Study Desk

Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver for tribute, and the Arabians also brought him 7,700 rams and 7,700 goats.

and next to him Amasiah the son of Zichri, a volunteer for the service of the Lord , with 200,000 mighty men of valor.

and next to him Jehozabad with 180,000 armed for war.

After some years he went down to Ahab in Samaria. And Ahab killed an abundance of sheep and oxen for him and for the people who were with him, and induced him to go up against Ramoth-gilead.

And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, "Inquire first for the word of the Lord ."

Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, four hundred men, and said to them, "Shall we go to battle against Ramoth-gilead, or shall I refrain?" And they said, "Go up, for God will give it into the hand of the king."

And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of the Lord , Micaiah the son of Imlah; but I hate him, for he never prophesies good concerning me, but always evil." And Jehoshaphat said, "Let not the king say so."

And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made for himself horns of iron and said, "Thus says the Lord , ‘With these you shall push the Syrians until they are destroyed.'"

For as soon as the captains of the chariots saw that it was not the king of Israel, they turned back from pursuing him.

But a certain man drew his bow at random and struck the king of Israel between the scale armor and the breastplate. Therefore he said to the driver of his chariot, "Turn around and carry me out of the battle, for I am wounded."

Nevertheless, some good is found in you, for you destroyed the Asheroth out of the land, and have set your heart to seek God."

and said to the judges, "Consider what you do, for you judge not for man but for the Lord . He is with you in giving judgment.

Now then, let the fear of the Lord be upon you. Be careful what you do, for there is no injustice with the Lord our God, or partiality or taking bribes."

Moreover, in Jerusalem Jehoshaphat appointed certain Levites and priests and heads of families of Israel, to give judgment for the Lord and to decide disputed cases. They had their seat at Jerusalem.

After this the Moabites and Ammonites, and with them some of the Meunites, came against Jehoshaphat for battle.

And they have lived in it and have built for you in it a sanctuary for your name, saying,

‘If disaster comes upon us, the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house and before you—for your name is in this house—and cry out to you in our affliction, and you will hear and save.'

O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you."

And he said, "Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the Lord to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God's.

And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the Lord and praise him in holy attire, as they went before the army, and say, "Give thanks to the Lord , for his steadfast love endures forever."