2 Chronicles Chapter 21

Jehoram Rules Judah

¹ Jehoshaphat died, and they buried him in The City of David. His son Jehoram became king. ² His brothers were Azariah, Jehiel, Zechariah, Azariyahu, Michael, and Shephatiah. ³ Their father had given them many gifts of silver, gold, and other precious things along with fortified towns in Judah. But he gave the kingdom to Jehoram, his firstborn.

⁴ When Jehoram had taken over the kingdom and made himself secure, he killed his brothers with the sword and some of the rulers too. ⁵ He was 32 when he became king and ruled for 8 years in Jerusalem. ⁶ He followed the ways of Israel’s kings like Ahab’s house did. (His wife was Ahab’s daughter.) He did evil, ⁷ but because of his covenant with David, Yahveh wouldn’t destroy David’s house. He’d promised to give him and his descendants a lamp permanently.                                                                                      2 Ch 21:1-7

⁸ During his reign Edom revolted and set up its own king. ⁹ So Jehoram crossed over with his commanders and all his chariots. He got up at night and struck down the Edomites and the commanders of the chariots that were surrounding him. ¹⁰ But Edom is still independent from Judah.

Libnah revolted at the same time because Jehoram had left Yahveh God of his ancestors. ¹¹ Besides, he made high places in the mountains in Judah, and led the people in Jerusalem to carry on religious prostitution.

¹² Elijah the prophet sent him a letter:

“Yahveh, God of your ancestor David, says, ‘You’ve not followed the ways of Jehoshaphat your father and Asa king of Judah. ¹³ You’ve followed the kings of Israel and made Judah and Israel carry on religious prostitution like Ahab’s house did. You’ve even killed your own brothers, who were better than you. ¹⁴ I’m^Y going to strike your people, your sons, your wives, and everything you own with catastrophe. ¹⁵ You’ll suffer with a severe intestinal disease till your bowels come out.’”            2 Ch 21:8-15

¹⁶ Then Yahveh stirred up the Philistines and Arabs that bordered the Nubians. ¹⁷ They invaded Judah and carried away everything in the king’s palace, including his sons and wives. He didn’t have any son left except Jehoahaz, the youngest.

¹⁸ In addition, Yahveh struck him with an incurable disease. ¹⁹ In two years, his bowels came out, and he died in severe pain. His people made no fire for him like they did for his ancestors. ²⁰ He died with nobody’s regret. They buried him in The City of David, but not in the tombs of the kings. 2 Ch 21:16-20