# 2 Chronicles 19 📖: Jehoshaphat Appoints Judges
[[📚 Explore the Bible Books]]
[[-2 Chronicles Overview]] | [[2 Chronicles 18]] | [[2 Chronicles 20]]
> [!info] Table of Contents
> [[#📜 Scripture Text (NET)]]
> [[#📖 Verse-by-Verse Commentary]]
> [[#🤔 Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights]]
> [[#🧠 Chapter Summary]]
> [[#✝️ Christ in This Chapter]]
> [[#🔎 Key Principles / 🛟 Life Application]]
> [[#💬 Discussion Questions]]
> [[#✍️ Key Verses to Remember]]
> [[#🔗 Related Passages/Cross Reference]]
> [[#🙏 Devotional Reflection]]
> [[#📂 Internal Notes]]
## 📜 Scripture Text (NET)
(The NET Bible: New English Translation. Biblical Studies Press, 2005)
[[#Verse 01.]] When King Jehoshaphat of Judah returned home safely to Jerusalem,
[[#Verse 02.]] the prophet Jehu son of Hanani confronted him; he said to King Jehoshaphat, “Is it right to help the wicked and be an ally of those who oppose the Lord? Because you have done this, the Lord is angry with you!
[[#Verse 03.]] Nevertheless you have done some good things; you removed the Asherah poles from the land and you were determined to follow God.”
### Jehoshaphat Appoints Judges
[[#Verse 04.]] Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem. He went out among the people from Beer Sheba to the hill country of Ephraim and encouraged them to follow the Lord God of their ancestors.
[[#Verse 05.]] He appointed judges throughout the land and in each of the fortified cities of Judah.
[[#Verse 06.]] He told the judges, “Be careful what you do, for you are not judging for men, but for the Lord, who will be with you when you make judicial decisions.
[[#Verse 07.]] Respect the Lord and make careful decisions, for the Lord our God disapproves of injustice, partiality, and bribery.”
[[#Verse 08.]] In Jerusalem Jehoshaphat appointed some Levites, priests, and Israelite family leaders to judge on behalf of the Lord and to settle disputes among the residents of Jerusalem.
[[#Verse 09.]] He commanded them: “Carry out your duties with respect for the Lord, with honesty, and with pure motives.
[[#Verse 10.]] Whenever your countrymen who live in the cities bring a case before you (whether it involves a violent crime or other matters related to the law, commandments, rules, and regulations), warn them that they must not sin against the Lord. If you fail to do so, God will be angry with you and your colleagues, but if you obey, you will be free of guilt.
[[#Verse 11.]] Take note, Amariah the chief priest will oversee you in every matter pertaining to the Lord and Zebadiah son of Ishmael, the leader of the family of Judah, in every matter pertaining to the king. The Levites will serve as officials before you. Act courageously, and may the Lord be with those who do well!”
## 📖 Verse-by-Verse Commentary
###### Overall.
###### Verse 01.
###### Verse 02.
###### Verse 03.
###### Verse 04.
###### Verse 05.
###### Verse 06.
###### Verse 07.
###### Verse 08.
###### Verse 09.
###### Verse 10.
###### Verse 11.
## 🤔 Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights
1. Jehoshaphat's name means "the Lord judges," a fitting name for a king who reformed Judah's courts.
2. The account of Jehoshaphat's judicial reform is found only in Chronicles and has no parallel in Kings.
3. Jehu son of Hanani was the son of the seer who rebuked Jehoshaphat's father Asa (16:7).
4. This same prophet Jehu had earlier announced judgment on Baasha king of Israel (1 Kings 16:1-4).
5. Jehu's rebuke came right after Jehoshaphat's alliance with Ahab at Ramoth Gilead (chapter 18).
6. Jehoshaphat personally traveled from Beersheba in the south to the hill country of Ephraim in the north to turn people back to the Lord (19:4).
7. Appointing judges in every fortified city follows the command in Deuteronomy 16:18-20.
8. The central court in Jerusalem reflects Deuteronomy 17:8-13, which sends hard cases to the priests and the judge at the place the Lord chooses.
9. Amariah the chief priest oversaw religious matters while Zebadiah oversaw the king's matters (19:11), an early separation of spiritual and civil cases.
10. The warning against bribes echoes Exodus 23:8, which says a bribe blinds those who see.
## 🧠 Chapter Summary
> [!note] 🌱 Still growing. This section is on its way.
## ✝️ Christ in This Chapter
Christ is the righteous Judge to whom the Father has entrusted all judgment (John 5:22). Jehoshaphat told his judges that God shows no partiality and takes no bribes (19:7), and Jesus judges with perfect justice (Isaiah 11:3-4).
## 🔎 Key Principles / 🛟 Life Application
> [!note] 🌱 Still growing. This section is on its way.
## 💬 Discussion Questions
1. Jehu rebuked Jehoshaphat for helping the wicked, yet also named the good in him (19:2-3). What does this teach about how God corrects His people?
2. Jehoshaphat reminded the judges that they were judging for the Lord, not for people (19:6). How would remembering that change the way you lead or make decisions?
3. The king told his leaders to serve faithfully and wholeheartedly in the fear of the Lord (19:9). Where is God calling you to serve with that kind of integrity?
## ✍️ Key Verses to Remember
- 📖 verse 2: Jehu asks whether Jehoshaphat should help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord.
- 📖 verses 6-7: Judges serve on behalf of the Lord, who shows no injustice, partiality, or bribery.
- 📖 verse 11: Act with courage, and may the Lord be with those who do what is right.
## 🔗 Related Passages/Cross Reference
- 🔗 [[Deuteronomy 16#Verse 18.|Deuteronomy 16:18-20]] - Appoint judges who judge fairly and refuse bribes.
- 🔗 [[Exodus 18#Verse 21.|Exodus 18:21-22]] - Jethro advises Moses to appoint capable, God-fearing judges.
- 🔗 [[John 05#Verse 22.|John 5:22]] - The Father has given all judgment to the Son.
- 🔗 [[James 02#Verse 01.|James 2:1]] - Do not show favoritism.
- 🔗 [[2 Corinthians 06#Verse 14.|2 Corinthians 6:14]] - Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers.
## 🙏 Devotional Reflection
📝 SOAP: [[2 Chronicles 19 - SOAP|3 Keys to Success In Anything You Are Appointed to Do]]
## 📂 Internal Notes