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2 Chronicles 21

20 verses

TL;DR

Jehoram of Judah reigned for eight years, committing sins of violence, idolatry, and alliance with Israel, leading to divine judgment, plague, and his death without the desired burial.

Summary

Jephthah's son, Jehoram, succeeds his father Jehoshaphat and immediately murders his brothers to secure the throne. He marries the daughter of Ahab and adopts the wicked practices of the house of Israel, causing Judah to fall into idolatry and moral decay. The Edomites and Libnah rebel against Judah, and Jehoram defeats them militarily. Elijah the prophet delivers a dire warning that God will strike Judah with a plague and that Jehoram will die of a painful disease. Philistines and Arabians seize Judah’s wealth, leaving Jehoram with only his youngest son, Jehoahaz, alive. The disease afflicts Jehoram’s bowels until it ruptures, causing his death after two years. He is buried in the city of David but not in the royal tombs, reflecting the loss of divine favor.

Outline
  1. Jehoram ascends, kills brothers, and secures the throne
  2. Reign marked by idolatry, alliance with Israel, and domestic revolt
  3. Divine judgment through prophetic warning, plague, and death
Themes
Violence and political legitimacyIdolatry and covenant faithlessnessProphetic warning and divine judgment
Keywords
JehoramAhabEdomitesprophecyplaguehigh placescovenantbrotherly murderking's son
People
JehoshaphatJehoramAzariahJehielZechariahAzariahMichaelShephatiahAhab's daughterElijahJehoahazPhilistinesArabiansEthiopians
Places
City of DavidJerusalemJudahEdomLibnahMountains of JudahPhilistiaArabia
Things
Silver and gold giftsHigh placesChariotsPlague of bowelsProphetic writing
Key Verses
  • 2 Chronicles 21:5: Establishes Jehoram’s age and reign length, framing the narrative.
  • 2 Chronicles 21:6: Highlights Jehoram’s sinful alignment with Israel.
  • 2 Chronicles 21:10: Shows the first sign of rebellion against Judah.
  • 2 Chronicles 21:12: Contains the prophetic warning that initiates divine judgment.
  • 2 Chronicles 21:18: Describes the specific divine punishment (bowel disease).
Questions
  • How does Jehoram’s murder of his brothers reflect the political realities of Judah’s monarchy?
  • In what ways does Jehoram’s alliance with Israel influence Judah’s religious and moral decline?
  • What does Elijah’s warning reveal about the nature of prophetic messages in 2 Chronicles?
  • How is divine judgment portrayed through the description of Jehoram’s disease?
  • What lessons about covenant fidelity can be drawn from Jehoram’s reign?
Sentiment

negative
The chapter focuses on violence, idolatry, and divine punishment.