II Chronicles 20: A Testament to Faith and Divine Deliverance
It came to pass after this also, that the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them other beside the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle.
Then there came some that told Jehoshaphat, saying, There cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea on this side Syria; and, behold, they be in Hazazon–tamar, which is En–gedi.
And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.
And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the Lord: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord.
And Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the Lord, before the new court,
And said, O Lord God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee?
Art not thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend for ever?
And they dwelt therein, and have built thee a sanctuary therein for thy name, saying,
If, when evil cometh upon us, as the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we stand before this house, and in thy presence, (for thy name is in this house,) and cry unto thee in our affliction, then thou wilt hear and help.
And now, behold, the children of Ammon and Moab and mount Seir, whom thou wouldest not let Israel invade, when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned from them, and destroyed them not;
Behold, I say, how they reward us, to come to cast us out of thy possession, which thou hast given us to inherit.
O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.
And all Judah stood before the Lord, with their little ones, their wives, and their children.
Then 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, came the Spirit of the Lord in the midst of the congregation;
And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the Lord unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s.
To morrow go ye down against them: behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz; and ye shall find them at the end of the brook, before the wilderness of Jeruel.
Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the Lord will be with you.
And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the Lord, worshipping the Lord.
And the Levites, of the children of the Kohathites, and of the children of the Korhites, stood up to praise the Lord God of Israel with a loud voice on high.
And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.
And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the Lord, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the Lord; for his mercy endureth for ever.
And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.
For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of mount Seir, utterly to slay and destroy them: and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one helped to destroy another.
And when Judah came toward the watch tower in the wilderness, they looked unto the multitude, and, behold, they were dead bodies fallen to the earth, and none escaped.
And when Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away the spoil of them, they found among them in abundance both riches with the dead bodies, and precious jewels, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away: and they were three days in gathering of the spoil, it was so much.
And on the fourth day they assembled themselves in the valley of Berachah; for there they blessed the Lord: therefore the name of the same place was called, The valley of Berachah, unto this day.
Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat in the forefront of them, to go again to Jerusalem with joy; for the Lord had made them to rejoice over their enemies.
And they came to Jerusalem with psalteries and harps and trumpets unto the house of the Lord.
And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of those countries, when they had heard that the Lord fought against the enemies of Israel.
So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet: for his God gave him rest round about.
And Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah: he was thirty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi.
And he walked in the way of Asa his father, and departed not from it, doing that which was right in the sight of the Lord.
Howbeit the high places were not taken away: for as yet the people had not prepared their hearts unto the God of their fathers.
Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of Jehu the son of Hanani, who is mentioned in the book of the kings of Israel.
And after this did Jehoshaphat king of Judah join himself with Ahaziah king of Israel, who did very wickedly:
And he joined himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish: and they made the ships in Ezion–geber.
Then Eliezer the son of Dodavah of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, Because thou hast joined thyself with Ahaziah, the Lord hath broken thy works. And the ships were broken, that they were not able to go to Tarshish.
II Chronicles 20 recounts a powerful story of faith, prayer, and divine intervention in the face of overwhelming odds. This chapter serves as a timeless reminder that when we feel helpless and surrounded by seemingly insurmountable challenges, looking to the Lord is always the most powerful and effective response. The narrative unfolds with Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, facing a massive coalition of enemies, and it culminates in a miraculous victory orchestrated by God Himself. This chapter holds profound lessons for believers today, highlighting the importance of trusting in God's promises, seeking His guidance through prayer, and responding to His deliverance with worship and praise.
Facing an Overwhelming Threat (II Chronicles 20:1-12)
The chapter opens with alarming news: the Moabites and Ammonites, along with some of the Meunites, were mounting a formidable attack against Judah (II Chronicles 20:1). Jehoshaphat, understandably, was afraid. This fear, however, did not paralyze him. Instead, it drove him to seek the Lord with unwavering determination. He proclaimed a nationwide fast and gathered the people of Judah to seek guidance and deliverance from God (II Chronicles 20:3-4).
Jehoshaphat's prayer, offered in the assembly, is a model of humility, faith, and dependence on God (II Chronicles 20:6-12). He begins by acknowledging God's sovereignty over all nations and His unmatched power (II Chronicles 20:6). He reminds God of His covenant with Abraham and His gift of the land to Abraham's descendants (II Chronicles 20:7). He then recalls Solomon's prayer at the temple dedication, trusting in God's promise to hear and deliver His people when they call upon Him in times of distress (II Chronicles 20:8-9). Finally, he lays out the current threat, acknowledging Judah's weakness and imploring God to intervene on their behalf (II Chronicles 20:10-12). Jehoshaphat's prayer reflects a deep understanding of God's character, His promises, and His power to deliver. He recognized their vulnerability but placed his complete trust in God's ability to protect them.
Jehoshaphat's familiarity with Solomon's prayer (see II Chronicles 6:28-30) reveals his knowledge of Scripture and his reliance on God's established patterns of faithfulness. He understood that the crisis they faced was precisely the kind of situation Solomon had addressed in his prayer, where the Lord would go out from His temple and fight for His people. Jehoshaphat's appeal was based on the promise of God's intervention, a promise he knew God would keep.
This section is a powerful example of how believers should respond to crises. While fear is a natural human emotion, it should not dictate our actions. Instead, like Jehoshaphat, we should turn to the Lord in prayer, remembering His promises and trusting in His power to deliver us.
God's Assurance and the Power of Worship (II Chronicles 20:13-19)
God answers Jehoshaphat's prayer through Jahaziel, a Levite, upon whom the Spirit of the Lord came (II Chronicles 20:14). Jahaziel delivers a message of reassurance and divine intervention: "Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's" (II Chronicles 20:15). This powerful declaration underscores the central theme of the chapter: that victory comes not through human strength or strategy, but through God's power. God assures them that they would not even need to fight in the battle (II Chronicles 20:17). They simply needed to stand firm, see the salvation of the Lord, and worship Him.
The response to this prophetic word is immediate and profound. Jehoshaphat and all the people of Judah bowed down in worship, acknowledging God's sovereignty and expressing their gratitude for His promise of deliverance (II Chronicles 20:18). The Levites then stood up and praised the Lord with loud voices (II Chronicles 20:19). This act of worship before the battle demonstrates their complete trust in God's ability to deliver them. They had won the victory on their faces, in worship, before a single sword was drawn.
This section highlights the importance of worship in the face of adversity. When we are overwhelmed by challenges, turning to God in worship can shift our focus from our problems to His power and faithfulness. Worship is an act of surrender, acknowledging that we are not in control but that God is. It is also an act of faith, expressing our belief that God is able to do what He has promised.
Miraculous Deliverance and the Reign of Peace (II Chronicles 20:20-30)
The next morning, Jehoshaphat exhorts the people to believe in the Lord their God, promising that they would be established; and to believe His prophets, promising that they would prosper (II Chronicles 20:20). He then takes an unconventional approach to warfare: he appoints singers to go before the army, praising the Lord and declaring His steadfast love (II Chronicles 20:21). This act of faith, seemingly foolish to the world, unleashes God's power.
As the singers began to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the Ammonites, Moabites, and those from Mount Seir who had come against Judah, and they were defeated (II Chronicles 20:22-23). The enemy forces turned on each other, resulting in complete annihilation. When Jehoshaphat and his army arrived at the battlefield, they found only corpses (II Chronicles 20:24). The victory was entirely God's doing.
The people of Judah spent three days gathering the plunder, so abundant was the spoil (II Chronicles 20:25). On the fourth day, they gathered in the Valley of Beracah (meaning "blessing") to bless the Lord for His faithfulness (II Chronicles 20:26). They then returned to Jerusalem with rejoicing, led by Jehoshaphat, and entered the temple to give thanks to God (II Chronicles 20:27-28).
The result of this miraculous deliverance was peace and prosperity for Judah. The fear of God fell on all the surrounding kingdoms, and Jehoshaphat's kingdom enjoyed rest (II Chronicles 20:29-30). This section emphasizes that true peace and security come not from military might, but from trusting in God and obeying His commands.
This section is a powerful reminder that God often works in unexpected ways. Jehoshaphat's unconventional battle plan, putting singers in front of the army, demonstrates the importance of trusting in God's guidance, even when it doesn't make sense from a human perspective. God's ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9).
Jehoshaphat's Later Years and a Costly Mistake (II Chronicles 20:31-37)
The chronicler notes that Jehoshaphat did what was right in the sight of the Lord (II Chronicles 20:32). However, even this righteous king was not without his flaws. The chapter concludes with a brief account of Jehoshaphat's alliance with Ahaziah, the wicked king of Israel, in a commercial venture involving ships sailing to Tarshish (II Chronicles 20:35-36).
Eliezer the prophet rebuked Jehoshaphat for this alliance, and the ships were wrecked by the hand of the Lord (II Chronicles 20:37). This incident serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us that even when we have experienced God's blessings and favor, we must remain vigilant and avoid compromising our faith by aligning ourselves with those who are opposed to God's will. This alliance was a case of light attempting to partner with darkness, an inherently flawed and ultimately disastrous endeavor.
This concluding section highlights the importance of discernment and the need to avoid compromising our faith, even in seemingly insignificant matters. It reminds us that even righteous leaders are not immune to making mistakes and that we must always seek God's guidance in all our decisions.
II Chronicles 20 offers a powerful and inspiring account of faith, prayer, and divine deliverance. It teaches us that when we face overwhelming challenges, we can turn to the Lord in prayer, trust in His promises, and respond to His deliverance with worship and praise. It also reminds us of the importance of discernment and the need to avoid compromising our faith. May this chapter encourage us to live lives of unwavering faith and dependence on God, knowing that He is always faithful to deliver those who trust in Him. As the key message from Jahaziel stated, "the battle is not yours, but God's." This truth remains a timeless source of hope and strength for believers facing any kind of adversity.
It came to pass after this also, that the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them other beside the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle.
Then there came some that told Jehoshaphat, saying, There cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea on this side Syria; and, behold, they be in Hazazon–tamar, which is En–gedi.
And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.
And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the Lord: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord.
And Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the Lord, before the new court,
And said, O Lord God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee?
Art not thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend for ever?
And they dwelt therein, and have built thee a sanctuary therein for thy name, saying,
If, when evil cometh upon us, as the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we stand before this house, and in thy presence, (for thy name is in this house,) and cry unto thee in our affliction, then thou wilt hear and help.
And now, behold, the children of Ammon and Moab and mount Seir, whom thou wouldest not let Israel invade, when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned from them, and destroyed them not;
Behold, I say, how they reward us, to come to cast us out of thy possession, which thou hast given us to inherit.
O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.
And all Judah stood before the Lord, with their little ones, their wives, and their children.
Then 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, came the Spirit of the Lord in the midst of the congregation;
And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the Lord unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s.
To morrow go ye down against them: behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz; and ye shall find them at the end of the brook, before the wilderness of Jeruel.
Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the Lord will be with you.
And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the Lord, worshipping the Lord.
And the Levites, of the children of the Kohathites, and of the children of the Korhites, stood up to praise the Lord God of Israel with a loud voice on high.
And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.
And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the Lord, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the Lord; for his mercy endureth for ever.
And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.
For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of mount Seir, utterly to slay and destroy them: and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one helped to destroy another.
And when Judah came toward the watch tower in the wilderness, they looked unto the multitude, and, behold, they were dead bodies fallen to the earth, and none escaped.
And when Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away the spoil of them, they found among them in abundance both riches with the dead bodies, and precious jewels, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away: and they were three days in gathering of the spoil, it was so much.
And on the fourth day they assembled themselves in the valley of Berachah; for there they blessed the Lord: therefore the name of the same place was called, The valley of Berachah, unto this day.
Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat in the forefront of them, to go again to Jerusalem with joy; for the Lord had made them to rejoice over their enemies.
And they came to Jerusalem with psalteries and harps and trumpets unto the house of the Lord.
And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of those countries, when they had heard that the Lord fought against the enemies of Israel.
So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet: for his God gave him rest round about.
And Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah: he was thirty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi.
And he walked in the way of Asa his father, and departed not from it, doing that which was right in the sight of the Lord.
Howbeit the high places were not taken away: for as yet the people had not prepared their hearts unto the God of their fathers.
Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of Jehu the son of Hanani, who is mentioned in the book of the kings of Israel.
And after this did Jehoshaphat king of Judah join himself with Ahaziah king of Israel, who did very wickedly:
And he joined himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish: and they made the ships in Ezion–geber.
Then Eliezer the son of Dodavah of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, Because thou hast joined thyself with Ahaziah, the Lord hath broken thy works. And the ships were broken, that they were not able to go to Tarshish.
II Chronicles 20 recounts a powerful story of faith, prayer, and divine intervention in the face of overwhelming odds. This chapter serves as a timeless reminder that when we feel helpless and surrounded by seemingly insurmountable challenges, looking to the Lord is always the most powerful and effective response. The narrative unfolds with Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, facing a massive coalition of enemies, and it culminates in a miraculous victory orchestrated by God Himself. This chapter holds profound lessons for believers today, highlighting the importance of trusting in God's promises, seeking His guidance through prayer, and responding to His deliverance with worship and praise.
Facing an Overwhelming Threat (II Chronicles 20:1-12)
The chapter opens with alarming news: the Moabites and Ammonites, along with some of the Meunites, were mounting a formidable attack against Judah (II Chronicles 20:1). Jehoshaphat, understandably, was afraid. This fear, however, did not paralyze him. Instead, it drove him to seek the Lord with unwavering determination. He proclaimed a nationwide fast and gathered the people of Judah to seek guidance and deliverance from God (II Chronicles 20:3-4).
Jehoshaphat's prayer, offered in the assembly, is a model of humility, faith, and dependence on God (II Chronicles 20:6-12). He begins by acknowledging God's sovereignty over all nations and His unmatched power (II Chronicles 20:6). He reminds God of His covenant with Abraham and His gift of the land to Abraham's descendants (II Chronicles 20:7). He then recalls Solomon's prayer at the temple dedication, trusting in God's promise to hear and deliver His people when they call upon Him in times of distress (II Chronicles 20:8-9). Finally, he lays out the current threat, acknowledging Judah's weakness and imploring God to intervene on their behalf (II Chronicles 20:10-12). Jehoshaphat's prayer reflects a deep understanding of God's character, His promises, and His power to deliver. He recognized their vulnerability but placed his complete trust in God's ability to protect them.
Jehoshaphat's familiarity with Solomon's prayer (see II Chronicles 6:28-30) reveals his knowledge of Scripture and his reliance on God's established patterns of faithfulness. He understood that the crisis they faced was precisely the kind of situation Solomon had addressed in his prayer, where the Lord would go out from His temple and fight for His people. Jehoshaphat's appeal was based on the promise of God's intervention, a promise he knew God would keep.
This section is a powerful example of how believers should respond to crises. While fear is a natural human emotion, it should not dictate our actions. Instead, like Jehoshaphat, we should turn to the Lord in prayer, remembering His promises and trusting in His power to deliver us.
God's Assurance and the Power of Worship (II Chronicles 20:13-19)
God answers Jehoshaphat's prayer through Jahaziel, a Levite, upon whom the Spirit of the Lord came (II Chronicles 20:14). Jahaziel delivers a message of reassurance and divine intervention: "Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's" (II Chronicles 20:15). This powerful declaration underscores the central theme of the chapter: that victory comes not through human strength or strategy, but through God's power. God assures them that they would not even need to fight in the battle (II Chronicles 20:17). They simply needed to stand firm, see the salvation of the Lord, and worship Him.
The response to this prophetic word is immediate and profound. Jehoshaphat and all the people of Judah bowed down in worship, acknowledging God's sovereignty and expressing their gratitude for His promise of deliverance (II Chronicles 20:18). The Levites then stood up and praised the Lord with loud voices (II Chronicles 20:19). This act of worship before the battle demonstrates their complete trust in God's ability to deliver them. They had won the victory on their faces, in worship, before a single sword was drawn.
This section highlights the importance of worship in the face of adversity. When we are overwhelmed by challenges, turning to God in worship can shift our focus from our problems to His power and faithfulness. Worship is an act of surrender, acknowledging that we are not in control but that God is. It is also an act of faith, expressing our belief that God is able to do what He has promised.
Miraculous Deliverance and the Reign of Peace (II Chronicles 20:20-30)
The next morning, Jehoshaphat exhorts the people to believe in the Lord their God, promising that they would be established; and to believe His prophets, promising that they would prosper (II Chronicles 20:20). He then takes an unconventional approach to warfare: he appoints singers to go before the army, praising the Lord and declaring His steadfast love (II Chronicles 20:21). This act of faith, seemingly foolish to the world, unleashes God's power.
As the singers began to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the Ammonites, Moabites, and those from Mount Seir who had come against Judah, and they were defeated (II Chronicles 20:22-23). The enemy forces turned on each other, resulting in complete annihilation. When Jehoshaphat and his army arrived at the battlefield, they found only corpses (II Chronicles 20:24). The victory was entirely God's doing.
The people of Judah spent three days gathering the plunder, so abundant was the spoil (II Chronicles 20:25). On the fourth day, they gathered in the Valley of Beracah (meaning "blessing") to bless the Lord for His faithfulness (II Chronicles 20:26). They then returned to Jerusalem with rejoicing, led by Jehoshaphat, and entered the temple to give thanks to God (II Chronicles 20:27-28).
The result of this miraculous deliverance was peace and prosperity for Judah. The fear of God fell on all the surrounding kingdoms, and Jehoshaphat's kingdom enjoyed rest (II Chronicles 20:29-30). This section emphasizes that true peace and security come not from military might, but from trusting in God and obeying His commands.
This section is a powerful reminder that God often works in unexpected ways. Jehoshaphat's unconventional battle plan, putting singers in front of the army, demonstrates the importance of trusting in God's guidance, even when it doesn't make sense from a human perspective. God's ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9).
Jehoshaphat's Later Years and a Costly Mistake (II Chronicles 20:31-37)
The chronicler notes that Jehoshaphat did what was right in the sight of the Lord (II Chronicles 20:32). However, even this righteous king was not without his flaws. The chapter concludes with a brief account of Jehoshaphat's alliance with Ahaziah, the wicked king of Israel, in a commercial venture involving ships sailing to Tarshish (II Chronicles 20:35-36).
Eliezer the prophet rebuked Jehoshaphat for this alliance, and the ships were wrecked by the hand of the Lord (II Chronicles 20:37). This incident serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us that even when we have experienced God's blessings and favor, we must remain vigilant and avoid compromising our faith by aligning ourselves with those who are opposed to God's will. This alliance was a case of light attempting to partner with darkness, an inherently flawed and ultimately disastrous endeavor.
This concluding section highlights the importance of discernment and the need to avoid compromising our faith, even in seemingly insignificant matters. It reminds us that even righteous leaders are not immune to making mistakes and that we must always seek God's guidance in all our decisions.
II Chronicles 20 offers a powerful and inspiring account of faith, prayer, and divine deliverance. It teaches us that when we face overwhelming challenges, we can turn to the Lord in prayer, trust in His promises, and respond to His deliverance with worship and praise. It also reminds us of the importance of discernment and the need to avoid compromising our faith. May this chapter encourage us to live lives of unwavering faith and dependence on God, knowing that He is always faithful to deliver those who trust in Him. As the key message from Jahaziel stated, "the battle is not yours, but God's." This truth remains a timeless source of hope and strength for believers facing any kind of adversity.