2 Kings 8:24

And Joram slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David: and Ahaziah his son reigned in his stead.

And Joram {H3141} slept {H7901} with his fathers {H1}, and was buried {H6912} with his fathers {H1} in the city {H5892} of David {H1732}: and Ahaziah {H274} his son {H1121} reigned {H4427} in his stead.

Yoram slept with his ancestors and was buried with his ancestors in the City of David, and Achazyah his son took his place as king.

And Jehoram rested with his fathers and was buried with them in the City of David. And his son Ahaziah reigned in his place.

And Joram slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David; and Ahaziah his son reigned in his stead.

Commentary

2 Kings 8:24 marks a significant transition in the royal lineage of Judah, detailing the death and burial of King Joram (also known as Jehoram) and the immediate succession of his son, Ahaziah, to the throne. This verse serves as a concise summary of the end of one reign and the beginning of another, typical of the historical narratives in the Books of Kings.

Historical and Cultural Context

King Joram of Judah, son of the righteous King Jehoshaphat, reigned for eight years (2 Kings 8:17). His rule was characterized by significant spiritual decline, as he "walked in the way of the kings of Israel" (meaning the Northern Kingdom, which was deeply steeped in idolatry) and married Athaliah, daughter of King Ahab of Israel (2 Kings 8:18). This alliance brought Baal worship and other abominable practices into Judah, leading to divine judgment, including revolts and plagues (2 Chronicles 21:10-19).

The phrase "slept with his fathers" is a common biblical idiom for death, signifying that Joram died and joined his ancestors, a phrase used for many kings throughout the Old Testament, such as King David. His burial "in the city of David" refers to Jerusalem, specifically the royal burial grounds within the ancient city, underscoring his status as a legitimate king of the Davidic dynasty, despite his ungodly actions. The City of David was the original Jebusite stronghold captured by David, which became the core of Jerusalem.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Succession and Continuity: The verse highlights the dynastic principle of kingship in Judah, where the throne passed from father to son. Despite Joram's wickedness, the Davidic line, to which God had made an eternal covenant, continued.
  • Divine Sovereignty Amidst Human Failure: Even as Joram's reign was marked by apostasy and judgment, God's plan for the Davidic covenant persisted through the succession of his son. This underscores God's faithfulness to His promises, even when human leaders fail.
  • The Consequences of Ungodly Leadership: While not explicitly stated in this verse, the broader context of Joram's reign serves as a stark reminder of how a leader's choices, especially concerning faithfulness to God, can profoundly impact a nation.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "slept with his fathers" (Hebrew: shakav im avotav) is a gentle euphemism for death, commonly used in the Old Testament to describe the passing of kings and patriarchs. It implies a peaceful end and joining one's ancestors in the afterlife, a concept that evolved in understanding throughout biblical history.

Practical Application

This verse, though brief, reminds us of the relentless march of time and the changing of seasons in leadership. For believers, it emphasizes that while human leaders rise and fall, God's overarching plan remains steadfast. It also serves as a subtle call to prayer for those in authority, that they might lead with wisdom and righteousness, influencing their nations for good, unlike the tragic example of King Joram. The narrative continues with Ahaziah's brief and equally ungodly reign, detailed further in 2 Kings 8:25.

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 25:23

    And Joash the king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Joash, the son of Jehoahaz, at Bethshemesh, and brought him to Jerusalem, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim to the corner gate, four hundred cubits.

  • 2 Chronicles 22:6

    And he returned to be healed in Jezreel because of the wounds which were given him at Ramah, when he fought with Hazael king of Syria. And Azariah the son of Jehoram king of Judah went down to see Jehoram the son of Ahab at Jezreel, because he was sick.

  • 2 Chronicles 21:1

    ¶ 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 Chronicles 21:17

    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.

  • 2 Chronicles 21:20

    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.

  • 2 Chronicles 22:1

    ¶ And the inhabitants of Jerusalem made Ahaziah his youngest son king in his stead: for the band of men that came with the Arabians to the camp had slain all the eldest. So Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah reigned.

  • 1 Chronicles 3:11

    Joram his son, Ahaziah his son, Joash his son,
← Back