Wesley Corpus

Chapter XX The land being invaded, Jehoshaphat and all the people seek God by fasting and prayer, ver. 1 - 13. They thankfully receive the promise of victory given by a prophet, ver. 14 - 19. Their enemies are overthrown, ver. 20 - 25. Their thanksgiving, ver. 25 - 30. The conclusion of his reign, ver. 31 - 37. The sea - The dead sea, beyond which mount Seir lay. Syria - Largely so called, and so it includes the Moabites and Ammonites. And it may be thus expressed, to intimate that they came by the instigation of the Syrians, to revenge themselves of Jehoshaphat for joining with Ahab against them. The house - Largely so called, in the court of the people, upon that brazen scaffold which Solomon had erected. New court - Before the priests court: which is called the new court, because it had lately been renewed when the altar was renewed. Abraham - To whom thou hast engaged thyself by covenant to be his friend, and the friend of his seed for ever. The sword - Or rather, the sword of judgement or of vengeance, that is, war, whereby thou punisheth thy people for their sins. Wilt thou not judge - Wilt thou not give sentence against them, and execute it upon them The justice of God is the refuge of those that are wronged. No might - Though he had great armies, yet he seems to have been surprized by these men, before his forces were in readiness to oppose them. Little ones - Whom they used to present before the Lord in times of great distress, to stir up themselves to more fervent prayers, their eyes being upon their harmless and tender children, and to move God to compassion, because God hath declared, that he will be prevailed with, by such methods as these. But God's - God will fight for you, and he alone will do the work, you need not strike a stroke. Go down - From Jerusalem, where he and his army now were; which stood upon high ground. Stood up - By Jehoshaphat's appointment. On high - With heart and voice lifted up: whereby they shewed their full assurance of the victory. Believe - God's promise delivered to us by this prophet, and consequently all other predictions of the prophet.