2 Chronicles 19 -- Old Testament -- Gospel Daily

2 Chronicles

Chapter 19

Jehoshaphat's Judicial and Spiritual Reforms

Jehoshaphat returns to Jerusalem in peace. The prophet Jehu son of Hanani meets him and rebukes him for helping the ungodly and loving those who hate the Lord, warning that wrath is upon him. Yet Jehu acknowledges Jehoshaphat's good works in removing groves and seeking God. Jehoshaphat then travels throughout the land from Beer-sheba to Mount Ephraim bringing the people back to the Lord. He appoints judges throughout the fortified cities of Judah and instructs them to judge not for man but for the Lord, to fear Him, and to judge faithfully without iniquity, partiality, or taking bribes. He also establishes in Jerusalem a higher court of Levites, priests, and chief fathers to judge cases of the Lord and to resolve controversies, with Amariah as chief priest and Zebadiah as ruler of the king's matters.

Prophetic rebukeSpiritual restorationJust judgesJudicial systemFear of the Lord

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.