King James Bible - Old Testament 2 Chronicles

Solomon built the house of God and brought the Ark of the Covenant into it. It was built sparing little expense out of dedication to his father and God. When it was finished the children of Israel assembled and the cloud of God entered it. Solomon addressed them and reminded them of their covenant with God. They feasted and God appeared to Solomon and told him to watch over his people. Solomon regained all the lost lands and his people kept the commandments. The Queen of Sheba addressed him.

"Happy are thy men, and happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and hear thy wisdom. Blessed be the LORD thy God, which delighted in thee to set thee on his throne, to be king for the LORD thy GOD: because thy God loved Israel, to establish them for ever, therefore made he thee king over them, to do judgement and justice." 2 Chronicles, 9:7-8

She gave him many riches and Solomon increased the splendor of his house and the house of God. His son became king and Israel rebelled against his puritan rule. He retained only Judah for the house of David to rule. He transgressed against God and Egypt came against them. They humbled themselves before God and lost only their gold. Asa, the next king, upheld the word of God and defeated the Ethiopians. Azariah, the king of the rest of Israel, came to Asa and told him that Israel had been too long without God. Asa deposed his own mother for worshiping an idol. He made an alliance with Syria and fell out of favor with God for putting a seer in jail. His son, Jehosophat, ruled after him and there was peace. The Philistines paid tribute to them. He made a treaty with Ahab, the ruler of Israel, and they fought against Syria until Ahab died, disguised in battle.

Other tribes come to war against Judah and God made the great multitude fall dead. Jehosophat failed to expel the worshipers of Baal. His son was a good king but his wife, a daughter of Ahab, led him astray. Ahaziah became king and was wicked. He warred against the house of Ahab. There were more kings following him and people continued to worship idols. The Syrians defeated Judah. Uzziah was the next king who ruled well for many years but transgressed against God and was made a leper. His son ruled but the people remained corrupt. The next king was wicked and the people worshiped Baal. Hezekiah followed him and was good even though the people were wicked. The Levites cleansed the house of God and made many sacrifices. Hezekiah called all the leaders of Israel to come to Judah for the Passover. Many unclean men came and Hezekiah pleaded with God for them to be forgiven. He expelled the idols and restored the gifts to the priests from the people.

The king of Assyria made war against Judah and lost. Judah became very rich. Hezekiah became sick and was healed by God but he didn't properly thank Him. His son was the next king and undid all the good his father did. Josiah, his son, was a good king and he called for the Temple to be rebuilt. He studied Moses' tablets of law with the priests. He renewed the covenant and restored the priests. They began to make correct offerings again. The next king was wicked and Nebuchadnezzar overcame Israel. The house of God was burned and the city of Jerusalem ruined. In the first year of the king of Persia Cyrus said:

"All the kingdoms of the earth hath the LORD God of heaven given me: and he hath charged me to build him an house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all his people? The LORD his God be with him, and let him go up." 2 Chronicles, 36:23