1. καὶ ἀπέστρεψεν Ιωσαφατ βασιλεὺς Ιουδα εἰς τὸν οἶκον αὐτοῦ ἐν εἰρήνῃ εἰς Ιερουσαλημ
2. καὶ ἐξῆλθεν εἰς ἀπάντησιν αὐτοῦ Ιου ὁ τοῦ Ανανι ὁ προφήτης καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ βασιλεῦ Ιωσαφατ εἰ ἁμαρτωλῷ σὺ βοηθεῖς ἢ μισουμένῳ ὑπὸ κυρίου φιλιάζεις διὰ τοῦτο ἐγένετο ἐπὶ σὲ ὀργὴ παρὰ κυρίου
3. ἀλλ’ ἢ λόγοι ἀγαθοὶ ηὑρέθησαν ἐν σοί ὅτι ἐξῆρας τὰ ἄλση ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς Ιουδα καὶ κατηύθυνας τὴν καρδίαν σου ἐκζητῆσαι τὸν κύριον
4. καὶ κατῴκησεν Ιωσαφατ ἐν Ιερουσαλημ καὶ πάλιν ἐξῆλθεν εἰς τὸν λαὸν ἀπὸ Βηρσαβεε ἕως ὄρους Εφραιμ καὶ ἐπέστρεψεν αὐτοὺς ἐπὶ κύριον θεὸν τῶν πατέρων αὐτῶν
5. καὶ κατέστησεν κριτὰς ἐν πάσαις ταῖς πόλεσιν Ιουδα ταῖς ὀχυραῖς ἐν πόλει καὶ πόλει
6. καὶ εἶπεν τοῖς κριταῖς ἴδετε τί ὑμεῖς ποιεῖτε ὅτι οὐκ ἀνθρώπῳ ὑμεῖς κρίνετε ἀλλ’ ἢ τῷ κυρίῳ καὶ μεθ’ ὑμῶν λόγοι τῆς κρίσεως
7. καὶ νῦν γενέσθω φόβος κυρίου ἐφ’ ὑμᾶς καὶ φυλάσσετε καὶ ποιήσετε ὅτι οὐκ ἔστιν μετὰ κυρίου θεοῦ ἡμῶν ἀδικία οὐδὲ θαυμάσαι πρόσωπον οὐδὲ λαβεῖν δῶρα
8. καὶ γὰρ ἐν Ιερουσαλημ κατέστησεν Ιωσαφατ τῶν ἱερέων καὶ τῶν Λευιτῶν καὶ τῶν πατριαρχῶν Ισραηλ εἰς κρίσιν κυρίου καὶ κρίνειν τοὺς κατοικοῦντας ἐν Ιερουσαλημ
9. καὶ ἐνετείλατο πρὸς αὐτοὺς λέγων οὕτως ποιήσετε ἐν φόβῳ κυρίου ἐν ἀληθείᾳ καὶ ἐν πλήρει καρδίᾳ
10. πᾶς ἀνὴρ κρίσιν τὴν ἐλθοῦσαν ἐφ’ ὑμᾶς τῶν ἀδελφῶν ὑμῶν τῶν κατοικούντων ἐν ταῖς πόλεσιν αὐτῶν ἀνὰ μέσον αἵματος αἷμα καὶ ἀνὰ μέσον προστάγματος καὶ ἐντολῆς καὶ δικαιώματα καὶ κρίματα καὶ διαστελεῖσθε αὐτοῖς καὶ οὐχ ἁμαρτήσονται τῷ κυρίῳ καὶ οὐκ ἔσται ἐφ’ ὑμᾶς ὀργὴ καὶ ἐπὶ τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς ὑμῶν οὕτως ποιήσετε καὶ οὐχ ἁμαρτήσεσθε
11. καὶ ἰδοὺ Αμαριας ὁ ἱερεὺς ἡγούμενος ἐφ’ ὑμᾶς εἰς πᾶν λόγον κυρίου καὶ Ζαβδιας υἱὸς Ισμαηλ ὁ ἡγούμενος εἰς οἶκον Ιουδα πρὸς πᾶν λόγον βασιλέως καὶ οἱ γραμματεῖς καὶ οἱ Λευῖται πρὸ προσώπου ὑμῶν ἰσχύσατε καὶ ποιήσατε καὶ ἔσται κύριος μετὰ τοῦ ἀγαθοῦ
Footnotes:
19:1-3 - Jehoshaphat is warned about his alliance with Ahab after returning from battle. Correction and repentance are essential for spiritual restoration and kingdom health, showing that God disciplines those He loves (see also Hebrews 12:6 and Revelation 3:19).
19:4-10 - Jehoshaphat promotes judicial reform and encourages judges to act with integrity. The role of justice is fundamental in society, reflecting God's just nature and the need for rulers who promote equity (see also Deuteronomy 16:18-20 and Psalm 82:3-4).
19:11 - Jehoshaphat's instruction to the judges emphasizes the importance of administering justice according to the Law of the Lord. This approach provides a solid foundation for morality and ethics in government (see also Proverbs 21:3 and Micah 6:8).
19:12-13 - The appointment of faithful judges reflects the desire for a government that glorifies God. The importance of righteous and ethical leaders is a responsibility that must be taken seriously by those in positions of authority (see also Romans 13:1-4 and 1 Timothy 3:1-7).
19:14-19 - The responsibility of judges to act justly is reaffirmed, highlighting God's nature as a righteous judge. Commitment to justice reflects God's character and is vital to the nation's peace and prosperity (see also Psalm 89:14 and Isaiah 30:18).
Verses related to II Crônicas, 19:
2 Chronicles chapter 19 reports on Jehoshaphat's judicial reforms. How to establish justice according to God's heart? This instructive text describes the prophet Jehu's rebuke, implementation of a fair judicial system, and exhortation to judges. The chapter explores topics such as the responsibility of leaders, the importance of impartiality, and the fear of the Lord in the administration of justice. Explore with us five biblical passages that illuminate the enduring principles of this significant chapter.
Deuteronomy 16:18-20: "You shall place judges and officers in all your gates that the Lord your God gives you among your tribes, that they may judge the people with righteous judgment. You shall not distort judgment, you shall not respect persons, nor take bribes; for bribery blinds the eyes of the wise, and perverts the words of the righteous. Justice, only justice will you follow; that you may live and possess the land that the Lord your God will give you." - This excerpt reflects Jehoshaphat's judicial reforms described in 2 Chronicles 19:5-7.
Leviticus 19:15: "You will not do injustice in the judgment; you will not respect the person of the poor, nor honor the powerful; but with justice you will judge your neighbor." - It relates to Jehoshaphat's instructions to the judges in 2 Chronicles 19:7.
Micah 6:8: "He has declared to you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord ask of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" - It echoes the principles of justice and fear of God that Jehoshaphat establishes in 2 Chronicles 19:9-11.
Romans 13:1: "Every soul must be subject to the superior powers; for there is no power that does not come from God; and the powers that are are ordained of God." - It reflects the organization of the judicial system by Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 19, recognizing authority as coming from God.
James 2:1: "My brothers, do not have the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, in respect of persons." - It relates to Jehoshaphat's instruction to the judges to be no respecter of persons (2 Chronicles 19:7).
FAQ:
How did Jehoshaphat reform the judicial system in Judah?
Jehoshaphat appointed judges in Judah, instructing them to judge fairly and fear God, so that the people would live in peace. (2 Chronicles 19:5-11)
How important were Jehoshaphat's reforms for the kingdom of Judah?
Jehoshaphat’s reforms were vital in restoring justice and the fear of God to Judah, ensuring the prosperity and peace of the kingdom. (2 Chronicles 19:4-11)
What did Jehoshaphat do when faced with a major military threat?
Jehoshaphat called all the people of Judah to pray and seek God’s help, demonstrating humility and trust in divine power. (2 Chronicles 20:3-12)
How was Jehoshaphat's victory over his enemies achieved?
God gave Jehoshaphat victory by causing his enemies to destroy each other without Judah having to fight. (2 Chronicles 20:23-25)
What was the people's reaction after Jehoshaphat's victory over his enemies?
The people of Judah celebrated their victory with great joy, praising God for His divine intervention and protection. (2 Chronicles 20:26-30)
