Jehoshaphat’s Additional Reforms

19 Then Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned safely to his house in Jerusalem. And Jehu the son of Hanani (A)the seer went out to meet him, and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Should you help the wicked and (B)love those who hate the Lord? Therefore the (C)wrath of the Lord is upon you. Nevertheless (D)good things are found in you, in that you have removed the [a]wooden images from the land, and have (E)prepared your heart to seek God.”

The Reforms of Jehoshaphat

So Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem; and he went out again among the people from Beersheba to the mountains of Ephraim, and brought them back to the Lord God of their (F)fathers. Then he set (G)judges in the land throughout all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city, and said to the judges, “Take heed to what you are doing, for (H)you do not judge for man but for the Lord, (I)who is with you [b]in the judgment. Now therefore, let the fear of the Lord be upon you; take care and do it, for (J)there is no iniquity with the Lord our God, no (K)partiality, nor taking of bribes.”

Moreover in Jerusalem, for the judgment of the Lord and for controversies, Jehoshaphat (L)appointed some of the Levites and priests, and some of the chief fathers of Israel, [c]when they returned to Jerusalem. And he commanded them, saying, “Thus you shall act (M)in the fear of the Lord, faithfully and with a loyal heart: 10 (N)Whatever case comes to you from your brethren who dwell in their cities, whether of bloodshed or offenses against law or commandment, against statutes or ordinances, you shall warn them, lest they trespass against the Lord and (O)wrath come upon (P)you and your brethren. Do this, and you will not be guilty. 11 And take notice: (Q)Amariah the chief priest is over you (R)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 will be officials before you. Behave courageously, and the Lord will be (S)with the good.”

Footnotes

  1. 2 Chronicles 19:3 Or Asherim, Heb. Asheroth
  2. 2 Chronicles 19:6 Lit. in the matter of the judgment
  3. 2 Chronicles 19:8 LXX, Vg. for the inhabitants of Jerusalem

Jehoshaphat's Reforms

19 Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned in safety to his house in Jerusalem. But (A)Jehu the son of (B)Hanani (C)the seer went out to meet him and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Should you (D)help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord? Because of this, (E)wrath has gone out against you from the Lord. Nevertheless, (F)some good is found in you, for (G)you destroyed the Asheroth out of the land, and have (H)set your heart to seek God.”

Jehoshaphat lived at Jerusalem. And he went out again among the people, from Beersheba to (I)the hill country of Ephraim, and brought them back to the Lord, the God of their fathers. He appointed (J)judges in the land in all (K)the fortified cities of Judah, city by city, and said to the judges, “Consider what you do, (L)for you judge not for man but for the Lord. He is with you in giving judgment. Now then, let the fear of the Lord be upon you. Be careful what you do, for (M)there is no injustice with the Lord our God, (N)or partiality or taking bribes.”

Moreover, in Jerusalem Jehoshaphat (O)appointed certain Levites and priests and heads of families of Israel, (P)to give judgment for the Lord and to decide disputed cases. They had their seat at Jerusalem. And he charged them: (Q)“Thus you shall do in the fear of the Lord, in faithfulness, (R)and with your whole heart: 10 (S)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 (T)wrath 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 (U)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. (V)Deal courageously, and may the Lord be with the upright!”[a]

Footnotes

  1. 2 Chronicles 19:11 Hebrew the good

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