2 Chronicles21

Jehoram succeeded his father Jehoshaphat as king of Judah but immediately slew his brothers and ruled wickedly, following the ways of Ahab. As a result of his apostasy and violence, Edom and Libnah revolted, and Elijah prophesied a severe plague upon him and his kingdom. Jehoram subsequently suffered invasions from Philistines and Arabians, losing his family and possessions, and ultimately died from a grievous, incurable bowel disease, receiving an ignominious burial.
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Jehoram Succeeds Jehoshaphat and Executes His Brothers

1
Now Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David. And Jehoram his son reigned in his stead. ​
2
And he had brethren the sons of Jehoshaphat, Azariah, and Jehiel, and Zechariah, and Azariah, and Michael, and Shephatiah: all these were the sons of Jehoshaphat king of Israel.
3
And their father gave them great gifts of silver, and of gold, and of precious things, with fenced cities in Judah: but the kingdom gave he to Jehoram; because he was the firstborn.
4
Now when Jehoram was risen up to the kingdom of his father, he strengthened himself, and slew all his brethren with the sword, and divers also of the princes of Israel. ​

Jehoram's Wicked Reign and Alliance with Ahab

5
Jehoram was thirty and two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem.
6
And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, like as did the house of Ahab: for he had the daughter of Ahab to wife: and he wrought that which was evil in the eyes of the LORD. ​
7
Howbeit the LORD would not destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that he had made with David, and as he promised to give a light to him and to his sons for ever. ​

Rebellions and Further Apostasy

8
In his days the Edomites revolted from under the dominion of Judah, and made themselves a king. ​
9
Then Jehoram went forth with his princes, and all his chariots with him: and he rose up by night, and smote the Edomites which compassed him in, and the captains of the chariots.
10
So the Edomites revolted from under the hand of Judah unto this day. The same time also did Libnah revolt from under his hand; because he had forsaken the LORD God of his fathers. ​
11
Moreover he made high places in the mountains of Judah, and caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to commit fornication, and compelled Judah thereto. ​

Elijah Prophesies Judgment

12
And there came a writing to him from Elijah the prophet, saying, Thus saith the LORD God of David thy father, Because thou hast not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat thy father, nor in the ways of Asa king of Judah, ​
13
But hast walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and hast made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to go a whoring, like to the whoredoms of the house of Ahab, and also hast slain thy brethren of thy father's house, which were better than thyself: ​
14
Behold, with a great plague will the LORD smite thy people, and thy children, and thy wives, and all thy goods:
15
And thou shalt have great sickness by disease of thy bowels, until thy bowels fall out by reason of the sickness day by day. ​

Fulfillment of Judgment and Death

16
Moreover the LORD stirred up against Jehoram the spirit of the Philistines, and of the Arabians, that were near the Ethiopians: ​
17
And they came up into Judah, and brake into it, and carried away all the substance that was found in the king's house, and his sons also, and his wives; so that there was never a son left him, save Jehoahaz, the youngest of his sons. ​
18
And after all this the LORD smote him in his bowels with an incurable disease.
19
And it came to pass, that in process of time, after the end of two years, his bowels fell out by reason of his sickness: so he died of sore diseases. And his people made no burning for him, like the burning of his fathers. ​
20
Thirty and two years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years, and departed without being desired. Howbeit they buried him in the city of David, but not in the sepulchres of the kings. ​

Study Notes for 2 Chronicles 21

Verse 1

Jehoram’s succession marks the end of Jehoshaphat’s righteous reign. The Chronicler emphasizes the stark contrast between the previous godly king and his wicked successor.

Verse 4

Jehoram violated the expected conduct of a Davidic king by murdering his own brothers and other officials to consolidate power. This act of fratricide mirrors the ruthless behavior often seen in the unstable Northern Kingdom of Israel.

Verse 6

Jehoram's marriage to Athaliah, daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, was the primary catalyst for his apostasy. This political and marital alliance introduced aggressive Baal worship and political instability into Judah.

Verse 7

This verse highlights the unconditional nature of the Davidic Covenant (2 Sam 7:12-16). Despite Jehoram's extreme wickedness, God preserved the Davidic line to fulfill the promise of a future everlasting 'light' (messianic hope).

Verse 8

The successful revolt of Edom, whom David had previously subdued, signals the beginning of the political and military decline of Judah under divine judgment.

Verse 10

The revolt of Libnah, possibly a Levitical city, is explicitly attributed to Jehoram's abandonment of the covenant, demonstrating the direct link between the king's sin and national misfortune.

Verse 11

Jehoram not only tolerated idolatry but actively promoted it, 'compelling' Judah to participate in practices akin to spiritual prostitution ('fornication'/'whoring'), a term used for covenant unfaithfulness.

Verse 12

The inclusion of a prophetic writing from Elijah is unique, as the prophet is usually associated with the Northern Kingdom and is often assumed to have already been taken up to heaven (2 Kgs 2). This message underscores that God’s judgment is universal, reaching even the king of Judah.

Verse 13

The charges against Jehoram emphasize two major sins: leading the people into idolatry (like Ahab) and the political atrocity of fratricide, both deserving severe punishment.

Verse 15

The judgment is highly specific: a severe, debilitating, and drawn-out gastrointestinal illness. This physical affliction reflects the severity of his spiritual corruption and failure to keep the covenant.

Verse 16

The Philistines and Arabians acted as instruments of divine punishment, demonstrating God’s sovereignty over surrounding nations. The Arabians mentioned here likely refer to nomadic tribes east and south of Judah.

Verse 17

The foreign invasion resulted in the total loss of Jehoram’s wealth and family, leaving only Jehoahaz (also called Ahaziah, 2 Ch 22:1), the youngest, to preserve the Davidic line.

Verse 19

His lack of a 'burning' (a customary honoring ceremony involving spices and incense) signifies the people’s profound contempt and rejection of his wicked reign.

Verse 20

To 'departed without being desired' summarizes the failure of his kingship. Exclusion from the royal sepulchers confirms his disgrace and rejection by both God and his people.

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