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 .
14 Then in the midst of the assembly the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah , the son of Benaiah , the son of Jeiel , the son of Mattaniah , the Levite of the sons of Asaph ; 15 and he said , "Listen , all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat : thus says the Lord to you, ' Do not fear or be dismayed because e of this great multitude , for the battle is not yours but God's . 16 'Tomorrow go down against them. Behold , they will come up by the ascent of Ziz , and you will find them at the end of the valley in front of the wilderness of Jeruel . 17 'You need not fight in this battle; station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf , O Judah and Jerusalem .' Do not fear or be dismayed ; tomorrow go out to face them, for the Lord is with you." 18 Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground , and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the Lord , worshiping the Lord . 19 The Levites , from the sons of the Kohathites and of the sons of the Korahites , stood up to praise the Lord God of Israel , with a very loud voice .
20 They rose early in the morning and went out to the wilderness of Tekoa ; and when they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said , "Listen to me, O Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem , put your trust in the Lord your God and you will be established . Put your trust in His prophets and succeed ."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 20:12-20
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.
Commentary on 2 Chronicles 20:14-19
(Read 2 Chronicles 20:14-19)
The Spirit of prophecy came upon a Levite in the midst of the congregation. The Spirit, like the wind, blows where and on whom He listeth. He encouraged them to trust in God. Let the Christian soldier go out against his spiritual enemies, and the God of peace will make him more than a conqueror. Our trials will prove our gain. The advantage will be all our own, but the whole glory must be given to God.
Commentary on 2 Chronicles 20:20-30
(Read 2 Chronicles 20:20-30)
Jehoshaphat exhorted his troops to firm faith in God. Faith inspires a man with true courage; nor will any thing help more to the establishing of the heart in shaking times, than a firm belief of the power, and mercy, and promise of God. In all our trust in the Lord, and our praises of him, let us especially look at his everlasting mercy to sinners through Jesus Christ. Never was an army so destroyed as that of the enemy. Thus God often makes wicked people destroy one another. And never was a victory celebrated with more solemn thanksgivings.