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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9 responses to “2 Chronicles 21”
God promised that from the lineage of David the Messiah would come. God never forgets a promise. The crucified and now resurrected Jesus is the promised King of God’s people, and no murderous ruler can ever remove Him from his throne. God’s hoped-for Kingdom will come.
What happens when we compromise? Sometimes things that God has you doing might not make sense BUT GOD kept and will keep His promises . He is always faithful to keep His promises, even when we’re not faithful; and this is how we know we can trust him, even when we cannot see the end from the beginning. He is faithful and true!
God even when I cant see the future, thank You for always how You keep Your promises. When I do not do what I should have done You always help me with things being set right. God I am grateful on this Thanksgiving Day. I have so very very much to be thankful for. Thank You for opening my eyes of understanding to taste the lemonade You have made from my sour choices. God I am blessed beyond measure and full of overflowing joy for Your hand and direction in my life today. Thank You for these minutes of this day that I can glorify You, help my family to remember, to show in action Your love to all that I meet or interact with in these minutes in Jesus name amen.
WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“Taste the lemonade You have made from my sour choices.”
Classic Amy. I love this! Thank you so much for sharing!
It’s tragic to read of Jehoram’s reign of Judah. Following on the footsteps of his father who scripture repeatedly records as one who sought the Lord, there seems to be not a trace of “like father, like son” pattern. Today, as many will gather around tables for Thanksgiving, may we use this opportunity to seriously pass on our legacy of faith to those in our presence. It could be the most important conversation we have that could determine where another spends eternity. Don’t shy away but take courage to speak of Christ with clarity and courage!
19 “His people made no funeral fire in his honor, as they had for his predecessors.“
What a tragic life that Jehoram, successor to the honorable Jehoshaphat, lived.
Reminds me of the quote, “You can judge a person’s life by who shows up at their funeral.”
*Happy Thanksgiving!
“Jehoram…passed away, to no one’s regret,…”
How will people feel and think about you when you are gone? What will your legacy be to your family, friends, community and country?  For me, all I can do is wonder… 
I’ve been largely redeemed from my arrogance, pride and seeking the approval of man before God. They still chase me and at times I choose to act and react from that old man inside of me versus the new creation in Christ. (walking by Faith and spirit versus flesh and sight.)
God have mercy on me and continue to sanctify me.  God have mercy on me and continue to deliver me from the old man that Paul speaks of when he says, “ For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.” (Romans 7:19.)
Amen!
These thoughts weigh heavy on my mind as well. I seek God’s grace.
There is always hope for redemption through Christ. No matter how far we have strayed, God’s grace is available to us.
Ephesians 1:7 assures us, “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.” Embracing this hope can transform our lives and lead us back to God.