2 Chronicles 20

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2 Chronicles 20 Commentary

by Brad Boyles

Did God command his people to go into battle singing? I read this over and over to make sure I wasn’t missing something. As far as I can tell, we don’t read they were commanded by God to sing. What we read is that the King consults with the people and orders some musicians to begin worshiping. It is when that worship reaches the Lord’s throne that He initiates His promise to charge into battle. Think about that for a moment.

The people didn’t really know what was going to happen. They were told to show up. They were told not to hesitate or be afraid. They were told the battle belongs to the Lord and they were told the Lord would fight for them. But the details of how that would happen were uncertain. They are walking into a war with people who want to kill them! So, what demonstrated to God that they believed the words He had spoken through His prophet? It was their worship.

Singing during a war defies all logic… unless you believe that the result is guaranteed, right? In the New Testament we learn that Paul and Silas were chained in prison after doing the Lord’s will and around midnight they started singing.

“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the jail were shaken, and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s chains came loose.”
Acts 16:25-26 CSB

Their singing in prison illustrated their trust and obedience which initiated God’s providence and eventually their escape.

Let’s think back to Jesus on the cross. Judah’s victory here was sealed with singing. Jesus’ victory at the cross was sealed in silence. His obedience to His Father was demonstrated in His sacrifice to drink the full cup of the Father’s wrath silently, and with complete and total trust. The war between God and humanity was won through Jesus’ silent obedience in death which initiated God’s providence and eventually our escape from sin and death.

In verse 20, the King urges the people to put their trust in the Lord. It comes from a Hebrew verb that focuses on a cause-and-effect relationship. Believe, have faith, demonstrate trust… and you will be made firm or secure. It’s not a “believe but stay in Jerusalem” kind of trust. It’s not a “believe but prepare to use your weapons” kind of trust. The singing was the evidence of a peaceful heart, and it is on the heels of that belief that the Lord roars into battle. Is the same not also true for us today?

The King returns with his troops back to Jerusalem and what was the end result? Peace. God gave Him security on every side.

The application is obvious. If we trust God in our battles and illustrate that trust by facing those battles with praise and joy on our lips, fighting them on our knees with our hands lifted high and our focus on total and complete obedience to Him, our mighty God will roar into battle on our behalf and bring supernatural peace and security on every side. But we must show up. We must go forward knowing He has gone before and trusting He will have the absolute final authority. What is the Lord asking of you, and what are you going to do about it?

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