2 Chronicles 20

2 Chronicles 20:1-13

1. I came to pass after this also, that the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them after beside the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle. 2. Then there came some that told Jehoshaphat, saying, There cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea on this side Syria, and behold, they he in Hazzan-tamar, which is Engedi. 3. And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 4. And Judah gathered themselves together, to all help of the LORD: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD: 5. And Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD, before the new court, 6. And said, O LORD God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and ruled not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand it there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee? 7. Art not thou out God, who doth drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gave it to the seed of Abraham thy friend for ever? 8. And they dwelt therein, and have built thee a sanctuary therein for thy name, saying, 9. If we ever cometh upon us, as the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we stand before this house, and in thy presence, (for thy name is in this house) and cry unto thee in our affliction, then thou wilt hear and help. 10. And now behold, the children of Ammon, and Moab, and mount Seir, whom thou wouldst not let Israel invade, when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned from them, and destroyed them not: 11. Behold, I say, here they reward us, to come to cast us out of thy possession, which thou hast given us to inherit. 12. O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us: neither know we what to do, but our eyes are upon thee. 13. And all Judah stood before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children.

Little did Jehoshaphat apprehend, in the midst of the pious and useful establishments in which he was engaged, the threatening storm which hung over him. Note, When we are most faithful, we may be involved in uncommon difficulties, God permitting our faith to be tried, that it may appear to praise, and honour, and glory.

1. The Moabites, Ammonites, and their confederates, assemble their forces, and march to the borders of Judah, before intelligence is brought of their designs; so sudden and unexpected was the attack. Note, Whilst we are on this side the grave, we are never safe.

2. Terrified at the danger, and fearing left the wrath he had deserved, chap. xix. 2. was about to overtake him, in deep humiliation the king set himself earnestly to seek the Lord; proclaimed a fast throughout Judah, that they might together mourn over the sins which had provoked their God: and, at his command, all Judah assembled; not so much as wearisome, to oppose their enemies; but as penitents, to avert the divine displodour, without which every effort would be vain; and with their wives and children, as in deep distress, appeared at the temple, before the new court, probably the court of the priests lately repaired, to ask help of the Lord. Note, (1.) In national calamities, national fasts are highly expedient, that a sinful people, humbled before a holy God, may God mercy in his sight. (2.) The danger which drives us to God, will not destroy us.

3. Jehoshaphat’s prayer on the occasion is remarkable. In the midst of the congregation he left up his eyes to heaven, and cried unto the God of their situation. He adverbs God as their covenant God, the ground of all their hopes; adverbs to him that universal sovereignty and almighty power, which now he truly: God will display for their rescue. He pleads the got God had made to Abraham of the land, as an argument for continuing them in possession; and the promise he had given them, 1 Kings ix. 3. of hearing and answering the prayer, that in distress they should offer before his holy temple. He urges the ingratitude of their enemies, whom Israel had of old, at God’s command, left unmodeled; and their injustice, in attempting to dispossess them of their divinely appointed inheritance. Into God’s hands, the righteous judge, he therefore refers the cause; unable to withstand this sudden invasion, destitute of help and counsel, he looks up to him who alone can save, earnestly desiring, and humbly expecting, to for the salvation of God. Note, (1.) Whilst we have a God of mercy to her so, let us never despair. (2.) The cries of the oppressed will enter into the ears of the righteous Judge. We are those who provoke them. (3.) The more entirely we are taken off from every self-dependance in the view of our wants and wretchedness, the surer we are to find mercy in time of need. (4.) Whilst the eye of faith and hope looks upward, underneath us will be the everlasting arms.

4. ¶ Then upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiab, the son of Jeiel, the son of Matramiah, a Levite of the sons of Afaph, came the Spirit of the LORD in the midst of the congregation: 15. And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thou faith the LORD be unto you, Be not afraid, nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s. 16. To-morrow go ye down against them: behold, they come up by the cliffs of Ziz, and ye shall find them at the end of the brook, before the wilderness of Jeruel. 17. Ye shall not need to fight in this battle; for ye are, if it is, if it is, if it is, if it is, if it is, if it is, if it is, if it is, if it is, if it is, if it is, if it is, if it is, if it is, if it is, if it is, if it is, if it is, if it is, if it is, if it is, if it is, if it is, if it is, if it is, if it is,

2 Chronicles 20:14-19

Swift is the answer sent from God. Jahaziel, a Levite of the sons of Afaph, filled with the spirit in prophecy, in the midst of the congregation forests the approaching victory.

1. He bids them left their drooping heads, and not be afraid: the cause is God’s, and he will appear for them. He fixes the time and place, when and where they should meet the enemy, not to fight, but to be spectators of the glorious victory God would give them. Note, (1.) Unbelieving fear must be suppressed and opposed, as dishonourable to God. (2.) They who go forth at the word of God against their spiritual enemies, shall see the salvation of God.

2. The mottage was received by the king and people with humble thanksfulness and adoration. They doubted not the promise, and shouted, as sure of victory. Note, Faith realizes the unseen things, and can enable us to rejoice in future promises, as equally secure with present possessions.

3. ¶ And

4. ¶ And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood, and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, believe in the LORD your God, so shall you be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper. 21. And when he had confided with the people, he appointed fingers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD, for his mercy endorseth for ever. 22. ¶ And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD for ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah, and they were smitten. 23. For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of mount Seir, utterly to stay and destroy them: and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one helped to destroy another. 24. And when Judah came toward the watch-tower in the wilderness, they looked unto the multitude, and behold, they were dead bodies fallen to the earth, and some escaped. 25. And when Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away the spoil of them, they round among them in abundance both riches with the dead bodies, and precious jewels which they stript off for themselves; more than they could carry away: and they were three days in gathering of the spoil, it was so much. 26. ¶ And on the fourth day they assembled themselves in the valley of Berachah; for there they blessed the LORD: therefore the name of the same place was called, The valley of Berachah, unto this day. 27. Then they returned every man of Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat in the aforesaid front of them, to go again to Jerusalem with joy: for the LORD had made them to rejoice over their enemies. 28. And they came to Jerusalem with platteries, and harps, and trumpets, unto the house of the LORD. 29. And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of their countries, when they had heard that the LORD fought against the enemies of Israel. 30. So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet; for his God gave him rest round about.

2 Chronicles 20:26-30

The order of battle bespoke the temper of the combatants, and their confidence in God.

1. Jehoshaphat, as the army passed in review before him, encourages their trust in God, and the word of his prophet, with assurance of success; and, with the advice of his counsel, instead of the mighty men of valour, they appointed the fingers to lead the van, and charge their foes, not with the arm of flesh, but with the sharp two-edged sword of God’s praise in their mouths, as if the victory was already gotten, and the triumphant sing began. Nor, (1.) Onshaken faith is certain victory. (2.) Praise is a mighty weapon to overcome our spiritual foes.

2. The event exceeded their expectations. No sooner was the song of praise begun, than the Lord set ambushments, either the angelic lusts his ministers, say some, or their own ambushments, say others, that, infatuated of God, fell upon their army; which bred such confusion, and apprehension of treachery, that each man’s sword was against his fellow; the Moabites and Ammonites against the Edomites, and then against each other. Nor, (1.) Though the enemies of God’s people assemble themselves, they shall be broken to pieces. (2.) God can make those the instruments of mutual destruction, who are frequent against his choice. (3.) Division produces ruin, where it is a sign.

3. On the approach of Jehoshaphat’s army towards the watch-to-arc, which probably stood on the cliff of Zr., and overlooked the plain her-arth, behold, it was covered with carcasses, and not a living for remained. Immense spoils loaded the people: there days they were employed in collecting them; on the fourth, the whole army assembled, with the king or their head, and kept a day of solemn thanksgiving on the field of victory, giving it a name to perpetuate the memorial of the mercy; and returned to Jerusalem, as they had come from thence, with increasing joy, and with louder songs of praise, for the amazing interposition of God they had experienced. Nor, (1.) Praise is all the tribute we poor worms can pay, and God accepts our gratitude, as a more welcome sacrifice than a hecatomb. (2.) The memory of just mercies ought to be preferred for the encouragement of future generations.

4. The effect of this glorious victory was peace in their borders. Their neighbours heard and trembled, not dared provoke those for whom God so eminently appeared; and all was quiet at home, under Jehoshaphat’s happy government.

Nor, They who have God for their protection, will be kept in peace, and no evil shall come eigh their dwellings.

31. ¶ And Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah: he was thirty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty and five years in Jerusalem: and his mother’s name was Azubah the daughter of Shith. 32. And he walked in the way of Afa his father, and departed not from it, doing that which was right in the fight of the LORD: 33. Howbeit, the high places were not taken away; for as yet the people had not prepared their hearts unto the God of their fathers. 34. Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of Jeha the son of Hanani, who is mentioned in the book of the kings of Israel. 35. ¶ And after this did Jehoshaphat king of Judah join himself with Ahaziah king of Israel, who did very wickedly: 36. And he joined himself with him to make ships to go to Tarlshis: and they made the ships in Kston-palice. 37. Then Eilever the son of Dodavah of Marenah, prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, ‘Because thou hast joined himself with Ahaziah, the LORD hath broken thy works. And the ships were broken, that they were not able to go to Tarlshis.

2 Chronicles 20:31-37

Jehoshaphat’s conduct in general was excellent and exemplary, but the farest influence spores not his faults: two of them are here recorded.

1. The suffering the high places to remain, where sacrifices to God had been effected before the people was built, and to which the people still resorted, in opposition to the divine command, Deut. viii, 6—7.

2. That, after the danger he had run, and the reproof he had revived for his connection with Ahab, he joined in league with Ahaziah his son, taking him in as partner in a voyage to Tarlshis. But he feared for it. A prophet was sent to rebuke him for his folly and perseverance, and to predict the storm which destroyed their navy in the port. We find, 1 Kings xxii. 49. that these warnings had their defied effect, to break off the evil alliance. Nor, (1.) They who are connected with the wicked, will fare the words for them. (2.) It is a great gain, when our providential lulles turn us from the path of evil.