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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 19:8

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

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Chronicles 19:11

Behold , Amariah - Here was a two-fold jurisdiction, ecclesiastical and civil: in the ecclesiastical court, Amariah the high-priest was supreme judge, in the civil court, Zebadiah was supreme. To assist both the Levites were a sort of counsellors. Without good and wholesome laws, no nation can be prosperous: and vain are the best laws if they be not judiciously and conscientiously administered. The things of God and the things of the King should never be confounded in the administration... read more

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

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