1Jehoshaphat on his return is reproved by Jehu for having joined in alliance with Ahab. 4He visiteth his kingdom. 5His instructions to the judges whom he appointed in the cities of Judah; 8and to the priests and Levites, who exercised judgment at Jerusalem.
1AND Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem.
2And 1Jehu the son of 2Hanani the 3seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help 4the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? therefore is 5wrath upon thee 6from before the LORD.
1 See of this prophet 1 Kings 16 on verse 1.
2 See of this man also 2 Chron. 16:7.
3 That is, prophet. See 1 Sam. 9 on verse 9; 2 Chron. 9 on verse 29.
4 Namely, Ahab, whom he had helped against the Syrians, 2 Chron. 18:3, etc.
5 Which Jehoshaphat had already felt in some measure, 2 Chron. 18:31, and afterward yet more, 2 Chron. 20:1.
6 Hebr. from before the face of the Lord.
3Nevertheless there are good things found 7in thee, ina that thou hast 8taken away the groves out of the land, and hast 9prepared thine heart to seek God.
7 Namely, not which were by or through his own nature, but by or through the grace of regeneration, for God preserves and rewards His own gifts out of free grace; also Neh. 9:8; Luke 12:43; Acts 13:22.
a 2 Chron. 17:4, 6.
8 The Hebrew word signifies also to kindle, to burn, Exod. 35:3; Lev. 6:12; 2 Chron. 4:20. It is taken for putting away 2 Sam. 4:11; 1 Kings 21:21; 2 Kings 23:24.
9 Namely, by the power of God’s grace, Which had preceded him for the doing of this work, giving him understanding, will and ability to perform it. Eph. 2:10; Philip. 2:13. Compare the annotation at 2 Chron. 12 on verse 14.
4And Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem: and he 10went out again through the people 11from Beer-sheba to mount Ephraim, and 12brought them back unto the LORD God of their fathers.
10 Hebr. he returned and went out. Other, being converted (namely, by the prophet’s admonition), he went out.
11 That is, from the south end of his kingdom, which was the city of Beersheba, to the north end, which was mount Ephraim.
12 Namely, from their idolatry, false worship and wickedness of life.
5¶And he set judges in the land throughout all the fenced cities of Judah, 13city by city,
13 Hebr. for city and city, that is, in every city.
6And said to the judges, Take heed what ye do: for 14ye judge not for man, but for the LORD, who is with you 15in the judgment.
14 That is, ye do not properly execute the office of a judge in the name and by the command and authority of a man, but in the Name and by the command and authority of God, to Whom the judgment belongs, and Who has placed you therein, to preserve His place.
15 That is, in law businesses, disputes and processes, which may come before you. See Psalm 82:1.
7Wherefore now let the fear of the LORD be upon you; 16take heed and do it: forbthere is no iniquity with the LORD our God, norc17respect of persons, nor taking of 18gifts.
16 Namely, your office, to the end that ye may properly execute it.
b Deut. 32:4; Rom. 9:14.
c Deut. 10:17; Job 34:19; Acts 10:34; Rom. 2:11; Gal. 2:6; Eph. 6:9; Col. 3:25; 1 Peter 1:17.
17 Hebr. taking up of the face. See Lev. 19:15; Deut. 1:17, with the annotations.
18 Hebr. gift, that is, any gift or gifts.
8¶Moreover in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites, and of the priests, and of the chief 19of the fathers of Israel, for 20the judgment of the LORD, and for controversies, when 21they returned to Jerusalem.
19 That is, of the fathers’ households, which were under Jehoshaphat’s command.
20 Understand by the judgment of the Lord and the controversies, the ecclesiastical and civil matters, and compare herewith verse 11.
21 Hebr. properly: and they returned or were returned to Jerusalem, that is, when they were returned, namely, Jehoshaphat and those who went along with him through the entire land, to bring in everywhere the ordinances of God both in ecclesiastical and civil affairs. Others translate this thus: over matters of judgment or the administrations of justice, when they returned to Jerusalem, namely, when they were brought there in the form of an appeal; with this understanding, that these judges were placed at Jerusalem to settle the disagreements, when they were brought by the parties through an appeal to Jerusalem; or, when the lower judges did appear at Jerusalem about some obscure case to ask advice there, and to have the interpretation given them of that which they did not understand.
9And he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye do in the fear of the LORD, faithfully, and with 22a perfect heart.
22 That is, with an upright, unfeigned and faultless mind. Compare 1 Kings 8 on verse 61.
10And what cause soever shall come to you of your brethren that dwell in their cities, 23between blood and blood, 24between law and commandment, statutes and judgments, ye shall even warn them that they trespass not against the LORD, and so 25wrath come upon you, and upon your brethren: this do, and ye shall not trespass.
23 That is, concerning the difference and judgment about some murder or injury. See Deut. 17:8.
24 That is, touching the judgment about the keeping or transgressing of the laws and commandments, and that which depends thereon. See of the difference of these four words Gen. 26 on verse 5. Likewise Deut. 5 on verse 31; 1 Kings 2 on verse 3.
25 That is, punishment from the Lord. Compare 2 Chron. 28:13 and the annotation.
11And, behold, 26Amariah 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 27officers 28before you. Deal courageously, and the LORD shall be with the 29good.
26 Hence may be gathered that there were two distinct superior courts at Jerusalem; the one that was to judge of spiritual matters, and the other that was to judge of civil controversies, to which they might appeal from all other courts throughout the land. Compare Deut. 17:8, etc. Likewise Exod. 18:26; Deut. 1:15.
27 See 1 Chron. 26:29, and further with the annotation.
28 That is, for your good, ready to wait upon you. See the like phrase Gen. 13 on verse 9.
29 Namely, with the men or persons who intend the thing that is good, and endeavor to maintain it; or, with the good cause.