Log inSign up

2 Chronicles 19 · a question people ask

Jehu said wrath was on Jehoshaphat. What happened?

In the text

The chapter doesn't say. Jehu says, "Because of this, wrath is on you from before the LORD" (19:2), and goes straight on: "Nevertheless there are good things found in you" (19:3). The rest of the chapter tells what Jehoshaphat did next (19:4-11) and names no wrath coming on him. The next chapter begins, "After this, the children of Moab, the children of Ammon, and with them some of the Meunites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle" (20:1), and doesn't call it wrath. Near its end a prophet ties the wrecked ships to a later joining: "Because you have joined yourself with Ahaziah, the LORD has destroyed your works" (20:37). Wrath comes once more in this chapter, in the charge to the court, "that they not be guilty toward the LORD, and so wrath come on you and on your brothers" (19:10). The Bible doesn't say how or when the wrath of 19:2 came, and these notes don't either.

The verses

“Jehu 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 LORD? Because of this, wrath is on you from before the LORD. Nevertheless there are good things found in you, in that you have put away the Asheroth out of the land, and have set your heart to seek God.” Jehoshaphat lived at Jerusalem; and he went out again among the people from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim, and brought them back to the LORD, the God of their fathers.”
2 Chronicles 19:2-4 · World English Bible
“Whenever any controversy comes to you from your brothers who dwell in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and ordinances, you must warn them, that they not be guilty toward the LORD, and so wrath come on you and on your brothers. Do this, and you will not be guilty.”
2 Chronicles 19:10 · World English Bible
“After this, the children of Moab, the children of Ammon, and with them some of the Meunites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle.”
2 Chronicles 20:1 · World English Bible
“After this, Jehoshaphat king of Judah joined himself with Ahaziah king of Israel. The same did very wickedly. He joined himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish. They made the ships in Ezion Geber. Then Eliezer the son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, “Because you have joined yourself with Ahaziah, the LORD has destroyed your works.” The ships were wrecked, so that they were not able to go to Tarshish.”
2 Chronicles 20:35-37 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of 2 Chronicles 19

2 Chronicles 19: Not for man, but for the LORD

Jehoshaphat's reason for his judges, "there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of bribes" (19:7), is Moses' own description of the LORD, "who doesn’t respect persons or take bribes" (Deuteronomy 10:17), given as the reason for how Judah's judges were to judge.

In Favor, questions like this come up right where they arise as you read, with the Hebrew and Greek behind the words and how the chapter leads to Jesus.

Start your free week2 Chronicles 19 Bible study

First week free, then $10 a month per person

More questions about 2 Chronicles 19

All questions about 2 Chronicles →

The best way to learn the Bible

Favor opens up every chapter as you read.

Favor is a Bible study app for your phone or computer. It takes you through the Bible one chapter at a time, a few minutes a day, and shows you what's really there: the words behind the words, the moments most people miss, and how the whole story fits together. For you. For everyone.

  • Every chapter explains itself

    As you read, short notes open up what's really going on, the details most readers walk past, and the honest questions people ask.

  • The Hebrew and Greek behind it

    Tap a highlighted word to see the original, how to say it, and what it means, checked against the original-language texts.

  • Every page leads to Jesus

    Watch promises made in Genesis kept in Jesus. Each line lights up on your map as you read.

  • Better together

    Read on your own, or start a Bible study with friends, family or your church. Answers stay sealed until you meet, then appear together.

  1. 1

    Start your free week

    Sign up in a minute with your email.

  2. 2

    Read a few minutes a day

    Each chapter opens itself up as you go. Tap what you're curious about.

  3. 3

    Bring your people, if you like

    Send one link. Everyone reads the same chapter, then meets to talk.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person

Questions like this, in every chapter

The best way to learn the Bible. For you. For everyone.

There's a seat for you at the table.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person · Log in

Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions