probably chosen because Judah was better defended further west (cf. 11:5–10).50 The vast army (v. 2; ‘great multitude’, NRSV, RSV; also vv. 12, 15, 24) is one of a number of terms in the chapter from the tradition of ‘Yahweh’s war’ (also in 2 Chr. 13:8; 14:10; 32:7). In view of Jehoshaphat’s own military statistics (cf. 17:12–19), the description is a little surprising, but comparison is impossible since no figures are provided for the coalition forces. The Judeans clearly believed they were outnumbered,
Page 443