And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.

2 CHRONICLES 20:22KJV
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2 Chronicles 20:22 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 20:22 mean?

2 Chronicles 20:22 describes how, as soon as the people of Judah began to sing and praise God, the LORD caused their enemies—the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir—to turn on each other and be defeated. The verse highlights that God acted on behalf of Judah in response to their worship, not through their own military strength.

This verse is set during King Jehoshaphat’s reign, when Judah faced a large invading army. Instead of fighting, the people followed God’s instructions and sent singers ahead of the army to praise Him. The verse marks the moment when their faith and worship led to God’s direct intervention, resulting in their enemies’ defeat without Judah needing to fight.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 20:22

  • "Sing" (רִנָּה, rinnah): This word means a ringing cry or shout of joy, not just singing a song. It emphasizes the joyful, loud praise the people offered, which was more than quiet worship.
  • "Praise" (תְּהִלָּה, tehillah): This word refers to songs or acts that declare God’s greatness. Here, it highlights that the people’s focus was on honoring God, not on their own needs or fears.
  • "Set ambushments" (נָתַן מְאַרְבִּים, natan ma’arvim): This phrase means God caused hidden attacks or confusion among the enemy. The action is attributed directly to God, showing that the victory was supernatural, not from Judah’s own efforts.

Why 2 Chronicles 20:22 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Judah’s victory was not due to military strategy, but because of their trust in God and their act of worship.
  • The verse shows that God can act in unexpected ways, sometimes turning the plans of enemies against themselves.
  • In the wider story, this moment is a turning point that demonstrates the power of faith and obedience, encouraging readers to see worship as a response to trouble, not just a reaction to victory.

Where else these words appear

“sing” Hebrew H7440 · used in 33 verses

  • 1 Kings 8:28 Yet have thou respect unto the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, O LORD my God, to hearken unto the cry and to the prayer, which thy servant prayeth before thee to day:
  • Psalms 106:44 Nevertheless he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry:
  • Isaiah 43:14 Thus saith the LORD, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; For your sake I have sent to Babylon, and have brought down all their nobles, and the Chaldeans, whose cry is in the ships.

“Seir” Hebrew H8165 · used in 38 verses

  • Genesis 14:6 And the Horites in their mount Seir, unto Elparan, which is by the wilderness.
  • Deuteronomy 2:1 Then we turned, and took our journey into the wilderness by the way of the Red sea, as the LORD spake unto me: and we compassed mount Seir many days.
  • Judges 5:4 LORD, when thou wentest out of Seir, when thou marchedst out of the field of Edom, the earth trembled, and the heavens dropped, the clouds also dropped water.

“ambushments” Hebrew H693 · used in 40 verses

  • Deuteronomy 19:11 But if any man hate his neighbour, and lie in wait for him, and rise up against him, and smite him mortally that he die, and fleeth into one of these cities:
  • Judges 16:9 Now there were men lying in wait, abiding with her in the chamber. And she said unto him, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he brake the withs, as a thread of tow is broken when it toucheth the fire. So his strength was not known.
  • Psalms 10:9 He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net.

“smitten” Hebrew H5062 · used in 46 verses

  • Exodus 8:2 And if thou refuse to let them go, behold, I will smite all thy borders with frogs:
  • Judges 20:39 And when the men of Israel retired in the battle, Benjamin began to smite and kill of the men of Israel about thirty persons: for they said, Surely they are smitten down before us, as in the first battle.
  • 1 Chronicles 19:19 And when the servants of Hadarezer saw that they were put to the worse before Israel, they made peace with David, and became his servants: neither would the Syrians help the children of Ammon any more.