2 Chronicles 19
1 And Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem.
2 And 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.
3 Nevertheless 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.
4 And 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.
5 And he set judges in the land throughout all the fenced cities of Judah, city by city,
6 And 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.
7 Wherefore 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.
8 Moreover 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.
9 And he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye do in the fear of the LORD, faithfully, and with a perfect heart.
10 And 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.
11 And, 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.
Common Questions About 2 Chronicles 19
How is Jehoshaphat received when he returns from the disastrous battle in chapter 19?
The seer Jehu confronts Jehoshaphat for helping the wicked King Ahab and loving those who hate the LORD, bringing wrath upon him, though Jehu also acknowledges that some good remains in Jehoshaphat because he has set his heart on seeking God and removed idols from the land.
What reforms does Jehoshaphat institute afterward?
Jehoshaphat personally travels throughout Judah turning the people back to the LORD, and appoints judges in each fortified city along with a central court in Jerusalem, specifically instructing them to judge carefully because 'you are not judging for mere mortals but for the LORD' and to act without partiality or bribery.
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Questions to Think About
- Even after a serious lapse in judgment, Jehoshaphat responded to honest correction by turning back toward genuine reform rather than defensiveness. How do you respond to honest correction after a serious lapse: with renewed commitment, or with defensiveness and excuses?
- Jehoshaphat reminded his judges that their work ultimately served the LORD, not merely human interests, requiring impartiality and integrity. How does remembering who you ultimately serve shape the integrity you bring to responsibilities that might otherwise tempt you toward favoritism or shortcuts?
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