12. You are our God! Punish them, for we are helpless in the face of this large army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but we look to you for help.”
13. All the men of Judah, with their wives and children, were standing there at the Temple.
14. The Spirit of the Lord came upon a Levite who was present in the crowd. His name was Jahaziel son of Zechariah; he was a member of the clan of Asaph and was descended from Asaph through Mattaniah, Jeiel, and Benaiah.
15. Jahaziel said, “Your Majesty and all you people of Judah and Jerusalem, the Lord says that you must not be discouraged or be afraid to face this large army. The battle depends on God, not on you.
16. Attack them tomorrow as they come up the pass at Ziz. You will meet them at the end of the valley that leads to the wild country near Jeruel.
17. You will not have to fight this battle. Just take up your positions and wait; you will see the Lord give you victory. People of Judah and Jerusalem, do not hesitate or be afraid. Go out to battle, and the Lord will be with you!”
18. Then King Jehoshaphat bowed low, with his face touching the ground, and all the people bowed with him and worshipped the Lord.
19. The members of the Levite clans of Kohath and Korah stood up and with a loud shout praised the Lord, the God of Israel.
20. Early the next morning the people went out to the wild country near Tekoa. As they were starting out, Jehoshaphat addressed them with these words: “People of Judah and Jerusalem! Put your trust in the Lord your God, and you will stand firm. Believe what his prophets tell you, and you will succeed.”
21. After consulting with the people, the king ordered some musicians to put on the robes they wore on sacred occasions and to march ahead of the army, singing: “Praise the Lord! His love is eternal!”
22. When they began to sing, the Lord threw the invading armies into a panic.
23. The Ammonites and the Moabites attacked the Edomite army and completely destroyed it, and then they turned on each other in savage fighting.
24. When the Judean army reached a tower that was in the desert, they looked towards the enemy and saw that they were all lying on the ground, dead. Not one had escaped.
25. Jehoshaphat and his troops moved in to take the loot, and they found many cattle, supplies, clothing, and other valuable objects. They spent three days gathering the loot, but there was so much that they could not take everything.
26. On the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Beracah and praised the Lord for all he had done. That is why the valley is called “Beracah”.
27. Jehoshaphat led his troops back to Jerusalem in triumph, because the Lord had defeated their enemies.
28. When they reached the city, they marched to the Temple, to the music of harps and trumpets.
29. Every nation that heard how the Lord had defeated Israel's enemies was terrified,
30. so Jehoshaphat ruled in peace, and God gave him security on every side.