Now give me wisdom and discernment so<n id="1" /> I can effectively lead this nation.<n id="2" /> Otherwise<n id="3" /> no one is able<n id="4" /> to make judicial decisions for<n id="5" /> this great nation of yours.&#8221;<n id="6" />p>

<p class="bodytext">&#8220;If your people Israel are defeated by an enemy<n id="1" /> because they sinned against you, then if they come back to you, renew their allegiance to you,<n id="2" /> and pray for your help<n id="3" /> before you in this temple,

then listen from heaven, forgive the sin of your people Israel, and bring them back to the land you gave to them and their ancestors.<n id="1" />p>

Nevertheless you have done some good things;<n id="1" /> you removed<n id="2" /> the Asherah poles from the land and you were determined to follow the <sc>Lordsc>.&#8221;<n id="3" />p>

Our God, you drove out<n id="1" /> the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and gave it as a permanent possession<n id="2" /> to the descendants of your friend<n id="3" /> Abraham.

You defeated Edom<n id="1" /> and it has gone to your head.<n id="2" /> Gloat over your success,<n id="3" /> but stay in your palace. Why bring calamity on yourself? Why bring down yourself and Judah along with you?&#8221;<n id="4" />p>

<p class="bodytext">Asa prayed<n id="1" /> to the <sc>Lordsc> his God: &#8220;O <sc>Lordsc>, there is no one but you who can help the weak when they are vastly outnumbered.<n id="2" /> Help us, O <sc>Lordsc> our God, for we rely on you and have marched on your behalf against this huge army.<n id="3" /> O <sc>Lordsc> our God, don&#8217;t let men prevail against you!&#8221;<n id="4" />

When all your people Israel pray and ask for help,<n id="1" /> as they acknowledge their intense pain<n id="2" /> and spread out their hands toward this temple,

<p class="bodytext">&#8220;When you direct your people to march out and fight their enemies,<n id="1" /> and they direct their prayers to you toward this chosen city and this temple I built for your honor,<n id="2" />

Certainly<n id="1" /> the <sc>Lordsc> watches the whole earth carefully<n id="2" /> and is ready to strengthen those who are devoted to him.<n id="3" /> You have acted foolishly in this matter; from now on you will have war.

He prayed: &#8220;O <sc>Lordsc> God of our ancestors,<n id="1" /> you are the God who lives in heaven<n id="2" /> and rules over all the kingdoms of the nations. You possess strength and power; no one can stand against you.

<p class="bodytext">But a prophet<n id="1" /> visited him and said: &#8220;O king, the Israelite troops must not go with you, for the <sc>Lordsc> is not with Israel or any of the Ephraimites.<n id="2" />