The big picture
2 Chronicles 19 opens in verse 1 with “And Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem.”, reaches its middle movement near verse 6 with “And said to the judges, Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the LORD…”, and closes in verse 11 with “And, behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of the LORD ; and…” Repeated or prominent terms include LORD, Jehoshaphat, Jerusalem, Judah, blood. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
2 Chronicles · King James Version · 112 Chronicles 19:1-6
1–6: Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace to…
2 Chronicles 19:1–6 opens with “And Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem.” and reaches “And said to the judges, Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the LORD , who…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on 2 Chronicles 19 develops its own movement around LORD, Jehoshaphat, Jerusalem, Judah, blood, with particular weight carried by LORD, Jehoshaphat, city.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 1 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“And Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem.” Naming Jehoshaphat and Jerusalem keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
2 Chronicles 19:1-6
King James Version1And Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem.
2And 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 .
3Nevertheless 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.
4And Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem: and he went out again through the people from Beer-sheba to mount Ephraim, and brought them back unto the LORD God of their fathers.
5And he set judges in the land throughout all the fenced cities of Judah, city by city,
6And 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.
2 Chronicles 19:7-11
7–11: Wherefore now let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take heed and do it…
2 Chronicles 19:7–11 opens with “Wherefore now let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no…” and reaches “And, behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of the LORD ; and Zebadiah the…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on 2 Chronicles 19 develops its own movement around LORD, Jehoshaphat, Jerusalem, Judah, blood, with particular weight carried by LORD, blood, brethren.
Context that brings the passage to life
“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…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
“Moreover in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites, and of the priests, and of the chief of the fathers of…” Naming Jerusalem and Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
2 Chronicles 19:7-11
King James Version7Wherefore 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.
8Moreover 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.
9And he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye do in the fear of the LORD , faithfully, and with a perfect heart.
10And 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.
11And, 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.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
2 Chronicles 19:1 begins with “And Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem.”
Where the chapter turns
2 Chronicles 19:2 forms a natural hinge: “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 …”
The final note
2 Chronicles 19:11 leaves the reader with “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…”
A word trail through the chapter
The words LORD, Jehoshaphat, Jerusalem, Judah, blood, brethren help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
What does the narrator emphasize about the rescue?
Mercy amid hesitation and God remembering Abraham, rather than Lot's flawless judgment.
How does the ending resist a simple happy ending?
Fear and abusive choices continue after physical escape.
KJV words made clear
- behold
- look, or pay close attention
- unto
- to
- thee
- you
- thou
- you
- wherefore
- for that reason
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.