2 Chronicles 19 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study
2 Chronicles 19 Short Summary:
2 Chronicles 19 is a short chapter which documents two primary things. First, it records the rebuke that Jehu delivered to King Jehoshaphat after trying to help wicked King Ahab in a military battle to win control of Jabesh-gilead. Second, it tells us how Jehoshaphat appointed judges in all his cities to uphold justice and righteousness. In addition to these judges, the king appointed a council in Jerusalem to decide on disputed cases.
2 Chronicles 19 Extended Summary
WHEN:
Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah for 25 years. His reign fits within the window of 920-890 B.C.
KEY CHARACTERS:
Jehoshaphat – The son of King Asa of Judah. He took the throne of Judah after his father’s death.
Ahab – King of Israel. “There was none who sold himself to do what was evil in the sight of the Lord like Ahab, whom Jezebel his wife incited. He acted very abominably in going after idols” (21:25-26).
Jehu – He rebuked Jehoshaphat for helping wicked king Ahab.
The Jerusalem Council – Jehoshaphat established a counsel in Jerusalem to rule on disputed cases. The council consisted of Levites, priests, and some of the heads of the families of Judah.
WHERE:
In chapter 18, Israel and Judah allied together to attack the Syrians at Ramoth-gilead.
After losing the battle at Ramoth-gilead, Jehoshaphat returned to Jerusalem.
OUTLINE:
JEHU REBUKES JEHOSHAPHAT FOR HELPING AHAB (19:1-3):
God sent a man named Jehu to Jehoshaphat with a message. He rebuked the king for helping a wicked man (Ahab) and told him his kingdom would experience some trouble because of this decision.
That said, God also recognized Jehoshaphat’s good deeds in ridding the land of idols.
JEHOSHAPHAT CONTINUES HIS REFORMS IN JUDAH (19:4-11):
After his mistake regarding Ahab, Jehoshaphat set his heart to serve the Lord and lead his people in the ways of God.
He appointed judges in his cities and charged them to judge righteously. They were to uphold the justice of God and they were not to show partiality or take bribes.
Jehoshaphat appointed a council of judges to decide on disputed cases. This council was based in Jerusalem, and it consisted of Levites, priests, and some of the heads of the families of Judah.
The high priest was to lead the council on matters pertaining to God’s law. A man named Zebadiah was to lead on matters related to the house of Judah. Finally, the Levites were appointed to serve as “officers” of the council.
APPLICATION:
Unity is preferable, but there can be no unity between the people of God and the enemies of God.
Jehoshaphat didn’t have any business becoming friends with Ahab or helping him fight his battles.
Ahab was an extremely wicked man and Jehoshaphat was trying to reform his nations to honor the Lord, they were in many ways opposites.
After years of tension between Israel and Judah, Jehoshaphat probably welcomed the idea of friendly relations with Israel, but Ahab wasn’t the man he needed to ally with.
Unity in the Church and between churches is preferable, but not if it requires believers to ally with the enemies of God.
We can’t be united with people who approve of things God hates, or with those who live contrary to the words of God.
We should be striving for unity, but there are lines in the sand that cannot be crossed, because by crossing them we take ourselves out of unity with God and His word.
