1 Chronicles 19
2 Chronicles 19 covers how King Jehoshaphat of Judah, after allying himself with Ahab, the wicked king of the northern kingdom of Israel, participated in the war for Ramoth-gilead, then returned and was rebuked by the prophet Jehu, after which he set out again on the right path. This chapter can be divided broadly into two parts. First, it shows the prophet Jehu pointing out Jehoshaphat’s mistake; second, it depicts Jehoshaphat carrying out reforms that lead the people in the right faith.
1verseAfter this, Nahash the king of the children of Ammon died, and his son reigned in his place.
2verseDavid said, “I will show kindness to Hanun the son of Nahash, because his father showed kindness to me.” So David sent messengers to comfort him concerning his father. David’s servants came into the land of the children of Ammon to Hanun to comfort him.
3verseBut the princes of the children of Ammon said to Hanun, “Do you think that David honors your father, in that he has sent comforters to you? Haven’t his servants come to you to search, to overthrow, and to spy out the land?”
4verseSo Hanun took David’s servants, shaved them, and cut off their garments in the middle at their buttocks, and sent them away.
5verseThen some people went and told David how the men were treated. He sent to meet them; for the men were greatly humiliated. The king said, “Stay at Jericho until your beards have grown, and then return.”
6verseWhen the children of Ammon saw that they had made themselves odious to David, Hanun and the children of Ammon sent one thousand talents of silver to hire chariots and horsemen out of Mesopotamia, out of Aram-maacah, and out of Zobah.
7verseSo they hired for themselves thirty-two thousand chariots, and the king of Maacah with his people, who came and encamped near Medeba. The children of Ammon gathered themselves together from their cities, and came to battle.
8verseWhen David heard of it, he sent Joab with all the army of the mighty men.
9verseThe children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array at the gate of the city; and the kings who had come were by themselves in the field.
10verseNow when Joab saw that the battle was set against him before and behind, he chose some of all the choice men of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians.
11verseThe rest of the people he committed into the hand of Abishai his brother; and they put themselves in array against the children of Ammon.
12verseHe said, “If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you are to help me; but if the children of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will help you.
13verseBe courageous, and let’s be strong for our people and for the cities of our God. May the LORD do that which seems good to him.”
14verseSo Joab and the people who were with him came near to the front of the Syrians to the battle; and they fled before him.
15verseWhen the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians had fled, they likewise fled before Abishai his brother, and entered into the city. Then Joab came to Jerusalem.
16verseWhen the Syrians saw that they were defeated by Israel, they sent messengers and called out the Syrians who were beyond the River, with Shophach the captain of the army of Hadadezer leading them.
17verseDavid was told that, so he gathered all Israel together, passed over the Jordan, came to them, and set the battle in array against them. So when David had put the battle in array against the Syrians, they fought with him.
18verseThe Syrians fled before Israel; and David killed of the Syrian men seven thousand charioteers and forty thousand footmen, and also killed Shophach the captain of the army.
19verseWhen the servants of Hadadezer saw that they were defeated by Israel, they made peace with David and served him. The Syrians would not help the children of Ammon any more.
Jehu’s Rebuke and God’s Mercy
Jehoshaphat recognizes that his alliance with King Ahab was a wrong choice through Jehu’s rebuke (verses 2–3). Jehu praises Jehoshaphat for hating evil and loving what is good, but makes it clear that an alliance with evildoers is not acceptable in God’s sight. This shows the standard and balance of true faith, and even within the rebuke, God’s mercy is revealed.
Jehoshaphat’s Spiritual Reforms and the Establishment of a Judicial System
After that, Jehoshaphat appoints judges in Jerusalem and in every town throughout the country, emphasizing that they should make decisions with justice and with a reverent heart toward God (verses 4–10). He instructs the judges, saying, "The LORD is with you—so do not fear people; judge fairly." This shows how a leader should guide the people in accordance with God’s will.
A Leader’s Responsibility and the Restoration of the People
This chapter does not end with a king’s mistake; rather, it shows how that mistake is overcome and how all the people rise again according to God’s will. Jehoshaphat admits his wrongdoing and leads the people onto the right path immediately through faith reform and the establishment of a just judicial system. It is a passage that shows how important a leader’s quick repentance and nationwide restoration are.
Meditation Points
- Let’s remember that God’s mercy is present even amid mistakes and rebuke.
- Reflect on the example of a leader who serves with fairness and reverence for God.
- Meditate that true reform begins with acknowledging wrong and turning back to the right path.
Try Applying It to Me
- Check whether my choices and decisions are things that please God.
- Practice the courage and humility to admit wrongdoing and turn back.
- Also reflect on whether I live each day with truth and fairness, fearing God.
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