²⁵ Rezon was Israel’s adversary as long as Solomon lived, adding to the trouble caused by Hadad. So Rezon ruled in Aram^(A) and was hostile toward Israel.

⁸ In one month I got rid of the three shepherds.

The flock detested^(A) me, and I grew weary of them

² He went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin. The Lord is with you^(A) when you are with him.^(B) If you seek^(C) him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you.^(D)

²¹ Ahithophel answered, “Sleep with your father’s concubines whom he left to take care of the palace. Then all Israel will hear that you have made yourself obnoxious to your father, and the hands of everyone with you will be more resolute.”

⁷ Do not despise an Edomite,^(A) for the Edomites are related to you.^(B) Do not despise an Egyptian, because you resided as foreigners in their country.^(C)

³⁰ Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, “You have brought trouble^(A) on me by making me obnoxious^(B) to the Canaanites and Perizzites, the people living in this land.^(C) We are few in number,^(D) and if they join forces against me and attack me, I and my household will be destroyed.”