but soughtthe Godof his father,followedHis commandments,and did not actas Israeldid.
So the kingconsulted,and madetwogoldencalves,and he saidto them, "It is toomuchfor you to goup to Jerusalem;beholdyour gods,O Israel,that broughtyou up from the landof Egypt."
Now thisthingbecamea sin,for the peoplewent[to worship] beforethe oneas faras Dan.
Then he wentup to the altarwhichhe had madein Bethelon the fifteenthdayin the eighthmonth,even in the monthwhichhe had devisedin his own heart;and he instituteda feastfor the sonsof Israeland wentup to the altarto burnincense.
Now Solomonlovedthe LORD,walkingin the statutesof his fatherDavid,excepthe sacrificedand burnedincenseon the highplaces.
"As for you, ifyou will walkbeforeMe as your fatherDavidwalked,in integrityof heartand uprightness,doingaccording to allthat I have commandedyou [and] will keepMy statutesand My ordinances,
AlsoJudahdid not keepthe commandmentsof the LORDtheir God,but walkedin the customswhichIsraelhad introduced.
He walkedin the wayof the kingsof Israel,justas the houseof Ahabhad done,for the daughterof Ahabbecamehis wife;and he didevilin the sightof the LORD.
He builtfortifiedcitiesin Judah,sincethe landwas undisturbed,and therewas nooneat warwith him during thoseyears,becausethe LORDhad givenhim rest.
The LORDwas with Jehoshaphatbecausehe followedthe exampleof his fatherDavid'searlierdays and did not seekthe Baals,
Then a lettercameto him from Elijahthe prophetsaying,"Thussaysthe LORDGodof your fatherDavid,'Becauseyou have not walkedin the waysof Jehoshaphatyour fatherand the waysof Asakingof Judah,
He also soughtAhaziah,and they caughthim while he was hidingin Samaria;they broughthim to Jehu,puthim to deathand buriedhim. For they said,"He is the sonof Jehoshaphat,whosoughtthe LORDwith allhis heart."So therewas nooneof the houseof Ahaziahto retainthe powerof the kingdom.
So Jothambecamemightybecausehe orderedhis waysbeforethe LORDhis God.
He didrightin the sightof the LORD,according to allthat his fatherDavidhad done.
He didrightin the sightof the LORD,and walkedin the waysof his fatherDavidand did not turnasideto the rightor to the left.
Thoughyou, Israel,playthe harlot,Do not let Judahbecomeguilty;Also do not goto Gilgal,Or goup to Beth-avenAnd takethe oath:"As the LORDlives!"
They were bothrighteousin the sightof God,walkingblamelesslyin allthe commandmentsand requirementsof the Lord.
sothat you would walkin a manner worthyof the Godwho callsyou into His ownkingdomand glory.
Finallythen,brethren,we requestand exhortyou in the LordJesus,that as you receivedfrom us [instruction] as to howyou oughtto walkand pleaseGod(justas you actuallydo walk),that you excelstill more.
