2 Chronicles 21

1 Yehoshafat slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David: and Yehoram his son reigned in his place.

2 He had brothers, the sons of Yehoshafat: `Azaryah, and Yechi'el, and Zekharyah, and `Azaryah, and Mikha'el, and Shefatyah; all these were the sons of Yehoshafat king of Yisra'el.

3 Their father gave them great gifts, of silver, and of gold, and of precious things, with fortified cities in Yehudah: but the kingdom gave he to Yehoram, because he was the firstborn.

4 Now when Yehoram was risen up over the kingdom of his father, and had strengthened himself, he killed all his brothers with the sword, and various also of the princes of Yisra'el.

5 Yehoram was thirty-two years old when he began to reign; and he reigned eight years in Yerushalayim.

6 He walked in the way of the kings of Yisra'el, as did the house of Ach'av; for he had the daughter of Ach'av as wife: and he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD.

7 However the LORD would not destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that he had made with David, and as he promised to give a lamp to him and to his children always.

8 In his days Edom revolted from under the hand of Yehudah, and made a king over themselves.

9 Then Yehoram passed over with his captains, and all his chariots with him: and he rose up by night, and struck the Edom who surrounded him, along with the captains of the chariots.

10 So Edom revolted from under the hand of Yehudah to this day: then did Livna revolt at the same time from under his hand, because he had forsaken the LORD, the God of his fathers.

11 Moreover he made high places in the mountains of Yehudah, and made the inhabitants of Yerushalayim to play the prostitute, and led Yehudah astray.

12 There came a writing to him from Eliyah the prophet, saying, Thus says the LORD, the God of David your father, Because you have not walked in the ways of Yehoshafat your father, nor in the ways of Asa king of Yehudah,

13 but have walked in the way of the kings of Yisra'el, and have made Yehudah and the inhabitants of Yerushalayim to play the prostitute, like as the house of Ach'av did, and also have slain your brothers of your father's house, who were better than yourself:

14 behold, the LORD will strike with a great plague your people, and your children, and your wives, and all your substance;

15 and you shall have great sickness by disease of your bowels, until your bowels fall out by reason of the sickness, day by day.

16 The LORD stirred up against Yehoram the spirit of the Pelishtim, and of the `Aravi'im who are beside the Kushim:

17 and they came up against Yehudah, and broke into it, and carried away all the substance that was found in the king's house, and his sons also, and his wives; so that there was never a son left him, save Yeho'achaz, the youngest of his sons.

18 After all this the LORD struck him in his bowels with an incurable disease.

19 It happened, in process of time, at the end of two years, that his bowels fell out by reason of his sickness, and he died of sore diseases. His people made no burning for him, like the burning of his fathers.

20 Thirty-two years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned in Yerushalayim eight years: and he departed without being desired; and they buried him in the city of David, but not in the tombs of the kings.

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.