2 Chronicles 20:12-37 ▼

12 Our God {Elohenu}, will You not judge them? For we are powerless before this vast army that comes against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.”

13 Meanwhile all the men of Judah (praised), with their wives and children and little ones, were standing before the LORD {YHWH}.

14 Then the Spirit of the LORD {Ruach YHWH} came upon Jahaziel (beheld of God) son of Zechariah (YHWH remembers), the son of Benaiah (YHWH has built up), the son of Jeiel (God sweeps away), the son of Mattaniah (gift of YHWH), a Levite from Asaph’s (gatherer) descendants, as he stood in the midst of the assembly.

15 And he said, “Listen, all you⁺ people of Judah (praised) and Jerusalem (city of peace)! Listen, King Jehoshaphat (YHWH has judged)! This is what the LORD {YHWH} says: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army, for the battle does not belong to you⁺, but to God {Elohim}.

16 Tomorrow you are to march down against them. You will see them coming up the Ascent of Ziz (flower), and you⁺ will find them at the end of the valley facing the Wilderness of Jeruel (taught by God).

17 You⁺ need not fight this battle. Take up your positions, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD {YHWH} on your⁺ behalf, O Judah (praised) and Jerusalem (city of peace). Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out and face them tomorrow, for the LORD is with you⁺.’”

18 Then Jehoshaphat (YHWH has judged) bowed facedown, and all the people of Judah (praised) and Jerusalem (city of peace) fell down before the LORD {YHWH} to worship Him.

19 And the Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites (one of Korah) stood up to praise the LORD, the God {YHWH Elohe} of Israel (he wrestles with God), shouting in a very loud voice.

20 Early in the morning they got up and left for the Wilderness of Tekoa (a stockade). As they set out, Jehoshaphat (YHWH has judged) stood up and said, “Hear me, O people of Judah (praised) and Jerusalem (city of peace). Believe in the LORD your⁺ God {YHWH Eloheikem}, and you⁺ will be upheld; believe in His prophets, and you will succeed.”

21 Then Jehoshaphat consulted with the people and appointed those who would sing to the LORD {YHWH} and praise the splendor of His holiness. As they went out before the army, they were singing: “Give thanks to the LORD, for His loving devotion endures forever.”

22 The moment they began their shouts and praises, the LORD {YHWH} set ambushes against the men of Ammon (tribal), Moab (of his father), and Mount Seir (shaggy) who had come against Judah (praised), and they were defeated.

23 The Ammonites (tribal) and Moabites (of his father) rose up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir (shaggy), devoting them to destruction {cherem}. And when they had finished off the inhabitants of Seir, they helped to destroy one another.

24 When the men of Judah (praised) came to a place overlooking the wilderness, they looked for the vast army, but there were only corpses lying on the ground; no one had escaped.

25 Then Jehoshaphat (YHWH has judged) and his people went to carry off the plunder, and they found on the bodies an abundance of goods and valuables more than they could carry away (burden). They were gathering the plunder for three days because there was so much.

26 On the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Beracah (blessing), where they blessed the LORD {YHWH}. Therefore that place is called the Valley of Beracah to this day.

27 Then all the men of Judah (praised) and Jerusalem (city of peace), with Jehoshaphat (YHWH has judged) at their head, returned joyfully to Jerusalem, for the LORD {YHWH} had made them rejoice over their enemies.

28 So they entered Jerusalem (city of peace) and went into the house of the LORD {YHWH} with harps, lyres, and trumpets.

29 And the fear of God {Elohim} came upon all the kingdoms of the lands when they heard that the LORD {YHWH} had fought against the enemies of Israel (he wrestles with God).

30 Then Jehoshaphat’s (YHWH has judged) kingdom was at peace, for his God {Elohaw} had given him rest on every side.

31 So Jehoshaphat (YHWH has judged) reigned over Judah (praised). He was thirty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem (city of peace) twenty-five years. His mother’s name was Azubah (forsaken) daughter of Shilhi (armed).

32 And Jehoshaphat walked in the way of his father Asa (healer) and did not turn away from it; he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD {YHWH}.

33 The high places, however, were not removed; the people had not yet set their hearts on the God {Elohe} of their fathers.

34 As for the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat (YHWH has judged), from beginning to end, they are indeed written in the Chronicles of Jehu (YHWH is He) son of Hanani (gracious), which are recorded in the Book of the Kings of Israel (he wrestles with God).

35 Later, Jehoshaphat (YHWH has judged) king of Judah (praised) made an alliance with Ahaziah (YHWH holds) king of Israel (he wrestles with God), who acted wickedly (who made him act wickedly).

36 They agreed to make ships to go to Tarshish (a fleet of trading ships), and these were built in Ezion-geber (backbone).

37 Then Eliezer (God is my helper) son of Dodavahu (beloved of YHWH) of Mareshah (crest of a hill) prophesied against Jehoshaphat (YHWH has judged), saying, “Because you have allied yourself with Ahaziah (YHWH holds), the LORD {YHWH} has destroyed your works.” So the ships were wrecked and were unable to sail to Tarshish (set sail to trade).