Kings.

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FORBIDDEN TO MULTIPLY
Often exercised power arbitrarily. 1 Sam. 22:17, 1817And the king said unto the footmen that stood about him, Turn, and slay the priests of the Lord; because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled, and did not show it to me. But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests of the Lord. 18And the king said to Doeg, Turn thou, and fall upon the priests. And Doeg the Edomite turned, and he fell upon the priests, and slew on that day fourscore and five persons that did wear a linen ephod. (1 Samuel 22:17‑18). 2 Sam. 1:1515And David called one of the young men, and said, Go near, and fall upon him. And he smote him that he died. (2 Samuel 1:15). 2 Sam. 4:9-129And David answered Rechab and Baanah his brother, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, and said unto them, As the Lord liveth, who hath redeemed my soul out of all adversity, 10When one told me, saying, Behold, Saul is dead, thinking to have brought good tidings, I took hold of him, and slew him in Ziklag, who thought that I would have given him a reward for his tidings: 11How much more, when wicked men have slain a righteous person in his own house upon his bed? shall I not therefore now require his blood of your hand, and take you away from the earth? 12And David commanded his young men, and they slew them, and cut off their hands and their feet, and hanged them up over the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ish-bosheth, and buried it in the sepulchre of Abner in Hebron. (2 Samuel 4:9‑12). 1 Kin. 2:23, 25, 31.
CEREMONIES AT INAUGURATION OF;
Enthroning. 1 Kin. 1:35, 46. 2 Kin. 11:19.
Names of, often changed at their accession. 2 Kin. 23:34. 2 Kin. 24: 17.
OFFICERS OF;
Providers for the king's table. 1 Kin. 4:7-19.
Overseer of the tribute. 1 Kin. 4: 6. 1 Kin. 12:18.
Attendants of, stood in their presence. 1 Kin. 10:8. 2 Kin. 25:19.
Exercised great hospitality. 1 Sam. 20:25-2725And the king sat upon his seat, as at other times, even upon a seat by the wall: and Jonathan arose, and Abner sat by Saul's side, and David's place was empty. 26Nevertheless Saul spake not any thing that day: for he thought, Something hath befallen him, he is not clean; surely he is not clean. 27And it came to pass on the morrow, which was the second day of the month, that David's place was empty: and Saul said unto Jonathan his son, Wherefore cometh not the son of Jesse to meat, neither yesterday, nor to day? (1 Samuel 20:25‑27). 2 Sam. 9:7-137And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely show thee kindness for Jonathan thy father's sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually. 8And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am? 9Then the king called to Ziba, Saul's servant, and said unto him, I have given unto thy master's son all that pertained to Saul and to all his house. 10Thou therefore, and thy sons, and thy servants, shall till the land for him, and thou shalt bring in the fruits, that thy master's son may have food to eat: but Mephibosheth thy master's son shall eat bread alway at my table. Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants. 11Then said Ziba unto the king, According to all that my lord the king hath commanded his servant, so shall thy servant do. As for Mephibosheth, said the king, he shall eat at my table, as one of the king's sons. 12And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Micha. And all that dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants unto Mephibosheth. 13So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem: for he did eat continually at the king's table; and was lame on both his feet. (2 Samuel 9:7‑13). 2 Sam. 19:3333And the king said unto Barzillai, Come thou over with me, and I will feed thee with me in Jerusalem. (2 Samuel 19:33). 1 Kin. 4:22, 23, 28.
THEIR REVENUES DERIVED FROM
Tax on produce of the land. 1 Kin. 4:7-19.
Tax on foreign merchandise. 1 Kin. 10:15.
WHO REIGNED OVER ALL ISRAEL;
Solomon. 1 Kin. 1:39, to 1 Kin. 11:43. 2 Chr. 1 Ch. to 2 Chr. 9 ch.
Rehoboam. (first part of his reign.) 1 Kin. 12:1-20. 2 Chr. 10:1-161And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for to Shechem were all Israel come to make him king. 2And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who was in Egypt, whither he had fled from the presence of Solomon the king, heard it, that Jeroboam returned out of Egypt. 3And they sent and called him. So Jeroboam and all Israel came and spake to Rehoboam, saying, 4Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore ease thou somewhat the grievous servitude of thy father, and his heavy yoke that he put upon us, and we will serve thee. 5And he said unto them, Come again unto me after three days. And the people departed. 6And king Rehoboam took counsel with the old men that had stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, saying, What counsel give ye me to return answer to this people? 7And they spake unto him, saying, If thou be kind to this people, and please them, and speak good words to them, they will be thy servants for ever. 8But he forsook the counsel which the old men gave him, and took counsel with the young men that were brought up with him, that stood before him. 9And he said unto them, What advice give ye that we may return answer to this people, which have spoken to me, saying, Ease somewhat the yoke that thy father did put upon us? 10And the young men that were brought up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou answer the people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it somewhat lighter for us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father's loins. 11For whereas my father put a heavy yoke upon you, I will put more to your yoke: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions. 12So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam on the third day, as the king bade, saying, Come again to me on the third day. 13And the king answered them roughly; and king Rehoboam forsook the counsel of the old men, 14And answered them after the advice of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add thereto: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions. 15So the king hearkened not unto the people: for the cause was of God, that the Lord might perform his word, which he spake by the hand of Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat. 16And when all Israel saw that the king would not hearken unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? and we have none inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to your tents, O Israel: and now, David, see to thine own house. So all Israel went to their tents. (2 Chronicles 10:1‑16).
WHO REIGNED OVER JUDAH
Abijam or Abijah. 1 Kin. 15:1-8. 2 Chr. 13 ch.
Jehoram or Joram. 2 Kin. 8:16-24. 2 Chr. 21 Ch.
Ahaziah. 2 Kin. 8:25-29. 2 Kin. 9:16-29. 2 Chr. 22:1-91And the inhabitants of Jerusalem made Ahaziah his youngest son king in his stead: for the band of men that came with the Arabians to the camp had slain all the eldest. So Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah reigned. 2Forty and two years old was Ahaziah when he began to reign, and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Athaliah the daughter of Omri. 3He also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab: for his mother was his counsellor to do wickedly. 4Wherefore he did evil in the sight of the Lord like the house of Ahab: for they were his counsellors after the death of his father to his destruction. 5He walked also after their counsel, and went with Jehoram the son of Ahab king of Israel to war against Hazael king of Syria at Ramoth-gilead: and the Syrians smote Joram. 6And he returned to be healed in Jezreel because of the wounds which were given him at Ramah, when he fought with Hazael king of Syria. And Azariah the son of Jehoram king of Judah went down to see Jehoram the son of Ahab at Jezreel, because he was sick. 7And the destruction of Ahaziah was of God by coming to Joram: for when he was come, he went out with Jehoram against Jehu the son of Nimshi, whom the Lord had anointed to cut off the house of Ahab. 8And it came to pass, that, when Jehu was executing judgment upon the house of Ahab, and found the princes of Judah, and the sons of the brethren of Ahaziah, that ministered to Ahaziah, he slew them. 9And he sought Ahaziah: and they caught him, (for he was hid in Samaria,) and brought him to Jehu: and when they had slain him, they buried him: Because, said they, he is the son of Jehoshaphat, who sought the Lord with all his heart. So the house of Ahaziah had no power to keep still the kingdom. (2 Chronicles 22:1‑9).
Joash or Jehoash. 2 Kin. 11:4, to 2 Kin. 12 Ch. 2 Chr. 23 ch. 2 Chr. 24 ch.
Amaziah. 2 Kin. 14:1-20. 2 Chr. 25 ch.
Azariah or Uzziah. 2 Kin. 14:21, 22. 2 Kin. 15:1-7. 2 Chr. 26 ch.
Jotham. 2 Kin. 15:32-38. 2 Chr. 27 ch.
Ahaz. 2 Kin. 16 ch. 2 Chr. 28 ch.
Hezekiah. 2 Kin. 18 ch. to 2 Kin. 20 ch. 2 Chr. 29 ch. to 2 Chr. 32 Ch.
Manasseh. 2 Kin. 21:1-18. 2 Chr. 33:1-201Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem: 2But did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, like unto the abominations of the heathen, whom the Lord had cast out before the children of Israel. 3For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down, and he reared up altars for Baalim, and made groves, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them. 4Also he built altars in the house of the Lord, whereof the Lord had said, In Jerusalem shall my name be for ever. 5And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the Lord. 6And he caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom: also he observed times, and used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger. 7And he set a carved image, the idol which he had made, in the house of God, of which God had said to David and to Solomon his son, In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen before all the tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever: 8Neither will I any more remove the foot of Israel from out of the land which I have appointed for your fathers; so that they will take heed to do all that I have commanded them, according to the whole law and the statutes and the ordinances by the hand of Moses. 9So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, and to do worse than the heathen, whom the Lord had destroyed before the children of Israel. 10And the Lord spake to Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not hearken. 11Wherefore the Lord brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon. 12And when he was in affliction, he besought the Lord his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, 13And prayed unto him: and he was entreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord he was God. 14Now after this he built a wall without the city of David, on the west side of Gihon, in the valley, even to the entering in at the fish gate, and compassed about Ophel, and raised it up a very great height, and put captains of war in all the fenced cities of Judah. 15And he took away the strange gods, and the idol out of the house of the Lord, and all the altars that he had built in the mount of the house of the Lord, and in Jerusalem, and cast them out of the city. 16And he repaired the altar of the Lord, and sacrificed thereon peace offerings and thank offerings, and commanded Judah to serve the Lord God of Israel. 17Nevertheless the people did sacrifice still in the high places, yet unto the Lord their God only. 18Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh, and his prayer unto his God, and the words of the seers that spake to him in the name of the Lord God of Israel, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel. 19His prayer also, and how God was entreated of him, and all his sin, and his trespass, and the places wherein he built high places, and set up groves and graven images, before he was humbled: behold, they are written among the sayings of the seers. 20So Manasseh slept with his fathers, and they buried him in his own house: and Amon his son reigned in his stead. (2 Chronicles 33:1‑20).
Josiah. 2 Kin. 22 Ch. 2 Kin. 23:1-30. 2 Chr. 34 ch. 2 Chr. 35 ch.
Zedekiah. 2 Kin. 24:17-20. 2 Kin. 25:1-7. 2 Chr. 36:11-2111Zedekiah was one and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. 12And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord his God, and humbled not himself before Jeremiah the prophet speaking from the mouth of the Lord. 13And he also rebelled against king Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God: but he stiffened his neck, and hardened his heart from turning unto the Lord God of Israel. 14Moreover all the chief of the priests, and the people, transgressed very much after all the abominations of the heathen; and polluted the house of the Lord which he had hallowed in Jerusalem. 15And the Lord God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place: 16But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against his people, till there was no remedy. 17Therefore he brought upon them the king of the Chaldees, who slew their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion upon young man or maiden, old man, or him that stooped for age: he gave them all into his hand. 18And all the vessels of the house of God, great and small, and the treasures of the house of the Lord, and the treasures of the king, and of his princes; all these he brought to Babylon. 19And they burnt the house of God, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem, and burnt all the palaces thereof with fire, and destroyed all the goodly vessels thereof. 20And them that had escaped from the sword carried he away to Babylon; where they were servants to him and his sons until the reign of the kingdom of Persia: 21To fulfil the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths: for as long as she lay desolate she kept sabbath, to fulfil threescore and ten years. (2 Chronicles 36:11‑21).
WHO REIGNED OVER ISRAEL
Jeroboam. 1 Kin. 12:20, 25, to 1 Kin. 14:20.
Nadab. 1 Kin. 15:25-27, 31.
Baasha. 1 Kin. 15:28-34. 1 Kin. 16:1-7.
Elah. 1 Kin. 16:8-14.
Zimri. 1 Kin. 16:11, 12, 15-20.
Omri. 1 Kin. 16:23-28.
Ahab. 1 Kin. 16:29, to 1 Kin. 22:40.
Ahaziah. 1 Kin. 22:51-53. 2 Kin. 1 Ch.
Jehoram or Joram. 2 Kin. 3 ch. To 2 Kin. 9:26.
Jehu. 2 Kin. 9:3, to 2 Kin. 10:36.
Jehoahaz. 2 Kin. 13:1-9.
Jehoash or Joash. 2 Kin. 13:10-25. 2 Kin. 14:8-16.
Jeroboam the Second. 2 Kin. 14:23-29.
Zechariah. 2 Kin. 15:8-12.
Shallum. 2 Kin. 15:13-15.
Menahem. 2 Kin. 15:16-22.
Pekahiah. 2 Kin. 15:23-26.
Pekah. 2 Kin. 15:27-31. 2 Kin. 16:5.
Hoshea. 2 Kin. 17:1-6.
CONSPIRACIES AGAINST;
Adonijah against Solomon. 1 Kin. 1:5-7.
Jeroboam against Rehoboam. 1 Kin. 12:12, 16.
Baasha against Nadab. 1 Kin. 15:27.
Zimri against Elah. 1 Kin. 16:9, 10.
Omri against Zimri. 1 Kin. 16:17.
Jehu against Joram. 2 Kin. 9:14.
Shallum against Zachariah. 2 Kin. 15:10.
Menahem against Shallum. 2 Kin. 15:14.
Pekah against Menahem. 1 Kin. 15:25.
Able to enforce their commands. Ecc. 8:4.
Dependent on the earth. Ecc. 5:9.
SHOULD
Keep the law of God. 1 Kin. 2:3.
Promote the interests of the Church. Ezra 1:2-42Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The Lord God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. 3Who is there among you of all his people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the Lord God of Israel, (he is the God,) which is in Jerusalem. 4And whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, beside the freewill offering for the house of God that is in Jerusalem. (Ezra 1:2‑4). Ezra 6:1-121Then Darius the king made a decree, and search was made in the house of the rolls, where the treasures were laid up in Babylon. 2And there was found at Achmetha, in the palace that is in the province of the Medes, a roll, and therein was a record thus written: 3In the first year of Cyrus the king the same Cyrus the king made a decree concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, Let the house be builded, the place where they offered sacrifices, and let the foundations thereof be strongly laid; the height thereof threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof threescore cubits; 4With three rows of great stones, and a row of new timber: and let the expenses be given out of the king's house: 5And also let the golden and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took forth out of the temple which is at Jerusalem, and brought unto Babylon, be restored, and brought again unto the temple which is at Jerusalem, every one to his place, and place them in the house of God. 6Now therefore, Tatnai, governor beyond the river, Shethar-boznai, and your companions the Apharsachites, which are beyond the river, be ye far from thence: 7Let the work of this house of God alone; let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews build this house of God in his place. 8Moreover I make a decree what ye shall do to the elders of these Jews for the building of this house of God: that of the king's goods, even of the tribute beyond the river, forthwith expenses be given unto these men, that they be not hindered. 9And that which they have need of, both young bullocks, and rams, and lambs, for the burnt offerings of the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the appointment of the priests which are at Jerusalem, let it be given them day by day without fail: 10That they may offer sacrifices of sweet savors unto the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king, and of his sons. 11Also I have made a decree, that whosoever shall alter this word, let timber be pulled down from his house, and being set up, let him be hanged thereon; and let his house be made a dunghill for this. 12And the God that hath caused his name to dwell there destroy all kings and people, that shall put to their hand to alter and to destroy this house of God which is at Jerusalem. I Darius have made a decree; let it be done with speed. (Ezra 6:1‑12).
SPECIALLY WARNED AGAINST
WHEN GOOD,
SHOULD BE
Good-Exemplified. David, 2 Sam. 8:1515And David reigned over all Israel; and David executed judgment and justice unto all his people. (2 Samuel 8:15). Asa, 1 Kin. 15:11. Jehoshaphat, 1 Kin. 22:43. Amaziah, &c. 2 Kings. 15:3. Uzziah &c. 2 Kin. 15: 34. Hezekiah, 2 Kin. 18:3. Josiah, 2 Kin. 22:2.