1 Chronicles 20
2 Chronicles 20 is a narrative centered on a major crisis that arose during the reign of King Jehoshaphat of Judah, the faithful responses to it, and God’s deliverance. When the Moabites, Ammonites, and the people of Meun join forces and invade Judah, the account leads with a scene in which King Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah fall before God to seek wisdom and salvation. In this chapter, we see how human limitations and absolute trust in God amid crisis lead to deliverance and a feast.
1verseAt the time of the return of the year, at the time when kings go out, Joab led out the army and wasted the country of the children of Ammon, and came and besieged Rabbah. But David stayed at Jerusalem. Joab struck Rabbah, and overthrew it.
2verseDavid took the crown of their king from off his head, and found it to weigh a talent of gold, and there were precious stones in it. It was set on David’s head, and he brought very much plunder out of the city.
3verseHe brought out the people who were in it, and had them cut with saws, with iron picks, and with axes. David did so to all the cities of the children of Ammon. Then David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.
4verseAfter this, war arose at Gezer with the Philistines. Then Sibbecai the Hushathite killed Sippai, of the sons of the giant; and they were subdued.
5verseAgain there was war with the Philistines; and Elhanan the son of Jair killed Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam.
6verseThere was again war at Gath, where there was a man of great stature, who had twenty-four fingers and toes, six on each hand and six on each foot; and he also was born to the giant.
7verseWhen he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea, David’s brother, killed him.
8verseThese were born to the giant in Gath; and they fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants.
The Main Flow and Structure of the Text
- Verses 1-4:News of the enemy coalition’s invasion and Judah’s fear; all the people fast and seek God
- Verses 5-13:Jehoshaphat’s prayer in the temple. Remembering God’s past deliverance and covenant, and asking for help in the present situation
- Verses 14-19:God’s response through Jahaziel. The message that the battle belongs to God, and the people’s praise
- Verses 20-30:The enemy destroys itself because of the confusion God sends. The people of Judah gather their harvest and praise God’s deliverance
- Verses 31-37:The later years of Jehoshaphat’s reign—his faithfulness, yet a warning due to the failure of the coalition
Overall Meaning and Reflection
This chapter shows how God delivers in astonishing ways when a community, relying on God in times of crisis, responds not with despair but with prayer and praise. In particular, the proclamation, “The battle is not yours, but God’s” (verse 15), conveys an important message of faith: laying aside human strength and trusting in God’s sovereignty. Although Jehoshaphat also made mistakes, by placing God at the center amid the crisis, he enabled the community to taste victory.
Points for Reflection
- When faced with an unexpected crisis, do you become anxious or afraid rather than having your first response be to seek God?
- While waiting for God’s response, do you have an attitude of moving forward with prayer and praise?
- Can you apply the declaration, “The battle belongs to God,” to your own life as well?
Applying It to Me
- Take a moment to examine what problems or fears I face today, and what strength I rely on.
- Consider whether there is practical practice in my life in which I entrust the crisis before God together with prayer and praise, and with the faith community.
- I hope that I can renew my decision of faith today as I acknowledge my limits and trust in God’s sovereignty.
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