2 Chronicles 20:7

KJV

[Art] not thou our God, [who] didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend for ever?

KJV (with Strong's)

Art not thou our God {H430}, who didst drive out {H3423} the inhabitants {H3427} of this land {H776} before {H6440} thy people {H5971} Israel {H3478}, and gavest {H5414} it to the seed {H2233} of Abraham {H85} thy friend {H157} for ever {H5769}?

Complete Jewish Bible

You, our God, drove out those living in the land ahead of your people Isra'el and gave it forever to the descendants of Avraham your friend.

Berean Standard Bible

Our God, did You not drive out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham Your friend?

American Standard Version

Didst not thou, O our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and give it to the seed of Abraham thy friend for ever?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In 2 Chronicles 20:7, King Jehoshaphat, facing an overwhelming invasion, appeals to God's character and covenant faithfulness in a powerful prayer. He reminds the Lord of His past miraculous intervention in driving out the land's inhabitants for Israel and His eternal promise of that land to Abraham's descendants, whom God intimately called "His friend." This verse serves as a theological anchor, grounding Jehoshaphat's plea for divine deliverance in God's unchanging nature and historical acts of salvation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal part of King Jehoshaphat's prayer in 2 Chronicles 20, delivered in the temple court before all Judah and Jerusalem. The preceding verses (2 Chronicles 20:1-4) describe the dire situation: a vast coalition of Moabites, Ammonites, and Meunites invading Judah. Jehoshaphat's immediate response is to proclaim a national fast and gather the people to seek the Lord, demonstrating his reliance on divine intervention rather than military might alone. His prayer, spanning 2 Chronicles 20:5-12, is a masterclass in appealing to God's sovereignty, His past faithfulness, and His covenant promises, with verse 7 specifically recalling foundational acts and pledges. The prayer culminates in a plea for God to judge their enemies, as Judah is powerless against such a great multitude.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events unfold during the reign of King Jehoshaphat (c. 870-848 BC) in Judah, a period generally characterized by religious reform and relative prosperity, though often threatened by surrounding nations. The land of Canaan, which God "didst drive out the inhabitants of," refers to the conquest under Joshua, a foundational event in Israel's history that established their claim to the land based on divine promise and power. The concept of "friend of God" applied to Abraham was a profound cultural and theological statement, signifying an unparalleled intimacy and trust, a relationship that transcended typical human-divine interaction. Such a designation would have been understood as a powerful basis for appealing to God's enduring commitment to Abraham's descendants, the nation of Israel.
* **Key Themes:** 2 Chronicles 20:7 powerfully articulates several key themes central to the book of Chronicles and biblical theology. Foremost is **God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises**, particularly the Abrahamic Covenant, which guaranteed the land to Abraham's "seed" [as seen in the original promise to Abraham in [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - God's Promise of Land") and its reaffirmation in [Genesis 15:18](/genesis/15-18 "Genesis 15:18 - The Covenant Confirmed")]. The verse also underscores **God's sovereign power and historical intervention** on behalf of His people, recalling the miraculous conquest of Canaan. Furthermore, it highlights the **intimate relationship God desired with humanity**, exemplified by the unique designation "Abraham thy friend," a title also found in [Isaiah 41:8](/isaiah/41-8 "Isaiah 41:8 - Abraham, God's Friend") and affirmed in the New Testament in [James 2:23](/james/2-23 "James 2:23 - Abraham Justified by Faith"). Finally, the verse models **prayer grounded in theological truth**, demonstrating that recalling God's character and past actions is a powerful foundation for present petitions.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Friend (Hebrew, _'ohev'_):** This term, derived from the verb "to love," literally means "lover" or "one who loves." When applied to Abraham, it signifies a relationship of profound intimacy, mutual affection, and trust between God and Abraham. It implies a partnership where God shares His intentions and Abraham responds in faith, as seen in Genesis 18:17-19. This designation elevates Abraham's status to one of unique favor and closeness, providing a powerful basis for Jehoshaphat's appeal on behalf of Abraham's descendants.
* **Drive out (Hebrew, _yarash'_):** This verb carries the sense of dispossessing, inheriting, or taking possession. Here, it emphasizes God's active, forceful, and sovereign role in removing the previous inhabitants of Canaan to make way for Israel. It highlights God's direct intervention in history to fulfill His promises, demonstrating His power and commitment to His covenant people.
* **For ever (Hebrew, _'olam'_):** This term denotes eternity, perpetuity, or a very long duration. In the context of God's promise to give the land to Abraham's seed, it emphasizes the enduring, unconditional, and irrevocable nature of the covenant. It signifies that God's gift of the land was not temporary or conditional on Israel's perfect obedience, but a permanent endowment based on His faithfulness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"[Art] not thou our God":** This is a powerful rhetorical question, not seeking information but asserting an undeniable truth. It serves as an affirmation of God's identity as Israel's covenant Lord, highlighting His unique relationship with them and His responsibility to protect and provide for His people. It sets the tone for a prayer grounded in God's character.
* **"[who] didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel":** This clause recalls God's mighty historical act of dispossessing the Canaanites and other nations, enabling Israel to inherit the Promised Land. It points to the Exodus and Conquest as definitive proofs of God's power, faithfulness, and commitment to fulfill His promises to His people. It serves as a precedent for God's intervention in the current crisis.
* **"and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend":** This segment highlights the foundational Abrahamic Covenant, where God unconditionally promised the land to Abraham's descendants. The reference to "Abraham thy friend" underscores the intimate relationship God had with Abraham, which forms the basis for God's enduring commitment to his "seed" (Israel). It links the present generation directly to God's ancient, eternal promises.
* **"for ever?":** This final phrase emphasizes the perpetual and unconditional nature of God's gift of the land. It reinforces that the promise was not temporary but an eternal inheritance, thereby strengthening Jehoshaphat's argument that God must act to preserve what He has eternally given.

#### Literary Devices
2 Chronicles 20:7 employs several powerful literary devices. The verse opens with a **Rhetorical Question** ("Art not thou our God?"), which serves not to elicit an answer but to emphatically affirm God's identity and His covenant relationship with Israel. This immediately establishes the prayer's foundation in God's unchanging nature. Following this, Jehoshaphat makes a direct **Appeal to History and Precedent**, reminding God of His past mighty acts in driving out the land's inhabitants. This strategy, common in biblical prayers, builds confidence by recalling God's proven faithfulness and power. The verse is rich in **Covenant Language**, explicitly referencing the "seed of Abraham" and the land given "for ever," directly invoking the terms of the Abrahamic Covenant. This grounds the current plea in God's eternal, unconditional promises. Finally, the **Appellation** "Abraham thy friend" is a significant title, emphasizing the unique intimacy and trust in that relationship, which serves as a powerful basis for Jehoshaphat's plea for God to intervene on behalf of Abraham's descendants.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
2 Chronicles 20:7 is a profound theological statement, anchoring Israel's identity and hope in God's covenant faithfulness. It teaches that God is not only sovereign over all nations and history, but He is also intimately involved with His people, remembering His promises across generations. Jehoshaphat's prayer models how to approach God in times of crisis: by recalling His character, His past acts of deliverance, and His unchanging Word. This confidence in God's historical faithfulness and eternal promises empowers believers to trust Him for present and future challenges, knowing that His nature and Word are immutable. The unique relationship with Abraham, "God's friend," underscores the personal and relational aspect of God's covenant, extending His commitment to Abraham's descendants.

* [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "God's Promise of Land to Abraham")
* [Isaiah 41:8](/isaiah/41-8 "Abraham Called God's Friend")
* [James 2:23](/james/2-23 "Abraham Justified by Faith and Called God's Friend")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jehoshaphat's prayer in 2 Chronicles 20:7 offers a timeless model for confronting overwhelming challenges with faith. When faced with seemingly insurmountable obstacles, we are called to look beyond our immediate circumstances and fix our gaze on God's unchanging character and His proven track record of faithfulness. Remembering how God has acted powerfully in history, and in our own lives, builds a robust confidence that He is able and willing to intervene again. Grounding our prayers in His explicit promises, rather than merely our desires, aligns our hearts with His will and strengthens our faith. Like Jehoshaphat, we are reminded that true security lies not in our strength or resources, but in appealing to the God who is eternally true to His Word and intimately connected to those who trust Him. Cultivating a "friendship" with God, marked by faith and obedience, allows us to experience His presence and power in the midst of our deepest needs.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does recalling God's past faithfulness, both in biblical history and in your personal life, strengthen your faith in current challenges?**
* **In what specific ways can you better ground your prayers in God's explicit promises from Scripture?**
* **What does it mean for you to cultivate a relationship with God akin to "friendship," and how might that impact your daily walk?**
* **When facing overwhelming odds, what is your first response, and how can Jehoshaphat's example reorient your approach?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of Abraham being called "God's friend" in this verse?**

Answer: The designation "Abraham thy friend" (Hebrew: _'ohev_) is profoundly significant because it highlights an extraordinary level of intimacy, trust, and mutual affection between God and Abraham. This title is rare and emphasizes a unique covenant relationship where God revealed His plans to Abraham and Abraham responded with unwavering faith and obedience. For Jehoshaphat, recalling this title serves as a powerful appeal to God's enduring commitment to Abraham's descendants (Israel). It implies that because God was so intimately connected to Abraham, He would surely remain faithful to the promises made to Abraham's "seed," including the promise of the land "for ever." This title is also found in [Isaiah 41:8](/isaiah/41-8 "Isaiah 41:8 - Abraham, God's Friend") and affirmed in the New Testament in [James 2:23](/james/2-23 "James 2:23 - Abraham Justified by Faith").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
2 Chronicles 20:7, with its emphasis on God's covenant faithfulness, the promised land, and the "seed of Abraham," finds its ultimate and most glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "seed of Abraham" is not merely a multitude of physical descendants, but ultimately points to Christ Himself, through whom all the promises of God find their "Yes" and "Amen" [as articulated in [Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "Galatians 3:16 - Christ as the Seed of Abraham") and [2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - God's Promises are Yes in Christ")]. God's act of "driving out the inhabitants of this land" foreshadows Christ's decisive victory over the spiritual enemies of humanity—sin, death, and the devil—through His crucifixion and resurrection [see [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Spiritual Powers") and [Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Christ Destroying the Power of Death")]. The promised "land for ever" transcends a geographical territory, finding its true and eternal reality in the new heavens and new earth, a spiritual inheritance secured for all who are in Christ, the ultimate "Promised Land" [as depicted in [Hebrews 11:10](/hebrews/11-10 "Hebrews 11:10 - Abraham Looking for a Heavenly City") and [Revelation 21:1](/revelation/21-1 "Revelation 21:1 - New Heavens and New Earth")]. Furthermore, the unique "friendship" God shared with Abraham is now extended to all believers in Christ, who are no longer called servants but friends, invited into an intimate relationship with God through the Son [as Jesus Himself declares in [John 15:15](/john/15-15 "John 15:15 - Jesus Calls His Disciples Friends")]. Thus, Jehoshaphat's prayer, rooted in ancient promises, points forward to the complete and perfect fulfillment of God's covenant purposes in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

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

James 2:23

And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

Isaiah 41:8

But thou, Israel, [art] my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend.

Psalms 44:2

[How] thou didst drive out the heathen with thy hand, and plantedst them; [how] thou didst afflict the people, and cast them out.

Genesis 12:7

And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him.

Nehemiah 9:8

And foundest his heart faithful before thee, and madest a covenant with him to give the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Jebusites, and the Girgashites, to give [it, I say], to his seed, and hast performed thy words; for thou [art] righteous:

Joshua 24:3

And I took your father Abraham from the other side of the flood, and led him throughout all the land of Canaan, and multiplied his seed, and gave him Isaac.

Genesis 13:15

For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.