2 Chronicles 20:35 Kommentar

We have here, I. The great danger and distress that Jehoshaphat and his kingdom were in from a foreign invasion (Ch2 20:1, Ch2 20:2). II. The pious course he took for their safety, by fasting, and praying, and seeking God (Ch2 20:3-13). III. The assurance which God, by a prophet, immediately gave them of victory (Ch2 20:14-17). IV. Their thankful believing reception of those assurances (Ch2 20:18-21). V. The defeat which God gave to their enemies thereupon (Ch2 20:22-25). VI. A solemn thanksgiving which they kept for their victory, and for a happy consequences of it (Ch2 20:26-30). VII. The conclusion of the reign of Jehoshaphat, not without some blemishes (Ch2 20:31-37).

INTRODUCTION TO 2 CHRONICLES 20 Jehoshaphat having notice of a numerous army coming against him, Ch2 20:1, betakes himself to fasting and prayer with his people, Ch2 20:3, when they were immediately assured of victory by a prophet, which filled them with joy and thankfulness, Ch2 20:14, and accordingly their enemies destroyed one another, and Jehoshaphat and his people returned to Jerusalem rejoicing and praising God, Ch2 20:22, and the chapter is closed with an account of the latter part of Jehoshaphat's reign, Ch2 20:31.

And he joined himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish,.... Of which; see Gill on Kg1 22:48, and though it is there said, Kg1 22:49, that Jehoshaphat refused letting the servants of Ahaziah go with his, that was after he had been reproved for joining with him, and after the ships were broken: and they made the ships in Eziongeber; of which see Gill on Kg1 9:26.

The Moabites, Ammonites, and Edomites, invade Judah, Ch2 20:1, Ch2 20:2. Jehoshaphat proclaims a fast, and gathers the people together to seek the Lord, Ch2 20:3, Ch2 20:4. His prayer to God, Ch2 20:5-12. Great and small, male and female, seek the Lord, Ch2 20:13. Jahaziel predicts the downfall of their enemies, Ch2 20:14-17. The king, the Levites, and the people take courage; praise and magnify God; and go forth to meet their enemies, Ch2 20:18-21. The enemies are confounded, and destroy each other, Ch2 20:22-24. The men of Judah take the spoil, praise the Lord, and return with joy to Jerusalem, Ch2 20:25-28. The fear of the Lord falls upon all their enemies round about; and the land has rest, Ch2 20:29, Ch2 20:30. Transactions and character of Jehoshaphat, Ch2 20:31-34. He joins with Ahaziah, king of Israel, in building a fleet of ships to go to Tarshish, but they are wrecked at Ezion-geber, Ch2 20:35-37.

JEHOSHAPHAT, INVADED BY THE MOABITES, PROCLAIMS A FAST. (2Ch. 20:1-21) the children of Moab . . . Ammon, and with them other beside the Ammonites--supposed to be rather the name of a certain people called Mohammonim or Mehunim (Ch2 26:7), who dwelt in Mount Seir--either a branch of the old Edomite race or a separate tribe who were settled there.

after this did Jehoshaphat . . . join himself with Ahaziah . . . to make ships--A combined fleet was built at Ezion-geber, the destination of which was to voyage to Tartessus, but it was wrecked. Jehoshaphat's motive for entering into this partnership was to secure a free passage through Israel, for the vessels were to be conveyed across the Isthmus of Suez, and to sail to the west of Europe from one of the ports of Palestine on the Mediterranean. Eliezer, a prophet, denounced this unholy alliance, and foretold, as divine judgment, the total wreck of the whole fleet. The consequence was, that although Jehoshaphat broke off--in obedience to the divine will--his league with Ahaziah, he formed a new scheme of a merchant fleet, and Ahaziah wished to be admitted a partner [Kg1 22:48]. The proposal of the Israelitish king was respectfully declined [Kg1 22:49]. The destination of this new fleet was to Ophir, because the Israelitish seaports were not accessible to him for the Tartessus trade; but the ships, when just off the docks, were wrecked in the rocky creek of Ezion-geber. Next: 2 Chronicles Chapter 21