The Story of 2 Chronicles 20

King Jehoshaphat of Judah received terrifying news: a great multitude—armies from Moab, Ammon, and Mount Seir—were coming to attack. Outnumbered and overwhelmed, Jehoshaphat did not turn to military strategy. He turned to God.

He proclaimed a fast throughout Judah, and people from every town gathered to seek the Lord. Standing before the assembly at the temple, Jehoshaphat prayed:

“We have no power against this great multitude... nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.” (v.12)

Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel, a Levite, who brought this word:

“Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” (v.15)“Tomorrow, go down against them... You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.” (v.16–17)

The next morning, Jehoshaphat appointed singers to go before the army, praising with these words:

“Praise the Lord, for His mercy endures forever.” (v.21)

As they praised, the Lord set ambushes against the enemy armies, and they turned on each other. By the time Judah arrived at the battlefield, not one enemy remained.

It took three days to gather the spoils.

On the fourth day, the people assembled in the Valley of Berachah (“blessing”), where they praised the Lord again. Jehoshaphat’s kingdom had peace after that, because God had fought their battle.

The Sound That Shattered the Enemy

Now here’s what many don’t realize: the battlefield where this miracle occurred was surrounded by hills and valleys—natural rock formations that created echo chambers.

When Jehoshaphat’s singers lifted their voices in praise, their sound echoed and rolled through the mountains, amplifying and bouncing in every direction.

To the enemy camp, it didn’t sound like a choir—it sounded like an army.

God used sound and confusion to turn the enemy on itself.

And here’s what mattered most: they obeyed. It made no logical sense to put singers in front of soldiers—but they trusted God’s voice more than their own understanding. What looked like weakness—just singers with no weapons—became a spiritual weapon of divine disruption.

Praise Still Confuses the Enemy

There’s a reason the Bible says that God inhabits the praises of His people (Psalm 22:3). There’s a reason Paul and Silas sang in prison before the chains broke (Acts 16). And there’s a reason Judah’s victory began not with fighting, but with praise.

Because praise confuses the enemy.

Praise breaks fear.

Praise shifts the atmosphere.

Praise reminds us who God is—and reminds the enemy that he’s already defeated.

When we lift our voices in praise, heaven moves—and hell trembles.

That’s why praise still leads the way. That’s why we sing. That’s why we raise up bold voices. Because God still fights when His people praise.