2 Chronicles 21

King James Version

Full text for 2 Chronicles Chapter 21

1¶ Now 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].

12¶ And 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.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Jehoram succeeded his father Jehoshaphat as king of Judah but immediately slew his brothers and ruled wickedly, following the ways of Ahab. As a result of his apostasy and violence, Edom and Libnah revolted, and Elijah prophesied a severe plague upon him and his kingdom. Jehoram subsequently suffered invasions from Philistines and Arabians, losing his family and possessions, and ultimately died from a grievous, incurable bowel disease, receiving an ignominious burial.

Medium Summary

Upon Jehoshaphat's death, his son Jehoram became king of Judah, but he solidified his power by murdering his brothers and several princes. He reigned for eight years, aligning himself with the wicked house of Ahab through marriage and actively promoting idolatry in Judah, causing the inhabitants of Jerusalem to commit spiritual fornication. Despite Jehoram's evil, the LORD preserved the Davidic line due to His eternal covenant. However, divine judgment manifested as Edom and Libnah revolted from Judah's dominion. Furthermore, Elijah the prophet sent a letter condemning Jehoram's actions, prophesying a great plague upon his kingdom, family, and possessions, and a severe, incurable bowel disease for the king himself. The LORD then stirred up the Philistines and Arabians, who invaded Judah, plundered the royal house, and carried away all Jehoram's sons and wives, save one. Finally, Jehoram was afflicted with the prophesied fatal bowel sickness, dying without being desired and denied burial in the royal sepulchres.

Long Summary

The chapter begins with the death of King Jehoshaphat and the succession of his firstborn son, Jehoram, to the throne of Judah. Although Jehoshaphat had provided his other sons with significant wealth and fortified cities, Jehoram, upon securing the kingdom, ruthlessly murdered all his brothers and several princes to consolidate his power. Jehoram reigned for eight years in Jerusalem, during which he consistently walked in the wicked ways of the kings of Israel, particularly emulating the house of Ahab, whose daughter he had married. He actively promoted idolatry, establishing high places and compelling the inhabitants of Jerusalem and Judah to commit spiritual fornication against the LORD. Despite Jehoram's profound wickedness, the LORD refrained from utterly destroying the house of David, upholding the eternal covenant He had made with David, promising a perpetual lamp to his descendants. Nevertheless, divine judgment manifested through significant political instability; the Edomites successfully revolted from Judah's dominion and established their own king, and Libnah also rebelled, both instances attributed to Jehoram's forsaking the LORD. A pivotal moment occurred when Elijah the prophet sent a written message to Jehoram, sternly rebuking him for abandoning the righteous paths of his fathers, Jehoshaphat and Asa, and for leading Judah into the spiritual harlotry of Ahab's house. The prophecy further condemned Jehoram for the heinous act of slaying his own brothers, who were described as better than himself. Elijah's letter foretold a great plague upon Jehoram's people, children, wives, and possessions, culminating in a severe, incurable disease of his bowels that would cause them to fall out. In fulfillment of this prophecy, the LORD stirred up the Philistines and Arabians against Judah. These foreign invaders breached the kingdom, plundered the king's house of all its substance, and carried away all Jehoram's sons and wives, leaving only Jehoahaz (Ahaziah), his youngest son. Following these calamities, Jehoram himself was afflicted with the incurable bowel disease. After a period of two years, his bowels indeed fell out, and he died from his grievous illness. His death was met with no public mourning or traditional burning, unlike his fathers, and though he was buried in the city of David, he was notably excluded from the sepulchres of the kings, signifying his dishonored end.

Core Concepts

  • Jehoram's Wicked ReignJehoram ruled Judah for eight years, characterized by extreme wickedness, including the murder of his brothers and the promotion of idolatry, emulating the sinful ways of the house of Ahab. His reign marked a significant departure from the righteous paths of his father Jehoshaphat.
  • Divine Covenant with DavidDespite Jehoram's profound apostasy and evil actions, the LORD did not destroy the house of David, honoring the eternal covenant He had made with David to provide a perpetual lamp for his descendants. This highlights God's faithfulness to His promises.
  • Consequences of ApostasyJehoram's forsaking of the LORD led to severe consequences, including the successful revolts of Edom and Libnah from Judah's dominion. This demonstrates the direct link between the king's spiritual state and the nation's stability and prosperity.
  • Elijah's Prophetic CondemnationElijah the prophet sent a written message to Jehoram, condemning his unrighteous rule, his promotion of idolatry, and the murder of his brothers. This divine pronouncement foretold a great plague upon his kingdom and a specific, grievous illness for the king himself.
  • Invasions and PlunderAs a direct judgment from the LORD, the Philistines and Arabians were stirred up against Judah, invading the land, plundering the royal palace, and carrying away Jehoram's wives and all his sons except one. This fulfilled part of Elijah's prophecy regarding the suffering of Jehoram's household.
  • Jehoram's Grievous DeathJehoram suffered an incurable bowel disease, as prophesied by Elijah, which caused his bowels to fall out over two years, leading to a painful death. His end was marked by dishonor, as his people made no burning for him, and he was not buried in the royal sepulchres.
  • Royal Succession and FratricideJehoram inherited the kingdom from his father Jehoshaphat as the firstborn, but he immediately strengthened his position by slaying all his brothers and other princes. This act of fratricide underscores the violent and ruthless nature of his ascent and rule.