2. and he went to meet King Asa. He called out, “Listen to me, King Asa, and all you people of Judah and Benjamin! The Lord is with you as long as you are with him. If you look for him, he will let you find him, but if you turn away, he will abandon you.
3. For a long time Israel lived without the true God, without priests to teach them, and without a law.
4. But when trouble came, they turned to the Lord, the God of Israel. They searched for him and found him.
5. In those days no one could come and go in safety, because there was trouble and disorder in every land.
6. One nation oppressed another nation, and one city oppressed another city, because God was bringing trouble and distress on them.
7. But you must be strong and not be discouraged. The work that you do will be rewarded.”