20 They rose early in the morning and went out to the wilderness of Tekoa ; and when they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said , "Listen to me, O Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem , put your trust in the Lord your God and you will be established . Put your trust in His prophets and succeed ." 21 When he had consulted with the people , he appointed those who sang to the Lord and those who praised Him in holy attire , as they went out before the army and said , " Give thanks to the Lord , for His lovingkindness is everlasting ." 22 When they began singing and praising , the Lord set ambushes against the sons of Ammon , Moab and Mount Seir , who had come against Judah ; so they were routed . 23 For the sons of Ammon and Moab rose up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir destroying them completely ; and when they had finished with the inhabitants of Seir , they helped to destroy one another . 24 When Judah came to the lookout of the wilderness , they looked toward the multitude , and behold , they were corpses lying on the ground , and no one had escaped . 25 When Jehoshaphat and his people came to take their spoil , they found much among them, including goods , garments and valuable things which they took for themselves, more than they could carry . And they were three days taking the spoil because there was so much . 26 Then on the fourth day they assembled in the valley of Beracah , for there they blessed the Lord . Therefore e they have named e that place "The Valley of Beracah " until today . 27 Every man of Judah and Jerusalem returned with Jehoshaphat at their head , returning to Jerusalem with joy , for the Lord had made them to rejoice over their enemies . 28 They came to Jerusalem with harps , lyres and trumpets to the house of the Lord . 29 And the dread of God was on all the kingdoms of the lands when they heard that the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel . 30 So the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace , for his God gave him rest on all sides .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 20:20-30
Commentary on 2 Chronicles 20:20-30
(Read 2 Chronicles 20:20-30)
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.