Lesson 4: Fasting 47
Interpreting the Scriptures
Fasting During Times of Crisis (2 Chronicles 20:1–4, 13–15)
20:1. In Judah, Jehoshaphat was a good king who made an unwise alli-
ance with the evil leader of Israel, King Ahab. He agreed to send his
army to help Ahab recapture an Israelite city (Ramoth-Gilead) which
had been taken by Syria. King Ahab was killed in the battle. Jehoshaphat
returned safely to Judah, but he was confronted about his lack of wisdom
(19:1–3). He immediately began a campaign to rid Judah of idols and
pagan worship. During this time, combined armies from Moab and
Ammon, along with a smaller group of Meunites (a trades-people from
modern day Yemen), came to capture Jerusalem.
20:2–3. The huge enemy force was only about twenty miles away (at the
spring of En-Gedi on the west side of the Dead Sea) when Jehoshaphat
heard of the planned surprise attack. He was overwhelmed by the news
of imminent destruction and realized he had no time to prepare to fight
an enemy already at his doorstep. His response was “to inquire of the
Lord” through a fast by the entire nation. All regular activity stopped.
This was a time to seek God.
20:4. The citizens of Judah had great respect for King Jehoshaphat who
had personally led them back to the Lord as he traveled among them
(19:4–10). The gathering in Jerusalem was for the purpose of seeking
God together as one people. This sincere effort required a cessation of
preparing and eating meals, as well as ceasing all other normal activities,
until God answered their prayers.
Jehoshaphat’s prayer (20:5–12) was similar to Solomon’s prayer at the
dedication of the new temple (6:12–42). Jehoshaphat, whose name meant
“God has judged”, was acting as both king and priest as he led God’s
people to the temple to face the crisis together.
20:13. Families fasted and sought God together, their eyes fixed upon
God and his earthly representations (their king and God’s holy temple.)
Even the children were involved.