They recognized the gift of the land and the temple as tokens of the Lord’s ongoing protection, renewing their confidence that He would deliver them yet again.
King Jehoshaphat of Judah (circa 873-849 BC) found himself facing a coalition of hostile armies. In the midst of this national crisis, he led his people in prayer at the temple in Jerusalem, recalling how God had granted them the land they now occupied. As part of this prayer, 2 Chronicles 20:8 declares: “They have lived in it, and have built You a sanctuary there for Your name, saying,” (v.8). Here, the verse underscores that the Israelites not only settled the land, but also established a sacred space—God’s sanctuary—within it. Doing so recognized the Lord’s presence in their midst and served as a powerful symbol of their devotion.
The phrase They have lived in it points back to the promise fulfilled when God gave His people the land of Canaan, demonstrated through His faithfulness over many generations. By highlighting have built You a sanctuary there for Your name, King Jehoshaphat stressed that the temple was meant to honor the Lord and to foster a heart of worship and dependence upon Him. This sanctuary, constructed under King Solomon, was more than a mere building: it was the emblem of God’s covenant protection and the tangible reminder that He was near to those who sought Him.
In the broader context, when enemies threatened Judah’s security, this verse served to recall God’s past deliverance and to reaffirm the people’s faith. They reminded themselves and the Lord of His promise to listen to their cries when they gathered at the sanctuary in times of trouble (2 Chronicles 6:28-30). Far from forgetting God’s faithfulness, King Jehoshaphat and his people anchored their prayers upon the reality that God had placed them in the land and given them the privilege of establishing a dwelling for His name among them.
Set to dark mode
2 Chronicles 20:8 meaning
King Jehoshaphat of Judah (circa 873-849 BC) found himself facing a coalition of hostile armies. In the midst of this national crisis, he led his people in prayer at the temple in Jerusalem, recalling how God had granted them the land they now occupied. As part of this prayer, 2 Chronicles 20:8 declares: “They have lived in it, and have built You a sanctuary there for Your name, saying,” (v.8). Here, the verse underscores that the Israelites not only settled the land, but also established a sacred space—God’s sanctuary—within it. Doing so recognized the Lord’s presence in their midst and served as a powerful symbol of their devotion.
The phrase They have lived in it points back to the promise fulfilled when God gave His people the land of Canaan, demonstrated through His faithfulness over many generations. By highlighting have built You a sanctuary there for Your name, King Jehoshaphat stressed that the temple was meant to honor the Lord and to foster a heart of worship and dependence upon Him. This sanctuary, constructed under King Solomon, was more than a mere building: it was the emblem of God’s covenant protection and the tangible reminder that He was near to those who sought Him.
In the broader context, when enemies threatened Judah’s security, this verse served to recall God’s past deliverance and to reaffirm the people’s faith. They reminded themselves and the Lord of His promise to listen to their cries when they gathered at the sanctuary in times of trouble (2 Chronicles 6:28-30). Far from forgetting God’s faithfulness, King Jehoshaphat and his people anchored their prayers upon the reality that God had placed them in the land and given them the privilege of establishing a dwelling for His name among them.