II Chronicles 19
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Returned to his house in peace - That is, in safety, notwithstanding he had been exposed to a danger so imminent, from which only the especial mercy of God could have saved him.
Open source ↗JEHOSHAPHAT VISITS HIS KINGDOM. (Ch2 19:1-4) Jehoshaphat . . . returned to his house in peace--(See Ch2 18:16). Not long after he had resumed the ordinary functions of royalty in Jerusalem, he was one day disturbed by an unexpected and ominous visit from a prophet of the Lord [Ch2 19:2]. This was Jehu, of whose father we read in Ch2 16:7. He himself had been called to discharge the prophetic office in Israel. But probably for his bold rebuke to Baasha (Kg1 16:1), he had been driven by that arbitrary monarch within the territory of Judah, where we now find him with the privileged license of his order, taking the same religious supervision of Jehoshaphat's proceedings as he had formerly done of Baasha's. At the interview here described, he condemned, in the strongest terms, the king of Judah's imprudent and incongruous league with Ahab--God's open enemy (Kg1 22:2) --as an unholy alliance that would be conducive neither to the honor and comfort of his house nor to the best interests of his kingdom. He apprised Jehoshaphat that, on account of that grave offense, "wrath was upon him from before the Lord," a judgment that was inflicted soon after (see on 2Ch. 20:1-37). The prophet's rebuke, however, was administered in a mingled strain of severity and mildness; for he interposed "a nevertheless" (Ch2 19:3), which implied that the threatened storm would be averted, in token of the divine approval of his public efforts for the promotion of the true religion, as well as of the sincere piety of his personal character and life.
Open source ↗And Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned,.... From Ramothgilead, after Ahab was slain: to his house in peace in Jerusalem; to his palace there in safety, having narrowly escaped losing his life in the battle.
Open source ↗Jehoshaphat's victory over the Moabites, Ammonites, and other nations; and the remaining items of information as to his reign. - Vv. 1-30. The victory over the hostile peoples who invaded Judah. In the succeeding time, the Moabites and Ammonites, in alliance with other tribes of Mount Seir, invaded Judah with the purpose of driving the people of God out of their country, and extirpating them (Ch2 20:1). On being informed of this invasion, Jehoshaphat sought help of the Lord, while he proclaimed a fast in the land, and in the temple before the assembled people prayed God for His help (Ch2 20:2-12); and received by the mouth of the prophet Jahaziel the promise that God would fight for Judah, and that king and people would next day behold the help the Lord would give (Ch2 20:13-18). And so it happened. On the following day, when the Judaean army, with the Levitic singers and players at their head, came into the wilderness Jeruel, their enemies had by the dispensation of God mutually destroyed each other (Ch2 20:19-24), so that Jehoshaphat and his people found the proposed battle-field full of corpses, and gathered spoil for three days, and then on the fourth day, in the Valley of Blessing, they praised the Lord for the wonderful deliverance; thereafter returning to Jerusalem with joy, again to thank the Lord in the house of God for His help (Ch2 20:25-30).
Open source ↗Here is, I. The great favour God showed to Jehoshaphat, 1. In bringing him back in safety from his dangerous expedition with Ahab, which had like to have cost him dearly (Ch2 19:1): He returned to his house in peace. Notice is taken of this to intimate, (1.) That he fared better than he had expected. He had been in imminent peril, and yet came home in peace. Whenever we return in peace to our houses we ought to acknowledge God's providence in preserving our going out and our coming in. But, if we have been kept through more than ordinary dangers, we are in a special manner bound to be thankful. There was but a step perhaps between us and death, and yet we are alive. (2.) That he fared better than he deserved. He was out of the way of his duty, had been out upon an expedition which he could not well account for to God and his conscience, and yet he returned in peace; for God is not extreme to mark what we do amiss, nor does he withdraw his protection every time we forfeit it. (3.) That he fared better than Ahab king of Israel did, who was brought home slain. Though Jehoshaphat had said to Ahab, I am as thou art, God distinguished him; for he knows and owns the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish. Distinguishing mercies are very obliging. here were two kings in the field together, one taken and the other left, one brought home in blood, the other in peace. 2. In sending him a reproof for his affinity with Ahab. It is a great mercy to be made sensible of our faults, and to be told in time wherein we have erred, that we may repent and amend the error before it be too late. The prophet by whom the reproof is sent is Jehu the son of Hanani. The father was an eminent prophet in the last reign, as appeared by Asa's putting him in the stocks for his pla…
Open source ↗19:1-2 Jehu was the son of Hanani, the prophet who had rebuked Asa for his reliance on the Arameans (16:7-9). Jehu now chastised Jehoshaphat for his alliance with Ahab. • The word love expresses faithfulness to a covenant. Jehoshaphat’s covenant with the wicked Ahab conflicted with his covenant with the Lord.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
יְהוֹשָׁפָט (Yᵉhôwshâphâṭ, H3092) — Jehoshaphat, the name of six Israelites; also of a valley near Jerusalem מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) שָׁלוֹם (shâlôwm, H7965) — safe, i.e. (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e. health,… יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine
Open source ↗יֵהוּא (Yêhûwʼ, H3058) — Jehu, the name of five Israelites בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… חֲנָנִי (Chănânîy, H2607) — Chanani, the name of six Israelites חֹזֶה (chôzeh, H2374) — a beholder in vision; also a compact (as looked upon with approval) יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יְהוֹשָׁפָט (Yᵉhôwshâphâṭ, H3092) — Jehoshaphat, the name of six Israelites; also of a valley near Jerusalem עָזַר (ʻâzar, H5826) — to surround, i.e. protect or aid רָשָׁע (râshâʻ, H7563) — morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person אָהַב (ʼâhab, H157) — to have affection for (sexually or otherwise) שָׂנֵא (sânêʼ, H8130) — to hate (personally) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
Open source ↗אֲבָל (ʼăbâl, H61) — nay, i.e. truly or yet טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause מָצָא (mâtsâʼ, H4672) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or… בָּעַר (bâʻar, H1197) — to kindle, i.e. consume (by fire or by eating); to be(-come) brutish אֲשֵׁרָה (ʼăshêrâh, H842) — Asherah (or Astarte) a Phoenician goddess; also an image of the same אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) כּוּן (kûwn, H3559) — properly, to be erect (i.e. stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a… לֵבָב (lêbâb, H3824) — the heart (as the most interior organ); דָּרַשׁ (dârash, H1875) — properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with…
Open source ↗יְהוֹשָׁפָט (Yᵉhôwshâphâṭ, H3092) — Jehoshaphat, the name of six Israelites; also of a valley near Jerusalem יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… בְּאֵר שֶׁבַע (Bᵉʼêr Shebaʻ, H884) — Beer-Sheba, a place in Palestine הַר (har, H2022) — a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively) אֶפְרַיִם (ʼEphrayim, H669) — Ephrajim, a son of Joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
Open source ↗עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) שָׁפַט (shâphaṭ, H8199) — to judge, i.e. pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) בָּצַר (bâtsar, H1219) — to gather grapes; also to be isolated (i.e. inaccessible by height or fortification) עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the…
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) שָׁפַט (shâphaṭ, H8199) — to judge, i.e. pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or… רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ, H4941) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a…
Open source ↗פַּחַד (pachad, H6343) — a (sudden) alarm (properly, the object feared, by implication, the feeling) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God שָׁמַר (shâmar, H8104) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to,… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application עֶוֶל (ʻevel, H5766) — (moral) evil אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… מַשֹּׂא (massôʼ, H4856) — partiality (as a lifting up) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… מִקָּח (miqqâch, H4727) — reception שַׁחַד (shachad, H7810) — a donation (venal or redemptive)
Open source ↗יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine יְהוֹשָׁפָט (Yᵉhôwshâphâṭ, H3092) — Jehoshaphat, the name of six Israelites; also of a valley near Jerusalem עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) לֵוִיִּי (Lêvîyîy, H3881) — a Levite or descendant of Levi כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ, H4941) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God רִיב (rîyb, H7379) — a contest (personal or legal) שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not…
Open source ↗צָוָה (tsâvâh, H6680) — (intensively) to constitute, enjoin אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application יִרְאָה (yirʼâh, H3374) — fear (also used as infinitive); morally, reverence יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱמוּנָה (ʼĕmûwnâh, H530) — literally firmness; figuratively security; morally fidelity שָׁלֵם (shâlêm, H8003) — complete (literally or figuratively); especially friendly לֵבָב (lêbâb, H3824) — the heart (as the most interior organ);
Open source ↗רִיב (rîyb, H7379) — a contest (personal or legal) בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… דָּם (dâm, H1818) — blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice… תּוֹרָה (tôwrâh, H8451) — a precept or statute, especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch מִצְוָה (mitsvâh, H4687) — a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the Law) חֹק (chôq, H2706) — an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage) מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ, H4941) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a… זָהַר (zâhar, H2094) — to gleam; figuratively, to enlighten (by caution) אָשַׁם (ʼâsham, H816) — to be guilty; by implication to be punished or perish יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God קֶצֶף (qetseph, H7110) — a splinter (as chipped off); figuratively, rage or strife
Open source ↗אֲמַרְיָה (ʼĂmaryâh, H568) — Amarjah, the name of nine Israelites רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God זְבַדְיָה (Zᵉbadyâh, H2069) — Zebadjah, the name of nine Israelites בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשְׁמָעֵאל (Yishmâʻêʼl, H3458) — Jishmael, the name of Abraham's oldest son, and of five Israelites נָגִיד (nâgîyd, H5057) — a commander (as occupying the front), civil, military or religious; generally… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king לֵוִיִּי (Lêvîyîy, H3881) — a Levite or descendant of Levi שֹׁטֵר (shôṭêr, H7860) — properly, a scribe, i.e. (by analogy or implication) an official superintendent or…
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