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.

2 CHRONICLES 19:2KJV
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2 Chronicles 19:2 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 19:2 mean?

2 Chronicles 19:2 describes how Jehu, a seer, confronts King Jehoshaphat for helping those who oppose God and for showing affection toward people who hate the LORD. Because of this, Jehu tells Jehoshaphat that God’s anger is directed at him.

Jehu, the son of Hanani, meets Jehoshaphat after the king returns from assisting the wicked King Ahab of Israel. Jehu’s message points out the seriousness of aligning with people who are described as “ungodly” (those who act against God’s ways) and “hate the LORD.” This confrontation highlights the expectation that Israel’s leaders should not support or form close alliances with those who oppose God.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 19:2

  • “Ungodly” (רָשָׁע, rashaʿ): This word means someone who is wicked or acts against God’s standards. Jehu’s use of it emphasizes that Jehoshaphat’s ally, Ahab, was not just flawed but actively opposed to God.
  • “Love” (אָהַב, ’ahav) and “hate” (שָׂנֵא, sane’): These words stress the seriousness of Jehoshaphat’s actions. To “love” those who “hate” the LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH) is presented as a deep betrayal, not just a casual association.
  • “Wrath” (קֶצֶף, qetsef): This word for anger or indignation is often used for God’s righteous response to wrongdoing. Here, it signals that Jehoshaphat’s actions have real spiritual consequences.

Why 2 Chronicles 19:2 matters

  • This verse clears up any idea that good intentions or alliances with powerful people are always acceptable; it shows that God cares deeply about whom His people support.
  • The confrontation by Jehu sets the tone for the rest of Jehoshaphat’s reign, reminding readers that even faithful leaders can make serious mistakes.
  • The verse connects to the broader story by explaining why Jehoshaphat faces trouble later, grounding those events in his earlier choices.

Where else these words appear

“Hanani” Hebrew H2607 · used in 11 verses

  • 1 Kings 16:1 Then the word of the LORD came to Jehu the son of Hanani against Baasha, saying,
  • 1 Chronicles 25:25 The eighteenth to Hanani, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
  • Ezra 10:20 And of the sons of Immer; Hanani, and Zebadiah.

“seer” Hebrew H2374 · used in 22 verses

  • 2 Samuel 24:11 For when David was up in the morning, the word of the LORD came unto the prophet Gad, David's seer, saying,
  • 2 Chronicles 29:25 And he set the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals, with psalteries, and with harps, according to the commandment of David, and of Gad the king's seer, and Nathan the prophet: for so was the commandment of the LORD by his prophets.
  • Isaiah 30:10 Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:

“wrath” Hebrew H7110 · used in 29 verses

  • Numbers 1:53 But the Levites shall pitch round about the tabernacle of testimony, that there be no wrath upon the congregation of the children of Israel: and the Levites shall keep the charge of the tabernacle of testimony.
  • 2 Chronicles 24:18 And they left the house of the LORD God of their fathers, and served groves and idols: and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this their trespass.
  • Isaiah 54:8 In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer.

“therefore” Hebrew H2063 · used in 38 verses

  • Genesis 2:23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
  • Leviticus 16:3 Thus shall Aaron come into the holy place: with a young bullock for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering.
  • 2 Samuel 6:22 And I will yet be more vile than thus, and will be base in mine own sight: and of the maidservants which thou hast spoken of, of them shall I be had in honour.