2 Chronicles 20:9

If, [when] evil cometh upon us, [as] the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we stand before this house, and in thy presence, (for thy name [is] in this house,) and cry unto thee in our affliction, then thou wilt hear and help.

If, when evil {H7451} cometh {H935} upon us, as the sword {H2719}, judgment {H8196}, or pestilence {H1698}, or famine {H7458}, we stand {H5975} before {H6440} this house {H1004}, and in thy presence {H6440},(for thy name {H8034} is in this house {H1004},) and cry {H2199} unto thee in our affliction {H6869}, then thou wilt hear {H8085} and help {H3467}.

'If calamity strikes us, such as war, judgment, disease or famine, we will stand before this house - that is, before you, since your name is in this house - and cry to you in our distress; and you will hear us and rescue us.'

‘If disaster comes upon us—whether sword or judgment, plague or famine—we will stand before this temple and before You, for Your Name is in this temple. We will cry out to You in our distress, and You will hear us and save us.’

If evil come upon us, the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house, and before thee (for thy name is in this house), and cry unto thee in our affliction, and thou wilt hear and save.

2 Chronicles 20:9 is part of King Jehoshaphat's fervent prayer during a severe national crisis. This verse articulates a profound principle of seeking God's intervention when faced with overwhelming challenges, grounding the plea in God's established presence among His people.

Context

This verse is spoken by King Jehoshaphat of Judah when his kingdom was under imminent threat from a vast coalition of Moabite, Ammonite, and Meunite armies (2 Chronicles 20:1). Overwhelmed by the sheer numbers of the enemy, Jehoshaphat proclaimed a national fast and gathered the people of Judah before the Temple in Jerusalem to seek the Lord (2 Chronicles 20:3-4). His prayer, recorded in 2 Chronicles 20:5-12, recalls God's past faithfulness and relies on the covenant promises associated with the Temple, particularly those made during Solomon's dedication of the Temple.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Prayer in Adversity: The verse highlights prayer as the primary response to any form of "evil" or calamity, whether it be war ("sword"), divine discipline ("judgment"), disease ("pestilence"), or scarcity ("famine"). It underscores a deep reliance on God in times of extreme need.
  • God's Presence and Promise: Jehoshaphat's appeal, "we stand before this house, and in thy presence, (for thy name is in this house)," directly references God's promise to hear prayers offered at His Temple. This reflects the belief that God's name and presence were uniquely associated with that sacred place, signifying His readiness to interact with His people.
  • Divine Faithfulness: The confident assertion, "then thou wilt hear and help," speaks to a profound trust in God's character and His commitment to His covenant people. It's a declaration of faith that God is not only able but willing to intervene on their behalf.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "cry unto thee in our affliction" conveys more than just asking; it suggests a desperate, urgent plea from a place of deep distress. The Hebrew word for "cry" (צָעַק, tsa'aq) often implies a loud, earnest call for help, indicative of profound need and a complete reliance on divine intervention. The emphasis on "thy name is in this house" (לְשִׁמְךָ בַּבַּיִת, l'shimkha ba-bayit) underscores the theological significance of the Temple not just as a building, but as the place where God's character and authority were uniquely revealed and where His covenant promises could be invoked.

Practical Application

2 Chronicles 20:9 offers timeless guidance for individuals and communities facing overwhelming difficulties. It teaches us to turn to God first in times of crisis, acknowledging His sovereignty and power. Like Jehoshaphat, we are encouraged to gather, pray, and seek God's presence, not just for personal needs but for collective challenges. This verse reminds us that God hears the desperate cries of His people and is faithful to provide help, even when circumstances seem insurmountable. It reinforces the biblical principle found in Psalm 50:15: "Call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me."

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.

  • 2 Chronicles 6:28

    If there be dearth in the land, if there be pestilence, if there be blasting, or mildew, locusts, or caterpillers; if their enemies besiege them in the cities of their land; whatsoever sore or whatsoever sickness [there be]:

  • 2 Chronicles 6:30

    Then hear thou from heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and render unto every man according unto all his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou only knowest the hearts of the children of men:)

  • 2 Chronicles 6:20

    That thine eyes may be open upon this house day and night, upon the place whereof thou hast said that thou wouldest put thy name there; to hearken unto the prayer which thy servant prayeth toward this place.

  • 1 Kings 8:33

    When thy people Israel be smitten down before the enemy, because they have sinned against thee, and shall turn again to thee, and confess thy name, and pray, and make supplication unto thee in this house:

  • Exodus 20:24

    An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee.

  • 1 Kings 8:37

    If there be in the land famine, if there be pestilence, blasting, mildew, locust, [or] if there be caterpiller; if their enemy besiege them in the land of their cities; whatsoever plague, whatsoever sickness [there be];

  • Matthew 18:20

    For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
← Back