New Court Location in Second Chronicles
In 2 Chronicles 20:5, King Jehoshaphat is described as standing "before the new court" in the house of the Lord during a time of national crisis and prayer. This "new court" refers to a specific area within the Temple complex in Jerusalem [1, 2].
Commentators generally identify this "new court" with the great or outer court of the Temple, which Solomon had originally built (2 Chron 4:9) [1, 2]. The designation "new" likely indicates that it had undergone restoration, enlargement, or beautification, possibly during the reigns of Jehoshaphat or his predecessor, Asa [1, 2]. John Gill suggests it might have been called "new" because it was renewed or repaired when the altar was by Asa (2 Chron 15:8) [3]. This outer court was the primary gathering place for the congregation to assemble before God in the sanctuary [1].
Jehoshaphat's position "before the new court" means he stood at its entrance, addressing the assembled people of Judah and Jerusalem [1]. Some interpretations suggest he stood in the court of the people, possibly on the bronze scaffold that Solomon had erected (2 Chron 6:13), with the "new court" in this context referring to the court of the priests, which would have been in front of him [3].
This event occurs within the broader context of Jehoshaphat's reign, which included significant judicial reforms aimed at reestablishing the law of Deuteronomy. He appointed judges in fortified towns and established a central court in Jerusalem, emphasizing integrity and the fear of the Lord in judgment [4]. His public prayer in the Temple, before the new court, underscores his reliance on divine intervention during a military threat, demonstrating a key aspect of his leadership.
Sources
- 2 Chronicles (Lutheran) “Keil & Delitzsch on 2 Chronicles 20:5: When the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem had assembled themselves in the house of God, Jehoshaphat came forth before the new court and made supplication in fervent prayer to the Lord. The new court is the outer or great court of the temple, which Solomon had built (Ch2 4:9). It is here called the new court, probably because it had been restored or extended under Jehoshaphat or Asa. This court was the place where the congregation assembled before God in the sanctuary. Jehoshaphat placed himself before it, i.e., at the entrance into the court of the prie”
- 2 Chronicles (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Chronicles 20:5: Jehoshaphat stood . . . in the house of the Lord, before the new court--that is, the great or outer court (Ch2 4:9) called the new court, probably from having been at that time enlarged or beautified.”
- 2 Chronicles (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Chronicles 20:5: And Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the Lord,.... In the temple, in the court of the people, where the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem were assembled, in the midst of which he stood very probably on the brasen scaffold erected by Solomon, Ch2 6:13, before the new court: which must be the court of the priests, for he stood in the great court, or court of the people, and before this, which might be so called, because renewed or repaired when the altar was by Asa, Ch2 15:8. Dr. Lightfoot (t) thinks it was the court”
- 2 Chronicles (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Chronicles 19:4: 19:4-11 In Jehoshaphat’s judicial reform, he appointed judges in the fortified towns (19:5) and in a central court in Jerusalem (19:8). He exhorted all the judges to think carefully, and to judge with integrity and in the fear of the Lord. This excluded acting with any partiality or taking of bribes, and included warning criminals not to sin against the Lord. The reform reestablished the law of Deuteronomy (Deut 16:18–17:13).”