14 In the middle of the congregation, the Spirit of the Lord came onb Jahaziel (son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite from Asaph’s descendants), 15 and he said, “Listen carefully, all Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and King Jehoshaphat. This is what the Lord says: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast number,c for the battle is not yours, but God’s.d 16 Tomorrow, go down against them. You will see them coming up the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the valley facing the Wilderness of Jeruel. 17 You do not have to fight this battle. Position yourselves, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord.e He is with you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged.f Tomorrow, go out to face them, for the Lord is with you.’ ”g

18 Then Jehoshaphat knelt low with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the Lord to worship him.h 19 Then the Levites from the sons of the Kohathites and the Korahitesi stood up to praise the Lord God of Israel shouting loudly.

VICTORY AND PLUNDER

20 In the morning they got up early and went out to the wilderness of Tekoa. As they were about to go out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem. Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be established;j believe in his prophets, and you will succeed.” 21 Then he consulted with the people and appointed some to sing for the Lord and some to praise the splendor of his holiness.k When they went out in front of the armed forces, they kept singing:B

Give thanks to the Lord,

for his faithful love endures forever.l

22 The moment they began their shouts and praises, the Lord set an ambushm against the Ammonites, Moabites, and the inhabitants of Mount Seir who came to fight against Judah, and they were defeated.