2 Chronicles 15:12-13
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Notice the powerful "and" connecting their covenant to seeking God with their whole being. It's not just a formality; it's a total commitment, signaling that genuine faithfulness is always an all-or-nothing endeavor, demanding the deepest parts of who we are.
And they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers, with all their heart and with all their soul, but that whoever would not seek the LORD, the God of Israel, should be put to death, whether young or old, man or woman.
English Standard Version (ESV)
King Asa has just returned from a victorious battle thanks to God's intervention, and the prophet Azariah has delivered a powerful message of encouragement and warning. In response, Asa takes decisive action to purge idolatry from Judah and Jerusalem, leading the entire nation to publicly recommit themselves to God. This verse marks the formalization of that renewed commitment through a solemn covenant.
It wasn't just a good idea; it was a binding promise. What does it mean to enter into a covenant with God today?
A Sacred Promise
In ancient Israel, a covenant was more than just an agreement; it was a sacred, binding oath, often sealed with rituals and sacrifices. When the people entered into a covenant to seek the LORD, they weren't making a casual commitment. They were pledging their loyalty, their lives, and their future to God.
More Than Just Words
This covenant was a public declaration of their renewed commitment to follow God's ways. It signified a turning point, a collective decision to abandon the idolatry and disobedience that had plagued them and to actively pursue a relationship with the God who had always been their Father.
What does it truly mean to seek the LORD 'with all their heart and with all their soul'?
Total Devotion Required
This phrase, 'with all their heart and with all their soul,' speaks to an undivided allegiance. It means giving God the entirety of who you are – your thoughts, emotions, will, and very life force. There's no holding back, no secret reservations, no divided loyalties.
Beyond Religious Duty
Seeking God this way isn't just about going through religious motions. It's about an all-consuming passion and desire for Him. It's about making Him the central focus of your existence, letting His purposes guide your decisions and His presence fill your heart. It's an active, vibrant pursuit.
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Understand the original words
berît · Hebrew Noun
A solemn, binding agreement or promise between God and human beings, or between individuals before God, involving specific obligations and promises of blessing or judgment based on obedience.
dāraš · Hebrew Verb
To pursue, inquire of, or worship; it implies a focused, earnest effort to know and follow God's will and presence.
lēbāb · Hebrew Noun
In biblical anthropology, the seat of human intellect, will, emotions, and moral choice; it represents the core of the inner person.
nepeš · Hebrew Noun
The animating principle of life or the inner self; it encompasses the seat of emotions, passions, and the entirety of a person's life force.
King Jehoshaphat's covenant occurs after a period of spiritual compromise, including an alliance with the idolatrous northern kingdom. This highlights how genuine repentance and a commitment to seek God often arise from confronting the consequences of sin and misguided choices.
c. 931 BC
Kingdom Divides
After King Solomon's reign, the unified kingdom of Israel splits into two: the northern Kingdom of Israel and the southern Kingdom of Judah. This division sets the stage for future instability and spiritual decline.
c. 873-848 BC
Reign of Jehoshaphat Begins
Jehoshaphat becomes king of Judah, a time marked by his initial commitment to God and efforts to reform religious practices, though challenges remain.
c. 853 BC
Alliance with Northern Kingdom
Jehoshaphat forms a problematic alliance by marriage with the wicked King Ahab of the northern kingdom of Israel. This alliance compromises his reforms and exposes Judah to idolatry.
c. 850 BC
Prophet Micaiah's Warning
The prophet Micaiah warns Jehoshaphat against going to war with Syria, highlighting the dangers of relying on false prophets and compromising alliances.
c. 850-848 BC— this verse
Jehoshaphat's Reforms and Covenant
Following the war and divine intervention, Jehoshaphat embarks on a significant religious reform. He commissions officials to teach the Law and leads the people in a solemn covenant to seek the LORD.
c. 848 BC
Jehoshaphat's Later Years
Despite his earlier reforms, Jehoshaphat later makes another ill-advised alliance with King Ahaziah of Israel, which is rebuked by the prophet Eliezer.
This passage echoes the same call to wholeheartedly seek God, emphasizing the promise of finding Him when we seek Him with our whole being.
Jeremiah 29:13This verse directly parallels the commitment to seek God, highlighting that when we seek Him with all our heart, we will truly find Him.
Matthew 6:33Jesus similarly calls us to prioritize seeking God's kingdom and righteousness first, assuring us that all our needs will be met.
Joshua 24:14Joshua challenged Israel to choose whom they would serve, just as this covenant was a deliberate choice to serve and seek the LORD.
Notice the powerful "and" connecting their covenant to seeking God with their whole being. It's not just a formality; it's a total commitment, signaling that genuine faithfulness is always an all-or-nothing endeavor, demanding the deepest parts of who we are.
King Asa has just returned from a victorious battle thanks to God's intervention, and the prophet Azariah has delivered a powerful message of encouragement and warning. In response, Asa takes decisive action to purge idolatry from Judah and Jerusalem, leading the entire nation to publicly recommit themselves to God. This verse marks the formalization of that renewed commitment through a solemn covenant.
King Asa has just returned from a victorious battle thanks to God's intervention, and the prophet Azariah has delivered a powerful message of encouragement and warning. In response, Asa takes decisive action to purge idolatry from Judah and Jerusalem, leading the entire nation to publicly recommit themselves to God. This verse marks the formalization of that renewed commitment through a solemn covenant.
"And they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers, with all their heart and with all their soul, but that whoever would not seek the LORD, the God of Israel, should be put to death, whether young or old, man or wo…" — Notice the powerful "and" connecting their covenant to seeking God with their whole being. It's not just a formality; it's a total commitment, signaling that genuine faithfulness is always an all-o…
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Last reviewed October 2026
