2 Chronicles 20:25

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.

And when Jehoshaphat {H3092} and his people {H5971} came {H935} to take away {H962} the spoil {H7998} of them, they found {H4672} among them in abundance {H7230} both riches {H7399} with the dead bodies {H6297}, and precious {H2532} jewels {H3627}, which they stripped off {H5337} for themselves, more than {H369} they could carry away {H4853}: and they were three {H7969} days {H3117} in gathering {H962} of the spoil {H7998}, it was so much {H7227}.

Y'hoshafat and his army came to take the spoil from them and found among them personal property in abundance and corpses with precious jewels, which they stripped off for themselves until they couldn't carry any more. They took three days just to collect the spoil, there was so much.

Then Jehoshaphat and his people went to carry off the plunder, and they found on the bodies an abundance of goods and valuables—more than they could carry away. They were gathering the plunder for three days because there was so much.

And when Jehoshaphat and his people came to take the spoil of them, they found among them in abundance both riches and dead bodies, and precious jewels, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away: and they were three days in taking the spoil, it was so much.

Commentary

Context of 2 Chronicles 20:25

2 Chronicles 20:25 describes the aftermath of one of the most remarkable victories in Israelite history. King Jehoshaphat of Judah, facing an overwhelming coalition of armies from Moab, Ammon, and Mount Seir, sought God's help through prayer and fasting (2 Chronicles 20:3-4). Instead of fighting with weapons, Jehoshaphat's army marched out with a choir singing praises to the Lord. As they began to sing, God set ambushes against the enemy, causing them to destroy one another (2 Chronicles 20:22-24). By the time Jehoshaphat and his people arrived at the battlefield, they found only dead bodies and the vast wealth carried by the defeated armies. This verse highlights the immense spoil they collected as a direct result of God's miraculous intervention, a testament to His power and faithfulness.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Provision and Abundance: The verse powerfully illustrates God's overflowing generosity. Not only did He grant a complete victory without Judah having to lift a sword, but He also provided immense riches. The phrase "more than they could carry away" emphasizes the sheer scale of God's blessing, far exceeding human expectation or capacity. This demonstrates God's ability to provide beyond what is merely needed.
  • Reward for Faith and Obedience: This incredible spoil served as a tangible reward for Jehoshaphat's profound faith and the nation's obedience in seeking God and praising Him in the face of impossible odds. It demonstrates that when God fights for His people, the blessings extend beyond mere deliverance, often including material prosperity as a sign of His favor.
  • The Spoils of Spiritual Victory: While literal, the abundance of spoil can also symbolize the rich blessings and spiritual rewards that come from trusting God fully and allowing Him to fight our battles. It underscores the principle that God's ways lead to true prosperity and security, both materially and spiritually.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "spoil" is shalal (שלל), meaning plunder or booty. Its repeated use in this chapter emphasizes the material wealth gained. The description "in abundance" (rav - רב) and "more than they could carry away" (מֵהַרְבּוֹת) paints a vivid picture of overwhelming quantity. This language underscores the unparalleled nature of God's provision, highlighting that the wealth was not just significant but truly immense, requiring three days to gather.

Practical Application

2 Chronicles 20:25 offers profound encouragement for believers today:

  • Trust in God's Deliverance: When faced with overwhelming challenges, our primary response should be to seek God, just as Jehoshaphat did. God is capable of fighting our battles in ways we cannot imagine, turning impossible situations into opportunities for His glory.
  • Expect God's Abundance: God's provision often goes beyond merely meeting our needs; He desires to bless us abundantly. This verse reminds us that when we align ourselves with His will and walk in obedience, His blessings can be overwhelming and transformative, demonstrating His limitless resources.
  • God Rewards Faith: This passage reinforces the principle that God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Our faith, obedience, and praise are not in vain, and God's faithfulness ensures that we will reap the benefits of His mighty hand, whether material, spiritual, or both.
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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

  • 1 Samuel 30:19

    And there was nothing lacking to them, neither small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, neither spoil, nor any [thing] that they had taken to them: David recovered all.

  • 1 Samuel 30:20

    And David took all the flocks and the herds, [which] they drave before those [other] cattle, and said, This [is] David's spoil.

  • Numbers 31:15

    And Moses said unto them, Have ye saved all the women alive?

  • 2 Kings 7:9

    Then they said one to another, We do not well: this day [is] a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace: if we tarry till the morning light, some mischief will come upon us: now therefore come, that we may go and tell the king's household.

  • 2 Kings 7:16

    And the people went out, and spoiled the tents of the Syrians. So a measure of fine flour was [sold] for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, according to the word of the LORD.

  • Proverbs 3:15

    She [is] more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.

  • Psalms 68:12

    Kings of armies did flee apace: and she that tarried at home divided the spoil.
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