1 Then Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned in safety to his house in Jerusalem. 2 A1 Kin 16:1; 2 Chr 20:34Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him and said to King Jehoshaphat, “B2 Chr 18:1, 3Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Loʀᴅ and 1Lit by thisC2 Chr 24:18so bring wrath on yourself from the Loʀᴅ? 3  “But 1Lit good things are foundA2 Chr 12:12there is some good in you, for B2 Chr 17:6you have removed the 2I.e. wooden pillarsAsheroth from the land and you C2 Chr 12:14have set your heart to seek God.”

4 So Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem and went out again among the people from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim and A2 Chr 15:8-13brought them back to the Loʀᴅ, the God of their fathers.

5 He appointed ADeut 16:18-20judges in the land in all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city. 6 He said to the judges, “Consider what you are doing, for ALev 19:15; Deut 1:17you do not judge for man but for the Loʀᴅ who is with you 1Lit in the word of judgmentwhen you render judgment. 7  “Now then let the fear of the Loʀᴅ be upon you; 1Lit be careful and dobe very careful what you do, for 2Lit there is not with the Loʀᴅ our Godthe Loʀᴅ our God will AGen 18:25; Deut 32:4have no part in unrighteousness BDeut 10:17, 18or partiality or the taking of a bribe.”

8 In Jerusalem also Jehoshaphat appointed some A2 Chr 17:8, 9of the Levites and priests, and some of the heads of the fathers’ households of Israel, for the judgment of the Loʀᴅ and to judge 1So the versions; Heb reads disputes. And they returned to Jerusalem, or And they lived in Jerusalemdisputes among the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 9 Then he charged them saying, “Thus you shall do in the fear of the Loʀᴅ, faithfully and wholeheartedly. 10  “ADeut 17:8Whenever any dispute comes to you from your brethren who live in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and ordinances, you shall warn them so that they may not be guilty before the Loʀᴅ, and B2 Chr 19:2wrath may not come on you and your brethren. Thus you shall do and you will not be guilty. 11  “Behold, Amariah the chief priest will be over you in 1Lit every matter ofA2 Chr 19:8all that pertains to the Loʀᴅ, and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, in 1Lit every matter ofall that pertains to the king. Also the Levites shall be officers before you. 2Lit Be strong and doB1 Chr 28:20Act resolutely, and the Loʀᴅ be with the upright.”