Thematic Bible
2 Chronicles 20:1 (show verse)
Shortly after that the Moabites, Ammonites, and some of the Meunites came to wage war against Jehoshaphat.
2 Chronicles 20:2 (show verse)
Some men reported to Jehoshaphat: A large crowd is coming against you from the other side of the Dead Sea, from Edom. The crowd is already in Hazazon Tamar (En Gedi).
2 Chronicles 20:3 (show verse)
Jehoshaphat was frightened and decided to ask for Jehovah's help. He announced a fast throughout Judah.
2 Chronicles 20:4 (show verse)
The people of Judah gathered to seek Jehovah's help. They came from every city in Judah.
2 Chronicles 20:5 (show verse)
In the new courtyard at Jehovah's Temple, Jehoshaphat stood in front of the people.
2 Chronicles 20:6 (show verse)
He prayed aloud: O Jehovah, God of our ancestors, you rule in heaven over all the nations of the world. You are powerful and mighty. No one can oppose you.
2 Chronicles 20:7 (show verse)
You are our God. When your people Israel moved into this land, you drove out the people who were living here and gave the land to the descendants of Abraham, your friend, to be theirs from generation to generation.
2 Chronicles 20:8 (show verse)
Our ancestors lived in this land and built a Temple to honor you.
2 Chronicles 20:9 (show verse)
They believed that whenever this land is struck by war, judgement, disease, or famine, your people can pray to you at the Temple. You will hear their prayer and save them.
2 Chronicles 20:10 (show verse)
You can see that the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Edom are attacking us! Those are the nations you would not let our ancestors invade on their way from Egypt. Consequently these nations were not destroyed.
2 Chronicles 20:11 (show verse)
They are now paying us back by coming to force us out of your land that you gave to us.
2 Chronicles 20:12 (show verse)
You are our God. Will you judge them? We do not have the strength to face this large crowd that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, so we are looking to you.
2 Chronicles 20:13 (show verse)
All the people from Judah, their infants, wives, and children were standing in front of Jehovah.
2 Chronicles 20:14 (show verse)
Then Jehovah's Spirit came to Jahaziel. He was the son of Zechariah, grandson of Benaiah, great-grandson of Jeiel, whose father was Mattaniah, a Levite descended from Asaph.
2 Chronicles 20:15 (show verse)
Jahaziel said: Pay attention to me, everyone from Judah, everyone living in Jerusalem, and King Jehoshaphat. This is what Jehovah says to you: 'Do not be frightened or terrified by this large crowd. The battle is not yours. It is God's.
2 Chronicles 20:16 (show verse)
Attack them tomorrow as they come up the pass at Ziz. Meet them at the end of the valley that leads to the wild country near Jeruel.
2 Chronicles 20:17 (show verse)
You will not have to fight this battle. Just take up your positions and wait. You will see Jehovah give you victory. People of Judah and Jerusalem, do not hesitate or be afraid.' Go out to battle. Jehovah will be with you!
2 Chronicles 20:18 (show verse)
Then King Jehoshaphat bowed low. His face was touching the ground. All the people bowed with him and worshiped Jehovah.
2 Chronicles 20:19 (show verse)
The members of the Levite clans of Kohath and Korah stood up and with a loud shout praised Jehovah, the God of Israel.
2 Chronicles 20:20 (show verse)
Early the next morning the people went out to the wild country near Tekoa. Before they began Jehoshaphat addressed them with these words: 'People of Judah and Jerusalem! Put your trust in Jehovah your God. You will stand your ground. Believe what his prophets tell you, and you will succeed.
2 Chronicles 20:21 (show verse)
After consulting with the people, the king ordered some musicians to put on the robes they wore on sacred occasions and to march ahead of the army. They sang: 'Praise Jehovah! His love is eternal!'
2 Chronicles 20:22 (show verse)
As soon as they began singing, Jehovah confused the enemy camp,
2 Chronicles 20:23 (show verse)
The Ammonite and Moabite troops attacked and completely destroyed those from Edom. Then they turned against each other and fought until the entire camp was wiped out!
2 Chronicles 20:24 (show verse)
Judah's army reached the tower that overlooked the desert. They saw that every soldier in the enemy's army was lying dead on the ground.
2 Chronicles 20:25 (show verse)
Jehoshaphat and his troops came to take the loot. They found among them a lot of goods, clothes, and valuables. They found more than they could carry. They spent three days collecting the loot.
2 Chronicles 20:26 (show verse)
They gathered in the valley of Beracah on the fourth day. Because they thanked Jehovah there, that place is still called the Valley of Beracah (Thanks) today.
2 Chronicles 20:27 (show verse)
All the men of Judah and Jerusalem returned to Jerusalem. They rejoiced while Jehoshaphat led them. Jehovah gave them a reason to rejoice about what had happened to their enemies.
2 Chronicles 20:28 (show verse)
They brought harps, lyres, and trumpets to Jehovah's Temple in Jerusalem.
2 Chronicles 20:29 (show verse)
Deep respect for Jehovah came over the kingdoms in that area when they heard how Jehovah waged war against Israel's enemies.
2 Chronicles 20:30 (show verse)
Jehoshaphat's kingdom was peaceful, since his God surrounded him with peace.
2 Chronicles 20:31 (show verse)
Jehoshaphat ruled as king of Judah. He was thirty-five years old when he began to rule. He ruled for twenty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Azubah, daughter of Shilhi.
2 Chronicles 20:32 (show verse)
Jehoshaphat carefully followed the example his father Asa had set and did what Jehovah considered right.
2 Chronicles 20:33 (show verse)
However the illegal worship sites on the hills were not torn down. The people still did not have their hearts set on the God of their ancestors.
2 Chronicles 20:34 (show verse)
Everything else about Jehoshaphat from first to last is written in the records of Jehu, son of Hanani, which is included in the Book of the Kings of Israel.
2 Chronicles 20:35 (show verse)
After this, King Jehoshaphat of Judah allied himself with King Ahaziah of Israel, who led him to do evil.
2 Chronicles 20:36 (show verse)
Jehoshaphat joined him in making ships to go to Tarshish. They made the ships in Ezion Geber.
2 Chronicles 20:37 (show verse)
Eliezer was the son of Dodavahu from Mareshah. He prophesied against Jehoshaphat. He said: Jehovah will destroy your work because you have allied yourself with Ahaziah. The ships were wrecked and could not go to Tarshish.