2 Chronicles 20:4 kjv
And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the LORD: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD.
2 Chronicles 20:4 nkjv
So Judah gathered together to ask help from the LORD; and from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD.
2 Chronicles 20:4 niv
The people of Judah came together to seek help from the LORD; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him.
2 Chronicles 20:4 esv
And Judah assembled to seek help from the LORD; from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD.
2 Chronicles 20:4 nlt
So people from all the towns of Judah came to Jerusalem to seek the LORD's help.
2 Chronicles 20 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ps 50:15 | Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you... | God promises deliverance when called upon. |
| Jer 33:3 | Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things... | God answers those who call to Him. |
| Isa 55:6 | Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near. | Urges timely seeking of God. |
| Joel 2:12-14 | Yet even now," declares the Lord, "return to me with all your heart... | Calls for national repentance and seeking. |
| Mt 7:7-8 | Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find... | Encourages persistent asking and seeking. |
| Jas 4:8 | Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you... | Emphasizes reciprocal action in seeking. |
| Heb 11:6 | without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe... | Seeking God requires faith in Him. |
| Phil 4:6-7 | do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication... | Replaces anxiety with prayer to God. |
| Deut 4:29 | But from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find Him, if you search... | God is found by those who earnestly seek Him. |
| 1 Sam 7:7-8 | The Philistines came up against Israel... The people of Israel said to Samuel... | Israel seeks divine help through prayer. |
| 1 Ki 8:33-34 | "When Your people Israel are defeated before an enemy because they have sinned against You... | Solomon's prayer for national repentance/help. |
| Ezra 8:21-23 | Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves... | Ezra calls for corporate fasting and seeking. |
| Jonah 3:5-10 | The people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast and put on sackcloth... | Entire city humbles itself and seeks God. |
| Ps 107:13 | Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. | God's deliverance in response to cries for help. |
| Ps 145:18 | The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. | God's closeness to sincere seekers. |
| Isa 26:9 | ...when your judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness. | In times of trouble, people seek God's way. |
| Zeph 2:3 | Seek the Lord, all you humble of the earth, who have carried out His ordinances... | Calls the humble to seek the Lord. |
| 2 Chr 7:14 | if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face... | Conditional promise for those who seek Him. |
| Hos 10:12 | Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord... | Implies seeking the Lord leads to blessings. |
| Amos 5:4 | For thus says the Lord to the house of Israel: “Seek me and live...” | God commands seeking Him for life. |
| Job 8:5 | If you will seek God diligently, and make your plea to the Almighty... | Emphasizes diligent seeking. |
| 1 Chr 16:11 | Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually! | Constant seeking of God's power and presence. |
2 Chronicles 20 verses
2 Chronicles 20 4 Meaning
2 Chronicles 20:4 reveals that the people of Judah responded uniformly and with serious intent to King Jehoshaphat's call for spiritual gathering. Faced with a formidable invading army, the nation united in Jerusalem, setting aside all else to diligently seek the Lord's intervention, guidance, and deliverance from their dire predicament. Their actions signify a national recognition of God as their ultimate refuge and hope.
2 Chronicles 20 4 Context
Chapter 20 of 2 Chronicles opens with a severe threat to Judah. Three powerful nations – the Moabites, Ammonites, and Meunim – form a vast coalition against King Jehoshaphat and his kingdom. Receiving news of this overwhelming force, Jehoshaphat, despite his fear, immediately demonstrates his unwavering faith by resolving to "seek the Lord." He then proactively calls for a national fast throughout all of Judah. This public proclamation prompts the widespread response described in verse 4, where people from every city of Judah converged in Jerusalem, united by a common purpose: to appeal to the one true God for deliverance. This event is a powerful example of faithful leadership inspiring corporate spiritual action in a time of national emergency, leaning entirely on divine intervention rather than initial military might.
2 Chronicles 20 4 Word analysis
- And Judah assembled themselves:
- Judah: Refers to the Southern Kingdom, highlighting its identity as God's covenant people.
- assembled themselves (Hebrew: asaphu / אָסְפוּ): Indicates a deliberate gathering or convocation. It was not a casual gathering but an intentional assembly, emphasizing unity and collective purpose in seeking God. This term reflects an act of drawing together for a shared spiritual or communal event, reminiscent of covenant renewals or special religious convocations.
- to ask [help] of the Lord:
- to ask (Hebrew: lidrosh / לִדְרֺשׁ): This is more profound than a simple request. The root darash means "to seek," "to inquire of," "to diligently search," "to consult," or "to pursue earnestly." In this context, it implies a deep, fervent, and intentional quest for God's guidance, intervention, and favor, not merely asking for an outcome. It suggests a proactive pursuit of His will and presence. The 'help' is implicitly part of what is sought from the Lord, but the focus is on seeking Him.
- of the Lord (Hebrew: YHWH / יְהֹוָה): References God's sacred, covenant name, denoting His unchanging, personal, and redemptive character. They were seeking the sovereign, living God, not a mere idol or human solution. This highlights their trust in His covenant promises and omnipotence. It also stood as a direct contrast or polemic against the polytheistic practices of surrounding nations, emphasizing the uniqueness of Judah's God.
- even out of all the cities of Judah:
- This phrase underscores the universal and comprehensive nature of the response. It shows widespread participation, indicating a unified national cry to God. It highlights the sincerity and impact of Jehoshaphat's call, reaching beyond Jerusalem to encompass the entire kingdom.
- they came to seek the Lord:
- This phrase reiterates and reinforces the purpose stated earlier, adding emphasis through repetition. "They came" implies physical movement, signifying effort, dedication, and pilgrimage, likely towards Jerusalem or a central designated place of assembly, possibly near the temple where Jehoshaphat would later pray. The repetition of "to seek the Lord" ensures that the core focus of their gathering—their deep spiritual pursuit of God—is unmistakably clear. This communal and intentional seeking was an act of worship and profound dependence.
2 Chronicles 20 4 Bonus section
- The call for this assembly to "seek the Lord" was intertwined with Jehoshaphat's proclamation of a fast for all Judah (2 Chr 20:3). This combination of seeking and fasting underscored the solemnity, urgency, and humility of their appeal to God.
- The King's personal example of resolving to "seek the Lord" (2 Chr 20:3) directly inspired this widespread national response, highlighting the crucial role of godly leadership in spiritual revival and action.
- This national assembly and unified prayer stood in stark contrast to reliance on military alliances, human wisdom, or pagan deities—practices often pursued by other nations or even Israel in past moments of crisis. It showcased Judah's distinct faith in YHWH.
- The act of coming "out of all the cities" was a physical manifestation of their spiritual earnestness, indicating that the seeking was not a mere thought but an active and dedicated pursuit involving effort and sacrifice.
2 Chronicles 20 4 Commentary
2 Chronicles 20:4 stands as a testament to Judah's immediate, united, and earnest turning to the Lord in the face of an overwhelming threat. Rather than resorting to military strategies first, King Jehoshaphat and his people prioritized a collective spiritual response. Their act of assembling and diligently "seeking the Lord" (a deeper meaning than simply asking) signifies a profound understanding of their reliance on God's sovereignty and a firm faith in His covenant faithfulness. This national display of humility and corporate prayer established the spiritual foundation for God's subsequent miraculous deliverance, demonstrating His responsiveness to those who wholeheartedly pursue Him in their distress.