King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 20:1 Mean?

2 Chronicles 20:1 in the King James Version says “It came to pass after this also, that the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them other beside the Am...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“It came to pass after this also, that the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them other beside the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle.”

2 Chronicles 20:1 · KJV

Context

1

It came to pass after this also, that the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them other beside the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle.

2

Then there came some that told Jehoshaphat, saying, There cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea on this side Syria; and, behold, they be in Hazazontamar, which is Engedi.

3

And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. himself: Heb. his face

Read 2 Chronicles 20 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
It came to pass after this also, that the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them other beside the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle.

This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing God fights for those who seek Him in crisis. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retribution—kings who seek God prosper, while those who forsake Him face judgment. This pattern provides instruction for the post-exilic community on the conditions for God's blessing.

The account demonstrates God's covenant faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness. Even in judgment, God preserves a remnant and offers restoration through repentance. The repeated cycle of apostasy, judgment, and restoration reveals both human sinfulness and divine mercy. References to the temple, proper worship, and priestly service emphasize the Chronicler's concern for correct religious observance.

Theologically, these accounts point beyond immediate history to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line. Despite repeated failures, God preserves David's dynasty, anticipating the perfect King who will reign in righteousness. The pattern of judgment for sin and restoration through repentance prefigures the gospel message of salvation through Christ.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This passage occurs during the divided monarchy period when Judah existed separately from northern Israel. The Chronicler writes from a post-exilic perspective, addressing the restored community in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile (539 BCE onward). His emphasis on temple worship, proper religious observance, and God's covenant faithfulness speaks directly to the needs of his audience who had just rebuilt the temple and were reestablishing their identity as God's people.

The historical context demonstrates both God's judgment on persistent sin and His readiness to restore those who genuinely repent. The Chronicler omits most northern kingdom material, focusing on Judah and the Davidic line to emphasize God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Lachish, Beersheba, and Jerusalem corroborate the biblical accounts of various kings' reigns and building projects.

Understanding the Chronicler's post-exilic perspective is crucial—he's not merely recording history but applying past lessons to his contemporary audience, showing that the same principles of seeking God, maintaining proper worship, and covenant faithfulness that determined blessing or judgment in the past still apply.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse illustrate the principle of divine retribution (blessing for obedience, judgment for sin)?
  2. What specific applications does this passage have for maintaining spiritual faithfulness in contemporary Christian life?
  3. How does this account point to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line and the coming Messiah?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
וַיְהִ֣י1 of 13
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

אַחֲרֵי2 of 13

“It came to pass after this”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

כֵ֡ן3 of 13
H0
בָּ֣אוּ4 of 13

“came”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

וּבְנֵ֨י5 of 13

“also that the children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

מוֹאָב֩6 of 13

“of Moab”

H4124

moab, an incestuous son of lot; also his territory and descendants

וּבְנֵ֨י7 of 13

“also that the children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

עַמּ֜וֹן8 of 13

“of Ammon”

H5983

ammon, a son of lot; also his posterity and their country

וְעִמָּהֶ֧ם׀9 of 13
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

מֵהָֽעַמּוֹנִ֛ים10 of 13

“and with them other beside the Ammonites”

H5984

an ammonite or (the adjective) ammonitish

עַל11 of 13
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

יְהֽוֹשָׁפָ֖ט12 of 13

“against Jehoshaphat”

H3092

jehoshaphat, the name of six israelites; also of a valley near jerusalem

לַמִּלְחָמָֽה׃13 of 13

“to battle”

H4421

a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Chronicles. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Chronicles 20:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Chronicles 20:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Chronicles 32:1Revelation 3:19Isaiah 16:6Psalms 83:5-82 Chronicles 19:11Isaiah 8:9-10

Places in This Verse

AmmonRegion · Modern: Amman · 31.95°N, 35.93°E106 verses across 19 books
Moab 1Region · Modern: Kerak · 31.18°N, 35.70°E162 verses across 22 books
View all places in 2 Chronicles 20 →

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