2 Chronicles 19

2 Chronicles 19:1-4

We have here, 2. ‘Jehoshaphat’s return in peace to Jerusalem, ver. 1. 2. The reproof given him for his league with Ahab, ver. 2, 3. 3. The great news he took thereupon to reform his kingdom, ver. 4. 4. The instructions he gave to his judges, ver. 5—11. Vol. I. 40

1. AND Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem. 2. And Jehu the son of Hanani the fear went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldst thou? help the un godly, 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 Beerhbeba to mount Ephraim, and brought them back unto the LORD God of their fathers.

Imminent was the danger Jehoshaphat had escaped, yet through mercy he arrives at his house in peace, whilst Ahab was left dead at Samaria. Nate, Providential escapes from danger deserve to be deeply and gratefully remembered. But the God suffered him not to fall in battle, he goes not without a just rebuke for his folly.

1. Jehu the son of Hanani is sent, nor fears to deliver his message, though his father’s sufferings, chap. xvi. 10. admonished him of his danger. He expounded with him on the evil of his conduct; Ought such a man as he to help an idolater and persecutor? or join an affinity and friendship with such a haier of God as Ahab? He threatens him therefore with the disfeasance of God. War was his choice, and war he should have; and that Jehoram, whom he had matched so wickedly, prove a deadly courage to his family. But as there were good things found in him, and his heart was found with God, he is not finally cast off, or rejected. Nate, (1.) We must never make those our friends, who are the enemies of God. (2.) Every disobedient sinner is at bottom a hater of God. (3.) God’s wrath respecting the eternal consequences of his may be removed, when, for our correction, our present sufferings may be grievous. (4.) God is not unrighteous to forget the works of faith, and labours of love.

2. The rebuke was received with silence, and the effect of it gracious. He no more visited his idolatrous neighbours, but staid at home to mind his own concerns: and as he had been told by the prophet, God approved of what he had done for the reformation of the people, he sought to carry it still on by a prophets through his dominions, to engage them to seek the God of their fathers, and to bring back those who had departed from him, perhaps emboldened by seeing his connections with Ahab. Nate, (1.) A good man esteems rebuke the most friendly office. (2.) When we have, though undelignably, encouraged others to do evil, we cannot but be holicky to recover them from the error of their ways. (3.) The commendations of good men should quicken us to greater zeal and diligence in the cause of God.

3. ¶ 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 where 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 of the Lord come to you of your brethren that dwell in their 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 Zebaiah 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.

2 Chronicles 19:5-11

To preserve the people in the careful observance of the divine ordinances, and to provide for the equitable administration of justice.

1. Jehoshaphat placed judges in every city, with a solemn charge, to take heed to the diligent discharge of their office, with all circumspection and impartiality; and especially to have the fear of God upon their minds, the great preservation from all injustice. And this he urges, because they acted as God’s

Before Christ Aph.

represents; would be directed by him, if they looked up to him, or be detected if they judged iniquitously: and as no bible, or respect of persons, found place before him, they must show no favour, nor receive gifts. Note, The impartial distribution of justice is among the greatest blefings a nation can enjoy.

2. He established a supreme court of judicature at Jerusalem, on his return from the progress he had made. It consisted of priests and Levites, as most skilled in the law; and the chief fathers, those most distinguished for their stature, men of age and experience, with inferior officers, who saw the sentence executed, v. 11. under the high-priest, as president in ecclesiastical courts, and Zehadiah in the matters of civil government. To this court all cases of murder or manslaughter were referred, and appeals made from the inferior judges in difficult cases of controversy, where the law seemed dubious. Jehoshaphat enjoins them to act faithfully and conscientiously, as men fearing God, and judging righteously. They must warn the people of the great evil of sin in general; of the danger of false witches, and of stubborn disobedience against the law; and, undisturbed by any man’s greatness, impartially administer justice; that so they might deliver their own fouls, and not trespass against God: the issue of which upright conduct would be God’s blessing upon them. Note, (1.) Ability and integrity are essential qualities of a good judge. (2.) Magistrates are chargeable with the crimes they connive at, or neglect to punish. (3.) They who have courage to act for God, will find his supports and blessing carrying them through every danger.