Tomorrow you are to march down against them. You will see them coming up the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the valley facing the Wilderness of Jeruel. Tomorrow you are to march down against them.This directive is given by God through a prophetic message to King Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah. It emphasizes the immediacy and certainty of God's plan. The command to "march down" indicates a proactive stance, despite the overwhelming odds. This reflects a recurring biblical theme where faith requires action, as seen in the story of Joshua and the walls of Jericho (Joshua 6). You will see them coming up the Ascent of Ziz,
The Ascent of Ziz is a geographical location that provides a strategic vantage point. It is believed to be a pass or a slope leading up from the Dead Sea area. This detail underscores God's omniscience, as He knows the enemy's movements. The specificity of the location reassures the Israelites of God's control over the situation, similar to how God guided the Israelites through the wilderness (Exodus 13:21). and you will find them at the end of the valley
The valley mentioned here is likely a strategic location for battle. Valleys in biblical times were often sites of significant encounters, such as the Valley of Elah where David fought Goliath (1 Samuel 17). This phrase suggests that God has already determined the outcome of the battle, providing assurance of victory. facing the Wilderness of Jeruel.
The Wilderness of Jeruel is a less-known location, but its mention indicates a specific area where the enemy will be positioned. Wildernesses in the Bible often symbolize places of testing and divine intervention, as seen in the Israelites' journey through the wilderness (Deuteronomy 8:2). This setting highlights God's ability to deliver His people in seemingly desolate and challenging circumstances. Persons / Places / Events 1. JehoshaphatThe King of Judah who sought the Lord's guidance when faced with a vast army. 2. The Ascent of ZizA specific location where the enemy was to be encountered, indicating God's precise guidance. 3. The Wilderness of JeruelThe area where the confrontation with the enemy was to take place. 4. The Enemy ArmiesThe Moabites, Ammonites, and some of the Meunites who came to make war against Jehoshaphat. 5. The ProphecyDelivered by Jahaziel, a Levite, assuring victory without the need for battle. Teaching Points Trust in Divine GuidanceGod provides specific instructions in times of crisis. Trust His guidance even when the path seems unclear. Faith Over FearJehoshaphat's response to fear was to seek the Lord. In our lives, we should turn to prayer and God's Word when faced with overwhelming situations. God's Sovereignty in BattleThe battle belongs to the Lord. We are called to obedience and faith, not to fight in our own strength. Community in CrisisJehoshaphat gathered the people to seek the Lord together. In times of trouble, the community of believers should unite in prayer and support. Preparation and ObedienceWhile God promised victory, the people still had to prepare and march out. Faith requires action in obedience to God's commands. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Jehoshaphat's response to the threat in 2 Chronicles 20:16 inspire you to handle crises in your own life? 2. What parallels can you draw between the instructions given in this verse and the concept of spiritual warfare in Ephesians 6:10-18? 3. In what ways can you apply the principle of "the battle belongs to the Lord" in your daily challenges? 4. How does the community's response in this chapter encourage you to engage with your church or faith community during difficult times? 5. Reflect on a time when you had to trust God's guidance without seeing the full picture. How did that experience strengthen your faith? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 14:13-14Similar to the Red Sea crossing, where God instructs the Israelites to stand firm and see the deliverance of the Lord. Psalm 46:10Encourages believers to be still and know that God is in control, reflecting the trust required in 2 Chronicles 20. Ephesians 6:10-18The armor of God passage, emphasizing spiritual readiness and reliance on God's power rather than human strength. Isaiah 41:10God's promise of presence and strength, paralleling the assurance given to Jehoshaphat. Romans 8:31The assurance that if God is for us, who can be against us, echoing the confidence given to Judah. People Ahaziah, Ammonites, Aram, Asa, Asaph, Azubah, Benaiah, Berachah, Dodavah, Eliezer, Geber, Hanani, Jahaziel, Jehoshaphat, Jehu, Jeiel, Kohathites, Korahites, Korhites, Levites, Maonites, Mattaniah, Meunim, Meunites, Moabites, Seir, Shilhi, Tamar, Tarshish, ZechariahPlaces Ammon, Edom, Egypt, Engedi, Ezion-geber, Hazazon-tamar, Jeruel, Jerusalem, Mareshah, Moab, Mount Seir, Seir, Tarshish, Tekoa, ZizTopics Ascent, Behold, Brook, Cliff, Climbing, Desert, East, Face, Front, Gorge, Jeruel, Jeru'el, March, Morrow, Pass, Slope, Tomorrow, To-morrow, Valley, Waste, Wilderness, ZizDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Chronicles 20:16 4230 desert
5143 climbing 2 Chronicles 20:1-17 8648 enquiring of God 2 Chronicles 20:15-17 8129 guidance, examples
8724 doubt, dealing with 2 Chronicles 20:15-24 5607 warfare, examples Library A Strange Battle
'We have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon Thee.'--2 CHRON xx. 12. A formidable combination of neighbouring nations, of which Moab and Ammon, the ancestral enemies of Judah, were the chief, was threatening Judah. Jehoshaphat, the king, was panic-stricken when he heard of the heavy war-cloud that was rolling on, ready to burst in thunder on his little kingdom. His first act was to muster the nation, not as a military levy …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureHolding Fast and Held Fast
'As they went forth Jehoshaphat stood and said, Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established.'--2 CHRON. xx. 20. Certainly no stronger army ever went forth to victory than these Jews, who poured out of Jerusalem that morning with no weapon in all their ranks, and having for their van, not their picked men, but singers who 'praised the beauty of holiness,' and chanted the old hymn, 'Give thanks unto the Lord, for His mercy endureth for ever.' That was all that men had to do in the battle, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Of the Public Fast.
A public fast is when, by the authority of the magistrate (Jonah iii. 7; 2 Chron. xx. 3; Ezra viii. 21), either the whole church within his dominion, or some special congregation, whom it concerneth, assemble themselves together, to perform the fore-mentioned duties of humiliation; either for the removing of some public calamity threatened or already inflicted upon them, as the sword, invasion, famine, pestilence, or other fearful sickness (1 Sam. vii. 5, 6; Joel ii. 15; 2 Chron. xx.; Jonah iii. …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety The Coast of the Asphaltites, the Essenes. En-Gedi.
"On the western shore" (of the Asphaltites) "dwell the Essenes; whom persons, guilty of any crimes, fly from on every side. A nation it is that lives alone, and of all other nations in the whole world, most to be admired; they are without any woman; all lust banished, &c. Below these, was the town Engadda, the next to Jerusalem for fruitfulness, and groves of palm-trees, now another burying-place. From thence stands Massada, a castle in a rock, and this castle not far from the Asphaltites." Solinus, …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica "Thou Shall Keep Him in Perfect Peace, Whose Mind is Stayed on Thee, Because He Trusteth in Thee. "
Isaiah xxvi. 3.--"Thou shall keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee." Christ hath left us his peace, as the great and comprehensive legacy, "My peace I leave you," John xiv. 27. And this was not peace in the world that he enjoyed; you know what his life was, a continual warfare; but a peace above the world, that passeth understanding. "In the world you shall have trouble, but in me you shall have peace," saith Christ,--a peace that shall make trouble …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning That the Employing Of, and Associating with the Malignant Party, According as is Contained in the Public Resolutions, is Sinful and Unlawful.
That The Employing Of, And Associating With The Malignant Party, According As Is Contained In The Public Resolutions, Is Sinful And Unlawful. If there be in the land a malignant party of power and policy, and the exceptions contained in the Act of Levy do comprehend but few of that party, then there need be no more difficulty to prove, that the present public resolutions and proceedings do import an association and conjunction with a malignant party, than to gather a conclusion from clear premises. …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning Commerce
The remarkable change which we have noticed in the views of Jewish authorities, from contempt to almost affectation of manual labour, could certainly not have been arbitrary. But as we fail to discover here any religious motive, we can only account for it on the score of altered political and social circumstances. So long as the people were, at least nominally, independent, and in possession of their own land, constant engagement in a trade would probably mark an inferior social stage, and imply …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Concerning Peaceableness
Blessed are the peacemakers. Matthew 5:9 This is the seventh step of the golden ladder which leads to blessedness. The name of peace is sweet, and the work of peace is a blessed work. Blessed are the peacemakers'. Observe the connection. The Scripture links these two together, pureness of heart and peaceableness of spirit. The wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable' (James 3:17). Follow peace and holiness' (Hebrews 12:14). And here Christ joins them together pure in heart, and peacemakers', …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12 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 Links 2 Chronicles 20:16 NIV2 Chronicles 20:16 NLT2 Chronicles 20:16 ESV2 Chronicles 20:16 NASB2 Chronicles 20:16 KJV
2 Chronicles 20:16 Commentaries
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