2 Chronicles 20:2

_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 HAZAZON-TAMAR, WHICH IS ENGEDI._ From beyond the sea on this side Syria. Instead of Syria, some versions read 'Edom,' and many able critics prefer this reading, both because the nomad tribes here mentioned were far from Syria, and because express mention is made of mount Seir, i:e., Edom. The meaning then is, that this confederate horde was composed of the different tribes that inhabited the far-distant regions bordering on the northern and eastern coasts of the Red Sea. Their progress was apparently by the southern point of the Dead Sea as far as En-gedi, which, more anciently, was called Hazazon-tamar (Genesis 14:7). This the ascent of En gedi is the uniform route taken by the Arabs in their marauding expedit

1-13 In all dangers, public or personal, our first business should be to seek help from God. Hence the advantage of days for national fasting and prayer. From the first to the last of our seeking the Lord, we must approach him with humiliation for our sins, trusting only in his mercy and power. Jehoshaphat acknowledges the sovereign dominion of the Divine Providence. Lord, exert it on our behalf. Whom should we seek to, whom should we trust to for relief, but the God we have chosen and served. Those that use what they have for God, may comfortably hope he will secure it to them. Every true believer is a son of Abraham, a friend of God; with such the everlasting covenant is established, to such every promise belongs. We are assured of God's love, by his dwelling in human nature in the person of the Saviour. Jehoshaphat mentions the temple, as a token of God's favourable presence. He plea...

Verse 2 Chronicles 20:2. _ON THIS SIDE SYRIA_] Instead of מארם _mearam, from Syria_, I would read with one of Kennicott's MSS. (89) מאדם _meedom, from_ _Edom_, which alteration brings it to truth and does not require the change of _half a letter_, as it consists in the almost imperceptible difference between ר _resh_ and ד _daleth_. We do not read of any _Syrians_ in this invasion, but we know there were _Edomites_, or _inhabitants of Mount Seir_. _HAZAZON-TAMAR_] "In the wood of palm trees, that is, in Engedi." - _Targum_. This is the meaning of the word, and it is probable that they lay hid here....

Translate, “from beyond the sea, from Edom.” The “sea” intended is, of course, the Dead Sea. “Syria” (Aram) is probably a mistake of a copyist for “Edom” (compare2 Samuel 8:12 note). On Engedi, see 1 Samuel 23:29 note....

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 ...

THEN THERE CAME SOME THAT TOLD JEHOSHAPHAT,.... Deserters or spies, or some of the inhabitants of those parts where they had entered, who rode post haste to acquaint him with it: SAYING, THERE COMETH A GREAT MULTITUDE AGAINST THEE FROM BEYOND THE SEA ON THIS SIDE SYRIA; that is, beyond the Dead or Salt sea, the sea of Sodom; the Targum is, "beyond the west of Syria,'' that sea being the western boundary of it: AND, BEHOLD, THEY BE IN HAZAZONTAMAR, WHICH IS ENGEDI; Genesis 14:7....

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;...

BEHOLD. Figure of speech _Asterismos,_ App-6....