2 Chronicles 20:16

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Chronicles 20:14-19

We have here God's gracious answer to Jehoshaphat's prayer; and it was a speedy answer. While he was yet speaking God heard: before the congregation was dismissed they had assurance given them that they should be victorious; for it is never in vain to seek God. 1. The spirit of prophecy came upon a Levite that was present, not in any place of eminency, but in the midst of the congregation, 2 Chron. 20:14. The Spirit, like the wind, blows where and on whom he listeth. He was of the sons of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Chronicles 20:16

Tomorrow go ye down against them ,.... This was the fast day, and so not proper to march out in, but on the morrow they might go out with great confidence and intrepidity; and as Jerusalem was situated on an eminence, they are directed to go down: behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz ; a steep hill, so called from the flowers upon it: and ye shall find them at the end of the brook ; on the bank of Kidron, according to Beckius, which seems not likely to be meant, since they went... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 20:1-37

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 20:5-19

The prayer of Jehoshaphat. I. THE SCENE . 1 . The place. (1) Jerusalem, the metropolis of the land, whose safety was imperilled. 2 . The assembly . 3 . The suppliant. Jehoshaphat acted as the mouthpiece for himself and his people. Standing forth in the centre of the congregation, he offered "without form or any premeditation (?) one of the most sensible, pious, correct, and, as to its composition, one of the most elegant prayers ever offered under the Old... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 20:14-19

Before the battle: lessons. Having made their appeal to the Lord God of their fathers, Judah now waited for God. Nor had the king and his subjects to wait long. We have here an instance of— I. GOD 'S READINESS TO ANSWER THE PRAYER OF HIS PEOPLE . "In the midst of the congregation," while they were still before the Lord, in the very act and attitude of prayer, an answer was vouchsafed to them. While they were yet speaking, God heard ( Isaiah 65:24 ). Though he does... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 20:16

The cliff of Ziz . Read with Revised Version, the ascent of Ziz (or probably Hazziz ), a place named only here. The Hebrew word here rendered "cliff ' is the familiar מַעֲלֵה , meaning "an ascent," or "a rising ground." It is replaced in the Septuagint by both ἀνάβασις and πρόσβασις . Stanley, in an interesting note on the word, says it is applied to several localities in Palestine, viz.: read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Chronicles 20:15-17

The prophet uses words familiar to the people, and connected with several great deliverances (see the marginal references).2 Chronicles 20:16By the “cliff (or, rather - as in the margin - ascent) of Ziz,” we must understand the mountain path which leads up from Engedi across the elevated tract still known as El-Husasah, in the direction of Tekoa 2 Chronicles 20:20.At the end of the brook - Rather, “at the end of the gulley,” or dry torrent-course. No name like Jeruel has been as yet found in... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Chronicles 20:15-17

2 Chronicles 20:15-17. Thus saith the Lord, Be not afraid You have admitted fear enough to induce you to have recourse to God: now do not give way to that fear which would drive you from him. The battle is not yours It is not in your own cause, nor in your own strength, that you engage; the battle is God’s And he doth and will interest himself in your favour, as you have desired, and will fight for you. To-morrow go ye down From Jerusalem, where he and his army now were, which stood... read more

Donald C. Fleming

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

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