(20) Went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa.--Part of the wilderness of Jeruel (2Chronicles 20:16). Tekoa (Thekua) is about ten miles south of Jerusalem, and commands a view over the table-land of el Husasoh.

Jehoshaphat stood.--Or, came forward. The king probably stood in the gate at Jerusalem.

Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established.--An affirmative way of putting the words of Isaiah to Ahaz: "If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established" (Isaiah 7:9).

Believe his prophets.--Believe in, as before, i.e., put confidence in their advice and leading.

So shall ye prosper.--And prosper ye. (Comp. 2Chronicles 18:11.)

Verse 20. - The wilderness of Tekoa. The king and people, army and prophet and Levite singers, start early for the wilderness of Tekoa, not less than ten miles' distance south of Jerusalem, and from it a waddy running to the Dead Sea. So shall ye be established. (So Isaiah 7:9.) Jehoshaphat's own faith and zeal make him nervously anxious that his people should not fall behind him, and fall short of their duty and the grandeur of the occasion.

20:20-30 Jehoshaphat exhorted his troops to firm faith in God. Faith inspires a man with true courage; nor will any thing help more to the establishing of the heart in shaking times, than a firm belief of the power, and mercy, and promise of God. In all our trust in the Lord, and our praises of him, let us especially look at his everlasting mercy to sinners through Jesus Christ. Never was an army so destroyed as that of the enemy. Thus God often makes wicked people destroy one another. And never was a victory celebrated with more solemn thanksgivings.And they rose early in the morning,.... Being confident of success, animated by what the prophet said to them:

and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa; which, according to Jerom (u), was six miles from Bethlehem, and nine from Jerusalem, some say twelve, beyond which was nothing but a desert; it was part of the wilderness of Judah:

and as they went forth; out of Jerusalem, through one of the gates of it:

Jehoshaphat stood and said, believe in the Lord your God; in the promises he had made, particularly with respect to the victory over their present enemies; the Targum is,"in the Word of the Lord your God:"

so shall you be established; have courage and firmness of mind, as well as be safe and secure:

believe his prophets; sent by him, and that speak in his name, particularly Jahaziel, who had predicted victory to them:

so shall ye prosper; things will succeed to your wishes, and beyond your expectations.

(u) Prooem. in Amos, and Comment. in ch. i. 1.