2 Chronicles 19:3 kjv
Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast taken away the groves out of the land, and hast prepared thine heart to seek God.
2 Chronicles 19:3 nkjv
Nevertheless good things are found in you, in that you have removed the wooden images from the land, and have prepared your heart to seek God."
2 Chronicles 19:3 niv
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."
2 Chronicles 19:3 esv
Nevertheless, some good is found in you, for you destroyed the Asheroth out of the land, and have set your heart to seek God."
2 Chronicles 19:3 nlt
Even so, there is some good in you, for you have removed the Asherah poles throughout the land, and you have committed yourself to seeking God."
2 Chronicles 19 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Chr 17:6 | He took courage in the ways of the LORD. And again he took away the high places and the Asherim from Judah. | Jehoshaphat's prior reform |
| 2 Chr 20:32 | He walked in the way of Asa his father and did not turn aside from it, doing what was right in the eyes of the LORD. | Commendation for his general righteousness |
| 1 Kgs 14:13 | ...only Jeroboam shall come to the grave, because in him there was found some good thing toward the LORD God of Israel in the house of Jeroboam. | God finds "good" despite lineage of sin |
| 2 Chr 12:14 | He did not set his heart to seek the LORD. | Contrast with Rehoboam's heart |
| Deut 4:29 | But from there you will seek the LORD your God and you will find him, if you search for him with all your heart and with all your soul. | Promise for wholehearted seeking |
| Ps 119:2 | Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart. | Blessing for sincere heart-seeking |
| Jer 29:13 | You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. | God's promise for genuine pursuit |
| Matt 6:33 | But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness... | Prioritizing God's kingdom and will |
| Heb 11:6 | ...and without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who diligently seek him. | Reward for seeking God earnestly |
| 1 Sam 7:3 | If you are returning to the LORD with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods and the Asherahs from among you... | Connects seeking God with removing idolatry |
| Exo 34:13 | You shall tear down their altars and break their pillars and cut down their Asherim. | Command to destroy pagan symbols |
| Deut 12:2-3 | You shall surely destroy all the places... on the high mountains and on the hills... and you shall break down their altars... | Command for total eradication of idolatry |
| Judg 6:25 | Gideon... broke down his father's altar... and cut down the Asherah. | Example of individual breaking idolatry |
| 2 Kgs 23:14 | [Josiah] broke in pieces the pillars and cut down the Asherim... | Later king's extensive reforms |
| 2 Chr 19:6 | Consider what you do, for you judge not for man but for the LORD... | Jehoshaphat's subsequent judicial reforms |
| 2 Chr 20:3-4 | Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the LORD... | Jehoshaphat's example in crisis |
| Ezra 7:10 | For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD... | Setting heart to God's Word |
| Prov 23:26 | My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways. | God's desire for our hearts |
| John 4:23-24 | The hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. | Emphasizes inner spiritual devotion |
| Phil 2:13 | ...for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. | God's enabling grace |
| Gal 5:17 | For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh... | Battle within, need for intentionality |
| Rom 8:7-8 | For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God... | Contrast with fleshly mind versus heart set on God |
| Col 3:1-2 | If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above... | Direction of the believer's heart and mind |
| Ps 78:8 | ...and not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation whose heart was not steadfast... | Warning against a wavering heart |
2 Chronicles 19 verses
2 Chronicles 19 3 Meaning
Despite the preceding pronouncement of God's wrath due to Jehoshaphat's alliance with wicked King Ahab, 2 Chronicles 19:3 reveals a crucial mitigating factor in God's eyes. It states that positive qualities and actions were still found in him. Specifically, Jehoshaphat is credited with removing pagan Asherahs from the land and, more importantly, with setting his heart to earnestly seek the Lord. This verse demonstrates God's nuanced judgment, acknowledging both the king's failings and his genuine devotion and reformative efforts, highlighting divine justice balanced with discerning mercy.
2 Chronicles 19 3 Context
This verse appears directly after the prophet Jehu son of Hanani delivers a stern rebuke to King Jehoshaphat for his ill-advised alliance with the wicked King Ahab of Israel, particularly for aiding him in war against Ramoth-Gilead. Jehu declares that "wrath is upon you from the Lord" for this specific transgression. Immediately following this pronouncement of divine judgment, 2 Chronicles 19:3 shifts to God's acknowledgment of Jehoshaphat's righteous qualities. This pivot highlights God's discerning justice, which considers the whole person, balancing consequences for specific disobedience with recognition for genuine devotion. Within the broader narrative of 2 Chronicles, Jehoshaphat is presented as a king who largely "walked in the ways of his father Asa" and did "what was right in the eyes of the Lord," diligently strengthening Judah and instituting significant reforms (2 Chr 17-20). The removal of Asherahs was a core component of faithfulness to Yahweh, distinguishing true worship from the pervasive Canaanite fertility cults that plagued Israel and Judah, especially significant in a land often susceptible to syncretism.
2 Chronicles 19 3 Word analysis
- Nevertheless (וְגַם, və·ḡam): This Hebrew conjunction introduces a sharp contrast or a mitigating factor to the preceding statement of judgment. It signifies that despite the announced wrath, there's another crucial aspect to be considered regarding Jehoshaphat, revealing the nuanced nature of God's perspective.
- good things (דְּבָרִים טוֹבִים, də·vā·rîm ṭō·vîm): Literally "good matters" or "good words/deeds." This refers to qualities, actions, or a general disposition that aligns with God's will. It's not a single isolated act, but an overall characteristic or positive attributes observed by God.
- are found in you (נִמְצְאוּ בָךְ, nim·ṣə·’ū vāḵ): Signifies that these positive attributes were truly present, not merely superficial, in Jehoshaphat. God's omniscience sees into the heart and identifies genuine characteristics. It implies an objective finding or observation by the Divine.
- for you have removed (כִּי־בִעַרְתָּ, kî vi‘·‘ar·tā): "Because you have cleared away, swept away, burned off, exterminated." This strong verb indicates decisive, thorough, and active measures taken to purge something undesirable. It implies intentional and impactful action.
- the Asherahs (הָאֲשֵׁר֖וֹת, hā’ă·šê·rōṯ): Plural of אֲשֵׁרָה (‘asherah). These were cultic wooden poles or sacred trees, or representations of the Canaanite goddess Asherah, associated with fertility worship. Their removal symbolized a rejection of pagan syncretism and a commitment to exclusive worship of Yahweh. Asherah worship was a significant temptation for ancient Israelites.
- from the land (מִן־הָאָרֶץ, min hā·’ā·reṣ): Emphasizes that the eradication of these pagan symbols was comprehensive and public, affecting the entire national territory of Judah. It represents a large-scale purification.
- and have set your heart (וַהֲכִינ֤וֹתָ לְבָבְךָ֙, va·hă·ḵî·nō·ṯā lə·vā·və·ḵā): This powerful phrase means "you prepared your heart," "directed your heart," or "established your heart." The "heart" (levav) in Hebrew thought refers to the entire inner person—mind, will, emotions, and moral core. To "set" it means to fix it firmly, with intentionality, earnestness, and unwavering purpose.
- to seek God (לִדְרֹשׁ֙ אֶת־הָאֱלֹהִ֔ים, liḏ·rōš ’eṯ-hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm): Liḏrōš (לִדְרֹשׁ) means to "seek, inquire, consult, investigate." It implies an active, diligent, and continuous pursuit of God's presence, will, and guidance, rather than a passive acknowledgment. It speaks to sincere devotion, prayer, and obedience.
Words-group analysis:
- "good things are found in you": This phrase highlights God's discerning nature. Even in moments of failure or where judgment is necessary, God actively looks for and acknowledges any true righteousness, virtue, or commitment found in His people. It speaks to God's desire to redeem and his ability to see past immediate faults to underlying spiritual disposition.
- "for you have removed the Asherahs from the land": This signifies an outward, tangible demonstration of loyalty to Yahweh and rejection of paganism. It represents an act of public purification and adherence to covenant stipulations, which involved actively cleansing the land of idolatrous practices. This action was a defining mark of a truly righteous king.
- "and have set your heart to seek God": This group of words emphasizes the inward motivation behind Jehoshaphat's righteous acts. The outward removal of Asherahs was rooted in a deeper, personal, and intentional commitment to God. This phrase reveals that God values not just actions, but the sincerity and direction of the heart—the very wellspring of spiritual life and obedience. It indicates a consistent desire for communion with and obedience to God's will.
2 Chronicles 19 3 Bonus section
This verse offers profound theological insights into God's character. It demonstrates His discernment, revealing that He does not render judgment superficially. Rather, He is attentive to the depths of a person's heart and recognizes true spiritual integrity, even when blemished by human frailty. The emphasis on "setting the heart to seek God" is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, representing the essence of genuine faith and relationship with the Almighty. It signifies active intention and personal choice in devotion, which God cherishes. This perspective highlights the enduring principle that God delights in sincerity of heart and repentance over rigid adherence without true devotion, offering a profound basis for hope and grace to His people throughout history.
2 Chronicles 19 3 Commentary
2 Chronicles 19:3 is a pivotal verse, encapsulating the nuanced nature of divine justice and mercy. While Jehoshaphat deserved wrath for his misguided alliance with Ahab, God did not overlook the genuine core of his character and his positive reforms. The removal of the Asherahs was a significant act of piety, signaling a commitment to pure Yahwism against the pervasive tide of Canaanite idolatry. This action was not merely political; it stemmed from an internal disposition—his "set heart to seek God." This phrase is key: it portrays an earnest, determined, and sustained inner commitment to pursuing God's will and presence. God values such sincerity above perfect adherence to law, recognizing the heart's posture. This balance underscores that while disobedience has consequences, God remembers and rewards authentic devotion and efforts toward righteousness. It encourages believers that even amid stumble, God observes their underlying spiritual direction.