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2 Chronicles 20:3
Verse
Context
War against Jehoshaphat
2Then some men came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from beyond the Sea; they are already in Hazazon-tamar” (that is, En-gedi).3Jehoshaphat was alarmed and set his face to seek the LORD. And he proclaimed a fast throughout Judah.4So the people of Judah gathered to seek the LORD, and indeed, they came from all the cities of Judah to seek Him.
Sermons
Mack Tomlinson
Shane Idleman
David Wilkerson
F.B. Meyer
Kevin MeadorDavid Wilkerson
Lewis BeacheySummary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Keil-Delitzsch
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Jehoshaphat feared - He found that he could not possibly stand against such a numerous army, and therefore could not expect to be delivered except by the strong arm of God. To get this assistance, it was necessary to seek it; and to get such extraordinary help, they should seek it in an extraordinary way; hence he proclaimed a universal fast, and all the people came up to Jerusalem to seek the Lord.
Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary
This report filled Jehoshaphat with fear, and he resolved to seek help of the Lord. ??????? נתן = שׂוּם , cf. Kg2 12:18; Jer 42:15, to direct the face to anything, i.e., to purpose something, come to a determination. He proclaimed a fast in all Judah, that the people might bow themselves before God, and supplicate His help, as was wont to be done in great misfortunes; cf. Jdg 20:26; Sa1 7:6; Isa 2:15. In consequence of the royal appeal, Judah came together to seek of the Lord, i.e., to pray for help, by fasting and prayer in the temple; and it was not only the inhabitants of Jerusalem who thus assembled, for they came out of all the cities of the kingdom. מיהוה בּקּשׁ, to seek of the Lord, sc. help, is expressed in the last clause by את־יהוה בּקּשׁ to seek the Lord.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Jehoshaphat . . . proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah--Alarmed by the intelligence and conscious of his total inability to repel this host of invaders, Jehoshaphat felt his only refuge was at the horns of the altar. He resolved to employ the aid of his God, and, in conformity with this resolution, he summoned all his subjects to observe a solemn fast at the sanctuary. It was customary with the Hebrew kings to proclaim fasts in perilous circumstances, either in a city, a district, or throughout the entire kingdom, according to the greatness of the emergency. On this occasion, it was a universal fast, which extended to infants (Ch2 20:13; see also Joe 2:15-16; Jon 3:7).
John Gill Bible Commentary
And Jehoshaphat feared,.... Exceedingly, as the Targum adds, not merely because of the number of his enemies, for he had forces enough to go forth against them, see Ch2 17:14, but chiefly because the Lord had told him that wrath was upon him from him, Ch2 19:2 and he might fear that this was the time for the execution of it: and set himself to seek the Lord; by prayer and supplication, with all seriousness, fervour, and constancy: and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah; a day of humiliation and mourning for sin before the Lord; when they were ordered to abstain from bodily food and labour, that they might be fit and more at leisure for spiritual exercises.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
20:3-12 Jehoshaphat responded to the news of war with neighboring nations with a prayer of lament, keeping with the ideals of Solomon’s prayer (6:24-40).
2 Chronicles 20:3
War against Jehoshaphat
2Then some men came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from beyond the Sea; they are already in Hazazon-tamar” (that is, En-gedi).3Jehoshaphat was alarmed and set his face to seek the LORD. And he proclaimed a fast throughout Judah.4So the people of Judah gathered to seek the LORD, and indeed, they came from all the cities of Judah to seek Him.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Prevailing Prayer
By Mack Tomlinson64349:492CH 20:3JHN 11:41ACT 12:5PHP 4:6JAS 5:16
This sermon focuses on prevailing prayer, highlighting the story of Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20 facing a real need and turning to seek the Lord in prayer. It emphasizes the importance of genuine, desperate prayer in times of need, trusting in God's timing and providence to answer prayers and provide for His people.
The Cure for Chaos - Call a Sacred Assembly
By Shane Idleman1742:26Fasting and PrayerRepentance2CH 7:142CH 20:3ISA 58:6JOL 1:14MAT 6:16LUK 9:23ROM 12:12TI 1:7JAS 4:81PE 5:6Shane Idleman emphasizes the urgent need for the church to reclaim its voice and boldly proclaim God's truth in a chaotic world. He calls for a Sacred Assembly, urging believers to prepare their hearts through fasting and prayer, as a means to invite God's presence and power into their lives and communities. Idleman highlights the importance of repentance and unity among believers, stressing that true revival begins with individuals turning back to God. He warns against complacency and the dangers of allowing the flesh to dominate, advocating for a return to holiness and a passionate pursuit of God's Spirit. Ultimately, he reminds the congregation that hope and redemption are found in Jesus Christ alone.
Waiting on the Lord for Direction
By David Wilkerson0Waiting On GodDivine Guidance1SA 9:272CH 20:32CH 20:14ISA 30:21David Wilkerson emphasizes the importance of waiting on the Lord for direction, highlighting that God's voice is often heard through scripture and requires us to stand still and listen. He illustrates this with the examples of Saul, who was instructed by Samuel to pause and hear God's word, and King Jehoshaphat, who sought the Lord amidst fear and received divine assurance. The sermon reassures believers that even in uncertainty, God is our strength and will guide us if we yield to Him and remain patient. Ultimately, it is through stillness and trust that we can witness God's salvation in our lives.
The Lord Stirred Up the Spirit of Cyrus.
By F.B. Meyer0Obedience to GodDivine Calling2CH 36:22PRO 21:1ISA 45:1ISA 55:11JER 29:10DAN 9:2PHP 2:131TH 5:24JAS 5:16F.B. Meyer emphasizes that the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus to fulfill the prophecy of the return of the Jewish captives from Babylon, as foretold by Jeremiah and Isaiah. He highlights the importance of prayer, as exemplified by Daniel, in influencing leaders and initiating divine movements. Meyer notes that while God can stir hearts, obedience is essential, and sadly, only a few of the Jewish captives responded to the call to return. He encourages believers to rise up and act whenever they feel a divine stirring in their lives. Ultimately, the sermon calls for faith and responsiveness to God's leading.
Praying in Times of Crises
By Kevin Meador0GEN 50:202CH 20:3PSA 22:3PSA 76:10PSA 119:71ROM 8:282CO 1:3PHP 4:6JAS 1:21PE 5:7Kevin Meador preaches on seeking God in the midst of a crisis, emphasizing the importance of realizing our helplessness, committing ourselves to seeking the Lord, focusing on God's character, being obedient to God's leading, understanding whose crisis it is, praising God throughout the crisis, claiming the peace that comes from prayer, and praising and thanking God in the midst of adversity. He also encourages developing '50/20 vision' to see God's hand at work in every circumstance in life.
God Is Bound to His Word
By David Wilkerson0Boldness in PrayerGod's FaithfulnessJOS 21:451KI 8:562CH 20:32CH 20:6PSA 119:89ISA 55:11ROM 4:21HEB 10:232PE 3:9David Wilkerson emphasizes the concept of 'binding precedent' in prayer, illustrating how understanding God's past mercies can empower believers to pray boldly. He uses the example of King Jehoshaphat, who, in a time of crisis, reminded God of His promises and past actions, effectively binding God to His Word. This act of recalling God's faithfulness not only strengthened Jehoshaphat's faith but also led to divine intervention against Judah's enemies. Wilkerson encourages believers to approach God with the same confidence, knowing that His promises remain steadfast. Ultimately, he assures that God is bound to fulfill His Word in our lives.
Face the Battle Singing!
By Lewis Beachey02CH 20:3JHN 8:34ROM 8:372CO 12:9EPH 6:12COL 3:51JN 5:4Lewis Beachey preaches on the story of Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20, highlighting the king's response to a great enemy alliance by seeking the Lord through fasting and prayer. Despite feeling powerless, Jehoshaphat's faith led him to trust in God's promise of victory. The sermon emphasizes the spiritual battle believers face against unseen enemies like spiritual wickedness, urging them to put on the whole armor of God to withstand the devil's schemes.
- Adam Clarke
- Keil-Delitzsch
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Jehoshaphat feared - He found that he could not possibly stand against such a numerous army, and therefore could not expect to be delivered except by the strong arm of God. To get this assistance, it was necessary to seek it; and to get such extraordinary help, they should seek it in an extraordinary way; hence he proclaimed a universal fast, and all the people came up to Jerusalem to seek the Lord.
Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary
This report filled Jehoshaphat with fear, and he resolved to seek help of the Lord. ??????? נתן = שׂוּם , cf. Kg2 12:18; Jer 42:15, to direct the face to anything, i.e., to purpose something, come to a determination. He proclaimed a fast in all Judah, that the people might bow themselves before God, and supplicate His help, as was wont to be done in great misfortunes; cf. Jdg 20:26; Sa1 7:6; Isa 2:15. In consequence of the royal appeal, Judah came together to seek of the Lord, i.e., to pray for help, by fasting and prayer in the temple; and it was not only the inhabitants of Jerusalem who thus assembled, for they came out of all the cities of the kingdom. מיהוה בּקּשׁ, to seek of the Lord, sc. help, is expressed in the last clause by את־יהוה בּקּשׁ to seek the Lord.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Jehoshaphat . . . proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah--Alarmed by the intelligence and conscious of his total inability to repel this host of invaders, Jehoshaphat felt his only refuge was at the horns of the altar. He resolved to employ the aid of his God, and, in conformity with this resolution, he summoned all his subjects to observe a solemn fast at the sanctuary. It was customary with the Hebrew kings to proclaim fasts in perilous circumstances, either in a city, a district, or throughout the entire kingdom, according to the greatness of the emergency. On this occasion, it was a universal fast, which extended to infants (Ch2 20:13; see also Joe 2:15-16; Jon 3:7).
John Gill Bible Commentary
And Jehoshaphat feared,.... Exceedingly, as the Targum adds, not merely because of the number of his enemies, for he had forces enough to go forth against them, see Ch2 17:14, but chiefly because the Lord had told him that wrath was upon him from him, Ch2 19:2 and he might fear that this was the time for the execution of it: and set himself to seek the Lord; by prayer and supplication, with all seriousness, fervour, and constancy: and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah; a day of humiliation and mourning for sin before the Lord; when they were ordered to abstain from bodily food and labour, that they might be fit and more at leisure for spiritual exercises.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
20:3-12 Jehoshaphat responded to the news of war with neighboring nations with a prayer of lament, keeping with the ideals of Solomon’s prayer (6:24-40).