2 Chronicles 19

Jehu Rebukes Jehoshaphat

1Then Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned in safety to his house in Jerusalem. 21And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him and said to King Jehoshaphat, “2Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord, and 34by doing so bring wrath on yourself from the Lord? 3But 56there is some good in you, for 7you have removed the 8Asheroth from the land and you 9have set your heart to seek God.”

4So Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem and went out again among the people from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim, and 10brought them back to the Lord, the God of their fathers.

Reforms Instituted

5He appointed 11judges in the land in all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city. 6He said to the judges, “Consider what you are doing, for 12you do not judge for mankind but for the Lord who is with you 13when you render judgment. 7Now then, let the fear of the Lord be upon you; be careful 14about what you do, for 15the Lord our God will 16have no part in injustice 17or partiality, or in the taking of a bribe.”

8In Jerusalem Jehoshaphat also appointed some 18of the Levites and priests, and some of the heads of the fathers’ households of Israel, for the judgment of the Lord, and 19to judge disputes among the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 9Then he commanded them, saying, “This is what you shall do in the fear of the Lord, faithfully and wholeheartedly. 1020Whenever any dispute comes to you from your countrymen who live in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and ordinances, you shall warn them so that they will not be guilty before the Lord, and 21wrath will not come on you and your countrymen. This you shall do and you will not be guilty. 11Behold, Amariah the chief priest will be over you in 22every matter 23that pertains to the Lord, and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, in all that pertains to the king. Also the Levites shall be officers before you. 2425Act resolutely, and may the Lord be with the upright.”