2 Chronicles 19

Jehu Rebukes Jehoshaphat

1Jehoshaphat king of Judah returned to his house in peace at Jerusalem. 2Jehu son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Should you help the wicked and love people who hate the LORD? Because of this, wrath has come upon you from before the LORD. 3Even so, good things are found in you, for you have removed the Asherah poles from the land and have set your heart to seek God.”

Jehoshaphat Appoints Judges

4Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem, and he went out again among the people from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim and brought them back to the LORD, the God of their ancestors. 5He appointed judges in the land, in all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city. 6He said to the judges, “Consider what you are doing, for you do not judge for humanity but for the LORD, and he is with you in the matter of judgment. 7And now, let the fear of the LORD be upon you. Guard yourselves and act, for with the LORD our God there is no injustice, partiality, or taking of a bribe.”

Priests and Levites Judge in Jerusalem

8In Jerusalem also Jehoshaphat appointed some of the Levites, priests, and heads of the ancestral houses of Israel for the judgment of the LORD and for disputes. They returned to Jerusalem. 9He commanded them, saying, “Thus you will act in the fear of the LORD, with faithfulness and with a whole heart. 10Whenever any dispute comes to you from your brothers who live in their cities—between blood and blood, between instruction and commandment, statutes and judgments—you will warn them so that they do not become guilty before the LORD and wrath come upon you and your brothers. Thus you will act, and you will not incur guilt. 11And look, Amariah the chief priest is over you in every matter of the LORD, and Zebadiah son of Ishmael, ruler of the house of Judah, in every matter of the king. The Levites will be officers before you. Be strong and act, and may the LORD be with the good.”