TSK · Exodus 18:21

On the third day Joseph said to them,“Do as I say and you will live, for I fear God.

Moses chose capable men from all Israel, and he made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.

“But if they blow with one trumpet, then the leaders, the heads of the thousands of Israel, must come to you.

So I chose as your tribal leaders wise and well-known men, placing them over you as administrators of groups of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens, and also as other tribal officials.

He was accompanied by ten leaders, one from each of the Israelite tribes, each one a family leader among the Israelite clans.

He will appoint for himself leaders of thousands and leaders of fifties, as well as those who plow his ground, reap his harvest, and make his weapons of war and his chariot equipment.

The Death of Absalom David assembled the army that was with him. He appointed leaders of thousands and leaders of hundreds.

So give your servant a discerning mind so he can make judicial decisions for your people and distinguish right from wrong. Otherwise no one is able to make judicial decisions for this great nation of yours.”

But when I leave you, the LORD’s Spirit will carry you away so I can’t find you. If I go tell Ahab I’ve seen you, he won’t be able to find you and he will kill me. That would not be fair, because your servant has been a loyal follower of the LORD from my youth.

Respect the LORD and make careful decisions, for the LORD our God disapproves of injustice, partiality, and bribery.”

Then I said,“The thing that you are doing is wrong! Should you not conduct yourselves in the fear of our God in order to avoid the reproach of the Gentiles who are our enemies?

I was a father to the needy, and I investigated the case of the person I did not know;

He does not charge interest when he lends his money. He does not take bribes to testify against the innocent. The one who lives like this will never be shaken.

When a country is rebellious it has many princes, but by someone who is discerning and knowledgeable order is maintained.

Then a trustworthy king will be established; he will rule in a reliable manner, this one from David’s family. He will be sure to make just decisions and will be experienced in executing justice.

No one is concerned about justice; no one sets forth his case truthfully. They depend on false words and tell lies; they conceive of oppression and give birth to sin.

Judah is Justly Deserving of Coming Judgment The LORD said,“Go up and down through the streets of Jerusalem. Look around and see for yourselves. Search through its public squares. See if any of you can find a single person who deals honestly and tries to be truthful. If you can, then I will not punish this city.

They take bribes within you to shed blood. You engage in usury and charge interest; you extort money from your neighbors. You have forgotten me, declares the Sovereign LORD.

These are the things you must do: Speak the truth, each of you, to one another. Practice true and righteous judgment in your courts.

For a while he refused, but later on he said to himself,‘Though I neither fear God nor have regard for people,

I have desired no one’s silver or gold or clothing.

Those who long to be rich, however, stumble into temptation and a trap and many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.