What does 2 Chronicles 20:13 mean?
"And all Judah stood before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children." - 2 Chronicles 20:13

The verse 2 Chronicles 20:13 in the King James Version reads, "And all Judah stood before the Lord, with their little ones, their wives, and their children." This verse is part of a larger passage that recounts the story of King Jehoshaphat and the miraculous deliverance of Judah from their enemies.
The historical context of this verse is important to understand its deeper meaning. Jehoshaphat was a king of Judah who reigned in the 9th century BCE. During his rule, a coalition of enemies - the Moabites, Ammonites, and Meunites - came together to make war against Judah. Jehoshaphat, recognizing the imminent threat, called for a fast and gathered all the people of Judah together to seek the Lord's help. It is in this context that the verse 2 Chronicles 20:13 takes place.
At first glance, this verse speaks to the unity and solidarity of the people of Judah in the face of a common enemy. The fact that "all Judah stood before the Lord" implies not only physical presence but also a collective turning towards God in prayer and supplication. This act of coming together as a community before the Lord reflects the theme of faith and dependence on God, which is prevalent throughout the story of Jehoshaphat's deliverance.
Additionally, the mention of "their little ones, their wives, and their children" emphasizes the inclusivity of the gathering. It shows that the community sought the Lord's help as a whole, with every member - regardless of age or gender - participating in the call for deliverance. This inclusivity underscores the importance of unity and shared responsibility in times of adversity, as well as the significance of intergenerational faith and communal worship.
Symbolically, this verse carries profound meaning in the broader biblical context. It can be seen as a representation of the fundamental principles of biblical community and corporate worship. The act of "standing before the Lord" indicates a posture of reverence, submission, and readiness to receive from Him. It also implies a collective acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and a shared desire to align with His will. Moreover, the presence of children and wives signifies the transmission of faith and the nurturing of spiritual growth within families and communities.
Furthermore, the passage can be interpreted as an embodiment of the biblical principle of seeking God's guidance and intervention as a unified body. Throughout the Bible, there are numerous instances where God's people are called to come together in prayer and supplication during times of crisis. This verse exemplifies the power and efficacy of communal faith and the importance of seeking the Lord's intervention as a collective entity.
The story of Jehoshaphat's deliverance ultimately concludes with God defeating the enemies of Judah without the need for the people to fight. This miraculous intervention serves as a testament to the faithfulness and power of God in response to the genuine seeking of His people.
In conclusion, 2 Chronicles 20:13 in the King James Version presents a powerful depiction of communal faith, unity, and dependence on God. It portrays the significance of coming together as a community in times of need, as well as the inclusivity and intergenerational nature of faith. The verse serves as a timeless reminder of the beauty and effectiveness of communal worship, and the importance of seeking God's intervention as a unified body.
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2 Chronicles 20:13 Artwork
2 Chronicles 20:13 - "And all Judah stood before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children."
"And all Judah stood before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children." - 2 Chronicles 20:13
2 Chronicles 13:20 - "Neither did Jeroboam recover strength again in the days of Abijah: and the LORD struck him, and he died."
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2 Chronicles 30:20 - "And the LORD hearkened to Hezekiah, and healed the people."
2 chronicles 13:12
"Neither did Jeroboam recover strength again in the days of Abijah: and the LORD struck him, and he died." - 2 Chronicles 13:20
1 Chronicles 2:20 - "And Hur begat Uri, and Uri begat Bezaleel."
2 Chronicles 20:28 - "And they came to Jerusalem with psalteries and harps and trumpets unto the house of the LORD."
2 Chronicles 2:13 - "And now I have sent a cunning man, endued with understanding, of Huram my father's,"
Joel 1:2-4, 13-20
2 Chronicles 13:13 - "¶ But Jeroboam caused an ambushment to come about behind them: so they were before Judah, and the ambushment was behind them."
2 Chronicles 32:20 - "And for this cause Hezekiah the king, and the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz, prayed and cried to heaven."
2 Kings 20:20 - "¶ And the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and all his might, and how he made a pool, and a conduit, and brought water into the city, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?"
2 Chronicles 20:5 - "¶ And Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD, before the new court,"
2 Chronicles 20:8 - "And they dwelt therein, and have built thee a sanctuary therein for thy name, saying,"
2 Chronicles 29:13 - "And of the sons of Elizaphan; Shimri, and Jeiel: and of the sons of Asaph; Zechariah, and Mattaniah:"
2 Chronicles 29:20 - "¶ Then Hezekiah the king rose early, and gathered the rulers of the city, and went up to the house of the LORD."
2 Chronicles 20:3 - "And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah."
2 Chronicles 20:30 - "So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet: for his God gave him rest round about."
2 Chronicles 4:20 - "Moreover the candlesticks with their lamps, that they should burn after the manner before the oracle, of pure gold;"
2 Chronicles 28:20 - "And Tilgath-pilneser king of Assyria came unto him, and distressed him, but strengthened him not."
2 Chronicles 13:16 - "And the children of Israel fled before Judah: and God delivered them into their hand."
1 Chronicles 2:13 - "¶ And Jesse begat his firstborn Eliab, and Abinadab the second, and Shimma the third,"
2 Chronicles 20:36 - "And he joined himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish: and they made the ships in Ezion-geber."