2 Chronicles 20:15
“And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Second Chronicles 20 describes a coalition of Moab, Ammon, and others marching against Judah. King Jehoshaphat responds by proclaiming a fast and leading the nation in prayer, confessing their helplessness and fixing their eyes on God. In answer, the Spirit moves Jahaziel to speak. Verse 15 is the heart of his prophecy, assuring the terrified people that the coming victory will be God's doing, not theirs.
What Does 2 Chronicles 20:15 Mean?
This verse contains one of the most freeing declarations in the Bible: "the battle is not yours, but God's." Judah faces an enormous invading army, and King Jehoshaphat has gathered the people to fast and pray. In answer, the Spirit of the Lord comes upon a Levite named Jahaziel, who delivers this message. He addresses everyone -- all Judah, the people of Jerusalem, and the king himself -- so no one is left out of the comfort or the command.
The message begins by confronting fear head-on: "Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude." God does not minimize the threat; the enemy really is great. But He shifts where the responsibility lies. The outcome does not rest on Judah's military strength but on God Himself. To say the battle belongs to God is to say that He takes ownership of the fight, the strategy, and the victory. This does not mean Judah does nothing -- they will still go out and stand -- but it means they go out trusting rather than panicking. This truth steadies the heart in every overwhelming situation. When the odds are crushing and our resources feel too small, we can remember that the deepest battles belong to God. Our task is to trust, obey, and watch what He will do, releasing the crushing weight of outcomes into His capable hands.
In the Original Language
The Hebrew "yare" (afraid) means to fear or dread. "Chathath" (dismayed) means to be shattered or broken by terror, and "milchamah" (battle) means the war or conflict that here belongs to God.
Cross References
Application
When you face an overwhelming situation, hand the outcome to God. Do not pretend the threat is small, but refuse to let it crush you, remembering that the deepest battles are His to win. Pray first, trust fully, and step forward in obedience, leaving the result in His hands.