1 Chronicles 5:20
And because they cried out to God in battle, they were helped against their enemies, and the Hagrites and all their allies were delivered into their hands. Because they put their trust in God, He answered their prayers.
And because they cried out to God in battle,

The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh did not regard their military strength as sufficient for victory. Facing the Hagrites and their allies east of the Jordan, they appealed to the Lord as the true defender of His people. Their cry reflected the covenant conviction that Israel’s safety depended upon God’s presence and power.

2Ch 14:11 Then Asa cried out to the LORD his God: “O LORD,…
2Ch 32:20 In response, King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah…
Psa 18:6 In my distress I called upon the LORD; I cried…

they were helped against their enemies,

The Lord intervened on behalf of the Israelite warriors and gave them strength to overcome a formidable enemy. Israel’s history repeatedly shows that victory belonged to God, not to numbers, weapons, or human strategy. The same Lord who brought down Jericho and delivered David from his enemies remained faithful to defend those who sought Him.

2Ch 14:12 So the LORD struck down the Cushites before Asa and Judah…
Psa 18:17 He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from foes too mighty…
Psa 44:7 For You save us from our enemies; You put those who hate us…

and the Hagrites and all their allies were delivered into their hands.

The Hagrites, together with the Jeturites, Naphishites, and Nodabites, occupied regions east and southeast of Israel’s tribal lands. Their defeat secured pastureland, livestock, and territory for the eastern tribes. God’s deliverance fulfilled His promise to fight for His people as they trusted and obeyed Him.

Psa 83:6-8 the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, of Moab…
Jos 10:8 The LORD said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid of them.”…
1Sa 14:10 But if they say, ‘Come on up,’ then we will go up…

Because they put their trust in God,

Their appeal in battle was joined to genuine reliance upon the Lord. Trust in God places confidence in His character, His promises, and His sovereign rule rather than in visible resources. Such faith did not deny the danger of battle but rested in the certainty that God was able to save.

2Ch 13:18 Thus the Israelites were subdued at that time…
2Ch 16:8 Were not the Cushites and Libyans a vast army…
Psa 37:5 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him…

He answered their prayers.

God heard the cry of His people and acted decisively on their behalf. Their victory became evidence that the Lord attends to those who seek Him in faith. Prayer remains the proper response to need, for God is near to His people and faithful to accomplish His purposes through their dependence on Him.

2Ki 20:5 Go back and tell Hezekiah the leader of My people…
Psa 66:19 But God has surely heard; He has attended…
Psa 34:4 I sought the LORD, and He answered me; He delivered me…

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Reubenites, Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh
These were the tribes of Israel involved in the battle against the Hagrites. They were known for their valor and strength in battle.

2. The Hagrites
A nomadic tribe that lived east of the Jordan River. They were often in conflict with the Israelites.

3. The Battle
A significant conflict where the Israelite tribes sought divine intervention against their enemies.

4. God's Intervention
The divine assistance provided to the Israelites, resulting in their victory over the Hagrites and their allies.

5. Prayer and Trust
The act of crying out to God and trusting in Him, which was pivotal in securing victory.
Teaching Points
The Power of Prayer
In times of trouble, turning to God in prayer is crucial. The Israelites' victory was directly linked to their earnest prayers.

Trust in God
Trusting in God is essential for overcoming life's battles. The Israelites' faith was rewarded with divine intervention.

Divine Assistance
God is willing to help those who seek Him sincerely. The Israelites' experience shows that God responds to genuine cries for help.

Community in Faith
The collective faith and prayer of the community can lead to miraculous outcomes. The tribes united in their plea to God.

God's Faithfulness
God honors His promises and is faithful to those who trust in Him. The victory over the Hagrites is a testament to His faithfulness.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the account of the Israelites' battle against the Hagrites encourage you to approach your own battles in life?

2. In what ways can you incorporate the practice of communal prayer in your faith community, similar to the tribes of Israel?

3. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's intervention in your life. How did trust play a role in that experience?

4. How can the example of the Israelites' trust in God during battle inspire you to deepen your faith and reliance on Him?

5. What are some practical steps you can take to ensure that prayer and trust in God are central to your response in challenging situations?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 20:7
This verse emphasizes trust in the name of the Lord rather than in chariots and horses, paralleling the trust shown by the Israelites in 1 Chronicles 5:20.

2 Chronicles 20:15-17
The account of Jehoshaphat's battle where God assures victory, highlighting the power of faith and divine intervention in battles.

Hebrews 11:6
This verse underscores the importance of faith in pleasing God, which is reflected in the trust the Israelites placed in Him during their battle.
HelpedSword and Trowel.1 Chronicles 5:20
Man's Power and God's Power in WarR. Tuck 1 Chronicles 5:18-22
Victors and VanquishedJ.R. Thomson 1 Chronicles 5:18-22
Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh: Their ValourF. Whitfield 1 Chronicles 5:18-24
Devotion, Declension, and DoomW. Clarkson 1 Chronicles 5:18-26
On the Genealogical TablesR. Glover 1 Chronicles 1-6
GenealogiesJ.R. Thomson 1 Chronicles 1-9
People
Abdiel, Abihail, Ahi, Azaz, Azriel, Beerah, Bela, Buz, Carmi, Eber, Eliel, Enoch, Epher, Gad, Gadites, Gog, Guni, Hagarites, Hagrites, Hanoch, Heber, Hezron, Hodaviah, Huri, Ishi, Jaanai, Jachan, Jahdiel, Jahdo, Jaroah, Jeiel, Jeremiah, Jeroboam, Jeshishai, Jetur, Joel, Jorai, Joseph, Jotham, Manasseh, Meshullam, Micah, Michael, Naphish, Pallu, Phallu, Pul, Reaia, Reaiah, Reuben, Reubenites, Saul, Shapham, Shaphat, Shema, Shemaiah, Shimei, Tilgathpilneser, Zechariah, Zia
Places
Aroer, Assyria, Baal-hermon, Bashan, Beth-baal-meon, Euphrates River, Gilead, Gozan, Habor River, Halah, Hara, Jetur, Mount Hermon, Mount Seir, Naphish, Nebo, Nodab, Salecah, Senir, Sharon
Topics
Allies, Battle, Cried, Delivered, During, Ear, Entreated, Entreaty, Faith, Fight, Fighting, Granted, Hagarites, Hagrites, Handed, Hands, Helped, Intreated, Power, Prayers, Received, Trust, Trusted
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Chronicles 5:20

     8031   trust, importance
     8614   prayer, answers

1 Chronicles 5:18-23

     7266   tribes of Israel

Library
Conclusion
"Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth" (Rev. 19:6). In our Foreword to the Second Edition we acknowledge the need for preserving the balance of Truth. Two things are beyond dispute: God is Sovereign, man is responsible. In this book we have sought to expound the former; in our other works we have frequently pressed the latter. That there is real danger of over-emphasising the one and ignoring the other, we readily admit; yea, history furnishes numerous examples of cases of each. To emphasise
Arthur W. Pink—The Sovereignty of God

Chronicles
The comparative indifference with which Chronicles is regarded in modern times by all but professional scholars seems to have been shared by the ancient Jewish church. Though written by the same hand as wrote Ezra-Nehemiah, and forming, together with these books, a continuous history of Judah, it is placed after them in the Hebrew Bible, of which it forms the concluding book; and this no doubt points to the fact that it attained canonical distinction later than they. Nor is this unnatural. The book
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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