Jehu Rebukes Jehoshaphat

19 Then Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned in safety to his house in Jerusalem. (A)And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him and said to King Jehoshaphat, “(B)Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord, and [a](C)by doing so bring wrath on yourself from the Lord? But [b](D)there is some good in you, for (E)you have removed the [c]Asheroth from the land and you (F)have set your heart to seek God.”

So Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem and went out again among the people from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim, and (G)brought them back to the Lord, the God of their fathers.

Reforms Instituted

He appointed (H)judges in the land in all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city. He said to the judges, “Consider what you are doing, for (I)you do not judge for mankind but for the Lord who is with you [d]when you render judgment. Now then, let the fear of the Lord be upon you; be careful [e]about what you do, for [f]the Lord our God will (J)have no part in injustice (K)or partiality, or in the taking of a bribe.”

In Jerusalem Jehoshaphat also appointed some (L)of the Levites and priests, and some of the heads of the fathers’ households of Israel, for the judgment of the Lord, and [g]to judge disputes among the inhabitants of Jerusalem. Then he commanded them, saying, “This is what you shall do in the fear of the Lord, faithfully and wholeheartedly. 10 (M)Whenever any dispute comes to you from your countrymen who live in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and ordinances, you shall warn them so that they will not be guilty before the Lord, and (N)wrath will not come on you and your countrymen. This you shall do and you will not be guilty. 11 Behold, Amariah the chief priest will be over you in (O)every matter [h]that pertains to the Lord, and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, in all that pertains to the king. Also the Levites shall be officers before you. [i](P)Act resolutely, and may the Lord be with the upright.”

Footnotes

  1. 2 Chronicles 19:2 Lit by this
  2. 2 Chronicles 19:3 Lit good things are found
  3. 2 Chronicles 19:3 I.e., wooden symbols of a female deity
  4. 2 Chronicles 19:6 Lit in the word of judgment
  5. 2 Chronicles 19:7 Lit and do
  6. 2 Chronicles 19:7 Lit it is not with the Lord our God
  7. 2 Chronicles 19:8 As in ancient versions; MT for the dispute. And they returned to Jerusalem; or And they lived in Jerusalem
  8. 2 Chronicles 19:11 Lit of
  9. 2 Chronicles 19:11 Lit Be strong and do

19 When Jehoshaphat king of Judah returned safely to his palace in Jerusalem, Jehu(A) the seer, the son of Hanani, went out to meet him and said to the king, “Should you help the wicked(B) and love[a] those who hate the Lord?(C) Because of this, the wrath(D) of the Lord is on you. There is, however, some good(E) in you, for you have rid the land of the Asherah poles(F) and have set your heart on seeking God.(G)

Jehoshaphat Appoints Judges

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(H) in the land, in each of the fortified cities of Judah. He told them, “Consider carefully what you do,(I) because you are not judging for mere mortals(J) 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(K) or partiality(L) or bribery.”

In Jerusalem also, Jehoshaphat appointed some of the Levites,(M) priests(N) and heads of Israelite families to administer(O) the law of the Lord and to settle disputes. And they lived in Jerusalem. He gave them these orders: “You must serve faithfully and wholeheartedly in the fear of the Lord. 10 In every case that comes before you from your people who live in the cities—whether bloodshed or other concerns of the law, commands, decrees or regulations—you are to warn them not to sin against the Lord;(P) otherwise his wrath will come on you and your people. Do this, and you will not sin.

11 “Amariah the chief priest will be over you in any matter concerning the Lord, and Zebadiah son of Ishmael, the leader of the tribe of Judah, will be over you in any matter concerning the king, and the Levites will serve as officials before you. Act with courage,(Q) and may the Lord be with those who do well.”

Footnotes

  1. 2 Chronicles 19:2 Or and make alliances with