2 Chronicles 21 Study Notes

21:11 Jehoram kept busy installing places of idol worship throughout Judah. The statement that he caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to prostitute themselves can be both literal and symbolic. In a symbolic sense, the people were committing spiritual adultery; in the literal sense, many of the pagan practices involved sexual lewdness. While it is the king’s duty to provide spiritual leadership and he is held responsible when his people are led astray, ultimately the people are also responsible for their own actions. People can always refuse to follow a wicked king, as the people of Libnah proved (v. 10; cp. Ac 4:18-20).

21:12-15 Since Jehoram was Ahab’s son-in-law, it is not surprising that the prophet Elijah—Ahab’s long-standing opponent—chastised Jehoram for the same behavior for which he had rebuked Ahab. Elijah’s letter mentioned the many sins that Jehoram had committed, including idolatry and fratricide, and promised a swift and harsh punishment. Just as Jehoram eliminated his brothers, now Jehoram’s household would be eliminated.

21:16-17 It had not been long since the Philistines and their Arab neighbors had come calling on Jehoshaphat of Judah (17:11) to bring tribute. Now they came calling again, but this time they took back the tribute and everything else in the king’s palace. They killed all of Jehoram’s sons except Jehoahaz (who is subsequently called Ahaziah) and all his wives except Athaliah, the one who shared responsibility for this catastrophe.

21:18-20 Just as Elijah had predicted, Jehoram contracted a horrible disease in his intestines from which he eventually died. None of his subjects mourned his departure. He was not accorded a ceremonial fire of honor, and he was not buried alongside other kings of Judah.