And he removed the strange gods, and the graven [image] out of the house of the Lord, and all the altars which he had built in the mount of the house of the Lord, and in Jerusalem, and outside the city.

And in the eighth year of his reign, and he [being] yet a youth, he began to seek the Lord God of his father David. And in the twelfth year of his reign he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the groves, and the ornaments for the altars, and the molten images.

And he pulled down the altars of the Baals that were in his presence, and the high places that were above them; and he cut down the groves, and the graven images, and broke in pieces the molten images, and reduced them to powder, and cast [it] upon the surface of the tombs of those who [had] sacrificed to them.

And he built an altar in the house of the Lord, whereas [God] had said, In Jerusalem I will place My name.

And he built an altar to the whole host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the Lord.

For the children of Judah have done evil before Me, says the Lord; they have set their abominations in the house which is called by My name, to defile it.

But I have chosen Jerusalem that My name should be there; and I have chosen David to be over My people Israel.

And now I have chosen and sanctified this house, that My name should be there forever; and My eyes and My heart shall be there always.

And he spoke against the God of Jerusalem, even as against the gods of the nations of the earth, the works of the hands of men.

And there shall be a place which the Lord your God shall choose for His name to be called there, from which shall you bring all things that I order you this day; your whole burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, and your tithes, and the firstfruits of your hands, and every choice gift of yours, whatsoever you shall vow to the Lord your God.

that Your eyes may be open toward this house day and night, even toward the place which You said, My name shall be there, to hear the prayer which Your servant prays at this place day and night.

And the Lord said to him, I have heard the voice of your prayer, and your supplication which you have made before Me. I have done for you according to all your prayer; I have hallowed this house which you have built to put My name there forever, and My eyes and My heart shall be there always.