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.

Jehoram Succeeds Jehoshaphat and Executes His Brothers

1
Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David: and Jehoram his son reigned in his place. ​
2
He had brothers, 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
Their father gave them great gifts, of silver, and of gold, and of precious things, with fortified cities in Judah: but the kingdom gave he to Jehoram, because he was the firstborn.
4
Now when Jehoram was risen up over the kingdom of his father, and had strengthened himself, he killed all his brothers with the sword, and various also of the princes of Israel. ​

Jehoram's Wicked Reign and Alliance with Ahab

5
Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he began to reign; and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem.
6
He walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as did the house of Ahab; for he had the daughter of Ahab as wife: and he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD. ​
7
However 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 lamp to him and to his children always. ​

Rebellions and Further Apostasy

8
In his days Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah, and made a king over themselves. ​
9
Then Jehoram passed over with his captains, and all his chariots with him: and he rose up by night, and struck the Edomites who surrounded him, along with the captains of the chariots.
10
So Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah to this day: then Libnah revolted at the same time from under his hand, because he had forsaken the LORD, the God of his fathers. ​
11
Moreover he made high places in the mountains of Judah, and made the inhabitants of Jerusalem to play the prostitute, and led Judah astray. ​

Elijah Prophesies Judgment

12
A letter came to him from Elijah the prophet, saying, “Thus says the LORD, the God of David your father, ‘Because you have not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat your father, nor in the ways of Asa king of Judah, ​
13
but have walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and have made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to play the prostitute, like the house of Ahab did, and also have slain your brothers of your father’s house, who were better than yourself: ​
14
behold, the LORD will strike with a great plague your people, and your children, and your wives, and all your substance;
15
and you shall have great sickness by disease of your bowels, until your bowels fall out by reason of the sickness, day by day.’” ​

Fulfillment of Judgment and Death

16
The LORD stirred up against Jehoram the spirit of the Philistines, and of the Arabians who are beside the Ethiopians: ​
17
and they came up against Judah, and broke 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, except Jehoahaz, the youngest of his sons. ​
18
After all this the LORD struck him in his bowels with an incurable disease.
19
In process of time, at the end of two years, his bowels fell out by reason of his sickness, and he died of severe diseases. His people made no burning for him, like the burning of his fathers. ​
20
Thirty-two years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years: and he departed without being desired; and they buried him in the city of David, but not in the tombs 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.

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate
Settings

Reading Style

Typeface

Font Size 19px

Reading Width 45 chars

Options