2 Chronicles 21:5-15

5 1Jehoram was thirty-two * years old when he became king, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem.
6 2He walked in the way of the kings of Israel, just as the house of Ahab did (3for Ahab's daughter was his wife ), and he did evil in the sight of the LORD.
7 Yet the LORD was not willing to destroy the house of David because of the covenant which He had made with David, 4and since He had promised to give a lamp to him and his sons forever *.

Revolt against Judah

8 In his days 5Edom revolted against * * the rule of Judah and set up a king over themselves.
9 Then Jehoram crossed over with his commanders and all his chariots with him. And he arose by night and struck down the Edomites who were surrounding him and the commanders of the chariots.
10 So Edom revolted against * * Judah to this day. Then Libnah revolted at the same time against * his rule, because he had forsaken the LORD God of his fathers.
11 Moreover, 6he made high places in the mountains of Judah, and caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem 7to play the harlot and led Judah astray.
12 Then a letter came to him from Elijah the prophet saying, "Thus says the LORD God of your father David, 'Because * 8you have not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat your father 9and the ways of Asa king of Judah,
13 but 10have walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and have caused Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to play the harlot 11as the house of Ahab played the harlot, and you 12have also killed your brothers, your own family *, who were better than you,
14 behold, the LORD is going to strike your people, your sons, your wives and all your possessions with a great calamity;
15 and 13you will suffer severe sickness, a disease of your bowels, until your bowels come out because of the sickness, day by day.' "

2 Chronicles 21:5-15 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO 2 CHRONICLES 21

This chapter relates Jehoram's succession to the throne of Judah, and the murders and idolatries committed by him, 2Ch 21:1-7, the revolt of the Edomites from him, and some of his own people, 2Ch 21:8-11, a writing of Elijah to him, threatening a great plague to him and his family, 2Ch 21:12-15, the raising up of several enemies against him, 2Ch 21:16,17, his sickness, death, and burial, 2Ch 21:18-20.

Cross References 13

  • 1. 2 Kings 8:17-22
  • 2. 1 Kings 12:28-30
  • 3. 2 Chronicles 18:1
  • 4. 2 Samuel 7:12-17; 1 Kings 11:13, 36
  • 5. 2 Chronicles 20:22, 23; 2 Chronicles 21:10
  • 6. 1 Kings 11:7
  • 7. Leviticus 20:5
  • 8. 2 Chronicles 17:3, 4
  • 9. 2 Chronicles 14:2-5
  • 10. 2 Chronicles 21:6
  • 11. 1 Kings 16:31-33
  • 12. 2 Chronicles 21:4
  • 13. 2 Chronicles 21:18, 19

Footnotes 6

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