2 Chronicles21
King James Version · Public Domain
1Now Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David. And Jehoram his son reigned in his stead.
2And he had brethren the sons of Jehoshaphat, Azariah, and Jehiel, and Zechariah, and Azariah, and Michael, and Shephatiah: all these were the sons of Jehoshaphat king of Israel.
3And their father gave them great gifts of silver, and of gold, and of precious things, with fenced cities in Judah: but the kingdom gave he to Jehoram; because he was the firstborn.
4Now when Jehoram was risen up to the kingdom of his father, he strengthened himself, and slew all his brethren with the sword, and divers also of the princes of Israel.
5Jehoram was thirty and two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem.
6And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, like as did the house of Ahab: for he had the daughter of Ahab to wife: and he wrought that which was evil in the eyes of the Lord.
7Howbeit 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 light to him and to his sons for ever.
8In his days the Edomites revolted from under the dominion of Judah, and made themselves a king.
9Then Jehoram went forth with his princes, and all his chariots with him: and he rose up by night, and smote the Edomites which compassed him in, and the captains of the chariots.
10So the Edomites revolted from under the hand of Judah unto this day. The same time also did Libnah revolt from under his hand; because he had forsaken the Lord God of his fathers.
11Moreover he made high places in the mountains of Judah, and caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to commit fornication, and compelled Judah thereto.
12And there came a writing to him from Elijah the prophet, saying, Thus saith the Lord God of David thy father, Because thou hast not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat thy father, nor in the ways of Asa king of Judah,
13But hast walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and hast made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to go a whoring, like to the whoredoms of the house of Ahab, and also hast slain thy brethren of thy father's house, which were better than thyself:
14Behold, with a great plague will the Lord smite thy people, and thy children, and thy wives, and all thy goods:
15And thou shalt have great sickness by disease of thy bowels, until thy bowels fall out by reason of the sickness day by day.
16Moreover the Lord stirred up against Jehoram the spirit of the Philistines, and of the Arabians, that were near the Ethiopians:
17And they came up into Judah, and brake 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 Jehoahaz, the youngest of his sons.
18And after all this the Lord smote him in his bowels with an incurable disease.
19And it came to pass, that in process of time, after the end of two years, his bowels fell out by reason of his sickness: so he died of sore diseases. And his people made no burning for him, like the burning of his fathers.
20Thirty and two years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years, and departed without being desired. Howbeit they buried him in the city of David, but not in the sepulchres of the kings.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 2 Chronicles 21.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The wicked reign of Jehoram. (1–11). Jehoram's miserable end. (12–20).
vv1-11
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.
vv12-20
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.
Key Words
יְהוֹשָׁפָט: Jehoshaphat, the name of six Israelites; also of a valley near Jerusalem
שָׁכַב: to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose)
עִם: adverb or preposition, with (i.e. in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then usually unrepresented in English)
אָב: father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
קָבַר: to inter
עִיר: a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
דָּוִד: David, the youngest son of Jesse
יְהוֹרָם: Jehoram, the name of a Syrian and of three Israelites
בֵּן: a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.)
מָלַךְ: to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence (by implication) to take counsel
Cross References
2 Chronicles 21Parallels God's refusal to destroy Judah for the sake of His covenant promise of a light to David.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallel account of Jehoram walking in Israel's ways due to marrying Ahab's daughter.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The parallel account detailing the revolt of Edom and Libnah from under Judah's hand.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Relates to the law of the firstborn, which Jehoshaphat followed in assigning the kingdom to Jehoram.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Fulfills Isaac's ancient prophecy that Edom would eventually break Jacob's yoke from off his neck.
Supported by JFB
Relates to the chronological difficulty of Elijah's translation relative to the writing sent to Jehoram.
Supported by JFB
Contrasts the Philistines and Arabians bringing tribute to Jehoshaphat with their attacking Jehoram.
Supported by JFB
Historically parallels Abimelech slaying his seventy brothers to secure his own tyrannical rule.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The foundational Davidic covenant promising an enduring throne and mercy despite disobedience.
Supported by JFB
Contrasts Asa's honorable funeral burning with the refusal of a public burning for Jehoram.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The Torah's warning of extraordinary, long-lasting plagues and severe sicknesses for covenant disobedience.
Parallels the judgment of dying unlamented without royal mourning, similar to Jehoiakim.
Supported by JFB
Parallels Joash, who was also denied burial in the sepulchres of the kings.