Online Bible Studies : Study #1 : Silent Night

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#2:

Humbly Admit Your Weaknesses
A character sketch of King Jehoshaphat

"For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You." 2 CHRONICLES 20:12

A Character Sketch of King Jehoshaphat

Normally, rulers of nations are taught to always put forth a strong front — to never show weakness or vulnerability. That's why King Jehoshaphat's reaction to crisis in 2 Chronicles 20 is so shocking. Instead of making a charismatic speech and inspiring his warriors to fight valiently, he prays a humble prayer right in front of the entire nation: "For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You (v. 12)".

Who is the man behind this uniquely humble prayer? Matthew Henry's Commentary helps us dig a little deeper:

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[King Jehoshaphat] professes his entire dependence upon God for deliverance. Though he had a great army on foot, and well disciplined; yet he said, "We have no might against this great company, none without thee, none that we can expect any thing from without thy special presence and blessing, none to boast of, none to trust to; but our eyes are upon thee. We rely upon thee, and from thee is all our expectation. The disease seems desperate: we know not what to do, are quite at a loss, in a great strait. But this is a sovereign remedy, our eyes are upon thee, an eye of acknowledgment and humble submission, an eye of faith and entire dependence, an eye of desire and hearty prayer, an eye of hope and patient expectation. In thee, O God! do we put our trust; our souls wait on thee."

REFERENCE WORK	EXCERPT
New Unger's Bible Dictionary	The character of Jehoshaphat is summed up thus: "Jehoshaphat, who sought the Lord with all his heart" (2 Chron 22:9). His good talents, the benevolence of his disposition, and his generally sound judgment are shown not only in the great measures of domestic policy that distinguished his reign, but by the manner in which they were executed. No trace can be found in him of the pride that dishonored some and ruined others of the kings who preceded and followed him.
Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary	Jehoshaphat received an excellent heritage from his father Asa, who in the earlier years of his reign showed a reforming spirit in seeking God (2 Chron 15). Jehoshaphat's faith in God led him to "delight in the ways of the Lord" (2 Chron 17:6). He attacked pagan idolatry and he sent teachers to the people to teach them more about God (2 Chron 17:6-9). In affairs of state, Jehoshaphat also showed a willingness to rely on the Lord. In a time of danger he prayed for God's help (2 Chron 20:6-12).

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•	THE NEW KING JAMES VERSION, Copyright © 1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc. All rights reserved.
•	Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition, Electronic Database. Copyright © 1991 by Hendrickson Publishers, Inc.
•	The New Unger's Bible Dictionary. Originally published by Moody Press of Chicago, Illinois. Copyright © 1988.
•	Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright © 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers.