What was happening when Jehoshaphat prayed this prayer in the temple?

A very large army from Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir was coming against Judah. Jehoshaphat knew his people could not match this force, so he became afraid and chose to seek God instead of trusting their own strength. He called everyone in Judah to fast and gather at the temple in Jerusalem. Men, women, and children stood together before the LORD. In this setting, with danger close and no clear plan, Jehoshaphat led them in prayer, asking God to remember His promises and to act for them.

Who is Jehoshaphat in this passage, and what does he do?

Jehoshaphat is the king of Judah. In this passage he does not boast about his power or military skill. Instead, he stands in front of all Judah and Jerusalem at the temple and speaks to God on their behalf. He calls God the God of their fathers, remembers how God drove out the nations from the land, and reminds God of His promise to Abraham and to hear prayers at the sanctuary. He honestly admits, “We have no might” and “neither know we what to do,” and he fixes their hope on God alone.

What does the phrase “we have no might” and “our eyes are upon thee” mean here?

When Jehoshaphat says, “we have no might against this great company,” he is admitting that Judah’s strength is too small for the army coming against them. They cannot win by numbers, plans, or weapons. “Neither know we what to do” shows they lack a clear strategy. “But our eyes are upon thee” means they are looking away from themselves and looking to God for help, guidance, and rescue. It is a picture of total dependence, waiting for God to act because they know they cannot save themselves.

Why does Jehoshaphat talk about Abraham being God’s friend in this prayer?

Jehoshaphat reminds God that He gave the land to “the seed of Abraham thy friend for ever.” By using this language, he is leaning on God’s special relationship with Abraham and the promise to give his descendants the land. He is saying, in simple terms, “You chose Abraham, you loved him, and you promised this land to his children.” This becomes part of his plea: if God gave the land as an act of friendship and promise, then surely He will not let hostile nations drive His people out of what He called His own possession.

What is the significance of praying in front of the temple or sanctuary in this passage?

The people gather “in the house of the LORD” and speak about standing before this house and in God’s presence, because God’s name is in that house. They are remembering the promise that when evil like sword, judgment, pestilence, or famine comes, if they stand before the temple and cry to God in their trouble, He will hear and help. So praying at the sanctuary is not about a magic building, but about taking God at His word. The temple is a sign of His presence and a place where His people publicly seek Him together.

Why did Jehoshaphat mention Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir and Israel’s past with them?

Jehoshaphat reminds God that when Israel came out of Egypt, God did not allow them to invade these nations or take their land. Israel obeyed and turned away, leaving them unharmed. Now those same peoples come to drive Judah out of the land God gave them as an inheritance. By saying this, Jehoshaphat is showing how unfair their attack is and using that as part of his plea. He is asking God to see this wrong, to judge them, and to protect what He calls His own possession given to His people.

What does this passage teach about God’s character and power?

This passage shows God as the God in heaven who rules over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in His hand, so no one can stand against Him. He is not a distant ruler, though. He is the God of their fathers, who drove out the inhabitants of the land and gave it to Abraham’s descendants. He listens when His people stand in His presence, cry out in their trouble, and admit their weakness. The prayer treats God as both all-powerful King and faithful covenant God who hears and helps.

Why are the little ones, wives, and children mentioned as standing before the LORD?

The mention of little ones, wives, and children shows that the whole community shares this danger and this seeking of God. The men do not stand alone. Families come together before the LORD, from the weakest to the strongest. It underlines how serious the situation is, because everyone’s life is at risk. It also shows that turning to God is not just for leaders or soldiers. All ages and both men and women stand before God, looking to Him together and hoping He will have pity and save them.

How can Jehoshaphat’s way of praying in crisis guide believers today?

Jehoshaphat’s prayer gives a simple pattern. He starts by looking at who God is, not at the enemies. He recalls God’s rule over all nations and His past deeds. Then he remembers God’s promises about the land and the temple. After that, he honestly lays out the problem and how the nations are treating God’s people. Finally, he admits their weakness and lack of wisdom and fixes his eyes on God. This shows that in trouble, believers can remember God’s power, cling to His promises, speak honestly, and confess dependence.

2Chr.20.5

2 Chronicles 20:5

KJV

¶ And Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the Lord, before the new court,

Jehoshaphat’s Prayer

Cross References

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