2 Chronicles – Chapter 19

Old Testament11 Verses

Chapter Summary

"And Josaphat king of Juda returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem." — so begins 2 Chronicles 19. Across its 11 verses, two threads run through the text: sin and divine judgment and family and covenant relationships. Read slowly, this chapter rewards the kind of prayerful attention the Church calls lectio divina.

1And Josaphat king of Juda returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem.

2And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer met him, and said to him: Thou helpest the ungodly, and thou art joined in friendship with them that hate the Lord, and therefore thou didst deserve indeed the wrath of the Lord:

3But good works are found in thee, because thou hast taken away the groves out of the land of Juda, and hast prepared thy heart to seek the Lord the God of thy fathers.

4And Josaphat dwelt at Jerusalem: and he went out again to the people from Bersabee to mount Ephraim, and brought them back to the Lord the God of their fathers.

5And he set judges of the land in all the fenced cities of Juda, in every place.

6And charging the judges, he said: Take heed what you do: for you exercise not the judgment of man, but of the Lord: and whatsoever you judge, it shall redound to you.

7Let the fear of the Lord be with you, and do all things with diligence: for there is no iniquity with the Lord our God, nor respect of persons, nor desire of gifts.

8In Jerusalem also Josaphat appointed Levites, and priests and chiefs of the families of Israel, to judge the judgment and the cause of the Lord for the inhabitants thereof.

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

10Every cause that shall come to you of your brethren, that dwell in their cities, between kindred and kindred, wheresoever there is question concerning the law, the commandment, the ceremonies, the justifications: shew it them, that they may not sin against the Lord, and that wrath may not come upon you and your brethren: and so doing you shall not sin.

11And Amarias the priest your high priest shall be chief in the things which regard God: and Zabadias the son of Ismahel, who is ruler in the house of Juda, shall be over those matters which belong to the king's office: and you have before you the Levites for masters, take courage and do diligently, and the Lord will be with you in good things.

Important Verses in 2 Chronicles 19

But good works are found in thee, because thou hast taken away the groves out of the land of Juda, and hast prepared thy heart to seek the Lord the God of thy fathers.

2 Chronicles 19:3

And charging the judges, he said: Take heed what you do: for you exercise not the judgment of man, but of the Lord: and whatsoever you judge, it shall redound to you.

2 Chronicles 19:6

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

2 Chronicles 19:9

Historical Context

2 Chronicles addresses the restored community, urged to keep worship pure and hearts humble within the broader story of God's covenant people. Chapter 19 of 36 stands in the central portion of the book, where decisive events or teachings take shape. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 11 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The passage starts with these words: "And Josaphat king of Juda returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem." The final verse reads: "And Amarias the priest your high priest shall be chief in the things which regard God: and Zabadias the son of Ismahel,…" The wider setting of 2 Chronicles is this: Second Chronicles spans from Solomon's Temple to the decree of Cyrus allowing the exiles to return home. Scholarly and ecclesial tradition places the composition of 2 Chronicles around After the return from exile, around 400-350 BC.

Who Wrote It

Traditionally attributed to Ezra ('the Chronicler')

When It Was Written

After the return from exile, around 400-350 BC

Catholic Commentary

In this 11-verse passage, the sacred author describes events, speeches, or revelations central to Temple worship and Judah's kings. A pivotal line is verse 3: "But good works are found in thee, because thou hast taken away the groves out of the land of Juda, and hast prepared thy heart to seek the Lord the God of thy…" The passage repeatedly touches on sin and divine judgment.

The Church teaches that every passage of Scripture must be read in light of Christ and the Magisterium (CIC 854). Here, the Temple liturgy prefigures the Church's worship (CIC 1093). The spiritual sense invites believers to recognize sin and divine judgment as part of God's pedagogy of salvation.

For Christians today, the chapter's lesson is clear: Sin has real consequences, but God's judgment always aims at conversion and restoration.. The Church invites us to receive this word not as antiquarian information but as living Scripture proclaimed at Mass and prayed in lectio divina.

Main Teachings

  • Sin has real consequences, but God's judgment always aims at conversion and restoration.
  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • Faith is a gift and a decision: entrusting ourselves entirely to God and to His promises.

Reflection for Today

When the Church proclaims 2 Chronicles Chapter 19 at Mass or in the Liturgy of the Hours, she treats this text as the living voice of God.

In the four senses of Scripture—literal, allegorical, moral, and anagogical—the Church finds rich meaning in 2 Chronicles Chapter 19. At the moral level, the unity of Scripture and the Magisterium challenges us to examine conscience and amend our lives (CIC 302).

As you continue through 2 Chronicles, carry this chapter's lesson into your family, parish, and work. Catholic faith is always ecclesial—God speaks to us as members of Christ's Body, not as isolated individuals.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is 2 Chronicles Chapter 19 about?

2 Chronicles 19 contains 11 verses. It opens with "And Josaphat king of Juda returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem." and closes with "And Amarias the priest your high priest shall be chief in the things which regard God: and Zabadias the son of Ismahel,…". The book as a whole is historical narrative.

What is a key verse in 2 Chronicles 19?

One of the most significant verses is verse 3: "But good works are found in thee, because thou hast taken away the groves out of the land of Juda, and hast prepared thy heart to seek the Lord the God of thy fathers." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who wrote 2 Chronicles and when?

Traditionally attributed to Ezra ('the Chronicler'). After the return from exile, around 400-350 BC.

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