Chapter 19

Jehu Rebukes Jehoshaphat

1 Then Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned in safety to his house in Jerusalem.

2 aJehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him and said to King Jehoshaphat, “bShould you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord and 1cso bring wrath on yourself from the Lord?

3 “But 1athere is some good in you, for byou have removed the 2Asheroth from the land and you chave set your heart to seek God.”

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

Reforms Instituted

5 He appointed ajudges in the land in all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city.

6 He said to the judges, “Consider what you are doing, for ayou do not judge for man but for the Lord who is with you 1when you render judgment.

7 “Now then let the fear of the Lord be upon you; 1be very careful what you do, for 2the Lord our God will ahave no part in unrighteousness bor partiality or the taking of a bribe.”

8 In Jerusalem also Jehoshaphat appointed some aof the Levites and priests, and some of the heads of the fathers’ households of Israel, for the judgment of the Lord and to judge 1disputes among the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

9 Then he charged them saying, “Thus you shall do in the fear of the Lord, faithfully and wholeheartedly.

10 “aWhenever any dispute comes to you from your brethren who live in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and ordinances, you shall warn them so that they may not be guilty before the Lord, and bwrath may not come on you and your brethren. Thus you shall do and you will not be guilty.

11 “Behold, Amariah the chief priest will be over you in 1aall that pertains to the Lord, and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, in 1all that pertains to the king. Also the Levites shall be officers before you. 2bAct resolutely, and the Lord be with the upright.”