2 Chronicles
Chapter 21
Jehoram of Judah (848-841)
Jehoshaphat rested with his ancestors and was buried in the city of David. His son Jehoram succeeded him.
Jehoram had six brothers, sons of Jehoshaphat: Azariah, Jehiel, Zechariah, Azariahu, Michael, and Shephatiah. These were all the sons of Jehoshaphat, the king of Israel.
Their father had made them many gifts of silver, gold, and jewels, and fortified towns in Judah, but he made Jehoram his successor since he was the firstborn.
When Jehoram was in firm control of the kingdom, he had all his brothers killed, as well as some Israelite officials.
Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned for eight years in Jerusalem.
He followed the wicked example of the kings of Israel and did as the family of Ahab had done, for he had married one of Ahab’s daughters. He did what was evil in the eyes of the Lord.
The Lord, however, did not intend to destroy the descendants of David because of the Covenant he had made with David when he promised to leave a lamp for him and his sons forever.
In his time, Edom revolted against Judah and set up a king for itself.
Jehoram invaded Edom with his commanders and all his chariots. He rose during the night, broke through, and escaped from the Edomites encircling him and his chariot commanders.
Thus, Edom became independent of Judah and has remained free to the present day. Libnah also revolted against Jehoram simultaneously, for he had deserted the Lord, the God of his ancestors.
He also set up high places in the highlands of Judah. He led the people of Jerusalem and Judah to sin against the Lord.
Then something written by the prophet Elijah came into his hand. It read: “This is the word of the Lord, the God of David, your ancestor. You have not followed the example of your father Jehoshaphat or of Asa, king of Judah,
but the wicked example of the kings of Israel, and have caused Judah and the people living in Jerusalem to sin against the Lord, just as Ahab and his successors did. You have also murdered your brothers, your own family, better men than yourself.
Because of this, the Lord will strike you with a great calamity, which will come upon your people, descendants, wives, and property.
You will suffer a painful intestinal disease that will grow worse day by day until it causes your bowels to come out.”
The Lord stirred up against Jehoram the Philistines and the Arabs bordering on the Cushites.
They attacked Judah and invaded it, carrying off all they found in the king’s palace, including his sons and his wives. The only son left to him was Ahaziah, the youngest of them.
And after all this, the Lord brought on him a painful disease of the intestines.
It lasted for more than one year, and when the two years were over and his last hour had come, he died in great pain. The people did not light a bonfire in mourning for him as they had for his father.
He was thirty-two years old when he became king and reigned for eight years in Jerusalem. He passed away with no one to regret him, and they buried him in the city of David, though not in the tombs of the kings.
Commentaries
The Kings of Judah Until the Exile.
The final section of the Chronicler’s work focuses on the history of the kingdom of Judah, covering from Solomon to the exile, with little mention of the Northern Kingdom. For the Chronicler, the kingdom of Judah represents the entire nation of Israel. The primary standard for judging each king is their loyalty to God. Four notable figures stand out as models of this loyalty: Asa, Jehoshaphat, Josiah, and especially Hezekiah. The prophets are also depicted alongside the kings, delivering messages that include warnings and sincere calls to stay loyal to the Lord. Ultimately, the Chronicler encourages the post-exilic community to seek God and remain faithful to the One who has remained true to his people despite their difficulties.
Positive Phase.
The reign begins by presenting Rehoboam as obedient to the Word of the Lord, who instructs him not to fight against Jeroboam. The list of cities (5-12) is likely authentic, although it is probable that they were only fortified after the invasion of Shishak, Pharaoh of Egypt (12:1-12). Through the removal of priests and Levites (13-17), the author emphasizes that the center of worship is in Jerusalem and that the Levites have been loyal to the Temple from the start.
The Faithfulness of Abijah.
Building on the account in 1 Kings 15:1-8, the Chronicler revises the story from a new perspective. Although he only reigned for three years, the Chronicler presents the king as faithful to God, a worthy successor to David and Solomon. The war against Jeroboam (3) is probably real and offers a chance to include a speech by Abijah to the northern tribes (4-12): those in the north (8.11) are not part of the Lord’s kingdom; they do not have a legitimate dynasty, only a usurper king; they worship idols instead of the true God, and they lack priests or proper worship. To fight against Judah (10) is to fight against the Lord (12). The logical result is Jeroboam’s defeat (13-18).
Jehoram of Judah.
For the Chronicler, Joram’s reign is regarded as one of the darkest periods in Judah’s history. This era ends with Queen Athaliah’s regency as Joash takes power after a revolt. Joram was an ineffective king. His reign started with widespread fratricide (4) and ended with outright idolatry (11-15). His death is shown as divine punishment: premature, painful, and without a funeral or royal burial (18-20). The mention of the prophet Elijah is anachronistic.