Read 2 Chronicles 21
21 Then Jehoshaphat rested with his ancestors and was buried with them in the City of David. And Jehoram his son succeeded him as king.2 Jehoram’s brothers, the sons of Jehoshaphat, were Azariah, Jehiel, Zechariah, Azariahu, Michael and Shephatiah. All these were sons of Jehoshaphat king of Israel. 3 Their father had given them many gifts of silver and gold and articles of value, as well as fortified cities in Judah, but he had given the kingdom to Jehoram because he was his firstborn son.
Jehoram King of Judah
4 When Jehoram established himself firmly over his father’s kingdom, he put all his brothers to the sword along with some of the officials of Israel.5 Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years. 6 He followed the ways of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab had done, for he married a daughter of Ahab. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord. 7 Nevertheless, because of the covenant the Lord had made with David, the Lord was not willing to destroy the house of David. He had promised to maintain a lamp for him and his descendants forever.
8 In the time of Jehoram, Edom rebelled against Judah and set up its own king. 9 So Jehoram went there with his officers and all his chariots. The Edomites surrounded him and his chariot commanders, but he rose up and broke through by night. 10 To this day Edom has been in rebellion against Judah.
Libnah revolted at the same time, because Jehoram had forsaken the Lord, the God of his ancestors. 11 He had also built high places on the hills of Judah and had caused the people of Jerusalem to prostitute themselves and had led Judah astray.
12 Jehoram received a letter from Elijah the prophet, which said:
“This is what the Lord, the God of your father David, says: ‘You have not followed the ways of your father Jehoshaphat or of Asa king of Judah.13 But you have followed the ways of the kings of Israel, and you have led Judah and the people of Jerusalem to prostitute themselves, just as the house of Ahab did. You have also murdered your own brothers, members of your own family, men who were better than you. 14 So now the Lord is about to strike your people, your sons, your wives and everything that is yours, with a heavy blow. 15 You yourself will be very ill with a lingering disease of the bowels, until the disease causes your bowels to come out.’”
16 The Lord aroused against Jehoram the hostility of the Philistines and of the Arabs who lived near the Cushites. 17 They attacked Judah, invaded it and carried off all the goods found in the king’s palace, together with his sons and wives. Not a son was left to him except Ahaziah, the youngest.
18 After all this, the Lord afflicted Jehoram with an incurable disease of the bowels. 19 In the course of time, at the end of the second year, his bowels came out because of the disease, and he died in great pain. His people made no funeral fire in his honor, as they had for his predecessors.
20 Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years. He passed away, to no one’s regret, and was buried in the City of David, but not in the tombs of the kings.
Go Deeper
This passage opens with the death of Jehoshaphat and his son, Jehoram, becomes the King of Judah. Jehoshaphat and his father, Asa, had both been known as faithful Kings who had done what was right in the sight of the Lord, but Jehoram was quite the opposite. As one of his first acts as King, he killed all of his brothers as well as some of the princes of Israel. This was definitely a King who did not want his power or control threatened. Verse 7 specifically tells us that Jehoram “did what was evil in the sight of the Lord.”
We can learn several lessons from the life and reign of Jehoram. First, and most importantly, is that God keeps his promises. Second Chronicles 21:7 says “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.” Despite the fact that Jehoram chose to follow a path of evil and sin, God did not completely destroy him or his kingdom because God had promised that an everlasting kingdom would come from the lineage of David (2 Samuel 7:13-16). God had great mercy on Jehoram, even though it had no effect on his evil behavior.
The second thing we can learn from Jehoram, is that bad company corrupts good character. Jehoram was married to the daughter of King Ahab who was easily one of the most evil Kings in Israel’s history. In verse 9, we read “Because you have not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat your father, or in the ways of Asa king of Judah, but have walked in the way of the kings of Israel…” Jehoram had an opportunity to follow in the faithful footsteps of his father and grandfather, but instead he chose to be influenced by the evil habits of his wife. What likely began as small compromises of the faith he grew up with quickly led to disobedience in the form of idolatry, lewdness, and murder. Jehoram’s kingdom was reigned by sin.
The last lesson we can learn from this chapter and Jehoram’s rule is that the consequences of sin are far reaching. Jehoram suffered great personal losses: his palace was plundered, his wives taken, all but one of his children were killed, and he died with a painful disease. In addition to that, Judah suffered great military losses, his country was ravaged, and his capital was taken. Think about how many men, women, and children suffered losses of their home, fear of being taken captive, and difficulty finding food or shelter all as a result of Jehoram’s sinful choices.
This chapter closes with a description of Jehoram dying a very painful and agonizing death and ends with “And he departed with no one’s regret” (2 Chronicles 21:20). It is sad when someone dies. It’s significantly sadder when no one is sorry that someone has died. Jehoram died as he lived…marked by evil, selfishness, and dishonor. May we learn from Jehoram’s life and reign that God is a promise keeper and that our life and influence will always be greater by choosing to faithfully follow the Lord.
Questions
- What stuck out to you as you read this chapter on Jehoram’s reign? Why?
- Based on what we know about Jehoram, what steps could he have taken to redirect the course of his life and reign?
- Spend some time reflecting on your own life and choices. Are there any sins affecting you or those around you that you need to confess?
Keep Digging
Based on the historical evidence of when Jehoram became King, it is possible that it was after Elijah had been taken to heaven on a chariot of fire. Read this article for some possible explanations of how Jehoram could have still received a letter from Elijah.
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5 thoughts on “2 Chronicles 21”
All decisions have a consequence good or bad. All our life we make choices that we do not even realize how long term or out-reaching those choices can and will affect us. Jehoram made many bad decisions that had terrible consequences. God gives us opportunities to make better choices with Him. After we are “born again” choices can be made with the Word and Holy Spirit as our guide. 17 Do not let your heart envy sinners, But live in the fear of the Lord always. 18 Surely there is a future, And your hope will not be cut off. Proverbs 23:17-18
Psalms 25 10-15 10 All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful toward those who keep the demands of his covenant.
11 For the sake of your name, LORD, forgive my iniquity, though it is great.
12 Who, then, are those who fear the LORD? He will instruct them in the ways they should choose.
13 They will spend their days in prosperity, and their descendants will inherit the land.
14 The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.
15 My eyes are ever on the LORD, for only he will release my feet from the snare.
God is waiting for us to ask for help and guidance. We simply need to come before Him with every decision bringing every thought captive unto His obedience.
God thank You for loving me so much!! That HESED love unfailing, faithful, steadfast, loyal, covant, undeserved, reliable, compassionate, enduring, completely complete, cherished, everlasting, flowing out of eternity, no limits, essential part of YOU GOD!!! Thank You for showing and showering that on, upon and within me. God help me to turn to You for all, completely all decisions that I make minutely. Thank You for guidance in this crazy world. Thank You for Your love goggles so that I can see people the way You want/need me to see them. Thank You for words that You desire me to speak to people to show them You and Your Love in Jesus name amen
WOOHOO!!!!
Reading of King Jehoram made me cringe! He completely abandoned the ways of his father & grandfather and came to a bitter end. His legacy was marked by sin and cruelty as he:
•killed his 6 brothers
•married an evil woman
•allowed & promoted idol worship
What a tragedy! I noticed some interesting facts tucked into the lineage of Jehoram in regard to pagan shrines.
2 Chronicles 15:17 & 2 Chronicles 20:33 reveal that his grandfather, King Asa, and his father, King Jehoshaphat, did not completely purge the pagan shrines from the land. V11 shows that “He (Jehoram) had built pagan shrines in the hill country of Judah and had led the people of Jerusalem and Judah to give themselves to pagan gods.” Everyday by our obedience/disobedience we are forging a legacy. That one seemingly “pet sin” could become the demise for our children and others. Let’s examine our lives closely with the searchlight of scripture and recommit to following every precept. No turning back or away but focused solely on the righteous path.
A great point, Ella! Thank you for that reminder!
Pam, this is why ReGen is such a powerful ministry!
God promises: (1) physical sense, as long as there was an actual throne in Judah, a descendant of David would sit upon it. This part depended on the obedience of the kings. (2) In the spiritual sense, this promise would be completely fulfilled in the coming of Jesus.
Obedience is key in living the righteous path in alignment with Jesus. If we ignore God’s laws, we too will suffer the consequences of our sin.
Thank you, Father, that you have lined out a road map to you. I pray that I may remain steadfast on my journey to you. In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.