II Chronicles 20:17
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You need not fight this battle. Take up your positions, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out and face them tomorrow, for the LORD is with you.’”
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
For the Lord will be with you - "The Word of the Lord shall be your Helper." - Targum.
Open source ↗JEHOSHAPHAT, INVADED BY THE MOABITES, PROCLAIMS A FAST. (2Ch. 20:1-21) the children of Moab . . . Ammon, and with them other beside the Ammonites--supposed to be rather the name of a certain people called Mohammonim or Mehunim (Ch2 26:7), who dwelt in Mount Seir--either a branch of the old Edomite race or a separate tribe who were settled there.
Open source ↗Ye shall not need to fight in this battle,.... Since the Lord would fight for them: set yourselves, stand ye still; present themselves they might, as if ready to engage; and keep their ground, not giving way in the least, but would have no need to strike a stroke: and see the salvation of the Lord with you; which he would work for them, see Exo 14:13, and Judah, and Jerusalem, fear not, nor be dismayed; which is repeated for the confirmation of them: tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord will be with you; to protect them, fight for them, and give them victory; the Targum is,"the Word of the Lord shall be your help.''
Open source ↗We have here, I. The great danger and distress that Jehoshaphat and his kingdom were in from a foreign invasion (Ch2 20:1, Ch2 20:2). II. The pious course he took for their safety, by fasting, and praying, and seeking God (Ch2 20:3-13). III. The assurance which God, by a prophet, immediately gave them of victory (Ch2 20:14-17). IV. Their thankful believing reception of those assurances (Ch2 20:18-21). V. The defeat which God gave to their enemies thereupon (Ch2 20:22-25). VI. A solemn thanksgiving which they kept for their victory, and for a happy consequences of it (Ch2 20:26-30). VII. The conclusion of the reign of Jehoshaphat, not without some blemishes (Ch2 20:31-37).
Open source ↗Cross-references
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So he went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin. The LORD is with you when you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you.
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My right hand of righteousness.
and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles.” So the people were strengthened by the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.
It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.
Only do not rebel against the LORD, and do not be afraid of the people of the land, for they will be like bread for us. Their protection has been removed, and the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them!”
The LORD of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
“Behold, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel” (which means, “God with us”).
For the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, has said: “By repentance and rest you would be saved; your strength would lie in quiet confidence— but you were not willing.”