2 Chronicles 20:1-8

Jehoshaphat Defeats Moab and Ammon

1 After this, the Moabites and Ammonites with some of the Meunites^[a] came to wage war against Jehoshaphat.

2 Some people came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army is coming against you from Edom,^[b] from the other side of the Dead Sea. It is already in Hazezon Tamar” (that is, En Gedi).

3 Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the LORD, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah.

4 The people of Judah came together to seek help from the LORD; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him.

5 Then Jehoshaphat stood up in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem at the temple of the LORD in the front of the new courtyard

6 and said: “LORD, the God of our ancestors, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you.

7 Our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend?

8 They have lived in it and have built in it a sanctuary for your Name, saying,

2 Chronicles 20:1-8 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO 2 CHRONICLES 20

Jehoshaphat having notice of a numerous army coming against him, 2Ch 20:1,2, betakes himself to fasting and prayer with his people, 2Ch 20:3-13, when they were immediately assured of victory by a prophet, which filled them with joy and thankfulness, 2Ch 20:14-21, and accordingly their enemies destroyed one another, and Jehoshaphat and his people returned to Jerusalem rejoicing and praising God, 2Ch 20:22-30, and the chapter is closed with an account of the latter part of Jehoshaphat's reign, 2Ch 20:31-37.

Cross References

• 1. Psalms 83:6
• 2. S 1 Chronicles 4:41
• 3. 2 Chronicles 24:24
• 4. S Genesis 14:7
• 5. S 1 Samuel 23:29; Song of Songs 1:14
• 6. 1 Samuel 7:6; 2 Chronicles 19:3; Ezra 8:21; Ezra 8:23; Nehemiah 1:4; Esther 4:16; Isaiah 58:6; Jeremiah 36:9; Daniel 9:3; Joel 1:14; Joel 2:15; John 3:5,7
• 7. Jeremiah 36:6
• 8. Matthew 6:9
• 9. Deuteronomy 4:39
• 10. 1 Chronicles 29:11-12
• 11. 2 Chronicles 25:8; Job 25:2; Job 41:10; Job 42:2; Isaiah 14:27; Jeremiah 32:27; Jeremiah 49:19
• 12. S Genesis 12:7
• 13. Isaiah 41:8; James 2:23
• 14. 2 Chronicles 6:20

Footnotes

• [a]. Some Septuagint manuscripts; Hebrew "Ammonites"
• [b]. One Hebrew manuscript; most Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint and Vulgate "Aram"