2 Chronicles 20

CHAPTER 20

Jehoshaphat Defeats Moab and Ammon (20:1–30)

1–13 In this chapter we are told that the Moabites and Ammonites with some of the Meunites¹¹ came to make war on Jehoshaphat (verse 1). When Jehoshaphat learned that a vast army of these three nations was coming against him, he immediately resolved to inquire of the LORD¹² as to what he should do (verse 3).

Then Jehoshaphat offered an eloquent prayer to the Lord in the presence of the assembled leaders of Judah, crying out to Him to hear them and to save them (verse 9). He reminded the Lord that they had obeyed His earlier command not to invade Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir (verse 10), the three nations that were now attacking Judah (see Deuteronomy 2:2–6,8–9,1619). But here these nations were repaying the Judahites by attacking them! (verse 11).

14–17 Then the HOLY SPIRIT came upon the prophet Jahaziel, and the Lord spoke to the assembly through him, saying: “Do not be afraid . . . For the battle is not yours, but God’s . . . stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you” (verses 15,17). These words remind us of those spoken by Moses and David at earlier crucial moments in Israel’s history (see Exodus 14:13–14; 1 Samuel 17:47).

18–21 Given this word of assurance from the Lord, the entire assembly bowed down and worshiped Him. In FAITH, even before they knew the outcome, they began praising the Lord for His deliverance (verses 19,21).

22–30 While they were in the very midst of praising God, God was in the process of defeating the enemy. The men of Judah never had to strike a blow: it was indeed God’s battle. Just as He had done for Gideon on an earlier occasion (Judges 7:22), so the Lord caused the three enemy armies to fight among themselves and destroy one another (verses 22–23).

Thus the Lord gave Jehoshaphat and Judah a great victory that day. And the fear of God (verse 29) came upon all the countries around Judah when they heard what the Lord had done (see 2 Chronicles 17:10).

One of the great lessons of this chapter concerns the power of praise. Countless believers have experienced the power of God in their lives as the result of praising Him. The praise must be from the heart; this is not a psychological gimmick. It’s as if God was waiting for us to praise Him before He begins to act. To praise God at the very moment we are experiencing distress, fear, sorrow, or disappointment is to demonstrate true faith in God’s power and goodness; and God always honors true faith. Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah proved it to be so, and so can we.

The End of Jehoshaphat’s Reign (20:31–37)

(1 Kings 22:41–50)

31–37 See 1 Kings 22:41–50 and comment.