2 Crônicas 19
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
2 Crônicas 19
NJB (LXX versing) Jehu Rebukes Jehoshaphat Jehoshaphat, Having Been Rebuked by a Prophet, Rules Wisely A Prophet Reprimands Jehoshaphat Jehoshaphat is Rebuked by a Prophet 19:1-3 The Reforms of Jehoshaphat 19:1-3 19:1-3 19:1-3 19:4 19:4-7 19:4-7 19:4-7 19:4-7 Reforms Instituted 19:5-7 19:8-11 19:8-11 19:8-11 19:8-11 19:8-11 Etc.
2 Crônicas 19:1-3
19:1-11 This material is unique to Chronicles and, as usual, comes from a written prophetic source (i.e., 2 Chr. 21:34). 19:1 "returned" This VERB (BDB 996, KB 1427, Qal IMPERFECT with waw) is often used of repentance. One wonders if it functions both physically ‒ the king escaped the battle and came back to Jerusalem spiritually ‒ the king recognized his folly and came back to faith in YHWH/li> This same VERB occurs in verse 4, "brought them back to the Lord." 19:2 "Jehu the son of Hanani" This prophet's father, Hanani, had addressed King Asa earlier in 2 Chr. 16:7. Jehu's written account of Jehoshaphat is the Chronicler's written source (cf. 2 Chr. 20:34). Jehu asks the king a series of ironical questions. why help the wicked? why love those who hate the Lord? why bring YHWH's wrath on yourself? There is some confusion between Kings and Chronicles on the name of the prophet. 1 Kgs. 16:1,7 ‒ Jehu son of Hanani 2 Chr. 16:7 ‒ Hanani the seer Possibly both father and son addressed Baasha; if so, he had moved from the northern kingdom to Judah. "the seer" This is one of several names for prophets. SPECIAL TOPIC: THE DIFFERENT HEBREW TERMS FOR PROPHET "those who hate" This VERB (BDB 971, KB 1338, Qal ACTIVE PARTICIPLE) is used in the "Ten Commandments" (cf. Exod. 20:5; Deut. 5:9) of YHWH's enemies in Num. 10:35; Ps. 68:1; 139:21 of false followers in Ps. 81:15; 83:2 in the powerful comparison of love and hate in Deut. 7:9-11; love is obedience and hate is disobedience (usually idolatry) 19:3 The spiritual condition of Jehoshaphat is so different between 1 Kings 22 (i.e., 1 Kgs. 22:4b) and 2 Chronicles 17-20 (i.e., 2 Chr. 19:3a, "there is some good in you"). The Chronicler used Jehoshaphat as an example of a godly king, with some faults and mistakes. Jehoshaphat is used to highlight some of the Chronicler's theological themes directed to the post-exilic Judean community. faith in YHWH (seek Him with all your heart) obedience to His law need for repentance blessing for covenant obedience and cursing for disobedience (i.e., Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 28) YHWH will restore Jehoshaphat because he removed (or tried to remove) the local Ba'al sites called "high places"; those fertility worshipers sought a topologically high place (hill) or built a stone platform (cf. 2 Chr. 17:6) he set his heart to seek YHWH (cf. 2 Chr. 17:6, which is the opposite of 2 Chr. 12:14); for "seek" see note at 2 Chr. 7:14 NASB, NKJV, TEV, NJB, LXX "removed" "destroyed" "swept away" "purged" BDB lists only "burn" and "consume" (BDB 128, KB 145 I, Piel PERFECT) as possible translations (NRSV), but KB suggests a Ugaritic root (KB 146 II) which means "to sweep away" or "remove" (NASB, REB, JPSOA).
2 Crônicas 19:4
19:4-6 These verses describe the religious activities of Jehoshaphat in his attempt to improve the spiritual sensitivity of Judah. he personally traveled his whole country promoting the worship of YHWH alone, 2 Chr. 19:4 he appointed judges who would only consider the revealed covenant guidelines from YHWH, 2 Chr. 19:6-7; this may be what is mentioned in 2 Chr. 17:7-9 (see NIDOTTE, vol. 4, pp. 213-220) he instructed the judges to fear the Lord judge in righteousness do not show favoritism do not take a bribe (i.e., Deut. 1:17; Ps. 15:5) his final admonition is in 2 Chr. 19:11 ‒ "be strong and do" (two Qal IMPERATIVES) These (i.e., a - d) reflect YHWH's character (cf. Deut. 10:17-18; 32:4). SPECIAL TOPIC: CHARACTERISTICS OF ISRAEL'S GOD (OT) 19:4 "to the hill country of Ephraim" This implies that Judah had influence far north of their border.
2 Crônicas 19:5-7
19:7 "let the fear of the Lord be upon you" This is a JUSSIVE of the "to be" VERB (BDB 224, KB 243). There is a theological distinction between the fear of YHWH's people for their God (i.e., "awe," "respect," cf. 2 Chr. 19:9) "the dread" (BDB 808) is a "holy" term the exodus ‒ Exod. 15:14-16; 23:27 the wilderness wanderings ‒ Deut. 2:25 the conquest ‒ Josh. 2:9 David ‒ 1 Chr. 14:17 Asa ‒ 2 Chr. 14:13 Jehoshaphat ‒ 2 Chr. 17:10; 20:29 One wonders why Jehoshaphat instigated these judicial reforms. he saw the corruption in the north he recognized the corruption in areas of his kingdom he wanted to show the priority of YHWH's covenant and law it was a way to show his repentance SPECIAL TOPIC: FEAR
2 Crônicas 19:8-11
19:8-11 Jehoshaphat also appointed judges in Jerusalem. Levites priests heads of families Some dealt with covenant issues, family issues (2 Chr. 19:10), and some more practical royal issues (v. 11). As he gave guidelines for the judges throughout Judah, so too, for Jerusalem. judge in fear/awe of the Lord, v. 9 judge faithfully (i.e., to the covenant guidelines), v. 9 judge wholeheartedly (i.e., with complete devotion to YHWH and His covenant), v. 9 Jehoshaphat's action in appointing these "judges" may go back to Deut. 1:16-17; 16:18-20; 17:8-13 and set the precedent for the Sanhedrin in Ezra's day. If there was a difficult case somewhere in the nation that could not be decided, it should be brought to the higher court in Jerusalem. SPECIAL TOPIC: THE SANHEDRIN 19:8 "Israel" In this context it refers to the descendants of Jacob who made up Judah. SPECIAL TOPIC: ISRAEL (THE NAME) 19:10 "law and commandment, statutes and ordinances" See SPECIAL TOPIC: TERMS FOR GOD'S REVELATION. Notice the two things YHWH promises if the judges are faithful. you will not be guilty (i.e., the "they" is ambiguous and could refer to the people or the judge, 2 Chr. 19:10) the Lord will be with the upright (JUSSIVE) individually (the judges and those who seek YHWH) collectively Judah will be blessed (Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 28)