26. and lay face downwards on the steps of the altar, begging God to help them by fighting against their enemies, as he had promised in his Law.
27. When they had finished praying, they took up their weapons, went out a good distance from Jerusalem, and stopped for the night not far from the enemy.
28. At daybreak the two armies joined in battle. The Jewish forces depended upon both their bravery and their trust in the Lord for victory, while the enemy relied only on their ability to fight fiercely.