2 Chronicles 20 Summary

The children of Moab and Ammon with other allies invade Judah from beyond the sea and camp at Hazazon-tamar (En-gedi). Jehoshaphat fears and sets himself to seek the Lord, proclaiming a fast throughout Judah. The people gather to ask the Lord for help, and Jehoshaphat stands in the house of the Lord and prays, reminding God of His power over all kingdoms and His gift of the land to Abraham's seed. He recalls that the people dwelt in the land and built a sanctuary where they can cry to God in affliction. He appeals to the Lord to judge the enemies who are now trying to cast them out. As Jehoshaphat and all Judah stand before the Lord in prayer, the Spirit of the Lord comes upon Jahaziel the Levite, who prophesies that the battle is not theirs but God's, and commands them to stand still and see the Lord's salvation. Jehoshaphat bows before the Lord in worship, and the Levites praise with a loud voice. The next morning Jehoshaphat exhorts the people to believe in the Lord and His prophets. He appoints singers to praise the Lord as they go before the army. When they begin to sing and praise, the Lord sets ambushments against the enemies, who fight and destroy one another, with Moab and Ammon destroying the inhabitants of Mount Seir, then turning on each other. When Judah comes to the watchtower, they find the multitude dead upon the earth with none escaped. They spend three days gathering abundant spoil, gold, and precious jewels. On the fourth day they assemble in the valley of Berachah and bless the Lord, giving the valley its name. They return to Jerusalem with joy, instruments, harps, and trumpets, and all the kingdoms hear that the Lord fought against Israel's enemies.