2 Chronicles 20:8

“And they dwelt therein, etc.] From ages past, hitherto, since it was first given them, and they were put into the possession of it: and have built thee a sanctuary therein for thy name; a temple for his worship, honour, and glory, and for him to dwell in; and is a reason why it might be hoped he would protect them, especially when they prayed to him: saying; and he promised to hear and help them, as follows.”

“Jehoshaphat’s appeal is threefold: (1) to God omnipotent 2 Chronicles 20:6; (2) to “our God;” (3) the God especially “of this house” the temple. 2 Chronicles 20:7 Abraham thy friend - Historically, this is the first use of this remarkable expression, afterward repeated (marginal references). The ground of the expression is to be found principally in Genesis 18:23-33, where Abraham spoke with God as a man with his friend (compare Exodus 33:11). 2 Chronicles 20:8, 2 Chronicles 20:9 The appeal recalls Solomon’s prayer (marginal references), which God had formally accepted by sending down fire from heaven to consume the accompanying offering. return to 'Top of Page'”

“built thee: Ch2 2:4, Ch2 6:10 2 Chronicles 20:9”

“In this land they dwelt, and built Thee therein a sanctuary for Thy name; cf. Ch2 6:5, Ch2 6:8. לאמר, saying, i.e., at the consecration of this house, having expressed the confident hope contained in the following words ( Ch2 20:9). In this verse, the cases enumerated in Solomon's dedicatory prayer, in which supplication is made that God would hear in the temple, are briefly summed up. By referring to that prayer, Jehoshaphat presupposes that Jahve had promised that He would answer prayer offered there, since He had filled the temple with His glory; see Ch2 7:1-3. The name שׁפות, which occurs only here, between דּבר and חרב, denotes in this connection a punitive judgment. 2 Chronicles 20:10”