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.
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2 Chronicles 21
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Jehoram was thirty and two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Moreover he made high places in the mountains of Judah and caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to commit fornication, and compelled Judah thereto.
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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,
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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:
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Behold, with a great plague will the LORD smite thy people, and thy children, and thy wives, and all thy goods:
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And thou shalt have great sickness by disease of thy bowels, until thy bowels fall out by reason of the sickness day by day.
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Moreover the LORD stirred up against Jehoram the spirit of the Philistines, and of the Arabians, that were near the Ethiopians:
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Chapter Study & Analysis
Overview
2 Chronicles 21 records the wicked reign of Jehoram. He killed his brothers and led Judah into idolatry. God struck him with an incurable disease, and he died "without being desired," fulfilling the warning of a letter from Elijah.
CONTEMPORARY APPLICATIONS
1. The Legacy of Influence: Jehoram followed the way of the house of Ahab because he married Ahab’s daughter (v. 6). Who we choose to walk with determines the direction of our life.2. God’s Covenant Faithfulness: Despite Jehoram’s evil, God would not destroy Judah because of the covenant made with David (v. 7). God’s grace often holds back the judgment we deserve.
3. A Life Without Honor: Dying "without being desired" (v. 20) is a tragic end. A life focused only on self and sin leaves no meaningful legacy behind.
Practical Lessons
FORMAL PRAYER
Lord, deliver us from ungodly influences that corrupt our character. Help us to live in such a way that our lives honor Thee and bless others, leaving a legacy of faithfulness. Amen.