He deliver them into thy hands, because thou trustedst in the Lord? [9] For the eyes of the Lord look upon all the earth, to strengthen every heart that is perfect toward him. In this thou hast done foolishly; henceforth there shall be war with thee. [10] And Asa was angry with the prophet, and put him in prison, for he was angry at this: and Asa vexed some of the people at that time.

  [11] And, behold, the acts of Asa, the first and the last, are written in the book of the kings of Juda and Israel.

  [12] And Asa was diseased in his feet in the thirty-ninth year of his reign, until he was very ill: but in his disease he sought not to the Lord, but to the physicians. [13] And Asa slept with his fathers, and died in the fortieth year of his reign. [14] And they buried him in the sepulchre which he had dug for himself in the city of David, and they laid him on a bed, and filled it with spices and all kinds of perfumes of the apothecaries; and they made for him a very great funeral.

  Chapter 17

  [1] And Josaphat his son reigned in his stead, Josaphat strengthened himself against Israel. [2] And he put garrisons in all the strong cities of Juda, and appointed captains in all the cities of Juda, and in the cities of Ephraim, which Asa his father had taken. [3] And the Lord was with Josaphat, for he walked in the first ways of his father, and did not seek to idols; [4] but he sought to the Lord God of his father, and walked in the commandments of his father, and not according to the works of Israel. [5] And the Lord prospered the kingdom in his hand; and all Juda gave gifts to Josaphat; and he had great wealth and glory. [6] And his heart was exalted in the way of the Lord; and he removed the high places and the groves from the land of Juda.

  [7] And in the third year of his reign, he sent his chief men, and his mighty men, Abdias and Zacharias, and Nathanael, and Michaias, to teach in the cities of Juda. [8] And with them were the Levites, Samaias, and Nathanias, and Zabdias, and Asiel, and Semiramoth, and Jonathan, and Adonias, and Tobias, and Tobadonias, Levites, and with them Elisama and Joram, the priests. [9] And they taught in Juda, and there was with them the book of the law of the Lord, and they passed through the cities of Juda, and taught the people.

  [10] And a terror of the Lord was upon all the kingdoms of the land round about Juda, and they made no war against Josaphat. [11] And some of the Philistines brought to Josaphat gifts, and silver, and presents; and the Arabians brought him seven thousand seven hundred rams. [12] And Josaphat increased in greatness exceedingly, and built in Judea places of abode, and strong cities. [13] And he had many works in Judea: and the mighty men of war, the men of strength, were in Jerusalem.

  [14] And this is their number according to the houses of their fathers; even the captains of thousands in Juda were, Ednas the chief, and with him mighty men of strength three hundred thousand. [15] And after him, Joanan the captain, and with him two hundred eighty thousand. [16] And after him Amasias the son of Zari, who was zealous for the Lord; and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of strength. [17] And out of Benjamin there was a mighty man of strength, even Eliada, and with him two hundred thousand archers and targeteers. [18] And after him Jozabad, and with him a hundred and eighty thousand mighty men of war. [19] These were the king’s servants besides those whom the king put in the strong cities in all Judea.

  Chapter 18

  [1] And Josaphat had yet great wealth and glory, and he connected himself by marriage with the house of Achaab. [2] And he went down after a term of years to Achaab to Samaria: and Achaab slew for him sheep and calves, in abundance, and for the people with him, and he much desired him to go up with him to Ramoth of the country of Galaad. [3] And Achaab king of Israel said to Josaphat king of Juda, Wilt thou go with me to Ramoth of the country of Galaad? And he said to him, As I am, so also art thou, as thy people, so also is my people with thee for the war.

  [4] And Josaphat said to the king of Israel, Seek, I pray thee, the Lord to-day. [5] And the king of Israel gathered the prophets, four hundred men, and said to them, Shall I go to Ramoth Galaad to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up, and God shall deliver it into the hands of the king. [6] And Josaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the Lord besides, that we may enquire of him? [7] And the king of Israel said to Josaphat, There is yet one man by whom to enquire of the Lord; but I hate him, for he does not prophesy concerning me for good, for all his days are for evil: this is Michaias the son of Jembla. And Josaphat said, Let not the king say so.

  [8] And the king called an eunuch, and said, Fetch quickly Michaias the son of Jembla. [9] And the king of Israel and Josaphat king of Juda were sitting each on his throne, and clothed in their robes, sitting in the open space at the entrance of the gate of Samaria: and all the prophets were prophesying before them. [10] And Sedekias son of Chanaan made for himself iron horns, and said, Thus saith the Lord, With these thou shalt thrust Syria until it be consumed. [11] And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ramoth Galaad, and thou shalt prosper; and the Lord shall deliver it into the hands of the king.

  [12] And the messenger that went to call Michaias spoke to him, saying, Behold, the prophet
s have spoken favourably concerning the king with one mouth; let now, I pray thee, thy words be as the words of one of them, and do thou speak good things. [13] And Michaias said, As the Lord lives, whatever God shall say to me, that will I speak.

  [14] And he came to the king, and the king said to him, Michaias, shall I go up to Ramoth Galaad to battle, or shall I forbear? And he said, Go up, and thou shalt prosper, and they shall be given into your hands. [15] And the king said to him, How often shall I solemnly charge thee that thou speak to me nothing but truth in the name of the Lord? [16] And he said, I saw Israel scattered on the mountains, as sheep without a shepherd: and the Lord said, These have no commander; let each return to his home in peace.

  [17] And the king of Israel said to Josaphat, Said I not to thee, that he would not prophesy concerning me good, but evil? [18] But he said, Not so. Hear ye the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven stood by on his right hand and on his left. [19] And the Lord said, Who will deceive Achaab king of Israel, that he may go up, and fall in Ramoth Galaad? And one spoke this way, and another spoke that way. [20] And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the Lord, and said, I will deceive him. And the Lord said, Whereby? [21] And he said, I will go forth, and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And the Lord said, Thou shalt deceive him, and shalt prevail: go forth, and do so. [22] And now, behold, the Lord has put a false spirit in the mouth of these thy prophets, and the Lord has spoken evil against thee.

  [23] Then Sedekias the son of Chanaan drew near, and smote Michaias on the cheek, and said to him, By what way passed the Spirit of the Lord from me to speak to thee? [24] And Michaias said, Behold, thou shalt see in that day, when thou shalt go from chamber to chamber to hide thyself.

  [25] And the king of Israel said, Take Michaias, and carry him back to Emer the governor of the city, and to Joas the captain, the king’s son; [26] and ye shall say, Thus said the king, Put this fellow into the prison house, and let him eat the bread of affliction, and drink the water of affliction, until I return in peace. [27] And Michaias said, If thou do at all return in peace, the Lord has not spoken by me. And he said, Hear, all ye people.

  [28] So the king of Israel, and Josaphat king of Juda, went up to Ramoth Galaad. [29] And the king of Israel said to Josaphat, Disguise me, and I will enter into the battle: and do thou put on my raiment. so the king of Israel disguised himself, and entered into the battle. [30] Now the king of Syria had commanded the captains of the chariots that were with him, saying, Fight neither against small nor great, but only against the king of Israel. [31] And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Josaphat, that they said, It is the king of Israel: and they compassed him about to fight against him: and Josaphat cried out, and the Lord delivered him; and God turned them away from him. [32] And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw that it was not the king of Israel, that they turned away from him. [33] And a man drew a bow with a good aim, and smote the king of Israel between the lungs and the breast-plate: and he said to the charioteer, Turn thine hand, drive me out of the battle, for I am wounded. [34] And the battle turned in that day; and the king of Israel remained on the chariot against Syria until evening, and died at sunset.

  Chapter 19

  [1] And Josaphat king of Juda returned to his house at Jerusalem. [2] And there went out to meet him Jeu the prophet the son of Anani, and said to him, King Josaphat, doest thou help a sinner, or act friendly towards one hated of the Lord? Therefore has wrath come upon thee from the Lord. [3] Nevertheless some good things have been found in thee, forasmuch as thou didst remove the groves from the land of Juda, and didst direct thine heart to seek after the Lord.

  [4] And Josaphat dwelt in Jerusalem: and he again went out among the people from Bersabee to the mount of Ephraim, and turned them back to the Lord God of their fathers. [5] And he appointed judges in all the strong cities of Juda, city by city. [6] And he said to the judges, Take good heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the Lord, and with you are matters of judgment. [7] And now let the fear of the Lord be upon you, and be wary, and do your duty: for there is no unrighteousness with the Lord our God, neither is it for him to respect persons, nor take bribes.

  [8] Moreover Josaphat appointed in Jerusalem some of the priests, and Levites, and heads of houses of Israel, for the judgment of the Lord, and to judge the dwellers in Jerusalem. [9] And he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye do in the fear of the Lord, in truth and with a perfect heart. [10] Whatsoever man of your brethren that dwell in their cities shall bring the cause that comes before you, between blood and blood, and between precept and commandment, and ordinances and judgments, ye shall even decide for them; so they shall not sin against the Lord, and there shall not be wrath upon you, and upon your brethren: thus ye shall do, and ye shall not sin. [11] And, behold, Amarias the priest is head over you in every matter of the Lord; and Zabdias the son of Ismael is head over the house of Juda in every matter of the king; and the scribes and Levites are before you: be strong and active, and the Lord shall be with the good.

  Chapter 20

  [1] And after this came the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them some of the Minaeans, against Josaphat to battle. [2] And they came and told Josaphat, saying, There is come against thee a great multitude from Syria, from beyond the sea; and, behold, they are in Asasan Thamar, this is Engadi. [3] And Josaphat was alarmed, and set his face to seek the Lord earnestly, and he proclaimed a fast in all Juda. [4] And Juda gathered themselves together to seek after the Lord: even from all the cities of Juda they came to seek the Lord.

  [5] And Josaphat stood up in the assembly of Juda in Jerusalem, in the house of the Lord, in front of the new court. [6] And he said, O Lord God of my fathers, art not thou God in heaven above, and art not thou Lord of all the kingdoms of the nations? and is there not in thy hand the might of dominion, and there is no one who can resist thee? [7] Art not thou the Lord that didst destroy the inhabitants of this land before the face of thy people Israel, and didst give it to thy beloved seed of Abraham for ever? [8] And they dwelt in it, and built in it a sanctuary to thy name, saying, [9] If there should come upon us evils, sword, judgment, pestilence, famine, we will stand before this house, and before thee, (for thy name is upon this house,)and we will cry to thee because of the affliction, and thou shalt hear, and deliver. [10] And now, behold, the children of Ammon, and Moab, and mount Seir, with regard to whom thou didst not permit Israel to pass through their border, when they had come out of the land of Egypt, (for they turned away from them, and did not destroy them;) — [11] yet now, behold, they make attempts against us, to come forth to cast us out from our inheritance which thou gavest us. [12] O Lord our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no strength to resist this great multitude that is come against us; and we know not what we shall do to them: but our eyes are toward thee.

  [13] And all Juda was standing before the Lord, and their children, and their wives. [14] And Oziel the son of Zacharias, of the children of Banaias, of the sons of Eleiel, the sons of Matthanias the Levite, of the sons of Asaph, — upon him came the Spirit of the Lord in the assembly: [15] and he said, Hear ye, all Juda, and the dwellers in Jerusalem, and king Josaphat: Thus saith the Lord to you, even you, Fear not, neither be alarmed, before all this great multitude; for the battle is not years, but God’s. [16] To-morrow go ye down against them: behold, they come up by the ascent of Assis, and ye shall find them at the extremity of the river of the wilderness of Jeriel. [17] It is not for you to fight: understand these things, and see the deliverance of the Lord with you, Juda and Jerusalem: fear not, neither be afraid to go forth to-morrow to meet them; and the Lord shall be with you. [18] And Josaphat bowed with his face to the ground with all Juda and the dwellers in Jerusalem, and they fell before the Lord to worship the Lord. [19] And the Levites of the children of Caath, and they of the sons of Core, rose up to praise the Lord God of Israel with a loud voice on high.
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  [20] And they rose early in the morning and went out to the wilderness of Thecoe: and as they went out, Josaphat stood and cried, and said, Hear me, Juda, and the dwellers in Jerusalem; put your trust in the Lord God, and your trust shall be honored; trust in his prophet, and ye shall prosper. [21] And he took counsel with the people, and set appointed men to sing psalms and praises, to give thanks, and sing the holy songs of praise in going forth before the host: and they said, Give thanks to the Lord, for his mercy endures for ever.

  [22] And when they began the praise and thanksgiving, the Lord caused the children of Ammon to fight against Moab, and the inhabitants of mount Seir that came out against Juda; and they were routed. [23] Then the children of Ammon and Moab rose up against the dwellers in mount Seir, to destroy and consume them; and when they had made an end of destroying the inhabitants of Seir, they rose up against one another so that they were utterly destroyed.

  [24] And Juda came to the watch-tower of the wilderness, and looked, and saw the multitude, and, behold, they were all fallen dead upon the earth, not one escaped. [25] And Josaphat and his people went out to spoil them, and they found much cattle, and furniture, and spoils, and precious things: and they spoiled them, and they were three days gathering the spoil, for it was abundant. [26] And it came to pass on the fourth day they were gathered to the Valley of Blessing; for there they blessed the Lord: therefore they called the name of the place the Valley of Blessing, until this day.

  [27] And all the men of Juda returned to Jerusalem, and Josaphat led them with great joy; for the Lord gave them joy over their enemies. [28] And they entered into Jerusalem with lutes and harps and trumpets, going into the house of the lord. [29] And there was a terror of the Lord upon all the kingdoms of the land, when they heard that the Lord fought against the enemies of Israel. [30] And the kingdom of Josaphat was at peace; and his God gave him rest round about.