2 Chronicles 19:8-10

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 19:8

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Chronicles 19:8

And for controversies , when they returned to Jerusalem - Who were they that returned to Jerusalem? Some suppose that it means Jehoshaphat and his courtiers, who returned to Jerusalem after the expedition mentioned 2 Chronicles 19:4 ; : but if this were so, or if the text spoke of any person returning to Jerusalem, would not לירושלם lirushalem , To Jerusalem, and not the simple word ירושלם Yerushalem , without the preposition, be used? Learned men have supposed,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Chronicles 19:10

Between blood and blood - Cases of man-slaughter or accidental murder, or cases of consanguinity, the settlement of inheritance, family claims, etc. Between law and commandment - Whatsoever concerns the moral precepts, rites, and ceremonies, of the law, or whatsoever belongs to civil affairs. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 19:1-11

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 19:1-11

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 19:4-11

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

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