2 Chronicles 13:18 kjv
Thus the children of Israel were brought under at that time, and the children of Judah prevailed, because they relied upon the LORD God of their fathers.
2 Chronicles 13:18 nkjv
Thus the children of Israel were subdued at that time; and the children of Judah prevailed, because they relied on the LORD God of their fathers.
2 Chronicles 13:18 niv
The Israelites were subdued on that occasion, and the people of Judah were victorious because they relied on the LORD, the God of their ancestors.
2 Chronicles 13:18 esv
Thus the men of Israel were subdued at that time, and the men of Judah prevailed, because they relied on the LORD, the God of their fathers.
2 Chronicles 13:18 nlt
So Judah defeated Israel on that occasion because they trusted in the LORD, the God of their ancestors.
2 Chronicles 13 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Chr 13:14 | And when Judah looked back... they cried out to the LORD... | Judah's cry to God led to victory. |
| 2 Chr 13:15 | And as the men of Judah shouted, God defeated Jeroboam... | God Himself directly grants victory. |
| 2 Chr 14:11 | Asa cried to the LORD... “There is none who can help, O LORD, except You.” | Prayer and reliance for military success. |
| 2 Chr 16:7-9 | For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro... to give strong support to those whose heart is wholly His. | God strengthens the faithful. |
| Ps 20:7-8 | Some trust in chariots... but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. | Trusting God, not human might. |
| Ps 33:16-17 | The king is not saved by his great army... The war horse is a vain hope... | Divine favor, not military strength. |
| Prov 3:5-6 | Trust in the LORD with all your heart... and He will make your paths straight. | Universal principle of trust. |
| Isa 30:15 | In quietness and in trust shall be your strength. | Inner spiritual reliance for strength. |
| Phil 4:13 | I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. | New Testament echo of divine empowerment. |
| 1 Sam 17:47 | ...for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give you into our hand. | God's ownership and decision of battles. |
| Deut 20:4 | For the LORD your God is He who goes with you to fight for you... | God's presence in battle. |
| Josh 1:9 | ...Be strong and courageous... for the LORD your God is with you... | Divine presence brings courage and success. |
| 2 Chr 13:4-5 | ...a covenant of salt... to David and his sons forever. | Covenant faithfulness provides security. |
| 2 Sam 7:12-16 | ...your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before Me... | Foundation of the eternal Davidic covenant. |
| Ps 89:3-4 | I have made a covenant with My chosen one... ‘Your offspring I will establish forever...’ | Affirmation of the Davidic covenant. |
| 1 Kgs 11:36 | ...that David My servant may always have a lamp before Me... | God's perpetual care for David's line. |
| 1 Kgs 15:4 | ...for David's sake the LORD his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem... | God's faithfulness to David's lineage. |
| 2 Chr 15:2 | ...The LORD is with you while you are with Him. | Reciprocity in divine blessing. |
| 2 Chr 13:12 | For God is with us at our head and His priests with their battle trumpets. | Judah's spiritual advantage over Israel. |
| Jer 17:5-6 | Cursed is the man who trusts in man... | Contrast of trust in man versus God. |
| Isa 31:1-3 | Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help... trust in chariots... | Warning against relying on worldly power. |
| 1 Kgs 12:28-30 | Jeroboam made two calves of gold... and said... ‘Behold your gods...’ | Jeroboam's idolatry, explaining Israel's defeat. |
2 Chronicles 13 verses
2 Chronicles 13 18 Meaning
This verse states the immediate outcome of the battle between Judah and Israel: the Northern Kingdom of Israel was humbled and defeated, while the Southern Kingdom of Judah achieved a decisive victory. The primary reason attributed to Judah's triumph was their reliance on the Lord, the God of their ancestors. It underscores divine intervention as a direct consequence of faithfulness.
2 Chronicles 13 18 Context
Chapter 13 of 2 Chronicles narrates a significant conflict between the divided kingdoms: Judah under King Abijah and Israel under King Jeroboam. Despite Judah's numerical inferiority (400,000 soldiers) against Israel's formidable 800,000, the narrative emphasizes Judah's adherence to true worship in Jerusalem and the Davidic covenant (2 Chron 13:4-12). Abijah confronted Jeroboam, denouncing his idolatry and false priesthood while declaring God's unwavering support for the Davidic line. Despite Judah being surrounded by an ambush, they cried out to the Lord, and the priests sounded their trumpets. Verse 18 serves as the culmination of this intense battle, detailing the outcome and attributing the victory to God's intervention, spurred by Judah's faith. Historically, this event took place roughly a decade after the division of the kingdom following Solomon's death, highlighting the deep theological and political rift between the two entities.
2 Chronicles 13 18 Word analysis
- Thus (וַיִּכָּנְעוּ, wayyikkan‘û): The initial verb, here translated "were brought under," comes from a root meaning "to be low," "to be humbled," or "to be subdued." This effectively signifies the outcome: Israel was thoroughly defeated and forced into submission. Its placement emphasizes the direct result of the battle and God's intervention.
- the children of Israel (בְּנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵל, bənê-Yiśrā’ēl): Refers specifically to the Northern Kingdom under Jeroboam, emphasizing their identity as part of the covenant people who had strayed.
- were brought under (וַיִּכָּנְעוּ, wayyikkan‘û): Reiterates Israel's humiliating defeat. This verb implies an external force causing the subduing, attributing the defeat not solely to Judah's military prowess but to divine action.
- at that time (בָּעֵת הַהִיא, bā‘ēt hahî): A precise temporal marker, anchoring the outcome directly to the described conflict, indicating its immediate and profound effect.
- and the children of Judah (וּבְנֵי־יְהוּדָה, ûvənê-Yəhûdâ): Identifies the Southern Kingdom, loyal to the Davidic monarchy and the Jerusalem temple, who were divinely favored in this confrontation.
- prevailed (חָזְקוּ, ḥāzəqû): Derived from a root meaning "to be strong," "to prevail," "to become firm." This word highlights Judah's triumph and strength, indicating they gained the upper hand decisively.
- because (כִּי, kî): A crucial causal conjunction. This particle introduces the fundamental reason for Judah's victory, directing the reader's attention to the theological explanation for the historical event.
- they relied (נִשְׁעֲנוּ, niš‘ănû): From the root שׁען (sha'an), meaning "to lean on," "to depend on," "to support oneself by." The Niphal imperfect conveys an active and continuous state of dependence, emphasizing a conscious and consistent act of trusting in. It's not a momentary thought but a deep-seated confidence.
- on the Lord (עַל־יְהוָה, ‘al-YHWH): Specifies the object of Judah's reliance – YHWH, the personal, covenant-making God of Israel. This distinguishes their trust from any human or false divine entity.
- the God of their fathers (אֱלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵיהֶם, ’ělōhê ’ăvôṯêhem): This epithet emphasizes continuity. It signifies God's historical faithfulness to the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob) and the subsequent generations, validating Judah's position as the rightful inheritors of the covenant blessings. It contrasts sharply with the idolatry of the Northern Kingdom.
Words-group analysis
- "the children of Israel were brought under... and the children of Judah prevailed": This contrasting parallel explicitly highlights the opposing fates of the two kingdoms, underscoring God's favor for Judah and judgment against Israel in this particular encounter. It is a concise statement of victory and defeat.
- "because they relied on the Lord, the God of their fathers": This phrase functions as the theological anchor of the verse, explaining the divine causality behind Judah's military success. It identifies reliance on YHWH, the covenant God of their lineage, as the decisive factor. This underscores a core Chronicler's theological tenet: obedience and faith lead to divine blessing and success, while disobedience leads to downfall.
2 Chronicles 13 18 Bonus section
- The Chronicler's emphasis on "reliance on the Lord" (often using the root שׁען, sha'an) is a recurring theological motif throughout the book (e.g., Asa in 2 Chron 14 and 16). This reinforces the message that dependence on God is the source of strength and success for His people.
- This specific battle account illustrates a strong "retribution theology" often found in Chronicles, where immediate consequences (blessing for obedience, judgment for disobedience) are vividly portrayed in historical events.
- The reference to "the God of their fathers" subtly draws a contrast with the "gods" of the Northern Kingdom, particularly Jeroboam's golden calves, thereby reinforcing the legitimacy and truth of Judah's worship of the true God.
2 Chronicles 13 18 Commentary
2 Chronicles 13:18 serves as a theological statement about divine intervention and its direct correlation with human faith. Despite being severely outnumbered, Judah's victory over Israel was not due to superior strategy or might, but because they placed their absolute reliance upon the Lord. This act of trust, underscored by their crying out to God and upholding His established worship, invoked God's direct intervention. The Chronicler emphasizes that God actively judges the apostasy of Israel while faithfully upholding His covenant with the Davidic line. This verse highlights the profound truth that victory in spiritual and physical battles ultimately rests not on human strength or numbers, but on the living and active God who empowers those who truly depend on Him.