Prophets Warn Com’s People
During Com’s reign, many prophets appeared and warned the people: their nation would be destroyed unless they turned back to the Lord and stopped the murders and corruption. But the people rejected the prophets and tried to kill them. The prophets fled to Com for protection. They gave Com many prophecies, and he was blessed for the rest of his life.
War and the Murder of Prophets
Com lived to old age and had a son, Shiblom, who took the throne after him. But Shiblom’s brother rebelled, and a massive war broke out across the land. Shiblom’s brother had all the prophets who warned of destruction hunted down and killed. Disaster swept through the land. The prophets had warned that a terrible curse would come—destruction like nothing ever seen on earth. The people’s bones would pile up like dirt across the ground unless they turned from their evil ways. But they wouldn’t listen to the Lord because of their secret criminal alliances. Wars broke out everywhere, followed by famines and plagues. The destruction was unlike anything the world had ever seen. All of this happened during Shiblom’s reign. Finally, the people started to turn from their wickedness. As they did, the Lord showed them mercy.
A Line of Wicked Kings
Shiblom was killed, and Seth was captured. He spent the rest of his life in prison. Seth’s son Ahah took the kingdom. He ruled with complete corruption, causing rivers of blood to flow. His reign didn’t last long. Ethem, one of Ahah’s descendants, took power next. He was just as wicked.
More Prophets, Harder Hearts
During Ethem’s time, prophets appeared again and warned the people: the Lord would completely wipe them off the face of the earth unless they stopped their evil. The people’s hearts turned hard. They refused to listen. The prophets, heartbroken, withdrew from the people. Ethem ruled with cruel injustice all his days. He had a son, Moron, who took over and continued doing evil.
Rebellion and Power Struggles
A rebellion erupted, fueled by the secret organizations hungry for power and wealth. A powerful warlord rose up and attacked Moron, capturing half the kingdom. He held that territory for many years. Eventually Moron defeated him and took back the full kingdom. Then another powerful man rose to challenge him—a descendant of Jared’s brother. He overthrew Moron and seized the throne. Moron spent the rest of his life in captivity. While in prison, he had a son named Coriantor. Coriantor spent his entire life in captivity too.
Final Warnings Rejected
During Coriantor’s lifetime, more prophets came with incredible warnings. They called the people to turn back, saying that if they didn’t, the Lord God would judge them and destroy them completely. The prophets said the Lord would bring another people to take over this land—just as he had once brought their ancestors here. But the people rejected everything the prophets said. Their secret societies and twisted practices had corrupted them completely. Coriantor had a son, Ether. Then Coriantor died, having lived his whole life in captivity.