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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Chronicles 20:20-30

We have here the foregoing prayer answered and the foregoing promise performed, in the total overthrow of the enemies? forces and the triumph (for so it was rather than a victory) of Jehoshaphat's forces over them. I. Never was army drawn out to the field of battle as Jehoshaphat's was. He had soldiers ready prepared for war (2 Chron. 17:18), but here is no notice taken of their military equipment, their swords or spears, their shields or bows. But Jehoshaphat took care, 1. That faith should... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Chronicles 20:21

And when he had consulted with the people ,.... His principal officers, in what order they should march, and in what manner they should form themselves, when they met the enemy, and how they should conduct as if they were to engage: he appointed singers unto the Lord ; to sing his praise, and give him glory, as if the victory was already completed, it being so sure: and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army ; that is, praise God, who is glorious... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Chronicles 20:22

And when they began to sing and to praise ,.... They sung more or less all the way they went, from the time they set out, but when they came nearer the enemy, they sung louder and louder: the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, which came against Judah ; some take them to be their own ambushments, which they set for the destruction of Judah; but the Lord turned them against their own confederates, mistaking them for Jews; so the Vulgate Latin... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Chronicles 20:22

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 20:1-37

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 20:20-30

A victory without a blow. I. THE MARCH TO TEKOA . ( 2 Chronicles 20:20 , 2 Chronicles 20:21 .) 1 . The composition of the army. 2 . The time of its setting forth. "Early in the morning," i.e. the next after Jahaziel's assurance. An indication of 3 . The address of its king. Standing in the city gate as regiment after regiment filed into line and sallied forth, Jehoshaphat exhorted them (successively) to calm confidence in the ultimate success of the campaign... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 20:21

And when he had consulted with the people ; i.e. possibly simply "conferred with" those who were over the singers, as to who should be the most prominent in leading the service of praise , or as to what should be the words sung and other like matters of detail; or more probably, considering the exact form of language used, the reference is to what we are told Jehoshaphat had just done, to wit, counselled well the people and given good advice to them. Praise the beauty of holiness . The... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 20:22

Set ambushments . The Hebrew is נָתַן מְאָרְבִים , i.e. "set persons lying in wait," or "in ambush" (piel part. plur. of אָרַב ). So 9:25 , but kal participle with apparently future equivalent meaning occurs eighteen times in Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Ezra, Jeremiah, and Lamentations. Who the persons were, supernatural or not, or what their mode of operation, is not told, and is not plain. The effects are quite plain—that first the two confederates, Moab and Ammon, thought... read more

Albert Barnes

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

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