דברי הימים ב, פרק י״ז, פסוק י׳

The peace and security experienced along the borders of the Kingdom of Judah were not the result of military might. Instead, they stemmed from a deep spiritual influence that radiated outward, affecting all the surrounding nations. A profound fear of God settled upon the neighboring kingdoms, entirely deterring them from launching any attacks against Judah.

Scholars offer different explanations regarding the exact source and nature of this fear. One perspective links this security directly to the spiritual merits of the people. The divine protection and the dread that overcame the foreign nations were a direct result of the Israelites dedicating themselves to the study of God's teachings [רש״י]. Furthermore, as a response to the righteous actions of King Jehoshaphat, God instilled a deep fear within the hearts of the surrounding empires. This divine intervention was so effective that nations such as the Philistines and the Arabs not only avoided conflict but actively sought to appease Jehoshaphat by bringing him tribute and offerings [מלבי״ם].

Another approach offers a psychological and spiritual understanding of this dynamic. In this light, the fear was not necessarily a sudden terror that God forced upon the foreign nations from above. Rather, it originated from within Judah itself. The people of Judah possessed a profound, internal reverence and awe for God. This genuine, deep devotion was so powerful that it naturally projected outward to the neighboring lands. Sensing this intense spiritual commitment, the surrounding kingdoms were struck with awe and naturally began to fear Judah [מלבי״ם].