2 Chronicles 19

4–11 In these verses, the writer describes how Jehoshaphat appointed judges to administer law and justice throughout Judah and Ephraim.⁹ His reforms were based on the instructions given earlier by MOSES (see Deuteronomy 16:18–20; 17:8–13 and comments). The judges were not only to make judgments against wrongdoing, but they were also required to warn people not to commit wrongdoing in the first place (verse 10); if the judges failed to give warning, they themselves would be held responsible.¹⁰

Notice in verse 11 that Jehoshaphat differentiated between purely religious or ceremonial matters—any matter concerning the LORD—and civil matters—any matter concerning the king. This did not imply, however, that there were two distinct systems of law; the king was ultimately responsible for both religious and civil matters.