2 Chronicles 21

Jehoram Becomes King

1Jehoshaphat lay down with his ancestors and was buried with his ancestors in the city of David. Jehoram his son became king in his place. 2He had brothers, sons of Jehoshaphat: Azariah, Jehiel, Zechariah, Azariah, Michael, and Shephatiah. All these were sons of Jehoshaphat king of Israel. 3Their father gave them many gifts of silver, gold, and precious things, with fortified cities in Judah, but he gave the kingdom to Jehoram because he was the firstborn.

Jehoram Kills His Brothers

4When Jehoram had risen over the kingdom of his father and strengthened himself, he killed all his brothers with the sword and also some of the officials of Israel. 5Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem. 6He walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab had done, for Ahab’s daughter was his wife. He did what was evil in the eyes of the LORD. 7Yet the LORD was not willing to destroy the house of David because of the covenant that he had made with David and because he had said that he would give a lamp to him and to his sons all the days.

Edom and Libnah Rebel

8In his days Edom rebelled from under the hand of Judah and set a king over themselves. 9So Jehoram crossed over with his commanders and all the chariots with him. He arose by night and struck the Edomites who had surrounded him and the commanders of the chariots. 10So Edom rebelled from under the hand of Judah to this day. Libnah also rebelled from under his hand at that time because he had abandoned the LORD, the God of his ancestors. 11Moreover, he made high places in the mountains of Judah, caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to prostitute themselves, and led Judah astray.

Elijah Sends a Letter

12A letter came to him from Elijah the prophet, saying:

“Thus says the LORD, the God of David your father: Because you have not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat your father or in the ways of Asa king of Judah, 13but have walked in the way of the kings of Israel and have caused Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to prostitute themselves as the house of Ahab caused Israel to prostitute itself, and you have also killed your brothers, your father’s household, who were better than you— 14look, the LORD is about to strike your people, your sons, your wives, and all your possessions with a great blow. 15And you will have severe sickness with disease of your intestines until your intestines come out because of the sickness, day after day.”

Judah Is Invaded

16The LORD stirred up against Jehoram the spirit of the Philistines and the Arabians who were beside the Cushites. 17They came up against Judah, broke into it, and carried away all the possessions found in the king’s house, and also his sons and wives. No son was left to him except Jehoahaz, the youngest of his sons.

Jehoram Dies without Honor

18After all this the LORD struck him in his intestines with a disease for which there was no healing. 19And it happened after days upon days, at the time of the end of two years, that his intestines came out because of his disease, and he died in severe suffering. His people did not make a burning for him like the burning for his ancestors. 20He was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem. He departed without being desired. They buried him in the city of David, but not in the tombs of the kings.