2 Chronicles 21:1-7

Jehoram Succeeds Jehoshaphat in Judah

1 ¹Then Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers and was buried with his fathers in the city of David, and Jehoram his son became king in his place.

2 He had brothers, the sons of Jehoshaphat: Azariah, Jehiel, Zechariah, Azaryahu, Michael and Shephatiah. All these were the sons of Jehoshaphat king ²of Israel.

3 Their father gave them many gifts of silver, gold and precious things, ³with fortified cities in Judah, but he gave the kingdom to Jehoram because he was the firstborn.

4 Now when Jehoram had taken over the kingdom of his father and made himself secure, he ⁴killed all his brothers with the sword, and some of the rulers of Israel also.

5 ⁵Jehoram was thirty-two * years old when he became king, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem.

6 ⁶He walked in the way of the kings of Israel, just as the house of Ahab did (⁷for 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, ⁸and since He had promised to give a lamp to him and his sons forever *.

2 Chronicles 21:1-7 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

• 1. 1 Kings 22:50
• 2. 2 Chronicles 12:6; 2 Chronicles 23:2
• 3. 2 Chronicles 11:5
• 4. Genesis 4:8; Judges 9:5
• 5. 2 Kings 8:17-22
• 6. 1 Kings 12:28-30
• 7. 2 Chronicles 18:1
• 8. 2 Samuel 7:12-17; 1 Kings 11:13, 36

Footnotes

• [a]. Or "Azariah"
• [b]. Lit "risen up"
• [c]. Lit "strong"