Bible Commentaries

This chapter gives us the story which perhaps reveals most graphically the simplicity and splendor of the faith of Jehoshaphat. His kingdom was threatened with powerful and terrible invasion. In his extremity he gathered his people about him, and prayed. The prayer is a powerful outpouring of his consciousness of need. He pleaded, as men ever do when in need they come before God, recalled the past evidences of the faithfulness of Jehovah, and confessing his inability to cope with the danger, asked God for His help.

It is a great picture, this king surrounded by the nation, men with their wives and their children. The response was not delayed. The Spirit of God came upon Jahaziel, and the answer was the announcement that all Judah had to do was to stand still and see the salvation of the Lord. Then followed the united worship of the people, and the solemn chanting of praise to God. Discomfiture fell on the foe, without Judah striking a blow. It was a moment bright with light amid the darkness. Once again the arm of the Lord acted for His people as definitely as when in the ancient days it broke the power of Egypt and divided the sea, leading the Hebrews from captivity to freedom.

The closing verses of the chapter contain a brief statement of yet another lapse, in that Jehoshaphat made commercial alliances with Ahaziah, king of Israel. His enterprises were unsuccessful because God broke his ships in pieces.