2 Chronicles 15 4

2 Chronicles 15:4 kjv

But when they in their trouble did turn unto the LORD God of Israel, and sought him, he was found of them.

2 Chronicles 15:4 nkjv

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

2 Chronicles 15:4 niv

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

2 Chronicles 15:4 esv

but when in their distress they turned to the LORD, the God of Israel, and sought him, he was found by them.

2 Chronicles 15:4 nlt

But whenever they were in trouble and turned to the LORD, the God of Israel, and sought him out, they found him.

2 Chronicles 15 verses

2 Chronicles 15 4 Meaning

This verse conveys a foundational principle of God's interaction with humanity: when individuals, especially those in distress, sincerely turn to the Lord, the God of Israel, and diligently seek Him, He reveals Himself and makes Himself available to them. It highlights divine responsiveness to genuine repentance and seeking.

2 Chronicles 15 4 Context

This verse is part of the prophetic message delivered by Azariah, the son of Oded, to King Asa of Judah. Following Asa's significant victory over the Cushite army, Azariah addresses the king and all Judah and Benjamin, affirming God's presence with Asa because Asa had sought the Lord. The prophecy outlines the pattern of Israel's history: a period of spiritual decline characterized by a lack of true understanding, proper priesthood, and law (2 Chr 15:3). This spiritual darkness inevitably led to great trouble and societal unrest. It was during these times of extreme distress (the "trouble" referenced in verse 4) that the people of Israel were compelled to turn back to God, and consistently, God proved faithful by allowing Himself to be found. Azariah's message serves as both an encouragement and a warning to Asa, emphasizing the principle of cause and effect: if Asa continues to seek the Lord, he will be strong and successful; if not, he will face adversity. This prophecy then directly inspires King Asa to initiate extensive religious reforms (2 Chr 15:8-19).

2 Chronicles 15 4 Word analysis

• But in their trouble:

  • "But": Connects this statement to the preceding description of Israel's long period without true understanding (2 Chr 15:3), presenting a contrasting turning point.
  • "in their trouble" (בְּצָרָתָה, be-tsaratah from צָרָה, tsarah): This term signifies distress, anguish, affliction, or tribulation. It implies a state of dire need or pressure, suggesting that difficulty often serves as a catalyst for humanity to look beyond themselves and seek divine help. This period of trouble was severe enough to make them recognize their desperate need for God.

• when they turned:

  • "turned" (וַיָּשֻׁבוּ, vayyashuvu from שׁוּב, shuv): This is a crucial Hebrew term meaning "to return," "turn back," or "repent." It denotes a change of direction, a spiritual reorientation away from former sinful paths or spiritual indifference, and back towards God. It implies repentance and a conscious decision to re-engage with the covenant relationship.

• to the Lord, the God of Israel:

  • "to the Lord" (אֶל-יְהוָה, ʾel Yahweh): Emphasizes that their turning was specifically directed towards the covenant God of Israel, Yahweh, the only true God. It signifies a move away from false deities or self-reliance to the sovereign and faithful God.
  • "the God of Israel" (אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, ʾElohei Yisrael): Highlights His unique relationship with Israel, rooted in the Abrahamic and Mosaic covenants. It stresses His faithfulness to His chosen people despite their failings, and His singular authority.

• and sought him:

  • "sought him" (וַיְבַקְשֻׁהוּ, vay’vaq’shuhu from בָּקַשׁ, baqash): This verb means "to seek diligently," "to inquire," "to require," or "to demand." It goes beyond a passive turning; it implies an active, earnest, and often persistent pursuit. This seeking often involved prayer, obedience, and a sincere desire for God's presence and intervention.

• he was found by them:

  • "he was found" (וַיִּמָּצֵא, vayyimmatsei from מָצָא, matsa): This verb means "to find," "to encounter," "to discover," or "to meet." The passive voice ("was found") indicates divine responsiveness and initiative. It shows that God makes Himself accessible and discoverable to those who genuinely seek Him, fulfilling His promises. It speaks to God's desire to be in relationship with His people and His willingness to respond to their earnest cries and repentance.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "But in their trouble, when they turned...": This phrase identifies distress as a significant impetus for spiritual awakening. It's a pattern seen throughout biblical history where hardship softens hearts and directs them back to God. It highlights God's sovereignty even over circumstances to bring about repentance.
• "...to the Lord, the God of Israel, and sought him...": This emphasizes the proper object of their seeking and the intensity of that pursuit. It was not a superficial or vague searching, but a focused, diligent turning toward Yahweh, their covenant God. This specific targeting distinguishes true spiritual seeking from other forms of seeking help or solutions.
• "...he was found by them.": This is the divine outcome, the assurance of God's accessibility. It underscores God's willingness to be in relationship and respond to sincere seeking. This isn't merely that they "felt" Him, but that He actively revealed Himself or intervened in a way that proved His presence and responsiveness. This demonstrates His character as faithful and approachable.

2 Chronicles 15 4 Bonus section

This verse functions as a concise summary of the cyclical history often observed in the Book of Judges and alluded to in other prophetic books, where Israel would stray, fall into distress, cry out to God, and be delivered. It highlights that even periods of widespread spiritual apathy, as described in 2 Chronicles 15:3 (no true God, no priest to teach, no law), cannot nullify God's responsiveness to genuine repentance. The phrase "the God of Israel" underscores the unique, covenantal bond God established with His people, implying that His availability is rooted in His faithful promises to them. Furthermore, the divine passive "he was found" is not a sign of God being distant or needing to be discovered by human effort alone, but rather that God, in His graciousness, allows Himself to be found. It is a testament to His nature as One who desires relationship and reveals Himself to those who humble themselves and seek Him wholeheartedly.

2 Chronicles 15 4 Commentary

2 Chronicles 15:4 articulates a fundamental and enduring truth about God's character and His interaction with humanity. It explains that when adversity strikes and people are driven to genuine introspection, leading them to turn back to the covenant God of Israel and seek Him with diligence and sincerity, He never fails to be found. This verse, delivered by Azariah to King Asa, confirms a divine pattern established throughout Israelite history: apostasy often led to trouble, but trouble could become a catalyst for repentance. The active turning (shuv, signifying repentance) and the diligent seeking (baqash) are prerequisites, revealing an earnest desire for reconciliation. In response, God, in His grace and faithfulness, reveals Himself (matsa). This passage affirms God's accessibility and His desire for a relationship with His people, reminding us that He is never truly hidden from those who genuinely seek Him, even (or especially) in their deepest afflictions. This truth inspired King Asa's reforms, emphasizing that individual and national blessings stem from turning towards and actively seeking the Lord.