The statement of the Divine principles laid down in these verses for the foundations of the "kingdom of heaven" on earth, and the doing of God's "will on earth, even as it is in heaven," stretch from Moses and Job (Le Job 19:15 ; Deuteronomy 1:17 ; Deuteronomy 10:17 ; Deuteronomy 16:19 ; Job 34:19 ) to SS . Paul and Peter ( Acts 10:34 ; Romans 2:11 ; 1 Peter 1:17 ). read more
This and the following three verses close the immediate subject by stating with some emphasis the reform in the metropolis itself, of the "supreme tribunal," as it has been called ( Exodus 18:19 , Exodus 18:20 , Exodus 18:26 ; Deuteronomy 17:9 , Deuteronomy 17:10 , Deuteronomy 17:12 ), composed of Levites, priests, and chief of the fathers of Israel ; i.e. probably heads of the whole family that went by the same name. Of course every father was head of his own family, but... read more
The “fathers of Israel” are the heads of families; the chief of the fathers” are the great patriarchal chiefs, the admitted heads of great houses or clans. They were now admitted to share in the judicial office which seems in David’s time to have been confined to the Levites 1 Chronicles 23:4.For the judgment of the Lord, and for controversies - By the former are meant disputed cases concerning the performance of religious obligations. In “controversies” are included all the ordinary causes,... read more
2 Chronicles 19:5-6. He set judges in the land, city by city In every city, for itself and the country adjacent, that justice might be administered with the most ease and convenience to the people, and they might not all be forced to go up to Jerusalem. And said to the judges, Take heed, &c. Mind your business; take heed of making any mistakes; be afraid of misunderstanding any point of law, or the matter of fact. Judges, of all men, have need to be cautious, because so much depends... read more
2 Chronicles 19:7. Wherefore, let the fear of the Lord be upon you Which will be a restraint upon you to keep you from doing wrong, and an encouragement to you to be active in fulfilling the duties of your office. For there is no iniquity in our God, nor respect of persons And therefore you, who are in God’s stead, and do his work, and must give an account to him, must imitate him herein. Nor taking of gifts So as to pervert judgment. See Exodus 23:8; Deuteronomy 16:19; Proverbs 17:23. read more
2 Chronicles 19:8. The chief of the fathers of Israel Who were not priests, or Levites, but such persons of other tribes as were most eminent for their dignity, ability, and integrity. But whether these persons made up one court, called the sanhedrim, by which all causes, ecclesiastical and civil, were decided; or there were two distinct courts, the one ecclesiastical, consisting of the priests and Levites, the other civil, consisting of the chief of the fathers of Israel, it is not... read more
2 Chronicles 19:9. Faithfully, and with a perfect heart Passing such sentences with your lips, as your consciences, upon the hearing of the parties, shall judge to be just, and not acting against your consciences through carnal motives, as corrupt judges do. read more
The reign of Jehoshaphat (17:1-20:37)Jehoshaphat carried on the reform that Asa began, by destroying all the Baal shrines that remained in Judah (17:1-6; cf. 15:17). Positively, he educated the people in the law of God by forming an official group of instructors whom he sent around Judah’s towns and villages. The group consisted of civil leaders, priests and Levites (7-9). He also fortified Judah’s defences and enlarged its army, so that neighbouring countries feared to attack it... read more
man. Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 . in the judgments = in the word or matter of judgment. read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 19:5-9
Ennobling the earthly, or making sacred the secular. Jehoshaphat made his reign over Judah a continuous act of Divine service. For while that reign was not without blemish and mistake, the king was evidently ruling "in the fear of the Lord," and was trying to bring his people into willing and loyal subjection to their Divine Sovereign. In taking the measure be now took he acted with great intelligence. For nothing would be so likely to lead the people to discontentment and rebellion... read more