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2 Chronicles 20:9

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Chronicles 20:9 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “If evil come upon us, the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house, and before thee, (for thy name is in this house,) and cry unto thee in our affliction, and thou wilt hear and save.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

If evil come upon us, the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house, and before thee, (for thy name is in this house,) and cry unto thee in our affliction, and thou wilt hear and save.
2 Chronicles 20:9 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Chronicles 20

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
6and he said, O Jehovah, the God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and art not thou ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations? and in thy hand is power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee.
7Didst not thou, O our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and give it to the seed of Abraham thy friend for ever?
8And they dwelt therein, and have built thee a sanctuary therein for thy name, saying,
9If evil come upon us, the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house, and before thee, (for thy name is in this house,) and cry unto thee in our affliction, and thou wilt hear and save.
10And now, behold, the children of Ammon and Moab and mount Seir, whom thou wouldest not let Israel invade, when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned aside from them, and destroyed them not;
11behold, how they reward us, to come to cast us out of thy possession, which thou hast given us to inherit.
12O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but out eyes are upon thee.
← 2 Chronicles 20:82 Chronicles 20:10 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“If when evil cometh upon us, etc.] Any calamity, as the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, God’s four sore judgments, if by “judgment” is meant wild beasts: we stand before this house; in the court before the holy place, and holy of holies: and in thy presence, for thy name is in this house; called upon in it, and it was called by his name, and in which he dwelt: and cry unto thee in our affliction; as Solomon prayed at the dedication of it: then thou wilt hear and help; as the Lord promised, (see <110833>1 Kings 8:33,37 9:3).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“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'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“The sword - Or rather, the sword of judgement or of vengeance, that is, war, whereby thou punisheth thy people for their sins. 2 Chronicles 20:12”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“when evil: Ch2 6:28-30; Kg1 8:33, Kg1 8:37 and in thy presence: Mat 18:20 thy name: Ch2 6:20; Exo 20:24, Exo 23:21 is in this house: Several manuscripts with the Syriac, Arabic, and Vulgate, read nikra, "is invoked." "Thy name is invoked in this house. 2 Chronicles 20:10”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification