2 Chronicles 20:7

[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?

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}?

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.

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?

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?

Context

This verse is part of King Jehoshaphat's urgent prayer for Judah, delivered in response to a massive invasion by the Moabites, Ammonites, and others from Mount Seir, as detailed in 2 Chronicles 20:1. Facing an overwhelming enemy, Jehoshaphat proclaimed a national fast and gathered the people to seek the Lord in the temple court. His prayer is a masterful example of appealing to God's character, His past faithfulness, and His covenant promises. In this specific verse, Jehoshaphat reminds God of His historical actions and foundational promises to Israel, setting the stage for his plea for divine intervention.

Key Themes

  • God's Faithfulness and Power: Jehoshaphat recalls how God had previously "didst drive out the inhabitants of this land" (Canaan) before Israel. This highlights God's historical power and His unwavering commitment to His people, reminding Him of His past victories on their behalf.
  • Covenant Promises: The verse explicitly references God's unconditional promise to give the land to the seed of Abraham "for ever." This foundational covenant with Abraham (see Genesis 15:18) serves as a cornerstone of Israel's identity and their claim to the land.
  • Abraham, God's Friend: The designation "Abraham thy friend" is profoundly significant. It emphasizes the unique and intimate relationship God had with Abraham, a relationship built on faith and obedience. This title is also found in Isaiah 41:8 and is affirmed in the New Testament in James 2:23. Jehoshaphat appeals to this special bond, reinforcing the enduring nature of God's promises through Abraham to his descendants.
  • Prayer Based on God's Character: Jehoshaphat's prayer is not merely a request but a theological declaration. He grounds his plea in who God is and what He has done, building confidence in God's willingness and ability to act again.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Abraham thy friend" translates from the Hebrew `אֹהֵב` ('ohev), which literally means "lover" or "one who loves." When applied to Abraham, it signifies a deep, mutual affection and trust, highlighting a relationship of extraordinary intimacy and partnership. This designation underscores the personal nature of God's covenant with Abraham and, by extension, with his descendants, the nation of Israel.

Practical Application

This verse offers a powerful model for prayer and faith in times of overwhelming difficulty. Like Jehoshaphat, when we face challenges that seem insurmountable, we are called to:

  1. Recall God's Past Faithfulness: Remember how God has acted powerfully in history and in our own lives. This builds confidence that He can and will act again.
  2. Stand on God's Promises: Ground our requests in the unchanging promises of God found in His Word. Knowing and proclaiming His promises reinforces our faith and reminds us of His covenant character.
  3. Appeal to God's Character: Focus on who God is – powerful, faithful, loving, and just – recognizing that He is always true to Himself.
  4. Cultivate Intimacy with God: Strive for a relationship with God akin to Abraham's, built on faith and obedience, knowing that He desires to be our "friend" and partner in life.

Jehoshaphat's prayer demonstrates that trust in God's historical acts and eternal promises is the bedrock of victorious faith, even when facing impossible odds.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

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