⁵ Then Samuel^(A) said, “Assemble all Israel at Mizpah,^(B) and I will intercede^(C) with the Lord for you.” ⁶ When they had assembled at Mizpah,^(D) they drew water and poured^(E) it out before the Lord. On that day they fasted and there they confessed, “We have sinned against the Lord.” Now Samuel was serving as leader^[a](F) of Israel at Mizpah.

² Some people came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army^(A) is coming against you from Edom,^[a] from the other side of the Dead Sea. It is already in Hazezon Tamar^(B)” (that is, En Gedi).^{(C) 3} Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast^(D) for all Judah. ⁴ The people of Judah^(E) came together to seek help from the Lord; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him.