2 Chronicles 20:20

20 They were up early in the morning, ready to march into the wilderness of Tekoa. As they were leaving, Jehoshaphat stood up and said, "Listen Judah and Jerusalem! Listen to what I have to say! Believe firmly in God, your God, and your lives will be firm! Believe in your prophets and you'll come out on top!"

2 Chronicles 20:20 Meaning and Commentary

2 Chronicles 20:20

And they rose early in the morning
Being confident of success, animated by what the prophet said to them: and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa;
which, according to Jerom {u}, was six miles from Bethlehem, and nine from Jerusalem, some say twelve, beyond which was nothing but a desert; it was part of the wilderness of Judah: and as they went forth;
out of Jerusalem, through one of the gates of it: Jehoshaphat stood and said, believe in the Lord your God;
in the promises he had made, particularly with respect to the victory over their present enemies; the Targum is,

``in the Word of the Lord your God:''
so shall you be established;
have courage and firmness of mind, as well as be safe and secure: believe his prophets;
sent by him, and that speak in his name, particularly Jahaziel, who had predicted victory to them: so shall ye prosper;
things will succeed to your wishes, and beyond your expectations.
FOOTNOTES:

F21 Prooem. in Amos, and Comment. in ch. i. 1.

2 Chronicles 20:20 In-Context

18 Then Jehoshaphat knelt down, bowing with his face to the ground. All Judah and Jerusalem did the same, worshiping God.
19 The Levites (both Kohathites and Korahites) stood to their feet to praise God, the God of Israel; they praised at the top of their lungs!
20 They were up early in the morning, ready to march into the wilderness of Tekoa. As they were leaving, Jehoshaphat stood up and said, "Listen Judah and Jerusalem! Listen to what I have to say! Believe firmly in God, your God, and your lives will be firm! Believe in your prophets and you'll come out on top!"
21 After talking it over with the people, Jehoshaphat appointed a choir for God; dressed in holy robes, they were to march ahead of the troops, singing, Give thanks to God, His love never quits.
22 As soon as they started shouting and praising, God set ambushes against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir as they were attacking Judah, and they all ended up dead.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.