2 Chronicles 19:3
New International Version
There is, however, some good in you, for you have rid the land of the Asherah poles and have set your heart on seeking God.”

New Living Translation
Even so, there is some good in you, for you have removed the Asherah poles throughout the land, and you have committed yourself to seeking God.”

English Standard Version
Nevertheless, some good is found in you, for you destroyed the Asheroth out of the land, and have set your heart to seek God.”

Berean Standard Bible
However, some good is found in you, for you have removed the Asherah poles from the land and have set your heart on seeking God.”

King James Bible
Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast taken away the groves out of the land, and hast prepared thine heart to seek God.

New King James Version
Nevertheless good things are found in you, in that you have removed the wooden images from the land, and have prepared your heart to seek God.”

New American Standard Bible
But there is some good in you, for you have removed the Asheroth from the land and you have set your heart to seek God.”

NASB 1995
“But there is some good in you, for you have removed the Asheroth from the land and you have set your heart to seek God.”

NASB 1977
“But there is some good in you, for you have removed the Asheroth from the land and you have set your heart to seek God.”

Legacy Standard Bible
But some good has been found in you, for you have purged the Asheroth from the land and you have set your heart to seek God.”

Amplified Bible
But there are some good things found in you, for you have removed the Asherim (idols) from the land and you have set your heart to seek God [with all your soul’s desire].”

Christian Standard Bible
However, some good is found in you, for you have eradicated the Asherah poles from the land and have determined in your heart to seek God.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
However, some good is found in you, for you have removed the Asherah poles from the land and have decided to seek God.”

American Standard Version
Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast put away the Asheroth out of the land, and hast set thy heart to seek God.

Contemporary English Version
But not everything about you is bad. You destroyed the sacred poles used in worshiping the goddess Asherah--that shows you have tried to obey the LORD.

English Revised Version
Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast put away the Asheroth out of the land, and hast set thine heart to seek God.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
However, you've done some good things: You've burned the Asherah poles in this country, and you've wholeheartedly dedicated your life to serving God."

Good News Translation
But even so, there is some good in you. You have removed all the symbols of the goddess Asherah which people worshiped, and you have tried to follow God's will."

International Standard Version
Nevertheless, a few good things have been found in you, in that you have removed the Asheroth from the land and you have disciplined yourself to seek God."

Majority Standard Bible
However, some good is found in you, for you have removed the Asherah poles from the land and have set your heart on seeking God.?

NET Bible
Nevertheless you have done some good things; you removed the Asherah poles from the land and you were determined to follow the LORD."

New Heart English Bible
Nevertheless there are good things found in you, in that you have put away the Asheroth out of the land, and have set your heart to seek God."

Webster's Bible Translation
Nevertheless, there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast taken away the groves out of the land, and hast prepared thy heart to seek God.

World English Bible
Nevertheless there are good things found in you, in that you have put away the Asheroth out of the land, and have set your heart to seek God.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
but good things have been found with you, for you have put away the Asheroth out of the land, and have prepared your heart to seek God.”

Young's Literal Translation
but good things have been found with thee, for thou hast put away the shrines out of the land, and hast prepared thy heart to seek God.'

Smith's Literal Translation
But good words were found with thee, for thou didst burn the images from the land, and didst prepare heart to seek God.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
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.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But good works have been found in you. For you have taken away the sacred groves from the land of Judah. And you have prepared your heart, so as to seek the Lord, the God of your fathers.”

New American Bible
Yet some good has been found in you, since you have removed the asherahs from the land and have set your heart to seek God.”

New Revised Standard Version
Nevertheless, some good is found in you, for you destroyed the sacred poles out of the land, and have set your heart to seek God.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But I believe good reports have been heard about you, in that you have not shed innocent blood in the land and have prepared your heart to pray before the LORD in truth.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
But I believe that good words have been declared of you, because you have not shed innocent blood in the earth, and you have prepared your heart to pray before LORD JEHOVAH in the truth!”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast put away the Asheroth out of the land, and hast set thy heart to seek God.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Nevertheless some good things have been found in thee, forasmuch as thou didst remove the groves from the land of Juda, and didst direct thine heart to seek after the Lord.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jehoshaphat Reproved by Jehu
2Jehu son of Hanani the seer went out to confront him and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Because of this, the wrath of the LORD is upon you. 3However, some good is found in you, for you have removed the Asherah poles from the land and have set your heart on seeking God.”

Cross References
1 Kings 14:13
All Israel will mourn for him and bury him. For this is the only one belonging to Jeroboam who will receive a proper burial, because only in him has the LORD, the God of Israel, found any good in the house of Jeroboam.

2 Chronicles 12:12
Because Rehoboam humbled himself, the anger of the LORD turned away from him, and He did not destroy him completely. Indeed, conditions were good in Judah.

2 Chronicles 15:17
The high places were not removed from Israel, but Asa’s heart was fully devoted all his days.

2 Chronicles 17:3-4
Now the LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the earlier ways of his father David. He did not seek the Baals, / but he sought the God of his father and walked by His commandments rather than the practices of Israel.

2 Chronicles 20:32-33
And Jehoshaphat walked in the way of his father Asa and did not turn away from it; he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD. / The high places, however, were not removed; the people had not yet set their hearts on the God of their fathers.

2 Chronicles 30:18-20
A large number of the people—many from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun—had not purified themselves, yet they ate the Passover, contrary to what was written. But Hezekiah interceded for them, saying, “May the LORD, who is good, provide atonement for everyone / who sets his heart on seeking God—the LORD, the God of his fathers—even if he is not cleansed according to the purification rules of the sanctuary.” / And the LORD heard Hezekiah and healed the people.

2 Chronicles 31:20-21
So this is what Hezekiah did throughout Judah. He did what was good and upright and true before the LORD his God. / He acted with all his heart in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law and the commandments, in order to seek his God. And so he prospered.

2 Chronicles 32:26
Then Hezekiah humbled the pride of his heart—he and the people of Jerusalem—so that the wrath of the LORD did not come upon them during the days of Hezekiah.

2 Chronicles 34:27
because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before God when you heard His words against this place and against its people, and because you have humbled yourself before Me and have torn your clothes and wept before Me, I have heard you,’ declares the LORD.

2 Chronicles 35:18-19
No such Passover had been observed in Israel since the days of Samuel the prophet. None of the kings of Israel ever observed a Passover like the one that Josiah observed with the priests, the Levites, all Judah, the Israelites who were present, and the people of Jerusalem. / In the eighteenth year of Josiah’s reign, this Passover was observed.

Psalm 78:37-38
Their hearts were disloyal to Him, and they were unfaithful to His covenant. / And yet He was compassionate; He forgave their iniquity and did not destroy them. He often restrained His anger and did not unleash His full wrath.

Isaiah 55:6-7
Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. / Let the wicked man forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.

Jeremiah 4:1-2
“If you will return, O Israel, return to Me,” declares the LORD. “If you will remove your detestable idols from My sight and no longer waver, / and if you can swear, ‘As surely as the LORD lives,’ in truth, in justice, and in righteousness, then the nations will be blessed by Him, and in Him they will glory.”

Jeremiah 29:13
You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.

Ezekiel 18:30-32
Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each according to his ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, so that your iniquity will not become your downfall. / Cast away from yourselves all the transgressions you have committed, and fashion for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Why should you die, O house of Israel? / For I take no pleasure in anyone’s death, declares the Lord GOD. So repent and live!


Treasury of Scripture

Nevertheless there are good things found in you, in that you have taken away the groves out of the land, and have prepared your heart to seek God.

good things

2 Chronicles 12:12
And when he humbled himself, the wrath of the LORD turned from him, that he would not destroy him altogether: and also in Judah things went well.

2 Chronicles 17:3-6
And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim; …

1 Kings 14:13
And all Israel shall mourn for him, and bury him: for he only of Jeroboam shall come to the grave, because in him there is found some good thing toward the LORD God of Israel in the house of Jeroboam.

prepared

2 Chronicles 12:14
And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD.

2 Chronicles 30:19
That prepareth his heart to seek God, the LORD God of his fathers, though he be not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary.

Ezra 7:10
For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.

Jump to Previous
Asherah Asherahs Asheroth Destroyed Directed Found Good Groves Heart However Nevertheless Pillars Poles Prepared Removed Rid Seek Shrines Wood Worship
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Asherah Asherahs Asheroth Destroyed Directed Found Good Groves Heart However Nevertheless Pillars Poles Prepared Removed Rid Seek Shrines Wood Worship
2 Chronicles 19
1. Jehoshaphat, reproved by Jehu, visits his kingdom
5. His instructions to the judges
8. to the priests and Levites














However, some good is found in you
This phrase acknowledges the presence of positive qualities or actions in Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah. Despite previous mistakes, such as forming alliances with Ahab, Jehoshaphat's efforts to reform and lead Judah back to God are recognized. This reflects the biblical principle that God sees and acknowledges the good in individuals, even when they have erred. It echoes the sentiment found in 1 Kings 14:13, where God finds something pleasing in the heart of a child of Jeroboam.

for you have removed the Asherah poles from the land
Asherah poles were wooden symbols associated with the worship of the Canaanite goddess Asherah. Their removal signifies a commitment to purging idolatry from Judah, aligning with the first commandment against idolatry (Exodus 20:3-5). This action demonstrates a return to covenant faithfulness, similar to the reforms of other kings like Hezekiah (2 Kings 18:4) and Josiah (2 Kings 23:14). Archaeological findings have uncovered Asherah figurines and poles, confirming their prevalence in ancient Israelite culture and the significant challenge of eradicating them.

and have set your heart on seeking God.
Setting one's heart on seeking God indicates a deliberate and sincere commitment to pursuing a relationship with the Lord. This phrase highlights the importance of internal devotion, not just external actions. It aligns with the biblical theme of seeking God with all one's heart, as seen in Deuteronomy 4:29 and Jeremiah 29:13. Jehoshaphat's dedication to seeking God is a type of Christ, who perfectly sought and did the will of the Father (John 5:30). This pursuit of God is central to the life of faith and is a recurring call throughout Scripture.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jehoshaphat
The king of Judah who is being addressed in this verse. He is known for his efforts to bring the people of Judah back to the worship of Yahweh.

2. Asherah Poles
These were wooden symbols associated with the worship of the Canaanite goddess Asherah. Jehoshaphat's removal of these poles signifies his commitment to purging idolatry from Judah.

3. Judah
The southern kingdom of Israel, over which Jehoshaphat reigned. It was often challenged by idolatry and needed reform.

4. Prophet Jehu
Although not directly mentioned in this verse, he is the one delivering God's message to Jehoshaphat, highlighting both his faults and his commendable actions.

5. The Heart
In Hebrew, the word "heart" (lev) often refers to the inner self, including one's mind, will, and emotions. Jehoshaphat's heart was set on seeking God, indicating a sincere and deep commitment.
Teaching Points
Commitment to Godly Reform
Jehoshaphat's removal of the Asherah poles demonstrates the importance of actively removing sin and idolatry from our lives. We must identify and eliminate anything that competes with our devotion to God.

The Heart's Pursuit
Setting one's heart to seek God is a deliberate and ongoing choice. It involves aligning our desires, thoughts, and actions with God's will, much like Jehoshaphat did.

Acknowledging Mixed Legacies
Jehoshaphat's life shows that even those with a heart for God can have areas needing correction. We should be open to God's correction and strive to grow in righteousness.

Influence of Leadership
As a leader, Jehoshaphat's actions had a significant impact on the spiritual direction of Judah. Our influence, whether in family, work, or community, should lead others toward God.

God's Recognition of Good
Despite Jehoshaphat's imperfections, God acknowledged the good in him. This encourages us that God sees and values our efforts to seek Him, even when we fall short.(3) Nevertheless.--Yet the Divine wrath will not pursue thee to destruction, for there are good things found in thee. (So 2Chronicles 12:12; comp. also 1Kings 14:13.)

Thou hast taken away the groves.--Thou hast consumed (or exterminated ) the Ash?rahs. (Deuteronomy 13:6; 2Kings 23:24.) So Asa had done (2Chronicles 17:4). (Ash?roth, as equivalent to Ash?rim, recurs in 2Chronicles 33:3 and in Judges 3:7 only.) . . .

Verse 3. - Nevertheless; Hebrew, אֲכָל one of the few particles that were affirmative in the earlier Hebrew (Genesis 42:21), but adversative in the later (2 Chronicles 1:4; Daniel 10:7, 21). It may be well rendered, "on the other hand." The expression here recalls the less favourable "notwithstanding" of Revelation 2:20. There are good things found in thee (see 2 Chronicles 17:1-9).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
However,
אֲבָ֕ל (’ă·ḇāl)
Adverb
Strong's 61: Verily, of a truth

some
דְּבָרִ֥ים (də·ḇā·rîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

good
טוֹבִ֖ים (ṭō·w·ḇîm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good

is found
נִמְצְא֣וּ (nim·ṣə·’ū)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 4672: To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present

in you,
עִמָּ֑ךְ (‘im·māḵ)
Preposition | second person feminine singular
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

for
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

you have removed
בִעַ֤רְתָּ (ḇi·‘ar·tā)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 1197: To kindle, consume, to be, brutish

the Asherah poles
הָאֲשֵׁרוֹת֙ (hā·’ă·šê·rō·wṯ)
Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 842: A Phoenician goddess, also an image of the same

from
מִן־ (min-)
Preposition
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

the land
הָאָ֔רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

and have set
וַהֲכִינ֥וֹתָ (wa·hă·ḵî·nō·w·ṯā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 3559: To be erect

your heart
לְבָבְךָ֖ (lə·ḇā·ḇə·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 3824: Inner man, mind, will, heart

to seek
לִדְרֹ֥שׁ (liḏ·rōš)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 1875: To tread, frequent, to follow, to seek, ask, to worship

God.”
הָֽאֱלֹהִֽים׃ (hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative


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OT History: 2 Chronicles 19:3 Nevertheless there are good things found (2 Chron. 2Ch iiCh ii ch 2 chr 2chr)
2 Chronicles 19:2
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