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Jehoshaphat lived at Jerusalem; and he went out again among the people from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim, and brought them back to Yahweh, the God of their fathers. He set judges in the land throughout all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city, and said to the judges, “Consider what you do, for you don’t judge for man, but for Yahweh; and he is with you in the judgment. Now therefore let the fear of Yahweh be on you. Take heed and do it; for there is no iniquity with Yahweh our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of bribes.”

Moreover in Jerusalem Jehoshaphat appointed Levites and priests, and of the heads of the fathers’ households of Israel, for the judgment of Yahweh, and for controversies. They returned to Jerusalem. He commanded them, saying, “You shall do this in the fear of Yahweh, faithfully, and with a perfect heart. 10 Whenever any controversy comes to you from your brothers who dwell in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and ordinances, you must warn them, that they not be guilty toward Yahweh, and so wrath come on you and on your brothers. Do this, and you will not be guilty. 11 Behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of Yahweh; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, in all the king’s matters. Also the Levites shall be officers before you. Deal courageously, and may Yahweh be with the good.”

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Judges are Appointed

Jehoshaphat continued to live in Jerusalem, but he travelled again throughout the people from Beer-sheba to Mount Ephraim, bringing them back to the Lord God of their ancestors and appointing judges throughout the land in all of the walled cities of Judah, city by city. He issued this reminder to the judges:

“Pay careful attention to your duties, because you are judging not only for the sake of human beings but also for the Lord —and he is present with you as you make your rulings. So let the fear of the Lord rest upon you, be on your guard, and act carefully, because with the Lord our God there is neither injustice, nor partiality, nor bribery.”

In Jerusalem, Jehoshaphat also appointed certain descendants of Levi, priests, and family leaders of Israel to render verdicts for the Lord and to decide difficult cases. Their offices were in Jerusalem. He issued this reminder to them:

“You are to carry out your duties in the fear of the Lord, serving him[a] faithfully[b] with your whole heart. 10 No matter what case comes before you from your fellow citizens who live in their own cities, whether it’s a dispute between blood relatives[c] or a dispute regarding the Law and the commands, statutes, or verdicts, you are to warn the parties[d] so that they do not become guilty in the Lord’s presence and so that anger does not come upon you and your fellow citizens. 11 Take notice, please, that Amariah the Chief Priest is presiding over all cases[e] that pertain to the Lord, Ishmael’s son Zebadiah is presiding as ruler of the household of Judah with respect to all cases that pertain to the national government,[f] and the descendants of Levi will preside over your other civil cases.[g] Serve courageously, and the Lord will be with the upright.”

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Chronicles 19:9 The Heb. lacks serving him
  2. 2 Chronicles 19:9 Or truthfully
  3. 2 Chronicles 19:10 Lit. blood and blood
  4. 2 Chronicles 19:10 Lit. warn them
  5. 2 Chronicles 19:11 Lit. is over you in all things
  6. 2 Chronicles 19:11 Lit. the king’s matters
  7. 2 Chronicles 19:11 Lit. over you