2 Chronicles 20:20

KJV

¶ 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And they rose early {H7925} in the morning {H1242}, and went forth {H3318} into the wilderness {H4057} of Tekoa {H8620}: and as they went forth {H3318}, Jehoshaphat {H3092} stood {H5975} and said {H559}, Hear {H8085} me, O Judah {H3063}, and ye inhabitants {H3427} of Jerusalem {H3389}; Believe {H539} in the LORD {H3068} your God {H430}, so shall ye be established {H539}; believe {H539} his prophets {H5030}, so shall ye prosper {H6743}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The next morning, they rose early and went out into the T'koa Desert. As they left, Y'hoshafat stood and said, "Listen to me, Y'hudah and you inhabitants of Yerushalayim! "Trust in ADONAI your God, and you will be safe. Trust in his prophets, and you will succeed."

Berean Standard Bible

Early in the morning they got up and left for the Wilderness of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood up and said, “Hear me, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Believe in the LORD your God, and you will be upheld; believe in His prophets, and you will succeed.”

American Standard Version

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 Jehovah your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Chronicles 20:20 captures King Jehoshaphat's profound exhortation to the people of Judah as they faced an overwhelming enemy coalition. Following a divine prophetic assurance of victory without battle, Jehoshaphat calls his nation to an active and unwavering faith. His words underscore a timeless principle: trust in the Lord God brings stability and security, while heeding His divinely appointed messengers leads to true flourishing and success in fulfilling God's purposes. This pivotal moment emphasizes the vital connection between divine promise, human faith, and tangible deliverance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the climax of Jehoshaphat's response to an imminent invasion by the Ammonites, Moabites, and Meunites, as detailed in [2 Chronicles 20](/2_chronicles/20 "2 Chronicles 20 - Jehoshaphat's Prayer and God's Deliverance"). The chapter opens with the terrifying news of the vast army's approach ([2 Chronicles 20:1-2](/2_chronicles/20-1 "2 Chronicles 20:1-2 - Invasion of Judah")). Jehoshaphat's immediate reaction is to seek the Lord, proclaiming a fast and gathering all Judah to pray ([2 Chronicles 20:3-4](/2_chronicles/20-3 "2 Chronicles 20:3-4 - Jehoshaphat Proclaims a Fast")). His magnificent prayer ([2 Chronicles 20:5-12](/2_chronicles/20-5 "2 Chronicles 20:5-12 - Jehoshaphat's Prayer")) is met with a powerful prophetic word from Jahaziel, a Levite, assuring them that "the battle is not yours, but God's" ([2 Chronicles 20:15](/2_chronicles/20-15 "2 Chronicles 20:15 - The Lord's Answer")). The people respond with worship and praise ([2 Chronicles 20:18-19](/2_chronicles/20-18 "2 Chronicles 20:18-19 - Judah Worships God")). It is on the morning they are to go out, not to fight, but to witness God's deliverance, that Jehoshaphat delivers this crucial exhortation, setting the stage for the miraculous victory that follows ([2 Chronicles 20:21-25](/2_chronicles/20-21 "2 Chronicles 20:21-25 - God Defeats the Enemy")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** King Jehoshaphat (c. 870-848 BC) was the fourth king of Judah, known for his reforms and efforts to lead his people back to the Lord ([2 Chronicles 17](/2_chronicles/17 "2 Chronicles 17 - Jehoshaphat's Righteous Reign")). Despite his generally righteous reign, he made some questionable alliances, notably with Ahab of Israel ([2 Chronicles 18](/2_chronicles/18 "2 Chronicles 18 - Jehoshaphat and Ahab")). This invasion by the Ammonites, Moabites, and Meunites (likely from Mount Seir, Edom) represented a significant existential threat to Judah. The "wilderness of Tekoa" was a desolate, rugged area southeast of Jerusalem, bordering the Judean Desert, where the invading armies would have to pass. It was a strategic location for an ambush or confrontation. In ancient Near Eastern warfare, the king's address to his troops before battle was a common practice, serving to rally morale and articulate strategy. Jehoshaphat's address, however, is unique in its singular focus on faith in God and His prophetic word, rather than military tactics, reflecting the divine nature of the promised victory.
* **Key Themes:** The overarching theme in [2 Chronicles 20](/2_chronicles/20 "2 Chronicles 20 - Divine Deliverance Through Faith") is **divine intervention in response to faithful prayer and obedience**. Jehoshaphat's initial fear is transformed into a profound act of seeking God, demonstrating the theme of **dependence on God** in crisis. The prophetic word delivered by Jahaziel highlights the theme of **God speaking through His chosen messengers**, emphasizing that true wisdom and guidance come from divine revelation. The people's response of worship and Jehoshaphat's exhortation to "believe" underscore the theme of **active faith**—not a passive waiting, but a confident trust that leads to action (going out to the wilderness). The promised outcomes of "establishment" and "prosperity" connect to the broader biblical themes of **blessing for obedience** and **God's faithfulness to His covenant people**. This narrative powerfully illustrates that God fights for His people when they place their trust fully in Him, echoing principles found in passages like [Psalm 20:7](/psalm/20-7 "Psalm 20:7 - Trust in the Name of the Lord").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Believe (Hebrew, הַאֲמִינוּ, _ha'aminu'_):** This is an imperative form of the verb _'aman_, meaning "to be firm, trustworthy, faithful." In the Hiphil stem (causative), it means "to cause to be firm," or "to consider firm, to trust, to believe." Here, it is a direct command to place unwavering trust and confidence in the Lord. It implies not just intellectual assent, but a deep, abiding reliance and faithfulness. This root is famously linked to "Amen," signifying "so be it," or "it is firm/true."
* **Established (Hebrew, תֵּאָמֵנוּ, _te'amenu'_):** This word is also derived from the root _'aman_, appearing here in the Niphal (passive) stem, meaning "to be made firm, secure, stable, reliable." The promise is that by believing in the Lord, Judah itself will be made firm and secure, unshaken by the threats against it. It speaks to a divine bestowal of stability and security, both internally (in their resolve) and externally (against their enemies). This echoes the principle in [Isaiah 7:9](/isaiah/7-9 "Isaiah 7:9 - If you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all"), where lack of belief leads to lack of establishment.
* **Prosper (Hebrew, תַּצְלִיחוּ, _tatzlichu'_):** This is from the verb _tsalach_, meaning "to advance, succeed, be profitable, be fortunate, to break out, rush." In the Hiphil stem, it means "to cause to prosper, to make successful." Here, it promises that by believing the prophets, they will experience success and favorable outcomes. This "prosperity" is not merely material wealth but comprehensive well-being, success in their endeavors, and advancement in God's purposes. It implies a divinely guided and successful path forward.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa:":** This clause highlights the immediate obedience and decisive action of the people. Despite the terrifying odds and the non-traditional command not to fight, they follow the divine instruction given through Jahaziel. Rising "early in the morning" signifies readiness, determination, and a sense of urgency in their faithful response. Their destination, the "wilderness of Tekoa," was the very place where the enemy was expected, demonstrating their willingness to confront the situation, albeit in a manner dictated by God.
* **"and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem;":** As the people are actively moving towards the confrontation, Jehoshaphat takes a stand, signifying his authority and the gravity of his message. His address is directed to "Judah" (the nation) and "inhabitants of Jerusalem" (the capital and heart of the kingdom), encompassing all present and emphasizing the collective nature of the crisis and the call to faith. The command "Hear me" demands attention and underscores the critical importance of his subsequent words.
* **"Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established;":** This is the first, foundational exhortation. Jehoshaphat calls for unwavering faith (trust, reliance, faithfulness) in Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. The promise attached is "so shall ye be established," meaning they will be made firm, secure, and unshakeable. This establishment is not based on their military might or strategic acumen, but solely on their steadfast trust in God's power and faithfulness, particularly in light of Jahaziel's prophecy that the battle was God's.
* **"believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.":** This second, parallel exhortation extends the principle of faith to God's chosen messengers. "His prophets" refers specifically to Jahaziel in the immediate context, but also broadly to the divine word revealed through legitimate prophets. The promise here is "so shall ye prosper," indicating success, advancement, and favorable outcomes. This implies that true flourishing and success in life, especially in navigating challenges, come through heeding and obeying the specific, timely, and authoritative word of God delivered through His appointed channels.

#### Literary Devices
The passage is rich with **Exhortation**, as Jehoshaphat directly commands his people to "Believe." This is coupled with a powerful use of **Parallelism**, specifically **Synonymous Parallelism**, in the two clauses: "Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper." While not perfectly synonymous (God vs. prophets), the structure and the underlying principle (faith leading to positive outcomes) are parallel, reinforcing the central message. There's also an element of **Chiasm** or **Antithetical Parallelism** when considering the broader context of [Isaiah 7:9](/isaiah/7-9 "Isaiah 7:9 - If you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all"), which provides a negative counterpart to Jehoshaphat's positive promise of establishment through belief. The verse functions as a **Call to Faith**, a rallying cry that transcends mere military strategy, transforming a fearful situation into an opportunity for divine demonstration. The entire narrative of [2 Chronicles 20](/2_chronicles/20 "2 Chronicles 20 - God's Victory through Faith") serves as a powerful **Illustrative Narrative** of the principles articulated in this verse, demonstrating the direct cause-and-effect relationship between faith and divine deliverance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jehoshaphat's exhortation encapsulates a foundational biblical truth: the security and flourishing of God's people are directly proportional to their faith and obedience. It teaches that faith is not a passive intellectual assent but an active trust that leads to decisive action, even when that action seems counter-intuitive to human wisdom. The inclusion of "believe his prophets" underscores the vital role of divine revelation and the authority of God's word, whether directly from Him or through His chosen messengers. This passage affirms God's sovereignty over all circumstances and His faithfulness to deliver those who genuinely rely on Him, providing a model for how believers should respond to overwhelming challenges. It moves beyond a transactional view of faith to one that emphasizes a relational trust in a God who is both powerful to save and faithful to guide.

* [Isaiah 7:9](/isaiah/7-9 "Isaiah 7:9 - If you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all")
* [Proverbs 3:5-6](/proverbs/3-5 "Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with all your heart")
* [Hebrews 11:6](/hebrews/11-6 "Hebrews 11:6 - Without faith it is impossible to please God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In a world constantly assailed by uncertainties, economic instability, social unrest, and personal trials, Jehoshaphat's words in [2 Chronicles 20:20](/2_chronicles/20-20 "2 Chronicles 20:20 - Believe in the Lord and His Prophets") offer an enduring anchor. We, like Judah, often face "vast armies" in our lives—challenges that seem insurmountable, threatening our peace and security. This verse reminds us that our primary response should not be panic or reliance on our own limited resources, but a radical, unwavering trust in the Lord, our God. When we truly believe in His character, His power, and His promises, we find a stability that transcends circumstances, an inner "establishment" that no external storm can shake. Furthermore, the call to believe His prophets extends to our reception of God's revealed Word in Scripture and the godly counsel aligned with it. Our "prosperity"—our true flourishing, success in our callings, and well-being in every dimension of life—is intricately tied to our obedience and responsiveness to divine guidance. This passage challenges us to move from fear to faith, from human strategizing to divine reliance, understanding that God often calls us to step out in belief *before* we see the full manifestation of His deliverance.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "vast armies" or overwhelming challenges are you currently facing that call for a radical act of faith?**
* **In what specific areas of your life do you need to "be established" by trusting more fully in the Lord?**
* **How do you discern and "believe His prophets" (i.e., heed God's Word and godly counsel) in your daily decision-making?**
* **What steps of faith might God be calling you to take, even before you see the full outcome or resolution?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jehoshaphat emphasize believing in prophets alongside believing in God?**

Answer: Jehoshaphat's dual exhortation highlights the interconnectedness of trusting God and heeding His revealed word. While faith in God Himself is foundational, God often communicates His will, promises, and specific instructions through His chosen messengers, the prophets. In this immediate context, Jahaziel, a Levite, had just delivered a precise, divine message guaranteeing victory without battle ([2 Chronicles 20:15-17](/2_chronicles/20-15 "2 Chronicles 20:15-17 - Jahaziel's Prophecy")). To believe God fully meant also believing the specific word He had just spoken through His prophet. This emphasizes that genuine faith in God includes a readiness to receive and obey His specific instructions, which often come through human channels. It underscores the authority of divine revelation and the importance of discerning and responding to God's voice, whether directly or through His appointed means.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jehoshaphat's call to "Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper" finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the very embodiment of the "LORD our God" in whom we are to believe, and simultaneously the ultimate "Prophet" through whom God has spoken His final and complete word ([Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God's Final Word in His Son")). Our establishment, our true and eternal security, is found not in our own efforts or circumstances, but in being built upon Christ, the solid rock and cornerstone ([Matthew 7:24-27](/matthew/7-24 "Matthew 7:24-27 - The Wise and Foolish Builders"); [Ephesians 2:20](/ephesians/2-20 "Ephesians 2:20 - Christ the Cornerstone")). He is the foundation upon which the church is built, and against which the gates of hell cannot prevail ([Matthew 16:18](/matthew/16-18 "Matthew 16:18 - The Church Built on the Rock")). Furthermore, the "prosperity" or flourishing promised through believing the prophets is realized in the abundant life that Christ offers ([John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - Jesus the Good Shepherd")) and the spiritual blessings that are ours in Him ([Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Ephesians 1:3 - Spiritual Blessings in Christ")). By believing in Jesus, the ultimate prophet and the very revelation of God, we are not only established in an unshakeable kingdom but also prosper in every spiritual sense, experiencing true life, peace, and purpose that transcends any earthly crisis or enemy.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 14:1

¶ Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

John 11:40

Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?

Hebrews 11:6

But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Romans 8:31

¶ What shall we then say to these things? If God [be] for us, who [can be] against us?

Luke 16:31

And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

John 13:20

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.

Isaiah 26:3

Thou wilt keep [him] in perfect peace, [whose] mind [is] stayed [on thee]: because he trusteth in thee.