2 Chronicles 20:20

Enemies Destroy Themselves

20 They rose early in the morning and went out to the wilderness of Tekoa; and when they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, "Listen to me, O Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, ¹put your trust in the LORD your God and you will be established. Put your trust in His prophets and succeed."

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 his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the LORD , worshiping the LORD .

19 The Levites, from the sons of the Kohathites and of the sons of the Korahites, stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel, with a very loud voice.

20 They rose early in the morning and went out to the wilderness of Tekoa; and when they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, "Listen to me, O Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, put your trust in the LORD your God and you will be established. Put your trust in His prophets and succeed."

21 When he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who sang to the LORD and those who praised Him in holy attire, as they went out before the army and said, "Give thanks to the LORD , for His lovingkindness is everlasting."

22 When they began singing and praising, the LORD set ambushes against the sons of Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; so they were routed.

Cross References

• 1. Isaiah 7:9