1 Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem. 2 Jehu 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. 3 Nevertheless 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." 4 Jehoshaphat 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. 5 He set judges in the land throughout all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city, 6 and 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. 7 Now 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." 8 Moreover in Jerusalem Jehoshaphat appointed Levites and priests, and of the heads of the fathers' (houses) of Israel, for the judgment of Yahweh, and for controversies. They returned to Jerusalem. 9 He commanded them, saying, "Thus you shall do in the fear of Yahweh, faithfully, and with a perfect heart. 10 Whenever any controversy shall come to you from your brothers who dwell in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and ordinances, you shall warn them, that they not be guilty towards Yahweh, and so wrath come on you and on your brothers. Do this, and you shall not be guilty. 11 Behold, 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."
This chapter is entirely additional to Kings, and of great interest. It deals with three matters only,
(1) The rebuke addressed to Jehoshaphat by the prophet Jehu 2-Chronicles 19:1-3,
(2) Jehoshaphat's religious reformation 2-Chronicles 19:4, and
(3) his reform of the judicial system 2-Chronicles 19:5-11.
Jehoshaphat, on his return from Ramoth-gilead, is met by the prophet Jehu, and reproved, 2-Chronicles 19:1-3. He makes a farther reformation in the land, establishing courts of justice, and giving solemn and pertinent directions to the judges, Levites, etc., to do judgement and justice among the people, in the fear of God, 2-Chronicles 19:4-11.
INTRODUCTION TO 2 CHRONICLES 19
Jehoshaphat returning from the battle at Ramothgilead, was met by a prophet, who reproved him for helping the ungodly, 2-Chronicles 19:1, which quickened him to a greater regard for the reformation of his kingdom, 2-Chronicles 19:4, and he set judges in all the cities of Judah, and exhorted them to do justice, 2-Chronicles 19:5, and in the city of Jerusalem he appointed priests and Levites for the same purpose, and gave them a strict charge, and animated and encouraged them to perform their office faithfully, 2-Chronicles 19:8.
Jehoshaphat visits his kingdom.
*More commentary available by clicking individual verses.