mh_parser/vol_split/14 - 2Chronicles/Chapter 20.xml

<div2 id="iiCh.xxi" n="xxi" next="iiCh.xxii" prev="iiCh.xx" progress="83.86%" title="Chapter XX">
<h2 id="iiCh.xxi-p0.1">S E C O N D   C H R O N I C L E
S</h2>
<h3 id="iiCh.xxi-p0.2">CHAP. XX.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="iiCh.xxi-p1">We have here, I. The great danger and distress
that Jehoshaphat and his kingdom were in from a foreign invasion,
<scripRef id="iiCh.xxi-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.20.1-2Chr.20.2" parsed="|2Chr|20|1|20|2" passage="2Ch 20:1,2">ver. 1, 2</scripRef>. II. The pious
course he took for their safety, by fasting, and praying, and
seeking God, <scripRef id="iiCh.xxi-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.20.3-2Chr.20.13" parsed="|2Chr|20|3|20|13" passage="2Ch 20:3-13">ver. 3-13</scripRef>.
III. The assurance which God, by a prophet, immediately gave them
of victory, <scripRef id="iiCh.xxi-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.20.14-2Chr.20.17" parsed="|2Chr|20|14|20|17" passage="2Ch 20:14-17">ver. 14-17</scripRef>.
IV. Their thankful believing reception of those assurances,
<scripRef id="iiCh.xxi-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.20.18-2Chr.20.21" parsed="|2Chr|20|18|20|21" passage="2Ch 20:18-21">ver. 18-21</scripRef>. V. The
defeat which God gave to their enemies thereupon, <scripRef id="iiCh.xxi-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.20.22-2Chr.20.25" parsed="|2Chr|20|22|20|25" passage="2Ch 20:22-25">ver. 22-25</scripRef>. VI. A solemn
thanksgiving which they kept for their victory, and for a happy
consequences of it, <scripRef id="iiCh.xxi-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.20.26-2Chr.20.30" parsed="|2Chr|20|26|20|30" passage="2Ch 20:26-30">ver.
26-30</scripRef>. VII. The conclusion of the reign of Jehoshaphat,
not without some blemishes, <scripRef id="iiCh.xxi-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.20.31-2Chr.20.37" parsed="|2Chr|20|31|20|37" passage="2Ch 20:31-37">ver.
31-37</scripRef>.</p>
<scripCom id="iiCh.xxi-p0.1_1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.20" parsed="|2Chr|20|0|0|0" passage="2Ch 20" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="iiCh.xxi-p0.2_1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.20.1-2Chr.20.13" parsed="|2Chr|20|1|20|13" passage="2Ch 20:1-13" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Chr.20.1-2Chr.20.13">
<h4 id="iiCh.xxi-p1.10">Jehoshaphat's Prayer to God. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xxi-p1.11">b. c.</span> 892.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iiCh.xxi-p2">1 It came to pass after this also, <i>that</i>
the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them
<i>other</i> beside the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to
battle.   2 Then there came some that told Jehoshaphat,
saying, There cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the
sea on this side Syria; and, behold, they <i>be</i> in
Hazazon-tamar, which <i>is</i> En-gedi.   3 And Jehoshaphat
feared, and set himself to seek the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xxi-p2.1">Lord</span>, and proclaimed a fast throughout all
Judah.   4 And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask
<i>help</i> of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xxi-p2.2">Lord</span>: even out of
all the cities of Judah they came to seek the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xxi-p2.3">Lord</span>.   5 And Jehoshaphat stood in the
congregation of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xxi-p2.4">Lord</span>, before the new court,   6 And
said, <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xxi-p2.5">O Lord</span> God of our fathers,
<i>art</i> not thou God in heaven? and rulest <i>not</i> thou over
all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand <i>is there
not</i> power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee?
  7 <i>Art</i> not thou our God, <i>who</i> didst drive out
the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest
it to the seed of Abraham thy friend for ever?   8 And they
dwelt therein, and have built thee a sanctuary therein for thy
name, saying,   9 If, <i>when</i> evil cometh upon us,
<i>as</i> the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we stand
before this house, and in thy presence, (for thy name <i>is</i> in
this house,) and cry unto thee in our affliction, then thou wilt
hear and help.   10 And now, behold, the children of Ammon and
Moab and mount Seir, whom thou wouldest not let Israel invade, when
they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned from them, and
destroyed them not;   11 Behold, <i>I say, how</i> they reward
us, to come to cast us out of thy possession, which thou hast given
us to inherit.   12 O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for
we have no might against this great company that cometh against us;
neither know we what to do: but our eyes <i>are</i> upon thee.
  13 And all Judah stood before the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xxi-p2.6">Lord</span>, with their little ones, their wives, and
their children.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xxi-p3">We left Jehoshaphat, in the foregoing
chapter, well employed in reforming his kingdom and providing for
the due administration of justice and support of religion in it,
and expected nothing but to hear of the peace and prosperity of his
reign; but here we have him in distress, which distress, however,
was followed by such a glorious deliverance as was an abundant
recompence for his piety. If we meet with trouble in the way of
duty, we may believe it is that God may have an opportunity of
showing us so much the more of his marvellous loving-kindness. We
have here,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xxi-p4">I. A formidable invasion of Jehoshaphat's
kingdom by the Moabites, and Ammonites, and their auxiliaries,
<scripRef id="iiCh.xxi-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.20.1" parsed="|2Chr|20|1|0|0" passage="2Ch 20:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>. Jehoshaphat
was surprised with the intelligence of it when the enemy had
already entered his country, <scripRef id="iiCh.xxi-p4.2" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.20.2" parsed="|2Chr|20|2|0|0" passage="2Ch 20:2"><i>v.</i>
2</scripRef>. What pretence they had to quarrel with Jehoshaphat
does not appear; they are said to come <i>from beyond the sea,</i>
meaning <i>the Dead Sea,</i> where Sodom had stood. It should seem,
they marched through those of the ten tribes that lay beyond
Jordan, and they gave them passage through their borders; so
ungrateful were they to Jehoshaphat, who had lately put his hand to
help them in recovering Ramoth-Gilead. Several nations joined in
this confederacy, but especially <i>the children of Lot,</i> whom
the rest helped, <scripRef id="iiCh.xxi-p4.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.83.6-Ps.83.8" parsed="|Ps|83|6|83|8" passage="Ps 83:6-8">Ps. lxxxiii.
6-8</scripRef>. The neighbouring nations had feared Jehoshaphat
(<scripRef id="iiCh.xxi-p4.4" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.17.10" parsed="|2Chr|17|10|0|0" passage="2Ch 17:10"><i>ch.</i> xvii. 10</scripRef>), but
perhaps his affinity with Ahab had lessened him in their esteem,
and they had some intimation that his God was displeased with him
for it, which they fancied would give them an opportunity to make a
prey of his kingdom.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xxi-p5">II. The preparation Jehoshaphat made
against the invaders. No mention is made of his mustering his
forces, which yet it is most probable he did, for God must be
trusted in the use of means. But his great care was to obtain the
favour of God, and secure him on his side, which perhaps he was the
more solicitous about because he had been lately told that there
was <i>wrath upon him from before the Lord,</i> <scripRef id="iiCh.xxi-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.19.2" parsed="|2Chr|19|2|0|0" passage="2Ch 19:2"><i>ch.</i> xix. 2</scripRef>. But he is of the mind of
his father David. If we must be corrected, yet <i>let us not fall
into the hands of man.</i> 1. He feared. Consciousness of guilt
made him fear. Those that have least sin are the most sensible of
it. The surprise added to the fright. Holy fear is a spur to prayer
and preparation, <scripRef id="iiCh.xxi-p5.2" osisRef="Bible:Heb.11.7" parsed="|Heb|11|7|0|0" passage="Heb 11:7">Heb. xi.
7</scripRef>. 2. <i>He set himself to seek the Lord,</i> and, in
the first place, to make him his friend. Those that would seek the
Lord so as to find him, and to find favour with him, must
<i>set</i> themselves to seek him, must do it with fixedness of
thought, with sincerity of intention, and with the utmost vigour
and resolution to continue seeking him. 3. He <i>proclaimed a fast
throughout all Judah,</i> appointed a day of humiliation and
prayer, that they might join together in confessing their sins and
<i>asking help of the Lord.</i> Fasting from bodily refreshments,
upon such extraordinary occasions, is a token of self-judging for
the sins we have committed (we own ourselves unworthy of the bread
we eat, and that God might justly withhold it from us), and of
self-denial for the future; fasting <i>for</i> sin implies a
resolution to fast <i>from</i> it, though it has been to us as a
sweet morsel. Magistrates are to call their people to the duty of
fasting and prayer upon such occasions, that it may be a national
act, and so may obtain national mercies. 4. The people readily
assembled out of all the cities of Judah in the court of the temple
to join in prayer (<scripRef id="iiCh.xxi-p5.3" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.20.4" parsed="|2Chr|20|4|0|0" passage="2Ch 20:4"><i>v.</i>
4</scripRef>), and they <i>stood before the Lord,</i> as beggars at
his door, with their wives and children; they and their families
were in danger, and therefore they bring their families with them
to seek the Lord. "Lord, we are indeed a provoking people, that
deserve to be abandoned to ruin; but here are little ones that are
innocent, let not them perish in the storm." Nineveh was spared for
the sake of the little ones, <scripRef id="iiCh.xxi-p5.4" osisRef="Bible:Jonah.4.11" parsed="|Jonah|4|11|0|0" passage="Jon 4:11">Jonah iv.
11</scripRef>. The place they met in was the <i>house of the
Lord,</i> before <i>the new court,</i> which was perhaps lately
added to the former courts (that, as some think, which was called
the <i>court of the women</i>); thus they came within reach of that
gracious promise which God had made, in answer to Solomon's prayer,
<scripRef id="iiCh.xxi-p5.5" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.7.15" parsed="|2Chr|7|15|0|0" passage="2Ch 7:15"><i>ch.</i> vii. 15</scripRef>. <i>My
ears shall be attentive to the prayer that is made in this
place.</i> 5. Jehoshaphat himself was the mouth of the congregation
to God, and did not devolve the work upon his chaplains. Though the
kings were forbidden to burn incense, they were allowed to pray and
preach; as Solomon and Jehoshaphat here. The prayer Jehoshaphat
prayed, upon this occasion, is here recorded, or part of it; and an
excellent prayer it is. (1.) He acknowledges the sovereign dominion
of the divine Providence, gives to God the glory of it and takes to
himself the comfort of it (<scripRef id="iiCh.xxi-p5.6" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.20.6" parsed="|2Chr|20|6|0|0" passage="2Ch 20:6"><i>v.</i>
6</scripRef>): "<i>Art not thou God in heaven?</i> No doubt thou
art, which none of the gods of the heathen are; make it to appear
then. Is not thy dominion, supreme over kingdoms themselves, and
universal, over all kingdoms, even those of the heathen that know
thee not? Control these heathen then; set bounds to their daring
threatening insults. Is there not <i>in thy hand</i> the <i>power
and might</i> which <i>none is able to withstand?</i> Lord, exert
it on our behalf. Glorify thy own omnipotence." (2.) He lays hold
on their covenant-relation to God and interest in him. "Thou that
art <i>God in heaven</i> art the <i>God of our fathers</i>
(<scripRef id="iiCh.xxi-p5.7" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.20.6" parsed="|2Chr|20|6|0|0" passage="2Ch 20:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>) and <i>our
God,</i> <scripRef id="iiCh.xxi-p5.8" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.20.7" parsed="|2Chr|20|7|0|0" passage="2Ch 20:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>. Whom
should we seek to, whom should we trust to, for relief, but to the
God we have chosen and served?" (3.) He shows the title they had to
this good land they were now in possession of; an indisputable
title it was: "<i>Thou gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy
friend.</i> He was thy friend (this is referred to, <scripRef id="iiCh.xxi-p5.9" osisRef="Bible:Jas.2.23" parsed="|Jas|2|23|0|0" passage="Jam 2:23">James ii. 23</scripRef>, to show the honour of
Abraham, that <i>he was called the friend of God</i>); we are
<i>his seed,</i> and hope to be <i>beloved for the father's
sake,</i>" <scripRef id="iiCh.xxi-p5.10" osisRef="Bible:Rom.11.28 Bible:Deut.7.8-Deut.7.9" parsed="|Rom|11|28|0|0;|Deut|7|8|7|9" passage="Ro 11:28,De 7:8,9">Rom. xi. 28; Deut.
vii. 8, 9</scripRef>. "We hold this land by grant from thee. Lord,
maintain thy own grant, and warrant it against all unjust claims.
Suffer us not to be <i>cast out of they possession.</i> We are
tenants; thou art our landlord; wilt thou not hold thy own?"
<scripRef id="iiCh.xxi-p5.11" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.20.11" parsed="|2Chr|20|11|0|0" passage="2Ch 20:11"><i>v.</i> 11</scripRef>. Those that
use what they have for God may comfortably hope that he will secure
it to them. (4.) He makes mention of the sanctuary, the temple they
had built for God's name (<scripRef id="iiCh.xxi-p5.12" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.20.8" parsed="|2Chr|20|8|0|0" passage="2Ch 20:8"><i>v.</i>
8</scripRef>), not as if that merited any thing at God's hand, for
<i>of his own they gave him,</i> but it was such a token of God's
favourable presence with them that they had promised themselves he
would hear and help them when, in their distress, they cried to him
before that house, <scripRef id="iiCh.xxi-p5.13" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.20.8-2Chr.20.9" parsed="|2Chr|20|8|20|9" passage="2Ch 20:8,9"><i>v.</i> 8,
9</scripRef>. "Lord, when it was built it was intended for the
encouragement of our faith at such a time as this. Here thy name
is; here we are. Lord, help us, for the glory of thy name." (5.) He
pleads the ingratitude and injustice of his enemies: "We are such
as it will be thy glory to appear <i>for;</i> they are such as it
will be thy glory to appear <i>against;</i> for, [1.] They ill
requite our ancient kindnesses. Thou <i>wouldst not let Israel
invade them,</i> nor give them any disturbance." <scripRef id="iiCh.xxi-p5.14" osisRef="Bible:Deut.2.5 Bible:Deut.2.9 Bible:Deut.2.19" parsed="|Deut|2|5|0|0;|Deut|2|9|0|0;|Deut|2|19|0|0" passage="De 2:5,9,19">Deut. ii. 5, 9, 19</scripRef>, <i>Meddle not with the
Edomites, distress not the Moabites, come not nigh the children of
Ammon,</i> no not though they provoke you. "Yet now see how they
invade us." We may comfortably appear to God against those that
render us evil for good. [2.] "They break in upon our ancient
rights. They come <i>to cast us out of our possessions,</i> and
seize our land for themselves. <i>O! our God, wilt thou not judge
them?</i> <scripRef id="iiCh.xxi-p5.15" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.20.12" parsed="|2Chr|20|12|0|0" passage="2Ch 20:12"><i>v.</i> 12</scripRef>.
Wilt thou not give sentence against them, and execute it upon
them?" The justice of God is the refuge of those that are wronged.
(6.) He professes his entire dependence upon God for deliverance.
Though he had a great army on foot, and well disciplined; yet he
said, "<i>We have no might against this great company,</i> none
without thee, none that we can expect any thing from without thy
special presence and blessing, none to boast of, none to trust to;
but <i>our eyes are upon thee.</i> We rely upon thee, and from thee
is all our expectation. The disease seems desperate: <i>we know not
what to do,</i> are quite at a loss, in a great strait. But this is
a sovereign remedy, <i>our eyes are upon thee,</i> an eye of
acknowledgment and humble submission, an eye of faith and entire
dependence, an eye of desire and hearty prayer, an eye of hope and
patient expectation. <i>In thee, O God! do we put our trust; our
souls wait on thee.</i>"</p>
</div><scripCom id="iiCh.xxi-p0.3" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.20.14-2Chr.20.19" parsed="|2Chr|20|14|20|19" passage="2Ch 20:14-19" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Chr.20.14-2Chr.20.19">
<h4 id="iiCh.xxi-p5.17">God's Promise of Victory. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xxi-p5.18">b. c.</span> 892.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iiCh.xxi-p6">14 Then upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the
son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of
the sons of Asaph, came the Spirit of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xxi-p6.1">Lord</span> in the midst of the congregation;   15
And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of
Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xxi-p6.2">Lord</span> unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by
reason of this great multitude; for the battle <i>is</i> not yours,
but God's.   16 To morrow go ye down against them: behold,
they come up by the cliff of Ziz; and ye shall find them at the end
of the brook, before the wilderness of Jeruel.   17 Ye shall
not <i>need</i> to fight in this <i>battle:</i> set yourselves,
stand ye <i>still,</i> and see the salvation of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xxi-p6.3">Lord</span> with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not,
nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xxi-p6.4">Lord</span> <i>will be</i> with you.   18
And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with <i>his</i> face to the ground:
and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the
<span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xxi-p6.5">Lord</span>, worshipping the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xxi-p6.6">Lord</span>.   19 And the Levites, of the children
of the Kohathites, and of the children of the Korhites, stood up to
praise the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xxi-p6.7">Lord</span> God of Israel with a
loud voice on high.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xxi-p7">We have here God's gracious answer to
Jehoshaphat's prayer; and it was a speedy answer. <i>While he was
yet speaking God heard:</i> before the congregation was dismissed
they had assurance given them that they should be victorious; for
it is never in vain to seek God. 1. The spirit of prophecy came
upon a Levite that was present, not in any place of eminency, but
<i>in the midst of the congregation,</i> <scripRef id="iiCh.xxi-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.20.14" parsed="|2Chr|20|14|0|0" passage="2Ch 20:14"><i>v.</i> 14</scripRef>. The Spirit, like the wind,
<i>blows where</i> and on whom <i>he listeth.</i> He was of the
sons of Asaph, and therefore one of the singers; on that office God
would put an honour. Whether he was a prophet before this or no is
uncertain, most probably he was, which would make him the more
regarded. There needed no sign, the thing itself was to be
performed the very next day, and that would be confirmation enough
to his prophecy. 2. He encouraged them to trust in God, though the
danger was very threatening (<scripRef id="iiCh.xxi-p7.2" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.20.15" parsed="|2Chr|20|15|0|0" passage="2Ch 20:15"><i>v.</i> 15</scripRef>): "<i>Be not afraid;</i> you
have admitted fear enough to bring you to God, do not now admit
that which will drive you to God, do not now admit that which will
drive you from him again. <i>The battle is not yours;</i> it is not
in your own strength, not for your own cause, that you engage; the
<i>battle is God's:</i> he does and will, as you have desired,
interest himself in the cause." 3. He gives them intelligence of
the motions of the enemy, and orders them to march towards them,
with particular directions where they should find them.
<i>To-morrow</i> (the day after the fast) <i>go you down against
them,</i> <scripRef id="iiCh.xxi-p7.3" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.20.16-2Chr.20.17" parsed="|2Chr|20|16|20|17" passage="2Ch 20:16,17"><i>v.</i> 16,
17</scripRef>. It is fit that he who commands the deliverance
should command those for whom the deliverance is to be wrought, and
give the necessary orders, both for time and place. 4. He assures
them that they should be, not the glorious instruments, but the
joyful spectators, of the total defeat of the enemy: "You shall not
need to strike a stroke; the work shall be done to your hands; only
stand still and see it," <scripRef id="iiCh.xxi-p7.4" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.20.17" parsed="|2Chr|20|17|0|0" passage="2Ch 20:17"><i>v.</i>
17</scripRef>. As Moses said to Israel at the Red Sea (<scripRef id="iiCh.xxi-p7.5" osisRef="Bible:Exod.14.13" parsed="|Exod|14|13|0|0" passage="Ex 14:13">Exod. xiv. 13</scripRef>), "<i>God is with
you,</i> who is able to do his work himself, and will do it. If the
battle be his, the victory shall be his too." Let but the Christian
soldier go out against his spiritual enemies, and the God of peace
will <i>tread them under his feet</i> and make <i>him more than a
conqueror.</i> 5. Jehoshaphat and his people received these
assurances with faith, reverence, and thankfulness. (1.) They
<i>bowed their heads,</i> Jehoshaphat first, and then all the
people, <i>fell before the Lord, and worshipped,</i> receiving with
a holy awe and fear of God this token of his favour, and saying
with faith, <i>Be it unto us according to thy word.</i> (2.) They
lifted up their voices in praise to God, <scripRef id="iiCh.xxi-p7.6" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.20.19" parsed="|2Chr|20|19|0|0" passage="2Ch 20:19"><i>v.</i> 19</scripRef>. An active faith can give
thanks for a promise though it be not yet performed, knowing that
God's bonds are as good as ready money. <i>God hath spoken in his
holiness; I will rejoice,</i> <scripRef id="iiCh.xxi-p7.7" osisRef="Bible:Ps.60.5" parsed="|Ps|60|5|0|0" passage="Ps 60:5">Ps. lx.
5</scripRef>.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iiCh.xxi-p0.4" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.20.20-2Chr.20.30" parsed="|2Chr|20|20|20|30" passage="2Ch 20:20-30" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Chr.20.20-2Chr.20.30">
<h4 id="iiCh.xxi-p7.9">Ammon or Moab Destroyed. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xxi-p7.10">b. c.</span> 892.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iiCh.xxi-p8">20 And they rose early in the morning, and went
forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth,
Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of
Jerusalem; Believe in the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xxi-p8.1">Lord</span> your
God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye
prosper.   21 And when he had consulted with the people, he
appointed singers unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xxi-p8.2">Lord</span>, and
that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before
the army, and to say, Praise the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xxi-p8.3">Lord</span>; for his mercy <i>endureth</i> for ever.
  22 And when they began to sing and to praise, the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xxi-p8.4">Lord</span> set ambushments against the children
of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and
they were smitten.   23 For the children of Ammon and Moab
stood up against the inhabitants of mount Seir, utterly to slay and
destroy <i>them:</i> and when they had made an end of the
inhabitants of Seir, every one helped to destroy another.   24
And when Judah came toward the watch tower in the wilderness, they
looked unto the multitude, and, behold, they <i>were</i> dead
bodies fallen to the earth, and none escaped.   25 And when
Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away the spoil of them,
they found among them in abundance both riches with the dead
bodies, and precious jewels, which they stripped off for
themselves, more than they could carry away: and they were three
days in gathering of the spoil, it was so much.   26 And on
the fourth day they assembled themselves in the valley of Berachah;
for there they blessed the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xxi-p8.5">Lord</span>:
therefore the name of the same place was called, The valley of
Berachah, unto this day.   27 Then they returned, every man of
Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat in the forefront of them, to
go again to Jerusalem with joy; for the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xxi-p8.6">Lord</span> had made them to rejoice over their
enemies.   28 And they came to Jerusalem with psalteries and
harps and trumpets unto the house of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xxi-p8.7">Lord</span>.   29 And the fear of God was on all
the kingdoms of <i>those</i> countries, when they had heard that
the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xxi-p8.8">Lord</span> fought against the enemies
of Israel.   30 So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet: for his
God gave him rest round about.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xxi-p9">We have here the foregoing prayer answered
and the foregoing promise performed, in the total overthrow of the
enemies' forces and the triumph (for so it was rather than a
victory) of Jehoshaphat's forces over them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xxi-p10">I. Never was army drawn out to the field of
battle as Jehoshaphat's was. He had soldiers <i>ready prepared for
war</i> (<scripRef id="iiCh.xxi-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.17.18" parsed="|2Chr|17|18|0|0" passage="2Ch 17:18"><i>ch.</i> xvii.
18</scripRef>), but here is no notice taken of their military
equipment, their swords or spears, their shields or bows. But
Jehoshaphat took care, 1. That faith should be their armour. As
they went forth, instead of calling them to handle their arms, and
stand to them, to keep ranks, observe orders, and fight valiantly,
he bade them <i>believe in the Lord God</i> and give credit to his
word in the mouth of his prophets, and assured them that they
should <i>prosper</i> and <i>be established,</i> <scripRef id="iiCh.xxi-p10.2" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.20.20" parsed="|2Chr|20|20|0|0" passage="2Ch 20:20"><i>v.</i> 20</scripRef>. That is true courage which
faith inspires a man with; nor will any thing contribute more to
the establishing of the heart in shaking times than a firm belief
of the power, and mercy, and promise of God. The heart is
<i>fixed</i> that thus <i>trusteth in the Lord,</i> and is kept in
perfect peace. In our spiritual conflicts, this is the victory,
this is the prosperity, even our faith. 2. That praise and
thanksgiving should be their vanguard, <scripRef id="iiCh.xxi-p10.3" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.20.21" parsed="|2Chr|20|21|0|0" passage="2Ch 20:21"><i>v.</i> 21</scripRef>. Jehoshaphat called a council
of war, and it was resolved to appoint <i>singers to go out before
the army,</i> to charge in the front, who had nothing else to do
but to praise God, to praise his holiness, which is his beauty, to
praise him as they did in the temple (that beauty of holiness) with
that ancient and good doxology which eternity itself will not wear
thread-bare, <i>Praise the Lord; for his mercy endureth for
ever.</i> By this strange advance towards the field of battle,
Jehoshaphat intended to express his firm reliance upon the word of
God (which enabled him to triumph before the battle), to animate
his own soldiers, to confound the enemy, and to engage God on their
side; for praise pleases God better than all <i>burnt offering and
sacrifice.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xxi-p11">II. Never was army so unaccountably
destroyed as that of the enemy; not by thunder, or hail, or the
sword of an angel, not by dint of sword, or strength of arm, or any
surprising alarm, like that which Gideon gave the Midianites; but
the Lord set ambushments against them, either hosts of angels, or,
as bishop Patrick thinks, their own ambushments, whom God struck
with such confusion that they fell upon their own friends as if
they had been enemies, and <i>every one helped to destroy
another,</i> so that <i>none escaped.</i> This God did <i>when his
people began to sing and to praise</i> (<scripRef id="iiCh.xxi-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.20.22" parsed="|2Chr|20|22|0|0" passage="2Ch 20:22"><i>v.</i> 22</scripRef>), for he delights to furnish
those with <i>matter</i> for praise that have <i>hearts</i> for it.
We read of his being <i>angry at the prayers of his people</i>
(<scripRef id="iiCh.xxi-p11.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.80.4" parsed="|Ps|80|4|0|0" passage="Ps 80:4">Ps. lxxx. 4</scripRef>), but never at
their <i>praises.</i> When they did but begin the work of praise
God perfected the work of their deliverance. What ground there was
for their jealousies one of another does not appear, perhaps there
was none; but so it was that the Ammonites and the Moabites fell
foul upon the Edomites and cut them off, and then they fell out
with one another and cut one another off, <scripRef id="iiCh.xxi-p11.3" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.20.23" parsed="|2Chr|20|23|0|0" passage="2Ch 20:23"><i>v.</i> 23</scripRef>. Thus God often makes wicked
people instruments of destruction to one another; and what
alliances can be so firm as to keep those together whom God designs
to dash in pieces one against another? See the mischievous
consequences of divisions which neither of the contending parties
can give any good account of the reason of. Those are wretchedly
infatuated, to their ruin, that fall foul upon their friends as if
they were enemies.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xxi-p12">III. Never was spoil so cheerfully divided,
for Jehoshaphat's army had nothing to do besides; the rest was done
for them. When they came to the view of this vast army, instead of
finding living men to fight with, they found them all dead men, and
their carcases spread as dung upon the face of the earth, <scripRef id="iiCh.xxi-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.20.24" parsed="|2Chr|20|24|0|0" passage="2Ch 20:24"><i>v.</i> 24</scripRef>. See how rich God is in
mercy to those that call upon him in truth, and how often he
out-does him in truth, and how often he out-does the prayers and
expectations of his people. Jehoshaphat and his people prayed to be
delivered from being spoiled by the enemy; and God not only
delivered them, but enriched them with the spoil of the enemy. The
plunder of the field was very great and very rich. They found
precious jewels with the dead bodies, which yet could not save them
from being loathsome carcases. The spoil <i>was more than they
could carry away</i> at once, and they were <i>three days in
gathering it,</i> <scripRef id="iiCh.xxi-p12.2" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.20.25" parsed="|2Chr|20|25|0|0" passage="2Ch 20:25"><i>v.</i>
25</scripRef>. Now it appeared what was God's end in bringing this
great army against Judah; it was to humble them and prove them,
that he might <i>do them good in their latter end.</i> It seemed at
first a disturbance to their reformation, but it proved a
recompence of it.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xxi-p13">IV. Never was victory celebrated with more
solemn and enlarged thanksgivings. 1. They kept a day of praise in
the camp, before they drew their forces out of the field. Many
thanksgivings, no doubt, were offered up to God immediately; but on
the fourth day they assembled in a valley, where they blessed God
with so much zeal and fervency that that day's work gave a name to
the place, the valley of <i>Berachah,</i> that is, <i>of
blessing,</i> <scripRef id="iiCh.xxi-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.20.26" parsed="|2Chr|20|26|0|0" passage="2Ch 20:26"><i>v.</i>
26</scripRef>. The remembrance of this work of wonder was hereby
perpetuated, for the encouragement of succeeding generations to
trust in God. 2. Yet they did not think this enough, but came in
solemn procession, all in a body, and Jehoshaphat at the head of
them, to Jerusalem, that the country, as they passed along, might
join with them in their praises, and that they might give thanks
for the mercy where they had by prayer obtained it, <i>in the house
of the Lord,</i> <scripRef id="iiCh.xxi-p13.2" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.20.27-2Chr.20.28" parsed="|2Chr|20|27|20|28" passage="2Ch 20:27,28"><i>v.</i> 27,
28</scripRef>. Praising God must not be the work of a day only; but
our praises, when we have received mercy, must be often repeated,
as our prayers were when we were in the pursuit of it. Every day we
must bless God; as long as we live, and while we have any being, we
must praise him, spending our time in that work in which we hope to
spend our eternity. Public mercies call for public acknowledgments
<i>in the courts of the Lord's house,</i> <scripRef id="iiCh.xxi-p13.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.116.19" parsed="|Ps|116|19|0|0" passage="Ps 116:19">Ps. cxvi. 19</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xxi-p14">V. Never did victory turn to a better
account than this; for, 1. Jehoshaphat's kingdom was hereby made to
look very great and considerable abroad, <scripRef id="iiCh.xxi-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.20.29" parsed="|2Chr|20|29|0|0" passage="2Ch 20:29"><i>v.</i> 29</scripRef>. When they heard that God
fought thus for Israel, they could not but say, <i>There is none
like unto the God of Jeshurun,</i> and <i>Happy art thou, O
Israel!</i> It begat in the neighbours a reverence of God and a
cautious fear of doing any injury to his people. It is dangerous
fighting against those who have God with them. 2. It was made very
easy and quiet at home, <scripRef id="iiCh.xxi-p14.2" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.20.30" parsed="|2Chr|20|30|0|0" passage="2Ch 20:30"><i>v.</i>
30</scripRef>. (1.) They were quiet among themselves. Those that
were displeased at the destroying of the images and groves were now
satisfied, and obliged to own that since the God of Israel could
deliver after this sort he only is to be worshipped, in that way
only which he himself has appointed. (2.) They were quiet from the
fear of insults from their neighbours, God having given them rest
round about. And, if he give rest, who can give disturbance?</p>
</div><scripCom id="iiCh.xxi-p0.5" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.20.31-2Chr.20.37" parsed="|2Chr|20|31|20|37" passage="2Ch 20:31-37" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Chr.20.31-2Chr.20.37">
<h4 id="iiCh.xxi-p14.4">Jehoshaphat's Navy Wrecked. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xxi-p14.5">b. c.</span> 892.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iiCh.xxi-p15">31 And Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah: <i>he
was</i> thirty and five years old when he began to reign, and he
reigned twenty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name
<i>was</i> Azubah the daughter of Shilhi.   32 And he walked
in the way of Asa his father, and departed not from it, doing
<i>that which was</i> right in the sight of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xxi-p15.1">Lord</span>.   33 Howbeit the high places were not
taken away: for as yet the people had not prepared their hearts
unto the God of their fathers.   34 Now the rest of the acts
of Jehoshaphat, first and last, behold, they <i>are</i> written in
the book of Jehu the son of Hanani, who <i>is</i> mentioned in the
book of the kings of Israel.   35 And after this did
Jehoshaphat king of Judah join himself with Ahaziah king of Israel,
who did very wickedly:   36 And he joined himself with him to
make ships to go to Tarshish: and they made the ships in
Ezion-geber.   37 Then Eliezer the son of Dodavah of Mareshah
prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, Because thou hast joined
thyself with Ahaziah, the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xxi-p15.2">Lord</span> hath
broken thy works. And the ships were broken, that they were not
able to go to Tarshish.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xxi-p16">We are now drawing towards the close of the
history of Jehoshaphat's reign, for a further account of which
those who lived when this book was published were referred to an
authentic history of it, written by Jehu the prophet (<scripRef id="iiCh.xxi-p16.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.19.2" parsed="|2Chr|19|2|0|0" passage="2Ch 19:2"><i>ch.</i> xix. 2</scripRef>), which was then
extant, <scripRef id="iiCh.xxi-p16.2" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.20.34" parsed="|2Chr|20|34|0|0" passage="2Ch 20:34"><i>v.</i> 34</scripRef>. This
was the general character of his reign, that he did that which was
right in the sight of the Lord, kept close to the worship of God
himself and did what he could to keep his people close to it. But
two things are here to be lamented:—1. The people still retained
a partiality for the high places, <scripRef id="iiCh.xxi-p16.3" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.20.33" parsed="|2Chr|20|33|0|0" passage="2Ch 20:33"><i>v.</i> 33</scripRef>. Those that were erected to the
honour of strange gods were taken away (<scripRef id="iiCh.xxi-p16.4" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.17.6" parsed="|2Chr|17|6|0|0" passage="2Ch 17:6"><i>ch.</i> xvii. 6</scripRef>); but those where the true
God was worshipped, being less culpable, were thought allowable,
and Jehoshaphat was loth to disoblige the people so far as to take
them away, for as yet they had not prepared their hearts to serve
the God of their fathers. They complied with Jehoshaphat's
reformation because they could not for shame do otherwise, but they
were not hearty in it, did not direct their hearts to God in it,
did not act in it from any good principle nor with any zeal or
resolution: and the best magistrates cannot bring to pass what they
would, in reformation, when the people are cool in it. 2.
Jehoshaphat himself still retained a partiality for the house of
Ahab, because he had married his son to a daughter of that family,
though he had been plainly reproved for it and had like to have
smarted for it. He saw and knew that Ahaziah, the son of Ahab, did
very wickedly, and therefore could not expect to prosper; yet he
joined himself with him, not in war, as with his father, but in
trade, became his partner in an East India fleet bound for Ophir,
<scripRef id="iiCh.xxi-p16.5" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.20.35-2Chr.20.36" parsed="|2Chr|20|35|20|36" passage="2Ch 20:35,36"><i>v.</i> 35, 36</scripRef>. There
is an emphasis laid upon the time—<i>after this,</i> after God had
done such great things for him, without any such scandalous and
pernicious confederacies, given him not only victory, but wealth,
yet after this to go and join himself with a wicked king was very
ungrateful. <i>After God had given him such a deliverance as this
should he again break God's commandments, and join in affinity with
the people of these abominations?</i> What could he expect but that
<i>God should be angry with him?</i> <scripRef id="iiCh.xxi-p16.6" osisRef="Bible:Ezra.9.13-Ezra.9.14" parsed="|Ezra|9|13|9|14" passage="Ezr 9:13,14">Ezra ix. 13, 14</scripRef>. Yet he sends to him, to
show him his error and bring him to repentance, (1.) By a prophet,
who foretold the blasting of his project, <scripRef id="iiCh.xxi-p16.7" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.20.37" parsed="|2Chr|20|37|0|0" passage="2Ch 20:37"><i>v.</i> 37</scripRef>. And, (2.) By a storm, which
broke the ships in the port before they set sail, by which he was
warned to break off his alliance with Ahaziah; and it seems he took
the warning, for, when Ahaziah afterwards pressed him to join with
him, he <i>would not,</i> <scripRef id="iiCh.xxi-p16.8" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.22.49" parsed="|1Kgs|22|49|0|0" passage="1Ki 22:49">1 Kings
xxii. 49</scripRef>. See how pernicious a thing it is to join in
friendship and society with evil-doers. It is a hard matter to
break off from it. A man may much better keep himself from being
taken in the snare than recover himself out of it.</p>
</div></div2>