2 Chronicles — Chapter 19
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1When Jehoshaphat king of Judah had returned safely to his home in Jerusalem,
2Jehu son of Hanani the seer went out to confront him and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Because of this, the wrath of the LORD is upon you.
3However, some good is found in you, for you have removed the Asherah poles from the land and have set your heart on seeking God.”
4Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem, and once again he went out among the people from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim and turned them back to the LORD, the God of their fathers.
5He appointed judges in the land, in each of the fortified cities of Judah.
6Then he said to the judges, “Consider carefully what you do, for you are not judging for man, but for the LORD, who is with you when you render judgment.
7And now, may the fear of the LORD be upon you. Be careful what you do, for with the LORD our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery.”
8Moreover, Jehoshaphat appointed in Jerusalem some of the Levites, priests, and heads of the Israelite families to judge on behalf of the LORD and to settle disputes. And they lived in Jerusalem.
9He commanded them, saying, “You must serve faithfully and wholeheartedly in the fear of the LORD.
10For every dispute that comes before you from your brothers who dwell in their cities—whether it regards bloodshed or some other violation of law, commandments, statutes, or ordinances—you are to warn them, so that they will not incur guilt before the LORD and wrath will not come upon you and your brothers. Do this, and you will not incur guilt.
11Note that Amariah, the chief priest, will be over you in all that pertains to the LORD, and Zebadiah son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, in all that pertains to the king. And the Levites will serve as officers before you. Act resolutely; may the LORD be with the upright!”
1And Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem.
2And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the LORD.
3Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast taken away the groves out of the land, and hast prepared thine heart to seek God.
4And Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem: and he went out again through the people from Beer-sheba to mount Ephraim, and brought them back unto the LORD God of their fathers.
5And he set judges in the land throughout all the fenced cities of Judah, city by city,
6And said to the judges, Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the LORD, who is with you in the judgment.
7Wherefore now let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts.
8Moreover in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites, and of the priests, and of the chief of the fathers of Israel, for the judgment of the LORD, and for controversies, when they returned to Jerusalem.
9And he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye do in the fear of the LORD, faithfully, and with a perfect heart.
10And what cause soever shall come to you of your brethren that dwell in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and judgments, ye shall even warn them that they trespass not against the LORD, and so wrath come upon you, and upon your brethren: this do, and ye shall not trespass.
11And, behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of the LORD; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, for all the king’s matters: also the Levites shall be officers before you. Deal courageously, and the LORD shall be with the good.
1And Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem.
2And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the wicked, and love them that hate Jehovah? for this thing wrath is upon thee from before Jehovah.
3Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast put away the Asheroth out of the land, and hast set thy heart to seek God.
4And Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem: and he went out again among the people from Beer-sheba to the hill-country of Ephraim, and brought them back unto Jehovah, the God of their fathers.
5And he set judges in the land throughout all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city,
6and said to the judges, Consider what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for Jehovah; and [he is] with you in the judgment.
7Now therefore let the fear of Jehovah be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with Jehovah our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of bribes.
8Moreover in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites and the priests, and of the heads of the fathers` [houses] of Israel, for the judgment of Jehovah, and for controversies. And they returned to Jerusalem.
9And he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye do in the fear of Jehovah, faithfully, and with a perfect heart.
10And whensoever any controversy shall come to you from your brethren that dwell in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and ordinances, ye shall warn them, that they be not guilty towards Jehovah, and so wrath come upon you and upon your brethren: this do, and ye shall not be guilty.
11And, behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of Jehovah; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, in all the king`s matters: also the Levites shall be officers before you. Deal courageously, and Jehovah be with the good.
1When King Jehoshaphat of Judah returned home safely to Jerusalem,
2the prophet Jehu son of Hanani confronted him; he said to King Jehoshaphat, “Is it right to help the wicked and be an ally of those who oppose the Lord? Because you have done this, the Lord is angry with you!
3Nevertheless you have done some good things; you removed the Asherah poles from the land, and you were determined to follow God.”
4Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem. He went out among the people from Beer Sheba to the hill country of Ephraim and encouraged them to follow the Lord God of their ancestors.
5He appointed judges throughout the land and in each of the fortified cities of Judah.
6He told the judges, “Be careful what you do, for you are not judging for men, but for the Lord, who will be with you when you make judicial decisions.
7Respect the Lord and make careful decisions, for the Lord our God disapproves of injustice, partiality, and bribery.”
8In Jerusalem Jehoshaphat appointed some Levites, priests, and Israelite family leaders to judge on behalf of the Lord and to settle disputes among the residents of Jerusalem.
9He commanded them: “Carry out your duties with respect for the Lord, with honesty, and with pure motives.
10Whenever your countrymen who live in the cities bring a case before you (whether it involves a violent crime or other matters related to the law, commandments, rules, and regulations), warn them that they must not sin against the Lord. If you fail to do so, God will be angry with you and your colleagues, but if you obey, you will be free of guilt.
11Take note, Amariah the chief priest will oversee you in every matter pertaining to the Lord and Zebadiah son of Ishmael, the leader of the family of Judah, in every matter pertaining to the king. The Levites will serve as officials before you. Act courageously, and may the Lord be with those who do well!”
1Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem.
2Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, “Should you help the wicked, and love those who hate Yahweh? Because of this, wrath is on you from before Yahweh.
3Nevertheless there are good things found in you, in that you have put away the Asheroth out of the land, and have set your heart to seek God.”
4Jehoshaphat lived at Jerusalem; and he went out again among the people from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim, and brought them back to Yahweh, the God of their fathers.
5He set judges in the land throughout all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city,
6and said to the judges, “Consider what you do, for you don’t judge for man, but for Yahweh; and he is with you in the judgment.
7Now therefore let the fear of Yahweh be on you. Take heed and do it; for there is no iniquity with Yahweh our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of bribes.”
8Moreover in Jerusalem Jehoshaphat appointed Levites and priests, and of the heads of the fathers’ households of Israel, for the judgment of Yahweh, and for controversies. They returned to Jerusalem.
9He commanded them, saying, “You shall do this in the fear of Yahweh, faithfully, and with a perfect heart.
10Whenever any controversy comes to you from your brothers who dwell in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and ordinances, you must warn them, that they not be guilty towards Yahweh, and so wrath come on you and on your brothers. Do this, and you will not be guilty.
11Behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of Yahweh; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, in all the king’s matters. Also the Levites shall be officers before you. Deal courageously, and may Yahweh be with the good.”
Summary
Jehoshaphat returns safely to Jerusalem, where the seer Jehu son of Hanani confronts him for allying with wicked Ahab and loving those who hate the Lord, though he commends him for removing the Asherah poles and seeking God (vv. 1-3). Jehoshaphat then travels among the people from Beersheba to Ephraim, turning their hearts back to the Lord, and appoints judges in every fortified city of Judah (vv. 4-5). He charges them to judge not for man but for the Lord, who shows no partiality and takes no bribes, urging them to act in the fear of the Lord (vv. 6-7). In Jerusalem he also establishes Levites, priests, and family heads to handle religious and royal disputes, instructing them to deal courageously and faithfully (vv. 8-11).
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
- Parallels 1-2 Kings but focuses exclusively on Judah (the southern kingdom). Jerusalem and the Temple are the theological center throughout.
- Key locations include various battle sites, reform locations, and high places destroyed or rebuilt by successive kings.
- The book ends with exile to Babylon (586 BC) and Cyrus's decree permitting return — the geographic arc moves from Jerusalem to Babylon and back.
Places on this map
- JerusalemJerusalemA hill town about 2,500 feet up in the central spine of Judah, roughly 35 miles inland from the Mediterranean and 15 miles west of the Jordan. It sits on no trade route and has no river, which is why it mattered as a fortress and a sanctuary rather than as a market. Wikipedia
- Babylonnear Hillah, IraqOn the Euphrates about 55 miles south of modern Baghdad. Judah's exiles were marched roughly 900 miles to get here, the long way round the Arabian desert, which is why the journey took months and the return was a genuine undertaking rather than a short trip home. Wikipedia
Towns sit on their excavated or traditional site. Regions, rivers and seas are ringed rather than dotted, because for those a single point is only an anchor. Coastlines from Natural Earth.
Commentary
- Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com Guzik notes that Jehoshaphat's response to rebuke demonstrates genuine spiritual maturity — rather than defensiveness or depression, he immediately undertook further reform. Guzik highlights the judicial charge as relevant to all Christians who exercise any form of authority: we represent God, and our decisions must reflect His character of perfect justice without partiality.
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown (1871): blueletterbible.org A critical and explanatory commentary on the whole Bible, more concise than Matthew Henry and closer to the Hebrew and Greek, with attention to historical and geographical detail. Public domain.
- Matthew Henry's Exposition (1710): blueletterbible.org A devotional verse-by-verse commentary in the Puritan tradition, still among the most widely read three centuries on. Public domain.
Videos
Articles
- GotQuestions.org: gotquestions.org On the whole book: an overview of the book of 2 Chronicles -- who wrote it, when, why, and how it fits the rest of Scripture.
Links open on the publisher's own site. Nothing here is reproduced on this page.
Reflection
- Receiving Rebuke With Humility (vv.2-3) — The seer Jehu confronts Jehoshaphat for allying with an ungodly king, yet also acknowledges the good already found in him. When someone points out a compromise in your life, do you get defensive or let it move you toward reform?
- Turning Rebuke Into Reform (v.4) — Rather than sulking after the confrontation, Jehoshaphat personally travels the land calling people back to the Lord. Does correction in your life produce excuses, or actual changed action?
- Judging for God, Not for Man (vv.6-7) — Jehoshaphat instructs the new judges that their authority comes from God and must reflect his impartial justice, free of favoritism or bribery. Where do you exercise authority, and does your example there reflect God's character?
- A Perfect Heart in the Small Duties (v.9) — The judges are charged to carry out their work faithfully and wholeheartedly, not merely to look correct. Are you as diligent in the unseen parts of your responsibilities as in the ones others notice?
- Courage as the Cost of Justice (v.11) — Jehoshaphat's parting charge to "deal courageously" recognizes that doing right often requires nerve. What situation right now is asking you for courage instead of the easier, quieter path?