2 Chronicles 20:20. Believe in the Lord your God Believe God’s promise delivered to us by this prophet, and consequently all other predictions of the prophets. So shall ye prosper Take heed lest by your unbelief you frustrate God’s promise. read more
2 Chronicles 20:21. When he had consulted with the people That is, with the elders and heads of the tribes, who represented the rest. He called a council of war, and it was resolved to appoint singers to go out before the army, who had nothing to do but to praise God, to praise his holiness, which is his beauty, to praise him as they did in the temple, that beauty of holiness, “with that good old doxology, which eternity itself,” as Henry says, “will not wear threadbare, Praise the... read more
The reign of Jehoshaphat (17:1-20:37)Jehoshaphat carried on the reform that Asa began, by destroying all the Baal shrines that remained in Judah (17:1-6; cf. 15:17). Positively, he educated the people in the law of God by forming an official group of instructors whom he sent around Judah’s towns and villages. The group consisted of civil leaders, priests and Levites (7-9). He also fortified Judah’s defences and enlarged its army, so that neighbouring countries feared to attack it... read more
the beauty of holiness = in His glorious sanctuary. See note on 1 Chronicles 16:29 . Praise the LORD = Praise Jehovah. App-4 . mercy = lovingkindness, or grace. read more
THE ENEMIES OF ISRAEL DESTROY EACH OTHER"And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; believe in Jehovah your God, and so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper. And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed them that should sing unto Jehovah, and give praise in holy array, as they went out before the army, and say,... read more
20, 21. as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood . . . Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem—probably in the gate of Jerusalem, the place of general rendezvous; and as the people were on the eve of setting out, he exhorted them to repose implicit trust in the Lord and His prophet, not to be timid or desponding at sight of the enemy, but to remain firm in the confident assurance of a miraculous deliverance, without their striking a single stroke. read more
21. he appointed singers . . . that they should praise . . . as they went out before the army—Having arranged the line of procession, he gave the signal to move forwards. The Levites led the van with their musical instruments; and singing the Psalms 136:1-26, the people went on, not as an army marching against an enemy, but returning in joyful triumph after a victory. :-. THE OVERTHROW OF HIS ENEMIES. read more
5. Victory over the Moabite-Ammonite alliance 20:1-30This chapter does not appear in Kings. It illustrates well that "the Lord will rule (judge)," the meaning of Jehoshaphat’s name and the truth that characterized his reign. The motif of retribution is very strong here. God gave victory because Jehoshaphat and Judah trusted and obeyed Him (2 Chronicles 20:17).Jehoshaphat’s prayer (2 Chronicles 20:6-12) was very similar to Solomon’s at the temple dedication (cf. 2 Chronicles 6:12-42).... read more
D. Jehoshaphat chs. 17-20This account of Jehoshaphat’s rule reveals that God was then actively leading His people. These were the years of alliance with Israel, and Ahab was on the throne of the Northern Kingdom.The Chronicler deliberately presented Jehoshaphat’s record very similarly to the way he recounted Asa’s experiences. In chapters 17-20, as in 14-16, we have a series of contrasts that teach the same lessons. These lessons are the importance of depending on Yahweh and being loyal to Him... read more
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Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Chronicles 20:21
Praise the beauty of holiness - Some render, “in the beauty of holiness” - i. e. in rich apparel and ornaments suitable to a holy occasion. Compare Psalms 29:2. read more