2 Ch. 20: Jehoshaphat: Moab Buster

2 Chronicles 20:23 "The men of Ammon and Moab rose up against the men from Mount Seir to destroy and annihilate them. After they finished slaughtering the men from Seir, they helped to destroy one another."

This is a new story in the life of Jehoshaphat. He gets a lot more ink here in 2 Chronicles than he did back in 1 Kings. There's quite a bit here in chapter 22 of interest. This is a story I hadn't read before this point. 

A vast army was marching toward Israel, and it was made up of the Moabites, Ammonites and Meunites. And these were lands which Jehoshaphat knew were not defeated by Israel, because God didn't allow it at the time. A king that knew his history...pretty sweet. What's more amazing is that Jehoshaphat completely counted on God for this victory, citing that Israel received notice that all they had to do was cry out to God in their distress, and he would hear them. 

What's more distressing than a 3 nation army with you in their crosshairs and you knowing there's no possible way you can defeat them? Jehoshaphat, for the most part, lived in peace, and wasn't a great warrior. In his weakness, he called for the strength of God. And God delivered. He had them march out to the gorge in full battle regalia, and then see what the LORD was going to do. Of course the LORD ambushed them, and the army all turned on themselves, for whatever reason. Well, I know "God did it," but I wonder what their reason was...distrust? Someone badmouthed someone else's god? Who knows, but God seems to have used the simple things like that in order to make big things happen. 

Anyway, another thing about this is that God told Jehoshaphat and his army to go out to "face" this other army. Why would he do that if He was just going to slaughter the enemy to begin with? What must have gone through the minds of the army, of Jehoshaphat, as they prepared for battle? God said He would deliver us...I'll trust him...things like that maybe?

God was praised greatly in this chapter. He was praised before the battle, when the outcome was still unknown (even in God's promising), and He was praised after He had given the victory. Before and after a trial, we have this precedent of praising God for the promise He makes, and for the promise He keeps. Do I?

Then at the end, Jehoshaphat steps into territory he's not good at, such as dealmaking, and he makes some unsuccessful trading ships with Ahaziah...a bad dude. Jehoshaphat should have just kept at what he did best, trusting God.

1 Sa. 11: Saul's Ammonite Crisis

1 Samuel 11:13 "But Saul said, 'No one shall be put to death today, for this day the LORD has rescued Israel.'"

Well, we're one chapter into Saul's kingship, and he already has a crisis on his hands. The Ammonites come to beseige Jabesh Gilead (remember in Judges, they refused to go to assembly, and were almost wiped out by their own people). Jabesh Gilead, shrewd negotiators as they are tell the Ammonite leader, Nahash, that they will just be subject to them, minus an eye from each Gileadite, if they aren't rescued within the week.

This makes Israel sad and scared.

It makes Saul angry. Saul (or God) convinces the people to come together and fight, and Israel musters an army of 330,000. Which is huge-mongous. Of course they destroy the Ammonite invaders in like one day. And the Ammonite army is so destroyed, the Bible says that no two attackers are left together.

Then something happens that even I find unexpected. Some Israelites wanted to put to death whoever suggested that Saul become king. Despite this great military victory. Was it because they were undyingly devoted to the LORD and His kingship? Or because they were threatened into battle by having their oxen cut up into pieces? Something tells me its the latter.

Saul busts in and says, "No one shall be put to death, because the LORD has rescued Israel." And I like that. Saul gives credit and glory to God. The ruler he has replaced. That shows great leadership, in spite of an unpopular public opinion. Of a few people. At least.

Anyway, they have a huge celebration for Saul, and with the victory, its his "coming out party."