New International Reader s Version - NIrV - 1996
2 Chronicles 20
1
After that, the Moabites, Ammonites and some Meunites went to war against Jehoshaphat.
2
Some people came and told him, "A huge army is coming from Edom to fight against you. They have come across the Dead Sea. They are already in Hazazon Tamar." Hazazon Tamar is also called En Gedi.
Reference
3
Jehoshaphat was alarmed. So he decided to ask the Lord for advice. He told all of the people of Judah to go without eating.
Reference
Parallel theme
2 Chronicles 19:3
Matthew 10:28
Esther 4:16
References Lord
Daniel 9:3
Jeremiah 36:9
Joel 1:14
1 Samuel 7:6
Jonah 1:16
2 Chronicles 11:16
Judges 20:26
4
The people came together to ask the Lord for help. In fact, they came from every town in Judah to pray to him.
Reference
5
Then Jehoshaphat stood up among the people of Judah and Jerusalem. He was in front of the new courtyard at the Lord's temple.
6
He said, "Lord, you are the God of our people. You are the God who is in heaven. You rule over all of the kingdoms of the nations. Your hands are strong and powerful. No one can fight against you and win.
Reference
Kingdom
Daniel 4:17
Psalm 47:8
Matthew 6:13
Parallel theme
Matthew 6:9
References God
Deuteronomy 4:39
Acts 11:17
Psalm 115:3
Joshua 2:11
1 Kings 8:23
References Lord
Isaiah 66:1
7
"Our God, you drove out the people who lived in this land. You drove them out to make room for your people Israel. You gave this land forever to those who belong to the family line of your friend Abraham.
Reference
Parallel theme
Psalm 44:2
Nehemiah 9:8
Exodus 33:2
Genesis 13:15
Genesis 12:7
References Abraham
Isaiah 41:8
Joshua 24:3
References God
James 2:23
8
"They have lived in this land. They've built a temple here for your Name. They have said,
9
'Suppose trouble comes on us. It doesn't matter whether it's a punishing sword, plague or hunger. We'll serve you. We'll stand in front of this temple where your Name is. We'll cry out to you when we're in trouble. Then you will hear us. You will save us.'
Reference
10
"But here are men from Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir. You wouldn't allow Israel to march in and attack their territory when the Israelites came from Egypt. So Israel turned away from them. They didn't destroy them.
Reference
11
See how they are paying us back. They are coming to drive us out. They want to take over the land you gave us as our share.
12
"Our God, won't you please judge them? We don't have the power to face this huge army that's attacking us. We don't know what to do. But we're looking to you to help us."
Reference
Judgment
Deuteronomy 32:36
Psalm 9:19
Psalm 43:1
1 Samuel 3:13
Judges 11:27
Revelation 19:11
Parallel theme
Psalm 25:15
Jonah 2:4
References God
Psalm 141:8
2 Samuel 14:11
13
All of the men of Judah stood there in front of the Lord. Their wives, children and little ones were with them.
14
Then the Spirit of the Lord came on Jahaziel. He was standing among the people of Israel. He was the son of Zechariah. Zechariah was the son of Benaiah. Benaiah was the son of Jeiel. Jeiel was the son of Mattaniah. Jahaziel was a Levite. He was from the family line of Asaph.
Reference
People
15
Jahaziel said, "King Jehoshaphat, listen! All you who live in Judah and Jerusalem, listen! The Lord says to you, 'Do not be afraid. Do not lose hope because of this huge army. The battle is not yours. It is mine.
Reference
References God
Deuteronomy 31:6
Deuteronomy 20:1
Deuteronomy 20:4
References Lord
Deuteronomy 31:8
1 Samuel 17:47
Joshua 11:6
Nehemiah 4:14
16
" 'Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz. You will find them at the end of the valley in the Desert of Jeruel.
📍 Locations
17
You will not have to fight this battle. Take your positions. Stand firm. You will see how I will save you. Judah and Jerusalem, do not be afraid. Do not lose hope. Go out and face them tomorrow. I will be with you.' "
Reference
Parallel theme
Isaiah 41:10
Matthew 28:20
Romans 8:31
Matthew 1:23
References Lord
2 Chronicles 15:2
2 Chronicles 32:8
Numbers 14:9
Psalm 46:7
Salvation
Lamentations 3:26
Isaiah 30:15
18
Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face toward the ground. All of the people of Judah and Jerusalem also bowed down. They worshiped the Lord.
Reference
19
Then some Levites from the families of Kohath and Korah stood up. They praised the Lord, the God of Israel. They praised him with very loud voices.
Reference
20
Early in the morning all of the people left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they started out, Jehoshaphat stood up. He said, "Judah, listen to me! People of Jerusalem, listen to me! Have faith in the Lord your God. He'll take good care of you. Have faith in his prophets. Then you will have success."
Reference
Faith
John 14:1
John 11:40
Hebrews 11:6
Isaiah 26:3
Exodus 14:31
Isaiah 7:9
Parallel theme
John 13:20
Prophecy
Luke 16:31
References God
Romans 8:31
References Jerusalem
Jeremiah 6:1
21
Jehoshaphat asked the people for advice. Then he appointed men to sing to the Lord. He wanted them to praise him because of his glory and holiness. They marched out in front of the army. They said, "Give thanks to the Lord. His faithful love continues forever."
Reference
22
They began to sing and praise him. Then the Lord hid some men and told them to wait. He wanted them to attack the people of Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir. They had gone into Judah and attacked it. But they lost the battle.
Reference
Parallel theme
Isaiah 19:2
1 Samuel 14:20
2 Chronicles 20:10
References Lord
Ezekiel 38:21
2 Kings 6:17
Judges 7:22
23
The men of Ammon and Moab rose up against the men from Mount Seir. They destroyed them. They put an end to them. When they finished killing the men from Seir, they destroyed each other.
Reference
24
The men of Judah came to the place that looks out over the desert. They turned to look down at the huge army. But all they saw was dead bodies lying there on the ground. No one had escaped.
25
So Jehoshaphat and his men went down there to carry off anything of value. Among the dead bodies they found a lot of supplies, clothes and articles of value. There was more than they could take away. There was so much it took three days to collect all of it.
Reference
26
On the fourth day they gathered together in the Valley of Beracah. There they praised the Lord. That's why it's called the Valley of Beracah to this very day.
Reference
📍 Valley of Beracah
Blessing
Luke 1:68
Parallel theme
Exodus 17:15
Genesis 32:20
2 Chronicles 5:9
References Lord
Isaiah 62:4
1 Samuel 7:12
2 Samuel 22:1
27
Then all of the men of Judah and Jerusalem returned to Jerusalem. They were filled with joy. Jehoshaphat led them. The Lord had made them happy because all of their enemies were dead.
Reference
Creation
Nehemiah 12:43
28
They entered Jerusalem and went to the Lord's temple. They were playing harps, lutes and trumpets.
29
All of the kingdoms of the surrounding countries began to have respect for God. They had heard how the Lord had fought against Israel's enemies.
Reference
Kingdom
2 Chronicles 17:10
2 Kings 7:6
References God
Genesis 35:5
References Lord
2 Chronicles 14:14
30
The kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace. His God had given him peace and rest on every side.
Reference
Parallel theme
2 Chronicles 15:15
31
So Jehoshaphat ruled over Judah. He was 35 years old when he became Judah's king. He ruled in Jerusalem for 25 years. His mother's name was Azubah. She was the daughter of Shilhi.
32
Jehoshaphat followed the ways of his father Asa. He didn't wander away from them. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.
Reference
33
But the high places weren't removed. The people still hadn't worshiped the God of Israel with all their hearts.
Reference
34
The other events of Jehoshaphat's rule from beginning to end are written down. They are written in the official records of Jehu, the son of Hanani. They are written in the records of the kings of Israel.
Reference
35
Jehoshaphat king of Judah and Ahaziah king of Israel agreed to be friends. Ahaziah was guilty of doing what was evil.
36
Jehoshaphat agreed with him to build a lot of ships. They were built at Ezion Geber. They carried goods that were traded for other goods.
Summary of 2 Chronicles 20
This chapter describes one of the most remarkable military deliverances during Jehoshaphat's reign. A huge coalition of enemies approaches Judah, but instead of depending on military strength, Jehoshaphat leads the nation in prayer, fasting, worship, and trust in God.
The chapter begins with a major crisis. The Moabites, Ammonites, and people associated with Mount Seir join together and march against Judah. Their army approaches from the direction of Edom and the Dead Sea, reaching the area of En-gedi.
Jehoshaphat becomes afraid, but his response to fear is significant.
He does not immediately assemble his army and attempt to solve the problem through military strategy. Instead, he seeks the Lord and declares a national fast.
People from throughout Judah gather in Jerusalem. Men, women, and children stand before the Lord as the nation collectively asks for help.
Jehoshaphat then offers a powerful public prayer.
He begins by recognizing God's sovereignty over the nations. He reminds God that He gave the land to Abraham's descendants and that the Temple in Jerusalem had been established as a place where God's people could call upon Him during times of trouble.
Jehoshaphat also reminds God of Judah's past relationship with the nations now attacking them. When Israel originally traveled toward the Promised Land, the Israelites had not destroyed the Ammonites, Moabites, and people of Mount Seir. Now those same peoples have come against Judah.
The king then makes a remarkable admission:
Judah does not know what to do.
But instead of ending there, he says that their eyes are on God.
This statement captures the central message of the chapter. Judah recognizes that its military strength is insufficient and chooses to depend upon God.
God responds through Jahaziel, a Levite from the descendants of Asaph.
Jahaziel tells the people not to be afraid because the battle belongs to God.
Judah is still instructed to go out the next morning and take its position, but the people will not have to fight. They are told to stand firm and watch the Lord provide the victory.
Jehoshaphat and the people respond by worshiping God.
The next morning, Jehoshaphat encourages the people to believe in the Lord and trust His prophets. Then he does something extraordinary: he places singers at the front of the army.
Instead of beginning the march with soldiers and weapons, Judah begins with worship.
The singers praise the Lord and declare His enduring mercy.
As they worship, God causes confusion among the invading forces. The enemy coalition turns against itself.
The Ammonites and Moabites attack the people of Mount Seir, and after destroying them, they turn against one another.
By the time Judah arrives at the battlefield, the invading armies have destroyed themselves.
Judah does not need to conduct a conventional battle.
When the people reach the wilderness overlook, they see the enemy lying dead on the ground. The chapter says that not one enemy had escaped.
The victory then produces an enormous amount of spoil. Judah's people spend three days collecting valuable goods, clothing, and possessions from the defeated armies.
On the fourth day, they gather in the Valley of Berakah, or Valley of Blessing, and praise the Lord.
The people then return to Jerusalem with Jehoshaphat leading them. They enter the city with musical instruments and continue their celebration at the Temple.
The victory has a broader political effect. The surrounding kingdoms hear what has happened and become afraid of God. Judah's enemies are discouraged from attacking, and Jehoshaphat's kingdom experiences peace.
The chapter then gives a broader evaluation of Jehoshaphat's reign. He became king at age 35 and ruled for 25 years. He generally did what was right in God's eyes, although the high places were not completely removed and the people were not completely committed to God.
The chapter ends with another warning about Jehoshaphat's political alliances.
Despite the disastrous experience with Ahab, Jehoshaphat later forms another alliance with Ahaziah, Ahab's son. Together they build a fleet of ships at Ezion-geber.
The prophet Eliezer son of Dodavahu announces that because Jehoshaphat has allied himself with Ahaziah, the Lord will destroy the ships.
The fleet is indeed wrecked.
This ending creates an important contrast with the great victory earlier in the chapter. When Jehoshaphat depends upon God, Judah experiences miraculous deliverance. When he depends upon questionable political alliances, his plans fail.
Historically, the chapter belongs to the 9th century BC, during Jehoshaphat's reign. The locations mentioned, including En-gedi, the wilderness of Tekoa, and Ezion-geber, show the wide geographical range of Judah's political and military activity.
The chapter's central theme is trusting God when circumstances appear impossible.
Jehoshaphat does not pretend that the threat is small. He knows that Judah cannot defeat such a large coalition through its own strength. Instead, he openly admits their weakness and turns the nation's attention toward God.
Another major theme is worship before victory.
Judah praises God before the battle is won. The singers march ahead of the soldiers before anyone knows exactly how the battle will end. Their worship demonstrates confidence that God will fulfill His promise.
The chapter therefore teaches that faith does not mean pretending that danger does not exist. Jehoshaphat is genuinely afraid. But fear leads him to seek God rather than to abandon hope.
The statement "we do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You" captures the attitude of the entire chapter.
The story also shows that God's deliverance can occur in unexpected ways. Judah does not win through superior weapons or military strategy. The enemy destroys itself.
At the same time, the chapter does not portray Jehoshaphat as perfect. His later alliance with Ahaziah shows that he continued to struggle with political compromise. His experience demonstrates that one great victory does not eliminate the need for continued wisdom and faithfulness.
Overall, 2 Chronicles Chapter 20 presents one of the clearest examples in Scripture of a nation facing overwhelming danger by turning to God rather than relying on its own strength.
Jehoshaphat's response follows a powerful pattern:
Fear ? Prayer ? Fasting ? God's Word ? Worship ? Trust ? Deliverance ? Thanksgiving.
The chapter ultimately teaches that when God's people recognize their limitations and sincerely turn their attention toward Him, they can face seemingly impossible circumstances with confidence. Judah's victory is presented not as the result of superior military power but as an unmistakable demonstration that the battle belongs to the Lord.
The chapter begins with a major crisis. The Moabites, Ammonites, and people associated with Mount Seir join together and march against Judah. Their army approaches from the direction of Edom and the Dead Sea, reaching the area of En-gedi.
Jehoshaphat becomes afraid, but his response to fear is significant.
He does not immediately assemble his army and attempt to solve the problem through military strategy. Instead, he seeks the Lord and declares a national fast.
People from throughout Judah gather in Jerusalem. Men, women, and children stand before the Lord as the nation collectively asks for help.
Jehoshaphat then offers a powerful public prayer.
He begins by recognizing God's sovereignty over the nations. He reminds God that He gave the land to Abraham's descendants and that the Temple in Jerusalem had been established as a place where God's people could call upon Him during times of trouble.
Jehoshaphat also reminds God of Judah's past relationship with the nations now attacking them. When Israel originally traveled toward the Promised Land, the Israelites had not destroyed the Ammonites, Moabites, and people of Mount Seir. Now those same peoples have come against Judah.
The king then makes a remarkable admission:
Judah does not know what to do.
But instead of ending there, he says that their eyes are on God.
This statement captures the central message of the chapter. Judah recognizes that its military strength is insufficient and chooses to depend upon God.
God responds through Jahaziel, a Levite from the descendants of Asaph.
Jahaziel tells the people not to be afraid because the battle belongs to God.
Judah is still instructed to go out the next morning and take its position, but the people will not have to fight. They are told to stand firm and watch the Lord provide the victory.
Jehoshaphat and the people respond by worshiping God.
The next morning, Jehoshaphat encourages the people to believe in the Lord and trust His prophets. Then he does something extraordinary: he places singers at the front of the army.
Instead of beginning the march with soldiers and weapons, Judah begins with worship.
The singers praise the Lord and declare His enduring mercy.
As they worship, God causes confusion among the invading forces. The enemy coalition turns against itself.
The Ammonites and Moabites attack the people of Mount Seir, and after destroying them, they turn against one another.
By the time Judah arrives at the battlefield, the invading armies have destroyed themselves.
Judah does not need to conduct a conventional battle.
When the people reach the wilderness overlook, they see the enemy lying dead on the ground. The chapter says that not one enemy had escaped.
The victory then produces an enormous amount of spoil. Judah's people spend three days collecting valuable goods, clothing, and possessions from the defeated armies.
On the fourth day, they gather in the Valley of Berakah, or Valley of Blessing, and praise the Lord.
The people then return to Jerusalem with Jehoshaphat leading them. They enter the city with musical instruments and continue their celebration at the Temple.
The victory has a broader political effect. The surrounding kingdoms hear what has happened and become afraid of God. Judah's enemies are discouraged from attacking, and Jehoshaphat's kingdom experiences peace.
The chapter then gives a broader evaluation of Jehoshaphat's reign. He became king at age 35 and ruled for 25 years. He generally did what was right in God's eyes, although the high places were not completely removed and the people were not completely committed to God.
The chapter ends with another warning about Jehoshaphat's political alliances.
Despite the disastrous experience with Ahab, Jehoshaphat later forms another alliance with Ahaziah, Ahab's son. Together they build a fleet of ships at Ezion-geber.
The prophet Eliezer son of Dodavahu announces that because Jehoshaphat has allied himself with Ahaziah, the Lord will destroy the ships.
The fleet is indeed wrecked.
This ending creates an important contrast with the great victory earlier in the chapter. When Jehoshaphat depends upon God, Judah experiences miraculous deliverance. When he depends upon questionable political alliances, his plans fail.
Historically, the chapter belongs to the 9th century BC, during Jehoshaphat's reign. The locations mentioned, including En-gedi, the wilderness of Tekoa, and Ezion-geber, show the wide geographical range of Judah's political and military activity.
The chapter's central theme is trusting God when circumstances appear impossible.
Jehoshaphat does not pretend that the threat is small. He knows that Judah cannot defeat such a large coalition through its own strength. Instead, he openly admits their weakness and turns the nation's attention toward God.
Another major theme is worship before victory.
Judah praises God before the battle is won. The singers march ahead of the soldiers before anyone knows exactly how the battle will end. Their worship demonstrates confidence that God will fulfill His promise.
The chapter therefore teaches that faith does not mean pretending that danger does not exist. Jehoshaphat is genuinely afraid. But fear leads him to seek God rather than to abandon hope.
The statement "we do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You" captures the attitude of the entire chapter.
The story also shows that God's deliverance can occur in unexpected ways. Judah does not win through superior weapons or military strategy. The enemy destroys itself.
At the same time, the chapter does not portray Jehoshaphat as perfect. His later alliance with Ahaziah shows that he continued to struggle with political compromise. His experience demonstrates that one great victory does not eliminate the need for continued wisdom and faithfulness.
Overall, 2 Chronicles Chapter 20 presents one of the clearest examples in Scripture of a nation facing overwhelming danger by turning to God rather than relying on its own strength.
Jehoshaphat's response follows a powerful pattern:
Fear ? Prayer ? Fasting ? God's Word ? Worship ? Trust ? Deliverance ? Thanksgiving.
The chapter ultimately teaches that when God's people recognize their limitations and sincerely turn their attention toward Him, they can face seemingly impossible circumstances with confidence. Judah's victory is presented not as the result of superior military power but as an unmistakable demonstration that the battle belongs to the Lord.