Jehoram, the son of Jehoshaphat, reigned as the king of Judah following his father's death. His reign is marked by significant departures from the ways of his righteous predecessors, leading to a tragic and ignominious end. Jehoram's death is recorded in the biblical narrative, providing insight into the consequences of his actions and the divine judgment that befell him.

Background and Reign

Jehoram ascended to the throne of Judah around 848 BC, after the death of his father, Jehoshaphat. Unlike his father, who was known for his devotion to the LORD, Jehoram chose a path of idolatry and wickedness. He solidified his power by murdering his brothers and some of the princes of Israel (2 Chronicles 21:4). His marriage to Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, further influenced his turn towards the idolatrous practices of the northern kingdom of Israel.

Jehoram's reign was characterized by a departure from the worship of Yahweh, as he led Judah into the worship of Baal and other foreign gods. This apostasy provoked the LORD's anger, and the kingdom suffered as a result. The Edomites and Libnah revolted against his rule, and the Philistines and Arabians invaded Judah, carrying away his possessions and family (2 Chronicles 21:8-17).

Prophetic Judgment

The prophet Elijah sent a letter to Jehoram, warning him of the impending judgment due to his idolatry and the murder of his brothers. The letter declared, "Because you have not walked in the ways of your father Jehoshaphat or of Asa king of Judah, but have walked in the ways of the kings of Israel and have led Judah and the people of Jerusalem into prostitution, just as the house of Ahab did, and you have also murdered your own brothers, members of your own family, who were better than you, the LORD is about to strike your people, your sons, your wives, and all your possessions with a heavy blow" (2 Chronicles 21:12-14).

Death and Aftermath

Jehoram's death came as a direct fulfillment of Elijah's prophecy. He was afflicted with a severe and incurable disease of the bowels. The biblical account describes his suffering: "After all this, the LORD afflicted Jehoram with an incurable disease of the bowels. In the course of time, after two years, his intestines came out because of the disease, and he died in great agony" (2 Chronicles 21:18-19).

Jehoram's death was met with little mourning from his people. Unlike his predecessors, he was not buried in the tombs of the kings, reflecting the dishonor and disgrace that marked the end of his reign. The people of Judah made no fire in his honor, a customary practice for deceased kings, indicating the lack of respect and affection for him (2 Chronicles 21:19-20).

Jehoram's reign serves as a somber reminder of the consequences of turning away from the LORD and leading others into sin. His death, marked by suffering and dishonor, underscores the biblical theme of divine retribution for unfaithfulness and wickedness.2 Chronicles 21:18-20
And after all this the LORD smote him in his bowels with an incurable disease.
Nave's Topical Index

2 Kings 8:24
And Joram slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David: and Ahaziah his son reigned in his stead.
Nave's Topical Index

Concerning the Wickedness of Jehoram King O Jerusalem; his Defeat ...
... of Israel; and had compelled the tribe of Judah, and the ... the Philistines, fell upon
the kingdom of Jehoram, and spoiled the country and the king's house ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 5 concerning the wickedness.htm

The Kingdom Op Judah.
... in Samaria, and allowed his son Jehoram to take ... making him appear as the only king
present, but ... Ammonites, and Moabites came up against Judah, Jehoshaphat was ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson vii the kingdom op.htm

Ahaziah
... Jehoram, King of Judah, must needs ... to do wickedly"wherefore he did evil in the sight
of the Lord, for they were his counsellors after the death of his ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/ahaziah.htm

The Fall of the House of Ahab
... the prophets to Ramothgilead to anoint Jehu king of Israel ... The combined forces of
Judah and Israel were at ... Jehoram had been wounded in battle, and had returned ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 16 the fall of.htm

Hazael Makes an Expedition against the People of Israel and the ...
... of the temple, which was brought to decay by Jehoram, and Athaliah ... took the kingdom,
in the thirty-seventh year of Jehoash, the king of the tribe of Judah. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 8 hazael makes an.htm

The Divided Kingdom.
... with Ahab, led his son, who followed him as king to introduce idolatry into Judah,
with all the evil of the reign of Jehoram, Ahaziah and Athaliah ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xiii the divided kingdom.htm

Concerning Jehoshaphat the King of Jerusalem and How Ahab Made an ...
... three hundred thousand of the tribe of Judah, of whom ... 3. Jehoshaphat took for his
son Jehoram to wife the ... Whereupon the king was in suspense with himself: but ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 15 concerning jehoshaphat the.htm

Jehoshaphat
... to the marriage of his son, Jehoram, to Athaliah ... and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem,
and thou King Jehoshaphat, Thus ... Through the faith of Judah's ruler and of his ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 15 jehoshaphat.htm

The Twelve Minor Prophets.
... capture, as that by the Philistines and Arabians under Jehoram.2 Chron ... though in
this case we should have expected the addition "king of Judah." The "chemarim ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxiii the twelve minor.htm

The Minstrel
... The men of Judah and Israel, whatever they might be ... far away from the loathed presence
of Jehoram; the melting ... thine altars, O Lord of hosts, my King, and my ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 27 1881/the minstrel.htm

Who were the kings of Israel and Judah? | GotQuestions.org

Who was King Jehoshaphat in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What was the sin of Jeroboam? | GotQuestions.org

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