2 Chronicles 19

Listen to 2 Chronicles 19

Jehoshaphat's Reforms

1 Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned in safety to his house in Jerusalem.
2 But 1Jehu the son of 2Hanani 3the seer went out to meet him and said to King Jehoshaphat, "Should you 4help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Because of this, 5wrath has gone out against you from the LORD.
3 Nevertheless, 6some good is found in you, for 7you destroyed the Asherahs out of the land, and have 8set your heart to seek God."
4 Jehoshaphat lived at Jerusalem. And he went out again among the people, from Beersheba to 9the hill country of Ephraim, and brought them back to the LORD, the God of their fathers.
5 He appointed 10judges in the land in all 11the fortified cities of Judah, city by city,
6 and said to the judges, "Consider what you do, 12for you judge not for man but for the LORD. He is with you in giving judgment.
7 Now then, let the fear of the LORD be upon you. Be careful what you do, for 13there is no injustice with the LORD our God, 14or partiality or taking bribes."
8 Moreover, in Jerusalem Jehoshaphat 15appointed certain Levites and priests and heads of families of Israel, 16to give judgment for the LORD and to decide disputed cases. They had their seat at Jerusalem.
9 And he charged them: 17"Thus you shall do in the fear of the LORD, in faithfulness, 18and with your whole heart:
10 19whenever a case comes to you from your brothers who live in their cities, concerning bloodshed, law or commandment, statutes or rules, then you shall warn them, that they may not incur guilt before the LORD and 20wrath may not come upon you and your brothers. Thus you shall do, and you will not incur guilt.
11 And behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you 21in all matters of the LORD; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the governor of the house of Judah, in all the king's matters, and the Levites will serve you as officers. 22Deal courageously, and may the LORD be with the upright!"[a]

Cross References 22

  • 1. 2 Chronicles 20:34; 1 Kings 16:1
  • 2. 2 Chronicles 16:7
  • 3. See 1 Samuel 9:9
  • 4. [2 Chronicles 18:1; 2 Chronicles 20:37; Psalms 139:21]
  • 5. ver. 10; 2 Chronicles 24:18; 2 Chronicles 32:25
  • 6. 2 Chronicles 12:12; 1 Kings 14:13
  • 7. 2 Chronicles 17:6
  • 8. 2 Chronicles 30:19; Ezra 7:10
  • 9. See Joshua 24:33
  • 10. [Deuteronomy 16:18]
  • 11. See 2 Chronicles 11:5
  • 12. Deuteronomy 1:17
  • 13. Deuteronomy 32:4; Job 8:3; Job 34:10; [Genesis 18:25; Romans 9:14]
  • 14. See Deuteronomy 10:17
  • 15. 2 Chronicles 17:8, 9
  • 16. [See ver. 6 above]
  • 17. 2 Samuel 23:3
  • 18. 1 Kings 8:61
  • 19. See Deuteronomy 17:8
  • 20. ver. 2
  • 21. 1 Chronicles 26:30, 32
  • 22. 1 Chronicles 28:10; [Ezra 10:4]

Footnotes 1

2 Chronicles 19 Commentaries

The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.