Albert Barnes Commentary 2 Chronicles 19:8

"Moreover in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites and the priests, and of the heads of the fathers` [houses] of Israel, for the judgment of Jehovah, and for controversies. And they returned to Jerusalem." — 2 Chronicles 19:8 (ASV)

The “fathers of Israel” are the heads of families; the “chief of the fathers” are the great patriarchal chiefs, the admitted heads of great houses or clans. They were now admitted to share in the judicial office, which seems in David’s time to have been confined to the Levites (1 Chronicles 23:4).

For the judgment of the Lord, and for controversies — The first phrase refers to disputed cases concerning the performance of religious obligations. The term “controversies” includes all ordinary legal cases, whether criminal or civil.

When they returned to Jerusalem — This should instead be read as, and they returned to Jerusalem. This clause makes more sense if it is detached from the preceding words and connected to 2 Chronicles 19:9.