King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 19:3 Mean?

2 Chronicles 19:3 in the King James Version says “Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast taken away the groves out of the land, and hast prep...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

2 Chronicles 19:3 · KJV

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

5

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

Read 2 Chronicles 19 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

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 · 14 words
אֲבָ֕ל1 of 14

“Nevertheless”

H61

nay, i.e., truly or yet

דְּבָרִ֥ים2 of 14

“things”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

טוֹבִ֖ים3 of 14

“there are good”

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

נִמְצְא֣וּ4 of 14

“found”

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

עִמָּ֑ךְ5 of 14
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

כִּֽי6 of 14
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

בִעַ֤רְתָּ7 of 14

“in thee in that thou hast taken away”

H1197

to be(-come) brutish

הָֽאֲשֵׁרוֹת֙8 of 14

“the groves”

H842

asherah (or astarte) a phoenician goddess; also an image of the same

מִן9 of 14
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הָאָ֔רֶץ10 of 14

“out of the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וַֽהֲכִינ֥וֹתָ11 of 14

“and hast prepared”

H3559

properly, to be erect (i.e., stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,

לְבָֽבְךָ֖12 of 14

“thine heart”

H3824

the heart (as the most interior organ)

לִדְרֹ֥שׁ13 of 14

“to seek”

H1875

properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship

הָֽאֱלֹהִֽים׃14 of 14

“God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

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 19:3 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 19:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Chronicles 12:12Ezra 7:101 Kings 14:132 Chronicles 30:192 Chronicles 12:142 Chronicles 17:3-6

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