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divisions. They distributed gifts to the priests who were listed by their
families in the genealogical records, and to the Levites twenty years old
or older who were listed according to their jobs and their divisions. Food
allotments were also given to the families of all those listed in the genea
logical records, including their little babies, wives, sons, and daughters. For
they had all been faithful in purifying themselves.
As for the priests, the descendants of Aaron, who were living in the open
villages around the towns, men were appointed by name to distribute portions to every male among the priests and to all the Levites listed in the
genealogical records.
In this way, King Hezekiah handled the distribution throughout all Ju
dah, doing what was pleasing and good in the sight of the Lord his God.
In all that he did in the service of the Temple of God and in his efforts
to follow God’s laws and commands, Hezekiah sought his God whole
heartedly. As a result, he was very successful.
After Hezekiah had faithfully carried out this work, King Sennacherib of
Assyria invaded Judah. He laid siege to the fortified towns, giving orders
for his army to break through their walls. When Hezekiah realized that
Sennacherib also intended to attack Jerusalem, he consulted with his officials and military advisers, and they decided to stop the flow of the springs
outside the city. They organized a huge work crew to stop the flow of the
springs, cutting off the brook that ran through the fields. For they said,
“Why should the kings of Assyria come here and find plenty of water?”
Then Hezekiah worked hard at repairing all the broken sections of the
wall, erecting towers, and constructing a second wall outside the first. He
also reinforced the supporting terraces in the City of David and manufactured large numbers of weapons and shields. He appointed military
officers over the people and assembled them before him in the square at
the city gate. Then Hezekiah encouraged them by saying: “Be strong and
courageous! Don’t be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria
or his mighty army, for there is a power far greater on our side! He may
have a great army, but they are merely men. We have the Lord our God to
help us and to fight our battles for us!” Hezekiah’s words greatly encouraged the people.
While King Sennacherib of Assyria was still besieging the town of La
chish, he sent his officers to Jerusalem with this message for Hezekiah and
all the people in the city:
“This is what King Sennacherib of Assyria says: What are you trusting
in that makes you think you can survive my siege of Jerusalem?
Hezekiah has said, ‘The Lord our God will rescue us from the king
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