1 And Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem.

2 And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the Lord? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the Lord.

3 Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast taken away the groves out of the land, and hast prepared thine heart to seek God.

4 And Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem: and he went out again through the people from Beersheba to mount Ephraim, and brought them back unto the Lord God of their fathers.

5 And he set judges in the land throughout all the fenced cities of Judah, city by city,

6 And said to the judges, Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the Lord, who is with you in the judgment.

7 Wherefore now let the fear of the Lord be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the Lord our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts.

8 Moreover in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites, and of the priests, and of the chief of the fathers of Israel, for the judgment of the Lord, and for controversies, when they returned to Jerusalem.

9 And he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye do in the fear of the Lord, faithfully, and with a perfect heart.

10 And what cause soever shall come to you of your brethren that dwell in your cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and judgments, ye shall even warn them that they trespass not against the Lord, and so wrath come upon you, and upon your brethren: this do, and ye shall not trespass.

11 And, behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of the Lord; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, for all the king's matters: also the Levites shall be officers before you. Deal courageously, and the Lord shall be with the good.

Commentary

Verse 1

McArther Bible Commentary
Having faced possible death that was diverted by God (2Ch 18:31), Jehoshaphat was rebuked because of his alliances. The prophet condemned the king's alliance with God's enemy, Ahab (1Ki 22:2); yet, there was mercy mingled with wrath because of the king's concern personally and nationally for the true worship of God.
Bible Cross References
2 Chronicles 18:34 2 Chronicles 19:2

Verse 2

John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Therefore - Therefore God will chastise thee for this miscarriage. Which he did partly by stirring up the Moabites, and others to invade him, (2 Chronicles 20:1) , partly by permitting his eldest son Jehoram to kill all his brethren, (2 Chronicles 21:4) , and principally by bringing that almost general destruction upon his grand - children by Jehu, (2 Kings 9:27) , (2 Kings 10:13-14) , which was the fruit of his alliance with Ahab.
McArther Bible Commentary
Hanani. This same prophet had earlier given Jehoshaphat's father, Asa, a similar warning (2Ch 16:7-9).
Bible Cross References
1 Kings 16:1 1 Kings 16:12 1 Kings 22:44 2 Chronicles 16:7 2 Chronicles 18:1 2 Chronicles 18:3 2 Chronicles 19:1 2 Chronicles 19:10 2 Chronicles 20:34 2 Chronicles 24:18 2 Chronicles 26:18 Psalm 139:21 Amos 7:14

Verse 3

John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Good things - Good marks proceeding from an honest heart; which God more regards than this particular error: and therefore though he will chasten thee, yet he will not utterly destroy thee.
Bible Cross References
1 Samuel 7:3 1 Kings 14:13 2 Chronicles 12:12 2 Chronicles 12:14 2 Chronicles 17:6 2 Chronicles 20:3 2 Chronicles 20:33 2 Chronicles 30:19

Verse 4

John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Through - Through the whole kingdom, whereof these were the two bounds. And brought - Such of them as had revolted from God to idols, he reclaimed by his counsel and example, and by the instructions of the Levites and priests, whom he carried with him. Many, probably, had revolted to idolatry, when they saw their king so intimate with idolaters. Therefore he thought himself doubly obliged to do all he could to reduce them. If we truly repent of sin, we shall do our utmost to repair the damage we have done to religion, or the souls of others.
McArther Bible Commentary
Jehoshaphat put God's kingdom in greater spiritual order than at any time since Solomon. To insure this order, he set "judges" (2Ch 19:5) in place and gave them principles to rule by: (1) accountability to God (2Ch 19:6); (2) integrity and honesty (2Ch 19:7); (3) loyalty to God (2Ch 19:9); (4) concern for righteousness (2Ch 19:10); and (5) courage (2Ch 19:11). All are essentials of spiritual leadership.
Bible Cross References
Genesis 21:14 2 Chronicles 15:8

Verse 5

Bible Cross References
Matthew 5:21 Matthew 5:22 Exodus 18:21 Deuteronomy 1:17 Deuteronomy 16:18

Verse 6

John Wesley's Bible Commentary
The Lord - You represent God's person to whom judgment belongeth, you have your commission from God, and not from man only; and your administration of justice is not only for man's good, but also for God's honour and service. With you - Both to observe your carriage, and to defend you against all those enemies whom the impartial exercise of justice may provoke.
Bible Cross References
Leviticus 19:15 Deuteronomy 1:17 Psalm 82:1

Verse 7

John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Wherefore - And therefore you who are in God's stead, and do his work, and must give an account to him, must imitate God herein.
Bible Cross References
Acts 10:34 Romans 9:14 Genesis 18:25 Deuteronomy 10:17 Deuteronomy 10:18 Deuteronomy 32:4 2 Samuel 23:3 Job 8:3 Job 34:19

Verse 8

John Wesley's Bible Commentary
The fathers - Persons of other tribes eminent for their dignity, ability and integrity. But whether these persons made up one court, called the Sanhedrim, by which all causes ecclesiastical and civil were decided; or there were two distinct courts, the one ecclesiastical, consisting of the priests and Levites; the other civil, consisting of the chief of the fathers of Israel, it is not easy to determine. The Lord - For matters concerning the laws and worship, of God. Controversies - For matters of difference between man and man. When - When Jehoshaphat and his company were returned to Jerusalem, he made this order concerning establishing judges there.
Bible Cross References
2 Chronicles 17:8 2 Chronicles 17:9 2 Chronicles 19:9 2 Chronicles 19:11 Psalm 122:5 Ezekiel 44:24

Verse 9

Bible Cross References
2 Samuel 23:3 2 Chronicles 19:8 2 Chronicles 19:10

Verse 10

John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Blood - This refers to (Deuteronomy 17:8) , between the blood of the person slain, and the blood of the man - slayer. All the cities of refuge, except Hebron, now belonged to the kingdom of Israel, so that the man - slayer now usually fled to the courts of the temple, or the horns of the altar. And therefore the trial of these, was reserved for the court at Jerusalem. Law, &c. - When any debates shall arise about the meaning of any of God's laws. Warn - Ye shall not only give a righteous sentence for what is past, but ye shall admonish the offender, and others, to take better heed for the future.
Bible Cross References
Deuteronomy 17:8 2 Chronicles 19:2 2 Chronicles 19:9 Ezekiel 3:17

Verse 11

John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Over you - Shall be your president. Matters of the Lord - In Spiritual, or ecclesiastical matters. Ruler - The prince, or chief ruler, under the king, of the tribe of Judah. The king's matters - For civil causes, or controversies either between the king and his people; or between subject and subject, which may be called the king's matters, because it was a principal part of his office to see them justly decided. The Levites - Shall be at your command to see your just sentences executed; which work was fitly committed to the Levites, as persons who might add their instructions to the corrections, and might work the guilty to an acknowledgement of their fault and a submission to their punishment. The Lord - Shall protect and bless good judges.
Bible Cross References
1 Chronicles 26:32 1 Chronicles 28:20 2 Chronicles 19:8