Study Desk

Thus the children of Israel were defeated at that time. and the children of Judah prevailed, because they said, We rely upon the LORD God of our fathers.

And Asa did that which was good and right in the presence of the LORD his God;

And he said to Judah, Come, let us pray before the LORD God of our fathers.

Therefore he said to Judah, Come, let us build these cities, and surround them with walls and towers, gates, and bars, while the land is still quiet of wars; because we have sought the LORD our God, and he also has sought us and he has given us rest from all those who are round about us, and has comforted us and delivered us.

And Asa prayed before the LORD his God and said, Thou art our LORD, thou art the help of thy people; and when thou dost deliver a great army in the hands of a small force, then all the inhabitants of the earth shall know that it is good to rely on thee; help us, O LORD our God, because in thy name we have come against this great army. O LORD our God, delay not thy might from us.

Now for a long time Israel has not served their God in truth and has not accepted the teaching of their priests and would not obey their laws; therefore they were delivered into the hand of their enemies.

But when in their distress they prayed to the LORD God of Israel and sought him, he was found by them.

And in those early times when we did not worship our God, there was no peace to him that went out, nor to him that came in. because of great misfortune that came upon all the inhabitants of the land.

Because we had forsaken our God and would not listen to the voice of his servants, the prophets; so he rewarded us according to our works.

And he gathered all Judah and Benjamin and the proselytes with them out of Ephraim and Manasseh and out of Simeon; for they gathered together and came to him out of Israel in abundance when they saw that the LORD his God was with him.

And they entered into a covenant to pray to the LORD God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul;

And that whosoever would not pray to the LORD God of Israel should be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman.

But the altars on the high places were not taken away out of Israel; nevertheless the heart of Asa was perfect in the worship of the LORD his God all the days of his life.

And at that time Hanan the prophet came to Asa king of Judah and said to him, Because you have relied on the king of Aram and not relied on the LORD your God, therefore the army of Aram will flee.

And they will go and become strong, both they and the Ethiopians and the kings that are with them, and will become great armies with very many chariots and horsemen, but when you seek the LORD your God, he will deliver them into your hands.

For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth; therefore, be strong, and let your heart be perfect towards his worship, and understand all his wonders; for the LORD your God will fight for you.

But he prayed to the LORD God of his father and walked in his commandments and kept his statutes, and did not do according to the ways of Israel.

And Micaiah said, As the LORD God lives, what my God puts into my heart, that will I speak.

And Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem; and he went out again among the people from the city of Beersheba to mount Ephraim, and brought them back to worship the LORD God of their fathers.

And he said to the judges, Take heed what you do; for you judge not for man, but for the LORD our God.