Then there came some that told Jehoshaphat, saying, There cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea on this side Syria; and, behold, they be in Hazazontamar, which is Engedi.
Then some messengers came to King Jehoshaphat with urgent news, saying, 'A huge army is coming to attack you from across the Dead Sea, from the direction of Syria. Look, they've already reached Hazazon-tamar (which is the same place as En-gedi).'
The writer is describing how King Jehoshaphat received alarming news that a massive enemy army was approaching his kingdom and had already reached a nearby location.
📚 Historical Context
During the reign of King Jehoshaphat in Judah, around the 9th century BC, the kingdom was under threat from a coalition of enemy nations, including Moabites and Ammonites, who were advancing to attack. Scouts brought urgent news that a large army had crossed from beyond the Dead Sea, specifically from the region associated with Edom, and had already reached Hazazon-tamar, which is the oasis of Engedi. This event sets the stage for Jehoshaphat's response of seeking God's intervention, highlighting the ongoing conflicts Judah faced in the divided kingdom era.
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