1I stalo se potom, že přitáhli synové Moáb a synové Ammon, a s nimi někteří od Ammonitských, proti Jozafatovi na vojnu. 2A přišedše, oznámili Jozafatovi, řkouce: Přitáhlo proti tobě množství veliké z zámoří, z země Syrské, a aj, jsou v Hasesontamar, jenž jest Engadi. 3I ulekl se, a obrátil Jozafat tvář svou k hledání Hospodina, a vyhlásil půst všemu lidu Judskému. 4A tak shromáždil se lid Judský, aby hledali Hospodina. Také i ze všech měst Judských sešli se hledati Hospodina. 5Tedy stál Jozafat v shromáždění Judském a Jeruzalémském, v domě Hospodinově před síní novou, 6A řekl: Hospodine, Bože otců našich, zdaliž ty sám nejsi Bohem na nebi? Zdaliž ty nepanuješ nade všemi královstvími národů? Zdaliž v ruce tvé není síly a moci, tak že není, kdo by se mohl postaviti proti tobě? 7Zdaliž jsi ty, Bože náš, nevyhnal obyvatelů země této před tváří lidu svého Izraelského, a dal jsi ji semeni Abrahama, milovníka svého na věky? 8Kteřížto bydlili v ní, a vzdělali tobě v ní svatyni, jménu tvému, řkouce: 9Jestliže by na nás přišly zlé věci, meč pomsty, buď morová rána, buď hlad, postavíme se před tímto domem a před tebou, (poněvadž jméno tvé jest v domě tomto), a budeme volati k tobě v úzkostech svých, i vyslyšíš a vysvobodíš. 10A nyní, aj, synové Ammon a Moáb, a hora Seir, skrze něž jsi nedopustil jíti Izraelovi, když se brali z země Egyptské, ale uhnuli se od nich, a nepohubili jich, 11Aj hle, oni odplacejí se nám, přitáhše, aby nás vyhnali z dědictví tvého, kteréž jsi právem dědičným dal nám. 12Bože náš, zdali jich souditi nebudeš? V násť zajisté není žádné síly proti množství tomuto velikému, kteréž táhne proti nám, aniž my víme, co bychom činiti měli, toliko na tě patří oči naše. 13Všecken také lid Judský stáli před Hospodinem, též i dítky jich, ženy i synové jejich. 14Jachaziel pak syn Zachariáše syna Benaiášova, syna Jehielova, syna Mataniášova, Levíta z synů Azafových, nadšen jsa duchem Hospodinovým, u prostřed toho shromáždění, 15Řekl: Pozorujte všecken Judo a obyvatelé Jeruzalémští, i ty králi Jozafate. Takto vám praví Hospodin: Nebojte se vy, ani se lekejte množství tohoto velikého; nebo ne váš bude boj, ale Boží. 16Zítra vytáhněte proti nim, aj, oni potáhnou po stráni Ziz, a naleznete je při konci údolí naproti poušti Jeruel. 17Nebudete vy bojovati tuto. Postavte se, stůjte a vizte vysvobození Hospodinovo při sobě, ó Judo a Jeruzaléme. Nebojte se, aniž se strachujte; zítra vyjděte proti nim, a Hospodin bude s vámi. 18I sklonil se Jozafat tváří k zemi, a všecken lid Judský i obyvatelé Jeruzalémští padli před Hospodinem, klanějíce se Hospodinu. 19Vstali pak Levítové z synů Kahat a z synů Chóre, aby chválili Hospodina Boha Izraelského hlasem velikým a vysokým. 20Potom vstavše ráno, vytáhli na poušť Tekoe. A když vycházeli, stál Jozafat a řekl: Slyšte mne, Judo a obyvatelé Jeruzalémští. Věřte v Hospodina Boha svého, a stane se vám věrně; věřte prorokům jeho, a šťastně se vám povede. 21A tak poradiv se s lidem, postavil zpěváky Hospodinu, aby chválili okrasu svatosti, a když by vycházeli sšikovaní k boji, aby oni napřed šli a říkali: Oslavujte Hospodina, nebo na věky milosrdenství jeho. 22Tu chvíli pak, když oni začali zpěv a chválení, obrátil Hospodin ty, kteříž byli v zálohách, na syny Ammon, Moáb a obyvatele hory Seir, ješto však byli přitáhli proti Judovi, a tak sami se bili. 23Nebo povstali synové Ammon a Moábští proti obyvatelům hory Seir, aby zmordovali a shladili je. A když dokonali boj proti obyvatelům hory Seir, pomáhali sobě a hubili jedni druhé. 24Mezi tím lid Judský přitáhl k stráži, kteráž jest na poušti, a uzřeli to množství, a aj, mrtví leží na zemi, aniž kdo ušel. 25Pročež přistoupil Jozafat s lidem svým, aby rozebrali loupeže jejich, a nalezli u nich hojnost zboží i klénotů na tělích zbitých. I rozbitovali toho mezi sebou, tak že unesti nemohli; za tři dni dělili ty loupeže, proto že jich mnoho bylo. 26V den pak čtvrtý shromáždili se do údolí Beracha, a že tu dobrořečili Hospodinu, protož nazvali jméno místa toho údolí Beracha až do dnešního dne. 27Zatím obrátili se všickni muži Judští a Jeruzalémští, a Jozafat před nimi, aby se navrátili do Jeruzaléma s veselím; nebo byl obveselil je Hospodin nad nepřátely jejich. 28I vešli do Jeruzaléma s loutnami a harfami a s trubami do domu Hospodinova. 29Tedy připadl strach Boží na všecka království zemská, když uslyšeli, že Hospodin bojoval proti nepřátelům lidu Izraelského. 30A tak v pokoji bylo království Jozafatovo; nebo odpočinutí dal jemu Bůh jeho odevšad. 31Kraloval pak Jozafat nad Judou. Ve třidcíti pěti letech byl, když kralovati začal, a pětmecítma let kraloval v Jeruzalémě. Jméno matky jeho Azuba, dcera Silchi. 32A chodil po cestě Azy otce svého, aniž se uchýlil od ní, čině to, což pravého jest před očima Hospodinovýma. 33A však výsosti nebyly zkaženy, nebo ještě lid byl nenastrojil srdce svého k Bohu otců svých. 34O jiných pak věcech Jozafatových, prvních i posledních, sepsáno jest v knihách Jéhu syna Chanani, kterémuž bylo poručeno, aby to vložil do knihy o králích Izraelských. 35Potom stovaryšil se Jozafat král Judský s Ochoziášem králem Izraelským, kterýž sobě bezbožně počínal. 36Stovaryšil se pak s ním proto, aby nadělal lodí, kteréž by přecházely přes moře. I nadělali lodí v Aziongaber. 37Protož prorokoval Eliezer syn Dodavahův z Maresa proti Jozafatovi, řka: Jakž jsi se stovaryšil s Ochoziášem, roztrhl Hospodin skutky tvé. I stroskotány jsou lodí, a tak nemohly se doplaviti přes moře.
Jamieson Fausset Brown Bible Commentary 1 JEHOSHAPHAT, INVADED BY THE MOABITES, PROCLAIMS A FAST. (2Ch. 20:1-21)
the children of Moab . . . Ammon, and with them other beside the Ammonites--supposed to be rather the name of a certain people called Mohammonim or Mehunim (
2Chr 26:7), who dwelt in Mount Seir--either a branch of the old Edomite race or a separate tribe who were settled there.
2 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, that is, Edom. The meaning then is: 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 Hazezon-tamar (
Gen 14:7). This is the uniform route taken by the Arabs in their marauding expeditions at the present day; and in coming round the southern end of the Dead Sea, they can penetrate along the low-lying Ghor far north, without letting their movements be known to the tribes and villages west of the mountain chain [ROBINSON]. Thus, anciently, the invading horde in Jehoshaphat's time had marched as far north as En-gedi, before intelligence of their advance was conveyed to the court. En-gedi is recognized in the modern Ainjidy and is situated at a point of the western shore, nearly equidistant from both extremities of the lake [ROBINSON].
3 Jehoshaphat . . . proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah--Alarmed by the intelligence and conscious of his total inability to repel this host of invaders, Jehoshaphat felt his only refuge was at the horns of the altar. He resolved to employ the aid of his God, and, in conformity with this resolution, he summoned all his subjects to observe a solemn fast at the sanctuary. It was customary with the Hebrew kings to proclaim fasts in perilous circumstances, either in a city, a district, or throughout the entire kingdom, according to the greatness of the emergency. On this occasion, it was a universal fast, which extended to infants (
2Chr 20:13; see also
Joel 2:15-
Joel 2:16;
Jonah 3:7).
5 Jehoshaphat stood . . . in the house of the Lord, before the new court--that is, the great or outer court (
2Chr 4:9) called the new court, probably from having been at that time enlarged or beautified.
6 And said, O Lord God of our fathers--This earnest and impressive prayer embraces every topic and argument which, as king and representative of the chosen people, he could urge. Then it concludes with an earnest appeal to the justice of God to protect those who, without provocation, were attacked and who were unable to defend themselves against overwhelming numbers.
14 Then upon Jahaziel . . . came the Spirit of the Lord--This prophet is not elsewhere mentioned, but his claim to the inspiration of a prophetic spirit was verified by the calm and distinct announcement he gave, both of the manner and the completeness of the deliverance he predicted.
16 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 En-gedi 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].
18 Jehoshaphat bowed his head . . . and all Judah, &c.--This attitude was expressive of reverence to God and His Word, of confidence in His promise, and thankfulness for so extraordinary a favor.
19 the Levites . . . stood up to praise the Lord--doubtless by the king's command. Their anthem was sung with such a joyful acclaim as showed that they universally regarded the victory as already obtained.
20 as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood . . . Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem--probably in the gate of Jerusalem, the place of general rendezvous; and as the people were on the eve of setting out, he exhorted them to repose implicit trust in the Lord and His prophet, not to be timid or desponding at sight of the enemy, but to remain firm in the confident assurance of a miraculous deliverance, without their striking a single stroke.
21 he appointed singers . . . that they should praise . . . as they went out before the army--Having arranged the line of procession, he gave the signal to move forwards. The Levites led the van with their musical instruments; and singing the 136th Psalm, the people went on, not as an army marching against an enemy, but returning in joyful triumph after a victory.
22 THE OVERTHROW OF HIS ENEMIES. (
2Chr 20:22-30)
when they began to sing and to praise the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir--Some think that this was done by angels in human form, whose sudden appearance diffused an uncontrollable panic. Others entertain the more probable opinion that, in the camp of this vast horde, composed of different tribes, jealousies and animosities had sprung up, which led to widespread dissensions and fierce feuds, in which they drew the sword against each other. The consequence was, that as the mutual strife commenced when the Hebrew procession set out from Jerusalem, the work of destruction was completed before Jehoshaphat and his people arrived at the battlefield. Thus easy is it for God to make the wrath of man to praise Him, to confound the counsels of His enemies and employ their own passions in defeating the machinations they have devised for the overthrow of His Church and people.
24 when Judah came toward the watchtower in the wilderness--Most probably the conical hill, Jebel Fereidis, or Frank Mountain, from the summit of which they obtained the first view of the scene of slaughter. Jehoshaphat and his people found the field strewed with dead bodies, so that they had not to fight at all, but rather to take possession of an immense booty, the collection of which occupied three days. On the fourth they set out on their return to Jerusalem in the same order and joyful mood as they came. The place where they mustered previous to departure was, from their public thanksgiving service, called, "The Valley of Berachah" ("benediction"), now Wady Bereikut.
31 HIS REIGN. (
2Chr 20:31-37)
Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah--(See
2Chr 24:1).
32 walked in the way of Asa his father, and departed not from it--He was more steadfast and consistently religious (compare
2Chr 15:18).
33 the high places were not taken away--Those on which idolatry was practised were entirely destroyed (
2Chr 17:6); but those where the people, notwithstanding the erection of the temple, continued to worship the true God, prudence required to be slowly and gradually abolished, in deference to popular prejudice.
35 after this did Jehoshaphat . . . join himself with Ahaziah . . . to make ships--A combined fleet was built at Ezion-geber, the destination of which was to voyage to Tartessus, but it was wrecked. Jehoshaphat's motive for entering into this partnership was to secure a free passage through Israel, for the vessels were to be conveyed across the Isthmus of Suez, and to sail to the west of Europe from one of the ports of Palestine on the Mediterranean. Eliezer, a prophet, denounced this unholy alliance, and foretold, as divine judgment, the total wreck of the whole fleet. The consequence was, that although Jehoshaphat broke off--in obedience to the divine will--his league with Ahaziah, he formed a new scheme of a merchant fleet, and Ahaziah wished to be admitted a partner [
1Kgs 22:48]. The proposal of the Israelitish king was respectfully declined [
1Kgs 22:49]. The destination of this new fleet was to Ophir, because the Israelitish seaports were not accessible to him for the Tartessus trade; but the ships, when just off the docks, were wrecked in the rocky creek of Ezion-geber.