2 Chronicles 21:12

12 And a letter came to him from Elijah the prophet, saying, "Thus says the LORD, the God of David your father, 1'Because you have not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat your father, or 2in the ways of Asa king of Judah,

2 Chronicles 21:12 Meaning and Commentary

2 Chronicles 21:12

And there came a writing to him from Elijah the prophet
Not what was written by him after his ascension to heaven, and from thence came to Jehoram, even seven years after that, as say some Jewish writers F26; nor was it a writing from another person of the same name in those times, since of such an one we nowhere read; nor from Elisha bearing the name of Elijah, having a double portion of his spirit on him, since he is never so called; but this was a writing of Elijah's before his ascension, who, foreseeing by a spirit of prophecy what Jehoram would be guilty of, wrote this, and gave it to one of the prophets, as Kimchi suggests, and most probably to Elisha, to communicate it to him at a proper time; and who might, as the above writer intimates, think it came immediately from heaven: saying, thus saith the Lord God of David thy father;
and from whose God he had departed, and to which ancestor of his he was so much unlike: because thou hast not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat thy father, nor
in the ways of Asa king of Judah;
neither trod in the steps of his father nor grandfather.


FOOTNOTES:

F26 Seder Olam Rabba, c. 17. Ganz. Tzemach David, par. 1. fol. 12. 1. A. M. 3050.

2 Chronicles 21:12 In-Context

10 So Edom revolted from the rule of Judah to this day. At that time Libnah also revolted from his rule, because he had forsaken the LORD, the God of his fathers.
11 Moreover, he made high places in the hill country of Judah and led the inhabitants of Jerusalem into whoredom and made Judah go astray.
12 And a letter came to him from Elijah the prophet, saying, "Thus says the LORD, the God of David your father, 'Because you have not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat your father, or in the ways of Asa king of Judah,
13 but have walked in the way of the kings of Israel and have enticed Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem into whoredom, as the house of Ahab led Israel into whoredom, and also you have killed your brothers, of your father's house, who were better than yourself,
14 behold, the LORD will bring a great plague on your people, your children, your wives, and all your possessions,

Cross References 2

  • 1. 2 Chronicles 17:3
  • 2. 2 Chronicles 14:2-5
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.