Jehoshaphat’s Prayer

1 After this the Moabites and Ammonites, and with them some of the ^tMeunites,¹ came against Jehoshaphat for battle. 2 Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, “A great multitude is coming against you from Edom,² from beyond the sea; and, behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar” (that is, Engedi). 3 Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a ^ufast throughout all Judah. 4 And Judah assembled to seek help from the Lord; from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord.

5 And Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the Lord, before the new court, 6 and said, “O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? ^vYou rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that ^wnone is able to withstand you. 7 Did you not, our God, ^xdrive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel, and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham ^yyour friend? 8 And they have lived in it and have built for you in it a sanctuary for your name, saying, 9 ^z‘If disaster comes upon us, the sword, judgment,³ or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house and before you—for ^ayour name is in this house—and cry out to you in our affliction, and you will hear and save.’

14 And ^cthe Spirit of the Lord came¹ upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of ^dAsaph, in the midst of the assembly. 15 And he said, “Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the Lord to you, ^e‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for ^fthe battle is not yours but God’s. 16 Tomorrow go down against them. Behold, they will come up by the ascent of Ziz. You will find them at the end of the valley, east of the wilderness of Jeruel. 17 You will not need to fight in this battle. ^gStand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ ^hDo not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the Lord will be with you.”