2 Chronicles 20:8 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 they dwelt therein,.... From ages past, hitherto, since it was first given them, and they were put into the possession of it: and have built thee a sanctuary therein for thy name; a temple for his worship, honour, and glory, and for him to dwell in; and is a reason why it might be hoped he would protect them, especially when they prayed to him: saying; and he promised to hear and help them, as follows.

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.

Therein for thy name - "For the name of thy Word." - Targum.

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.

In this land they dwelt, and built Thee therein a sanctuary for Thy name; cf. Ch2 6:5, Ch2 6:8. לאמר, saying, i.e., at the consecration of this house, having expressed the confident hope contained in the following words (Ch2 20:9). In this verse, the cases enumerated in Solomon's dedicatory prayer, in which supplication is made that God would hear in the temple, are briefly summed up. By referring to that prayer, Jehoshaphat presupposes that Jahve had promised that He would answer prayer offered there, since He had filled the temple with His glory; see Ch2 7:1-3. The name שׁפות, which occurs only here, between דּבר and חרב, denotes in this connection a punitive judgment.