Albert Barnes Commentary 2 Chronicles 20
Albert Barnes Commentary
2 Chronicles 20
Albert Barnes Commentary
2 Chronicles 20
"And it came to pass after this, that the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them some of the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle." — 2 Chronicles 20:1 (ASV)
The present Hebrew (and English) text mentions the Ammonites twice. Therefore, some adopt a different reading and translate, “the children of Ammon, and with them certain of the Maonites,” etc. Compare the notes on 2 Chronicles 20:10, Judges 10:12, and 1 Chronicles 4:41.
"Then there came some that told Jehoshaphat, saying, There cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea from Syria; and, behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar (the same is En-gedi)." — 2 Chronicles 20:2 (ASV)
This can be translated as, “from beyond the sea, from Edom.” The “sea” intended is, of course, the Dead Sea. The reference to “Syria” (Aram) is probably a copyist’s error for “Edom” (compare 2 Samuel 8:12 and the note on that verse).
Regarding Engedi, see the note on 1 Samuel 23:29.
"And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek unto Jehovah; and he proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah." — 2 Chronicles 20:3 (ASV)
General fasts had been previously observed by the Israelites (for example, Judges 20:26; 1 Samuel 7:6), but we do not hear of any fast having been “proclaimed” by authority before this.
"And Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of Jehovah, before the new court;" — 2 Chronicles 20:5 (ASV)
The new court - In Solomon’s Temple there were two courts. One of these had probably been renovated by Jehoshaphat or by his father, Asa (2 Chronicles 15:8), and was known as “the new court.”
"and he said, O Jehovah, the God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and art not thou ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations? and in thy hand is power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee. Didst not thou, O our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and give it to the seed of Abraham thy friend for ever? And they dwelt therein, and have built thee a sanctuary therein for thy name, saying, If evil come upon us, the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house, and before thee, (for thy name is in this house,) and cry unto thee in our affliction, and thou wilt hear and save." — 2 Chronicles 20:6-9 (ASV)
Jehoshaphat’s appeal is threefold:
- To God omnipotent (2 Chronicles 20:6).
- To “our God.”
- To the God especially “of this house,” the temple.
Abraham your friend. Historically, this is the first use of this remarkable expression, which was repeated later. The basis for this expression is found primarily in Genesis 18:23-33, where Abraham spoke with God as a man speaks with his friend .
The appeal recalls Solomon’s prayer, which God had formally accepted by sending down fire from heaven to consume the accompanying offering.
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