Righteous leadership

2 Chronicles 20:32 [Jehoshaphat] walked in the way of his father Asa and did not depart from it, doing right in the sight of the LORD. 33 The high places, however, were not removed; the people had not yet directed their hearts to the God of their fathers.

This was an indictment against Jehoshaphat; he did good but he failed in other areas. He did not tear down the "pagan shrines" (NLT) and the people did not change their hearts towards God. It is interesting to note that the latter was part of the indictment of Jehoshaphat's reign. No; government cannot save you, but how much influence can the government have on the hearts of a people?

2 Chronicles 27:2 [Jotham] did right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Uzziah had done; however he did not enter the temple of the LORD. But the people continued acting corruptly.

There again another mention of the king's shortcoming(s) followed closely by the ethics of the nation.

2 Chronicles 28:19 For the LORD humbled Judah because of Ahaz king of Israel, for he had brought about a lack of restraint in Judah and was very unfaithful to the LORD.

How is it that sin is so easily propagated? Why do we say that you cannot force a nation to be Christian but we see all throughout history the forcing of nations to anti-God religion...Ahaz forced Judah/Israel to worship the gods of the Assyrians...But God is faithful in that He retains His remnant.