Study Desk

So he said to the people of Judah, "Let us build these cities and surround them with walls and towers, with doors and bars. The land is still ours because we have sought the LORD our God. We have sought Him and He has given us rest on every side." So they built and prospered.

Then Asa cried out to the LORD his God: "O LORD, there is no one besides You to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on You, and in Your name we have come against this multitude. O LORD, You are our God. Do not let a mere mortal prevail against You."

Now the Spirit of God came upon Azariah son of Oded.

For many years Israel has been without the true God, without a priest to instruct them, and without law.

But in their distress they turned to the LORD, the God of Israel, and sought Him, and He was found by them.

Nation was crushed by nation, and city by city, for God afflicted them with all kinds of adversity.

And he assembled all Judah and Benjamin, along with those from the tribes of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon who had settled among them, for great numbers had come over to him from Israel when they saw that the LORD his God was with him.

Then they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers, with all their heart and soul.

And whoever would not seek the LORD, the God of Israel, would be put to death, whether young or old, man or woman.

And he brought into the house of God the silver and gold articles that he and his father had dedicated.

At that time, Hanani the seer came to King Asa of Judah and told him, "Because you have relied on the king of Aram and not on the LORD your God, the army of the king of Aram has escaped from your hand.

but he sought the God of his father and walked by His commandments rather than the practices of Israel.

So the king of Israel assembled the prophets, four hundred men, and asked them, "Should we go to war against Ramoth-gilead, or should we refrain?" "Go up," they replied, "and God will deliver it into the hand of the king."

But Micaiah said, "As surely as the LORD lives, I will speak whatever my God tells me."

When the chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat, they said, "This is the king of Israel!" So they turned to fight against him, but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him. God drew them away from him.

However, some good is found in you, for you have removed the Asherah poles from the land and have set your heart on seeking God."

Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem, and once again he went out among the people from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim and turned them back to the LORD, the God of their fathers.

And now, may the fear of the LORD be upon you. Be careful what you do, for with the LORD our God there is no injustice, partiality, or bribery."

and said, "O LORD, God of our fathers, are You not the God who is in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in Your hand, and no one can stand against You.

Our God, did You not drive out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham Your friend?