2 Chronicles 19:9 kjv
And he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye do in the fear of the LORD, faithfully, and with a perfect heart.
2 Chronicles 19:9 nkjv
And he commanded them, saying, "Thus you shall act in the fear of the LORD, faithfully and with a loyal heart:
2 Chronicles 19:9 niv
He gave them these orders: "You must serve faithfully and wholeheartedly in the fear of the LORD.
2 Chronicles 19:9 esv
And he charged them: "Thus you shall do in the fear of the LORD, in faithfulness, and with your whole heart:
2 Chronicles 19:9 nlt
These were his instructions to them: "You must always act in the fear of the LORD, with faithfulness and an undivided heart.
2 Chronicles 19 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Pro 1:7 | The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge... | Fear of the Lord is foundational wisdom. |
| Pro 9:10 | The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom... | Reverence for God as wisdom's start. |
| Psa 111:10 | The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom... | Awe of God leads to understanding. |
| Job 28:28 | ...behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding. | Fearing God and shunning evil is true wisdom. |
| Exo 18:21 | Moreover, you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness... | Qualities of judges: fearing God, truth, integrity. |
| Deu 1:16-17 | And I charged your judges at that time, saying, “Hear the cases between your brethren, and judge righteously...” | Earlier command for righteous judgment without partiality. |
| Deu 16:18-20 | “You shall appoint judges... They shall judge the people with righteous judgment. You shall not pervert justice..." | Mandate for just, impartial judicial system. |
| Lev 19:15 | ‘You shall do no injustice in judgment; you shall not show partiality to the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty...' | Prohibition against partiality in judgment. |
| Zec 8:16 | “These are the things you shall do: Speak each man the truth to his neighbor; Give righteous judgment in your gates..." | Divine call for truth and just judgment. |
| Jer 22:3 | Thus says the Lord: “Execute judgment and righteousness, and deliver the plundered out of the hand of the oppressor..." | Command to kings for justice and mercy. |
| Psa 82:3-4 | Defend the poor and fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy... | Role of judges in defending the vulnerable. |
| Psa 72:2 | He will judge Your people with righteousness, And Your poor with justice. | Royal duty to ensure justice, especially for the poor. |
| Pro 28:21 | To show partiality is not good, For a man would transgress for a piece of bread. | Warns against judgment corrupted by bribes/gain. |
| Jas 2:1-4 | My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. | New Testament warns against favoritism in Christian community. |
| 1 Chr 29:17 | I know, my God, that You test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. | God desires integrity of heart. |
| Psa 24:4 | He who has clean hands and a pure heart... | Qualifications for approaching God: purity of actions and motives. |
| Psa 51:10 | Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. | Prayer for inner purity and integrity. |
| Mat 5:8 | Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. | Purity of heart as a blessed state. |
| Php 2:3 | Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. | Conduct should be free from selfish motives. |
| Eph 6:6 | not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart... | Doing duty with genuine heart for God. |
| Rom 13:1-4 | Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God... | Authority comes from God, judges are ministers of God. |
| 1 Pet 2:13-14 | Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake... for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. | Godly purpose for civil authorities and judges. |
2 Chronicles 19 verses
2 Chronicles 19 9 Meaning
King Jehoshaphat gave a strict command to the judges he appointed, instructing them on how they were to carry out their duties. The essence of his charge was that their judicial decisions and actions must be undertaken with a profound reverence for the Lord, demonstrating unwavering integrity, and proceeding from a heart that is undivided and pure in its intentions.
2 Chronicles 19 9 Context
This verse is part of King Jehoshaphat’s comprehensive judicial and spiritual reforms in Judah. Following a rebuke from the prophet Jehu after his misguided alliance with Ahab of Israel (2 Chronicles 19:1-3), Jehoshaphat "returned to Jerusalem" and, importantly, "went out again among the people, from Beersheba to the mountains of Ephraim, and brought them back to the Lord, the God of their fathers" (19:4). This indicates a deep commitment to restoring the nation’s spiritual and civil health. He established courts throughout Judah (19:5), appointed judges in all the fortified cities, and importantly, re-established a central court in Jerusalem composed of Levites, priests, and heads of Israelite families for matters pertaining to the Lord (religious law) and for civil disputes (19:8-10). Verse 9 provides the core ethical and spiritual mandate for these newly appointed judges. It reflects a desire to align the administration of justice with divine standards, understanding that a nation's well-being is intrinsically linked to its obedience and reverence for God.
Word Analysis
- And he charged them (וַיְצַו אֹתָם, way-ya-tsav 'o-tam):
- Charged (וַיְצַו, way-ya-tsav): This verb implies a strong, authoritative command or injunction, not merely a suggestion. It underscores the king's supreme authority and the binding nature of his instructions. It suggests a commissioning for a serious task.
- saying (לֵאמֹר, leʾmor):
- This is a common introductory phrase indicating that direct speech or a specific instruction follows.
- Thus you shall do (כֹּה תַעֲשׂוּ, koh taʿăśū):
- This phrase acts as a definitive directive, detailing the prescribed method or manner of execution for their judicial duties. It signifies a clear, unambiguous command on conduct.
- in the fear of the Lord (בְּיִרְאַת יְהוָה, bə-yirʾat YHWH):
- Fear (יִרְאַת, yirʾat): More than simple dread, this refers to a profound reverence, awe, and obedient submission to God. It encompasses a recognition of His holiness, power, and justice.
- The Lord (יְהוָה, YHWH): The covenant name of God, emphasizing His unique relationship with Israel and His supreme authority.
- Significance: This is the foundational principle for their judgment. It means judging with God as the ultimate arbiter and eyewitness, making decisions accountable to Him rather than to human opinion, personal gain, or fear of man. It opposes corruption, partiality, and perversion of justice, establishing God's law as the supreme standard.
- faithfully (בֶּאֱמוּנָה, beʾĕmûnāh):
- From the root ʾāmēn, which implies reliability, steadfastness, and trustworthiness.
- Significance: Judges are to be consistent, true to the facts, impartial, and honest in their dealings. It means they execute justice without bias, sticking strictly to the law and established principles, ensuring that their judgments are just and reliable, deserving of public trust. This guards against arbitrary rule and self-serving decisions.
- and with a blameless heart (וּבְלֵבָב שָׁלֵם, ū-ḇəlēḇāḇ šālēm):
- Blameless (שָׁלֵם, šālēm): Means whole, complete, sound, perfect, or sincere. It denotes integrity and undivided loyalty.
- Heart (לֵבָב, lēḇāḇ): In Hebrew thought, the "heart" is the center of intellect, will, emotion, and moral character.
- Significance: This specifies the internal disposition required for justice. Judges must not harbor ulterior motives, secret biases, or divided loyalties. Their inner intention must be pure and aligned with the pursuit of righteousness and God's will. This combats motivations such as seeking bribes, popularity, or power, emphasizing that outward faithfulness must stem from inner purity and integrity of purpose.
2 Chronicles 19 9 Commentary
2 Chronicles 19:9 sets forth a comprehensive spiritual and ethical code for judges, establishing a blueprint for righteous governance. King Jehoshaphat’s charge transcends mere legalistic instruction; it calls for a deep inner transformation and outward demonstration of God’s character in the administration of justice. The "fear of the Lord" serves as the bedrock, anchoring all judgments in divine reverence and ultimate accountability to God, safeguarding against the fear of man or the lure of corruption. "Faithfully" mandates integrity and reliability in the execution of duties, ensuring consistent and impartial application of law. Finally, "with a blameless heart" delves into the judge's inner disposition, demanding purity of motive, sincerity, and an undivided devotion to justice, rather than self-interest or manipulation. Together, these elements articulate a divine standard for earthly judgment, demonstrating that true justice flows from a life consecrated to God and characterized by integrity in every fiber of one’s being. This instruction implies that the judge serves not merely the king or the people, but ultimately God Himself.
Bonus SectionThe structure of King Jehoshaphat’s reforms, establishing distinct religious and civil courts (2 Chron 19:8-11), underscores an integrated worldview where justice and worship were inseparable. This demonstrates a deep understanding that the civil realm should mirror divine standards. The emphasis on the judge's inner state ("blameless heart") is significant; it highlights that God's primary concern is not just with outward actions but with the source of those actions – the human heart. This spiritual requirement for public office prefigures the New Testament emphasis on inward righteousness for followers of Christ in any calling or profession. This principle stands in contrast to common ancient Near Eastern judicial systems which often suffered from bribery, partiality, and oppression of the poor. Jehoshaphat's reforms aimed to infuse God's character into the very fabric of national governance.