But as for us, the Lord is our God and we have not rejected him. Aaron’s descendants serve as the Lord’s priests and the Levites assist them with the work.

Jeroboam did not regain power during the reign of Abijah. The Lord struck him down and he died.

He ordered Judah to seek the Lord God of their ancestors and to observe his law and commands.

The Lord struck down the Cushites before Asa and Judah. The Cushites fled,

Because of their distress, they turned back to the Lord God of Israel. They sought him and he responded to them.

They solemnly agreed to seek the Lord God of their ancestors with their whole heart and being.

He was committed to following the Lord; he even removed the high places and Asherah poles from Judah.

They taught throughout Judah, taking with them the scroll of the law of the Lord. They traveled to all the cities of Judah and taught the people.

Then Jehoshaphat added, “First seek an oracle from the Lord.”

But Micaiah said, “As certainly as the Lord lives, I will say what my God tells me to say!”

He commanded them: “Carry out your duties with respect for the Lord, with honesty, and with pure motives.

The people of Judah assembled to ask for the Lord’s help; they came from all the cities of Judah to ask for the Lord’s help.

Jehoshaphat stood before the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem at the Lord’s temple, in front of the new courtyard.

All the men of Judah were standing before the Lord, along with their infants, wives, and children.

He followed in his father Asa’s footsteps and was careful to do what the Lord approved.

So look, the Lord is about to severely afflict your people, your sons, your wives, and all you own.

The Lord stirred up against Jehoram the Philistines and the Arabs who lived beside the Cushites.

After all this happened, the Lord afflicted him with an incurable intestinal disease.

Another third of you will be stationed at the royal palace and still another third at the Foundation Gate. All the others will stand in the courtyards of the Lord’s temple.

He posted guards at the gates of the Lord’s temple, so no one who was ceremonially unclean in any way could enter.