2 Chronicles 19:4-11

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Chronicles 19:1-4

Here is, I. The great favour God showed to Jehoshaphat, 1. In bringing him back in safety from his dangerous expedition with Ahab, which had like to have cost him dearly (2 Chron. 19:1): He returned to his house in peace. Notice is taken of this to intimate, (1.) That he fared better than he had expected. He had been in imminent peril, and yet came home in peace. Whenever we return in peace to our houses we ought to acknowledge God's providence in preserving our going out and our coming in.... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Chronicles 19:5-11

Jehoshaphat, having done what he could to make his people good, is here providing, if possible, to keep them so by the influence of a settled magistracy. He had sent preachers among them, to instruct them (2 Chron. 17:7-9), and that provision did well; but now he saw it further requisite to send judges among them, to see the laws put in execution, and to be a terror to evil-doers. It is probable that there were judges up and down the country before, but either they neglected their business or... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Chronicles 19:4

And Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem ,.... And went out no more to Samaria, nor concerned himself about the affairs of Israel, but attended to his own: and he went out again through the people ; took a tour throughout his dominions now, in his own person, as before by his princes, with the priests and Levites: from Beersheba to Mount Ephraim ; Beersheba was the southern boundary of the land of Judah, and Mount Ephraim lay to the north, and was the northern boundary of it since the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Chronicles 19:5

And he set judges in the land throughout all the fenced cities of Judah, city by city ,.... Inferior judges in lesser courts of judicature than that at Jerusalem, and that in every city, that judgment and justice might be executed everywhere; such were appointed by David, but had been neglected, and now restored, see 1 Chronicles 26:29 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Chronicles 19:6

And said to the judges, take heed what you do ,.... In judgment, that they judged righteous judgment according to the law of God, without partiality and respect of persons: for ye judge not for man, but for the Lord ; not for man only, but for the Lord; and not so much for man as for the Lord, whom they represented in judgment; whose law was the rule of their judgment, and whose glory their end, and to whom they were accountable: who is with you in the judgment : as to guide and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Chronicles 19:7

Wherefore now let the fear of the Lord be upon you ,.... And act as having that before your eyes, and on your hearts: take heed and do it ; do the commands enjoined them by him, and do judgment according to the law of God: for there is no iniquity with the Lord our God ; none in his nature, nor in his law; none commanded nor approved of by him, and therefore none should be done by his representatives in judgment: nor respect of persons ; whether high or low, rich or poor: nor... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Chronicles 19:8

Moreover, in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites, and of the priests, and of the chief of the fathers of Israel ,.... This was the great court of judicature, consisting of princes, priests, and Levites, of ecclesiastics and political persons; for causes of both sorts were brought thither: for the judgment of the Lord ; in things sacred, which related to the worship of God, and the support of it: and for controversies ; of a civil kind between man and man, whether pecuniary... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Chronicles 19:9

And he charged them ,.... The members of the court at Jerusalem: saying, thus shall ye do in the fear of the Lord, faithfully, and with a perfect heart ; judge righteously and impartially, as men fearing God, true to the trust reposed in them, and sincere and upright in heart and actions, having nothing else in view but the glory of God, and the good of men. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Chronicles 19:10

And what cause soever shall come unto you of your brethren that dwell in their cities ,.... Whether sacred or civil, that should come before them by way of appeal from, inferior courts in the country, where they could not be determined: between blood and blood ; one relation and another, or with respect to shedding of blood, whether ignorantly or purposely: between law and commandment, statutes and judgments ; not rightly understood, and so pleaded on both sides: ye shall even... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Chronicles 19:11

And, behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of the Lord ,.... He being high priest, presided in this court in all things sacred, or which respected the worship of God; and was present to give his advice, and direct in the determination of all such matters that should come before them, according to the laws and statutes provided in such cases; though it may be he was only a common priest that was chief over them, or the president of this court: and Zebadiah the son of... read more

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