God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 . art not . . . rulest not . . . is there not? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 . heathen = nations (Daniel 4:34 , Daniel 4:35 ). in Thine hand. The words of David were accessible to Jehoshaphat (1 Chronicles 29:12 ). See App-47 . so that none = and there is none. read more
2 Chronicles 20:6. And said, O Lord God, &c.— This prayer of Jehoshaphat is deservedly accounted one of the most excellent that we meet with in sacred history. He begins with an acknowledgment of God's supreme and irresistible power, which extends itself every where, over all creatures in heaven and earth, which are every one subject to his authority. Then he remembers the peculiar relation which the people of Israel have to him; the promise that he made to Abraham, as a reward of his... read more
6-12. And said, O Lord God of our fathers—This earnest and impressive prayer embraces every topic and argument which, as king and representative of the chosen people, he could urge. Then it concludes with an earnest appeal to the justice of God to protect those who, without provocation, were attacked and who were unable to defend themselves against overwhelming numbers. 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
Reign of Jehoshaphat (concluded)An account of how a host of Moabites and others invaded Judah; how Jehoshaphat prayed to the Lord, and was directed by Jahaziel not to fear; and how the enemy was overthrown by God.The early part of this chapter is additional to the narrative in 1 K: the latter part reproduces 1 Kings 22:41-49.1. Other beside the Ammonites] better (with LXX), ’some of the Meunim’ (or Maonites): cp. 2 Chronicles 26:7 and Judges 10:12. They seem to have been the people from Mt.... read more
(6) Art not thou God in heaven.—So Psalms 115:2-3. Jehovah, the Worship of Israel, is no limited local or tribal deity, but God over all. (Comp. also the first clause of the Lord’s Prayer.)And rulest not thou over all the kingdoms?—Comp. 1 Chronicles 29:12 (David’s prayer), “and Thou reignest (rulest) over all; and in Thine hand is power and might.” This and next sentence should be rendered affirmatively, as in that place. (Comp. also Psalms 47:8 : “God reigneth over the heathen.”)So that none... read more
2 Chronicles 20:26 The word valley is a poem in itself; it is associated with a great deal that is beautiful, comforting, and that gives the soul a sense of security and plentifulness. The Bible is full of valleys, as it is full of wells. You know this beautiful land of the mountain and the stream and the great flood and the green sward and the unexpected garden and the great and terrible wilderness oh, that world of sand, that foe that mocks the spring, and smites the summer as a woman might... read more
JEHOSHAPHAT-THE DOCTRINE OF NONRESISTANCE2 Chronicles 17:1-19; 2 Chronicles 18:1-34; 2 Chronicles 19:1-11; 2 Chronicles 20:1-37ASA was succeeded by his son Jehoshaphat, and his reign began even more auspiciously than that of Asa. The new king had apparently taken warning from the misfortunes of Asa’s closing years; and as he was thirty-five years old when he came to the throne, he had been trained before Asa fell under the Divine displeasure. He walked in the first ways of his father David,... read more
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Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 2 Chronicles 20:1-37
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