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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Chronicles 20:1-13

We left Jehoshaphat, in the foregoing chapter, well employed in reforming his kingdom and providing for the due administration of justice and support of religion in it, and expected nothing but to hear of the peace and prosperity of his reign; but here we have him in distress, which distress, however, was followed by such a glorious deliverance as was an abundant recompence for his piety. If we meet with trouble in the way of duty, we may believe it is that God may have an opportunity of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Chronicles 20:1

It came to pass after this also ,.... After Jehoshaphat's return from Ramothgilead, and putting the civil and religious affairs of his people on a better footing, when he might have expected much peace and prosperity: that the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon ; both the descendants of Lot, see Psalm 83:8 , and with them other besides the Ammonites ; a great company of Arabians, according to Josephus F18 Antiqu. l. 9. c. 1. sect. 2. ; or "with the Meamonites", which... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Chronicles 20:2

Then there came some that told Jehoshaphat ,.... Deserters or spies, or some of the inhabitants of those parts where they had entered, who rode post haste to acquaint him with it: saying, there cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea on this side Syria ; that is, beyond the Dead or Salt sea, the sea of Sodom; the Targum is,"beyond the west of Syria,'that sea being the western boundary of it: and, behold, they be in Hazazontamar, which is Engedi ; See Gill on ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Chronicles 20:3

And Jehoshaphat feared ,.... Exceedingly, as the Targum adds, not merely because of the number of his enemies, for he had forces enough to go forth against them, see 2 Chronicles 17:14 , but chiefly because the Lord had told him that wrath was upon him from him, 2 Chronicles 19:2 and he might fear that this was the time for the execution of it: and set himself to seek the Lord ; by prayer and supplication, with all seriousness, fervour, and constancy: and proclaimed a fast... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Chronicles 20:1

Children of Ammon , and with them other beside the Ammonites - Here there must be a mistake; surely the Ammonites are the same as the children of Ammon. Our translators have falsified the text by inserting the words "other beside," which have nothing properly to represent them in the Hebrew. Literally translated, the words are: "And it happened after this, the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them of the Ammonites:" and thus the Vulgate. The Syriac,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Chronicles 20:2

On this side Syria - Instead of מארם mearam , from Syria, I would read with one of Kennicott's MSS. (89) מאדם meedom , from Edom, which alteration brings it to truth and does not require the change of half a letter, as it consists in the almost imperceptible difference between ר resh and ד daleth . We do not read of any Syrians in this invasion, but we know there were Edomites, or inhabitants of Mount Seir. Hazazon - tamar - "In the wood of palm trees, that is, in... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Chronicles 20:3

Jehoshaphat feared - He found that he could not possibly stand against such a numerous army, and therefore could not expect to be delivered except by the strong arm of God. To get this assistance, it was necessary to seek it; and to get such extraordinary help, they should seek it in an extraordinary way; hence he proclaimed a universal fast, and all the people came up to Jerusalem to seek the Lord. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 20:1

The children of Moab . In 2 Kings 3:5-27 we read of a rebellion on the part of Moab, and of the victory of Israel's king Joram, together with Jehoshaphat and the King of Edom, over Moab, now probably in quest of revenge. Beside the Ammonites . The reading of our Authorized Version here cannot stand. The Septuagint gives us some guidance in the name "the Minoei." By the mere transposing of one Hebrew character in the name Ammonites, we obtain the name Maonites (read מֲעוֹנִים for ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 20:1-4

An alarm of war-an invasion from the East. I. A STARTLING REPORT . The safety of Jehoshaphat's empire was threatened by a formidable foe. 1 . The composition of the enemy. ( 2 Chronicles 20:1 .) 2 . The number of their army. "A great multitude" (verse 2) had often before assailed Israel ( 2 Chronicles 14:11 ; 6:5 ; Joshua 11:4 ), and afterwards did assail Judah ( 2 Chronicles 32:7 ). When Solomon spoke of Israel as a people like the dust for multitude ( 2... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 20:1-13

The source of safety in the hour of peril. Very suddenly does the scene change in these chronicles of the kingdom of Judah. From the peaceful and pleasant duty of completing the arrangements for securing justice throughout the land, Jehoshaphat was driven to consider the alarming intelligence that a powerful combination of enemies was threatening the independence of his kingdom. We learn from these facts— I. THAT WE MAY SUDDENLY FIND OURSELVES IN MOST SERIOUS PERIL ... read more

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