It is the situation of Asa and Zerah (14:9–15) all over again, but the narrative is more complex. The Chronicler seemingly followed a tradition of a successful military engagement located to the northwest of the Dead Sea (vv. 2, 16, 20). The enemies are represented as a coalition of “Moab,” “Ammon,” and “Meunites” (v. 1, RSV, following the Greek version: cf. 26:7), invading Judah by advancing up the west side of the Dead Sea. “Jehoshaphat feared” (v. 3)—a very natural reaction. Eventually he will