INTRODUCTION TO 2 CHRONICLES 19 Jehoshaphat returning from the battle at Ramothgilead, was met by a prophet, who reproved him for helping the ungodly, 2 Chronicles 19:1, which quickened him to a greater regard for the reformation of his kingdom, 2 Chronicles 19:4, and he set judges in all the cities of Judah, and exhorted them to do justice, 2...
And Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned,.... From Ramothgilead, after Ahab was slain: to his house in peace in Jerusalem; to his palace there in safety, having narrowly escaped losing his life in the battle.
We have here a further account of the good reign of Jehoshaphat, I. His return in peace to Jerusalem, ver. 1. II. The reproof given him for his league with Ahab, and his acting in conjunction with him, ver. 2, 3. III. The great care he took thereupon to reform his kingdom, ver. 4. IV. The instructions he gave to his judges, both those in the...
And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer,.... The son of him that reproved Asa, for which he put him in prison, 2 Chronicles 17:7, but that did not deter this his son from reproving Jehoshaphat: went out to meet him; as he was returning: and said to King Jehoshaphat, shouldest thou help the ungodly; such an one as Ahab, an idolater, murderer, and...
Nevertheless, there are good things found in thee,.... Principles of grace, righteousness, and holiness, faith, love, zeal, and other graces, true and genuine, from whence sprung many good works done by him: in that thou hast taken away the groves out of the land; cut down the groves of trees, and destroyed the idols and images in them: and hast...
And Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem,.... And went out no more to Samaria, nor concerned himself about the affairs of Israel, but attended to his own: and he went out again through the people; took a tour throughout his dominions now, in his own person, as before by his princes, with the priests and Levites: from Beersheba to Mount Ephraim;...
And he set judges in the land throughout all the fenced cities of Judah, city by city,.... Inferior judges in lesser courts of judicature than that at Jerusalem, and that in every city, that judgment and justice might be executed everywhere; such were appointed by David, but had been neglected, and now restored, see 1 Chronicles 26:29.
And said to the judges, take heed what you do,.... In judgment, that they judged righteous judgment according to the law of God, without partiality and respect of persons: for ye judge not for man, but for the Lord; not for man only, but for the Lord; and not so much for man as for the Lord, whom they represented in judgment; whose law was the...
Wherefore now let the fear of the Lord be upon you,.... And act as having that before your eyes, and on your hearts: take heed and do it; do the commands enjoined them by him, and do judgment according to the law of God: for there is no iniquity with the Lord our God; none in his nature, nor in his law; none commanded nor approved of by him, and...
Moreover, in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites, and of the priests, and of the chief of the fathers of Israel,.... This was the great court of judicature, consisting of princes, priests, and Levites, of ecclesiastics and political persons; for causes of both sorts were brought thither: for the judgment of the Lord; in things sacred,...
And he charged them,.... The members of the court at Jerusalem: saying, thus shall ye do in the fear of the Lord, faithfully, and with a perfect heart; judge righteously and impartially, as men fearing God, true to the trust reposed in them, and sincere and upright in heart and actions, having nothing else in view but the glory of God, and the...
And what cause soever shall come unto you of your brethren that dwell in their cities,.... Whether sacred or civil, that should come before them by way of appeal from, inferior courts in the country, where they could not be determined: between blood and blood; one relation and another, or with respect to shedding of blood, whether ignorantly or...
And, behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of the Lord,.... He being high priest, presided in this court in all things sacred, or which respected the worship of God; and was present to give his advice, and direct in the determination of all such matters that should come before them, according to the laws and statutes provided...