2 Chronicles

CHAPTER 19

Jehoshaphat Rebuked. 1Jehoshaphat king of Judah returned in safety to his house in Jerusalem. 2Jehu the seer, son of Hanani,^* went out to meet King Jehoshaphat and said to him: “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? For this reason, wrath is upon you from the LORD. 3Yet some good has been found^* in you, since you have removed the asherahs from the land and have set your heart to seek God.”

Judges Appointed. 4Jehoshaphat dwelt in Jerusalem; but he went out again among the people from Beer-sheba to the highlands of Ephraim and brought them back to the LORD, the God of their ancestors. 5He appointed judges in the land, in all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city, 6and he said to them: “Take care what you do, for the judgment you give is not human but divine; for when it comes to judgment God will be with you.^a 7And now, let the fear of the LORD be upon you. Act carefully, for with the LORD, our God, there is no injustice, no partiality, no bribe-taking.”^b 8In Jerusalem also, Jehoshaphat appointed some Levites and priests and some of the family heads of Israel for the LORD’s judgment and the disputes of those who dwell in Jerusalem.^c 9He gave them this command: “Thus you shall act: in the fear of the LORD, with fidelity and with an undivided heart. 10And in every dispute that comes to you from your kin living in their cities, whether it concerns bloodguilt or questions of law, command, statutes, or ordinances, warn them lest they incur guilt before the LORD and his wrath come upon you and your kin. Do that and you shall not incur guilt.^d 11See now, Amariah is chief priest over you for everything that pertains to the LORD, and Zebadiah, son of Ishmael, is leader of the house of Judah in all that pertains to the king; and the Levites will be your officials. Take firm action, and the LORD will be with the good.”

* [19:2] Jehu the seer, son of Hanani: probably not the Jehu, son of Hanani, who prophesied against Baasha of Israel almost fifty years earlier (1 Kgs 16:1).

* [19:3] Has been found: theological passive, i.e., God is the implied agent.

a. [19:6] Dt 1:16–18; 16:19–20.

b. [19:7] Dt 10:17.

c. [19:8] 2 Chr 17:8–9; Dt 17:8–13; Ps 122:3–5.

d. [19:10] Dt 17:8–13.