2 Chronicles 20:29

And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of those countries, when they had heard that the LORD fought against the enemies of Israel.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(29) And the fear of God was.—And a divine dread fell upon all the kingdoms of the countries (scil.) around Judah. (See 2Chronicles 17:10, and Psalm 48:7, “Fear took hold upon them there, and pain as of a woman in travail.”)

The Lord fought.—Joshua 10:14; Joshua 10:42; Psalm 46:6. That Jehovah had fought for His people was evident from the catastrophe which had befallen their enemies. The warfare of the Divine Being was seen not apart from, but in a course of events, which, however natural, was almost as marvellous as a visible intervention of angelic hosts.

Benson Commentary

2 Chronicles 20:29-30. The fear of God was on all the kingdoms, &c. — Which were near, or which heard these things. They were afraid to attack or molest the worshippers of a God who was able to help his people in so wonderful a manner. So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet — Those that were displeased at the destroying of the images and groves, were now satisfied, and obliged to own, that since the God of Israel could deliver after this sort, he only ought to be worshipped, and in that way which himself had appointed. So that they were quiet among themselves; and they were also quiet from the fear of insults or injuries from their neighbours, God having given them rest round about.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

20:20-30 Jehoshaphat exhorted his troops to firm faith in God. Faith inspires a man with true courage; nor will any thing help more to the establishing of the heart in shaking times, than a firm belief of the power, and mercy, and promise of God. In all our trust in the Lord, and our praises of him, let us especially look at his everlasting mercy to sinners through Jesus Christ. Never was an army so destroyed as that of the enemy. Thus God often makes wicked people destroy one another. And never was a victory celebrated with more solemn thanksgivings.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The valley of Berachah - Probably, the Wady Bereikut, which lies at a short distance from Tekoa toward the northwest.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

24-26. when Judah came toward the watchtower in the wilderness—Most probably the conical hill, Jebel Fereidis, or Frank Mountain, from the summit of which they obtained the first view of the scene of slaughter. Jehoshaphat and his people found the field strewed with dead bodies, so that they had not to fight at all, but rather to take possession of an immense booty, the collection of which occupied three days. On the fourth they set out on their return to Jerusalem in the same order and joyful mood as they came. The place where they mustered previous to departure was, from their public thanksgiving service, called, "The Valley of Berachah" ("benediction"), now Wady Bereikut.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

On all the kingdoms of those countries which were near, or which heard these things.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of these countries,.... Whose armies were slain, and all other neighbouring ones; for the word these is supplied:

when they had heard that the Lord fought against the enemies of Israel; and they were afraid to invade their land, or make war with them; nor did the Edomites dare to revolt in the times of Jehoshaphat.

Geneva Study Bible

And the {r} fear of God was on all the kingdoms of those countries, when they had heard that the LORD fought against the enemies of Israel.

(r) He declares by this that the works of God always bring comfort or deliverance to his, and fear or destruction to his enemies.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

29. was on all] Rather, came upon all; cp. 2 Chronicles 14:14; 2 Chronicles 17:10.

the kingdoms of those countries] R.V. the kingdoms of the countries (a characteristic phrase with the Chronicler; cp. 2 Chronicles 12:8; 2 Chronicles 17:10 and 1 Chronicles 29:30).

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 29. - With this verse compare particularly vers. 10, 11 of ch. 17. 2 Chronicles 20:29

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

The fame of this victory of the Lord over the enemies of Israel caused the terror of God to be spread abroad over all the kingdoms of the surrounding lands, in consequence of which the kingdom of Judah had rest (cf. 2 Chronicles 17:10). On the last clause of 2 Chronicles 20:30, cf. 2 Chronicles 15:15. This wonderful acts of the Lord is made the subject of praise to God in the Korahite Psalms, Psalm 46:1, Psalm 47:1, and Psalm 48:1, and perhaps also in Psalm 83, composed by an Asaphite, perhaps Jahaziel (see Del. Introduction to these Psalms).