2 Chronicles 21:9
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 Jehoram crossed into Edom with his officers and all his chariots.
Jehoram, the son of Jehoshaphat, was the king of Judah. His reign is marked by a departure from the ways of his father, as he led Judah into idolatry. The crossing into Edom signifies a military campaign, as Edom had revolted against Judah's rule. Historically, Edom was a vassal state under Judah, but during Jehoram's reign, they sought independence. The use of chariots indicates the military strength and preparedness of Judah, as chariots were a significant component of ancient Near Eastern warfare. This action reflects the political instability and challenges Jehoram faced during his reign.

When the Edomites surrounded him and his chariot commanders,
The Edomites, descendants of Esau, had a long-standing enmity with Israel and Judah. Their surrounding of Jehoram and his commanders suggests a strategic advantage, possibly due to their knowledge of the terrain. This situation highlights the vulnerability of Jehoram's forces despite their military might. The Edomites' revolt can be seen as a fulfillment of the prophecy given to Esau in Genesis 27:40, where it was foretold that Esau's descendants would eventually break free from Jacob's yoke.

he rose up and attacked by night.
Jehoram's decision to attack by night indicates a tactical maneuver to surprise the Edomites. Night attacks were less common and required careful planning and execution. This action demonstrates Jehoram's desperation and willingness to take risks to regain control over Edom. The night attack can be seen as a metaphor for the spiritual darkness that had enveloped Judah under Jehoram's rule, contrasting with the light of righteousness that his father, Jehoshaphat, had pursued. This event also foreshadows the ultimate victory of light over darkness, a theme prevalent throughout Scripture and fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ, who is often referred to as the Light of the World.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jehoram
The king of Judah, son of Jehoshaphat, who reigned during a time of spiritual decline and political instability. His reign is marked by idolatry and conflict.

2. Edomites
Descendants of Esau, often in conflict with Israel and Judah. In this passage, they rebel against Jehoram's rule.

3. Officers and Chariots
Military leaders and equipment that Jehoram took with him to suppress the Edomite rebellion.

4. Edom
A region southeast of Judah, historically antagonistic towards Israel and Judah, representing a persistent threat.

5. Night Attack
A strategic military maneuver by Jehoram to surprise and overcome the Edomites, despite being surrounded.
Teaching Points
Leadership and Consequences
Jehoram's reign illustrates how poor leadership and departure from God's ways can lead to national and personal turmoil. Leaders are called to uphold righteousness and seek God's guidance.

Spiritual Vigilance
The Edomite rebellion serves as a reminder of the constant spiritual battles believers face. We must remain vigilant and prepared to confront challenges with faith and wisdom.

Strategic Action
Jehoram's night attack, though a military tactic, can be seen as a metaphor for the need to address issues in our lives with strategic prayer and action, especially when feeling surrounded by difficulties.

Legacy and Influence
Jehoram's actions had lasting impacts on Judah. Our choices and actions influence not only our lives but also those around us and future generations.

God's Sovereignty
Despite human failures, God's sovereign plan continues. The struggles between Judah and Edom remind us that God is ultimately in control, working through history to fulfill His purposes.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Jehoram's leadership compare to that of his father, Jehoshaphat, and what lessons can we learn about the importance of godly leadership?

2. In what ways do the conflicts between Judah and Edom reflect the spiritual battles we face today, and how can we prepare ourselves to overcome them?

3. How can Jehoram's decision to attack at night inspire us to take strategic action in our spiritual lives, and what might that look like practically?

4. What are some ways our personal choices and actions can impact others, and how can we ensure that our influence is positive and God-honoring?

5. How does the ongoing conflict between Judah and Edom illustrate God's sovereignty, and how can this understanding bring comfort and assurance in our own lives?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 27
The origin of the conflict between Jacob (Israel) and Esau (Edom) is rooted in the account of their birthright and blessing, setting the stage for ongoing enmity.

2 Kings 8
Provides a parallel account of Jehoram's reign and the Edomite rebellion, offering additional context to the events in 2 Chronicles 21.

Obadiah
A prophetic book that speaks against Edom, highlighting the consequences of their hostility towards Judah.
A Life Spent in UndoingW. Clarkson 2 Chronicles 21:1-11
The Character of JehoramT. Whitelaw 2 Chronicles 21:2-11
People
Ahab, Ahaziah, Arabians, Asa, Azariah, Cushites, David, Edomites, Elijah, Ethiopians, Jehiel, Jehoahaz, Jehoram, Jehoshaphat, Michael, Shephatiah, Zechariah
Places
Edom, Jerusalem, Libnah, Mareshah
Topics
Along, Attack, Broke, Captains, Chariot, Chariots, Commanders, Compassed, Crossed, Edomites, E'domites, Encompassed, Forces, Forth, Heads, Jehoram, Jeho'ram, Officers, Pass, Passed, Passeth, Princes, Risen, Rose, Round, Smiteth, Smote, Struck, Surrounded, Surrounding, War-carriages
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Chronicles 21:4-20

     5366   king

2 Chronicles 21:5-10

     7245   Judah, kingdom of

Library
The Prophecy of Obadiah.
We need not enter into details regarding the question as to the time when the prophet wrote. By a thorough argumentation, Caspari has proved, that he occupies his right position in the Canon, and hence belongs to the earliest age of written prophecy, i.e., to the time of Jeroboam II. and Uzziah. As bearing conclusively against those who would assign to him a far later date, viz., the time of the exile, there is not only the indirect testimony borne by the place which this prophecy occupies in
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Jericho Itself.
We read, that this city was not only wasted by Joshua with fire and sword, but cursed also. "Cursed be he before the Lord, who shall rise up and build that city Jericho," Joshua 6:26. "Nor was another city to be built (says the Talmudists), which was to be called by the name of Jericho: nor was Jericho itself to be built, although to be called by another name." And yet I know not by what chance this city crept out of dust and rubbish, lived again, and flourished, and became the second city to Jerusalem.
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

A Discourse of Mercifulness
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Matthew 5:7 These verses, like the stairs of Solomon's temple, cause our ascent to the holy of holies. We are now mounting up a step higher. Blessed are the merciful . . '. There was never more need to preach of mercifulness than in these unmerciful times wherein we live. It is reported in the life of Chrysostom that he preached much on this subject of mercifulness, and for his much pressing Christians to mercy, he was called of many, the alms-preacher,
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

The Prophet Joel.
PRELIMINARY REMARKS. The position which has been assigned to Joel in the collection of the Minor Prophets, furnishes an external argument for the determination of the time at which Joel wrote. There cannot be any doubt that the Collectors were guided by a consideration of the chronology. The circumstance, that they placed the prophecies of Joel just between the two prophets who, according to the inscriptions and contents of their prophecies, belonged to the time of Jeroboam and Uzziah, is
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Chronicles
The comparative indifference with which Chronicles is regarded in modern times by all but professional scholars seems to have been shared by the ancient Jewish church. Though written by the same hand as wrote Ezra-Nehemiah, and forming, together with these books, a continuous history of Judah, it is placed after them in the Hebrew Bible, of which it forms the concluding book; and this no doubt points to the fact that it attained canonical distinction later than they. Nor is this unnatural. The book
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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