2 Chronicles 20

In this chapter, Jehoshaphat faces a sudden threat from a vast army made up of Moabites, Ammonites, and other allies. Instead of panicking, Jehoshaphat seeks God's help through prayer and fasting, demonstrating his faith in God's power. The chapter highlights how God miraculously intervenes, bringing about a victory for Judah without them needing to fight. This story underscores the importance of trusting in God during times of overwhelming adversity.

2 Chronicles 20:1-5 (NKJV)
1 It happened after this that the people of Moab with the people of Ammon, and others with them besides the Ammonites, came to battle against Jehoshaphat.
2 Then some came and told Jehoshaphat, saying, “A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, from Syria; and they are in Hazazon Tamar” (which is En Gedi).
3 And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.
4 So Judah gathered together to ask help from the Lord; and from all the cities of Judah they came 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,

Jehoshaphat is warned of a large coalition coming to attack Judah, which leads to fear. However, instead of succumbing to it, Jehoshaphat immediately turns to God. He calls for the nation to fast and seek divine help, gathering everyone at the temple to pray. The king shows his dependence on God in the face of overwhelming odds, leading the nation to unite in seeking God's intervention.

2 Chronicles 20:6 (NKJV)
6 and said: “O Lord God of our fathers, are You not God in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations, and in Your hand is there not power and might, so that no one is able to withstand You?

Jehoshaphat begins his prayer by acknowledging God’s sovereignty over all the nations and His supreme power. He recalls that God is the ruler of heaven and earth, and no enemy can resist His might. By starting the prayer this way, Jehoshaphat reminds himself and the people of God’s authority and their reliance on Him.

2 Chronicles 20:7 (NKJV)
7 Are You not our God, who drove out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel, and gave it to the descendants of Abraham Your friend forever?

Jehoshaphat continues by recalling God’s past faithfulness, specifically how He had driven out enemies in the past and given the land to Israel. He refers to Abraham as God's friend, emphasizing the special relationship between Israel and God, and appealing to that covenant relationship for protection in the present crisis.

2 Chronicles 20:8-9 (NKJV)
8 And they dwell in it, and have built You a sanctuary in it for Your name, saying,
9 ‘If disaster comes upon us—sword, judgment, pestilence, or famine—we will stand before this temple and in Your presence (for Your name is in this temple), and cry out to You in our affliction, and You will hear and save.’

Jehoshaphat reminds God of His promise to hear the prayers of His people when they cry out in the temple, no matter the disaster. This recalls Solomon’s dedication of the temple in 1 Kings 8, where God had promised to hear His people's cries. Jehoshaphat appeals to this assurance of divine intervention when facing danger.

2 Chronicles 20:10-12 (NKJV)
10 And now, here are the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir—whom You would not let Israel invade when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned from them and did not destroy them—
11 here they are, rewarding us by coming to throw us out of Your possession which You have given us to inherit.
12 O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.”

Jehoshaphat points out the injustice of the current invasion: these nations were spared by Israel during their journey from Egypt, yet now they repay Israel with aggression. The king acknowledges Judah’s helplessness, confessing that they have no strength to face this enemy, but he demonstrates complete trust by declaring that their eyes are on God for help and guidance.

2 Chronicles 20:13-15 (NKJV)
13 Now all Judah, with their little ones, their wives, and their children, stood before the Lord.
14 Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, in the midst of the assembly.
15 And he said, “Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the Lord to you: ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.

As the people gather in unity, God speaks through Jahaziel, a Levite, reassuring them not to fear the enormous army. God declares that the battle belongs to Him, not the people. This promise brings hope and relief, as it reminds Judah that God Himself will fight on their behalf, making victory certain.

2 Chronicles 20:16-17 (NKJV)
16 Tomorrow go down against them. They will surely come up by the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the brook before the Wilderness of Jeruel.
17 You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you.”

God gives specific instructions for where the enemy will be and reassures Judah that they won’t need to fight. They are to stand firm, trusting in God, and watch Him deliver them. This is a powerful reminder that faith requires action but also waiting on God to fulfill His promise.

2 Chronicles 20:18-19 (NKJV)
18 And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem bowed before the Lord, worshiping the Lord.
19 Then the Levites of the children of the Kohathites and of the children of the Korahites stood up to praise the Lord God of Israel with voices loud and high.

Jehoshaphat’s response is one of deep reverence, bowing in worship, followed by all the people. The Levites lead the congregation in praising God loudly. Their worship shows their trust in God’s promise of victory even before it happens, a true expression of faith.

2 Chronicles 20:20-22 (NKJV)
20 So they rose early in the morning and went out into the Wilderness of Tekoa; and as they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: Believe in the Lord your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper.”
21 And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the Lord, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying: “Praise the Lord, for His mercy endures forever.”
22 Now when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated.

Jehoshaphat encourages the people to believe in God’s word through the prophets. He then appoints singers to lead the army with praise. As they begin singing, God miraculously defeats the enemy by setting ambushes. This shows the power of worship and faith, as God intervenes when His people put their trust in Him.

2 Chronicles 20:23-24 (NKJV)
23 For the people of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir to utterly kill and destroy them. And when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, they helped to destroy one another.
24 So when Judah came to a place overlooking the wilderness, they looked toward the multitude; and there were their dead bodies, fallen on the earth. No one had escaped.

God causes confusion among the enemy forces, leading them to turn on one another. By the time the people of Judah arrive to the battlefield, the enemy is already completely destroyed. Judah witnesses God's miraculous intervention, where they didn’t even have to engage in combat but found their enemies defeated.

2 Chronicles 20:25 (NKJV)
25 When Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away their spoil, they found among them an abundance of valuables on the dead bodies, and precious jewelry, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away; and they were three days gathering the spoil because there was so much.

The victory not only saves Judah from destruction but also brings them great material blessings. The people of Judah spend three days collecting the spoils from their defeated enemies, showing the extent of God’s provision and the overwhelming nature of the victory He provided for them.

2 Chronicles 20:26 (NKJV)
26 And on the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Berachah, for there they blessed the Lord; therefore the name of that place was called The Valley of Berachah until this day.

After gathering the spoils, the people gather in the Valley of Berachah (which means “blessing”) to praise and thank God for their victory. Their gratitude marks the place with a new name, symbolizing how God had blessed them beyond just military triumph but with abundant provisions as well.

2 Chronicles 20:27-28 (NKJV)
27 Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, with Jehoshaphat in front of them, to go back to Jerusalem with joy, for the Lord had made them rejoice over their enemies.
28 So they came to Jerusalem, with stringed instruments and harps and trumpets, to the house of the Lord.

The people return to Jerusalem, full of joy and celebration, led by Jehoshaphat. Their worship continues with music and singing in the temple, giving glory to God for His deliverance. Their victory is not just a military one, but a spiritual renewal, bringing them back to worship at the house of God.

2 Chronicles 20:29-30 (NKJV)
29 And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of those countries when they heard that the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel.
30 Then the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet, for his God gave him rest all around.

The surrounding nations hear of God's intervention and are filled with fear, recognizing His power in fighting for Israel. This victory leads to a period of peace for Judah, as no one dares to attack them. God gives Jehoshaphat and his kingdom rest from war, fulfilling His promise of protection.

2 Chronicles 20:31-32 (NKJV)
31 So Jehoshaphat was king over Judah. He was thirty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned twenty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi.
32 And he walked in the way of his father Asa, and did not turn aside from it, doing what was right in the sight of the Lord.

Jehoshaphat’s reign is characterized by faithfulness to God. Like his father Asa, he does what is right before the Lord. His consistent obedience to God plays a key role in the peace and success Judah experiences during his reign. Jehoshaphat’s leadership stands as an example of faith-led governance.

2 Chronicles 20:33 (NKJV)
33 Nevertheless the high places were not taken away, for as yet the people had not directed their hearts to the God of their fathers.

Despite Jehoshaphat’s faithfulness, not all the religious reforms were completed. The people still maintained the high places, sites associated with pagan worship. This suggests that while Jehoshaphat did much to lead Judah toward God, there were still areas where the people's full commitment to God was lacking.

2 Chronicles 20:34 (NKJV)
34 Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, first and last, indeed they are written in the book of Jehu the son of Hanani, which is mentioned in the book of the kings of Israel.

This verse refers to the historical records of Jehoshaphat's reign, which are written in another chronicle by Jehu, a prophet. This mention underscores that Jehoshaphat’s life was documented beyond this biblical account, reinforcing his significant role in Judah’s history and his lasting legacy.

2 Chronicles 20:35-37 (NKJV)
35 After this Jehoshaphat king of Judah allied himself with Ahaziah king of Israel, who acted very wickedly.
36 And he allied himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish, and they made the ships in Ezion Geber.
37 But Eliezer the son of Dodavah of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, “Because you have allied yourself with Ahaziah, the Lord has destroyed your works.” Then the ships were wrecked, so that they were not able to go to Tarshish.

Jehoshaphat’s one major failure is his alliance with Ahaziah, the wicked king of Israel. This partnership, aimed at building a fleet of ships, ends in disaster as the ships are destroyed. God uses the prophet Eliezer to declare that this failure is due to Jehoshaphat’s alliance with an unrighteous king, showing that God does not bless partnerships with evil.