2 Chronicles

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2 Chronicles 19 – Skeptic's Annotated Bible answered

A response and reply to the notes on 2 Chronicles 19 in the Skeptic's Annotated Bible (SAB).

King James Version

SAB comment

My comment


1 And Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem.

2 And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the LORD.

Hate the sinner -- or God will pour his wrath out on you.
The author of the SAB distorts the meaning of this text: this is not about loving sinners, but about loving those that hate God. Is the author of the SAB saying here that he loves those who hate his wife? It doesn't make sense at all to love those who hate what is most dear to you. That is impossible.
The haters of God are people who walk in ungodly ways, do evil things. In this text loving them means walking with them. Of course Jehu should not do that. More specifically the prophet Hanani refers here to Ahab, an idoleter, murderer and persecutor of God's people. Jehu had entered into an alliance and affinity with him, shown him friendship, and assisted him in his war against the Syrians.

3 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.

4 And Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem: and he went out again through the people from Beer-sheba to mount Ephraim, and brought them back unto the LORD God of their fathers.

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

6 And said to the judges, Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the LORD, who is with you in the judgment.

7 Wherefore now let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts.

The word respect here simply means that God does not regard the status of a person, whether high or low nor poor or rich, when judging him. Judges should do likewise.

8 Moreover in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites, and of the priests, and of the chief of the fathers of Israel, for the judgment of the LORD, and for controversies, when they returned to Jerusalem.

9 And he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye do in the fear of the LORD, faithfully, and with a perfect heart.

10 And what cause soever shall come to you of your brethren that dwell in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and judgments, ye shall even warn them that they trespass not against the LORD, and so wrath come upon you, and upon your brethren: this do, and ye shall not trespass.

11 And, behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of the LORD; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, for all the king’s matters: also the Levites shall be officers before you. Deal courageously, and the LORD shall be with the good.