2 Chronicles 19:1-11
1 And Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem.
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.
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.
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.
5 And he set judges in the land throughout all the fenced cities of Judah, city by city,
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.
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.
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.
9 And he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye do in the fear of the LORD, faithfully, and with a perfect heart.
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.
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. Deala courageously, and the LORD shall be with the good.
REFLECTIONS. Wisdom is well bought, if it be not bought too dear. Jehoshaphat returned from the battle at Ramoth-gilead, beaten indeed by the Assyrians, but more so by the reproaches of his own mind. He reflected bitterly on himself for marrying his son with Athaliah, and for going to battle expressly against the word of the Lord by Micaiah. What a mercy that he returned with his life!
No sooner did he approach his capital than he was met by Jehu the prophet, who boldly demanded on the part of heaven, whether he had done right to help the wicked, and to love them that hate the Lord? Sinners may be assured that whenever God speaks, he will speak as their own conscience.
The reproof on the ear, was accompanied with grace on the heart. Jehoshaphat took the admonition well, and he availed himself of the prophet's advice, to perfect his repentance and repair his fault. He broke off all intimate connection with Ahab; for no man can with safety make covenants of a moral and family nature with those who are out of covenant with God. He visited Samaria no more; but devoted his life to cultivate the vineyard God had given him to keep.
His first object was to reform the courts of justice, for these, like the sword they bear, are apt with time to acquire rust. The royal interposition is now and then requisite to purify the civil courts; and the charge he delivered to the new judge is peculiarly fine, and calculated to inspire those who fill the bench with every sentiment of dignity and impartial justice. He tells them that the Judge of heaven and earth is present to revise every decision, and that with him there is no respect of persons, nor acceptance of gifts.
From the civil he proceeded to the ecclesiastical courts, which were managed by the priests and levites. Hence from Zebadiah minister of state, to the lowest officer of levites, he made arrangements for order and government: and it is incredible how much regulations contribute to the morals and happiness of a nation. But the order that Christ hath set in his church, both in heaven and earth, is most to be admired, and ever to be revered. Judgment and justice are the habitation of his throne.