King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 19:2 Mean?

“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.”

Context

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

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.

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.

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

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Topics in This Verse

Love

Commentary

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(2) **And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer.**—The seer whose father had suffered for his reproof of Asa (2Chronicles 16:7-10), and who had himself already witnessed against Baasha, king of Israel (1Kings 16:1-7). **To meet him.**—*Unto his presence* (1Chronicles 12:17; 2Chronicles 15:2). **King.**—*The king.* The prophets never shrank from facing the highest representatives of earthly power (comp. 1Kings 21:20). **Shouldest thou help.**—Literally, *to help the ungodly.* The infinitive (as in 1Chronicles 5:1; 1Chronicles 9:25), *i.e., oughtest thou to help.* **The ungodly.**—.The emphatic word. (See Psalm 139:21-22; Psalm 119:158 : “I beheld the transgressors *with loathing.”*) **Them that hate the Lord.**—*And haters of Jehovah lovest thou?* (The particle *le* prefixed to the word for “haters” is characteristic of the chronicler’s style.) **Therefore is wrath upon thee.**—See the same phrase, 1Chronicles 27:24. In the case of David, the Divine wrath was embodied in pestilence; what form did it take with Jehoshaphat? The following chapters seem to supply the answer. His land suffered invasion and his fleet shipwreck; his posterity was evil, and came to an evil end (2 Chronicles 20, 21, 22). There may be reference also to the failure of the campaign in which Jehoshaphat had engaged, and his inglorious return to his own land.

Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.

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.