2 Chronicles 20:20-30

The Enemies Destroy Themselves

20 Early in the morning they got up and left for the Wilderness of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood up and said, “Hear me, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Believe in the LORD your God, and you will be upheld; believe in His prophets, and you will succeed.”

21 Then Jehoshaphat consulted with the people and appointed those who would sing to the LORD and praise the splendor of His holiness. As they went out before the army, they were singing: “Give thanks to the LORD, for His loving devotion endures forever.”

22 The moment they began their shouts and praises, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir who had come against Judah, and they were defeated.

23 The Ammonites and Moabites rose up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir, devoting them to destruction. ^[a] And when they had finished off the inhabitants of Seir, they helped to destroy one another.

24 When the men of Judah came to a place overlooking the wilderness, they looked for the vast army, but there were only corpses lying on the ground; no one had escaped.

25 Then Jehoshaphat and his people went to carry off the plunder, and they found on the bodies an abundance of goods and valuables ^[b]—more than they could carry away. They were gathering the plunder for three days because there was so much.

The Joyful Return

26 On the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Beracah, ^[c] where they blessed the LORD. Therefore that place is called the Valley of Beracah to this day.

27 Then all the men of Judah and Jerusalem, with Jehoshaphat at their head, returned joyfully to Jerusalem, for the LORD had made them rejoice over their enemies.

28 So they entered Jerusalem and went into the house of the LORD with harps, lyres, and trumpets.

29 And the fear of God came upon all the kingdoms of the lands when they heard that the LORD had fought against the enemies of Israel.

30 Then Jehoshaphat’s kingdom was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side.

2 Chronicles 20:20-30 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.

Footnotes

• [a] Forms of the Hebrew cherem refer to the giving over of things or persons to the LORD, either by destroying them or by giving them as an offering.
• [b] Some Hebrew manuscripts and Vulgate they found among them an abundance of goods and clothing and valuables
• [c] Beracah means blessing.