2 Kings 3:1

¶ Now Jehoram the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and reigned twelve years.

Now Jehoram {H3088} the son {H1121} of Ahab {H256} began to reign {H4427} over Israel {H3478} in Samaria {H8111} the eighteenth {H8083}{H6240} year {H8141} of Jehoshaphat {H3092} king {H4428} of Judah {H3063}, and reigned {H4427} twelve {H8147}{H6240} years {H8141}.

Y'horam the son of Ach'av began his reign over Isra'el in Shomron during the eighteenth year of Y'hoshafat king of Y'hudah, and he ruled for twelve years.

In the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat’s reign over Judah, Jehoram son of Ahab became king of Israel, and he reigned in Samaria twelve years.

Now Jehoram the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria in the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and reigned twelve years.

Commentary

This opening verse of 2 Kings chapter 3 introduces a new era in the history of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. It marks the beginning of the reign of Jehoram (also known as Joram), the son of the infamous King Ahab, over Israel in its capital city, Samaria.

Context

The verse immediately grounds Jehoram's reign in the broader biblical timeline by stating that he began to rule in "the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah." This precise synchronism is a common feature in the books of Kings, allowing readers to align the parallel histories of the divided kingdoms of Israel (North) and Judah (South). Jehoram's accession follows the brief reign of his brother Ahaziah (see 1 Kings 22:51-53), and his father, King Ahab, was notorious for his promotion of Baal worship alongside his Phoenician wife, Jezebel. Samaria, the capital, was strategically built by Jehoram's grandfather, Omri (1 Kings 16:24), and served as the center of Israelite political and religious life, often marked by idolatry.

Key Themes

  • Succession and Continuity: The verse highlights the transfer of power, emphasizing the ongoing narrative of kingship in Israel.
  • Historical Precision: The specific dating by synchronizing with the reign of King Jehoshaphat of Judah underscores the biblical record's commitment to chronological accuracy.
  • Introduction to a New Reign: This verse sets the stage for the events of Jehoram's twelve-year rule, which will be further detailed in subsequent chapters (e.g., 2 Kings 3:2 provides immediate insight into his character).

Linguistic Insights

The name "Jehoram" (Hebrew: Yehoram) is a theophoric name, meaning "Yahweh is exalted" or "Yahweh is high." This is quite ironic given the deep apostasy and Baal worship that characterized his father Ahab's reign and continued to some extent into Jehoram's own. While Jehoram was less zealous for Baal than his parents, his name stands as a subtle reminder of the true God of Israel, Yahweh, who remains sovereign despite human failings.

Significance and Application

Though a seemingly simple historical record, this verse is foundational. It demonstrates the Bible's meticulous attention to historical detail and its understanding of the unfolding of God's purposes through human reigns and political shifts. For us today, it reinforces the truth that God works within the fabric of human history, overseeing successions and durations of power. It prompts us to consider the legacy of leadership and how each generation builds upon or deviates from the paths of those who came before. Jehoram's reign, as described in the following verses, shows that while he might have been a marginal improvement over his father, true faithfulness to God was still elusive for the Northern Kingdom, leading to further consequences.

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Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 1:17 (5 votes)

    So he died according to the word of the LORD which Elijah had spoken. And Jehoram reigned in his stead in the second year of Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah; because he had no son.

  • 2 Kings 8:16 (2 votes)

    ¶ And in the fifth year of Joram the son of Ahab king of Israel, Jehoshaphat [being] then king of Judah, Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah began to reign.

  • 1 Kings 22:51 (2 votes)

    Ahaziah the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria the seventeenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and reigned two years over Israel.