20140817 Sunday, August 17 2014
2 Chronicles 19: Jehoshaphat's Judges

by Wayne Blank
See also 1 Year Holy Bible Reading Plan

"Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the LORD, who is with you in the judgment"

King Jehoshaphat of Judah was present in the battle in which King Ahab of Israel was mortally wounded (see The Two Kinds Of Patriotism). Jehoshaphat was a righteous king (see Jehoshaphat's Castles), while Ahab and his infamous wife Jezebel were wicked (see also What Does Wicked Mean?). Jehoshaphat was given to witness the justice that those who wantonly do evil will have in their due time (see The Dogs of Ahab and Jezebel and The End Of The Line For Ahab And Jezebel).

"18:28 So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramothgilead. 18:29 And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself, and will go to the battle; but put thou on thy robes. So the king of Israel disguised himself; and they went to the battle.

18:30 Now the king of Syria had commanded the captains of the chariots that were with him, saying, Fight ye not with small or great, save only with the king of Israel. 18:31 And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, It is the king of Israel. Therefore they compassed about him to fight: but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him; and God moved them to depart from him. 18:32 For it came to pass, that, when the captains of the chariots perceived that it was not the king of Israel, they turned back again from pursuing him.

18:33 And a certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness: therefore he said to his chariot man, Turn thine hand, that thou mayest carry me out of the host; for I am wounded. 18:34 And the battle increased that day: howbeit the king of Israel stayed himself up in his chariot against the Syrians until the even: and about the time of the sun going down he died." (2 Chronicles 18:28-34 KJV)

Jehoshaphat survived the battle and returned home to Jerusalem (see also When Did Jerusalem Become An Israelite City? and How Long Was Jerusalem The Capital Of Israel?).

"19:1 And Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem." (2 Chronicles 19:1 KJV)

Jehoshaphat was righteous, but he was beginning to drift toward a liberal attitude (see Liberation, Not Liberal-ation and Liberty Under God or Liberty Under Satan?). A prophet of the LORD confronted Jehoshaphat to strengthen his resolve (see also Who Has A Spirit Of Confrontation?).

"19:2 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. 19:3 Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast taken away the groves out of the land, and hast prepared thine heart to seek God." (2 Chronicles 19:2-3 KJV)

Jehoshaphat had learned his lesson. He then began a national awareness program to teach the way of the LORD (Who was and is Jesus Christ - see Genesis 1: In The Beginning Was The Word and The Kingdom Of The LORD God). It was one of the reasons that the Kingdom of Judah lasted over a century longer than the Kingdom of Israel (see Israel In History and Prophecy: The Lost Ten Tribes and No Levites In The Lost Ten Tribes?).

"19:4 And Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem: and he went out again through the people from Beersheba to mount Ephraim, and brought them back unto the LORD God of their fathers. 19:5 And he set judges in the land throughout all the fenced cities of Judah, city by city, 19:6 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. 19:7 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.

19:8 Moreover in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites, and of the priests, and of the chief of the fathers of Israel, for the judgment of the LORD, and for controversies, when they returned to Jerusalem. 19:9 And he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye do in the fear of the LORD, faithfully, and with a perfect heart. 19:10 And what cause soever shall come to you of your brethren that dwell in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and judgments, ye shall even warn them that they trespass not against the LORD, and so wrath come upon you, and upon your brethren: this do, and ye shall not trespass.

19:11 And, behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters 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. Deal courageously, and the LORD shall be with the good." (2 Chronicles 19:4-11 KJV)

Fact Finder: Why did the people of Israel demand a human king for themselves?
See Our King May Judge Us