1Then Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned in safety to his house in Jerusalem.
2Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the L and so
bring wrath on yourself from the L?
3“But there is
some good in you, for you have removed the Asheroth from the land and you have set your heart to seek God.”
4So Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem and went out again among the people from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim and brought them back to the L, the God of their fathers.
5He appointed judges in the land in all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city.6He said to the judges, “Consider what you are doing, for you do not judge for man but for the L who is with you when you render judgment.7“Now then let the fear of the L be upon you; be very careful what you do, for the L our God will have no part in unrighteousness or partiality or the taking of a bribe.”
8In Jerusalem also Jehoshaphat appointed some of the Levites and priests, and some of the heads of the fathers’households of Israel, for the judgment of the L and to judge disputes among the inhabitants of Jerusalem.9Then he charged them saying, “Thus you shall do in the fear of the L, faithfully and wholeheartedly.10“Whenever 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 L, and wrath maynot 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 all that pertains to the L, and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, in all that pertains to the king. Also the Levites shall be officers before you. Act resolutely, and the L be with the upright.”
