2 Chronicles 19

Jehoshaphat’s Reforms

1 Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned in safety to his house in Jerusalem. 2 But *ch. 20:34;1 Kgs. 16:1Jehu the son of *ch. 16:7Hanani *See 1 Sam. 9:9the seer went out to meet him and said to King Jehoshaphat, "Should you *[ch. 18:1;20:37;Ps. 139:21] help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord? Because of this, *ver. 10;ch. 24:18;32:25wrath has gone out against you from the Lord. 3 Nevertheless, *ch. 12:12;1 Kgs. 14:13some good is found in you, for *ch. 17:6you destroyed the Asheroth out of the land, and have *ch. 30:19;Ezra 7:10set your heart to seek God."

4 Jehoshaphat lived at Jerusalem. And he went out again among the people, from Beersheba to *See Josh. 24:33the hill country of Ephraim, and brought them back to the Lord, the God of their fathers. 5 He appointed *[Deut. 16:18] judges in the land in all *See ch. 11:5the fortified cities of Judah, city by city, 6 and said to the judges, "Consider what you do, *Deut. 1:17for 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 *Deut. 32:4;Job 8:3;34:10;[Gen. 18:25;Rom. 9:14] there is no injustice with the Lord our God, *See Deut. 10:17or partiality or taking bribes."

8 Moreover, in Jerusalem Jehoshaphat *ch. 17:8,9appointed certain Levites and priests and heads of families of Israel, *[See ver. 6above]to give judgment for the Lord and to decide disputed cases. They had their seat at Jerusalem. 9 And he charged them: *2 Sam. 23:3"Thus you shall do in the fear of the Lord, in faithfulness, *1 Kgs. 8:61and with your whole heart: 10 *See Deut. 17:8whenever 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 *ver. 2wrath may not come upon you and your brothers. Thus you shall do, and you will not incur guilt. 11 And behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you *1 Chr. 26:30,32in 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. *1 Chr. 28:10;[Ezra 10:4]Deal courageously, and may the Lord be with the upright!"*19:11 Hebrew the good