2 Chronicles 21

1 dormivit autem Iosaphat cum patribus suis et sepultus est cum eis in civitate David regnavitque Ioram filius eius pro eo

2 qui habuit fratres filios Iosaphat Azariam et Hiahihel et Zacchariam et Azariam et Michahel et Saphatiam omnes hii filii Iosaphat regis Israhel

3 deditque eis pater suus multa munera argenti et auri et pensitationes cum civitatibus munitissimis in Iuda regnum autem tradidit Ioram eo quod esset primogenitus

4 surrexit ergo Ioram super regnum patris sui cumque se confirmasset occidit omnes fratres suos gladio et quosdam de principibus Israhel

5 triginta duo annorum erat Ioram cum regnare coepisset et octo annis regnavit in Hierusalem

6 ambulavitque in viis regum Israhel sicut egerat domus Ahab filia quippe Ahab erat uxor eius et fecit malum in conspectu Domini

7 noluit autem Dominus disperdere domum David propter pactum quod inierat cum eo et quia promiserat ut daret illi lucernam et filiis eius omni tempore

8 in diebus illis rebellavit Edom ne esset subditus Iudae et constituit sibi regem

9 cumque transisset Ioram cum principibus suis et cuncto equitatu qui erat secum surrexit nocte et percussit Edom qui se circumdederat et omnes duces equitatus eius

10 attamen rebellavit Edom ne esset sub dicione Iuda usque ad hanc diem eo tempore et Lobna recessit ne esset sub manu illius dereliquerat enim Dominum Deum patrum suorum

11 insuper et excelsa fabricatus est in urbibus Iuda et fornicari fecit habitatores Hierusalem et praevaricari Iudam

12 adlatae sunt autem ei litterae ab Helia propheta in quibus scriptum erat haec dicit Dominus Deus David patris tui quoniam non ambulasti in viis Iosaphat patris tui et in viis Asa regis Iuda

13 sed incessisti per iter regum Israhel et fornicari fecisti Iudam et habitatores Hierusalem imitatus fornicationem domus Ahab insuper et fratres tuos domum patris tui meliores te occidisti

14 ecce Dominus percutiet te plaga magna cum populo tuo et filiis et uxoribus tuis universaque substantia tua

15 tu autem aegrotabis pessimo languore uteri donec egrediantur vitalia tua paulatim per dies singulos

16 suscitavit ergo Dominus contra Ioram spiritum Philisthinorum et Arabum qui confines sunt Aethiopibus

17 et ascenderunt in terram Iuda et vastaverunt eam diripueruntque cunctam substantiam quae inventa est in domo regis insuper et filios eius et uxores nec remansit ei filius nisi Ioachaz qui minimus natu erat

18 et super haec omnia percussit eum Dominus alvi languore insanabili

19 cumque diei succederet dies et temporum spatia volverentur duorum annorum expletus est circulus et sic longa consumptus tabe ita ut egereret etiam viscera sua languore pariter et vita caruit mortuusque est in infirmitate pessima et non fecit ei populus secundum morem conbustionis exequias sicut fecerat maioribus eius

20 triginta duum annorum fuit cum regnare coepisset et octo annis regnavit in Hierusalem ambulavitque non recte et sepelierunt eum in civitate David verumtamen non in sepulchro regum

2 Chronicles 21 Commentary

Chapter 21

The wicked reign of Jehoram. (1-11) Jehoram's miserable end. (12-20)

Verses 1-11 Jehoram hated his brethren, and slew them, for the same reason that Cain hated Abel, and slew him, because their piety condemned his impiety. In the mystery of Providence such men sometimes prosper for a time; but the Lord has righteous purposes in permitting such events, part of which may now be made out, and the rest will be seen hereafter.

Verses 12-20 A warning from God was sent to Jehoram. The Spirit of prophecy might direct Elijah to prepare this writing in the foresight of Jehoram's crimes. He is plainly told that his sin should certainly ruin him. But no marvel that sinners are not frightened from sin, and to repentance, by the threatenings of misery in another world, when the certainty of misery in this world, the sinking of their estates, and the ruin of their health, will not restrain them from vicious courses. See Jehoram here stripped of all his comforts. Thus God plainly showed that the controversy was with him, and his house. He had slain all his brethren to strengthen himself; now, all his sons are slain but one. David's house must not be wholly destroyed, like those of Israel's kings, because a blessing was in it; that of the Messiah. Good men may be afflicted with diseases; but to them they are fatherly chastisements, and by the support of Divine consolations the soul may dwell at ease, even when the body lies in pain. To be sick and poor, sick and solitary, but especially to be sick and in sin, sick and under the curse of God, sick and without grace to bear it, is a most deplorable case. Wickedness and profaneness make men despicable, even in the eyes of those who have but little religion.

Chapter Summary

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.