201 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 , 6 and he said , "O Lord , the God of our fathers , are You not God in the heavens ? And are You not ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations ? Power and might are in Your hand so that no one can stand against You. 7 "Did You not, O our God , drive out the inhabitants of this land before e Your people Israel and give it to the descendants of Abraham Your friend forever ? 8 "They have lived in it, and have built You a sanctuary there for Your name , saying , 9 ' Should evil come upon us, the sword , or judgment , or pestilence , or famine , we will stand before this house and before You (for Your name is in this house ) and cry to You in our distress , and You will hear and deliver us.' 10 "Now behold , the sons of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir , whom You did not let Israel invade when they came out of the land of Egypt (they turned aside from them and did not destroy them), 11 see how they are rewarding us by coming to drive us out from Your possession which You have given us as an inheritance . 12 "O our God , will You not judge them? For we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do , but our eyes are on You." 13 All Judah was standing before the Lord , with their infants , their wives and their children .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 20:1-13
Commentary on 2 Chronicles 20:1-13
(Read 2 Chronicles 20:1-13)
In all dangers, public or personal, our first business should be to seek help from God. Hence the advantage of days for national fasting and prayer. From the first to the last of our seeking the Lord, we must approach him with humiliation for our sins, trusting only in his mercy and power. Jehoshaphat acknowledges the sovereign dominion of the Divine Providence. Lord, exert it on our behalf. Whom should we seek to, whom should we trust to for relief, but the God we have chosen and served. Those that use what they have for God, may comfortably hope he will secure it to them. Every true believer is a son of Abraham, a friend of God; with such the everlasting covenant is established, to such every promise belongs. We are assured of God's love, by his dwelling in human nature in the person of the Saviour. Jehoshaphat mentions the temple, as a token of God's favourable presence. He pleads the injustice of his enemies. We may well appeal to God against those that render us evil for good. Though he had a great army, he said, We have no might without thee; we rely upon thee.