2 Chronicles 21

Jehoram, the son of Jehoshaphat, becomes king of Judah. His reign is marked by wickedness as he turns away from the godly ways of his father, leading to internal strife and God's judgment on the kingdom. His alliances, notably with Ahab's family, and his idolatry bring devastating consequences, including divine judgment and personal suffering.

2 Chronicles 21:1-5 (NKJV)
1 And Jehoshaphat rested with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the City of David. Then Jehoram his son reigned in his place.
2 He had brothers, the sons of Jehoshaphat: Azariah, Jehiel, Zechariah, Azariahu, Michael, and Shephatiah; all these were the sons of Jehoshaphat king of Israel.
3 Their father gave them great gifts of silver and gold and precious things, with fortified cities in Judah; but he gave the kingdom to Jehoram, because he was the firstborn.
4 Now when Jehoram was established over the kingdom of his father, he strengthened himself and killed all his brothers with the sword, and also others of the princes of Israel.
5 Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem.

Jehoram ascended to the throne after his father, Jehoshaphat, passed away. Though Jehoshaphat distributed wealth and gifts to his other sons, the kingdom was given to Jehoram as the eldest. However, Jehoram’s first act as king was to secure his power through violence, killing his own brothers and some of the princes, showing his ruthless and ungodly leadership. His actions immediately reveal a sharp contrast to his father’s righteous rule, setting the tone for a dark reign over Judah.

2 Chronicles 21:6 (NKJV)
6 And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, just as the house of Ahab had done, for he had the daughter of Ahab as a wife; and he did evil in the sight of the Lord.

Jehoram followed the corrupt practices of the kings of Israel, especially Ahab, whose daughter he had married. His marriage to Ahab’s daughter, Athaliah, led him to idolatry and evil practices, similar to what Ahab’s house was known for. This was a turning point, leading Judah away from worshiping God, and bringing Jehoram under the influence of a sinful legacy.

2 Chronicles 21:7 (NKJV)
7 Yet the Lord would not destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that He had made with David, and since He had promised to give a lamp to him and to his sons forever.

Despite Jehoram’s evil, God’s covenant with David remained. God’s promise to maintain David’s lineage and preserve his kingdom was rooted in His commitment, not in Jehoram’s righteousness. This demonstrates God’s faithfulness to His promises even when human leaders fail, preserving Judah for the sake of David.

2 Chronicles 21:8-10 (NKJV)
8 In his days Edom revolted against Judah’s authority, and made a king over themselves.
9 So Jehoram went out with his officers, and all his chariots with him. And he rose by night and attacked the Edomites who had surrounded him and the captains of the chariots.
10 Thus Edom has been in revolt against Judah’s authority to this day. At that time Libnah revolted against his rule, because he had forsaken the Lord God of his fathers.

Jehoram’s reign faced rebellion from Edom, a long-time vassal of Judah. Though he attempted to quell the revolt, Edom successfully gained independence. Additionally, Libnah, a city within Judah, also rebelled. These revolts were a direct result of Jehoram’s abandonment of God. His spiritual unfaithfulness led to a loss of political power, showing how spiritual and national integrity were intertwined.

2 Chronicles 21:11 (NKJV)
11 Moreover he made high places in the mountains of Judah, and caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to commit harlotry, and led Judah astray.

Jehoram’s reign was marked by idolatry. He promoted the building of high places, leading the people of Judah into idolatry, often referred to as spiritual adultery or harlotry in Scripture. His leadership not only corrupted the nation but also drew them away from their covenant relationship with God, deepening the nation’s spiritual decline.

2 Chronicles 21:12-15 (NKJV)
12 And a letter came to him from Elijah the prophet, saying, “Thus says the Lord God of your father David: ‘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 made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to play the harlot like the harlotry of the house of Ahab, and also have killed your brothers, those of your father’s household, who were better than yourself,
14 behold, the Lord will strike your people with a serious affliction—your children, your wives, and all your possessions;
15 and you will become very sick with a disease of your intestines, until your intestines come out by reason of the sickness, day by day.’”

A letter from the prophet Elijah rebuked Jehoram for his wickedness. Elijah condemned his failure to follow the godly example of his father, Jehoshaphat, and for leading Judah into spiritual harlotry, much like Ahab’s house. Elijah also pronounced severe judgment: Jehoram would face a painful illness, and his family and possessions would be struck. This prophetic judgment highlighted the consequences of forsaking God’s ways and the inevitable suffering that follows.

2 Chronicles 21:16-17 (NKJV)
16 Moreover the Lord stirred up against Jehoram the spirit of the Philistines and the Arabians who were near the Ethiopians.
17 And they came up into Judah and invaded it, and carried away all the possessions that were found in the king’s house, and also his sons and his wives, so that there was not a son left to him except Jehoahaz, the youngest of his sons.

God allowed Judah’s enemies, the Philistines and Arabians, to attack and plunder Jehoram’s kingdom. They took away his wealth, his wives, and most of his sons, leaving only his youngest son, Jehoahaz. This invasion was part of the divine judgment foretold by Elijah. It was not just a political defeat but a significant personal loss for Jehoram, a result of his rebellion against God.

2 Chronicles 21:18-19 (NKJV)
18 After all this the Lord struck him in his intestines with an incurable disease.
19 Then it happened in the course of time, after the end of two years, that his intestines came out because of his sickness; so he died in severe pain. And his people made no burning for him, like the burning for his fathers.

Jehoram’s terminal illness, prophesied by Elijah, struck him severely, causing prolonged suffering. After two years of enduring the painful disease, he died. His death was so dishonorable that the people did not mourn him with the traditional burning ceremony as they had for his ancestors. Jehoram’s end reflected the divine judgment upon his life and reign.

2 Chronicles 21:20 (NKJV)
20 He was thirty-two years old when he became king. He reigned in Jerusalem eight years and, to no one’s sorrow, departed. However, they buried him in the City of David, but not in the tombs of the kings.

Jehoram’s reign ended without any public grief or sorrow. His death was marked by indifference from the people, demonstrating the impact of his cruel leadership and unfaithfulness. Though he was buried in the City of David, the honor of being buried with the kings was withheld from him, symbolizing the disgrace he had brought upon himself and the kingdom.