דברי הימים ב, פרק כ׳, פסוק ב׳

A sudden and terrifying report reaches King Jehoshaphat, revealing that a massive army is marching toward Judah and has already set up camp dangerously close to the heart of the kingdom. The messengers detail that the invading forces arrived from the eastern side of the Dead Sea [מצודת דוד], having crossed the Transjordan region and marched southward [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The report stresses the immediate reality of the danger, noting that the enemy is already stationed at Hazazon-tamar [מצודת דוד]. To make the severity of the situation completely clear to the king, the location is identified by its familiar name, En-gedi, highlighting that the invaders are right on their doorstep [רש״י]. The choice to halt at En-gedi is a calculated military decision, as a vast army requires a location with abundant, readily available water sources [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

The intelligence report also indicates that the threat comes from Aram, which presents a geographical puzzle since Aram is located to the north, while this invasion approaches from the south. One perspective suggests that the messenger delivering the news was simply unable to correctly identify the various nations making up the massive horde, making a complete error in assuming they were Arameans [מלבי״ם]. Conversely, other viewpoints maintain that the report is entirely accurate. In this view, the army did indeed travel from the direction of Aram along their march [מצודת דוד]. Furthermore, the Aramean kingdom actively supported this invasion. This military backing serves as a direct continuation of Jehoshaphat's earlier, unsuccessful war against them when he fought alongside Ahab [ביאור שטיינזלץ].