2 พงศาวดาร 20:12 วิจารณ์

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.

O our God wilt thou not judge them?.... Bring them to thy bar, examine these facts alleged against them, convict them of injustice, and condemn and punish them for it: for we have no might against the great company that cometh against us; for though the militia of the kingdom of Judah was very numerous, as described Ch2 17:14 yet on a sudden it might not be easy to gather it together; besides, it was nothing to put trust and confidence in; and if the Lord was not with them, their strength would be weakness, and they not able to withstand this numerous army: neither know we what to do; whether to attempt to muster the militia, and go out to meet them, or to shut up themselves in Jerusalem, and make the best defence they could: but our eyes are upon thee; for advice and direction, for help and protection; the eyes of their bodies were lifted up in prayer to him, and the eyes of their souls, of faith, hope, expectation, and desire, were fastened on him.

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.

Wilt thou not judge them - That is, Thou wilt inflict deserved punishment upon them.

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.