2 Chronicles 20:16

_TO MORROW GO YE DOWN AGAINST THEM: BEHOLD, THEY COME UP BY THE CLIFF OF ZIZ; AND YE SHALL FIND THEM AT THE END OF THE BROOK, BEFORE THE WILDERNESS OF JERUEL._ They come up by the cliff of Ziz. This seems to have been nothing else than the present pass, which leads northwards, by an ascent from Engedi, to Jerusalem, issuing a little below Tekoa. The wilderness of Jeruel was, probably, the large flat district adjoining the desert of Tekoa, called el-Husasah, from a wady on its northern side (Robinson's 'Biblical Researches,' 2:,p. 215)....

14-19 The Spirit of prophecy came upon a Levite in the midst of the congregation. The Spirit, like the wind, blows where and on whom He listeth. He encouraged them to trust in God. Let the Christian soldier go out against his spiritual enemies, and the God of peace will make him more than a conqueror. Our trials will prove our gain. The advantage will be all our own, but the whole glory must be given to God....

The prophet uses words familiar to the people, and connected with several great deliverances (see the marginal references). 2 Chronicles 20:16 By the “cliff (or, rather - as in the margin - ascent) of Ziz,” we must understand the mountain path which leads up from Engedi across the elevated tract still known as El-Husasah, in the direction of Tekoa 2 Chronicles 20:20. AT THE END OF THE BROOK - Rather, “at the end of the gulley,” or dry torrent-course. No name like Jeruel has been as yet found in this district....

EXPOSITION Of this chapter, with its thirty-seven verses, only the six verses (31-36) find any duplicate or parallel in Kings (1 Kings 22:41-11). The chapter is occupied with a statement of the invasion of Judah by Moabites and Ammonites and certain problematical others (2 Chronicles 20:1, 2 Chronicles 20:2); with an account of the way in which the king and people prepared to meet the crisis (2 Chronicles 20:3); with the prophecy of Jahaziel the Levite as to how, under certain conditions, things would go ...

TOMORROW GO YE DOWN AGAINST THEM,.... This was the fast day, and so not proper to march out in, but on the morrow they might go out with great confidence and intrepidity; and as Jerusalem was situated on an eminence, they are directed to go down: BEHOLD, THEY COME UP BY THE CLIFF OF ZIZ; a steep hill, so called from the flowers upon it: AND YE SHALL FIND THEM AT THE END OF THE BROOK; on the bank of Kidron, according to Beckius, which seems not likely to be meant, since they went as far as the wilderness of Tekoa, 2 Chronicles 20:20, BEFORE THE WILDERNESS OF JERUEL; the same with that of Tekoa, or near it....

2 Chronicles 20:1. _It came to pass after this also, that the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them other beside the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle. Then there came some that told Jehoshaphat, saying, There cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea on this side Syria; and, behold, they be in Hazazontamar, which is Engedi. And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah._ An angry God is to be sought. Even though he smite us, we must turn to him. It is from the hand that wields the rod that we are to expect deliverance, if it ever come at all. 2 Chronicles 20:4. And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the LORD: even out of all the cities of Jud

CHAPTER 20 JUDAH INVADED, JEHOSHAPHAT'S PRAYER AND DELIVERANCE _ 1. The invasion (2 Chronicles 20:1)_ 2. Jehoshaphat's great prayer (2 Chronicles 20:3) 3. Jehovah's answer through Jahaziel (2 Chronicles 20:14) 4. Prostrated before the LORD (2 Chronicles 20:18) 5. The great deliverance (2 Chronicles 20:20) 6. In the valley of Berachah (2 Chronicles

Jehoshaphat's victory over the Ammonites and Moabites. This story of a miraculous battle is perhaps a _midrash_ on the war described in 1 Kings 3:4 ff., and has, in so far, some historical basis; but the details are purely imaginary. 2 Chronicles 20:5. before the new court: perhaps the same as the great court in 2 Chronicles 4:9; the Chronicler has in his mind's eye the Temple as he knew it. 2 Chronicles 20:7. Abraham thy friend: _cf._ Isaiah 41:8;...

CLIFF. ascent. BROOK. valley....

_the cliff of Ziz_ R.V. THE ASCENT OF ZIZ. The exact positions of this and of the "brook" and of the "wilderness" mentioned in this ver. are unknown, but probably the invaders followed not the direct road from En-gedi to Beth-lehem, but one a little to the left of this. _the brook_ R.V. THE VALLEY (Heb. _naḥal_) strictly "ravine" or "water-course....