Athaliah's rule--Early years of Joash--Proclamation of Joash by Jehoiada--Athaliah slain--Religious Revival--Elisha-- Repairing of the Temple--Death of Jehoiada and of his Son-- Invasion of Israel by Hazael--Jehoahaz--Murder of Joash, King of Judah--Jehoash, King of Israel--Defeat of the Aramæans-- Amaziah--Conquest of Edom--Death of Elisha--Amaziah defeated by Jehoash--Jeroboam II.--Death of Amaziah _page_ 213 887-805 B. C. E. CHAPTER XII. END OF THE HOUSE OF JEHU AND THE TIME OF UZZIAH. Condition of Judah--The Earthquake and the Famine--Uzziah's Rule--Overthrow of Neighbouring Powers--Fortification of Jerusalem--Navigation of the Red Sea--Jeroboam's Prosperity-- The Sons of the Prophets--Amos--Prophetic Eloquence--Joel's Prophecies--Hosea foretells Ultimate Peace--Denunciation of Uzziah--Zechariah, Shallum, Menahem--Last Years of Uzziah-- Contest between the King and the High Priest--Uzziah usurps the Priestly Functions--Uzziah's Illness _page_ 228 805-758 B. C. E. CHAPTER XIII. THE DOWNFALL OF THE KINGDOM OF THE TEN TRIBES; THE HOUSE OF DAVID, AND THE INTERVENTION OF THE ASSYRIANS. King Menahem--The Babylonians and the Assyrians--Pekah-- Jotham's reign--Isaiah of Jerusalem--His style and influence-- His first public address--Later speeches--Their immediate and permanent effect--His disciples--Their characteristics-- Zechariah--His prophecies _page_ 246 758-740 B. C. E. CHAPTER XIV. THE END OF THE KINGDOM OF THE TEN TRIBES, AND THE HOUSE OF DAVID. The Reign of Ahaz--His Character--Alliance between Pekah and Rezin--Tiglath-Pileser and Assyria--Ahaz seeks Assyrian Aid-- Isaiah's Opposition--Defeat of Pekah and Rezin--Introduction of Assyrian Worship--Human Sacrifices--The Second Micah--Samaria after Pekah's Death--Assyria and Egypt--Hoshea--Samaria taken by Shalmaneser--The Exile--Hezekiah--His Early Measures--His Weakness of Character--Isaiah's Efforts to Restrain Hezekiah from War with Assyria--Arrangements for the Defence--Change of Policy--Isaiah Predicts the Deliverance--Micah--Rabshakeh's Embassy--Hezekiah's Defiance--His Illness and Recovery--The Destruction of Sennacherib's Army--Merodach-baladan--Hezekiah's Rule--The Psalmists--Death of Hezekiah _page_ 257 739-696 B. C. E. CHAPTER XV. THE LAST KINGS OF JUDAH. Manasseh--Fanatical Hatred of Hezekiah's Policy--Assyrian Worship Introduced--The Anavim--Persecution of the Prophets-- Esarhaddon--The Colonisation of Samaria--Amon--Josiah--Huldah and Zephaniah--Affairs in Assyria--Regeneration of Judah under Josiah--Repairing of the Temple--Jeremiah--The Book of Deuteronomy--Josiah's Passover--Battle at Megiddo _page_ 281 695-608 B. C. E. CHAPTER XVI. END OF THE KINGDOM OF JUDAH.