When the men of Judah came to a place overlooking the wilderness, they looked for the vast army, but there were only corpses lying on the ground; no one had escaped. When the men of Judah came to a place overlooking the wildernessThis phrase sets the scene for a significant moment in the narrative. The men of Judah, led by King Jehoshaphat, had been facing a formidable coalition of enemies. The wilderness mentioned here is likely the Desert of Tekoa, a region south of Jerusalem. This geographical location is significant as it was a strategic vantage point, allowing the men of Judah to survey the battlefield. The wilderness often symbolizes desolation and testing in the Bible, reminiscent of Israel's wanderings and Jesus' temptation. they looked for the vast army
The vast army refers to the coalition of Moabites, Ammonites, and Meunites that had come against Judah. This coalition posed a significant threat due to its size and the combined strength of these nations. The anticipation of seeing such a formidable force would have been daunting for the men of Judah. This moment highlights the human tendency to assess situations based on visible circumstances, often leading to fear and doubt. but there were only corpses lying on the ground
This phrase reveals the miraculous intervention of God. Prior to this, Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah had sought the Lord through prayer and fasting, and God had promised deliverance without the need for battle. The sight of the corpses signifies the fulfillment of God's promise and His power to fight on behalf of His people. This event echoes other instances in Scripture where God delivers His people in unexpected ways, such as the defeat of the Assyrian army in 2 Kings 19:35. no one had escaped
The complete destruction of the enemy forces underscores the totality of God's deliverance. It emphasizes that when God acts, His victory is absolute. This phrase also serves as a reminder of the fate of those who oppose God's people, aligning with the broader biblical theme of divine justice. The thoroughness of this victory prefigures the ultimate triumph of Christ over sin and death, where no enemy will escape His judgment. Persons / Places / Events 1. JehoshaphatThe King of Judah who led his people in seeking the Lord's guidance and deliverance from their enemies. 2. JudahThe southern kingdom of Israel, whose people were under threat from a coalition of enemy nations. 3. The WildernessThe location where the men of Judah found the defeated enemy army, symbolizing a place of testing and divine intervention. 4. The Vast ArmyRefers to the coalition of Moabites, Ammonites, and Meunites who came to attack Judah. 5. Divine InterventionThe miraculous event where God caused confusion among the enemy forces, leading to their self-destruction. Teaching Points Trust in God's SovereigntyJehoshaphat's reliance on God demonstrates the importance of trusting in God's power and plan, even when circumstances seem overwhelming. The Power of Prayer and WorshipJudah's victory was preceded by prayer and worship, highlighting the importance of seeking God and praising Him in the midst of trials. God's DeliveranceThe miraculous defeat of Judah's enemies serves as a reminder that God is capable of delivering us from any situation, often in ways we cannot foresee. Faith Over FearThe account encourages believers to choose faith over fear, knowing that God is in control and will fight on our behalf. Witnessing God's GloryThe aftermath of the battle allowed Judah to witness God's glory and power, encouraging us to look for God's hand in our lives and testify to His greatness. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Jehoshaphat's response to the threat of the vast army challenge us to respond to our own challenges today? 2. In what ways can we incorporate prayer and worship into our daily lives to prepare for spiritual battles? 3. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's deliverance in a seemingly impossible situation. How did it strengthen your faith? 4. How can the account of Judah's victory encourage us to trust in God's sovereignty when facing our own "wilderness" experiences? 5. What practical steps can we take to ensure we are relying on God's strength rather than our own when confronted with life's challenges? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 14:13-14The deliverance of the Israelites at the Red Sea, where God fought for His people, similar to how He delivered Judah. Psalm 46:10Encourages believers to be still and recognize God's sovereignty, reflecting the trust Jehoshaphat had in God's deliverance. Isaiah 41:10God's promise of support and strength, which aligns with the assurance given to Judah in their time of need. Romans 8:31The assurance that if God is for us, no one can stand against us, echoing the victory Judah experienced. Ephesians 6:12The spiritual battle believers face, reminding us that our struggles are not against flesh and blood, but spiritual forces. People Ahaziah, Ammonites, Aram, Asa, Asaph, Azubah, Benaiah, Berachah, Dodavah, Eliezer, Geber, Hanani, Jahaziel, Jehoshaphat, Jehu, Jeiel, Kohathites, Korahites, Korhites, Levites, Maonites, Mattaniah, Meunim, Meunites, Moabites, Seir, Shilhi, Tamar, Tarshish, ZechariahPlaces Ammon, Edom, Egypt, Engedi, Ezion-geber, Hazazon-tamar, Jeruel, Jerusalem, Mareshah, Moab, Mount Seir, Seir, Tarshish, Tekoa, ZizTopics Army, Behold, Bodies, Carcases, Corpses, Dead, Desert, Direction, Escaped, Fallen, Ground, Judah, Lookout, Lying, Mountain-watch, Multitude, None, Overlooking, Overlooks, Stretched, Towards, Tower, Vast, Waste, Watch, Watchtower, Watch-tower, WildernessDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Chronicles 20:15-24 5607 warfare, examples 2 Chronicles 20:20-24 5612 weapons 2 Chronicles 20:22-26 1416 miracles, nature of Library A Strange Battle
'We have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon Thee.'--2 CHRON xx. 12. A formidable combination of neighbouring nations, of which Moab and Ammon, the ancestral enemies of Judah, were the chief, was threatening Judah. Jehoshaphat, the king, was panic-stricken when he heard of the heavy war-cloud that was rolling on, ready to burst in thunder on his little kingdom. His first act was to muster the nation, not as a military levy …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureHolding Fast and Held Fast
'As they went forth Jehoshaphat stood and said, Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established.'--2 CHRON. xx. 20. Certainly no stronger army ever went forth to victory than these Jews, who poured out of Jerusalem that morning with no weapon in all their ranks, and having for their van, not their picked men, but singers who 'praised the beauty of holiness,' and chanted the old hymn, 'Give thanks unto the Lord, for His mercy endureth for ever.' That was all that men had to do in the battle, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Of the Public Fast.
A public fast is when, by the authority of the magistrate (Jonah iii. 7; 2 Chron. xx. 3; Ezra viii. 21), either the whole church within his dominion, or some special congregation, whom it concerneth, assemble themselves together, to perform the fore-mentioned duties of humiliation; either for the removing of some public calamity threatened or already inflicted upon them, as the sword, invasion, famine, pestilence, or other fearful sickness (1 Sam. vii. 5, 6; Joel ii. 15; 2 Chron. xx.; Jonah iii. …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety The Coast of the Asphaltites, the Essenes. En-Gedi.
"On the western shore" (of the Asphaltites) "dwell the Essenes; whom persons, guilty of any crimes, fly from on every side. A nation it is that lives alone, and of all other nations in the whole world, most to be admired; they are without any woman; all lust banished, &c. Below these, was the town Engadda, the next to Jerusalem for fruitfulness, and groves of palm-trees, now another burying-place. From thence stands Massada, a castle in a rock, and this castle not far from the Asphaltites." Solinus, …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica "Thou Shall Keep Him in Perfect Peace, Whose Mind is Stayed on Thee, Because He Trusteth in Thee. "
Isaiah xxvi. 3.--"Thou shall keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee." Christ hath left us his peace, as the great and comprehensive legacy, "My peace I leave you," John xiv. 27. And this was not peace in the world that he enjoyed; you know what his life was, a continual warfare; but a peace above the world, that passeth understanding. "In the world you shall have trouble, but in me you shall have peace," saith Christ,--a peace that shall make trouble …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning That the Employing Of, and Associating with the Malignant Party, According as is Contained in the Public Resolutions, is Sinful and Unlawful.
That The Employing Of, And Associating With The Malignant Party, According As Is Contained In The Public Resolutions, Is Sinful And Unlawful. If there be in the land a malignant party of power and policy, and the exceptions contained in the Act of Levy do comprehend but few of that party, then there need be no more difficulty to prove, that the present public resolutions and proceedings do import an association and conjunction with a malignant party, than to gather a conclusion from clear premises. …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning Commerce
The remarkable change which we have noticed in the views of Jewish authorities, from contempt to almost affectation of manual labour, could certainly not have been arbitrary. But as we fail to discover here any religious motive, we can only account for it on the score of altered political and social circumstances. So long as the people were, at least nominally, independent, and in possession of their own land, constant engagement in a trade would probably mark an inferior social stage, and imply …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Concerning Peaceableness
Blessed are the peacemakers. Matthew 5:9 This is the seventh step of the golden ladder which leads to blessedness. The name of peace is sweet, and the work of peace is a blessed work. Blessed are the peacemakers'. Observe the connection. The Scripture links these two together, pureness of heart and peaceableness of spirit. The wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable' (James 3:17). Follow peace and holiness' (Hebrews 12:14). And here Christ joins them together pure in heart, and peacemakers', …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12 Chronicles
The comparative indifference with which Chronicles is regarded in modern times by all but professional scholars seems to have been shared by the ancient Jewish church. Though written by the same hand as wrote Ezra-Nehemiah, and forming, together with these books, a continuous history of Judah, it is placed after them in the Hebrew Bible, of which it forms the concluding book; and this no doubt points to the fact that it attained canonical distinction later than they. Nor is this unnatural. The book …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 2 Chronicles 20:24 NIV2 Chronicles 20:24 NLT2 Chronicles 20:24 ESV2 Chronicles 20:24 NASB2 Chronicles 20:24 KJV
2 Chronicles 20:24 Commentaries
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