2 Chronicles 20:20
And they rose early in the morning, and went foorth into the wildernesse of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Iehoshaphat stood and said, Heare me, O Iudah, and yee inhabitants of Ierusalem; Beleeue in the Lord your God, so shall you be established; beleeue his Prophets, so shall yee prosper. 2 Chronicles 20:20 (KJV)
This verse is part of the larger narrative that recounts how King Jehoshaphat of Judah responded to a massive coalition army that threatened his kingdom. Let us break down this verse and explore its meaning and implications.
“Jehoshaphat stood up in the congregation of Judah, and of all the inhabitants of Jerusalem” – Jehoshaphat, as the leader of the people, rose before the assembled assembly of Judah and Jerusalem to address them.
“Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; give thanks unto the LORD your God, and his mercy, and his outstretching hand.” – He urged the people to listen and to give thanks to the LORD, acknowledging God’s steadfast love and the power He extends to protect His people.
The surrounding context shows that Jehoshaphat had gathered the nation on the hill of Mauchah after receiving word that a large force from Moab, Ammon, and other nations was advancing toward Judah.
Key lessons from 2 Chronicles 20:20 include:
- Trust in God: Jehoshaphat calls the people to place their confidence in the LORD, recognizing that divine help—not human strength—will sustain them.
- Thanksgiving and reliance on God’s mercy: The verse emphasizes gratitude for God’s covenant faithfulness and the outstretched hand that will deliver the nation.
- Obedience to God’s direction: Although the passage does not explicitly mention prophets, the broader chapter illustrates that following God’s instruction—through prayer, worship, and reliance on His promises—leads to victory.
Thus this verse reminds believers to trust in God’s providence, offer sincere thanks for His mercy, and depend on His power in times of crisis, confident that He will establish and prosper those who believe in Him.
