2 Chronicles 19 Study Notes: Jehoshaphat Rebuked and Judges Appointed
The seer Jehu rebukes Jehoshaphat for helping Ahab, yet says some good is still found in him. Jehoshaphat calls the people back to God and appoints judges in Judah’s cities and Jerusalem, charging them to judge for God with honesty, impartiality and reverence.
General
True or False: Along with his rebuke, Jehu told Jehoshaphat that some good was found in him, because he had cleared away the Asherah poles and was determined to seek God.
Answer: True
This is true. After rebuking Jehoshaphat, Jehu added that some good was still found in him: he had cleared away the Asherah poles, wooden objects honoring a Canaanite goddess, and was resolved to seek God (19:3). This points back to his earlier reforms (17:6). God’s rebuke was real, but it did not erase the genuine faith He had worked in the king. God is fair and does not forget His people’s faithful work (Hebrews 6:10), and He does not treat His people as their sins deserve (Psalm 103:10).
- 2 Chronicles 19:3 (BSB)“However, some good is found in you, for you have removed the Asherah poles from the land and have set your heart on seeking God.””Jehu adds that good is found in Jehoshaphat: he removed the Asherah poles and set his heart on seeking God.
- 2 Chronicles 17:6 (BSB)“And his heart took delight in the ways of the LORD; furthermore, he removed the high places and Asherah poles from Judah.”Jehoshaphat’s earlier removal of the high places and Asherah poles is the good Jehu recognizes.
- Hebrews 6:10 (BSB)“For God is not unjust. He will not forget your work and the love you have shown for His name as you have ministered to the saints and continue to do so.”God is not unjust; He does not forget the work and love His people have shown.
- Psalm 103:10 (BSB)“He has not dealt with us according to our sins or repaid us according to our iniquities.”The LORD does not deal with His people as their sins deserve.
Theological
True or False: Jehu’s rebuke was tempered by the statement that good was found in Jehoshaphat, who had cleared away the Asherah poles and determined to seek God (2 Chronicles 19:3).
Answer: True
This is true. Jehu balanced his rebuke by declaring that good was found in Jehoshaphat, since he had cleared away the Asherah poles and was resolved to seek God (19:3), recalling the reforms of 17:6. The LORD’s discipline of a genuine believer does not cancel the fruit of grace in him: God does not unjustly forget His people’s work and love (Hebrews 6:10), and He does not deal with them according to their sins (Psalm 103:10). Jehoshaphat’s failure was serious, yet his heart’s settled orientation toward God remained.
- 2 Chronicles 19:3 (BSB)“However, some good is found in you, for you have removed the Asherah poles from the land and have set your heart on seeking God.””Jehu adds that good is found in Jehoshaphat: he removed the Asherah poles and set his heart on seeking God.
- 2 Chronicles 17:6 (BSB)“And his heart took delight in the ways of the LORD; furthermore, he removed the high places and Asherah poles from Judah.”Jehoshaphat’s earlier removal of the high places and Asherah poles is the good Jehu recognizes.
- Hebrews 6:10 (BSB)“For God is not unjust. He will not forget your work and the love you have shown for His name as you have ministered to the saints and continue to do so.”God is not unjust; He does not forget the work and love His people have shown.
- Psalm 103:10 (BSB)“He has not dealt with us according to our sins or repaid us according to our iniquities.”The LORD does not deal with His people as their sins deserve.
General
When Jehoshaphat returned safely to Jerusalem, why did the seer Jehu son of Hanani rebuke him (19:1-2)?
Answer: For aiding evil men and loving the LORD’s enemies
Jehoshaphat came home safely, but Jehu son of Hanani, a seer (another word for a prophet who receives visions from God), met him with a rebuke (19:1-2). He asked whether it was right to aid evil men and love the LORD’s enemies, pointing to the alliance with Ahab, and said that for this reason God’s anger rested on him (19:2). Jehoshaphat’s safe return was God’s mercy, not God’s approval. Scripture warns God’s people against binding themselves in partnership with those who oppose Him (2 Corinthians 6:14), for befriending the world sets a person against God (James 4:4).
- 2 Chronicles 19:1-2 (BSB)“When Jehoshaphat king of Judah had returned safely to his home in Jerusalem, Jehu son of Hanani the seer went out to confront him and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Because of this, the wrath of the LORD is upon you.”On Jehoshaphat’s safe return, Jehu son of Hanani rebukes him for helping the wicked and announces the LORD’s wrath.
- 2 Corinthians 6:14 (BSB)“Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?”Paul warns believers not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers.
- James 4:4 (BSB)“You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God.”Friendship with the world is hostility toward God.
Theological
On what grounds did the seer Jehu son of Hanani rebuke Jehoshaphat after his return (2 Chronicles 19:1-2)?
Answer: For aiding evil men and loving the LORD’s enemies
Though the LORD had preserved Jehoshaphat in battle and brought him home safely, the seer Jehu son of Hanani confronted him for aiding evil men and loving the LORD’s enemies, declaring that divine wrath rested on him because of it (19:1-2). Deliverance had been an act of mercy, not an endorsement of the alliance. The prophetic word aligns with Paul’s prohibition of binding oneself in partnership with unbelievers (2 Corinthians 6:14), and James’ warning that befriending the world is enmity with God (James 4:4).
- 2 Chronicles 19:1-2 (BSB)“When Jehoshaphat king of Judah had returned safely to his home in Jerusalem, Jehu son of Hanani the seer went out to confront him and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Because of this, the wrath of the LORD is upon you.”On Jehoshaphat’s safe return, Jehu son of Hanani rebukes him for helping the wicked and announces the LORD’s wrath.
- 2 Corinthians 6:14 (BSB)“Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?”Paul warns believers not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers.
- James 4:4 (BSB)“You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God.”Friendship with the world is hostility toward God.
General
What charge did Jehoshaphat give the court of Levites, priests and family heads he set up in Jerusalem (19:8-11)?
Answer: Serve with loyal, undivided hearts in awe of God, and warn their brothers
Jehoshaphat appointed Levites, priests and family leaders in Jerusalem to judge on the LORD’s behalf and decide disputes (19:8). He commanded them to serve loyally and with their whole heart, in awe of the LORD (19:9). In every case brought to them, they were to warn the people so they would not become guilty before God and His anger would not fall on the judges and their brothers (19:10). The chief priest Amariah would oversee religious matters and Zebadiah, the leader of Judah’s tribe, the king’s affairs, and Jehoshaphat closed by urging them to act with courage and praying for God’s presence with those who do right (19:11). This echoes the God-fearing judges chosen in Moses’ day (Exodus 18:21) and God’s call to warn others (Ezekiel 3:18), and it matches the psalmist’s prayer for God’s goodness to the upright (Psalm 125:4).
- 2 Chronicles 19:8-9 (BSB)“Moreover, Jehoshaphat appointed in Jerusalem some of the Levites, priests, and heads of the Israelite families to judge on behalf of the LORD and to settle disputes. And they lived in Jerusalem. He commanded them, saying, “You must serve faithfully and wholeheartedly in the fear of the LORD.”Jehoshaphat sets up a court in Jerusalem of Levites, priests and family heads, charging them to serve faithfully in the fear of the LORD.
- 2 Chronicles 19:10-11 (BSB)“For every dispute that comes before you from your brothers who dwell in their cities—whether it regards bloodshed or some other violation of law, commandments, statutes, or ordinances—you are to warn them, so that they will not incur guilt before the LORD and wrath will not come upon you and your brothers. Do this, and you will not incur guilt. Note that Amariah, the chief priest, will be over you in all that pertains to the LORD, and Zebadiah son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, in all that pertains to the king. And the Levites will serve as officers before you. Act resolutely; may the LORD be with the upright!””They are to warn the people so that guilt and wrath do not come, with Amariah and Zebadiah over them, and to act resolutely.
- Exodus 18:21 (BSB)“Furthermore, select capable men from among the people—God-fearing, trustworthy men who are averse to dishonest gain. Appoint them over the people as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.”Israel’s first judges were to be God-fearing, trustworthy men who hated dishonest gain.
- Ezekiel 3:18 (BSB)“If I say to the wicked man, ‘You will surely die,’ but you do not warn him or speak out to warn him from his wicked way to save his life, that wicked man will die in his iniquity, and I will hold you responsible for his blood.”God holds responsible those who fail to warn the wicked.
- Psalm 125:4 (BSB)“Do good, O LORD, to those who are good, and to the upright in heart.”The psalmist asks the LORD to do good to the upright in heart.
Theological
With what charge did Jehoshaphat commission the Jerusalem court of Levites, priests and family heads (2 Chronicles 19:8-11)?
Answer: Serve with loyal, undivided hearts in awe of God, and warn their brothers
In Jerusalem Jehoshaphat established a court of Levites, priests and family leaders to judge on the LORD’s behalf and decide disputes (19:8), commanding them to serve loyally and with undivided hearts in reverent awe of the LORD (19:9). In every case from the cities they were to warn their brothers so that they would not become guilty and wrath would not come on the judges and their brothers (19:10). The chief priest Amariah was set over the LORD’s matters and Zebadiah, the leader of Judah’s tribe, over the king’s, and the charge ends with a call to courage and a prayer for God’s presence with those who do right (19:11). The court reflects the Mosaic standard of God-fearing judges (Exodus 18:21) and the watchman’s duty to warn (Ezekiel 3:18), and it matches the psalmist’s prayer that the LORD do good to those whose hearts are upright (Psalm 125:4).
- 2 Chronicles 19:8-9 (BSB)“Moreover, Jehoshaphat appointed in Jerusalem some of the Levites, priests, and heads of the Israelite families to judge on behalf of the LORD and to settle disputes. And they lived in Jerusalem. He commanded them, saying, “You must serve faithfully and wholeheartedly in the fear of the LORD.”Jehoshaphat sets up a court in Jerusalem of Levites, priests and family heads, charging them to serve faithfully in the fear of the LORD.
- 2 Chronicles 19:10-11 (BSB)“For every dispute that comes before you from your brothers who dwell in their cities—whether it regards bloodshed or some other violation of law, commandments, statutes, or ordinances—you are to warn them, so that they will not incur guilt before the LORD and wrath will not come upon you and your brothers. Do this, and you will not incur guilt. Note that Amariah, the chief priest, will be over you in all that pertains to the LORD, and Zebadiah son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, in all that pertains to the king. And the Levites will serve as officers before you. Act resolutely; may the LORD be with the upright!””They are to warn the people so that guilt and wrath do not come, with Amariah and Zebadiah over them, and to act resolutely.
- Exodus 18:21 (BSB)“Furthermore, select capable men from among the people—God-fearing, trustworthy men who are averse to dishonest gain. Appoint them over the people as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.”Israel’s first judges were to be God-fearing, trustworthy men who hated dishonest gain.
- Ezekiel 3:18 (BSB)“If I say to the wicked man, ‘You will surely die,’ but you do not warn him or speak out to warn him from his wicked way to save his life, that wicked man will die in his iniquity, and I will hold you responsible for his blood.”God holds responsible those who fail to warn the wicked.
- Psalm 125:4 (BSB)“Do good, O LORD, to those who are good, and to the upright in heart.”The psalmist asks the LORD to do good to the upright in heart.
General
When Jehoshaphat appointed judges in Judah’s fortified cities, what reason did he give them for taking care in their work (19:5-6)?
Answer: Their verdicts were given for God, who stood with them in court
Jehoshaphat placed judges in each of Judah’s fortified cities (19:5). He told them to think carefully about what they did, because their verdicts were given not for any human master but for God, who stood with them whenever they decided a case (19:6). A court’s authority comes from God, and judges answer to Him. Moses had told Israel’s judges the same: the right to judge is God’s (Deuteronomy 1:17). Paul calls rulers God’s servants (Romans 13:4), and every task is to be done as service to the Lord rather than to people (Colossians 3:23).
- 2 Chronicles 19:5-6 (BSB)“He appointed judges in the land, in each of the fortified cities of Judah. Then he said to the judges, “Consider carefully what you do, for you are not judging for man, but for the LORD, who is with you when you render judgment.”Jehoshaphat appoints judges in Judah’s fortified cities and tells them they judge not for man but for the LORD.
- Deuteronomy 1:17 (BSB)“Show no partiality in judging; hear both small and great alike. Do not be intimidated by anyone, for judgment belongs to God. And bring to me any case too difficult for you, and I will hear it.””Moses told Israel’s judges not to fear anyone, for judgment belongs to God.
- Romans 13:4 (BSB)“For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not carry the sword in vain. He is God’s servant, an agent of retribution to the wrongdoer.”Paul calls the civil ruler God’s servant, accountable to Him.
- Colossians 3:23 (BSB)“Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, as for the Lord and not for men,”All work is to be done wholeheartedly as for the Lord and not for men.
Theological
What reason did Jehoshaphat give the judges in Judah’s fortified cities for exercising care (2 Chronicles 19:5-6)?
Answer: Their verdicts were given for God, who stood with them in court
Having placed judges in every fortified city of Judah (19:5), Jehoshaphat charged them to consider carefully what they did, because their verdicts were rendered not for any human master but for God, who was present with them in court (19:6). Civil justice is a delegated divine authority: as Moses told Israel’s first judges, the right to judge is God’s (Deuteronomy 1:17). Paul likewise calls the magistrate God’s servant (Romans 13:4), and every vocation is to be carried out as unto the Lord rather than men (Colossians 3:23).
- 2 Chronicles 19:5-6 (BSB)“He appointed judges in the land, in each of the fortified cities of Judah. Then he said to the judges, “Consider carefully what you do, for you are not judging for man, but for the LORD, who is with you when you render judgment.”Jehoshaphat appoints judges in Judah’s fortified cities and tells them they judge not for man but for the LORD.
- Deuteronomy 1:17 (BSB)“Show no partiality in judging; hear both small and great alike. Do not be intimidated by anyone, for judgment belongs to God. And bring to me any case too difficult for you, and I will hear it.””Moses told Israel’s judges not to fear anyone, for judgment belongs to God.
- Romans 13:4 (BSB)“For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not carry the sword in vain. He is God’s servant, an agent of retribution to the wrongdoer.”Paul calls the civil ruler God’s servant, accountable to Him.
- Colossians 3:23 (BSB)“Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, as for the Lord and not for men,”All work is to be done wholeheartedly as for the Lord and not for men.
General
True or False: Jehoshaphat told the judges that, since they were mere men, a small gift to settle a case was acceptable to the LORD.
Answer: False
This is false. Jehoshaphat told the judges to revere the LORD and take care, because God Himself never does wrong, never plays favorites and never takes bribes (19:7). Human judges were to reflect God’s own justice. The law describes the LORD as the God who shows no partiality and accepts no bribe (Deuteronomy 10:17), and it forbade Israel’s judges to take bribes or favor anyone (Deuteronomy 16:19). Paul repeats that God treats no one with favoritism (Romans 2:11).
- 2 Chronicles 19:7 (BSB)“And now, may the fear of the LORD be upon you. Be careful what you do, for with the LORD our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery.””Jehoshaphat grounds the judges’ conduct in the LORD’s own character: no injustice, partiality or bribery.
- Deuteronomy 10:17 (BSB)“For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, mighty, and awesome God, showing no partiality and accepting no bribe.”The LORD shows no partiality and accepts no bribe.
- Deuteronomy 16:19 (BSB)“Do not deny justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous.”Israel’s judges were forbidden to show partiality or accept bribes.
- Romans 2:11 (BSB)“For God does not show favoritism.”God does not show favoritism.
Theological
True or False: Jehoshaphat allowed the judges to accept small gifts in settling cases, reasoning that they were only men (2 Chronicles 19:7).
Answer: False
This is false. Jehoshaphat charged the judges to revere the LORD and act with care, because God Himself is free of all wrongdoing, favoritism and bribe-taking (19:7). Human justice is to mirror the divine character. The LORD is the God who shows no partiality and takes no bribe (Deuteronomy 10:17), Israel’s judges were therefore forbidden to pervert justice by favoritism or bribes (Deuteronomy 16:19), and the same impartiality of God is affirmed in the gospel (Romans 2:11).
- 2 Chronicles 19:7 (BSB)“And now, may the fear of the LORD be upon you. Be careful what you do, for with the LORD our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery.””Jehoshaphat grounds the judges’ conduct in the LORD’s own character: no injustice, partiality or bribery.
- Deuteronomy 10:17 (BSB)“For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, mighty, and awesome God, showing no partiality and accepting no bribe.”The LORD shows no partiality and accepts no bribe.
- Deuteronomy 16:19 (BSB)“Do not deny justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous.”Israel’s judges were forbidden to show partiality or accept bribes.
- Romans 2:11 (BSB)“For God does not show favoritism.”God does not show favoritism.
General
How did Jehoshaphat respond after Jehu’s rebuke (19:4)?
Answer: He toured the land once more and called the nation back to God
After the rebuke, Jehoshaphat stayed in Jerusalem, then once more traveled through the nation, from Beersheba in the far south to Ephraim’s hills in the north, and brought the people back to the God their ancestors had worshiped (19:4). He renewed his work of calling the nation back to God. Scripture honors those who turn others from sin (Malachi 2:6), as John the Baptist would later bring many in Israel home to God (Luke 1:16). Bringing a wanderer back to the truth saves him from death (James 5:19-20).
- 2 Chronicles 19:4 (BSB)“Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem, and once again he went out among the people from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim and turned them back to the LORD, the God of their fathers.”Jehoshaphat travels from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim, turning the people back to the God of their fathers.
- Malachi 2:6 (BSB)“True instruction was in his mouth, and nothing false was found on his lips. He walked with Me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many from iniquity.”The faithful priest of Levi’s covenant turned many from iniquity.
- Luke 1:16 (BSB)“Many of the sons of Israel he will turn back to the Lord their God.”John the Baptist would turn many of the sons of Israel back to the Lord their God.
- James 5:19-20 (BSB)“My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, consider this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and cover over a multitude of sins.”Whoever brings back a wanderer from the truth saves his soul from death.
Theological
What did Jehoshaphat do in response to Jehu’s rebuke, according to 2 Chronicles 19:4?
Answer: He toured the land once more and called the nation back to God
After the prophetic rebuke Jehoshaphat renewed his reform: he traveled once more through the nation, from Beersheba in the south to Ephraim’s hills in the north, bringing the people back to the God their ancestors had served (19:4). His father Asa had been enraged with the seer Hanani and put him in prison (16:10); Jehoshaphat’s next recorded act after Jehu’s word is this mission to the people. His work parallels the faithful priest who turned many away from sin (Malachi 2:6) and John the Baptist’s mission of restoring many in Israel to God (Luke 1:16); restoring a wanderer saves a soul from death (James 5:19-20).
- 2 Chronicles 19:4 (BSB)“Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem, and once again he went out among the people from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim and turned them back to the LORD, the God of their fathers.”Jehoshaphat travels from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim, turning the people back to the God of their fathers.
- Malachi 2:6 (BSB)“True instruction was in his mouth, and nothing false was found on his lips. He walked with Me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many from iniquity.”The faithful priest of Levi’s covenant turned many from iniquity.
- Luke 1:16 (BSB)“Many of the sons of Israel he will turn back to the Lord their God.”John the Baptist would turn many of the sons of Israel back to the Lord their God.
- James 5:19-20 (BSB)“My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, consider this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and cover over a multitude of sins.”Whoever brings back a wanderer from the truth saves his soul from death.