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Matthew Henry

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 20:14

Then upon Jahaziel, the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah , the son of Jehiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite, of the sons of Asaph ,.... Being a man of some note, though a Levite, his genealogy is given: came the Spirit of the Lord in the midst of the congregation ; the spirit of prophecy from the Lord, as the Targum, as it was; for he foretold the victory that should be obtained over the enemy, and that without fighting, yea, the particular place where they should meet them; and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Chronicles 20:15

And he said, hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou King Jehoshaphat ,.... There is a climax or gradation in these words rising from the lowest to the highest; from the people of the cities in the country, to the inhabitants of Jerusalem the metropolis, and from thence to the king the supreme governor: thus saith the Lord unto you, be not afraid, nor dismayed, by reason of this great multitude ; whose numbers were discouraging to the king, and he had taken... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Chronicles 20:15

For the battle is not yours , but God ' s - God will not employ you in the discomfiture of this great host; he himself will take the matter in hand, deliver you, and destroy them. 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 20:5-19

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

Jahaziel . This Jahaziel, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, is not mentioned elsewhere. His genealogy is traced to Mattaniah, i.e. Nethaniah ( 1 Chronicles 25:2 ), who is parallel with Amariah of 1 Chronicles 6:11 . It is very possible that Psalms 83:1-18 ; which is a psalm of Asaph, and which mentions the enmity of Moab, Ammon, and Edom, may be synchronous with this history. 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 20:15

The battle is not yours, but God's; i.e. God will do the fighting (see 2 Chronicles 20:17 , first and third clauses); so also 1 Samuel 17:47 . read more

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