2 Chronicles 20
20
The Lord Gives Jehoshaphat Military Success
1 Later the Moabites and Ammonites, along with some of the Meunites,#tc The Hebrew text has “Ammonites,” but they are mentioned just before this. Most translations, following some mss of the LXX, read “Meunites” (see 1 Chr 26:7; so NASB, NIV, NRSV). attacked Jehoshaphat. 2 Messengers#tn Heb “they”; the implied referent (messengers) has been specified in the translation for clarity. arrived and reported to Jehoshaphat, “A huge army is attacking you from the other side of the Dead Sea,#tn Heb “the Sea”; in context (“from the direction of Edom”) this must refer to the Dead Sea, which has been specified in the translation for clarity (cf. NEB, NLT). from the direction of Edom.#tc Most Hebrew mss read “from Aram” (i.e., Syria), but this must be a corruption of “Edom,” which is the reading of the LXX and Vulgate. Look, they are in Hazezon Tamar (that is, En Gedi).” 3 Jehoshaphat was afraid, so he decided to seek the Lord’s advice.#tn Heb “and he set his face to seek the Lord.” He decreed that all Judah should observe a fast. 4 The people of Judah#tn The words “the people of” are supplied in the translation for clarity. The Hebrew text uses the name “Judah” by metonymy for the people of Judah. assembled to ask for the Lord’s help;#tn Heb “to seek from the Lord.” The verb here (בָּקַשׁ, baqash) is different from the one translated “seek” in v. 3 (דָּרַשׁ, darash). they came from all the cities of Judah to ask for the Lord’s help.#tn Heb “to seek the Lord.” The verb here (ָָבּקַשׁ, baqash) is different from the one translated “seek” in v. 3 (דָּרַשׁ, darash).
5 Jehoshaphat stood before the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem#map For location see Map5-B1; Map6-F3; Map7-E2; Map8-F2; Map10-B3; JP1-F4; JP2-F4; JP3-F4; JP4-F4. at the Lord’s temple, in front of the new courtyard. 6 He prayed: “O Lord God of our ancestors,#tn Heb “fathers” (also in v. 33). you are the God who lives in heaven#tn Heb “are you not God in heaven?” The rhetorical question expects the answer “yes,” resulting in the positive statement “you are the God who lives in heaven” employed in the translation. and rules over all the kingdoms of the nations. You possess strength and power; no one can stand against you. 7 Our God, you drove out#tn Heb “did you not drive out?” This is another rhetorical question which expects a positive response; see the note on the word “heaven” in the previous verse. the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and gave it as a permanent possession#tn Heb “permanently.” to the descendants of your friend#tn Or perhaps “your covenantal partner.” See Isa 41:8. Abraham. 8 They settled down in it and built in it a temple#tn Or “sanctuary.” to honor you,#tn Heb “for your name.” The word “name” sometimes refers to one’s reputation or honor (thus the translation here, “to honor you”). saying, 9 ‘If disaster comes on us in the form of military attack,#tn Heb “sword.” judgment, plague, or famine, we will stand in front of this temple before you, for you are present in this temple.#tn Heb “for your name is in this house.” The “name” of the Lord sometimes designates the Lord himself, being indistinguishable from the proper name. In this case the temple is referred to as a “house” where the Lord himself can reside. We will cry out to you for help in our distress, so that you will#tn Or “so that you may.” hear and deliver us.’ 10 Now the Ammonites, Moabites, and men from Mount Seir are coming!#tn Heb “now, look, the sons of Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir.” When Israel came from the land of Egypt, you did not allow them to invade these lands.#tn Heb “whom you did not allow Israel to enter when they came from the land of Egypt.” They bypassed them and did not destroy them. 11 Look how they are repaying us! They come to drive us out of our allotted land which you assigned to us! 12 Our God, will you not judge them? For we are powerless against this huge army that attacks us! We don’t know what we should do; we look to you for help.”#tn Heb “for [or “indeed”] upon you are our eyes.”
13 All the men of Judah#tn Heb “Judah.” The words “the men of” are supplied in the translation for clarity. The Hebrew text uses the name “Judah” by metonymy for the men of Judah. were standing before the Lord, along with their infants, wives, and children. 14 Then in the midst of the assembly, the Lord’s Spirit came upon Jachaziel son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite and descendant of Asaph. 15 He said: “Pay attention, all you people of Judah,#tn Heb “all Judah.” The words “you people of” are supplied in the translation for clarity. The Hebrew text uses the name “Judah” by metonymy for the people of Judah. Unlike the previous instance in v. 13 where infants, wives, and children are mentioned separately, this reference appears to include them all. residents of Jerusalem, and King Jehoshaphat! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Don’t be afraid and don’t panic#tn Or perhaps “don’t get discouraged.” because of this huge army! For the battle is not yours, but God’s. 16 Tomorrow march down against them as#tn Heb “look.” they come up the Ascent of Ziz. You will find them at the end of the ravine in front of the Desert of Jeruel. 17 You will not fight in this battle. Take your positions, stand, and watch the Lord deliver you,#tn Heb “the deliverance of the Lord with you.” O Judah and Jerusalem. Don’t be afraid and don’t panic!#tn Or perhaps “don’t get discouraged.” Tomorrow march out toward them; the Lord is with you!’”
18 Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face toward the ground, and all the people of Judah#tn Heb “all Judah.” The words “you people of” are supplied in the translation for clarity. See the note on the word “Judah” in v. 15. and the residents of Jerusalem fell down before the Lord and worshiped him.#tn Heb “to worship the Lord.” 19 Then some Levites, from the Kohathites and Korahites, got up and loudly praised the Lord God of Israel.#tn Heb “arose to praise the Lord God of Israel with a very loud voice.”
20 Early the next morning they marched out to the Desert of Tekoa. When they were ready to march, Jehoshaphat stood up and said: “Listen to me, you people of Judah#tn Heb “O Judah.” The words “you people of” are supplied in the translation for clarity. See the note on the word “Judah” in v. 15. and residents of Jerusalem! Trust in the Lord your God and you will be safe!#tn There is a wordplay in the Hebrew text. The Hiphil verb form הַאֲמִינוּ (ha’aminu, “trust”) and the Niphal form תֵאָמֵנוּ (te’amenu, “you will be safe”) come from the same verbal root (אָמַן, ’aman). Trust in the message of his prophets and you will win.” 21 He met#tn Or “consulted.” with the people and appointed musicians to play before the Lord and praise his majestic splendor. As they marched ahead of the warriors they said: “Give thanks to the Lord, for his loyal love endures.”#tn Or “is eternal.”
22 When they began to shout and praise, the Lord suddenly attacked#tn Heb “set ambushers against.” This is probably idiomatic here for launching a surprise attack. the Ammonites, Moabites, and men from Mount Seir#tn Heb “the sons of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir.” who were invading Judah, and they were defeated. 23 The Ammonites and Moabites attacked the men from Mount Seir#tn Heb “the sons of Ammon and Moab stood against the residents of Mount Seir.” and annihilated them.#tn Heb “to annihilate and to destroy.” When they had finished off the men#tn Heb “residents.” of Seir, they attacked and destroyed one another.#tn Heb “they helped, each one his fellow, for destruction.” The verb עָזַר (’azar), traditionally understood as the well-attested verb meaning “to help,” is an odd fit in this context. It is possible that it is from a homonymic root, perhaps meaning to “attack.” This root is attested in Ugaritic in a nominal form meaning “young man, warrior, hero.” For a discussion of the proposed root, see HALOT 811 s.v. II עזר. 24 When the men of Judah#tn Heb “Judah.” The words “the men of” are supplied in the translation for clarity. The Hebrew text uses the name “Judah” by metonymy for the men of Judah. arrived at the observation post overlooking the desert and looked at#tn Heb “turned toward.” the huge army, they saw dead bodies on the ground; there were no survivors! 25 Jehoshaphat and his men#tn Or “army.” went to gather the plunder; they found a huge amount of supplies, clothing#tc The MT reads פְגָרִים (fÿgarim, “corpses”), but this seems odd among a list of plunder. A few medieval Hebrew mss and the Vulgate read בְגָדִים (vÿgadim, “clothing”), which fits the context much better. and valuable items. They carried away everything they could.#tn Heb “and they snatched away for themselves so that there was no carrying away.” There was so much plunder, it took them three days to haul it off.#tn Heb “and they were three days looting the plunder for it was great.”
26 On the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Berachah, where#tn Heb “for there.” they praised the Lord. So that place is called the Valley of Berachah#sn The name Berachah, which means “blessing” in Hebrew, is derived from the verbal root “to praise [or “to bless”],” which appears earlier in the verse. to this very day. 27 Then all the men of Judah and Jerusalem returned joyfully to Jerusalem with Jehoshaphat leading them; the Lord had given them reason to rejoice over their enemies. 28 They entered Jerusalem to the sound of stringed instruments and trumpets and proceeded to the temple of the Lord. 29 All the kingdoms of the surrounding lands were afraid of God#tn Heb “and the terror of God [or “a great terror”] was upon all the kingdoms of the lands.” It is uncertain if אֱלֹהִים (’elohim) should be understood as a proper name here (“God”), or taken in an idiomatic superlative sense. when they heard how the Lord had fought against Israel’s enemies. 30 Jehoshaphat’s kingdom enjoyed peace; his God made him secure on every side.#tn Heb “and his God gave him rest all around.”
Jehoshaphat’s Reign Ends
31 Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah. He was thirty-five years old when he became king and he reigned for twenty-five years in Jerusalem.#map For location see Map5-B1; Map6-F3; Map7-E2; Map8-F2; Map10-B3; JP1-F4; JP2-F4; JP3-F4; JP4-F4. His mother was Azubah, the daughter of Shilhi. 32 He followed in his father Asa’s footsteps and was careful to do what the Lord approved.#tn Heb “he walked in the way of his father Asa and did not turn from it, doing what is right in the eyes of the Lord.” 33 However, the high places were not eliminated; the people were still not devoted to the God of their ancestors.#tn Heb “and still the people did not set their heart[s] on the God of their fathers.”
34 The rest of the events of Jehoshaphat’s reign, from start to finish, are recorded in the Annals of Jehu son of Hanani which are included in Scroll of the Kings of Israel.#tn Heb “the rest of the events of Jehoshaphat, the former and the latter, look, they are written in the records of Jehu son of Hanani, which are taken up in the scroll of the kings of Israel.”
35 Later King Jehoshaphat of Judah made an alliance with King Ahaziah of Israel, who#tn Heb “he.” The pronoun has been translated as a relative pronoun for stylistic reasons. did evil. 36 They agreed#tn Heb “he made an alliance with him.” to make large seagoing merchant ships;#tn Heb “make ships to go to Tarshish.” This probably refers to large ships either made in or capable of traveling to the distant western port of Tarshish; a “Tarshish-ship” was essentially a large seagoing merchant ship. they built the ships in Ezion Geber. 37 Eliezer son of Dodavahu from Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, “Because#tn Heb “when.” you made an alliance with Ahaziah, the Lord will shatter what you have made.” The ships were wrecked and unable to go to sea.#tn Heb “to go to Tarshish.”
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2 Chronicles 20: NET
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2 Chronicles 20
20
1After this also came the children of Moab and the children of Ammon, and with them of the Ammonites against Iehoshaphat to battell. 2Then there came that tolde Iehoshaphat, saying, There commeth a great multitude against thee from beyonde the Sea, out of Aram: and beholde, they bee in Hazzon Tamar, which is En-gedi. 3And Iehoshaphat feared, and set him selfe to seeke the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Iudah. 4And Iudah gathered them selues together to aske counsel of the Lord: they came euen out of all the cities of Iudah to inquire of the Lord, 5And Iehoshaphat stoode in the Congregation of Iudah and Ierusalem in the house of the Lord before the new court, 6And saide, O Lord God of our fathers, art not thou God in heauen? and reignest not thou on all the kingdomes of the heathen? and in thine hande is power and might, and none is able to withstand thee. 7Diddest not thou our God cast out ye inhabitants of this lande before thy people Israel, and gauest it to the seede of Abraham thy friende for euer? 8And they dwelt therein, and haue built thee a Sanctuarie therein for thy Name, saying, 9If euill come vpon vs, as the sworde of iudgement, or pestilence, or famine, we will stande before this house and in thy presence (for thy name is in this house) and will crie vnto thee in our tribulation, and thou wilt heare and helpe. 10And now beholde, the children of Ammon and Moab, and mount Seir, by whome thou wouldest not let Israel goe, when they came out of the land of Egypt: but they turned aside from them, and destroyed them not: 11Behold, I say, they reward vs, in comming to cast vs out of thine inheritance, which thou hast caused vs to inherit. 12O our God, wilt thou not iudge them? for there is no strength in vs to stand before this great multitude that commeth against vs, neither doe wee knowe what to doe: but our eyes are toward thee. 13And all Iudah stoode before the Lord with their yong ones, their wiues, and their children. 14And Iahaziel the sonne of Zechariah the sonne of Benaiah, the sonne of Ieiel, the sonne of Mattaniah, a Leuite of the sonnes of Asaph was there, vpon whome came the Spirite of ye Lord, in the middes of the Congregation. 15And he said, Hearken ye, all Iudah, and ye inhabitantes of Ierusalem, and thou, King Iehoshaphat: thus saith the Lord vnto you, Feare you not, neither be afraide for this great multitude: for the battel is not yours, but Gods. 16To morowe goe yee downe against them: beholde, they come vp by the cleft of Ziz, and ye shall finde them at the ende of the brooke before the wildernesse of Ieruel. 17Ye shall not neede to fight in this battell: stand still, moue not, and behold the saluation of the Lord towardes you: O Iudah, and Ierusalem, feare ye not, neither be afraid: to morow goe out against them, and the Lord wilbe with you. 18Then Iehoshaphat bowed downe with his face to the earth, and all Iudah and the inhabitants of Ierusalem fell downe before the Lord, worshipping the Lord. 19And the Leuites of the children of the Kohathites and of the childre of the Corhites stood vp to prayse the Lord God of Israel with a loude voyce on hie. 20And when they arose early in the morning, they went forth to the wildernesse of Tekoa: and as they departed, Iehoshaphat stoode and sayde, Heare ye me, O Iudah, and ye inhabitants of Ierusalem: put your trust in the Lord your God, and ye shalbe assured: beleeue his Prophets, and ye shall prosper. 21And when he had consulted with the people, and appoynted singers vnto the Lord, and them that should prayse him that is in the beautifull Sanctuarie, in going forth before the men of armes, and saying, Prayse ye the Lord, for his mercy lasteth for euer, 22And when they began to shoute, and to prayse, the Lord layed ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Iudah, and they slewe one another. 23For the children of Ammon and Moab rose against the inhabitants of mount Seir, to slay and to destroy them and when they had made an end of the inhabitantes of Seir, euery one helped to destroy another. 24And when Iudah came towarde Mizpah in the wildernes, they looked vnto the multitude: and behold, the carkeises were fallen to the earth, and none escaped. 25And when Iehoshaphat and his people came to take away the spoyle of them, they founde among them in abundance both of substance and also of bodies laden with precious iewels, which they tooke for themselues, till they could cary no more: they were three dayes in gathering of the spoyle: for it was much. 26And in the fourth day they assembled themselues in the valley of Berachah: for there they blessed the Lord: therefore they called the name of that place, The valley of Berachah vnto this day. 27Then euery man of Iudah and Ierusalem returned with Iehoshaphat their head, to goe againe to Ierusalem with ioy: for the Lord had made them to reioyce ouer their enemies. 28And they came to Ierusalem with viols and with harpes, and with trumpets, euen vnto the house of the Lord. 29And the feare of God was vpon all the kingdomes of the earth, whe they had heard that the Lord had fought against ye enemies of Israel. 30So the kingdom of Iehoshaphat was quiet, and his God gaue him rest on euery side. 31And Iehoshaphat reigned ouer Iudah, and was fiue and thirtie yeere olde, when he began to reigne: and reigned fiue and twentie yeere in Ierusalem, and his mothers name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi. 32And he walked in the way of Asa his father, and departed not therefrom, doing that which was right in the sight of the Lord. 33Howbeit the hie places were not taken away: for the people had not yet prepared their hearts vnto the God of their fathers. 34Concerning the rest of the actes of Iehoshaphat first and last, beholde, they are written in the booke of Iehu the sonne of Hanani, which is mentioned in the booke of the kings of Israel. 35Yet after this did Iehoshaphat King of Iudah ioyne himselfe with Ahaziah King of Israel, who was giuen to do euill. 36And he ioyned with him, to make ships to go to Tarshish: and they made the shippes in Ezion Gaber. 37Then Eliezer ye sonne of Dodauah of Mareshah prophecied against Iehoshaphat, saying, Because thou hast ioyned thy selfe with Ahaziah, the Lord hath broken thy workes. and the shippes were broken, that they were not able to go to Tarshish.
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