2 Chronicles 21:12-19

12 Then Elijah the prophet wrote Jehoram this letter: “This is what the LORD, the God of your ancestor David, says: You have not followed the good example of your father, Jehoshaphat, or your grandfather King Asa of Judah.

13 Instead, you have been as evil as the kings of Israel. You have led the people of Jerusalem and Judah to worship idols, just as King Ahab did in Israel. And you have even killed your own brothers, men who were better than you.

14 So now the LORD is about to strike you, your people, your children, your wives, and all that is yours with a heavy blow.

15 You yourself will suffer with a severe intestinal disease that will get worse each day until your bowels come out.”

16 Then the LORD stirred up the Philistines and the Arabs, who lived near the Ethiopians, to attack Jehoram.

17 They marched against Judah, broke down its defenses, and carried away everything of value in the royal palace, including the king’s sons and his wives. Only his youngest son, Ahaziah, was spared.

18 After all this, the LORD struck Jehoram with an incurable intestinal disease.

19 The disease grew worse and worse, and at the end of two years it caused his bowels to come out, and he died in agony. His people did not build a great funeral fire to honor him as they had done for his ancestors.

2 Chronicles 21:12-19 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Hebrew the Cushites.
• [b]. Hebrew Jehoahaz, a variant spelling of Ahaziah; compare 22:1 .