2 And 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 the Lord? Because of this, wrath has gone out against you from the Lord.
19:2 And 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 the Lord? Because of this, wrath has gone out against you from the Lord.
3 Nevertheless, some good is found in you, for you destroyed the Asherahs 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 the Lord, the God of their fathers.
5 And 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 judge not for man but for the Lord. He is with you in giving judgment.
7 Now then, let the fear of the Lord be upon you. Be careful what you do, for there is no injustice with the Lord our God, or partiality or taking bribes.
8 Moreover, in Jerusalem Jehoshaphat appointed certain Levites and priests and heads of families of Israel, to give judgment for the Lord and to decide disputed cases. They had their seat at Jerusalem.
9 And he charged them: “Thus you shall do in the fear of the Lord, in faithfulness, and with your whole heart:
10 Whenever a case comes to you from your brothers who live in their cities, concerning bloodshed, law or commandment, statutes or rules, then you shall warn them, that they may not incur guilt before the Lord and wrath may not come upon you and your brothers. Thus you shall do, and you will not incur guilt.
11 Behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of the Lord; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the governor of the house of Judah, in all the king’s matters, and the Levites will serve you as officers. Deal courageously, and may the Lord be with the upright!
The True Meaning of 2 Chronicles 19
The Book of 2 Chronicles was written by an anonymous author, likely a Levite priest or scribe, who compiled the historical accounts of the kingdom of Judah after the reign of King David. This chapter focuses on the reforms and actions of King Jehoshaphat, a righteous king who sought to lead his people back to the ways of the Lord. Jehoshaphat’s efforts to appoint judges and establish justice throughout the land in this passage are a crucial step in restoring the spiritual and moral foundations of the kingdom. The chapter also foreshadows the impending conflict between Judah and its neighboring nations, as the king prepares his people for the battles to come. This mirrors the ongoing struggle between the forces of good and evil that is a central theme throughout the biblical narrative. As we delve into this chapter, we will witness Jehoshaphat’s unwavering commitment to upholding the law of God, even in the face of adversity. His actions echo the words of the psalmist, who declared, “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne” (Psalm 89:14). The lessons we glean from Jehoshaphat’s example will serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of godly leadership and the transformative power of obedience to the Lord.
2 Chronicles 19:1-3
King Jehoshaphat returns to his capital city after helping Ahab in battle against Ramoth Gilead, as seen in 2 Chronicles 19:1-3. This verse starts by mentioning Jehu the seer, a prophet who was known for delivering messages from God. Jehu approaches King Jehoshaphat and condemns him for aiding the wicked King Ahab. This confrontation highlights an important theme throughout the Bible – the idea of being careful who we align ourselves with. Jehoshaphat’s decision to partner with Ahab, who was known for his evil ways, had consequences for Judah. The seer Jehu’s warning serves as a reminder that our associations and alliances can have a profound impact on our lives and the lives of those around us.
Jehoshaphat’s actions in assisting Ahab were inconsistent with the ways of God. Despite being a king who initially sought the Lord and followed His commands, his alliance with Ahab compromised his obedience to God. This serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of compromise and the importance of staying true to God’s ways even in challenging situations. The presence of the prophet Jehu as a messenger of God’s rebuke emphasizes the significance of seeking and heeding godly counsel in our lives. Prophets and seers in the Bible often served as conduits for divine messages, guiding leaders and people back to God’s path.
King Jehoshaphat’s response to the prophet’s rebuke is telling. He humbles himself and takes steps to reform his ways. He returns to Jerusalem, the capital of Judah, and initiates a process of judicial and administrative reform. He appoints judges in the land to administer justice fairly and reminds them that they are acting not on behalf of men, but on behalf of the Lord. This act of repentance and reformation showcases Jehoshaphat’s willingness to acknowledge his mistakes and seek to align himself once again with God’s will. It illustrates the importance of humility, accountability, and obedience in the life of a believer, especially one in a position of leadership.
The overarching message of this passage in 2 Chronicles 19 is the call to remain steadfast in our faith and obedience to God, even when faced with temptations or pressures to compromise. Jehoshaphat’s story serves as a reminder that our choices have consequences and that God desires our unwavering commitment to Him. God often uses His Word, prophets, and circumstances to guide us back to the right path, just as Jehu delivered a message of warning and correction to Jehoshaphat. Jehoshaphat’s example encourages us to repent, seek God’s guidance, and realign our lives with His principles and purposes. It is a timeless lesson that underscores the importance of faithfulness, repentance, and obedience in the walk of a believer.
2 Chronicles 19:4-7
King Jehoshaphat of Judah addresses the people in 2 Chronicles 19:4-7 after his alliance with Ahab, the king of Israel, resulted in defeat and rebuke from a prophet of the Lord. The verse reads, “Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem, and he went out again among the people from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim and turned them back to the Lord, the God of their ancestors. He appointed judges in the land, in each of the fortified cities of Judah. Consider carefully what you do, he told them, because you are not judging for mere mortals but for the Lord, who is with you whenever you give a verdict. Now let the fear of the Lord be on you. Judge carefully, for with the Lord our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery.’”
This passage depicts King Jehoshaphat’s efforts to bring the people of Judah back to a proper reverence for God and establish a righteous governance system through the appointment of judges. Despite his earlier mistake in forming an alliance with the wicked King Ahab, Jehoshaphat shows humility and repentance by acknowledging the need for spiritual and judicial reform. He demonstrates his commitment to leading them back to the worship of the God of their ancestors by personally engaging with the people from Beersheba to Ephraim.
The appointment of judges in each fortified city of Judah reflects Jehoshaphat’s desire for fair and just leadership within his kingdom. Jehoshaphat emphasizes the importance of divine justice and accountability in the roles of these judges by stating that they are not just rendering judgments for mere mortals but for the Lord. He cautions them to judge carefully and without bias, reminding them that the fear of the Lord should guide their decisions. This directive aligns with biblical principles that emphasize righteousness, fairness, and integrity in governance and leadership, such as in Deuteronomy 16:18-20 which instructs judges to not pervert justice or show partiality.
Furthermore, Jehoshaphat’s words about the Lord being impartial and just serve as a reminder of God’s character as the ultimate standard of justice. This aligns with passages like Deuteronomy 10:17 which states, “For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe.” Jehoshaphat’s actions and teachings in these verses illustrate the importance of repentance, humility, and a commitment to righteousness in leadership – timeless lessons that remain relevant for leaders in both ancient and modern times.
2 Chronicles 19:8-11
Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, appointed judges in the land as described in 2 Chronicles 19:8-11. Let’s identify the subject: “We.”
“We will break down this verse and delve into its significance in the broader context of the Bible.” Jehoshaphat appointed judges in all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city in verse 8. This act was crucial as it showed Jehoshaphat’s commitment to upholding justice and righteousness in his kingdom. Jehoshaphat aimed to ensure that fair and just decisions were made for the people by appointing judges. This act reflects the importance of having a system of justice in place to maintain order and righteousness in society. It also aligns with biblical principles that emphasize the importance of justice and fair judgment (Deuteronomy 16:18-20). Jehoshaphat commanded the judges to judge not for man but for the Lord in verse 9. This instruction highlights the importance of basing judgments on God’s laws and principles rather than personal biases or preferences. Jehoshaphat emphasized that the judges were to act on behalf of the Lord to ensure that the decisions made were in alignment with God’s will. This directive echoes the biblical teachings that urge believers to seek justice and righteousness in all their actions (Micah 6:8). Jehoshaphat urged the judges in verse 10 to take heed and do their duties diligently, for there was no iniquity, partiality, or bribe-taking allowed before the Lord. This instruction underscores the importance of integrity and righteousness in carrying out one’s duties, especially in positions of authority. The prohibition against iniquity, partiality, and bribery reflects the biblical stance against corruption and injustice. It reminds us that God expects those in positions of power to act with fairness and honesty (Proverbs 16:11).
Lastly, in verse 11, we see the types of cases the judges were appointed to handle: disputes between brethren living in their cities, when a man was accused of shedding blood or committing a law or commandment, or when there were matters of the law or commandment, statutes and judgments. These were significant cases that required wise and fair judgment to uphold justice and maintain order in the community. Jehoshaphat ensured that the judicial system was equipped to handle a wide range of legal matters by addressing these various types of cases, thereby promoting peace and righteousness in the land. 2 Chronicles 19:8-11 illustrates the importance of establishing a just and righteous legal system guided by God’s principles. It serves as a reminder for us to seek justice, act with integrity, and uphold righteousness in all facets of our lives, just as Jehoshaphat did in his kingdom. The appointment of judges and the emphasis on fair judgment highlight the timeless message of the Bible that justice, righteousness, and integrity are foundational to a society’s well-being and prosperity.
After 2 Chronicles 19
The chapter concluded with King Jehoshaphat’s reforms and the establishment of a system of justice throughout the land. He appointed judges and commanded them to judge righteously, not showing partiality or taking bribes. Jehoshaphat reminded the judges that they were not judging for man, but for the Lord, who would be with them in their decisions. Jehoshaphat’s commitment to upholding justice and honoring God’s laws was clear as the chapter drew to a close. However, the road ahead would not be without its challenges. Jehoshaphat’s alliance with the wicked King Ahab would lead to a pivotal moment, testing the king’s faith and the consequences of his choices, in the next chapter. The stage is set for a dramatic turn of events that will reveal the true nature of Jehoshaphat’s heart and his willingness to stand firm in the face of adversity.
Reverend Ogunlade is a seasoned Church Minister with over three decades of experience in guiding and nurturing congregations. With profound wisdom and a serene approach, Reverend Ogunlade has carried out various pastoral duties, including delivering uplifting sermons, conducting religious ceremonies, and offering sage counsel to individuals seeking spiritual guidance. Their commitment to fostering harmony and righteousness within their community is exemplified through their compassionate nature, making them a beloved and trusted figure among the congregation.