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Revelation
Chapter
20
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2 Chronicles chapter 20
English Standard Version
1
After this the Moabites and Ammonites, and with them some of the Meunites, came against Jehoshaphat for battle.
2
Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, "A great multitude is coming against you from Edom, from beyond the sea; and, behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar" (that is, Engedi).
3
Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the
Lord
, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.
4
And Judah assembled to seek help from the
Lord
; from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the
Lord
.
5
And Jehoshaphat stood 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 God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you.
7
Did you not, our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel, and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend?
8
And they have lived in it and have built for you in it a sanctuary for your name, saying,
9
‘If disaster comes upon us, the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house and before you — for your name is in this house — and cry out to you in our affliction, and you will hear and save.’
10
And now behold, the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir, whom you would not let Israel invade when they came from the land of Egypt, and whom they avoided and did not destroy —
11
behold, they reward us by coming to drive us out of your possession, which you have given us to inherit.
12
O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you."
13
Meanwhile all Judah stood before the
Lord
, with their little ones, their wives, and their children.
14
And 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
And he said, "Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the
Lord
to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God 's.
16
Tomorrow go down against them. Behold, they will come up by the ascent of Ziz. You will find them at the end of the valley, east of the wilderness of Jeruel.
17
You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the
Lord
on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the
Lord
will be with you."
18
Then Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the
Lord
, worshiping the
Lord
.
19
And the Levites, of the Kohathites and the Korahites, stood up to praise the
Lord
, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice.
20
And they rose early in the morning and went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. And when they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, "Hear me, Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem! Believe in the
Lord
your God, and you will be established; believe his prophets, and you will succeed."
21
And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the
Lord
and praise him in holy attire, as they went before the army, and say,
"Give thanks to the
Lord
,
for his steadfast love endures forever."
22
And when they began to sing and praise, the
Lord
set an ambush against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah, so that they were routed.
23
For the men of Ammon and Moab rose against the inhabitants of Mount Seir, devoting them to destruction, and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, they all helped to destroy one another.
24
When Judah came to the watchtower of the wilderness, they looked toward the horde, and behold, there were dead bodies lying on the ground; none had escaped.
25
When Jehoshaphat and his people came to take their spoil, they found among them, in great numbers, goods, clothing, and precious things, which they took for themselves until they could carry no more. They were three days in taking the spoil, it was so much.
26
On the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Beracah, for there they blessed the
Lord
. Therefore the name of that place has been called the Valley of Beracah to this day.
27
Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat at their head, returning to Jerusalem with joy, for the
Lord
had made them rejoice over their enemies.
28
They came to Jerusalem with harps and lyres and trumpets, to the house of the
Lord
.
29
And the fear of God came on all the kingdoms of the countries when they heard that the
Lord
had fought against the enemies of Israel.
30
So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet, for his God gave him rest all around.
31
Thus Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah. He was thirty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother 's name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi.
32
He walked in the way of Asa his father and did not turn aside from it, doing what was right in the sight of the
Lord
.
33
The high places, however, were not taken away; the people had not yet set their hearts upon the God of their fathers.
34
Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, from first to last, are written in the chronicles of Jehu the son of Hanani, which are recorded in the Book of the Kings of Israel.
35
After this Jehoshaphat king of Judah joined with Ahaziah king of Israel, who acted wickedly.
36
He joined him in building ships to go to Tarshish, and they built the ships in Ezion-geber.
37
Then Eliezer the son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, "Because you have joined with Ahaziah, the
Lord
will destroy what you have made." And the ships were wrecked and were not able to go to Tarshish.
New International Version
1
After this, the Moabites and Ammonites with some of the Meunites came to wage war against Jehoshaphat.
2
Some people came and told Jehoshaphat, "A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Dead Sea. It is already in Hazezon Tamar" (that is, En Gedi).
3
Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the
Lord
, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah.
4
The people of Judah 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, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you.
7
Our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend?
8
They have lived in it and have built in it a sanctuary for your Name, saying,
9
‘If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, 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; 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 you gave us as an inheritance.
12
Our God, will you not judge them? 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."
13
All the men of Judah, with their wives and children and little ones, stood there before the
Lord
.
14
Then the Spirit of the
Lord
came on Jahaziel son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, 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 because of this vast army. For the battle 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 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 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 in the
Lord
your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful."
21
After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the
Lord
and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying:
"Give thanks to the
Lord
,
for his love endures forever."
22
As they began to sing and praise, the
Lord
set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.
23
The Ammonites and Moabites rose up against the men from Mount Seir to destroy and annihilate them. After they finished slaughtering the men from Seir, they helped to destroy one another.
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 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 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 of God came on all the surrounding kingdoms when they heard how the
Lord
had fought against the enemies of Israel.
30
And the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side.
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, 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 son of Hanani, which are recorded in the book of the kings of Israel.
35
Later, Jehoshaphat king of Judah made an alliance with Ahaziah king of Israel, whose ways were wicked.
36
He agreed with him to construct a fleet of trading ships. 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 were wrecked and were not able to set sail to trade.
New American Standard Bible
1
Now it came about after this, that the sons of Moab and the sons of Ammon, together with some of the Meunites, came to make war against Jehoshaphat.
2
Then some came and reported to Jehoshaphat, saying, 'A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, from Aram; and behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar (that is Engedi).'
3
Jehoshaphat was afraid and turned his attention to seek the
Lord
; and he proclaimed a period of fasting throughout Judah.
4
So Judah gathered together to seek help from the
Lord
; they even came from all the cities of Judah to seek the
Lord
.
5
Then Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the
Lord
in front of the new courtyard;
6
and he said, '
Lord
, God of our fathers, are You not God in the heavens? And are You not ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in Your hand so that no one can stand against You.
7
Did You not, our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land from Your people Israel, and give it to the descendants of Your friend Abraham forever?
8
They have lived in it, and have built You a sanctuary in it for Your name, saying,
9
‘If disaster comes upon us, the sword,
or
judgment, or plague, or famine, we will stand before this house and before You (for Your name is in this house), and cry out to You in our distress, and You will hear and save
us.
’
10
Now behold, the sons of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, whom You did not allow Israel to invade when they came out of the land of Egypt (for they turned aside from them and did not destroy them),
11
see
how
they are rewarding us by coming to drive us out from Your possession which You have given us as an inheritance.
12
Our God, will You not judge them? For we are powerless before this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You.'
13
All Judah was standing before the
Lord
, with their infants, their wives, and their children.
14
Then in the midst of the assembly the Spirit of the
Lord
came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, the Levite of the sons of Asaph;
15
and he said, 'Listen, all
you of
Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and King Jehoshaphat: This is what the
Lord
says to you: ‘Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God’s.
16
Tomorrow, go down against them. Behold, they will come up by the ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the valley in front of the wilderness of Jeruel.
17
You
need
not fight in this
battle;
take your position, stand and watch the salvation of the
Lord
in your behalf, Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow, go out to face them, for the
Lord
is with you.'
18
Jehoshaphat bowed his head with
his
face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the
Lord
, worshiping the
Lord
.
19
The Levites, from the sons of the Kohathites and from the sons of the Korahites, stood up to praise the
Lord
God of Israel, with a very loud voice.
20
They rose early in the morning and went out to the wilderness of Tekoa; and when they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, 'Listen to me, Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: Put your trust in the
Lord
your God and you will endure. Put your trust in His prophets, and succeed.'
21
When he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who sang to the
Lord
and those who praised
Him
in holy attire, as they went out before the army and said, 'Give thanks to the
Lord
, for His faithfulness is everlasting.'
22
When they began singing and praising, the
Lord
set ambushes against the sons of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; so they were struck down.
23
For the sons of Ammon and Moab rose up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir, completely destroying
them;
and when they had finished with the inhabitants of Seir, they helped to destroy one another.
24
When Judah came to the watchtower of the wilderness, they turned toward the multitude, and behold, they
were
corpses lying on the ground, and there was no survivor.
25
When Jehoshaphat and his people came to take their spoils, they found much among them,
including
goods, garments, and valuable things which they took for themselves, more than they could carry. And they were taking the spoils for three days because there was
so
much.
26
Then on the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Beracah, for they blessed the
Lord
there. Therefore they have named that place 'The Valley of Beracah' until today.
27
Every man of Judah and Jerusalem returned, with Jehoshaphat at their head, returning to Jerusalem with joy, for the
Lord
had helped them to rejoice over their enemies.
28
They came to Jerusalem with harps, lyres, and trumpets, to the house of the
Lord
.
29
And the dread of God was on all the kingdoms of the lands when they heard that the
Lord
had fought against the enemies of Israel.
30
So the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God gave him rest on all sides.
31
Now Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah. He
was
thirty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem for twenty-five years. And his mother’s name
was
Azubah the daughter of Shilhi.
32
He walked in the way of his father Asa and did not deviate from it, doing right in the sight of the
Lord
.
33
The high places, however, were not removed; the people had not yet directed their hearts to the God of their fathers.
34
Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, first to last, behold, they are written in the annals of Jehu the son of Hanani, which is recorded in the Book of the Kings of Israel.
35
After this Jehoshaphat king of Judah allied himself with Ahaziah king of Israel. He acted wickedly in so doing.
36
So he allied himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish, and they made the ships in Ezion-geber.
37
Then Eliezer the son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, 'Because you have allied yourself with Ahaziah, the
Lord
has destroyed your works.' So the ships were wrecked and could not go to Tarshish.
Christian Standard Bible
1
After this, the Moabites and Ammonites, together with some of the Meunites, came to fight against Jehoshaphat.
2
People came and told Jehoshaphat, "A vast number from beyond the Dead Sea and from Edom has come to fight against you; they are already in Hazazon-tamar" (that is, En-gedi).
3
Jehoshaphat was afraid, and he resolved to seek the
Lord
. Then he proclaimed a fast for all Judah,
4
who gathered to seek the
Lord
. They even came from all the cities of Judah to seek him.
5
Then Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem in the
Lord
’s temple before the new courtyard.
6
He said:
Lord
, God of our ancestors, are you not the God who is in heaven, and do you not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in your hand, and no one can stand against you.
7
Are you not our God who drove out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and who gave it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend?
8
They have lived in the land and have built you a sanctuary in it for your name and have said,
9
"If disaster comes on us—sword or judgment, pestilence or famine —we will stand before this temple and before you, for your name is in this temple. We will cry out to you because of our distress, and you will hear and deliver."
10
Now here are the Ammonites, Moabites, and the inhabitants of Mount Seir. You did not let Israel invade them when Israel came out of the land of Egypt, but Israel turned away from them and did not destroy them.
11
Look how they repay us by coming to drive us out of your possession that you gave us as an inheritance.
12
Our God, will you not judge them? For we are powerless before this vast number that comes to fight against us. We do not know what to do, but we look to you.
13
All Judah was standing before the
Lord
with their dependents, their wives, and their children.
14
In the middle of the congregation, the Spirit of the
Lord
came on Jahaziel (son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite from Asaph’s descendants),
15
and he said, "Listen carefully, all Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and King Jehoshaphat. This is what the
Lord
says: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast number, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.
16
Tomorrow, go down against them. You will see them coming up the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the valley facing the Wilderness of Jeruel.
17
You do not have to fight this battle. Position yourselves, stand still, and see the salvation of the
Lord
. He is with you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Tomorrow, go out to face them, for the
Lord
is with you.’"
18
Then Jehoshaphat knelt low with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the
Lord
to worship him.
19
Then the Levites from the sons of the Kohathites and the Korahites stood up to praise the
Lord
God of Israel shouting loudly.
20
In the morning they got up early and went out to the wilderness of Tekoa. As they were about to go out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, "Hear me, Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem. Believe in the
Lord
your God, and you will be established; believe in his prophets, and you will succeed."
21
Then he consulted with the people and appointed some to sing for the
Lord
and some to praise the splendor of his holiness. When they went out in front of the armed forces, they kept singing:
Give thanks to the
Lord
,
for his faithful love endures forever.
22
The moment they began their shouts and praises, the
Lord
set an ambush against the Ammonites, Moabites, and the inhabitants of Mount Seir who came to fight against Judah, and they were defeated.
23
The Ammonites and Moabites turned against the inhabitants of Mount Seir and completely annihilated them. When they had finished with the inhabitants of Seir, they helped destroy each other.
24
When Judah came to a place overlooking the wilderness, they looked for the large army, but there were only corpses lying on the ground; nobody had escaped.
25
Then Jehoshaphat and his people went to gather the plunder. They found among them an abundance of goods on the bodies and valuable items. So they stripped them until nobody could carry any more. They were gathering the plunder for three days because there was so much.
26
They assembled in the Valley of Beracah on the fourth day, for there they blessed the
Lord
. Therefore, that place is still called the Valley of Beracah today.
27
Then all the men of Judah and Jerusalem turned back with Jehoshaphat their leader, returning joyfully to Jerusalem, for the
Lord
enabled them to rejoice over their enemies.
28
So they came into Jerusalem to the
Lord
’s temple with harps, lyres, and trumpets.
29
The terror of God was on all the kingdoms of the lands when they heard that the
Lord
had fought against the enemies of Israel.
30
Then Jehoshaphat’s kingdom was quiet, for his God gave him rest on every side.
31
Jehoshaphat became king over Judah. He was thirty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned twenty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Azubah daughter of Shilhi.
32
He walked in the ways of Asa his father; he did not turn away from it but did what was right in the
Lord
’s sight.
33
However, the high places were not taken away; the people had not yet set their hearts on the God of their ancestors.
34
The rest of the events of Jehoshaphat’s reign from beginning to end are written in the Events of Jehu son of Hanani, which is recorded in the Book of Israel’s Kings.
35
After this, Judah’s King Jehoshaphat made an alliance with Israel’s King Ahaziah, who was guilty of wrongdoing.
36
Jehoshaphat formed an alliance with him to make ships to go to Tarshish, and they made the ships in Ezion-geber.
37
Then Eliezer son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, "Because you formed an alliance with Ahaziah, the
Lord
has broken up what you have made." So the ships were wrecked and were not able to go to Tarshish.
New Living Translation
1
After this, the armies of the Moabites, Ammonites, and some of the Meunites declared war on Jehoshaphat.
2
Messengers came and told Jehoshaphat, 'A vast army from Edom is marching against you from beyond the Dead Sea. They are already at Hazazon-tamar.' (This was another name for En-gedi.)
3
Jehoshaphat was terrified by this news and begged the
Lord
for guidance. He also ordered everyone in Judah to begin fasting.
4
So people from all the towns of Judah came to Jerusalem to seek the
Lord
’s help.
5
Jehoshaphat stood before the community of Judah and Jerusalem in front of the new courtyard at the Temple of the
Lord
.
6
He prayed, 'O
Lord
, God of our ancestors, you alone are the God who is in heaven. You are ruler of all the kingdoms of the earth. You are powerful and mighty; no one can stand against you!
7
O our God, did you not drive out those who lived in this land when your people Israel arrived? And did you not give this land forever to the descendants of your friend Abraham?
8
Your people settled here and built this Temple to honor your name.
9
They said, ‘Whenever we are faced with any calamity such as war, plague, or famine, we can come to stand in your presence before this Temple where your name is honored. We can cry out to you to save us, and you will hear us and rescue us.’
10
And now see what the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir are doing. You would not let our ancestors invade those nations when Israel left Egypt, so they went around them and did not destroy them.
11
Now see how they reward us! For they have come to throw us out of your land, which you gave us as an inheritance.
12
O our God, won’t you stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help.'
13
As all the men 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. His name was Jahaziel son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite who was a descendant of Asaph.
15
He said, 'Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the
Lord
says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.
16
Tomorrow, march out against them. You will find them coming up through the ascent of Ziz at the end of the valley that opens into the wilderness of Jeruel.
17
But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the
Lord
’s victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the
Lord
is with you!'
18
Then King Jehoshaphat bowed low with his face to the ground. And all the people of Judah and Jerusalem did the same, worshiping the
Lord
.
19
Then the Levites from the clans of Kohath and Korah stood to praise the
Lord
, the God of Israel, with a very loud shout.
20
Early the next morning the army of Judah went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. On the way Jehoshaphat stopped and said, 'Listen to me, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Believe in the
Lord
your God, and you will be able to stand firm. Believe in his prophets, and you will succeed.'
21
After consulting the people, the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the
Lord
and praising him for his holy splendor. This is what they sang:
'Give thanks to the
Lord
;
his faithful love endures forever!'
22
At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the
Lord
caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves.
23
The armies of Moab and Ammon turned against their allies from Mount Seir and killed every one of them. After they had destroyed the army of Seir, they began attacking each other.
24
So when the army of Judah arrived at the lookout point in the wilderness, all they saw were dead bodies lying on the ground as far as they could see. Not a single one of the enemy had escaped.
25
King Jehoshaphat and his men went out to gather the plunder. They found vast amounts of equipment, clothing, and other valuables — more than they could carry. There was so much plunder that it took them three days just to collect it all!
26
On the fourth day they gathered in the Valley of Blessing, which got its name that day because the people praised and thanked the
Lord
there. It is still called the Valley of Blessing today.
27
Then all the men returned to Jerusalem, with Jehoshaphat leading them, overjoyed that the
Lord
had given them victory over their enemies.
28
They marched into Jerusalem to the music of harps, lyres, and trumpets, and they proceeded to the Temple of the
Lord
.
29
When all the surrounding kingdoms heard that the
Lord
himself had fought against the enemies of Israel, the fear of God came over them.
30
So Jehoshaphat’s kingdom was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side.
31
So Jehoshaphat ruled over the land of Judah. He was thirty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-five years. His mother was Azubah, the daughter of Shilhi.
32
Jehoshaphat was a good king, following the ways of his father, Asa. He did what was pleasing in the
Lord
’s sight.
33
During his reign, however, he failed to remove all the pagan shrines, and the people never fully committed themselves to follow the God of their ancestors.
34
The rest of the events of Jehoshaphat’s reign, from beginning to end, are recorded in
The Record of Jehu Son of Hanani,
which is included in
The Book of the Kings of Israel.
35
Some time later King Jehoshaphat of Judah made an alliance with King Ahaziah of Israel, who was very wicked.
36
Together they built a fleet of trading ships at the port of Ezion-geber.
37
Then Eliezer son of Dodavahu from Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat. He said, 'Because you have allied yourself with King Ahaziah, the
Lord
will destroy your work.' So the ships met with disaster and never put out to sea.
King James Version
1
It came to pass after this also, that the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them other beside the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle.
2
Then there came some that told Jehoshaphat, saying, There cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea on this side Syria; and, behold, they be in Hazazontamar, which is Engedi.
3
And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the
Lord
, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.
4
And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the
Lord
: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the
Lord
.
5
And Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the
Lord
, before the new court,
6
And said, O
Lord
God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee?
7
Art not thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend for ever?
8
And they dwelt therein, and have built thee a sanctuary therein for thy name, saying,
9
If, when evil cometh upon us, as the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we stand before this house, and in thy presence, (for thy name is in this house,) and cry unto thee in our affliction, then thou wilt hear and help.
10
And now, behold, the children of Ammon and Moab and mount Seir, whom thou wouldest not let Israel invade, when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned from them, and destroyed them not;
11
Behold, I say, how they reward us, to come to cast us out of thy possession, which thou hast given us to inherit.
12
O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.
13
And all Judah stood before the
Lord
, with their little ones, their wives, and their children.
14
Then upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, came the Spirit of the
Lord
in the midst of the congregation;
15
And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the
Lord
unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's.
16
To morrow go ye down against them: behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz; and ye shall find them at the end of the brook, before the wilderness of Jeruel.
17
Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the
Lord
with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the
Lord
will be with you.
18
And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the
Lord
, worshipping the
Lord
.
19
And the Levites, of the children of the Kohathites, and of the children of the Korhites, stood up to praise the
Lord
God of Israel with a loud voice on high.
20
And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the
Lord
your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.
21
And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the
Lord
, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the
Lord
; for his mercy endureth for ever.
22
And when they began to sing and to praise, the
Lord
set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.
23
For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of mount Seir, utterly to slay and destroy them: and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one helped to destroy another.
24
And when Judah came toward the watch tower in the wilderness, they looked unto the multitude, and, behold, they were dead bodies fallen to the earth, and none escaped.
25
And when Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away the spoil of them, they found among them in abundance both riches with the dead bodies, and precious jewels, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away: and they were three days in gathering of the spoil, it was so much.
26
And on the fourth day they assembled themselves in the valley of Berachah; for there they blessed the
Lord
: therefore the name of the same place was called, The valley of Berachah, unto this day.
27
Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat in the forefront of them, to go again to Jerusalem with joy; for the
Lord
had made them to rejoice over their enemies.
28
And they came to Jerusalem with psalteries and harps and trumpets unto the house of the
Lord
.
29
And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of those countries, when they had heard that the
Lord
fought against the enemies of Israel.
30
So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet: for his God gave him rest round about.
31
And Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah: he was thirty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi.
32
And he walked in the way of Asa his father, and departed not from it, doing that which was right in the sight of the
Lord
.
33
Howbeit the high places were not taken away: for as yet the people had not prepared their hearts unto the God of their fathers.
34
Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of Jehu the son of Hanani, who is mentioned in the book of the kings of Israel.
35
And after this did Jehoshaphat king of Judah join himself with Ahaziah king of Israel, who did very wickedly:
36
And he joined himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish: and they made the ships in Eziongeber.
37
Then Eliezer the son of Dodavah of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, Because thou hast joined thyself with Ahaziah, the
Lord
hath broken thy works. And the ships were broken, that they were not able to go to Tarshish.
New King James Version
1
It happened after this
that
the people of Moab with the people of Ammon, and
others
with them besides the Ammonites, came to battle against Jehoshaphat.
2
Then some came and told Jehoshaphat, saying, “A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, from Syria; and they are in Hazazon Tamar” (which
is
En Gedi).
3
And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the
Lord
, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.
4
So Judah gathered together to ask
help
from the
Lord
; and from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the
Lord
.
5
Then Jehoshaphat stood 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 God in heaven, and do You
not
rule over all the kingdoms of the nations, and in Your hand
is there not
power and might, so that no one is able to withstand You?
7
Are
You not our God,
who
drove out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel, and gave it to the descendants of Abraham Your friend forever?
8
And they dwell in it, and have built You a sanctuary in it for Your name, saying,
9
‘If disaster comes upon us—sword, judgment, pestilence, or famine—we will stand before this temple and in Your presence (for Your name
is
in this temple), and cry out to You in our affliction, and You will hear and save.’
10
And now, here are the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir—whom You would not let Israel invade when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned from them and did not destroy them—
11
here they are, rewarding us by coming to throw us out of Your possession which You have given us to inherit.
12
O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes
are
upon You.”
13
Now all Judah, with their little ones, their wives, and their children, stood before the
Lord
.
14
Then the Spirit of the
Lord
came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, in the midst of the assembly.
15
And he said, “Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the
Lord
to you: ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle
is
not yours, but God’s.
16
Tomorrow go down against them. They will surely come up by the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the brook before the Wilderness of Jeruel.
17
You will not
need
to fight in this
battle.
Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the
Lord
, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the
Lord
is
with you.”
18
And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with
his
face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem bowed before the
Lord
, worshiping the
Lord
.
19
Then the Levites of the children of the Kohathites and of the children of the Korahites stood up to praise the
Lord
God of Israel with voices loud and high.
20
So they rose early in the morning and went out into the Wilderness of Tekoa; and as they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: Believe in the
Lord
your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper.”
21
And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the
Lord
, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying:
“Praise the
Lord
,
For His mercy
endures
forever.”
22
Now when they began to sing and to praise, the
Lord
set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated.
23
For the people of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir to utterly kill and destroy
them.
And when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, they helped to destroy one another.
24
So when Judah came to a place overlooking the wilderness, they looked toward the multitude; and there
were
their dead bodies, fallen on the earth. No one had escaped.
25
When Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away their spoil, they found among them an abundance of valuables on the dead bodies, and precious jewelry, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away; and they were three days gathering the spoil because there was so much.
26
And on the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Berachah, for there they blessed the
Lord
; therefore the name of that place was called The Valley of Berachah until this day.
27
Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, with Jehoshaphat in front of them, to go back to Jerusalem with joy, for the
Lord
had made them rejoice over their enemies.
28
So they came to Jerusalem, with stringed instruments and harps and trumpets, to the house of the
Lord
.
29
And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of
those
countries when they heard that the
Lord
had fought against the enemies of Israel.
30
Then the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet, for his God gave him rest all around.
31
So Jehoshaphat was king over Judah.
He was
thirty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned twenty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name
was
Azubah the daughter of Shilhi.
32
And he walked in the way of his father Asa, and did not turn aside from it, doing
what was
right in the sight of the
Lord
.
33
Nevertheless the high places were not taken away, for as yet the people had not directed their hearts to the God of their fathers.
34
Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, first and last, indeed they
are
written in the book of Jehu the son of Hanani, which
is
mentioned in the book of the kings of Israel.
35
After this Jehoshaphat king of Judah allied himself with Ahaziah king of Israel, who acted very wickedly.
36
And he allied himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish, and they made the ships in Ezion Geber.
37
But Eliezer the son of Dodavah of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, “Because you have allied yourself with Ahaziah, the
Lord
has destroyed your works.” Then the ships were wrecked, so that they were not able to go to Tarshish.
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