Jehoram, also known as Joram, was the son of Jehoshaphat and king of Judah. His reign is marked by significant apostasy and moral decline, which ultimately led to his painful and ignominious death. Jehoram's account is primarily found in 2 Chronicles 21 and 2 Kings 8.

Background and Reign

Jehoram ascended to the throne of Judah after the death of his father, Jehoshaphat. Unlike his father, who was a righteous king, Jehoram followed the ways of the kings of Israel, particularly the house of Ahab, due to his marriage to Athaliah, Ahab's daughter. This alliance led him to introduce and promote idolatry in Judah, turning the people away from the worship of Yahweh.

2 Chronicles 21:6 states, "And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab had done, for Ahab’s daughter was his wife. And he did evil in the sight of the LORD."

Judgment and Prophecy

Jehoram's actions provoked the LORD's anger, and the prophet Elijah sent him a letter warning of impending judgment. The letter, recorded in 2 Chronicles 21:12-15, foretold disaster for Jehoram's family and a severe illness for the king himself. Elijah's message was clear: because Jehoram had led Judah into idolatry and killed his own brothers, he would suffer greatly.

The Fulfillment of Prophecy

The prophecy began to unfold as the LORD stirred up the Philistines and the Arabs against Jehoram. They invaded Judah, carrying away all his possessions, his sons, and his wives, leaving only his youngest son, Jehoahaz (also known as Ahaziah).

Following these calamities, Jehoram was struck with a severe and incurable disease. 2 Chronicles 21:18-19 describes the affliction: "After all this, the LORD afflicted Jehoram with an incurable disease of the bowels. In the course of time, after two years had passed, his intestines came out because of his disease, and he died in severe pain."

Death and Legacy

Jehoram's death was as ignominious as his life had been sinful. He died in great agony, and his people did not honor him with a burial in the tombs of the kings. 2 Chronicles 21:20 notes, "He was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years. And he departed with no one’s regret, and he was buried in the City of David, but not in the tombs of the kings."

Jehoram's reign serves as a somber reminder of the consequences of turning away from God and leading others into sin. His painful death and the lack of mourning at his passing underscore the judgment that befell him due to his unfaithfulness and wickedness.