2 Chronicles 21

Jehoram Becomes King Over Judah

1 Jehoshaphat rested with his fathers and was buried with his fathers in the city of David. His son Jehoram^[a] became king in his place.^[b]

2 He had brothers, sons of Jehoshaphat: Azariah, Jehiel, Zechariah, Azariah, Michael, and Shephatiah; all these were the sons of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah.^[c]

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

4 When Jehoram had established himself over his father's kingdom, he strengthened his position by killing with the sword all his brothers as well as some of the princes of Israel.

Judah's King Jehoram

5 Jehoram was 32 years old when he became king; he reigned eight years in Jerusalem.

6 He walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab had done, for Ahab's daughter was his wife. He did what was evil in the Lord's sight,

7 but because of the covenant the Lord had made with David, He was unwilling to destroy the house of David since the Lord had promised to give a lamp^[d] to David and to his sons forever.

8 During Jehoram's reign, Edom rebelled against Judah's domination and appointed their own king.

9 So Jehoram crossed [into Edom] with his commanders and all his chariots. Then at night he set out to attack the Edomites who had surrounded him and the chariot commanders.

10 So Edom is still in rebellion against Judah's domination today. Libnah also rebelled at that time against his domination because he had abandoned the Lord God of his ancestors.^[e]

11 Jehoram also built high places in the hills^[f] of Judah, and he caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to prostitute themselves, and he led Judah astray.

Elijah's Letter to Jehoram

12 Then a letter came to Jehoram from Elijah the prophet, saying: This is what the Lord God of your ancestor David says: "Because you have not walked in the ways of your father Jehoshaphat or in the ways of Asa king of Judah

13 but have walked in the way of the kings of Israel, have caused Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to prostitute themselves like the house of Ahab prostituted itself, and also have killed your brothers, your father's family, who were better than you,

14 the Lord is now about to strike your people, your sons, your wives, and all your possessions with a horrible affliction.

15 You yourself [will be struck] with many illnesses, including a disease of the intestines, until your intestines come out day after day because of the disease."^[g]

Jehoram's Last Days

16 The Lord put it into the mind of the Philistines and the Arabs who live near the Cushites to attack Jehoram.

17 So they went to war against Judah and invaded it. They carried off all the possessions found in the king's palace and also his sons and wives; not a son was left to him except Jehoahaz,^[h] his youngest son.

18 After all these things, the Lord afflicted him in his intestines with an incurable disease.

19 This continued day after day until two full years passed. Then his intestines came out because of his disease, and he died from severe^[i] illnesses. But his people did not hold a fire in his honor like the fire in honor of his fathers.^[j]

20 Jehoram was 32 years old when he became king; he reigned eight years in Jerusalem. He died to no one's regret^[k] and was buried in the city of David but not in the tombs of the kings.^[l]

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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Joram
• [b]. 1 Kg 22:50
• [c]. Some Hb mss, LXX, Syr, Vg, Arabic; other Hb mss read Israel
• [d]. 1 Kg 11:36; 15:4
• [e]. 2 Kg 8:17-22
• [f]. Some Hb mss, LXX, Vg read cities
• [g]. 2 Kg 21:17-19
• [h]. LXX, Syr, Tg read Ahaziah; Jehoahaz
• [i]. Lit evil
• [j]. 2 Ch 16:14
• [k]. Lit He walked in no desirability
• [l]. 2 Ch 24:25; 2 Kg 8:17,24

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.