Chapter 19
Jehoshaphat Rebuked. 1 When King Jehoshaphat of Judah returned in safety to his palace in Jerusalem, 2 Jehu the seer, the son of Hanani, went forth to meet him, and he said to the king: “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord? Because of this, the wrath of the Lord will strike you. 3 Even so, some good can be found in you, for you have removed the sacred poles from the land and have set your heart on seeking God.”
Jehoshaphat’s Appointments. 4 Jehoshaphat resided in Jerusalem, but he regularly went forth among the people, from Beer-sheba to the hill country of Ephraim, and brought them back to the Lord, the God of their ancestors. 5 He also appointed judges in the land, in each of the fortified cities of Judah.
6 Jehoshaphat said to the judges: “Pay careful attention to what you are doing. You are to judge not on behalf of human beings but on behalf of the Lord, who will be with you when you pronounce sentence. 7 Now let the fear of the Lord be upon you. Be careful in your judgments, for the Lord, our God, will not tolerate the perversion of justice, or partiality, or the taking of bribes.”
8 Jehoshaphat also appointed some of the Levites, priests, and heads of families in Jerusalem to administer justice in the name of the Lord and to settle disputes. 9 He gave them this command: “You shall act at all times in the fear of the Lord, in faithfulness, and with your whole heart. 10 Whenever a case is brought before you from your kinsmen who live in other towns, whether in regard to bloodshed or offenses against the law or the commandments, statutes, or ordinances, then you shall instruct them in such a way that they do not incur guilt before the Lord; and the wrath of the Lord will not descend upon you and your kindred. 11 Amariah, the chief priest, will be your superior in all matters that concern the Lord; and Zebadiah, the son of Ishmael, the leader of the house of Judah, is your superior in all matters that concern the king,[a] while the Levites will serve as your officers. Act firmly and with courage, and may the Lord be with those on the side of the good.”
Footnotes
- 2 Chronicles 19:11 Matters that concern the Lord and matters that concern the king: a clear distinction was therefore made between religious authority and secular authority.