2 Chronicles 21 Study Notes: Jehoram’s Evil Reign and Death
Jehoram kills his brothers and follows the ways of Ahab’s family, yet God spares David’s line for the sake of His covenant. Edom and Libnah revolt, Elijah sends a letter of judgment, raiders carry off the king’s family, and Jehoram dies of a painful disease, mourned by no one.
General
During Jehoram’s reign, Edom and also the town of Libnah broke free from Judah. What reason does the text give for Libnah’s revolt (2 Chronicles 21:8-10)?
Answer: He had turned away from the LORD, his ancestors’ God
In Jehoram’s days Edom threw off Judah’s rule and set up its own king. Jehoram marched out with his chariots and, when surrounded, attacked by night, but Edom stayed independent from then on (21:8-10). Libnah also rebelled in that same period, and the text gives the reason plainly: Jehoram had abandoned the LORD, his ancestors’ God (21:10). The loss of territory had a spiritual cause. Chronicles repeats this lesson often: if you abandon the LORD, He will abandon you (15:2), as the prophet Shemaiah told Rehoboam (12:5) and as later happened to Joash (24:24).
- 2 Chronicles 21:8-10 (BSB)“In the days of Jehoram, Edom rebelled against the hand of Judah and appointed their own king. So Jehoram crossed into Edom with his officers and all his chariots. When the Edomites surrounded him and his chariot commanders, he rose up and attacked by night. So to this day Edom has been in rebellion against the hand of Judah. Likewise, Libnah rebelled against his hand at the same time, because Jehoram had forsaken the LORD, the God of his fathers.”Edom and Libnah revolt because Jehoram has forsaken the LORD.
- 2 Chronicles 15:2 (BSB)“So he went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin. The LORD is with you when you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you.”Those who forsake the LORD are forsaken by Him.
- 2 Chronicles 12:5 (BSB)“Then Shemaiah the prophet came to Rehoboam and the leaders of Judah who had gathered at Jerusalem because of Shishak, and he said to them, “This is what the LORD says: ‘You have forsaken Me; therefore, I have forsaken you into the hand of Shishak.’””Shemaiah told Rehoboam that forsaking the LORD brought Shishak’s invasion.
- 2 Chronicles 24:24 (BSB)“Although the Aramean army had come with only a few men, the LORD delivered into their hand a very great army. Because Judah had forsaken the LORD, the God of their fathers, judgment was executed on Joash.”Judgment fell on Joash’s Judah for the same reason.
Theological
What cause does the text assign to Libnah’s revolt against Jehoram (2 Chronicles 21:8-10)?
Answer: He had turned away from the LORD, his ancestors’ God
Edom threw off Judah’s rule, and Jehoram could not reverse it despite attacking by night (21:8-10). Libnah rebelled at the same time, and the text names the cause: he had abandoned the LORD, his ancestors’ God (21:10). This is the book’s recurring pattern—abandon Him and be abandoned (15:2)—announced to Rehoboam by Shemaiah (12:5) and repeated in the judgment on Joash (24:24).
- 2 Chronicles 21:8-10 (BSB)“In the days of Jehoram, Edom rebelled against the hand of Judah and appointed their own king. So Jehoram crossed into Edom with his officers and all his chariots. When the Edomites surrounded him and his chariot commanders, he rose up and attacked by night. So to this day Edom has been in rebellion against the hand of Judah. Likewise, Libnah rebelled against his hand at the same time, because Jehoram had forsaken the LORD, the God of his fathers.”Edom and Libnah revolt because Jehoram has forsaken the LORD.
- 2 Chronicles 15:2 (BSB)“So he went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin. The LORD is with you when you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you.”Those who forsake the LORD are forsaken by Him.
- 2 Chronicles 12:5 (BSB)“Then Shemaiah the prophet came to Rehoboam and the leaders of Judah who had gathered at Jerusalem because of Shishak, and he said to them, “This is what the LORD says: ‘You have forsaken Me; therefore, I have forsaken you into the hand of Shishak.’””Shemaiah told Rehoboam that forsaking the LORD brought Shishak’s invasion.
- 2 Chronicles 24:24 (BSB)“Although the Aramean army had come with only a few men, the LORD delivered into their hand a very great army. Because Judah had forsaken the LORD, the God of their fathers, judgment was executed on Joash.”Judgment fell on Joash’s Judah for the same reason.
General
Jehoram received a written message from the prophet Elijah. Which of these was one of the charges it brought against him (2 Chronicles 21:12-13)?
Answer: He had killed his own brothers, men more upright than himself
Jehoram received a written message from Elijah (a prophet, someone God sends to speak His message), speaking for the LORD, David’s God. It charged Jehoram with three things: he had not followed the good example of Jehoshaphat his father or of Asa but the ways of Israel’s kings; he had led Judah and Jerusalem into spiritual prostitution as Ahab’s family had; and he had murdered his own brothers, members of his father’s household and better men than he (21:12-13). The letter then announced God’s judgment on him (21:14-15). God kept sending warnings to His people out of compassion for them (36:15), but sin does not stay hidden from Him (Numbers 32:23).
- 2 Chronicles 21:12-13 (BSB)“Then a letter came to Jehoram from Elijah the prophet, which stated: “This is what the LORD, the God of your father David, says: ‘You have not walked in the ways of your father Jehoshaphat or of Asa king of Judah, but you have walked in the ways of the kings of Israel and have caused Judah and the people of Jerusalem to prostitute themselves, just as the house of Ahab prostituted itself. You have also killed your brothers, your father’s family, who were better than you.”Elijah’s letter charges Jehoram with idolatry and the murder of his brothers.
- 2 Chronicles 36:15 (BSB)“Again and again the LORD, the God of their fathers, sent word to His people through His messengers because He had compassion on them and on His dwelling place.”The LORD sent His messengers again and again because He had compassion.
- Numbers 32:23 (BSB)“But if you do not do this, you will certainly sin against the LORD—and be assured that your sin will find you out.”Sin against the LORD will be found out.
Theological
Which accusation appears in Elijah’s letter to Jehoram (2 Chronicles 21:12-13)?
Answer: He had killed his own brothers, men more upright than himself
Elijah’s letter speaks for David’s God and lays out a threefold indictment: Jehoram had abandoned the ways of Jehoshaphat and Asa for those of Israel’s kings, led Judah and Jerusalem into spiritual harlotry as Ahab’s house had, and murdered his brothers, more upright men than himself (21:12-13). Judgment follows (21:14-15). The prophetic warning reflects the LORD’s persistent compassion in sending messengers (36:15), and the indictment shows that hidden sin will find the sinner out (Numbers 32:23).
- 2 Chronicles 21:12-13 (BSB)“Then a letter came to Jehoram from Elijah the prophet, which stated: “This is what the LORD, the God of your father David, says: ‘You have not walked in the ways of your father Jehoshaphat or of Asa king of Judah, but you have walked in the ways of the kings of Israel and have caused Judah and the people of Jerusalem to prostitute themselves, just as the house of Ahab prostituted itself. You have also killed your brothers, your father’s family, who were better than you.”Elijah’s letter charges Jehoram with idolatry and the murder of his brothers.
- 2 Chronicles 36:15 (BSB)“Again and again the LORD, the God of their fathers, sent word to His people through His messengers because He had compassion on them and on His dwelling place.”The LORD sent His messengers again and again because He had compassion.
- Numbers 32:23 (BSB)“But if you do not do this, you will certainly sin against the LORD—and be assured that your sin will find you out.”Sin against the LORD will be found out.
General
True or False: Jehoram tore down the high places and called Jerusalem back to faithful worship (2 Chronicles 21:11).
Answer: False
This is false. Jehoram did the opposite: he built high places—hilltop shrines for worship apart from the temple—in Judah’s hill country, led Jerusalem’s inhabitants into spiritual prostitution, and led Judah astray (21:11). Scripture often calls worshiping other gods prostitution, because it is unfaithfulness to the LORD, like a spouse betraying a marriage. Jeremiah describes Israel playing the prostitute on the hilltops (Jeremiah 3:6), and Hosea speaks of a spirit that draws them into prostitution, leading God’s people astray (Hosea 4:12). As king, Jehoram did not just sin himself; he pulled the nation with him.
- 2 Chronicles 21:11 (BSB)“Jehoram had also built high places on the hills of Judah; he had caused the people of Jerusalem to prostitute themselves and had led Judah astray.”Jehoram builds high places and leads Jerusalem and Judah astray.
- Jeremiah 3:6 (BSB)“Now in the days of King Josiah, the LORD said to me, “Have you seen what faithless Israel has done? She has gone up on every high hill and under every green tree to prostitute herself there.”Idolatry on the high hills is described as Israel prostituting herself.
- Hosea 4:12 (BSB)“My people consult their wooden idols, and their divining rods inform them. For a spirit of prostitution leads them astray and they have played the harlot against their God.”Hosea speaks of a spirit that draws them into prostitution, leading God’s people astray from Him.
Theological
True or False: Jehoram reformed Judah’s worship by removing the high places from the hills (2 Chronicles 21:11).
Answer: False
This is false. Jehoram built high places in the hill country, caused Jerusalem’s inhabitants to commit spiritual harlotry, and led Judah astray (21:11). The prophetic image of idolatry as covenant adultery is standard—Israel prostituting herself on the hilltops (Jeremiah 3:6), a spirit of harlotry leading the people astray (Hosea 4:12). The king’s guilt is compounded because he used his office to draw the nation away from the LORD.
- 2 Chronicles 21:11 (BSB)“Jehoram had also built high places on the hills of Judah; he had caused the people of Jerusalem to prostitute themselves and had led Judah astray.”Jehoram builds high places and leads Jerusalem and Judah astray.
- Jeremiah 3:6 (BSB)“Now in the days of King Josiah, the LORD said to me, “Have you seen what faithless Israel has done? She has gone up on every high hill and under every green tree to prostitute herself there.”Idolatry on the high hills is described as Israel prostituting herself.
- Hosea 4:12 (BSB)“My people consult their wooden idols, and their divining rods inform them. For a spirit of prostitution leads them astray and they have played the harlot against their God.”Hosea speaks of a spirit that draws them into prostitution, leading God’s people astray from Him.
General
True or False: When Jehoram died, his people honored him with a fire as they had his ancestors, and he was laid in the royal tombs (2 Chronicles 21:19-20).
Answer: False
This is false. As Elijah had warned (21:15), the LORD struck the king with an illness of the bowels that could not be cured, and after two years he died in great pain (21:18-19). His people lit no memorial fire for him like the ones made for earlier kings (21:19). He died with no one sorry to see him go, and although he was laid to rest in Jerusalem, he was not placed among the royal graves (21:20). Compare his grandfather Asa, for whom a great fire was made in his honor (16:14). Proverbs says that good people are remembered with gratitude while the reputation of evil people decays (Proverbs 10:7); a person reaps what he sows (Galatians 6:7).
- 2 Chronicles 21:20 (BSB)“Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years. He died, to no one’s regret, and was buried in the City of David, but not in the tombs of the kings.”Jehoram dies unlamented and is excluded from the royal tombs.
- 2 Chronicles 16:14 (BSB)“And he was buried in the tomb that he had cut out for himself in the City of David. They laid him on a bier that was full of spices and various blended perfumes; then they made a great fire in his honor.”Asa, by contrast, was buried with a great fire made in his honor.
- Proverbs 10:7 (BSB)“The memory of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot.”The name of the wicked rots while the righteous are remembered with blessing.
- Galatians 6:7 (BSB)“Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return.”God is not mocked; a man reaps what he sows.
Theological
True or False: Jehoram received the customary royal honors at his death, including a memorial fire and burial among the kings (2 Chronicles 21:19-20).
Answer: False
This is false. Elijah’s word was fulfilled: the LORD struck Jehoram with an illness no one could cure, and after two years he died in great pain (21:15, 18-19). The people withheld the memorial fire given his fathers (21:19); he departed unlamented and was interred in Jerusalem yet outside the royal graves (21:20). His grandfather Asa, by contrast, had been honored with a great fire (16:14). Proverbs 10:7 contrasts the blessed remembrance of the godly with the decaying reputation of evildoers, and Galatians 6:7 states the principle of sowing and reaping.
- 2 Chronicles 21:20 (BSB)“Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years. He died, to no one’s regret, and was buried in the City of David, but not in the tombs of the kings.”Jehoram dies unlamented and is excluded from the royal tombs.
- 2 Chronicles 16:14 (BSB)“And he was buried in the tomb that he had cut out for himself in the City of David. They laid him on a bier that was full of spices and various blended perfumes; then they made a great fire in his honor.”Asa, by contrast, was buried with a great fire made in his honor.
- Proverbs 10:7 (BSB)“The memory of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot.”The name of the wicked rots while the righteous are remembered with blessing.
- Galatians 6:7 (BSB)“Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return.”God is not mocked; a man reaps what he sows.
General
Once Jehoram had secured his hold on his father’s kingdom, what did he do (2 Chronicles 21:3-4)?
Answer: He killed all of his brothers and also some of Israel’s officials
Jehoshaphat had given his other sons generous gifts and fortified towns, but the throne went to Jehoram as the oldest son (21:3). Once Jehoram was firmly in power, he made himself secure by killing all his brothers with the sword, and some of Israel’s officials as well (21:4). Later, Elijah’s letter names this crime, saying the brothers were better men than Jehoram (21:13). From Cain onward, Scripture treats the murder of a brother as a sin that cries out to God (Genesis 4:10), and the New Testament traces such violence back to hatred in the heart (1 John 3:15).
- 2 Chronicles 21:3-4 (BSB)“Their father had given them many gifts of silver and gold and precious things, as well as the fortified cities in Judah; but he gave the kingdom to Jehoram because he was the firstborn. When Jehoram had established himself over his father’s kingdom, he strengthened himself by putting to the sword all his brothers along with some of the princes of Israel.”Jehoshaphat gives the throne to his firstborn, who then kills his brothers.
- 2 Chronicles 21:13 (BSB)“but you have walked in the ways of the kings of Israel and have caused Judah and the people of Jerusalem to prostitute themselves, just as the house of Ahab prostituted itself. You have also killed your brothers, your father’s family, who were better than you.”Elijah’s letter condemns Jehoram for killing brothers better than himself.
- Genesis 4:10 (BSB)““What have you done?” replied the LORD. “The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground.”A brother’s spilled blood cries out to God for justice.
- 1 John 3:15 (BSB)“Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that eternal life does not reside in a murderer.”John traces murder back to hatred of a brother.
Theological
How did Jehoram consolidate his rule after Jehoshaphat’s death (2 Chronicles 21:3-4)?
Answer: He killed all of his brothers and also some of Israel’s officials
Jehoshaphat had provided for his other sons with wealth and fortified cities and passed the throne to Jehoram as firstborn (21:3). Once established, Jehoram secured his throne by killing all his brothers and some of Israel’s officials (21:4)—a crime Elijah’s letter later names explicitly, calling the brothers better than he (21:13). Fratricide stands under God’s judgment from Abel’s blood onward (Genesis 4:10), and John roots murder in hatred of a brother (1 John 3:15).
- 2 Chronicles 21:3-4 (BSB)“Their father had given them many gifts of silver and gold and precious things, as well as the fortified cities in Judah; but he gave the kingdom to Jehoram because he was the firstborn. When Jehoram had established himself over his father’s kingdom, he strengthened himself by putting to the sword all his brothers along with some of the princes of Israel.”Jehoshaphat gives the throne to his firstborn, who then kills his brothers.
- 2 Chronicles 21:13 (BSB)“but you have walked in the ways of the kings of Israel and have caused Judah and the people of Jerusalem to prostitute themselves, just as the house of Ahab prostituted itself. You have also killed your brothers, your father’s family, who were better than you.”Elijah’s letter condemns Jehoram for killing brothers better than himself.
- Genesis 4:10 (BSB)““What have you done?” replied the LORD. “The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground.”A brother’s spilled blood cries out to God for justice.
- 1 John 3:15 (BSB)“Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that eternal life does not reside in a murderer.”John traces murder back to hatred of a brother.
General
Jehoram did great evil. Why did the LORD still refuse to wipe out David’s royal family (2 Chronicles 21:7)?
Answer: Because of His covenant with David and His promised lamp
Jehoram deserved judgment, and judgment did come on him. Yet the LORD would not destroy David’s family line, because of His covenant (a solemn, binding promise) with David, and because He had pledged to keep a lamp burning for David’s line for all time (21:7). The lamp pictures a living descendant to carry on David’s royal line. God’s faithfulness rested on His own promise, not on Jehoram’s goodness. He had promised David a house and kingdom that would last forever (2 Samuel 7:16), and said that if David’s sons sinned He would punish them but never take away His loving devotion (Psalm 89:30-34). That promise reaches its goal in Jesus, who receives David’s throne and whose reign has no end (Luke 1:32-33).
- 2 Chronicles 21:7 (BSB)“Yet the LORD was unwilling to destroy the house of David, because of the covenant He had made with David, and since He had promised to maintain a lamp for David and his descendants forever.”Despite Jehoram’s evil, the LORD spares David’s house because of His covenant.
- 2 Samuel 7:16 (BSB)“Your house and kingdom will endure forever before Me, and your throne will be established forever.””God promised David a house, kingdom and throne that would endure forever.
- Psalm 89:30-34 (BSB)“If his sons forsake My law and do not walk in My judgments, if they violate My statutes and fail to keep My commandments, I will attend to their transgression with the rod, and to their iniquity with stripes. But I will not withdraw My loving devotion from him, nor ever betray My faithfulness. I will not violate My covenant or alter the utterance of My lips.”God would discipline David’s sons for sin but never break His covenant with David.
- Luke 1:32-33 (BSB)“He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will never end!””The angel announces that Jesus will receive David’s throne and reign forever.
Theological
Why, according to 2 Chronicles 21:7, did the LORD spare David’s dynasty under Jehoram?
Answer: Because of His covenant with David and His promised lamp
The verse is a striking statement of unconditional covenant faithfulness. Jehoram’s sin merited destruction, yet the LORD would not wipe out David’s dynasty, on account of His covenant with David and His pledge to keep a lamp—a living heir on the throne—burning for David’s line in perpetuity (21:7). The ground is God’s own oath, not the king’s merit. The Davidic covenant promised an everlasting house and throne (2 Samuel 7:16), and Psalm 89:30-34 addresses exactly this kind of situation: disobedient sons are chastened with the rod, but God does not withdraw His loving devotion or violate His covenant. That preserved line leads to Christ, who receives David’s throne and reigns forever (Luke 1:32-33).
- 2 Chronicles 21:7 (BSB)“Yet the LORD was unwilling to destroy the house of David, because of the covenant He had made with David, and since He had promised to maintain a lamp for David and his descendants forever.”Despite Jehoram’s evil, the LORD spares David’s house because of His covenant.
- 2 Samuel 7:16 (BSB)“Your house and kingdom will endure forever before Me, and your throne will be established forever.””God promised David a house, kingdom and throne that would endure forever.
- Psalm 89:30-34 (BSB)“If his sons forsake My law and do not walk in My judgments, if they violate My statutes and fail to keep My commandments, I will attend to their transgression with the rod, and to their iniquity with stripes. But I will not withdraw My loving devotion from him, nor ever betray My faithfulness. I will not violate My covenant or alter the utterance of My lips.”God would discipline David’s sons for sin but never break His covenant with David.
- Luke 1:32-33 (BSB)“He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will never end!””The angel announces that Jesus will receive David’s throne and reign forever.
General
Elijah warned that the LORD would strike Jehoram’s people, sons, wives and possessions. How did this come about (2 Chronicles 21:16-17)?
Answer: God roused Philistine and Arab raiders to seize his goods, wives and sons
Elijah’s letter warned that the LORD would strike Jehoram’s people, his sons, his wives and everything he owned (21:14). It happened as announced: the LORD roused the Philistines and the Arabs living near the Cushites against Jehoram, and they invaded Judah, took all the goods in the palace, and carried off his wives and sons. Only his youngest son, Jehoahaz, was left (21:17). Even so, one son remained, in keeping with the LORD’s resolve not to destroy David’s house (21:7). The raiders chose to make war, yet it was the LORD who stirred their spirit. Chronicles says the same about the LORD stirring the spirit of King Cyrus (36:22), and Proverbs says a king’s heart is in the LORD’s hand (Proverbs 21:1). God’s word does not fail (Numbers 23:19).
- 2 Chronicles 21:14 (BSB)“So behold, the LORD is about to strike your people, your sons, your wives, and all your possessions with a serious blow.”Elijah announces a heavy blow on Jehoram’s people, family and possessions.
- 2 Chronicles 21:16-17 (BSB)“Then the LORD stirred against Jehoram the spirit of the Philistines and Arabs who lived near the Cushites. So they went to war against Judah, invaded it, and carried off all the possessions found in the king’s palace, along with his sons and wives; not a son was left to him except Jehoahaz, his youngest.”The LORD stirs up Philistines and Arabs, who plunder the palace and take the king’s family.
- 2 Chronicles 36:22 (BSB)“In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken through Jeremiah, the LORD stirred the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia to send a proclamation throughout his kingdom and to put it in writing as follows:”The LORD likewise stirred the spirit of Cyrus to fulfill His word.
- Proverbs 21:1 (BSB)“The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases.”The LORD directs the hearts of kings where He pleases.
- Numbers 23:19 (BSB)“God is not a man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?”God does what He has spoken.
Theological
How was the first part of Elijah’s warning fulfilled (2 Chronicles 21:16-17)?
Answer: God roused Philistine and Arab raiders to seize his goods, wives and sons
The threatened blow on Jehoram’s people, sons, wives and goods (21:14) came when the LORD roused the Philistines and the Arabs near the Cushites against him; they invaded, plundered the palace, and took his wives and sons, leaving only Jehoahaz, the youngest (21:16-17). Even in judgment one son remained, in keeping with the LORD’s resolve not to destroy David’s house (21:7). The raiders chose to make war, yet the LORD had stirred them, as He later moved the heart of Cyrus (36:22); royal hearts are in His hand (Proverbs 21:1). What God speaks He brings to pass (Numbers 23:19).
- 2 Chronicles 21:14 (BSB)“So behold, the LORD is about to strike your people, your sons, your wives, and all your possessions with a serious blow.”Elijah announces a heavy blow on Jehoram’s people, family and possessions.
- 2 Chronicles 21:16-17 (BSB)“Then the LORD stirred against Jehoram the spirit of the Philistines and Arabs who lived near the Cushites. So they went to war against Judah, invaded it, and carried off all the possessions found in the king’s palace, along with his sons and wives; not a son was left to him except Jehoahaz, his youngest.”The LORD stirs up Philistines and Arabs, who plunder the palace and take the king’s family.
- 2 Chronicles 36:22 (BSB)“In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken through Jeremiah, the LORD stirred the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia to send a proclamation throughout his kingdom and to put it in writing as follows:”The LORD likewise stirred the spirit of Cyrus to fulfill His word.
- Proverbs 21:1 (BSB)“The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases.”The LORD directs the hearts of kings where He pleases.
- Numbers 23:19 (BSB)“God is not a man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?”God does what He has spoken.
General
Jehoram followed the evil ways of Israel’s kings, like Ahab’s family. What reason does the text give (2 Chronicles 21:6)?
Answer: He had taken Ahab’s daughter to be his wife
Jehoram followed the evil ways of Israel’s northern kings, just as Ahab’s family had, because he had married Ahab’s daughter, and the LORD saw his deeds as evil (21:6). His father Jehoshaphat had earlier tied himself to Ahab through a marriage alliance (18:1). The influence did not stop with Jehoram; his son Ahaziah also followed Ahab’s ways because his mother advised him to do wrong (22:3). Proverbs warns that walking with fools leads to harm (Proverbs 13:20).
- 2 Chronicles 21:6 (BSB)“And Jehoram walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, just as the house of Ahab had done. For he married a daughter of Ahab and did evil in the sight of the LORD.”Jehoram follows the ways of Ahab’s house because he married Ahab’s daughter.
- 2 Chronicles 18:1 (BSB)“Now Jehoshaphat had an abundance of riches and honor, and he allied himself with Ahab by marriage.”Jehoshaphat had allied his family with Ahab by marriage.
- 2 Chronicles 22:3 (BSB)“Ahaziah also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab, for his mother was his counselor in wickedness.”Jehoram’s son Ahaziah likewise followed Ahab’s ways under his mother’s influence.
- Proverbs 13:20 (BSB)“He who walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.”The companion of fools is led to ruin.
Theological
What explanation does 2 Chronicles 21:6 give for Jehoram’s imitation of Ahab’s dynasty?
Answer: He had taken Ahab’s daughter to be his wife
The text ties Jehoram’s apostasy directly to his marriage: he followed the pattern of Israel’s kings, as Ahab’s house had, because Ahab’s daughter was his wife (21:6). The alliance Jehoshaphat had sealed by marriage (18:1) bore its bitter fruit in the next generation, and the next one after that, as Ahaziah too was counseled into Ahab’s ways by his mother (22:3). The proverb that those who keep company with fools come to harm is borne out in the royal house (Proverbs 13:20).
- 2 Chronicles 21:6 (BSB)“And Jehoram walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, just as the house of Ahab had done. For he married a daughter of Ahab and did evil in the sight of the LORD.”Jehoram follows the ways of Ahab’s house because he married Ahab’s daughter.
- 2 Chronicles 18:1 (BSB)“Now Jehoshaphat had an abundance of riches and honor, and he allied himself with Ahab by marriage.”Jehoshaphat had allied his family with Ahab by marriage.
- 2 Chronicles 22:3 (BSB)“Ahaziah also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab, for his mother was his counselor in wickedness.”Jehoram’s son Ahaziah likewise followed Ahab’s ways under his mother’s influence.
- Proverbs 13:20 (BSB)“He who walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.”The companion of fools is led to ruin.