Study Desk

When the LORD saw that they had humbled themselves, the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah, saying, "They have humbled themselves; I will not destroy them, but will soon grant them deliverance. My wrath will not be poured out on Jerusalem through Shishak.

But did you not drive out the priests of the LORD, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites? And did you not make priests for yourselves as do the peoples of other lands? Now whoever comes to consecrate himself with a young bull and seven rams can become a priest of things that are not gods.

But as for us, the LORD is our God. We have not forsaken Him; the priests who minister to the LORD are sons of Aaron, and the Levites attend to their duties.

But Abijah grew strong, married fourteen wives, and became the father of twenty-two sons and sixteen daughters.

So he went out to meet Asa and said to him, "Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin. The LORD is with you when you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you.

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

But as for you, be strong; do not be discouraged, for your work will be rewarded."

The high places were not removed from Israel, but Asa's heart was fully devoted all his days.

In the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa became diseased in his feet, and his malady became increasingly severe. Yet even in his illness he did not seek the LORD, but only the physicians.

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

But Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel, "Please inquire first for the word of the LORD."

But Jehoshaphat asked, "Is there not still a prophet of the LORD here of whom we can inquire?"

The king of Israel answered, "There is still one man who can ask the LORD, but I hate him because he never prophesies anything good for me, but only bad. He is Micaiah son of Imlah." "The king should not say that!" Jehoshaphat replied.

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

But the king said to him, "How many times must I make you swear not to tell me anything but the truth in the name of the LORD?"

Then the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "Did I not tell you that he never prophesies good for me, but only bad?"

But Micaiah replied, "If you ever return safely, the LORD has not spoken through me." Then he added, "Take heed, all you people!"

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

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.

Then he said to the judges, "Consider carefully what you do, for you are not judging for man, but for the LORD, who is with you when you render judgment.