Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “Please inquire first for Yahweh’s word.”
Parallel translations
- KJV And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Enquire, I pray thee, at the word of the LORD to day.
- BSB But Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel, “Please inquire first for the word of the LORD.”
- NKJV Also Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “Please inquire for the word of the Lord today.”
- NASB However, Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “Please request the word of the Lord first.”
- NLT Then Jehoshaphat added, “But first let’s find out what the Lord says.”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Before committing to battle, Jehoshaphat rightly insists on first seeking the LORD's word.
Overview
Amid his compromised alliance, Jehoshaphat's instinct to consult Yahweh shows the genuine faith that still marked him. Seeking God's guidance before action is the pattern of the righteous. Yet the request comes after he has already pledged himself, exposing how partial obedience can blunt even sincere devotion.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 11
- Jer 21:2“Please inquire of Yahweh for us; for Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon makes war against us. Perhaps Yahweh will deal with us according to all his wondrous works, that he may withdraw from us.”
- 1 Sam 23:4Then David inquired of Yahweh yet again. Yahweh answered him, and said, “Arise, go down to Keilah; for I will deliver the Philistines into your hand.”
- 2 Sam 5:23When David inquired of Yahweh, he said, “You shall not go up. Circle around behind them, and attack them in front of the mulberry trees.
- 2 Sam 5:19David inquired of Yahweh, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hand?” Yahweh said to David, “Go up; for I will certainly deliver the Philistines into your hand.”
- 1 Sam 23:2Therefore David inquired of Yahweh, saying, “Shall I go and strike these Philistines?” Yahweh said to David, “Go strike the Philistines, and save Keilah.”
- 2 Sam 2:1After this, David inquired of Yahweh, saying, “Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah?” Yahweh said to him, “Go up.” David said, “Where shall I go up?” He said, “To Hebron.”
- 1 Sam 23:9–12David knew that Saul was devising mischief against him; and he said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring the ephod here.”
- 1 Kgs 22:5–6Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “Please inquire first for Yahweh’s word.”
- 2 Chr 34:26But to the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of Yahweh, you shall tell him this, ‘Yahweh, the God of Israel says: “About the words which you have heard,
- Ezek 20:3“Son of man, speak to the elders of Israel, and tell them, ‘Thus says the Lord Yahweh: “Is it to inquire of me that you have come? As I live,” says the Lord Yahweh, “I will not be inquired of by you.”’
- Ps 27:4One thing I have asked of Yahweh, that I will seek after: that I may dwell in Yahweh’s house all the days of my life, to see Yahweh’s beauty, and to inquire in his temple.
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Christ at the center
Temple, priesthood, and the repeated need for a faithful king who seeks the LORD all point past every imperfect reign to the King and Temple who finally and fully dwell with God's people.
How 2 Chronicles 18:4 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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