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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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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