Bible Strands
2 Chronicles 18:4
But Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel, “Please inquire first for the word of the LORD.”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jehoshaphat speaks to the king of Israel immediately after agreeing to join him in the campaign against Ramoth-gilead. His statement introduces a necessary pause before military action proceeds.
The words — The Hebrew דְּרַשׁ (de.rosh) means "seek" or "inquire," and נָא (na) functions as an emphatic "please." Together with כַּיּוֹם (khai./Yom) meaning "as the day" or "today," they form the directive to seek divine guidance immediately.
The thread — This pattern of seeking divine direction before action appears in 1 Samuel 23:2, 1 Samuel 23:4, and Jeremiah 21:2.
Why it lands — The text requires a reader to recognize that major decisions require direct consultation with God before proceeding. It places the pursuit of divine instruction ahead of human consensus or political agreement.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Enquire, I pray thee, at the word of the Lord to day.
Cross-references
- Jeremiah 21:2 “Please inquire of the LORD on our behalf, since Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon is waging war against us. Perhaps the LORD will perform for us something like all His past wonders, so that Nebuchadnezzar will withdraw from us.”
- 1 Samuel 23:2 So David inquired of the LORD, “Should I go and attack these Philistines?” And the LORD said to David, “Go and attack the Philistines and save Keilah.”
- 1 Samuel 23:4 Once again, David inquired of the LORD, and the LORD answered him: “Go at once to Keilah, for I will deliver the Philistines into your hand.”
- 1 Samuel 23:9 When David learned that Saul was plotting evil against him, he said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring the ephod.”
- 2 Samuel 2:1 Some time later, David inquired of the LORD, “Should I go up to one of the towns of Judah?” “Go up,” the LORD answered. Then David asked, “Where should I go?” “To Hebron,” replied the LORD.
- 2 Samuel 5:19 So David inquired of the LORD, “Should I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?” “Go up,” replied the LORD, “for I will surely deliver the Philistines into your hand.”
- 2 Samuel 5:23 So David inquired of the LORD, who answered, “Do not march straight up, but circle around behind them and attack them in front of the balsam trees.
- 1 Kings 22:5 But Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel, “Please inquire first for the word of the LORD.”
- 2 Chronicles 34:26 But as for the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the LORD, tell him that this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘As for the words that you heard,
- Psalms 27:4 One thing I have asked of the LORD; this is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and seek Him in His temple.