2 Chronicles 20
1
After this i the Moabites and Ammonites, and with them some of the Meunites, came against Jehoshaphat for battle.
2
Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, "A great multitude is coming against you from Edom, from beyond the sea; and, behold, they are in j Hazazon-tamar" (that is, k Engedi).
3
Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face l to seek the Lord, and m proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.
4
And Judah assembled to seek help from the Lord; from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord.
5
And Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the Lord, before the new court,
6
and said, "O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not n God in heaven? You o rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. p In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you.
7
Did you not, our God, q drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel, and give it forever to the descendants of r Abraham your friend?
8
And they have lived in it and have built for you in it a sanctuary for your name, saying,
9
s 'If disaster comes upon us, the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, t we will stand before this house and before you - u for your name is in this house - and cry out to you in our affliction, and you will hear and save.'
10
And now behold, the men of v Ammon and Moab and w Mount Seir, whom x you would not let Israel invade when they came from the land of Egypt, y and whom they avoided and did not destroy -
11
behold, they reward us z by coming to drive us out of your possession, which you have given us to inherit.
12
O our God, will you not a execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but b our eyes are on you."
13
Meanwhile all Judah stood before the Lord, with their little ones, their wives, and their children.
14
And c the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, in the midst of the assembly.
15
And he said, "Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the Lord to you, d 'Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, e for the battle is not yours but God's.
16
Tomorrow go down against them. Behold, they will come up by the ascent of Ziz. You will find them at the end of f the valley, east of the wilderness of Jeruel.
17
g You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.' d Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, h and the Lord will be with you."
18
Then Jehoshaphat i bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the Lord, worshiping the Lord.
19
And the Levites, of the j Kohathites and the k Korahites, stood up to praise the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice.
20
And they rose early in the morning and went out into l the wilderness of Tekoa. And when they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, "Hear me, Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem! m Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be established; believe his prophets, and you will succeed."
21
And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the Lord and praise him n in holy attire, as they went before the army, and say,
o "Give thanks to the Lord,
for his steadfast love endures forever."
22
And when they began to sing and praise, the Lord set p an ambush against the men of q Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah, so that they were routed.
23
For the men of Ammon and Moab rose against the inhabitants of Mount Seir, devoting them to destruction, and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, r they all helped to destroy one another.
24
When Judah came to the watchtower of the wilderness, they looked toward the horde, and behold, there were dead bodies lying on the ground; none had escaped.
25
When Jehoshaphat and his people came to take their spoil, they found among them, in great numbers, goods, clothing, and precious things, which they took for themselves until they could carry no more. They were three days in taking the spoil, it was so much.
26
On the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Beracah, for there they blessed the Lord. Therefore the name of that place has been called the Valley of Beracah to this day.
27
Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat at their head, returning to Jerusalem with joy, s for the Lord had made them rejoice over their enemies.
28
They came to Jerusalem with harps and lyres and trumpets, to the house of the Lord.
29
t And the fear of God came on all the kingdoms of the countries when they heard that the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel.
30
So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet, u for his God gave him rest all around.
31
v Thus Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah. He was thirty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi.
32
He walked in the way of Asa his father and did not turn aside from it, doing what was right in the sight of the Lord.
33
w The high places, however, were not taken away; x the people had not yet set their hearts upon the God of their fathers.
34
Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, from first to last, are written in the chronicles of y Jehu the son of Hanani, z which are recorded in the Book of the Kings of Israel.
35
a After this Jehoshaphat king of Judah joined with Ahaziah king of Israel, who acted wickedly.
36
He joined him in building ships to go to b Tarshish, and they built the ships in Ezion-geber.
37
Then Eliezer the son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, c "Because you have joined with Ahaziah, the Lord will destroy what you have made." And the ships were wrecked and were not able to go to Tarshish.
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Cross References
2 Kings 1:1
After the death of Ahab, Moab rebelled against Israel.
2 Kings 3:4
Now Mesha king of Moab was a sheep breeder, and he had to deliver to the king of Israel 100,000 lambs and the wool of 100,000 rams.
2 Kings 3:7
And he went and sent word to Jehoshaphat king of Judah, "The king of Moab has rebelled against me. Will you go with me to battle against Moab?" And he said, "I will go. I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses.
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Cross References
Genesis 14:7
Then they turned back and came to En-mishpat (that is, Kadesh) and defeated all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites who were dwelling in Hazazon-tamar.
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Cross References
1 Samuel 23:29
And David went up from there and lived in the strongholds of Engedi.
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Cross References
2 Chronicles 19:3
Nevertheless, some good is found in you, for you destroyed the Asherahs out of the land, and have set your heart to seek God.
1 Chronicles 22:19
Now set your mind and heart to seek the Lord your God. Arise and build the sanctuary of the Lord God, so that the ark of the covenant of the Lord and the holy vessels of God may be brought into a house built for the name of the Lord.
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Cross References
Ezra 8:21
Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from him a safe journey for ourselves, our children, and all our goods.
Jeremiah 36:9
In the fifth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, in the ninth month, all the people in Jerusalem and all the people who came from the cities of Judah to Jerusalem proclaimed a fast before the Lord.
Jonah 3:5
And the people of Nineveh believed God. They called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them.
Joel 1:14
Consecrate a fast; call a solemn assembly. Gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land to the house of the Lord your God, and cry out to the Lord.
Joel 2:15
Blow the trumpet in Zion; consecrate a fast; call a solemn assembly.
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Cross References
Deuteronomy 4:39
Know therefore today, and lay it to your heart, that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other.
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Cross References
Daniel 4:17
The sentence is by the decree of the watchers, the decision by the word of the holy ones, to the end that the living may know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will and sets over it the lowliest of men.
Daniel 4:25
That you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. You shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and you shall be wet with the dew of heaven, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, till you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will.
Daniel 4:32
And you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. And you shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will.
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Cross References
1 Chronicles 29:12
Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all.
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Cross References
Psalms 44:2
You with your own hand drove out the nations, but them you planted; you afflicted the peoples, but them you set free.
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Cross References
Isaiah 41:8
But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, the offspring of Abraham, my friend.
James 2:23
And the Scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness" - and he was called a friend of God.
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Cross References
2 Chronicles 6:28 - 30
If there is famine in the land, if there is pestilence or blight or mildew or locust or caterpillar, if their enemies besiege them in the land at their gates, whatever plague, whatever sickness there is.
1 Kings 8:33
When your people Israel are defeated before the enemy because they have sinned against you, and if they turn again to you and acknowledge your name and pray and plead with you in this house.
1 Kings 8:37
If there is famine in the land, if there is pestilence or blight or mildew or locust or caterpillar, if their enemy besieges them in the land at their gates, whatever plague, whatever sickness there is.
Ezekiel 14:21
For thus says the Lord God : How much more when I send upon Jerusalem my four disastrous acts of judgment, sword, famine, wild beasts, and pestilence, to cut off from it man and beast!
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Cross References
Ezra 10:1
While Ezra prayed and made confession, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, a very great assembly of men, women, and children, gathered to him out of Israel, for the people wept bitterly.
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Cross References
2 Chronicles 6:20
That your eyes may be open day and night toward this house, the place where you have promised to set your name, that you may listen to the prayer that your servant offers toward this place.
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Cross References
2 Chronicles 20:1
After this the Moabites and Ammonites, and with them some of the Meunites, came against Jehoshaphat for battle.
2 Chronicles 20:22 - 23
And when they began to sing and praise, the Lord set an ambush against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah, so that they were routed.
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Cross References
2 Chronicles 25:11
But Amaziah took courage and led out his people and went to the Valley of Salt and struck down 10,000 men of Seir.
2 Chronicles 25:14
After Amaziah came from striking down the Edomites, he brought the gods of the men of Seir and set them up as his gods and worshiped them, making offerings to them.
Genesis 32:3
And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother in the land of Seir, the country of Edom.
Genesis 36:8
So Esau settled in the hill country of Seir. ( Esau is Edom.)
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Cross References
Deuteronomy 2:4 - 5
And command the people, "You are about to pass through the territory of your brothers, the people of Esau, who live in Seir; and they will be afraid of you. So be very careful.
Deuteronomy 2:9
And the Lord said to me, 'Do not harass Moab or contend with them in battle, for I will not give you any of their land for a possession, because I have given Ar to the people of Lot for a possession.
Deuteronomy 2:19
And when you approach the territory of the people of Ammon, do not harass them or contend with them, for I will not give you any of the land of the people of Ammon as a possession, because I have given it to the sons of Lot for a possession.
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Cross References
Numbers 20:21
Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his territory, so Israel turned away from him.
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Cross References
Psalms 83:6 - 7
The tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, Moab and the Hagrites.
Psalms 83:12
Who said, "Let us take possession for ourselves of the pastures of God.
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Cross References
1 Samuel 3:13
And I declare to him that I am about to punish his house forever, for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons were blaspheming God, and he did not restrain them.
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Cross References
Psalms 25:15
My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for he will pluck my feet out of the net.
Psalms 123:1 - 2
To you I lift up my eyes, O you who are enthroned in the heavens!
Psalms 141:8
But my eyes are toward you, O God, my Lord; in you I seek refuge; leave me not defenseless!
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Cross References
2 Chronicles 15:1
The Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded.
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Cross References
2 Chronicles 32:7
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or dismayed before the king of Assyria and all the horde that is with him, for there are more with us than with him.
Deuteronomy 1:29 - 30
Then I said to you, 'Do not be in dread or afraid of them.
Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.
Deuteronomy 31:8
It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.
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Cross References
1 Samuel 17:47
And that all this assembly may know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the Lord 's, and he will give you into our hand.
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Cross References
Numbers 13:23
And they came to the Valley of Eshcol and cut down from there a branch with a single cluster of grapes, and they carried it on a pole between two of them; they also brought some pomegranates and figs.
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Cross References
Exodus 14:13 - 14
And Moses said to the people, "Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again.
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Cross References
2 Chronicles 20:15
And he said, "Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the Lord to you, 'Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God's.
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Cross References
2 Chronicles 15:2
And he went out to meet Asa and said to him, "Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: The Lord is with you while you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you.
2 Chronicles 32:8
With him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our battles." And the people took confidence from the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.
Numbers 14:9
Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us. Their protection is removed from them, and the Lord is with us; do not fear them.
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Cross References
2 Chronicles 29:29 - 30
When the offering was finished, the king and all who were present with him bowed themselves and worshiped.
Exodus 4:31
And the people believed; and when they heard that the Lord had visited the people of Israel and that he had seen their affliction, they bowed their heads and worshiped.
Nehemiah 8:6
And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people answered, "Amen, Amen," lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.
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Cross References
Exodus 6:16
These are the names of the sons of Levi according to their generations: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari, the years of the life of Levi being 137 years.
Exodus 6:18
The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel, the years of the life of Kohath being 133 years.
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Cross References
1 Chronicles 9:19
Shallum the son of Kore, son of Ebiasaph, son of Korah, and his kinsmen of his fathers' house, the Korahites, were in charge of the work of the service, keepers of the thresholds of the tent, as their fathers had been in charge of the camp of the Lord, keepers of the entrance.
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Cross References
2 Samuel 14:2
And Joab sent to Tekoa and brought from there a wise woman and said to her, "Pretend to be a mourner and put on mourning garments. Do not anoint yourself with oil, but behave like a woman who has been mourning many days for the dead.
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Cross References
Isaiah 7:9
And the head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is the son of Remaliah. If you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all.'
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Cross References
1 Chronicles 16:29
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him! Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.
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Cross References
1 Chronicles 16:34
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!
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Cross References
2 Chronicles 13:13
Jeroboam had sent an ambush around to come upon them from behind. Thus his troops were in front of Judah, and the ambush was behind them.
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Cross References
2 Chronicles 20:10
And now behold, the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir, whom you would not let Israel invade when they came from the land of Egypt, and whom they avoided and did not destroy -
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Cross References
Judges 7:22
When they blew the 300 trumpets, the Lord set every man's sword against his comrade and against all the army. And the army fled as far as Beth-shittah toward Zererah, as far as the border of Abel-meholah, by Tabbath.
1 Samuel 14:20
Then Saul and all the people who were with him rallied and went into the battle. And behold, every Philistine's sword was against his fellow, and there was very great confusion.
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Cross References
Nehemiah 12:43
And they offered great sacrifices that day and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with great joy; the women and children also rejoiced. And the joy of Jerusalem was heard far away.
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Cross References
2 Chronicles 14:14
And they attacked all the cities around Gerar, for the fear of the Lord was upon them. They plundered all the cities, for there was much plunder in them.
2 Chronicles 17:10
And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah, and they made no war against Jehoshaphat.
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Cross References
2 Chronicles 14:6 - 7
He built fortified cities in Judah, for the land had rest. He had no war in those years, for the Lord gave him peace.
2 Chronicles 15:15
And all Judah rejoiced over the oath, for they had sworn with all their heart and had sought him with their whole desire, and he was found by them, and the Lord gave them rest all around.
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Cross References
2 Chronicles 20:31 - 33
Thus Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah. He was thirty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi.
1 Kings 22:41 - 43
Jehoshaphat the son of Asa began to reign over Judah in the fourth year of Ahab king of Israel.
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Cross References
2 Chronicles 17:6
His heart was courageous in the ways of the Lord. And furthermore, he took the high places and the Asherim out of Judah.
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Cross References
2 Chronicles 12:14
And he did evil, for he did not set his heart to seek the Lord.
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Cross References
2 Chronicles 19:2
But Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him and said to King Jehoshaphat, "Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord ? Because of this, wrath has gone out against you from the Lord.
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Cross References
1 Kings 16:1
And the word of the Lord came to Jehu the son of Hanani against Baasha, saying.
1 Kings 16:7
Moreover, the word of the Lord came by the prophet Jehu the son of Hanani against Baasha and his house, both because of all the evil that he did in the sight of the Lord, provoking him to anger with the work of his hands, in being like the house of Jeroboam, and also because he destroyed it.
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Cross References
1 Kings 22:48 - 49
Jehoshaphat made ships of Tarshish to go to Ophir for gold, but they did not go, for the ships were wrecked at Ezion-geber.
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Cross References
2 Chronicles 9:21
For the king's ships went to Tarshish with the servants of Hiram. Once every three years the ships of Tarshish used to come bringing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks.
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Cross References
2 Chronicles 19:2
But Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him and said to King Jehoshaphat, "Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord ? Because of this, wrath has gone out against you from the Lord.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.