2 Chronicles 20:23
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It's so easy to read this and think it's just about the enemy armies turning on each other. But notice how it says the Ammonites and Moabites first "devoted them to destruction" – this was a religious vow, a ritualistic annihilation. What's striking is that this kind of fanatical, all-or-nothing destruction is what then consumed them, turning their own holy war inward upon themselves.
For the men of Ammon and Moab rose against the inhabitants of Mount Seir, devoting them to destruction, and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, they all helped to destroy one another.
English Standard Version (ESV)
King Jehoshaphat and all Judah were facing an overwhelming enemy army, but after seeking God, they were told not to fear, for the Lord would fight for them. The next day, as they went out to meet the invaders, they found the enemy forces utterly annihilated, having turned on each other in a divine, chaotic slaughter. This miraculous deliverance, orchestrated by God's intervention against the combined forces of Moab and Ammon, served as a testament to His power and His people's faithfulness in His name.
Sometimes, the consequences of ungodly actions aren't immediate, but they are certain. This verse shows a dramatic example of divine retribution unfolding.
The Lord's Retribution
This passage reveals a powerful truth about how God deals with those who oppose Him and His people. The allied forces of Ammon and Moab, who had likely joined forces against Judah (as seen in the preceding verses of chapter 20), turned their destructive rage upon themselves. This wasn't random chance; it was a direct consequence of their wicked intentions and actions.
God isn't always loud and immediate in His judgments, but He is sovereign. When nations or groups of people align themselves against righteousness and engage in destruction, they often sow the seeds of their own downfall. Their unity against God becomes their vulnerability, leading to internal conflict and self-destruction.
What happens when the dust settles after a brutal conflict? This verse gives us a grim picture of the outcome.
A Devastating End
The verse describes a brutal and complete annihilation. After the Ammonites and Moabites finished their destructive campaign against the inhabitants of Mount Seir, they turned their fury inward. The phrase 'they all helped to destroy one another' paints a picture of chaos and complete self-annihilation.
There was no victory for anyone here, only mutual destruction. This serves as a stark warning about the end result of violence and hatred fueled by wicked motives. It's a cycle that consumes everyone involved, leaving nothing but ruin.
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Understand the original words
charam · Hebrew Verb
To ban or consign something or someone entirely to the Lord, often implying total destruction in the context of holy war or judgment against idolatry and evil.
While 2 Chronicles 20 describes a miraculous victory for King Jehoshaphat against a coalition of enemies (Moab, Ammon, and Mount Seir), the broader historical context reveals a long and complex history of conflict and shifting power dynamics between these very groups. The verse's depiction of internal destruction among these enemies highlights God's intervention in a region constantly embroiled in warfare and shifting alliances.
c. 931 BC
Division of the Kingdom
After Solomon's death, the united kingdom of Israel split into two: the northern Kingdom of Israel and the southern Kingdom of Judah. This division often led to conflict and shifting alliances.
c. 840 BC
Moabite Rebellion
Following Israel's division, Moabites, Ammonites, and others oppressed the Kingdom of Judah. King Jehoram of Judah had to fight against these coalitions.
c. 814 BC
Assyrian Influence Grows
The Neo-Assyrian Empire began its significant expansion, exerting pressure and demanding tribute from kingdoms in the Levant, including Judah and its neighbors.
c. 734-732 BC
Syro-Ephraimite War
The kings of Aram (Syria) and the northern Kingdom of Israel attempted to force Judah into an anti-Assyrian alliance, besieging Jerusalem. Judah, under Ahaz, appealed to Assyria for help.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria
The Neo-Assyrian Empire conquered the northern Kingdom of Israel, exiling its population and resettling the area with foreigners. This event dramatically reshaped the political and demographic landscape.
c. 701 BC
Sennacherib's Invasion
The Neo-Assyrian king Sennacherib invaded Judah, conquering many fortified cities. Jerusalem narrowly escaped destruction, but the kingdom was severely weakened and forced to pay heavy tribute.
c. 605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Under Nebuchadnezzar II, the Neo-Babylonian Empire defeated Egypt and began deporting Judean elites to Babylon, marking the start of the Babylonian exile.
This passage shows another instance where internal conflict and confusion led to the destruction of an enemy army, mirroring the self-destruction seen in 2 Chronicles 20:23.
1 Samuel 14:20Similar to the battle described in 2 Chronicles, confusion and panic among the enemy forces led to them fighting against each other, illustrating God's power to bring victory through unconventional means.
Psalm 83:2-5This psalm expresses a similar scenario where a coalition of nations plots against God's people, and it echoes the theme of enemies being put to confusion and fighting amongst themselves.
Ezekiel 38:21This prophecy describes a future invasion where enemies will turn against each other with 'sword against sword,' reinforcing the pattern of divine judgment through internal conflict.
It's so easy to read this and think it's just about the enemy armies turning on each other. But notice how it says the Ammonites and Moabites first "devoted them to destruction" – this was a religious vow, a ritualistic annihilation. What's striking is that this kind of fanatical, all-or-nothing destruction is what then consumed them, turning their own holy war inward upon themselves.
King Jehoshaphat and all Judah were facing an overwhelming enemy army, but after seeking God, they were told not to fear, for the Lord would fight for them. The next day, as they went out to meet the invaders, they found the enemy forces utterly annihilated, having turned on each other in a divine, chaotic slaughter. This miraculous deliverance, orchestrated by God's intervention against the combined forces of Moab and Ammon, served as a testament to His power and His people's faithfulness in His name.
King Jehoshaphat and all Judah were facing an overwhelming enemy army, but after seeking God, they were told not to fear, for the Lord would fight for them. The next day, as they went out to meet the invaders, they found the enemy forces utterly annihilated, having turned on each other in a divine, chaotic slaughter. This miraculous deliverance, orchestrated by God's intervention against the combined forces of Moab and Ammon, served as a testament to His power and His people's faithfulness in His name.
"For the men of Ammon and Moab rose against the inhabitants of Mount Seir, devoting them to destruction, and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, they all helped to destroy one another." — It's so easy to read this and think it's just about the enemy armies turning on each other. But notice how it says the Ammonites and Moabites first "devoted them to destruction" – this was a religiou…
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Last reviewed October 2026
