II Chronicles 21: A Reign of Wickedness and its Consequences
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.
And 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.
And 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.
Now 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.
Jehoram was thirty and two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem.
And 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.
Howbeit 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.
In his days the Edomites revolted from under the dominion of Judah, and made themselves a king.
Then 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.
So 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.
Moreover he made high places in the mountains of Judah, and caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to commit fornication, and compelled Judah thereto.
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,
But 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:
Behold, with a great plague will the Lord smite thy people, and thy children, and thy wives, and all thy goods:
And thou shalt have great sickness by disease of thy bowels, until thy bowels fall out by reason of the sickness day by day.
Moreover the Lord stirred up against Jehoram the spirit of the Philistines, and of the Arabians, that were near the Ethiopians:
And 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.
And after all this the Lord smote him in his bowels with an incurable disease.
And 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.
Thirty 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.
II Chronicles 21 details the disastrous reign of Jehoram, the son of the generally righteous Jehoshaphat. This chapter serves as a stark warning about the dangers of ungodly leadership and the consequences of forsaking the Lord. It also highlights God's enduring faithfulness to His covenant, even amidst human failure.
Jehoram's Descent into Evil (II Chronicles 21:1-6)
Jehoram's eight-year reign marked a significant decline in Judah's spiritual and military strength (II Chronicles 21:1-3). Tragically, his life mirrored the wickedness of the kings of Israel, and this was no accident. Jehoram's marriage to Ahab's daughter, Athaliah, proved to be a spiritually fatal decision. The chronicler explicitly states that he "walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab had done, for he had Ahab's daughter as his wife, and he did what was evil in the sight of the Lord" (II Chronicles 21:6). This alliance led him down a path of idolatry and moral decay.
Jehoram's wickedness was evident from the beginning. To secure his throne, he murdered his six younger brothers and other members of the royal family whom he perceived as threats (II Chronicles 21:4). This act of brutality demonstrated a complete disregard for human life and a ruthless ambition that would define his reign.
God's Covenant Faithfulness (II Chronicles 21:7)
Despite Jehoram's profound wickedness, God remained faithful to His covenant with David. "Yet the Lord was not willing to 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" (II Chronicles 21:7). This verse underscores God's unwavering commitment to His promises. Even though Jehoram was faithless, God would remain true to His word and preserve the Davidic line, ultimately leading to the Messiah, Jesus Christ. While God allowed Jehoram to retain the throne for a time, it did not indicate His approval. The consequences of Jehoram's actions were inevitable.
Rebellions and Divine Judgment (II Chronicles 21:8-15)
Jehoram's reign was plagued by rebellions. Edom, which had been under Judah's control for years, revolted (II Chronicles 21:8). Jehoram attempted to quell the rebellion, but his army was surrounded by the Edomites (II Chronicles 21:9). Simultaneously, Libnah also revolted against Judah, further weakening his kingdom.
The chronicler clearly states the reason for these troubles: Jehoram had forsaken the Lord, the God of his ancestors (II Chronicles 21:10). He built high places for the worship of pagan gods and led Judah astray (II Chronicles 21:11). This serves as a powerful reminder of the influence leaders can have, for good or ill, on those they lead.
Elijah the prophet, a figure known for his boldness and unwavering commitment to God, intervened with a written prophecy of doom for Jehoram (II Chronicles 21:12). Elijah reminded Jehoram that he had not followed the example of his righteous father, Jehoshaphat, but had instead led Judah into idolatry and murdered his own brothers (II Chronicles 21:13). As a result, God would strike Jehoram's family and possessions with a terrible affliction (II Chronicles 21:14). Furthermore, Jehoram himself would suffer from a painful and incurable intestinal disease (II Chronicles 21:15).
The Fulfillment of Prophecy and a Dishonorable End (II Chronicles 21:16-20)
The word of the Lord through Elijah came to pass. The Philistines and Arabs attacked Judah, carrying off Jehoram's wives, sons, and possessions (II Chronicles 21:16-17). Only his youngest son, Ahaziah, escaped. The king was also afflicted with the agonizing illness that Elijah had foretold, suffering for two years before his death (II Chronicles 21:18-19).
Jehoram's reign of sin culminated in a dishonorable end. The people of Judah did not mourn his death, and he was buried without honor in Jerusalem (II Chronicles 21:19-20). He died "with no one's regret," leaving behind a tragic legacy of wickedness and judgment.
II Chronicles 21 is a somber reminder of the consequences of turning away from God. Jehoram's story illustrates the devastating impact of ungodly leadership, the importance of remaining faithful to God's covenant, and the certainty of divine judgment. It encourages us to examine our own lives, ensuring that we are following God's path and not leading others astray.
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.
And 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.
And 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.
Now 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.
Jehoram was thirty and two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem.
And 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.
Howbeit 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.
In his days the Edomites revolted from under the dominion of Judah, and made themselves a king.
Then 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.
So 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.
Moreover he made high places in the mountains of Judah, and caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to commit fornication, and compelled Judah thereto.
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,
But 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:
Behold, with a great plague will the Lord smite thy people, and thy children, and thy wives, and all thy goods:
And thou shalt have great sickness by disease of thy bowels, until thy bowels fall out by reason of the sickness day by day.
Moreover the Lord stirred up against Jehoram the spirit of the Philistines, and of the Arabians, that were near the Ethiopians:
And 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.
And after all this the Lord smote him in his bowels with an incurable disease.
And 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.
Thirty 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.
II Chronicles 21 details the disastrous reign of Jehoram, the son of the generally righteous Jehoshaphat. This chapter serves as a stark warning about the dangers of ungodly leadership and the consequences of forsaking the Lord. It also highlights God's enduring faithfulness to His covenant, even amidst human failure.
Jehoram's Descent into Evil (II Chronicles 21:1-6)
Jehoram's eight-year reign marked a significant decline in Judah's spiritual and military strength (II Chronicles 21:1-3). Tragically, his life mirrored the wickedness of the kings of Israel, and this was no accident. Jehoram's marriage to Ahab's daughter, Athaliah, proved to be a spiritually fatal decision. The chronicler explicitly states that he "walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab had done, for he had Ahab's daughter as his wife, and he did what was evil in the sight of the Lord" (II Chronicles 21:6). This alliance led him down a path of idolatry and moral decay.
Jehoram's wickedness was evident from the beginning. To secure his throne, he murdered his six younger brothers and other members of the royal family whom he perceived as threats (II Chronicles 21:4). This act of brutality demonstrated a complete disregard for human life and a ruthless ambition that would define his reign.
God's Covenant Faithfulness (II Chronicles 21:7)
Despite Jehoram's profound wickedness, God remained faithful to His covenant with David. "Yet the Lord was not willing to 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" (II Chronicles 21:7). This verse underscores God's unwavering commitment to His promises. Even though Jehoram was faithless, God would remain true to His word and preserve the Davidic line, ultimately leading to the Messiah, Jesus Christ. While God allowed Jehoram to retain the throne for a time, it did not indicate His approval. The consequences of Jehoram's actions were inevitable.
Rebellions and Divine Judgment (II Chronicles 21:8-15)
Jehoram's reign was plagued by rebellions. Edom, which had been under Judah's control for years, revolted (II Chronicles 21:8). Jehoram attempted to quell the rebellion, but his army was surrounded by the Edomites (II Chronicles 21:9). Simultaneously, Libnah also revolted against Judah, further weakening his kingdom.
The chronicler clearly states the reason for these troubles: Jehoram had forsaken the Lord, the God of his ancestors (II Chronicles 21:10). He built high places for the worship of pagan gods and led Judah astray (II Chronicles 21:11). This serves as a powerful reminder of the influence leaders can have, for good or ill, on those they lead.
Elijah the prophet, a figure known for his boldness and unwavering commitment to God, intervened with a written prophecy of doom for Jehoram (II Chronicles 21:12). Elijah reminded Jehoram that he had not followed the example of his righteous father, Jehoshaphat, but had instead led Judah into idolatry and murdered his own brothers (II Chronicles 21:13). As a result, God would strike Jehoram's family and possessions with a terrible affliction (II Chronicles 21:14). Furthermore, Jehoram himself would suffer from a painful and incurable intestinal disease (II Chronicles 21:15).
The Fulfillment of Prophecy and a Dishonorable End (II Chronicles 21:16-20)
The word of the Lord through Elijah came to pass. The Philistines and Arabs attacked Judah, carrying off Jehoram's wives, sons, and possessions (II Chronicles 21:16-17). Only his youngest son, Ahaziah, escaped. The king was also afflicted with the agonizing illness that Elijah had foretold, suffering for two years before his death (II Chronicles 21:18-19).
Jehoram's reign of sin culminated in a dishonorable end. The people of Judah did not mourn his death, and he was buried without honor in Jerusalem (II Chronicles 21:19-20). He died "with no one's regret," leaving behind a tragic legacy of wickedness and judgment.
II Chronicles 21 is a somber reminder of the consequences of turning away from God. Jehoram's story illustrates the devastating impact of ungodly leadership, the importance of remaining faithful to God's covenant, and the certainty of divine judgment. It encourages us to examine our own lives, ensuring that we are following God's path and not leading others astray.