Definition: In this task, you're given a statement, and three sentences as choices. Your job is to determine which sentence clearly disagrees with the statement. Indicate your answer as '1', '2', or '3' corresponding to the choice number of the selected sentence.
Input: Statement: During his reign Palestine flourished, but his successors proved less able, and over the next four centuries the country continuously declined to become a virtual backwater. Choices:  1. It took four centuries for Palestine to decline after his reign. 2. His reign allowed his successors to make Palestine a flourishing city. 3. His reign was the last time Palestine flourished, as his successors were less able and the country continued to decline.

2