2 Chronicles 19:5 - Meaning and Application

Jehoshaphat had already done what he could to make his people good, and now he wanted, if possible, to keep them that way by giving them a steady system of judges. He had sent teachers among them to instruct them (2 Chronicles 17:7-9), and that was a good step. But he also saw that judges were needed to enforce the law and to restrain evil people. It is likely that judges were already in place across the land, but they were either neglecting their duty, or the people were not respecting them. So the system needed to be reshaped, with new men, and a fresh charge to guide them.

He set up lower courts of justice in the cities of the kingdom, as seen here in 2 Chronicles 19:5. These judges were to keep the people in the worship of God, punish lawbreaking, and settle disputes between people. In the charge he gave them (2 Chronicles 19:6-7), he first told them how to carry out their work well. They needed great care and caution. He said, in effect, “Take heed what you do,” and again, “Take heed, and do it.” Judges must pay close attention to their work and be careful not to misunderstand either the law or the facts. Since so much depends on their decisions, they especially need wisdom and caution.

He also pressed on them the need for reverence for God. “Let the fear of God be upon you,” he said, because that would keep them from doing wrong (Nehemiah 5:15; Genesis 42:18). It would also move them to do their work faithfully. If destruction from God was before them, as Job says (Job 31:23), then they would be a terror only to evil-doers, not to the innocent.

Jehoshaphat also gave them strong reasons to be faithful, and all of them came from God. First, their authority came from him. They were not judging for man alone, but for the Lord. Their task was to honor him and serve the good of his kingdom among people. Second, God was watching their work. He was with them in judgment, seeing what they did and ready to call them to account if they acted wrongly. Third, God himself is the model of justice for all rulers. There is no injustice with him, no bribery, and no favoritism. Since magistrates are called gods, they should aim to reflect him.

Jehoshaphat also established a highest court in Jerusalem, which handled the difficult cases sent up from the lower courts and served as the final court of appeal. It sat in Jerusalem, where the thrones of judgment were set, and where the king could keep watch over it. The cases brought there were of two kinds, much like our own. Some were criminal cases, here called “the judgment of the Lord,” because God’s law was the law of the land. All crimes were seen as breaking part of his law and offending against his peace and rule.

The other kind was civil disputes between people, called controversies and “causes of their brethren” (2 Chronicles 19:8, 10). These could include hard questions about bloodshed, such as the difference between one kind of blood guilt and another, as in Deuteronomy 17:8. Since the ten tribes had broken away, most of the cities of refuge, except Hebron, were in the kingdom of Israel. So the courts of the temple, or the horns of the altar, were likely used mainly as places of safety in such cases. That is why the trial of homicide cases was reserved for the court at Jerusalem. If the lower judges could not agree on the meaning of a law or command, this court was to settle the matter.

The judges in this court were some of the Levites and priests, men well trained in the law, wise, and known to be honest. Along with them were some of the chief fathers of Israel, men of rank and experience, men who had handled public affairs and could judge matters of fact well. The priests and Levites were best able to judge the meaning of the law, while the older leaders were suited to weigh the facts.

The court also had two chief leaders, or presidents. Amariah, the high priest, was to oversee religious cases and speak for the court, or perhaps be the final one consulted when the judges were uncertain. Zebadiah, the chief minister of the state, was to oversee civil cases (2 Chronicles 19:11). In this way, different gifts and roles worked together for the good of the whole body. Some understood the matters of God best, and others understood the king’s affairs best. Neither could say to the other, “I have no need of you.” God’s people need both, and each should serve with the gift he has received. We should thank God for both magistrates and ministers, both scholars and statesmen, both men of books and men of action.

There were also lower officers in the court. Some of the Levites, who were not able to serve as judges, were to act as officers before them (2 Chronicles 19:11). They would bring cases into court and carry out the judges’ decisions. These helpers were just as needed in their place as the judges were in theirs.

The king’s charge to all of them was very plain. First, they had to make sure they were acting from a right heart. They were to do all things in the fear of the Lord, keeping him before them at all times. Then they would act faithfully, with a clear conscience and honest hearts (2 Chronicles 19:9). Second, they were to work hard to stop sin. They were to warn the people not to trespass against the Lord, and they were to teach them to fear sin, not only because it harms people and disturbs public peace, but because it offends God. Sin brings judgment on the people if it is allowed, and on the magistrates if they fail to punish it.

Jehoshaphat’s words also show that people in authority become guilty if they do not use their power to restrain evil. “This do, and you shall not trespass” means that rulers sin if they let others go on sinning without correction. Third, they had to be brave. They were to deal courageously and not fear the face of man. They were to stand firm in duty, knowing that God would protect them. “The Lord shall be with the good.” Wherever he finds a good man, and a good magistrate, there he will show himself a good God.