2 Chronicles 20:14

Then upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, came the Spirit of the LORD in the midst of the congregation;

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(14) Then upon.—Literally, and Jahaziel . . . there fell upon him the spirit, &c, as in 2Chronicles 15:1, “The spirit of courage from the Lord.” This Levitical musician is not mentioned elsewhere. His pedigree is traced back for five generations to Mattaniah, which should probably be Nethaniah, a “son of Asaph,” who was contemporary with David (1Chronicles 25:2; 1Chronicles 25:12).

Benson Commentary

2 Chronicles 20:14. Upon Jahaziel came the Spirit of the Lord — It seems he was not a prophet before this time, but was now suddenly inspired by God with the following message, to comfort this great assembly with an assured hope of deliverance, before they stirred from the place where they had prayed. For it is never in vain to seek God; while they were yet speaking, God heard.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

20:14-19 The Spirit of prophecy came upon a Levite in the midst of the congregation. The Spirit, like the wind, blows where and on whom He listeth. He encouraged them to trust in God. Let the Christian soldier go out against his spiritual enemies, and the God of peace will make him more than a conqueror. Our trials will prove our gain. The advantage will be all our own, but the whole glory must be given to God.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

"Mattaniah" is thought to be a corrupt reading for "Nethaniah," who is mentioned among the sons of Asaph in 1 Chronicles 25:2, 1 Chronicles 25:12.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

14-18. Then upon Jahaziel … came the Spirit of the Lord—This prophet is not elsewhere mentioned, but his claim to the inspiration of a prophetic spirit was verified by the calm and distinct announcement he gave, both of the manner and the completeness of the deliverance he predicted.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

He was suddenly inspired by God with the following message.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

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 this came upon him suddenly, while he was in the midst of the congregation, while he and they were waiting upon the Lord, and perhaps had never prophesied before; or if he had, prophecy did not come according to the will of man, but by the will of God; the Spirit of God in that, as in other instances, is like the wind that blows when and where it listeth.

Geneva Study Bible

Then upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, came {i} the Spirit of the LORD in the midst of the congregation;

(i) Who was moved by the Spirit of God to prophecy.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

14–19 (no parallel in Kings). The Prophecy of Jahaziel

14. Jahaziel] Nothing is known of him beyond that which is recorded of him in this chapter. His name is significant (“God giveth visions”).

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 14. - Jahaziel. This Jahaziel, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, is not mentioned elsewhere. His genealogy is traced to Mat-taniah, i.e. Nethaniah (1 Chronicles 25:2), who is parallel with Amariah of 1 Chronicles 6:11. It is very possible that Psalm 83, which is a psalm of Asaph, and which mentions the enmity of Moab, Ammon, and Edom, may be synchronous with this history. 2 Chronicles 20:14

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

The Lord's answer by the prophet Jahaziel. - 2 Chronicles 20:14. In the midst of the assembly the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, and promised miraculous assistance to king and people. Jahaziel's descent is traced back for five generations to the Levite Mattaniah of the sons of Asaph. This Mattaniah is not the same person as the Mattaniah in 1 Chronicles 25:4, 1 Chronicles 25:16, who lived in David's time, for he belonged to the sons of Heman; but perhaps (as Movers conjectures, S. 112) he is identical with the Asaphite Nethaniah, 1 Chronicles 25:2, 1 Chronicles 25:12, since מ and נ might easily be confounded.