2 Chronicles 19
DOYLYgood.] Administer justice impartially, and as persons who fear not man in the discharge of their duty to God; and the Lord will bless and defend you, as long as you act like good and upright judges. Dr. Wells. Chap. XX. ver. 2. — from beyond the sea on this side Syria;] From the Dead Sea, which is on this (or the western) side of Syria; the Dead sea being the western boundary of that country. It seems that Jehoshaphat did not hear of the enemies’ approach till they were actually in En-gedi, a place in the tribe of Judah. By comparing Gen. xiv. 7, with this passage, it appears that Hazazon-tamar was an ancient name for En-gedi. Bp. Patrick.
2 Chronicles 19:3
- — and proclaimed a fast] In important and perilous circumstances, the kings used to proclaim fasts in particular towns, or through the whole kingdom, according as the case required. Thus Jezebel proclaimed a fast in Jezreel, to procure the condemnation of Naboth, 1 Kings xxi. 9. So the king of Nineveh ordained a fast in his capital, when he was threatened with apdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee?
2 Chronicles 19:6
- — O Lord God of our fathers, &c.] This is the most admirable prayer that we have recorded, as made by any of the kings. Jehoshaphat begins with an acknowledgment of God’s supreme and irresistible power, which extends over every creature in heaven and in earth. He then represents to his Maker, ver. 7, the peculiar relation which the people of Israel had to Him, and the promise of possession of their land, which they inherited from Him, and the circumstance of their having built a sanctuary for His peculiar worship, ver. 8. He proceeds to represent, ver. 10, the foul ingratitude and injustice of their enemies in invading their country, when the Israelites had formerly gone out of the way on purpose to avoid giving them disturbance; appeals to the justice of God, ver. 12, who helps those to right who suffer wrong; and, lastly, describes the weak condition of His people, whose only hope was in their God. Bp. Patrick.
2 Chronicles 19:9
- — as the sword, judgment.] Some translate “the sword of judgment.” Bp. Patrick. Otherwise “the sword, or any other judgment, even pestilence and famine, &c.” Dr. Wells.
2 Chronicles 19:14
- Then upon Jahaziel &c.] Jahaziel seems not to have been a Prophet before this time, but now to have Before CHRIST $00. a Chap. 6. 28.