Jehoshaphat Defeats Moab and Ammon: 20:1–30   This battle account is typical of the Chronicler’s novel approach, which includes a battle against foreign nations, a prayer to Yahweh, and a prophetic voice (this time in the form of Jehaziel the Levite).

The account starts with the report that the Moabites and Ammonites with some of the Meunites came to make war against Jehoshaphat (20:1). After his men came to tell him that a vast army had already advanced to the west bank of the Dead Sea, that is, at En Gedi, Jehoshaphat was alarmed and he immediately set out to inquire (darash) of the LORD. The whole of Judah (from every town) gathered with him to seek (biqqesh) help from the LORD. This “seeking” attitude of the king is a very positive sign. To the Chronicler, darash and biqqesh express the…