2 Chronicles 20:3

3 Jehoshaphat was afraid and ¹turned his attention to seek the LORD, and ²proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.

2 Chronicles 20:3 Meaning and Commentary

2 Chronicles 20:3

And Jehoshaphat feared
Exceedingly, as the Targum adds, not merely because of the number of his enemies, for he had forces enough to go forth against them, see ( 2 Chronicles 17:14-19 ) , but chiefly because the Lord had told him that wrath was upon him from him, ( 2 Chronicles 19:2 ) and he might fear that this was the time for the execution of it: and set himself to seek the Lord;
by prayer and supplication, with all seriousness, fervour, and constancy: and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah;
a day of humiliation and mourning for sin before the Lord; when they were ordered to abstain from bodily food and labour, that they might be fit and more at leisure for spiritual exercises.

2 Chronicles 20:3 In-Context

1 Now it came about after this that the sons of Moab and the sons of Ammon, together with some of the Meunites, came to make war against Jehoshaphat.

2 Then some came and reported to Jehoshaphat, saying, "A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, out of Aram and behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar (that is Engedi )."

3 Jehoshaphat was afraid and turned his attention to seek the LORD , and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.

4 So Judah gathered together to seek help from the LORD ; they even came from all the cities of Judah to seek the LORD .

5 Then Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD before the new court,

Cross References

• 1. 2 Chronicles 19:3
• 2. 1 Samuel 7:6; Ezra 8:21

Footnotes

• [a] Lit "set his face"