2 Chronicles 20:20

20 Early in the morning all of the people left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they started out, Jehoshaphat stood up. He said, "Judah, listen to me! People of Jerusalem, listen to me! Have faith in the LORD your God. He'll take good care of you. Have faith in his prophets. Then you will have success."

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.

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FOOTNOTES:

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

2 Chronicles 20:20 In-Context

18 Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face toward the ground. All of the people of Judah and Jerusalem also bowed down. They worshiped the Lord.

19 Then some Levites from the families of Kohath and Korah stood up. They praised the Lord, the God of Israel. They praised him with very loud voices.

20 Early in the morning all of the people left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they started out, Jehoshaphat stood up. He said, "Judah, listen to me! People of Jerusalem, listen to me! Have faith in the LORD your God. He'll take good care of you. Have faith in his prophets. Then you will have success."

21 Jehoshaphat asked the people for advice. Then he appointed men to sing to the Lord. He wanted them to praise him because of his glory and holiness. They marched out in front of the army. They said, "Give thanks to the Lord. His faithful love continues forever."

22 They began to sing and praise him. Then the LORD hid some men and told them to wait. He wanted them to attack the people of Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir. They had gone into Judah and attacked it. But they lost the battle.