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By God’s mercy, Jehoshaphat returned safely to his palace. Jehu the seer rebuked Jehoshaphat. He rebuked him for helping and loving wicked Ahab and his household. His intermarriage with Ahab’s family would be a snare for his descendants.
Then, as he had done earlier with his officials, Jehoshaphat himself went out from Beersheba to Ephraim to turn the people back to God. He must have been a great Bible teacher. Jehoshaphat really loved God. He set up judges in each city and encouraged them to judge before God. In this way, he wanted to give correct judgement, and at the same time reveal God, who is just and has no partiality.
Additionally, Jehoshaphat appointed Levites, priests, and heads of the families to judge and settle disputes with the fear of God. Jehoshaphat tried his best to establish justice and order. He wanted the people to return to God and live in peace through God’s justice. Through this, Jehoshaphat wanted to show who God is and show the love of God. When God’s justice is restored and our relationship with God is restored, we can live in true peace and freedom.
Nov 20, 2025
TURNED THEM BACK TO THE LORD
Passage: 2 Chronicles 19:1-11
Key verse: 4
NIV
chapter 19
1. When Jehoshaphat king of Judah returned safely to his palace in Jerusalem,
2. Jehu the seer, the son of Hanani, went out to meet him and said to the king, "Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Because of this, the wrath of the LORD is on you.
3. There is, however, some good in you, for you have rid the land of the Asherah poles and have set your heart on seeking God."
4. Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem, and he went out again among the people from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim and turned them back to the LORD, the God of their ancestors.
5. He appointed judges in the land, in each of the fortified cities of Judah.
6. He told them, "Consider carefully what you do, because you are not judging for mere mortals but for the LORD, who is with you whenever you give a verdict.
7. Now let the fear of the LORD be on you. Judge carefully, for with the LORD our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery."
8. In Jerusalem also, Jehoshaphat appointed some of the Levites, priests and heads of Israelite families to administer the law of the LORD and to settle disputes. And they lived in Jerusalem.
9. He gave them these orders: "You must serve faithfully and wholeheartedly in the fear of the LORD.
10. In every case that comes before you from your people who live in the cities - whether bloodshed or other concerns of the law, commands, decrees or regulations - you are to warn them not to sin against the LORD; otherwise his wrath will come on you and your people. Do this, and you will not sin.
11. "Amariah the chief priest will be over you in any matter concerning the LORD, and Zebadiah son of Ishmael, the leader of the tribe of Judah, will be over you in any matter concerning the king, and the Levites will serve as officials before you. Act with courage, and may the LORD be with those who do well."
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Prayer: Father, thank you for your love and justice in our lives.
One Word: Return to God, who is full of love and full of justice