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历代志下 20
Chinese New Version (Traditional)
历代志下 20
Chinese New Version (Traditional)
約沙法禁食祈禱退敵
20 後來，摩押人、亞捫人和一些米烏尼人（按照《馬索拉文本》，“米烏尼人”作“亞捫人”；現參照《七十士譯本》的一些抄本翻譯；參代下26:7），一同來攻擊約沙法。 2 有人來向約沙法報告說：“從海的對岸，就是從以東（按照《馬索拉文本》的絕大部分抄本，“以東”作“亞蘭”，大概是手民之誤；兩者在原文非常相似，但按地理應作“以東”），有大軍前來攻擊你；現在他們在哈洗遜．他瑪。”哈洗遜．他瑪就是隱．基底。 3 於是約沙法害怕起來，定意要尋求耶和華，就在猶大全地宣告禁食。 4 於是猶大人集合起來，尋求耶和華的幫助；猶大各城中都有人出來尋求耶和華。
5 約沙法就在猶大和耶路撒冷的會眾中，站在耶和華殿的新院子前面， 6 說：“耶和華我們列祖的 神啊，你不是天上的 神嗎？你不是統治列邦萬國的嗎？你手中有大能大力，沒有人能抵擋你。 7 我們的 神啊，你不是曾經把這地的居民從你的子民以色列人面前趕走，把這地賜給你的朋友亞伯拉罕的後裔永遠作產業嗎？ 8 他們住在這地，又在這裡為你的名建造了一座聖所，說： 9 ‘如果有災禍臨到我們，無論是刀劍、刑罰、瘟疫、饑荒，我們在急難的時候，站在這殿和你的面前，向你呼求，你必垂聽和施行拯救，因為你的名是在這殿內。’ 10 現在這裡有亞捫人、摩押人和西珥山的人，從前以色列人從埃及地出來的時候，你不許以色列人侵犯他們。那時，以色列人就離開了他們，不除滅他們。 11 現在你看，他們怎樣報復我們；他們要來把我們從你賜給我們承受作產業的地趕出去。 12 我們的 神啊，你不懲罰他們嗎？因為我們沒有力量抵擋這來攻打我們的大軍；我們也不知道該作甚麼；我們的眼睛只有仰望你。” 13 那時全猶大的人，連他們的嬰孩、妻子和兒女，都站在耶和華面前。
14 當時，耶和華的靈在會眾中臨到利未人亞薩的後裔，瑪探雅的玄孫、耶利的曾孫、比拿雅的孫子、撒迦利亞的兒子雅哈悉； 15 他就說：“全猶大的人、耶路撒冷的居民和約沙法王啊，你們要留意！耶和華這樣對你們說：‘你們不要因這大軍懼怕和驚慌，因為戰爭的勝負不是在於你們，而是在於 神。 16 明天你們要下去攻擊他們，他們會從洗斯的斜坡上來，你們必在耶魯伊勒曠野東面的谷口遇見他們。 17 猶大人和耶路撒冷人哪，這次你們不必出戰，只要穩守陣地，站立不動，看耶和華為你們施行的拯救。’你們不要懼怕，也不要驚慌；明天要出去攻擊他們，耶和華必和你們同在。” 18 於是約沙法面伏於地，全猶大的人和耶路撒冷的居民都俯伏在耶和華面前，敬拜耶和華。 19 哥轄子孫中和可拉子孫中的利未人，都站起來高聲讚美耶和華以色列的 神。
大勝而回(A)
20 第二天早晨，眾人清早起來，出發到提哥亞的曠野去；他們正出去的時候，約沙法站起來，說：“猶大人和耶路撒冷的居民哪，你們要聽我的話；信靠耶和華你們的 神，你們就必堅立；信靠他的先知，你們就必亨通。” 21 約沙法和人民商議好了，就指派向耶和華歌唱的人，使他們身穿聖潔的服飾，走在軍隊的前面，讚美耶和華，說：
“你們要稱頌耶和華，
因他的慈愛永遠長存。”
22 當他們開始歡呼讚美的時候，耶和華就派出伏兵，擊殺那前來攻打猶大人的亞捫人、摩押人和西珥山的人，他們就被擊潰了。 23 原來亞捫人和摩押人起來攻擊住西珥山的人，把他們殺盡滅絕；他們滅盡了住西珥山的人以後，竟又自相殘殺。
24 猶大人來到曠野的瞭望樓，向那大軍觀望，只見伏屍遍地，沒有一個逃脫的。 25 約沙法和他的人民就來掠奪敵人的財物，在屍首中見許多財物、衣服和珍寶。他們剝脫下來據為己有的，多得不能攜帶；因為掠物甚多，所以掠奪了三天。 26 第四日，他們聚集在比拉迦谷，在那裡稱頌耶和華，因此那地方名叫比拉迦谷，直到今日。 27 事後，猶大和耶路撒冷所有的人，在約沙法率領下，都歡歡喜喜回耶路撒冷去了，耶和華使他們因勝過仇敵歡喜快樂。 28 他們拿著琴瑟和號筒來到耶路撒冷，進了耶和華的殿。 29 世上列國一聽見耶和華戰敗了以色列的仇敵，就都懼怕 神。 30 這樣，約沙法的國得享太平，因為他的 神使他四境安寧。
31 約沙法登基統治猶大的時候，是三十五歲；他在耶路撒冷作王共二十五年。他的母親名叫阿蘇巴，是示利希的女兒。 32 約沙法遵行他父親亞撒的道路，總不偏離，行耶和華看為正的事。 33 只是邱壇還沒有除掉，人民仍然沒有定意歸向他們列祖的 神。 34 約沙法其餘的事蹟，一生的始末，都記在哈拿尼的兒子耶戶的言行錄上；這言行錄又收錄在以色列諸王記上。
約沙法與亞哈謝修好(B)
35 後來，猶大王約沙法和作惡多端的以色列王亞哈謝結盟。 36 約沙法和他合夥建造船隻，開往他施去；他們是在以旬．迦別建造船隻。 37 那時，瑪利沙人多大瓦的兒子以利以謝說預言攻擊約沙法，說：“因為你和亞哈謝結盟，耶和華必破壞你建造的船隻。”後來那些船隻果然受到破壞，不能開往他施去。
歷代志下 20
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Traditional)
歷代志下 20
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Traditional)
約沙法禱告退敵
20 後來摩押人、亞捫人同一些米烏尼人[a]一起來攻打約沙法。 2 有人稟告約沙法說：「有一支大軍從死海對岸的以東[b]殺來，已經攻到哈洗遜·他瑪。」哈洗遜·他瑪就是隱·基底。 3 約沙法很害怕，決定尋求耶和華，在整個猶大宣告禁食。 4 猶大人聚集起來尋求耶和華。他們從猶大各城前來尋求耶和華。
5 約沙法站在耶和華殿的新院裡，在猶大和耶路撒冷的民眾面前， 6 說：「我們祖先的上帝耶和華啊，你不是住在天上的上帝嗎？你主宰萬邦萬國，你手中有權柄和能力，無人能抵擋你。 7 我們的上帝啊，你不是曾經在你的以色列子民面前驅逐這地方的居民，把這片土地賜給你的朋友亞伯拉罕的後裔永遠作產業嗎？ 8 你的子民在這裡居住，為你的名建造殿宇，說， 9 『如果我們遭遇禍患，無論是戰禍、瘟疫或饑荒，當我們在急難中站在這殿前向你呼求時，你必定垂聽，施行拯救，因為你的名在這殿裡。』
10 「從前以色列人離開埃及的時候，你不准他們侵犯亞捫人、摩押人和來自西珥山的人，他們就繞道而行，沒有毀滅這些人。 11 但現在這些人要報復我們，把我們從你賜給我們作產業的地方趕走。 12 我們的上帝啊，難道你不懲罰他們嗎？面對前來攻擊的大軍，我們無力抵擋，不知道該怎麼辦，我們只有仰望你。」
13 猶大人與他們的妻子、兒女和嬰孩都站在耶和華面前。 14 這時，耶和華的靈降在雅哈悉身上。雅哈悉是利未人亞薩的後裔、瑪探雅的玄孫、耶利的曾孫、比拿雅的孫子、撒迦利雅的兒子。 15 他說：「全體猶大人、耶路撒冷的居民和約沙法王啊，你們要留心聽！耶和華對你們如此說，『你們不要因敵軍強大而恐懼驚慌，因為戰爭的勝敗不在乎你們，而在乎上帝。 16 明天你們下去迎敵，敵軍會從洗斯坡上來，你們一定會在耶魯伊勒曠野前面的谷口遇見他們。 17 你們不用與他們交戰，只要守住陣勢，站立不動，看耶和華為你們施行拯救。猶大人和耶路撒冷人啊，不要恐懼，不要驚慌，明天只管出去迎敵，耶和華必與你們同在！』」
18 於是，約沙法面伏於地，所有猶大人和耶路撒冷的居民也都俯伏在耶和華面前敬拜祂。 19 哥轄族和可拉族的利未人都站起來，高聲讚美以色列的上帝耶和華。 20 第二天清晨，眾人起來去提哥亞的曠野。他們出發的時候，約沙法站著說：「猶大人和耶路撒冷的居民啊，請聽我說！要信靠你們的上帝耶和華，你們就必堅立；要相信祂的先知，你們就必得勝。」 21 約沙法與眾人商議後，就派歌樂手穿上聖潔的禮服走在軍隊前面，讚美耶和華，說：「你們要稱謝耶和華，因祂的慈愛永遠長存！」
22 他們開始唱歌讚美的時候，耶和華就派伏兵擊殺前來攻打猶大的亞捫人、摩押人和來自西珥山的人，打敗了他們。 23 原來亞捫人和摩押人攻擊來自西珥山的人，消滅了他們，然後亞捫人和摩押人又自相殘殺。
24 猶大人來到曠野的瞭望塔俯瞰那支大軍，發現敵軍屍橫遍野，無一倖免。 25 約沙法和他的百姓前去拾財物，發現屍體中有許多財物、衣服和貴重物品，多得拿不完。他們拾了三天才拾完。 26 第四天，他們聚集到一個山谷，一起稱頌耶和華。那裡從此名叫比拉迦[c]谷，直到今天。
27 猶大人和耶路撒冷人在約沙法的帶領下，歡歡喜喜地返回耶路撒冷，因為耶和華使他們戰勝了仇敵。 28 他們一路彈琴、鼓瑟、吹號回到耶路撒冷，進入耶和華的殿。 29 列邦列國聽聞耶和華打敗了以色列的敵人，都很懼怕。 30 因此，約沙法執政期間國家太平，因為他的上帝賜他四境平安。
約沙法逝世
31 約沙法三十五歲登基做猶大王，在耶路撒冷執政二十五年。他母親叫阿蘇巴，是示利希的女兒。 32 約沙法效法他父親亞撒，做耶和華視為正的事，不偏不離。 33 然而，他沒有拆除邱壇，民眾還沒有全心歸向他們祖先的上帝。
34 約沙法其他的事蹟自始至終都記在哈拿尼的兒子耶戶的史記上。耶戶的史記收錄在以色列的列王史上。
35 後來，猶大王約沙法與作惡多端的以色列王亞哈謝修好。 36 他們在以旬·迦別造船，要去他施。 37 瑪利沙人多大瓦的兒子以利以謝向約沙法預言說：「因為你與亞哈謝修好，耶和華必破壞你所造的船隻。」那些船隻果然壞了，無法前往他施。
2 Chronicles 20
New Catholic Bible
2 Chronicles 20
New Catholic Bible
Chapter 20
War against Edom. 1 A short time afterward, the Moabites and the Ammonites, along with some of the Meunites,[a] came to engage Jehoshaphat in battle. 2 The following communiqué was sent to Jehoshaphat: “A great multitude is coming forth against you from Edom, from beyond the sea.[b] They are already at Hazazon-tamar, that is, En-gedi.” 3 Jehoshaphat was alarmed, and he hastened to seek the guidance of the Lord, while proclaiming a fast throughout all Judah. 4 The people of Judah assembled, to seek help from the Lord, as they came from all the towns of Judah to consult the Lord.
Prayer of Jehoshaphat. 5 Jehoshaphat stood up in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem in the house of the Lord before the new court 6 and said: “O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not the God in heaven, and do you not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations? In your hands are power and might, and there is no one who can withstand you. 7 Was it not you, our God, who drove out the inhabitants of this land for your people Israel and gave it forever to the descendants of Abraham? 8 They have lived in it and have built you a sanctuary there to honor your name, saying: 9 ‘Should any disaster befall us, whether the sword of judgment or war or blood or pestilence or famine, we shall stand before this temple that bears your name and call out to you in our distress, and you will hear our cries and save us.’
10 “But now, behold the Ammonites, the Moabites, and the people of Mount Seir, whom you would not permit the Israelites to invade when they came from the land of Egypt and whom they avoided and made no attempt to destroy them. 11 See how these people repay us by coming forth to drive us out of the possession you gave us as an inheritance. 12 O God will you not pass judgment against them? For we are powerless against this vast horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are turned toward you.”
13 Prophecy of Victory. All the men of Judah were standing before the Lord, with their infants, their wives, and their children. 14 Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, in the midst of the assembly.
15 Jahaziel said: “Listen attentively, all Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and King Jehoshaphat. Thus says the Lord to you: ‘Do not fear or lose heart at the sight of this vast horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s. 16 March down against them tomorrow. They will be coming up by the ascent of Ziz, and you will encounter them at the end of the gorge near the Desert of Jeruel. 17 You will have no need to fight in this battle. Take your position, stand firm, and behold the victory of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem! Do not fear or be dismayed. Go forth against them tomorrow, for the Lord will be with you.’ ”
18 Then Jehoshaphat knelt down with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the Lord to worship him. 19 After that, the Levites from among the Kohathites and Korahites stood up and sang the praises of the Lord, the God of Israel, with a powerful voice.
20 Overcoming the Invaders. Early the next morning they rose and hastened to set out for the wilderness of Tekoa. As they departed, Jehoshaphat stood up and said: “Listen to me, Judah, and you inhabitants of Jerusalem. Hold firmly to your faith in the Lord, your God, and you will be secure. Believe in his prophets and you will be successful.”
21 After conferring with the people, Jehoshaphat appointed some to sing to the Lord and praise the splendor of his holiness as they marched forth at the head of the army:
“Give thanks to the Lord,
for his love endures forever.”
22 At the moment they began their hymn of praise, the Lord set an ambush against the Ammonites, the Moabites, and the people from Mount Seir who were invading Judah. As a result, they were routed. 23 For the Ammonites and the Moabites turned against the people of Mount Seir and completely destroyed them. Then, when they had finished off the inhabitants of Mount Seir, they proceeded to destroy each other.
24 When the warriors of Judah came to the watchtower of the wilderness and looked toward the multitude, what they beheld were nothing but corpses lying on the ground. No one had escaped. 25 Then, when Jehoshaphat and his men came to collect the booty, they found an immense number of livestock as well as personal property, clothing, and precious articles which they took for themselves until they were unable to carry any more. They spent three days gathering the booty because of its abundance.
26 On the fourth day they all assembled, in the Valley of Berakah,[c] the name that it bears to this day, because it was there that they blessed the Lord. 27 Then all the people of Judah and Jerusalem returned to Jerusalem with joy, since the Lord had given them reason to rejoice over their triumph against their enemies.
28 They entered Jerusalem to the sound of lyres, harps, and trumpets and went into the house of the Lord. 29 The fear of God fell upon all the kingdoms of the neighboring countries when they heard that the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel. 30 And thereafter Jehoshaphat’s kingdom enjoyed peace, since God gave him rest on every side.
31 Jehoshaphat’s Many Deeds. Thus Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah. He was thirty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem for twenty-five years. His mother’s name was Azubah; she was the daughter of Shilhi. 32 He followed the example of his father Asa, and he did not deviate from it, doing what was right in the sight of the Lord. 33 However, the high places were not abolished, and the people had not as yet fixed their hearts on the God of their fathers.[d]
34 The remainder of the acts of Jehoshaphat, from first to last, are written in the chronicles of Jehu, the son of Hanani, which is included in the book of the kings of Israel.[e]
35 Later King Jehoshaphat of Judah allied himself with King Ahaziah of Israel, who was guilty of wicked deeds. 36 [f]Jehoshaphat joined Ahaziah in the building of ships to sail to Tarshish. The fleet was built at Ezion-geber. 37 As a result, Eliezer, the son of Dodavahu of Mareshah, then prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying: “Because you have made an alliance with Ahaziah, the Lord will destroy what you have made.” The ships were wrecked, and they were never fit to sail to Tarshish.
Footnotes
- 2 Chronicles 20:1 Meunites: a tribe of the Transjordan.
- 2 Chronicles 20:2 The sea: the Dead Sea.
- 2 Chronicles 20:26 Berakah: the Hebrew word for “blessing” or “praise.”
- 2 Chronicles 20:33 In 17:6, Jehoshaphat is said to have gotten rid of the high places. The discrepancy shows that the expressions used are not adequately nuanced; the meaning here is “not removed completely.” There, the meaning is “removed, but not completely.”
- 2 Chronicles 20:34 Kings of Israel: of the entire Hebrew people, including, therefore, events that took place in Judah.
- 2 Chronicles 20:36 The Hebrew speaks of “ships that could go to Tarshish.” Tarshish was identified generally with the lands of the western Mediterranean. If we understand Tarshish as meaning any distant land, and “ships that could go to Tarshish” as meaning any ships capable of lengthy voyages, any contradiction disappears.
2 Chronicles 20
New International Version
2 Chronicles 20
New International Version
Jehoshaphat Defeats Moab and Ammon
20 After this, the Moabites(A) and Ammonites with some of the Meunites[a](B) came to wage war against Jehoshaphat.
2 Some people came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army(C) is coming against you from Edom,[b] from the other side of the Dead Sea. It is already in Hazezon Tamar(D)” (that is, En Gedi).(E) 3 Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast(F) for all Judah. 4 The people of Judah(G) came together to seek help from the Lord; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him.
5 Then Jehoshaphat stood up in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem at the temple of the Lord in the front of the new courtyard 6 and said:
“Lord, the God of our ancestors,(H) are you not the God who is in heaven?(I) You rule over all the kingdoms(J) of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you.(K) 7 Our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land(L) before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend?(M) 8 They have lived in it and have built in it a sanctuary(N) for your Name, saying, 9 ‘If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine,(O) we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us.’
10 “But now here are men from Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, whose territory you would not allow Israel to invade when they came from Egypt;(P) so they turned away from them and did not destroy them. 11 See how they are repaying us by coming to drive us out of the possession(Q) you gave us as an inheritance. 12 Our God, will you not judge them?(R) For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.(S)”
13 All the men of Judah, with their wives and children and little ones, stood there before the Lord.
14 Then the Spirit(T) of the Lord came on Jahaziel son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah,(U) a Levite and descendant of Asaph, as he stood in the assembly.
15 He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged(V) because of this vast army. For the battle(W) is not yours, but God’s. 16 Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. 17 You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see(X) the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’”
18 Jehoshaphat bowed down(Y) with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the Lord. 19 Then some Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up and praised the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice.
20 Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith(Z) in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful.(AA)” 21 After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his[c] holiness(AB) as they went out at the head of the army, saying:
“Give thanks to the Lord,
for his love endures forever.”(AC)
22 As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes(AD) against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated. 23 The Ammonites(AE) and Moabites rose up against the men from Mount Seir(AF) to destroy and annihilate them. After they finished slaughtering the men from Seir, they helped to destroy one another.(AG)
24 When the men of Judah came to the place that overlooks the desert and looked toward the vast army, they saw only dead bodies lying on the ground; no one had escaped. 25 So Jehoshaphat and his men went to carry off their plunder, and they found among them a great amount of equipment and clothing[d] and also articles of value—more than they could take away. There was so much plunder that it took three days to collect it. 26 On the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Berakah, where they praised the Lord. This is why it is called the Valley of Berakah[e] to this day.
27 Then, led by Jehoshaphat, all the men of Judah and Jerusalem returned joyfully to Jerusalem, for the Lord had given them cause to rejoice over their enemies. 28 They entered Jerusalem and went to the temple of the Lord with harps and lyres and trumpets.
29 The fear(AH) of God came on all the surrounding kingdoms when they heard how the Lord had fought(AI) against the enemies of Israel. 30 And the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God had given him rest(AJ) on every side.
The End of Jehoshaphat’s Reign(AK)
31 So Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah. He was thirty-five years old when he became king of Judah, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-five years. His mother’s name was Azubah daughter of Shilhi. 32 He followed the ways of his father Asa and did not stray from them; he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. 33 The high places,(AL) however, were not removed, and the people still had not set their hearts on the God of their ancestors.
34 The other events of Jehoshaphat’s reign, from beginning to end, are written in the annals of Jehu(AM) son of Hanani, which are recorded in the book of the kings of Israel.
35 Later, Jehoshaphat king of Judah made an alliance(AN) with Ahaziah king of Israel, whose ways were wicked.(AO) 36 He agreed with him to construct a fleet of trading ships.[f] After these were built at Ezion Geber, 37 Eliezer son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, “Because you have made an alliance with Ahaziah, the Lord will destroy what you have made.” The ships(AP) were wrecked and were not able to set sail to trade.[g]
Footnotes
- 2 Chronicles 20:1 Some Septuagint manuscripts; Hebrew Ammonites
- 2 Chronicles 20:2 One Hebrew manuscript; most Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint and Vulgate Aram
- 2 Chronicles 20:21 Or him with the splendor of
- 2 Chronicles 20:25 Some Hebrew manuscripts and Vulgate; most Hebrew manuscripts corpses
- 2 Chronicles 20:26 Berakah means praise.
- 2 Chronicles 20:36 Hebrew of ships that could go to Tarshish
- 2 Chronicles 20:37 Hebrew sail for Tarshish
2 Chronicles 20
Living Bible
2 Chronicles 20
Living Bible
20 Later on the armies of the kings of Moab, Ammon, and of the Meunites declared war on Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah. 2 Word reached Jehoshaphat that “a vast army is marching against you from beyond the Dead Sea from Syria. It is already at Hazazon-tamar” (also called Engedi). 3 Jehoshaphat was badly shaken by this news and determined to beg for help from the Lord; so he announced that all the people of Judah should go without food for a time, in penitence and intercession before God. 4 People from all across the nation came to Jerusalem to plead unitedly with him. 5 Jehoshaphat stood among them as they gathered at the new court of the Temple and prayed this prayer:
6 “O Lord God of our fathers—the only God in all the heavens, the ruler of all the kingdoms of the earth—you are so powerful, so mighty. Who can stand against you? 7 O our God, didn’t you drive out the heathen who lived in this land when your people arrived? And didn’t you give this land forever to the descendants of your friend Abraham? 8 Your people settled here and built this Temple for you, 9 truly believing that in a time like this—whenever we are faced with any calamity such as war, disease, or famine—we can stand here before this Temple and before you—for you are here in this Temple—and cry out to you to save us; and that you will hear us and rescue us.
10 “And now see what the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir are doing. You wouldn’t let our ancestors invade those nations when Israel left Egypt, so we went around and didn’t destroy them. 11 Now see how they reward us! For they have come to throw us out of your land which you have given us. 12 O our God, won’t you stop them? We have no way to protect ourselves against this mighty army. We don’t know what to do, but we are looking to you.”
13 As the people from every part of Judah stood before the Lord with their little ones, wives, and children, 14 the Spirit of the Lord came upon one of the men standing there—Jahaziel (son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah the Levite, who was one of the sons of Asaph).
15 “Listen to me, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem, and you, O king Jehoshaphat!” he exclaimed. “The Lord says, ‘Don’t be afraid! Don’t be paralyzed by this mighty army! For the battle is not yours, but God’s! 16 Tomorrow, go down and attack them! You will find them coming up the slopes of Ziz at the end of the valley that opens into the wilderness of Jeruel. 17 But you will not need to fight! Take your places; stand quietly and see the incredible rescue operation God will perform for you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem! Don’t be afraid or discouraged! Go out there tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!’”
18 Then King Jehoshaphat fell to the ground with his face to the earth, and all the people of Judah and the people of Jerusalem did the same, worshiping the Lord. 19 Then the Levites of the Kohath clan and the Korah clan stood to praise the Lord God of Israel with songs of praise that rang out strong and clear.
20 Early the next morning the army of Judah went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. On the way Jehoshaphat stopped and called them to attention. “Listen to me, O people of Judah and Jerusalem,” he said. “Believe in the Lord your God and you shall have success! Believe his prophets and everything will be all right!”
21 After consultation with the leaders of the people, he determined that there should be a choir leading the march, clothed in sanctified garments and singing the song “His Loving-Kindness Is Forever” as they walked along praising and thanking the Lord! 22 And at the moment they began to sing and to praise, the Lord caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to begin fighting among themselves, and they destroyed each other! 23 For the Ammonites and Moabites turned against their allies from Mount Seir and killed every one of them. And when they had finished that job, they turned against each other! 24 So, when the army of Judah arrived at the watchtower that looks out over the wilderness, as far as they could look there were dead bodies lying on the ground—not a single one of the enemy had escaped. 25 King Jehoshaphat and his people went out to plunder the bodies and came away loaded with money, garments, and jewels stripped from the corpses—so much that it took them three days to cart it all away! 26 On the fourth day they gathered in the Valley of Blessing, as it is called today, and how they praised the Lord!
27 Then they returned to Jerusalem, with Jehoshaphat leading them, full of joy that the Lord had given them this marvelous rescue from their enemies. 28 They marched into Jerusalem accompanied by a band of harps, lyres, and trumpets and proceeded to the Temple. 29 And as had happened before, when the surrounding kingdoms heard that the Lord himself had fought against the enemies of Israel, the fear of God fell upon them. 30 So Jehoshaphat’s kingdom was quiet, for his God had given him rest.
31 A thumbnail sketch of King Jehoshaphat: He became king of Judah when he was thirty-five years old and reigned twenty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Azubah, the daughter of Shilhi. 32 He was a good king, just as his father Asa was. He continually tried to follow the Lord 33 with the exception that he did not destroy the idol shrines on the hills, nor had the people as yet really decided to follow the God of their ancestors.
34 The details of Jehoshaphat’s reign from first to last are written in the history of Jehu the son of Hanani, which is inserted in The Annals of the Kings of Israel.
35 But at the close of his life, Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, went into partnership with Ahaziah, king of Israel, who was a very wicked man. 36 They made ships in Ezion-geber to sail to Tarshish. 37 Then Eliezer, son of Dodavahu from Mareshah, prophesied against Jehoshaphat, telling him, “Because you have allied yourself with King Ahaziah, the Lord has destroyed your work.” So the ships met disaster and never arrived at Tarshish.
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