Did ... set. — Appointed some of the Levites.
Chief of the fathers. — Heads of the clans of families. (Comp. Exodus 18:21-26; Deuteronomy 1:15-17, where the judicial functions of the family ‘chiefs are said to have been ordained by Moses.) The 6,000 Levites set apart by David to be writers (shôterîm) and judges (1 Chronicles 23:4) appear to have been intended to act as their assessors, as being professional experts in the Law. In this measure, it is probable that David merely systematised traditional usage. Jehoshaphat re-organised the administration of justice throughout the country, and established a superior tribunal, or High Court of Appeal, in the capital, such as Deuteronomy 17:8-12 prescribe.
For the judgment of the Lord. — Comp. 2 Chronicles 19:11 : “For every matter of Jehovah,” i.e., for all ecclesiastical as opposed to civil causes. The latter are here called “controversies” (rîbh, strife, litigation), and in 2 Chronicles 19:11, “every matter of the king.”
When. — And. There should be a full-stop at “controversies.” “And they returned to Jerusalem” refers to the return of the Royal Commission of 2 Chronicles 19:4. So Syriac and Arabic, which make the clause begin 2 Chronicles 19:9 : “And he returned to Jerusalem, charged them, and said to them.”