King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 19:2 Mean?

2 Chronicles 19:2 in the King James Version says “And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly,...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

2 Chronicles 19:2 · KJV

Love

Context

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.

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 Beersheba to mount Ephraim, and brought them back unto the LORD God of their fathers. he went: Heb. he returned and went out

Read 2 Chronicles 19 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Establishing righteous judgment throughout the land. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retribution—kings who seek God prosper, while those who forsake Him face judgment. This pattern provides instruction for the post-exilic community on the conditions for God's blessing.

The account demonstrates God's covenant faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness. Even in judgment, God preserves a remnant and offers restoration through repentance. The repeated cycle of apostasy, judgment, and restoration reveals both human sinfulness and divine mercy. References to the temple, proper worship, and priestly service emphasize the Chronicler's concern for correct religious observance.

Theologically, these accounts point beyond immediate history to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line. Despite repeated failures, God preserves David's dynasty, anticipating the perfect King who will reign in righteousness. The pattern of judgment for sin and restoration through repentance prefigures the gospel message of salvation through Christ.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This passage occurs during the divided monarchy period when Judah existed separately from northern Israel. The Chronicler writes from a post-exilic perspective, addressing the restored community in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile (539 BCE onward). His emphasis on temple worship, proper religious observance, and God's covenant faithfulness speaks directly to the needs of his audience who had just rebuilt the temple and were reestablishing their identity as God's people.

The historical context demonstrates both God's judgment on persistent sin and His readiness to restore those who genuinely repent. The Chronicler omits most northern kingdom material, focusing on Judah and the Davidic line to emphasize God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Lachish, Beersheba, and Jerusalem corroborate the biblical accounts of various kings' reigns and building projects.

Understanding the Chronicler's post-exilic perspective is crucial—he's not merely recording history but applying past lessons to his contemporary audience, showing that the same principles of seeking God, maintaining proper worship, and covenant faithfulness that determined blessing or judgment in the past still apply.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse illustrate the principle of divine retribution (blessing for obedience, judgment for sin)?
  2. What specific applications does this passage have for maintaining spiritual faithfulness in contemporary Christian life?
  3. How does this account point to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line and the coming Messiah?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וַיֵּצֵ֣א1 of 21

“went out”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

אֶל2 of 21
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מִלִּפְנֵ֖י3 of 21

“to meet”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

יֵה֣וּא4 of 21

“And Jehu”

H3058

jehu, the name of five israelites

בֶן5 of 21

“the son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

חֲנָנִי֮6 of 21

“of Hanani”

H2607

chanani, the name of six israelites

הַֽחֹזֶה֒7 of 21

“the seer”

H2374

a beholder in vision; also a compact (as looked upon with approval)

וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙8 of 21

“him and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֶל9 of 21
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ10 of 21

“to king”

H4428

a king

יְהֽוֹשָׁפָ֔ט11 of 21

“Jehoshaphat”

H3092

jehoshaphat, the name of six israelites; also of a valley near jerusalem

הֲלָֽרָשָׁ֣ע12 of 21

“the ungodly”

H7563

morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person

לַעְזֹ֔ר13 of 21

“Shouldest thou help”

H5826

to surround, i.e., protect or aid

וּלְשֹֽׂנְאֵ֥י14 of 21

“them that hate”

H8130

to hate (personally)

יְהוָֽה׃15 of 21

“the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

תֶּֽאֱהָ֑ב16 of 21

“and love”

H157

to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)

וּבָזֹאת֙17 of 21

“therefore”

H2063

this (often used adverb)

עָלֶ֣יךָ18 of 21
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

קֶּ֔צֶף19 of 21

“is wrath”

H7110

a splinter (as chipped off)

מִלִּפְנֵ֖י20 of 21

“to meet”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

יְהוָֽה׃21 of 21

“the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Chronicles. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Chronicles 19:2 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Chronicles 19:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 139:21-222 John 1:10-112 Chronicles 18:3Ephesians 5:11James 4:42 Chronicles 24:18

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