Era 7 · Two Kingdoms2 Chronicles
Jehoshaphat's Justice Reforms
"Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the LORD"
"Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the LORD. Nevertheless there are good things found in thee."
"And he set judges in the land throughout all the fenced cities of Judah, city by city, And 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… for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts."
In Jerusalem: "Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of the LORD; and Zebadiah… 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."
A court system
The two-track system (religious and royal matters) resembles Deuteronomy 16:18–20 and 17:8–13, and the Persian-period arrangement of priests and governors. Some scholars think the account retrojects later institutions; others see a real reform.
What the evidence shows
- The judicial reform is only in Chronicles.
- The reform reflects Persian-period institutions.
Continue the journey
Connected elsewhere in ScriptureThe Festivals and the CourtsDeuteronomy 16:18–20; 17:8–13: Judges and the central court.More from this lesson
Why this matters to the rest of Scripture
- Deuteronomy 16:18–20; 17:8–13Judges and the central court.