Bible Commentaries
2 Chronicles 20

Verses 1-37

Reign of Jehoshaphat (concluded)

An account of how a host of Moabites and others invaded Judah; how Jehoshaphat prayed to the Lord, and was directed by Jahaziel not to fear; and how the enemy was overthrown by God.

The early part of this chapter is additional to the narrative in 1 K: the latter part reproduces 1 Kings 22:41-49.

1. Other beside the Ammonites] better (with LXX), ’some of the Meunim’ (or Maonites): cp. 2 Chronicles 26:7 and Judges 10:12. They seem to have been the people from Mt. Seir mentioned in 2 Chronicles 20:10, 2 Chronicles 20:23.

2. Beyond the sea] i.e. from the eastern side of the Dead Sea. On this side Syria] lit. ’from Syria,’ but Syria is probably a mistake for ’Edom.’. The Moabites and Ammonites had marched round the S. end of the Dead Sea, and passing through Edom (the ’Mount Seir’ of 2 Chronicles 20:10) had been joined by some of the inhabitants. Engedi] on the W. shore of the Dead Sea, the modern Ain-jidy.

5. Before the new court] probably ’the court of the priests’ of 2 Chronicles 4:9, which was distinct from the one in which Solomon prayed: 2 Chronicles 6:13.

10. Wouldest not let, etc.] The Moabites, Ammonites, and Edomites were all spared on the ground of their kinship with Israel through Lot and Esau: Deuteronomy 2:4, Deuteronomy 2:9, Deuteronomy 2:19.

16. Ziz] The word perhaps survives in the name El Husasah which attaches to a district near Tekoa: 2 Chronicles 20:20.

21. The beauty of holiness] Perhaps better, ’in holy apparel’: cp. 1 Chronicles 16:29.

22. Ambushments] RV ’liers in wait.’ Apparently the enemy fell out among themselves.

25. Riches with the dead bodies] LXX points to another reading, ’riches and garments.’

26. Berachah] i.e. ’Blessing.’ The place has been identified with the Wâdy Bereikût near Tekoa.

34. Who is mentioned] RV ’(the book) which is inserted in.’

36. To go to Tarsbish] 1 Kings 22:48 has ’ships of Tarshish’ (i.e. large merchantmen) ’to go to Ophir’ (in Arabia, or E. Africa), for which Ezion-geber was the natural port of departure.