THEOSISTheodoret of Cyrus
The author, moving past the criticisms, instead highlights the commendable actions of Jehoshaphat, informing his audience that the king, mindful of the reproach, sought through devout efforts to erase the blemish of his lineage.
2 Chronicles 19:4Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers
And 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.
וַיֵּ֥שֶׁב יְהוֹשָׁפָ֖ט בִּירוּשָׁלָ֑͏ִם וַיָּ֜שָׁב וַיֵּצֵ֣א בָעָ֗ם מִבְּאֵ֥ר שֶׁ֙בַע֙ עַד־הַ֣ר אֶפְרַ֔יִם וַיְשִׁיבֵ֕ם אֶל־יְהוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵ֥י אֲבוֹתֵיהֶֽם׃
The Church Fathers on this verse
2 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Philaret of Moscow (Drosdow)
It is noted of one of the most devout rulers of God's chosen people: "And Jehoshaphat entered Jerusalem, and went out again unto the people from Beersheba even unto mount Ephraim, and brought them back unto the Lord God of their fathers" (2 Chronicles 19:4). This marks the earliest example of the King’s earthly missions to the Kingdom aimed at benefiting the people. In the darkness of ancient times, one might have overlooked this divine pattern, orchestrated by the King's own wisdom and fatherly concern for our welfare; yet, it becomes increasingly significant for us today. Just as that ancient sacred model, You likewise "go forth again unto the people," traversing from city to city, from territory to territory under Your great Authority.
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At this very moment, through the noble example of Your devotion, You uplift the souls of these people "unto the Lord God of their fathers." Thus, across vast distances of time and geography, we observe the sustainment of the same truth: the paths of faithful Kings share a unified purpose, under the guidance of one unseen hand, for "the heart of the King is in the hand of God" (Proverbs 21:1).
Cross references
Passages read together with this verse.
- 2 Chr 15:8And when Asa had heard the words, and the prophecy of Azarias the son of Oded the prophet, he took courage, and took away the idols out of all the land of Juda, and out of Benjamin, and out of the cities of mount Ephraim, which he had taken, and he dedicated the altar of the Lord, which was before the porch of the Lord.
- 2 Chr 15:13And if any one, said he, seek not the Lord the God of Israel, let him die, whether little or great, man or woman.
- 1 Sam 7:3And Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying: If you turn to the Lord with all your heart, put away the strange gods from among you, Baalim and Astaroth: and prepare your hearts unto the Lord, and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.
- 1 Sam 7:4Then the children of Israel put away Baalim and Astaroth, and served the Lord only.
- Mal 4:6And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers: lest I come, and strike the earth with anathema.
- 1 Sam 7:15And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life:
- 1 Sam 7:17And he returned to Ramatha: for there was his house, and there he judged Israel: he built also there an altar to the Lord.
- Josh 17:15And Joshua said to them: If thou be a great people, go up into the woodland, and cut down room for thyself in the land of the Pherezite and the Raphaims: because the possession of mount Ephraim is too narrow for thee.