Question 1

What does it mean that the judges did not judge for man but for the Lord?

Accepted Answer

When Jehoshaphat says, “you judge not for man, but for the Lord,” he is reminding the judges that their work is God’s work. They are not just settling human arguments or protecting human interests. They are applying God’s law, representing his standards of right and wrong, and answering to him for their decisions. God is “with you in the judgment,” meaning he sees, guides, and will hold them accountable. This changes how they should act: no favoritism, no bribes, and no bending the truth, because they are serving the Lord, not just people.

Question 2

Why did Jehoshaphat appoint judges in every fenced city and also a court in Jerusalem?

Accepted Answer

Jehoshaphat wanted justice to reach the whole land, not just the capital. So he set judges in every fortified city to handle local cases, keep people in God’s ways, punish wrongdoing, and settle disputes between neighbors. But some cases were harder or more serious, especially those involving bloodshed or complex questions about God’s law. For these, he set up a higher court in Jerusalem with Levites, priests, and family leaders. Local judges could look to this court when they needed help or an appeal in difficult matters.

Question 3

What does this passage teach about God’s character in judgment?

Accepted Answer

This passage shows that God is completely just. It says there is “no iniquity” with the Lord, no wrong or unfairness in him. He has “no respect of persons,” meaning he does not favor the rich over the poor or the powerful over the weak. He does not take gifts or bribes. Human judges are told to copy this, judging honestly and fairly. God’s justice is the pattern for theirs. It also shows that God is near to the work of judgment, watching and being “with” those who do what is good.

Question 4

Who were Amariah and Zebadiah, and what roles did they have?

Accepted Answer

Amariah is called the chief priest, and he was set over “all matters of the Lord.” That means he led in cases that had to do with God’s worship, God’s law, and spiritual issues. Zebadiah, the son of Ishmael, was the ruler of the house of Judah and was set over “all the king’s matters.” He led in civil cases and matters of government. The Levites served as officers to assist them and carry out the court’s decisions. Together, they handled both spiritual and civil issues in a way that honored God.

Question 5

What kind of cases are described as "between blood and blood, between law and commandment"?

Accepted Answer

“Between blood and blood” points to cases involving life and death, such as killing, where it must be decided if blood was shed on purpose or by accident. “Between law and commandment, statutes and judgments” refers to difficult questions about how to understand and apply God’s different rules. When lower courts struggled with these kinds of cases, they brought them to the leaders in Jerusalem. Their task was to explain the law clearly, warn people not to sin against the Lord, and help prevent God’s wrath from falling on the community.

Question 6

Why does Jehoshaphat stress the fear of the Lord and courage to the judges?

Accepted Answer

Jehoshaphat knows that judging people’s lives is serious and often hard. He tells the judges to act “in the fear of the Lord,” because remembering who God is keeps them from twisting justice. If they truly fear God, they will not take bribes or show favoritism. He also tells them, “Deal courageously, and the Lord shall be with the good.” Judges will face pressure from powerful people and from public opinion, so they need courage to do what is right. God promises his presence with those who choose what is good.

Question 7

How were the Levites and priests involved in judgment in this passage?

Accepted Answer

Levites and priests were not only involved in worship; they also helped with judgment. In Jerusalem, some Levites and priests sat as judges in the higher court, since they knew God’s law well. Others served as officers, bringing cases in, keeping order, and seeing that the decisions were carried out. They were to judge and work “faithfully, and with a perfect heart,” meaning honestly and with undivided loyalty. Their role shows that God’s law and the nation’s life were closely connected, and that spiritual leaders helped guide both.

Question 8

What does it mean that warning others would keep wrath from coming on them?

Accepted Answer

Jehoshaphat tells the judges that when cases come before them, they must “warn them that they trespass not against the Lord, and so wrath come upon you, and upon your brethren.” This means the judges were not only to decide who was right or wrong, but also to clearly warn people against sinning. If they failed to warn or restrain evil, God’s anger could fall both on the people who sinned and on the judges who let it pass. By doing their duty, they themselves would not share in the guilt.

Question 9

How can the instructions to these judges help believers think about justice today?

Accepted Answer

This passage shows that justice is not just a human idea but part of serving God. The judges are told to remember that they answer to the Lord, not just to people, and that he hates partiality and bribes. They must act out of the fear of God, be faithful, have a “perfect heart,” warn against sin, and be courageous. While the setting is ancient Judah, the same truths still matter: those in any position of authority should seek fairness, refuse corruption, care about God’s standards, and remember that he sees how they treat others.

2 Chronicles 19:5

¶ And he set judges in the land throughout all the fenced cities of Judah, city by city,

Jehoshaphat’s Reforms

Reforms Instituted

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2 Chronicles 19:5

¶ And he set judges in the land throughout all the fenced cities of Judah, city by city,

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Jehoshaphat’s Reforms

Reforms Instituted

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