The Second Book of the Chronicles
2 Chronicles 19
Chapter XIX · Vol. II, p. 866
1 Jehoshaphat, on his return, is reproved by Jehu. 4 He visiteth his kingdom. 5 His instructions to the judges, 8 to the priests and Levites.
1 And Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem.
2 And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the LORD.1
A.M. 3107. B.C. 897.
1 Should not this be a warning to nations that professing to be Christian, yet waste their treasure and expose the lives of their armies for defence and upholding of antichristian systems? The balance of power, for sake of which this course is followed, is but another name for an idol which politicians worship, to the neglect of the honour and worship of God.—C.
3 Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast taken away the 2groves out of the land, and hast prepared thine heart to seek God.
2 'The groves,' rather the 'images of Astarte,' which the Israelites in imitation of the Canaanites had set up in every part of the land as tutelary deities.—P.
4 And Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem: and he went out again through the people, from Beer-sheba to mount Ephraim,3 and brought them back unto the LORD God of their fathers.
3 Mount Ephraim, since the revolt of the ten tribes under Jeroboam, had become the northern boundary of the kingdom of David or Judah.—C.
5 And he set judges4 in the land, throughout all the fenced cities of Judah, city by city;
4 Judges appointed by and accountable to the government, or occasional national assemblies, superseding either customary or hereditary jurisdictions, and the still more dangerous power of local parties, and temporary interests and impulses.—C.
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.5
5 That is, with you, if you seek him in faith and humility, and with you to see your actings and motives, and to hold you responsible, whether you acknowledge and seek him or not.—C.
7 Wherefore now let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts.6
6 It is always important in the reading and study of Scripture, that we compare and contrast ancient and modern things of the same kind. Viewed in this light, what Christian land can furnish such a royal speech—such a royal commission or charge?—C.
8 Moreover, in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites, and of the priests, and of the chief of the fathers of Israel, afor the judgment of the LORD, and for controversies, when they returned to Jerusalem.
a ver.11. Ac.6.12,15. 1 Ch.26.30. ch.17.8.
9 And he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye do bin the fear of the LORD, faithfully, and with a perfect heart.
10 And what cause soever shall come to you of your brethren that dwell in their cities, between blood and blood,7 between law and commandment, statutes and judgments,8 ye shall even warn them that they trespass not against the LORD, and so cwrath come upon you, and upon your brethren: this do, and ye shall not trespass.
7 Blood and blood, injuries endangering or taking away life, in which, when the blood of one was shed, a demand was made for the blood of the guilty.—C.
8 'Between law and commandment, statutes and judgments,' that is, if there be any dispute as to the interpretation of the written law, or as to the bearing of a statute upon any particular case, then these skilled and commissioned lawyers were to judge and decide. They were to constitute a court of appeal for the review and decisions of all questions of delicacy and difficulty. The political and ecclesiastical arrangements of Jehoshaphat were made with consummate wisdom, and inspired by a noble desire to promote at once the best interests of the kingdom and the glory of God.—P.
c Nu.16.46. Is.3.11. Ro.2.8,9. Jos.22.20. Eze.3.18. Ho.5.11.
11 And, behold, dAmariah the chief priest is over you in all ematters 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 shall be officers before you. fDeal courageously, and the LORD shall be with the good.
e 1 Ch.26.30. ver.8.
f Heb. take courage and do, Jos.1.6,9. 1 Ch.22.11,16,19. 1 Co.16.13. 2 Ti.2.1. Ep.6.10.
Notes
[Ver. 8. Judgment of the Lord, such cases as are specified in Ex. 21. 1; xxii. xxiii. Controversies, that is, for the decision of controversies according to the principles of judgment contained in the law. (See De. 17. 8, 9, 11.) When they returned, that is, when Jehoshaphat and the princes returned from the royal progress or visitation, ver. 4. C.]
Reflections.—God often deals better with his people than they deserve; and brings them home in safety, when their apparently less endangered companions are sent into death and damnation! But they must expect, if entering into friendship with the haters of God, that it will expose them to manifold sufferings on earth, though not to hell. It is an honour when sufferings cannot discourage ministers or their children from faithfully reproving the greatest; and it is a great mercy for an offender to meet soon with a faithful reprover: and no less wise to receive sharp reproofs as a singular kindness; and to improve them, and the just commendation mingled with them, in a speedy returning to the Lord, and an activity in his service. What a blessing to a nation is it to have proper courts of judicature everywhere established, and causes decided with the strictest impartiality! And great ability and integrity are necessary to qualify judges in either church or state, as they have to answer to God for all the crimes they connive at or overlook. Yea, it is needful to keep the affairs of church and state duly disengaged the one from the other. And to render judges upright in their administration, they ought to consider God as their pattern, witness, and rewarder; and his glory as the end of their work.