1 And Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem. (In contrast with Ahab's return [18:33,34,37])
2 And Jehu the son of Hanani (he had reproved Baasha, king of Israel, at Tirzah [1 Kings 16:1]; and now rebukes Jehoshaphat, hing of Judah, at Jerusaem) the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, "Should you help the ungodly, and love them that hate the Lord? (we have here Yehovah's opinion as to alliances with idolators [Ahab, 18:1, &c.], and as to what constitutes a "good work") therefore is wrath upon you (manifested in the wars recorded in 20:1-3) from before the Lord (Yahaveh).
3 Nevertheless there are good things found in you, in that you have taken away the groves out of the land, (the 'Asherōth) and have prepared your heart to seek God. (Elohim with the Art. = the [true] God)
4 And Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem: and he went out again through the people from Beer-sheba to the hill country of Ephraim, (the 2 outermost bounds) and brought them back to the LORD God of their fathers.
S C1 e 5. Judges.
f 6,7. Exhortation.
C2 e 8. Levites.
f 9-11. Exhortation.
5 And he set judges in the land throughout all the fenced cities of Judah, city by city,
6 And said to the judges, "Take heed what you do: for you judge not for man, but for the Lord, who is with you in the matter of judgment.
7 Wherefore now let the dread of the Lord be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the Lord our God, nor respect of persons, (closely follows Deut. 16:18-20) nor taking of bribes."
8 Moreover in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites, and of the priests, and of the head of the fathers of Israel, for the judgment of the Lord, and for controversies, when they returned to Jerusalem. (Cp. Deut. 17:8-13)
9 And he charged them, saying, "Thus shall you do in the reverence of the Lord, faithfully, and with a perfect heart.
10 And what cause soever shall come to you of your brethren that dwell in your cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and judgments, you shall even warn them that they trespass not against the Lord, and so wrath come upon you, and upon your brethren: this do, and you shall not trespass. (Used of warning or enlightenment as to God's word [Ps. 19:11]. out or 22 occurrences 15 are in Ezekiel)
11 And, behold, Amariah the chief priest (the 5th high priest from Zadok [1 Chron. 6:11], Jehoshaphat being the 5th king from David) is over you in all matters of the Lord; (probably refers to spiritual, or ecclesiastical matters) and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, for all the king's matters: also the Levites shall be officers before you. Be strong, and act, and the Lord shall be with the good."