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 And Yehoshaphat Melech Yehudah returned to his Bais (Palace) in shalom in Yerushalayim.

And Yehu ben Chanani HaChozer (the Seer) went out to meet him, and said to HaMelech Yehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the rasha, and love them that hate Hashem? Therefore ketzef (wrath) is upon thee from before Hashem.

Nevertheless there are devarim tovim (good things) found in thee, in that thou hast removed HaAsherot from HaAretz, and hast prepared thine lev to seek HaElohim.

And Yehoshaphat dwelt in Yerushalayim; and he went out again among HaAm from Beer Sheva to Mt Ephrayim, and he turned them back unto Hashem Elohei Avoteihem.

And he appointed Shofetim in HaAretz throughout all the fortified cities of Yehudah, city by city,

And said to the Shofetim, Take heed what ye do, for ye judge not for adam, but for Hashem, Who is with you in the devar mishpat (verdict).

Wherefore now let the Pachad Hashem be upon you; be shomer and do it, for there is no avlah (injustice) with Hashem Eloheinu, nor massa panim (respect of persons), nor mikkach shochad (taking of bribes).

Moreover in Yerushalayim did Yehoshaphat station Levi’im, and Kohanim, and Rashei HaAvot Yisroel, for the Mishpat Hashem, and for riv (disputes), and they returned to Yerushalayim.

And he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye do in the yirat Hashem, be’emunah and with a levav shalem.

10 And what riv soever shall come before you of your achim that dwell in your cities, between dahm and dahm, between torah and mitzvah, chukkot and mishpatim, ye shall even warn them that they trespass not against Hashem, and so ketzef (wrath) come upon you, and upon your achim; this do, and ye shall not trespass.

11 And, hinei, Amaryahu Kohen HaRosh is over you in all matters of Hashem; and Zevadyahu ben Yishmael, the Nagid of the Bais Yehudah, for all the matters of HaMelech; also the Levi’im shall be shoterim (officers) before you. Deal courageously, and Hashem be with hatov.