Matthew Poole and continuators on 2 Chronicles 19:8

8 Moreover, in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites, and of the priests, and of the chief of the fathers of I[illegible: 1+ letters]rael for the judgment of the LORD , and for controversi[illegible: 1+ letters]s wh[illegible: 1+ letters]n they returned to Jerusalem .

Who were not Priests and Levites, but such persons of other Tribes as were most Eminent for their Dignity, Ability and Integrity. But whether these persons made up one Court called the Sanhedrim, by which all Causes Ecclesiastical and Civil were decided; or there were two distinct Courts, the one Eccles[illegible: 1+ letters]astical, consisting of the Priests and Levites, the other Civil, consisting of the Chief of the Fathers of Israel, belongs to another place to determine, and requires more words than the Nature of this Work can permit.

i. e. For Sacred matters concerning the Laws and Worship and Service of God.

For Matters of Difference between Man and Man.

i. e. When Jehoshaphat and his Company were returned to Jerusalem, then he made this Order [illegible: 1+ letters] ing establishing Judges there. But so this last Clause may see[illegible: 1+ letters] superfluous and tautological, being more than implyed in the beginning of the Verse. Or rather, when they, i. e. the Causes and Controversies last mentioned, shall return, or be returned t[illegible: 1+ letters] Ierusalem; i. e. When the Causes shall be so difficult that the Judges ordained in every City cannot determine them; or when your Brethren that dwell in every City shall come to you, as it is expressed v. 10. appealing from their City-courts to the great [illegible: 1 word] or Councel at Jerusalem. Of which see on Exod. 18. 26. [illegible: 1 word] ▪ 1. 17. & 17. 8. As for the Phrase, not onely Persons but Thing[illegible: 1+ letters] are said to return or be returned, as Blood, 1 King. 2. 33. and Clouds, Eccles. 12. 2. and Reproach Hos. 12. 14. If it be further objected that these Causes were never brought to Jerusalem before, and therefore cannot be properly said to be returned thither, That may be answered both from the usage of our Law wherein suc[illegible: 1+ letters] Causes are said to be returned to Westminster, which never were there before; and from the use of Scripture, wherein sinners are commonly said to return to the Lord, though they had never been with the Lord in that Sence before, but were estranged from God even from the Womb till the Time of their Conversion. And t[illegible: 1+ letters]e Dust, i. e. Mans Body, is said to return to the Earth, Eccles. 12. 7. though it was never there before.

Marginal references: Deut. 16. 18.; Heb. and they returned.