‘If disaster comes upon us—whether sword or judgment, plague or famine—we will stand before this temple and before You, for Your Name is in this temple. We will cry out to You in our distress, and You will hear us and save us.’
We left Jehoshaphat, in the foregoing chapter, well employed in reforming his kingdom and providing for the due administration of justice and support of religion in it, and expected nothing but to hear of the peace and prosperity of his reign; but here we have him in distress, which distress, however, was followed by such a glorious deliverance as was an abundant recompence for his piety.
Commenting on 2 Chronicles 20:1-13
If when evil cometh upon us,.... Any calamity: as the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, God's four sore judgments, if by "judgment" is meant wild beasts: we stand before this house; in the court before the holy place, and holy of holies: and in thy presence, for thy name is in this house; called upon in it, and it was called by his name...
If, [when] evil cometh upon us, [as] the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we stand before this house, and in thy presence, (for thy name [is] in this house,) and cry unto thee in our affliction, then thou wilt hear and help. (e) Meaning war which comes by God's just judgments for our sins. (f) That is, it is here called on and you declared your presence and favour.