2 Chronicles 21:2

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.

And he had brethren {H251} the sons {H1121} of Jehoshaphat {H3092}, Azariah {H5838}, and Jehiel {H3171}, and Zechariah {H2148}, and Azariah {H5838}, and Michael {H4317}, and Shephatiah {H8203}: all these were the sons {H1121} of Jehoshaphat {H3092} king {H4428} of Israel {H3478}.

He had brothers who were sons of Y'hoshafat -'Azaryah, Yechi'el, Z'kharyahu, 'Azaryahu, Mikha'el and Sh'fatyahu; all these were sons of Y'hoshafat king of Isra'el.

Jehoram’s brothers, the sons of Jehoshaphat, were Azariah, Jehiel, Zechariah, Azariah, Michael, and Shephatiah; these were all sons of Jehoshaphat king of Israel.

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.

Commentary

2 Chronicles 21:2 introduces the brothers of Jehoram, the new king of Judah, immediately after his ascension to the throne. These individuals are listed as Azariah, Jehiel, Zechariah, another Azariah, Michael, and Shephatiah, all identified as sons of King Jehoshaphat.

Context of 2 Chronicles 21:2

This verse sets the stage for the tumultuous reign of Jehoram, son of the righteous King Jehoshaphat. Following the peaceful transfer of power from Jehoshaphat to Jehoram mentioned in 2 Chronicles 21:1, this verse details the royal family structure. It provides a crucial backdrop to the tragic events that unfold shortly thereafter, as Jehoram's wickedness leads him to commit heinous acts against his own family.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Royal Lineage and Succession: The verse meticulously lists the sons of King Jehoshaphat, emphasizing the continuation of the Davidic line in Judah. This highlights the importance of divine promises regarding an enduring dynasty, even amidst human failings.
  • Family Dynamics in Kingship: By identifying Jehoram's brothers, the text subtly foreshadows the dark turn the monarchy will take. It underscores the complex and often dangerous nature of power within royal families.
  • Contrast with Parental Legacy: While Jehoshaphat was a king who walked in the ways of the Lord, this verse, by introducing his other sons, prepares the reader for the stark contrast with Jehoram's reign, which was marked by evil and bloodshed.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "king of Israel" used to describe Jehoshaphat is noteworthy. While Jehoshaphat was king of the Southern Kingdom of Judah, the Chronicler often uses "Israel" in a broader sense to refer to the entire people of God, including both Judah and the northern tribes, reflecting a theological unity. It does not imply that Jehoshaphat ruled the Northern Kingdom. The names themselves are common Hebrew names for the period.

Historical Significance and Application

This seemingly simple genealogical listing carries immense historical weight because of what happens next. The brothers mentioned here were likely men of influence, potentially vying for power or serving in significant roles within the kingdom. Tragically, Jehoram brutally murdered all his brothers shortly after ascending the throne, along with some of the princes of Israel, to secure his position. This act of fratricide was a grave sin, marking a severe moral decline for the Davidic monarchy and leading to divine judgment.

For us today, 2 Chronicles 21:2 serves as a reminder that lineage and opportunity do not guarantee righteous character. Even from a godly heritage, individuals are accountable for their own choices. It highlights the corrupting influence of unchecked power and the devastating consequences of sin within families and leadership, urging us to prioritize moral integrity and godly character over worldly ambition.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Chronicles 23:2

    And they went about in Judah, and gathered the Levites out of all the cities of Judah, and the chief of the fathers of Israel, and they came to Jerusalem.

  • 2 Chronicles 12:6

    Whereupon the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves; and they said, The LORD [is] righteous.

  • 2 Chronicles 24:5

    And he gathered together the priests and the Levites, and said to them, Go out unto the cities of Judah, and gather of all Israel money to repair the house of your God from year to year, and see that ye hasten the matter. Howbeit the Levites hastened [it] not.

  • 2 Chronicles 28:27

    And Ahaz slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city, [even] in Jerusalem: but they brought him not into the sepulchres of the kings of Israel: and Hezekiah his son reigned in his stead.

  • 2 Chronicles 33:18

    Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh, and his prayer unto his God, and the words of the seers that spake to him in the name of the LORD God of Israel, behold, they [are written] in the book of the kings of Israel.

  • 2 Chronicles 28:23

    For he sacrificed unto the gods of Damascus, which smote him: and he said, Because the gods of the kings of Syria help them, [therefore] will I sacrifice to them, that they may help me. But they were the ruin of him, and of all Israel.

  • 2 Chronicles 35:18

    And there was no passover like to that kept in Israel from the days of Samuel the prophet; neither did all the kings of Israel keep such a passover as Josiah kept, and the priests, and the Levites, and all Judah and Israel that were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
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