So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet ,.... Both within and without; they were at peace among themselves, and none from abroad dared to molest them: for his God gave him rest round about ; from all his enemies; the Targum has it, the Word of his God; and so, in the preceding verse, the Word of the Lord fought; and in 2 Chronicles 20:28 the Word of the Lord made them rejoice. read more
Believe in the Lord your God - "Believe in the Word of the Lord your God, and believe in his law, and believe in his prophets; and ye shall prosper." Here the Word and the revelation are most pointedly distinguished; the Word being used personally. read more
The Lord set ambushments - "The Word of the Lord placed snares among the children of Ammon and Moab; and the inhabitants of the mountain of Gibla, who came to fight with Judah; and they were broken to pieces:" so the Targum. Houbigant translates the place thus: "The Lord set against the children of Ammon and Moab ambushments of those who came from Mount Seir against Judah; and the children of Ammon and Moab were smitten: but they afterwards rose up against the inhabitants of Mount... read more
Both riches with the dead bodies - For פגרים peparim , dead bodies, בגדים begadim , garments, is the reading of eight MSS. in the collections of Kennicott and De Rossi, and in several ancient editions. None of the versions have dead bodies except the Chaldee. The words might be easily mistaken for each other, as the פ pe , if a little faint in the under dot might easily pass for a ב beth ; and we know that the ר resh and ד daleth , are frequently... read more
Assembled themselves in the valley of Berachah - "The valley of Benediction;" and so in the latter clause. - Targum. read more
Jehoshaphat in the forefront of them - He was their leader in all these spiritual, holy, fatiguing, and self-denying exercises. What a noble and persuasive pattern! read more
The Lord fought - "The Word of the Lord made war against the enemies of Israel." - Targum. read more
The last chapter in Jehoshaphat's career. The aspects in which the character of Jehoshaphat offers itself to our view, in the last seen of him, are now to be considered. Few men there are who bear themselves well in prosperity, especially if the prosperity be great; and many there are who fail to submit well to the discipline of adversity. Of this latter weakness of human nature it can scarcely be said that Jehoshaphat was an illustration. The punishment that had been foretold, that solemn... read more
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John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Chronicles 20:29
And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of these countries ,.... Whose armies were slain, and all other neighbouring ones; for the word these is supplied: when they had heard that the Lord fought against the enemies of Israel ; and they were afraid to invade their land, or make war with them; nor did the Edomites dare to revolt in the times of Jehoshaphat. read more