2 Chronicles 20:22

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And when {H6256} they began {H2490} to sing {H7440} and to praise {H8416}, the LORD {H3068} set {H5414} ambushments {H693} against the children {H1121} of Ammon {H5983}, Moab {H4124}, and mount {H2022} Seir {H8165}, which were come {H935} against Judah {H3063}; and they were smitten {H5062}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then, during the time when they were singing and praising, ADONAI brought a surprise attack against the people of 'Amon, Mo'av and Mount Se'ir who had come to fight Y'hudah; and they were defeated.

Berean Standard Bible

The moment they began their shouts and praises, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir who had come against Judah, and they were defeated.

American Standard Version

And when they began to sing and to praise, Jehovah set liers-in-wait against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, that were come against Judah; and they were smitten.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Chronicles 20:22 records the astonishing moment of divine intervention during the invasion of Judah by a vast confederacy of armies. As King Jehoshaphat's chosen singers and praisers began their worshipful procession, the Lord supernaturally orchestrated confusion and self-destruction among the enemy forces, leading to their complete defeat without Judah having to strike a single blow. This verse stands as a powerful testament to God's sovereignty, His faithfulness to those who trust Him, and the profound spiritual power of obedient praise in the face of overwhelming odds.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the dramatic climax of the narrative in [2 Chronicles 20](/2_chronicles/20 "2 Chronicles 20 - Jehoshaphat's Victory"). The chapter begins with Judah facing an overwhelming military threat from Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir ([2 Chronicles 20:1](/2_chronicles/20-1 "2 Chronicles 20:1 - Invasion of Judah")). King Jehoshaphat's immediate response is to seek the Lord through a kingdom-wide fast and prayer ([2 Chronicles 20:3-4](/2_chronicles/20-3 "2 Chronicles 20:3-4 - Jehoshaphat Proclaims a Fast")). His heartfelt prayer acknowledges God's omnipotence and Judah's utter helplessness ([2 Chronicles 20:5-12](/2_chronicles/20-5 "2 Chronicles 20:5-12 - Jehoshaphat's Prayer")). In response, the Spirit of the Lord comes upon Jahaziel, a Levite, who delivers a prophetic word assuring Judah that "the battle is not yours, but God's" and they would not need to fight ([2 Chronicles 20:14-17](/2_chronicles/20-14 "2 Chronicles 20:14-17 - Jahaziel's Prophecy")). Jehoshaphat and all Judah respond with immediate worship and praise ([2 Chronicles 20:18-19](/2_chronicles/20-18 "2 Chronicles 20:18-19 - Judah's Response of Worship")). Acting on this faith, Jehoshaphat appoints singers to lead the army, praising the Lord "for his beauty of holiness" ([2 Chronicles 20:21](/2_chronicles/20-21 "2 Chronicles 20:21 - Singers Lead the Army")). Verse 22 then describes the immediate, miraculous outcome of this unprecedented act of faith and worship, setting the stage for the subsequent verses that detail the enemy's complete self-destruction ([2 Chronicles 20:23-24](/2_chronicles/20-23 "2 Chronicles 20:23-24 - Enemy Destruction and Judah's Observation")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of Jehoshaphat's reign (c. 870-848 BC) was a time of relative stability for Judah, but also one marked by constant threats from surrounding nations. Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir (Edom) were traditional enemies of Israel, often engaging in border conflicts and raids. The scale of this particular invasion, described as a "great multitude" ([2 Chronicles 20:2](/2_chronicles/20-2 "2 Chronicles 20:2 - The Great Multitude")), suggests a formidable threat that Judah's conventional military might alone could not withstand. In ancient Near Eastern warfare, armies typically relied on chariots, infantry, and archers, with strategy often involving ambushes and direct confrontation. The idea of leading an army with unarmed singers was utterly counter-cultural and militarily absurd from a human perspective, highlighting the extraordinary nature of Jehoshaphat's faith and God's unconventional methods of deliverance. This event underscores the unique covenant relationship between God and Israel, where divine intervention was a recurring theme, often contingent on the people's obedience and trust.
* **Key Themes:** The narrative of [2 Chronicles 20](/2_chronicles/20 "2 Chronicles 20 - Jehoshaphat's Victory") powerfully illustrates several core biblical themes. **Divine Sovereignty and Deliverance** is paramount, as God explicitly states, "the battle is not yours, but God's" ([2 Chronicles 20:15](/2_chronicles/20-15 "2 Chronicles 20:15 - Jahaziel's Prophecy")), and then demonstrates His power by fighting on behalf of Judah. This highlights God's active involvement in the affairs of His people. **The Power of Praise and Worship** is central, as the divine intervention is directly linked to the moment "they began to sing and to praise." Worship is presented not merely as an emotional expression but as a potent spiritual weapon that precedes and enables God's miraculous work. **Faithful Obedience** is also a critical theme, exemplified by Jehoshaphat's decision to follow God's unconventional instructions, even to the point of sending unarmed singers ahead of the army. This radical act of trust in God's word, despite human logic, was the catalyst for their salvation. Finally, the narrative showcases **God's Unconventional Methods**, demonstrating that His ways of victory often defy human expectations and military strategies, revealing His glory all the more clearly.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sing (Hebrew, _shiyr'_):** This verb refers to the act of singing, often in a celebratory or worshipful context. In this instance, it denotes a specific, intentional act of musical praise. The choice to place singers at the front of the army, rather than armed soldiers, underscores that this was not a casual act but a deliberate, faith-filled expression of devotion and reliance on God's promised victory. It signifies an active declaration of God's worthiness and power even before the battle was won.
* **Praise (Hebrew, _halal'_):** This word is the root of "hallelujah" and conveys a sense of enthusiastic, boisterous, and often public commendation or glorification. It implies a joyful, unrestrained declaration of God's attributes and deeds. The combination of "sing and praise" indicates a full-hearted, vocal, and perhaps instrumental expression of worship, designed to magnify God and acknowledge His supremacy in the face of an impossible situation.
* **Ambushments (Hebrew, _ma'arab'_):** While this term typically refers to a hidden trap or a surprise attack set by one party against another, here it is explicitly stated that "the LORD set ambushments." This signifies a divine, supernatural orchestration of confusion and internal conflict within the enemy ranks. It was not Judah's military strategy, but God's direct intervention that caused the Ammonites, Moabites, and inhabitants of Mount Seir to turn on each other, fulfilling the prophecy that Judah would not need to fight. This term emphasizes the unseen, strategic hand of God at work, bringing about the enemy's downfall through their own internal strife.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when they began to sing and to praise":** This opening clause is crucial, establishing a direct causal link between Judah's act of worship and God's subsequent intervention. The timing is immediate and precise: "when they *began*." It highlights that the spiritual act of praise was the trigger for the divine response, demonstrating that worship is not merely a response to victory but can be a powerful catalyst for it. This was an act of faith, praising God for a victory not yet seen.
* **"the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir":** This is the core of the divine action. The subject is "the LORD," emphasizing His direct and personal involvement. He did not merely allow events to unfold; He actively "set ambushments." As explained in the subsequent verse ([2 Chronicles 20:23](/2_chronicles/20-23 "2 Chronicles 20:23 - Enemy Self-Destruction")), this "ambushment" involved the enemy armies turning on each other, leading to their mutual destruction. The specific naming of the enemy nations (Ammon, Moab, Mount Seir) underscores the precision and target of God's judgment against those who had come to attack His people.
* **"which were come against Judah; and they were smitten":** This final clause clarifies the context of the enemy's presence and the outcome of God's intervention. The enemies "were come against Judah," highlighting their aggressive intent. The result, "and they were smitten," signifies their utter defeat and destruction. This phrase succinctly summarizes the complete and decisive victory granted by God, achieving Judah's deliverance without any military engagement on their part, precisely as prophesied.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound message. **Divine Intervention** is the most prominent, as the text explicitly states "the LORD set ambushments," underscoring that the victory was not of human strength but solely by God's supernatural power. This highlights God's active role as the deliverer of His people. There is also a strong element of **Irony**: instead of conventional weapons, Judah's "weapon" was worship, and their enemies were defeated not by Judah's army, but by turning on themselves. This unexpected turn of events emphasizes God's unconventional methods and His ability to use the foolish things of the world to confound the wise. Furthermore, the act of "singing and praising" can be seen as **Symbolism**, representing complete trust and reliance on God's promises, transforming what might seem like a vulnerable act into a powerful spiritual offensive. The verse also serves as a **Narrative Climax**, the pivotal moment where the tension of the impending battle is resolved through divine action, leading directly to the resolution of the conflict.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly illustrates the biblical principle that God fights for His people when they place their trust fully in Him, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. It demonstrates that worship is not merely an emotional or ritualistic act, but a powerful expression of faith that can unlock divine intervention and shift the course of battles, both physical and spiritual. The narrative underscores God's sovereignty over all nations and His faithfulness to His covenant promises, proving that His power is made perfect in weakness. It teaches that true security comes not from military might or human strategy, but from humble reliance on the Almighty God.

* [Exodus 14:14](/exodus/14-14 "The LORD will fight for you")
* [Psalm 149:6-9](/psalms/149-6 "Praise as a Weapon")
* [Philippians 4:6-7](/philippians/4-6 "Peace through Prayer and Supplication")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The account in 2 Chronicles 20:22 offers a timeless lesson for believers navigating the challenges of life. When faced with overwhelming circumstances—be they financial crises, health battles, relational conflicts, or spiritual attacks—our natural inclination might be to strategize, panic, or rely solely on our own strength. However, this verse calls us to a different, counter-intuitive response: to seek God first, humble ourselves, and engage in worship and praise, even before the victory is seen. It reminds us that our battles are often spiritual, and the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God. Praising God in the midst of the storm is an act of profound faith that declares His sovereignty over our circumstances, aligns our hearts with His will, and opens the door for His supernatural intervention. While God's deliverance may not always manifest in physical armies being smitten, He promises to fight for us, bring peace to our hearts, and work all things for our good when we trust and obey Him. This passage encourages us to cultivate a lifestyle of worship, recognizing it as a powerful means of inviting God's presence and power into every area of our lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "impossible" situations are you facing today that require divine intervention rather than human effort?**
* **How might shifting your focus from the problem to praising God change your perspective and open the door for His work?**
* **In what practical ways can you integrate more intentional praise and worship into your daily life, especially during times of adversity?**
* **Do you truly believe that God can fight your battles for you, even in ways you don't expect? How does this story challenge or affirm that belief?**

### FAQ

**What does "the LORD set ambushments" mean, and how did it happen?**

Answer: The phrase "the LORD set ambushments" (Hebrew: `ma'arab`) signifies that God Himself orchestrated a supernatural confusion and internal conflict among the invading armies. As detailed in [2 Chronicles 20:23](/2_chronicles/20-23 "2 Chronicles 20:23 - Enemy Self-Destruction"), the Ammonites and Moabites turned against the inhabitants of Mount Seir, utterly destroying them. Then, in their confusion, they turned on each other, resulting in their complete mutual annihilation. This was not a literal ambush set by Judah, but a divinely induced chaos that caused the enemies to become their own executioners, fulfilling the prophecy that Judah would not need to fight. It's a powerful demonstration of God's ability to use the enemy's own forces against themselves.

**Does this story imply that praise and worship will always lead to immediate physical victory over our enemies?**

Answer: While this passage clearly links praise to a miraculous physical victory, it's essential to interpret it within the broader biblical context. This account highlights the *power* of praise and faith, and God's *willingness* to intervene supernaturally. However, it does not establish a universal formula guaranteeing identical physical outcomes for every act of worship. The New Testament emphasizes that believers face spiritual battles ([Ephesians 6:12](/ephesians/6-12 "Ephesians 6:12 - Spiritual Warfare")), and worship is indeed a vital spiritual weapon. While God may not always cause physical armies to turn on each other, He does promise to give us strength, peace, and ultimate victory over sin and death through Christ ([Romans 8:37](/romans/8-37 "Romans 8:37 - More Than Conquerors")). The core lesson is to trust God, praise Him in all circumstances, and allow Him to fight our battles in His way and His timing, which may involve internal peace, spiritual breakthrough, or even physical deliverance.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The miraculous deliverance of Judah in 2 Chronicles 20:22, achieved through worship rather than warfare, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate victory secured by Jesus Christ. Just as Jehoshaphat's army stood still to see the salvation of the Lord, believers today are called to trust in the finished work of Christ. Our greatest enemies—sin, death, and the devil—were defeated not by our might, but by the Lamb of God who was slain ([Revelation 5:9](/revelation/5-9 "Revelation 5:9 - The Lamb Who Was Slain")). On the cross, Christ "disarmed the powers and authorities" and "made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross" ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). He entered the ultimate "ambushment" of death, only to rise victoriously, thereby destroying "him who has the power of death, that is, the devil" ([Hebrews 2:14](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14 - Christ's Destruction of Death")). Our "battle" is now one of faith, standing firm in the victory already won by Christ ([Ephesians 6:10-18](/ephesians/6-10 "Ephesians 6:10-18 - The Armor of God")), and our "praise" is a response to His accomplished salvation, a declaration of His sovereignty over every spiritual foe. The heavenly chorus in [Revelation 19:1-6](/revelation/19-1 "Revelation 19:1-6 - Heavenly Worship and Victory") echoes the triumph of Jehoshaphat, revealing that ultimate victory belongs to God, and our response is eternal worship.

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

1 Samuel 14:20

And Saul and all the people that [were] with him assembled themselves, and they came to the battle: and, behold, every man's sword was against his fellow, [and there was] a very great discomfiture.

Ezekiel 38:21

And I will call for a sword against him throughout all my mountains, saith the Lord GOD: every man's sword shall be against his brother.

Isaiah 19:2

And I will set the Egyptians against the Egyptians: and they shall fight every one against his brother, and every one against his neighbour; city against city, [and] kingdom against kingdom.

2 Kings 6:17

And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain [was] full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.

Judges 7:22

And the three hundred blew the trumpets, and the LORD set every man's sword against his fellow, even throughout all the host: and the host fled to Bethshittah in Zererath, [and] to the border of Abelmeholah, unto Tabbath.

Psalms 35:5

Let them be as chaff before the wind: and let the angel of the LORD chase [them].

Psalms 35:6

Let their way be dark and slippery: and let the angel of the LORD persecute them.