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
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
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
Take heed what ye do - A very solemn and very necessary caution; judges should feel themselves in the place of God, and judge as those who know they shall be judged for their judgments. read more
The third chapter in Jehoshaphat's career. In this chapter, regarded for the time in the light of a third chapter in the biography of Jehoshaphat, we are enabled to gauge, not altogether unsatisfactorily, his character as respects the measure of right and wrong in it, and of good and evil in himself. And we are reminded that— I. THERE IS SUCH A THING , MOST UNDENIABLY , AS THE PEACE OF PRESENT SAFETY , WITHOUT THAT WHICH FLOWS FROM CONSISTENT ... read more
A royal reformer. I. AN OLD WORK RESUMED . The reformation of religion ( 2 Chronicles 19:4 ). 1 . The reformer. Jehoshaphat. Whether the work was done by special plenipotentiaries, as in the former instance ( 2 Chronicles 17:7 , 2 Chronicles 17:8 ), or by the king in person, or, as is most probable, by both, the mainspring of this movement, as of the former, was Jehoshaphat; and for a sovereign of Judah it was certainly much more becoming occupation than feasting with... read more
Judges … fenced cities . Jehoshaphat proceeds from direct religious reforms to that which is of importance only second in the life of a nation—reform in the matter of civil administration of justice. The skeleton here given of what should be the c haracter of a judge, and why, harmonizes well with the uniform stress laid in Scripture upon "justice and judgment." It is hard indeed to see, rather impossible, upon what foundation a sure structure of civil growth and stability can be laid,... read more
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
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
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