2 Chronicles 13:14

And when Judah looked back, behold, the battle [was] before and behind: and they cried unto the LORD, and the priests sounded with the trumpets.

And when Judah {H3063} looked back {H6437}, behold, the battle {H4421} was before {H6440} and behind {H268}: and they cried {H6817} unto the LORD {H3068}, and the priests {H3548} sounded {H2690}{H2690} with the trumpets {H2689}.

Thus when Y'hudah looked back, the battle had to be fought in front of them and behind them. They cried to ADONAI, and the cohanim sounded the trumpets.

When Judah turned and discovered that the battle was both before and behind them, they cried out to the LORD. Then the priests blew the trumpets,

And when Judah looked back, behold, the battle was before and behind them; and they cried unto Jehovah, and the priests sounded with the trumpets.

Commentary

2 Chronicles 13:14 captures a pivotal moment in the battle between the divided kingdoms of Judah and Israel, highlighting Judah's desperate situation and their immediate, heartfelt response to God. This verse serves as a powerful testament to divine intervention when human effort reaches its limits.

Context

This verse is part of the account of the war between King Abijah of Judah and King Jeroboam of Israel. Abijah's army, though smaller, fought with a strong declaration of their reliance on the LORD God of Israel, emphasizing that God was with them (2 Chronicles 13:12). However, Jeroboam, with his much larger force, cunningly set an ambush, surrounding Judah's forces. When Judah's soldiers realized they were caught between Jeroboam's main army in front and the ambush behind, their human strategy had failed, and they faced what seemed like certain defeat. This desperate military situation sets the stage for God's miraculous intervention, as detailed in the very next verse.

Key Themes

  • Divine Deliverance Amidst Despair: The primary theme is God's power to deliver His people even when human odds are stacked against them. Judah's situation was militarily hopeless, underscoring that their eventual victory was solely by divine hand.
  • The Power of Earnest Prayer: Judah's collective "cried unto the LORD" demonstrates the profound impact of desperate and sincere prayer. It was not a superficial plea but a deep cry born of absolute necessity, a turning point in their seemingly lost battle.
  • Trust and Dependence on God: Faced with overwhelming odds, Judah's immediate response was not to panic or surrender, but to turn to God. This highlights the foundational principle of trusting in the Lord rather than in human strength or strategy.

Linguistic Insights

  • The phrase "cried unto the LORD" translates a Hebrew word (צָעַק, tsa’aq) that denotes an urgent, loud, and often desperate outcry for help, frequently used in times of distress or injustice. It's more than just a quiet prayer; it's a passionate appeal for divine intervention.
  • The priests "sounded with the trumpets" (חֲצֹצְרוֹת, chatzotzrot). These silver trumpets were not merely military signals; they were used in temple worship, to call assemblies, and crucially, to sound an alarm in times of war to be remembered before the LORD. This action by the priests symbolized a plea for divine aid and intervention, emphasizing the spiritual dimension of the battle.

Practical Application

This verse offers immense encouragement for believers today. When we find ourselves in situations where we are "before and behind," surrounded by challenges with no apparent human way out, 2 Chronicles 13:14 reminds us to turn immediately and wholeheartedly to God. It teaches us that our first and most powerful response in crisis should be earnest prayer and a declaration of dependence on God. Just as God heard Judah's cry and brought forth a miraculous victory, He remains faithful to those who seek Him with all their heart. The narrative underscores that God often waits for us to exhaust our own resources and strategies before revealing His power, demonstrating that the victory is truly His. This can be a source of strength when we face trouble and need a very present help.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Chronicles 14:11 (7 votes)

    And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said, LORD, [it is] nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O LORD, thou [art] our God; let not man prevail against thee.

  • Exodus 14:10 (4 votes)

    ¶ And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the LORD.

  • Psalms 50:15 (3 votes)

    And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.

  • Judges 20:33 (3 votes)

    And all the men of Israel rose up out of their place, and put themselves in array at Baaltamar: and the liers in wait of Israel came forth out of their places, [even] out of the meadows of Gibeah.

  • Judges 20:43 (3 votes)

    [Thus] they inclosed the Benjamites round about, [and] chased them, [and] trode them down with ease over against Gibeah toward the sunrising.

  • Joshua 8:20 (3 votes)

    And when the men of Ai looked behind them, they saw, and, behold, the smoke of the city ascended up to heaven, and they had no power to flee this way or that way: and the people that fled to the wilderness turned back upon the pursuers.

  • 2 Samuel 10:8 (3 votes)

    And the children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array at the entering in of the gate: and the Syrians of Zoba, and of Rehob, and Ishtob, and Maacah, [were] by themselves in the field.