Part 652

according to the law. He also ordained some of the Levites, with the porters, to be a guard to the temple, that no one that was defiled might come there. 5. And when Jehoiada had set these things in order, he, with the captains of hundreds, and the rulers, and all the people, took Jehoash out of the temple into the king's palace; and when he had set him upon the king's throne, the people shouted for joy, and betook themselves to feasting, and kept a festival for many days; but the city was quiet upon the death of Athaliah. Now Jehoash was seven years old when he took the kingdom. His mother's name was Zibiah, of the city Beersheba. And all the time that Jehoiada lived Jehoash was careful that the laws should be kept, and very zealous in the worship of God; and when he was of age, he married two wives, who were given to him by the high priest, by whom were born to him both sons and daughters. And thus much shall suffice to have related concerning king Jehoash, how he escaped the treachery of Athaliah, and how he received the kingdom. CHAPTER 8. HAZAEL MAKES AN EXPEDITION AGAINST THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL AND THE INHABITANTS OF JERUSALEM. JEHU DIES, AND JEHOAHAZ SUCCEEDS IN THE GOVERNMENT. JEHOASH THE KING OF JERUSALEM AT FIRST IS CAREFUL ABOUT THE WORSHIP OF GOD BUT AFTERWARDS BECOMES IMPIOUS AND COMMANDS ZECHARIAH TO BE STONED. WHEN JEHOASH [KING OF JUDAH] WAS DEAD, AMAZIAH SUCCEEDS HIM IN THE KINGDOM. 1. NOW Hazael, king of Syria, fought against the Israelites and their king Jehu, and spoiled the eastern parts of the country beyond Jordan, which belonged to the Reubenites and Gadites, and to [the half tribe of] Manassites; as also Gilead and Bashan, burning, and spoiling, and offering violence to all that he laid his hands on, and this without impeachment from Jehu, who made no haste to defend the country when it was under this distress; nay, he was become a contemner of religion, and a despiser of holiness, and of the law