Study Desk

"But in their distress they turned to the LORD God of Israel, and they sought Him, and He let them find Him.

"But you, be strong and do not lose courage, for there is a reward for your work."

But the high places were not removed from Israel; nevertheless Asa's heart was blameless all his days.

In the thirty-ninth year of his reign Asa became diseased in his feet. His disease was severe, yet even in his disease he did not seek the LORD, but the physicians.

but sought the God of his father, followed His commandments, and did not act as Israel did.

But Jehoshaphat said, "Is there no longer a prophet of the LORD here, that we may inquire of him?"

And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "There is still one man by whom we may inquire of the LORD, but I hate him, for he never prophesies anything good regarding me, but always bad. He is Micaiah the son of Imlah." But Jehoshaphat said, "May the king not say so."

But Micaiah said, "As the LORD lives, whatever my God says, I will speak it."

Then the king said to him, "How many times must I make you swear that you will tell me nothing but the truth in the name of the LORD?"

Then the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "Did I not tell you that he would not prophesy anything good regarding me, but only bad?"

But Micaiah said, "If you actually return safely, the LORD has not spoken by me." And he said, "Listen, all you people!"

And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "I will disguise myself and go into battle, but you put on your robes." So the king of Israel disguised himself, and they went into battle.

Now the king of Aram had commanded the commanders of his chariots, saying, "Do not fight with the small or great, but only with the king of Israel."

So when the commanders of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, they said, "He is the king of Israel!" And they turned aside to fight against him. But Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him, and God diverted them from him.

"But there is some good in you, for you have removed the Asheroth from the land and you have set your heart to seek God."

He said to the judges, "Consider what you are doing, for you do not judge for mankind but for the LORD who is with you when you render judgment.

"Our God, will You not judge them? For we are powerless before this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You."

and he said, "Listen, all you of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and King Jehoshaphat: This is what the LORD says to you: 'Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God's.

Their father gave them many gifts of silver, gold, and precious things, with fortified cities in Judah; but he gave the kingdom to Jehoram because he was the firstborn.

but have walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and have caused Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to be unfaithful as the house of Ahab was unfaithful, and you have also killed your brothers, your own family, who were better than you,