Then Eliezer son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, "Because you have allied yourself with Ahaziah, the LORD has destroyed your works." So the ships were wrecked and were unable to sail to Tarshish. Then Eliezer son of Dodavahu of MareshahThis introduction to Eliezer highlights the importance of prophetic voices in Israel's history. The name "Eliezer" means "God is my help," which is fitting for a prophet who delivers God's message. "Dodavahu" means "beloved of Yahweh," indicating a lineage that is favored by God. "Mareshah" was a city in Judah, known for its strategic location and historical significance. This setting underscores the gravity of the prophecy, as it comes from a place of strength and heritage. prophesied against Jehoshaphat
The act of prophesying "against" someone indicates a divine message of correction or judgment. Jehoshaphat, a king known for his initial faithfulness, is here receiving a rebuke. This highlights the biblical principle that even the righteous are not above correction. Prophecy in this context serves as a divine intervention to redirect the king's actions and align them with God's will. saying, 'Because you have made an alliance with Ahaziah
The alliance with Ahaziah, king of Israel, represents a political and spiritual compromise. Ahaziah was known for his wickedness, and Jehoshaphat's alliance with him signifies a departure from reliance on God. This phrase serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of forming alliances that are not in line with God's commands, emphasizing the need for discernment and faithfulness. the LORD has destroyed your works
This statement is a direct consequence of Jehoshaphat's actions. The "LORD" (Yahweh) is depicted as sovereign and just, actively involved in the affairs of His people. The destruction of Jehoshaphat's works serves as a divine judgment, illustrating the biblical truth that God opposes actions that are contrary to His will. It is a reminder of the futility of human endeavors that are not rooted in obedience to God. So the ships were wrecked
The wrecking of the ships is a tangible manifestation of God's judgment. Ships, often symbols of commerce and exploration, represent human ambition and enterprise. Their destruction signifies the collapse of plans that are not blessed by God. This serves as a powerful reminder of the need to seek God's guidance in all endeavors, trusting that His plans are superior to our own. and were unable to sail to Tarshish
Tarshish, a distant and prosperous land, symbolizes the allure of wealth and worldly success. The inability to reach Tarshish underscores the limitations of human effort without divine favor. This phrase invites reflection on the ultimate purpose of our pursuits, encouraging believers to prioritize spiritual riches over material gain and to trust in God's provision and direction. Persons / Places / Events 1. Eliezer son of DodavahuA prophet from Mareshah who delivered God's message to Jehoshaphat. 2. JehoshaphatThe King of Judah who sought to align with Ahaziah, King of Israel, through a maritime venture. 3. AhaziahThe King of Israel, known for his wickedness and idolatry, who formed an alliance with Jehoshaphat. 4. MareshahA town in Judah, the home of the prophet Eliezer. 5. TarshishA distant port, often associated with wealth and trade, which Jehoshaphat's ships were intended to reach. Teaching Points The Danger of Unequal AlliancesJehoshaphat's alliance with Ahaziah serves as a cautionary tale about forming partnerships with those who do not share a commitment to God. Believers are called to be discerning in their relationships and alliances. The Consequences of DisobedienceThe destruction of the ships is a direct result of Jehoshaphat's disobedience. This illustrates that actions contrary to God's will can lead to failure and loss. The Role of Prophetic WarningEliezer's prophecy underscores the importance of heeding God's warnings. God often uses others to speak truth into our lives, and we must be open to receiving correction. Trusting in God's PlanInstead of relying on human alliances, believers are encouraged to trust in God's provision and guidance. Aligning with God's will leads to true success. Bible Study Questions 1. What can we learn from Jehoshaphat's decision to ally with Ahaziah, and how can this inform our choices in forming partnerships today? 2. How does the outcome of Jehoshaphat's maritime venture illustrate the principle of reaping what we sow, as seen in Galatians 6:7? 3. In what ways can we ensure that we are heeding God's warnings in our lives, similar to the role of Eliezer's prophecy? 4. How does Jehoshaphat's experience challenge us to evaluate our current alliances and relationships in light of biblical principles? 5. Reflect on a time when you faced consequences for a decision that was not aligned with God's will. How did that experience shape your future choices? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Kings 22:48-49This passage provides additional context about Jehoshaphat's alliance with Ahaziah and the failed maritime venture. 2 Chronicles 19:2Jehoshaphat is rebuked by another prophet, Jehu, for his alliances with the wicked, highlighting a pattern of poor alliances. Proverbs 3:5-6Encourages trust in the Lord rather than leaning on one's own understanding, relevant to Jehoshaphat's decision-making. Psalm 1:1Warns against walking in the counsel of the wicked, applicable to Jehoshaphat's alliance with Ahaziah. 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 Able, Ahaziah, Ahazi'ah, Alliance, Allied, Breach, Broken, Destroy, Destroyed, Destruction, Dodavah, Dodavahu, Do-dav'ahu, Eliezer, Elie'zer, Hast, Jehoshaphat, Jehosh'aphat, Joined, Joining, Mareshah, Mare'shah, Power, Prophesied, Prophesy, Prophet, Retained, Sail, Saying, Ships, Tarshish, Thyself, Trade, Works, WreckedDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Chronicles 20:35-37 5205 alliance 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 20:37 NIV2 Chronicles 20:37 NLT2 Chronicles 20:37 ESV2 Chronicles 20:37 NASB2 Chronicles 20:37 KJV
2 Chronicles 20:37 Commentaries
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