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Jehoshaphat carries out religious and legal reforms.

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BibleGateway: 2 Chronicles 19

ESV Text: 2 Chronicles 19

2 Chronicles 19 (Listen)

Jehoshaphat’s Reforms

19:1 Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned in safety to his house in Jerusalem. But Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Because of this, wrath has gone out against you from the LORD. Nevertheless, some good is found in you, for you destroyed the Asheroth out of the land, and have set your heart to seek God.”

Jehoshaphat lived at 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 fathers. He appointed judges in the land in all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city, and said to the judges, “Consider what you do, for you judge not for man but for the LORD. He is with you in giving judgment. Now then, let the fear of the LORD be upon you. Be careful what you do, for there is no injustice with the LORD our God, or partiality or taking bribes.”

Moreover, in Jerusalem Jehoshaphat appointed certain Levites and priests and heads of families of Israel, to give judgment for the LORD and to decide disputed cases. They had their seat at Jerusalem. And he charged them: “Thus you shall do in the fear of the LORD, in faithfulness, and with your whole heart: 10 whenever a case comes to you from your brothers who live in their cities, concerning bloodshed, law or commandment, statutes or rules, then you shall warn them, that they may not incur guilt before the LORD and wrath may not come upon you and your brothers. Thus you shall do, and you will not incur guilt. 11 And behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of the LORD; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the governor of the house of Judah, in all the king’s matters, and the Levites will serve you as officers. Deal courageously, and may the LORD be with the upright!”1

Footnotes

[1] 19:11 Hebrew the good

(ESV)


KJV Text: 2Chronicles 19:1-11

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KJV Text (alt. audio): Chapter 19:

     1 And Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem. 2 And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the LORD. 3 Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast taken away the groves out of the land, and hast prepared thine heart to seek God. 4 And Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem: and he went out again through the people from Beersheba to mount Ephraim, and brought them back unto the LORD God of their fathers.

     5 And he set judges in the land throughout all the fenced cities of Judah, city by city, 6 And said to the judges, Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the LORD, who is with you in the judgment. 7 Wherefore now let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts. 8 Moreover in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites, and of the priests, and of the chief of the fathers of Israel, for the judgment of the LORD, and for controversies, when they returned to Jerusalem. 9 And he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye do in the fear of the LORD, faithfully, and with a perfect heart. 10 And what cause soever shall come to you of your brethren that dwell in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and judgments, ye shall even warn them that they trespass not against the LORD, and so wrath come upon you, and upon your brethren: this do, and ye shall not trespass. 11 And, behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of the LORD; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, for all the king’s matters: also the Levites shall be officers before you. Deal courageously, and the LORD shall be with the good.(KJV)


Hymn: TLH 266 : O God, our Lord, Thy Holy Word

Hymnary.org

Organ Audio

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1. O God, our Lord, Your holy Word
Was long a hidden treasure
Till to its place It is by grace
Restored n fullest measure.
For this today Our thanks we say
And gladly glorify you.
Your mercy show And grace bestow
On all who still deny you.

2. Salvation true By faith in you,
That is your Gospel’s preaching,
The heart and core Of Bible lore
In all its sacred teaching.
In Christ we must Put all our trust,
Not in our deeds or labor;
With conscience pure And heart secure
Love you, Lord, and our neighbor.

3. Lord, you alone This work have done
By your free grace and favor.
All who believe Will grace receive
Through Jesus Christ, our Savior.
And though the foe Would over throw
Your Word with grim endeavor,
What plan he tries, It always dies;
Your Word will stand forever.

4. You are my Lord, And by your Word
Death holds no dreadful terrors;
Your precious blood, My highest good,
Has blotted out my errors.
My thanks to you! Your Word is true,
You keep your promise ever.
While here I live, Your grace you give
And heaven’s bliss forever.