2 Chronicles 20:21

_AND WHEN HE HAD CONSULTED WITH THE PEOPLE, HE APPOINTED SINGERS UNTO THE LORD, AND THAT SHOULD PRAISE THE BEAUTY OF HOLINESS, AS THEY WENT OUT BEFORE THE ARMY, AND TO SAY, PRAISE THE LORD; FOR HIS MERCY ENDURETH FOR EVER._ He appointed sinners ... that should praise ... as they went out before the army. Having arranged the line of procession, gave the signal to move forward, when the Levites, leading the van with their musical instruments, and singing Psalms 136:1, the people went on, not as an army marching against an enemy, but returning in joyful triumph after a victory....

20-30 Jehoshaphat exhorted his troops to firm faith in God. Faith inspires a man with true courage; nor will any thing help more to the establishing of the heart in shaking times, than a firm belief of the power, and mercy, and promise of God. In all our trust in the Lord, and our praises of him, let us especially look at his everlasting mercy to sinners through Jesus Christ. Never was an army so destroyed as that of the enemy. Thus God often makes wicked people destroy one another. And never was a victory celebrated with more solemn thanksgivings....

PRAISE THE BEAUTY OF HOLINESS - Some render, “in the beauty of holiness” - i. e. in rich apparel and ornaments suitable to a holy occasion. Compare Psalms 29:2....

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 ...

AND WHEN HE HAD CONSULTED WITH THE PEOPLE,.... His principal officers, in what order they should march, and in what manner they should form themselves, when they met the enemy, and how they should conduct as if they were to engage: HE APPOINTED SINGERS UNTO THE LORD; to sing his praise, and give him glory, as if the victory was already completed, it being so sure: AND THAT SHOULD PRAISE THE BEAUTY OF HOLINESS, AS THEY WENT OUT BEFORE THE ARMY; that is, praise God, who is glorious in holiness, whose beauty lies in his holiness, and who is holy in all his ways and works: AND TO SAY, PRAISE THE LORD, FOR HIS MERCY ENDURETH FOR EVER; with which they were to conclude their songs of praise, as David did, and whose songs they might sing; see Psalms 136:1....

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;...

THE BEAUTY OF HOLINESS. in His glorious sanctuary. See note on 1 Chronicles 16:29. PRAISE THE LORD. Praise Jehovah. App-4. MERCY. lovingkindness, or grace....

_consulted_ R.V. TAKEN COUNSEL. _singers unto the Lord, and that should praise_ R.V. THEM THAT SHOULD SING UNTO THE LORD, AND PRAISE. Cp. the preliminaries of the Battle of the Standard fought between the Scots and English in 1138. _the beauty of holiness_ Cp. 1 Chronicles 16:29 (note). _before the army_ Contrast Joshua 6:7; Joshua 6:9 (the armed men precede the ark). _Praise_ R.V. GIVE THANKS; cp. 1 Chronicles 16:41....