(10) And.--To wit.

Cause.--Ribh, "controversy" (2Chronicles 19:8).

Shall come to you.--i.e., be referred to you as the Supreme Court of Appeal.

Of.--From your brethren--i.e., not your judicial brethren, but your fellow-countrymen.

That dwell in their cities.--In the various country towns, as opposed to the capital.

Between blood and blood.--See Deuteronomy 17:8. Questions growing out of cases of homicide--e.g., whether a given crime were murder or manslaughter.

Between law and commandment, statutes and judgments.--That is, questions about the interpretation and application of the different legal rules and principles. The phrase "commandment, statutes, and judgments," is a sort of summary of the various kinds of law.

Ye shall even warn them that they trespass not.--Then ye shall instruct them, in order that, &.100

Warn.--Teach (Exodus 18:20) them the true sense and bearing of the law in the particular case.

Trespass.--Incur guilt; by giving false judgment.

And so wrath (2Chronicles 19:2) . . . brethren.--The miscarriage of justice would involve not only the immediate agents, but the whole people, in guilt and its penal consequences.

This do . . . trespass.--Thus shall ye do (2Chronicles 19:9), that ye may not incur guilt.

Verse 10. - Come... of your brethren... in their cities. These words confirm our foregoing note, and point to the appeal character of the Jerusalem court. Note also the clear connection of the verse with Deuteronomy 17:8, 10, 11; Exodus 21:12-27. Law ... commandment, statutes... judgments. It might sometimes need to be shown how the particular commandment flowed from main and essential law; and the written statute is easily distinguishable from those judgments, which were more like "judge-made" law. Ye shall not trespass; Revised Version, more correctly, ye shall not be guilty.

19:1-11 Jehoshaphat visits his kingdom. - Whenever we return in peace to our houses, we ought to acknowledge God's providence in preserving our going out and coming in. And if we have been kept through more than common dangers, we are, in a special manner, bound to be thankful. Distinguishing mercies lay us under strong obligations. The prophet tells Jehoshaphat he had done very ill in joining Ahab. He took the reproof well. See the effect the reproof had upon him. He strictly searched his own kingdom. By what the prophet said, Jehoshaphat perceived that his former attempts for reformation were well-pleasing to God; therefore he did what was then left undone. It is good when commendations quicken us to our duty. There are diversities of gifts and operations, but all from the same Spirit, and for the public good; and as every one has received the gift, so let him minister the same. Blessed be God for magistrates and ministers, scribes and statesmen, men of books, and men of business. Observe the charge the king gave. They must do all in the fear of the Lord, with a perfect, upright heart. And they must make it their constant care to prevent sin, as an offence to God, and what would bring wrath on the people.And what cause soever shall come unto you of your brethren that dwell in their cities,.... Whether sacred or civil, that should come before them by way of appeal from, inferior courts in the country, where they could not be determined:

between blood and blood; one relation and another, or with respect to shedding of blood, whether ignorantly or purposely:

between law and commandment, statutes and judgments; not rightly understood, and so pleaded on both sides:

ye shall even warn them that they trespass not against the Lord; the persons engaged in controversy, that they take no false oath, nor bear false testimony, and act not stubbornly against any of the laws, when explained in court unto them:

and so wrath come upon you and your children; upon judges for the neglect of their duty in giving due warning, and upon the people for not taking it when given:

this do, and ye shall not trespass; if the above charge in all its parts is strictly attended to.