Ch. 2 Chronicles 21:1 (= 1 Kings 22:50). Jehoshaphat succeeded by Jehoram

2–4 (no parallel in Kings). The Names and the Fate of the other Sons of Jehoshaphat

2. brethren the sons of Jehoshaphat] It was necessary to define brethren, for the word by itself means no more than “kinsmen”; cp. 1 Chronicles 12:2 (note).

Azariah] Since this name is repeated (with a slight variation of spelling) in the list it is probable that the text is corrupt. The error may be no more than the omission of some epithet which distinguished one Azariah from the other in the original text of the list. The LXX. gives no help.

king of Israel] Cp. 2 Chronicles 11:3, note.

3. their father gave them] Rehoboam did the same; 2 Chronicles 11:23.

precious things] Heb. migdânôth; cp. 2 Chronicles 32:23 (“presents,” A.V.; “precious things,” R.V.).

4. to the kingdom] R.V. over the kingdom.

he strengthened himself, and slew] R.V. and had strengthened himself, he slew. For “strengthened himself” cp. 2 Chronicles 1:1 (note).

5–7 (= 2 Kings 8:17-19). The Character of Jehoram’s Reign

6. like as did] R.V. as did.

of Ahab] Cp. 2 Chronicles 18:1 (note).

in the eyes] R.V. in the sight (less literal).

7. the house of David] In 2 Kin. Judah, a term sparingly used in Chron.; cp. 2 Chronicles 11:3 (note).

a light] R.V. a lamp. Thus figuratively applied the Heb. word is written nîr; ordinarily “lamp” is nçr in Heb.

for ever] R.V. alway (as in 2 Kin.). Heb. literally, “all the days.”

8–10 (= 2 Kings 8:20-22). The Revolt of Edom

8. from under the dominion] R.V. from under the hand (as 2 Kin.). made themselves a king] R.V. made a king over themselves (as 2 Kin.).

9. Then Jehoram went forth] R.V. Then Jehoram passed over. The Heb. root rendered “pass over” means (a) to pass over a sea or river or other landmark, (b) to pass by persons. In the latter signification it is applied (as here) to the vanguard of an army which passes by the main body in order to take the lead; cp. Joshua 6:7. In this case Jehoram pushed on with the vanguard (consisting of all his chariots) leaving the “people” (2 Kings 8:21), i.e. the bulk of his army to follow. A disaster ensued. Jehoram was hemmed in by the Edomites, and though he cut his way through them by a night surprise, his success came too late, for the rest of the army, thinking that the vanguard was cut off, dispersed to their homes. This last fact, which explains the failure of the campaign, is omitted by the Chronicler. 2 Kings 8:21 should read, And it came to pass, though he rose by night and smote the Edomites … that the people fled to their tents.

with his princes] In 2 Kin. to Zair. Nothing is known of such a place, but some place name is to be expected here.

and the captains of the chariots] The clause is governed by the verb “compassed” (read perhaps el for eth in the Heb.).

10. The same time also did Libnah revolt] R.V. Then did Libnah revolt at the same time. The exact position of Libnah is not known, but it was in the south of Judah, probably not far from Lachish (Tell-el-Hesi) and from the Edomite territory. The reason of the revolt is probably given in the Pesh. rendering of this clause, viz. “Then did the Edomites who dwelt in Libnah revolt.” Libnah was perhaps partly Edomite. According to 1 Chronicles 6:57 (42 Heb.) Libnah was a priestly city.

because he had forsaken, etc.] Not in Kings.

the Lord God] R.V. the LORD, the God; cp. 2 Chronicles 28:6 (note).

11–15 (not in Kings). Jehoram’s Sins and Elijah’s written Denunciation

11. in the mountains] So Pesh., but ἐν πόλεσιν LXX. The difference between the two readings in Heb. is very small.

caused … to commit fornication] R.V. made … to go a whoring, i.e. led … into idolatry according to a much used metaphor of Scripture.

compelled Judah thereto] Lit., banished Judah, i.e. from the presence of Jehovah (a second metaphor meaning the same as the last, but on the negative side; “lead into idolatry” = “lead away from Jehovah”).

12. a writing] This is the only place in which any writing of Elijah is mentioned. Even in Jehoshaphat’s reign Elijah seems to have been no longer among the living; cp. 2 Kings 3:11 (where Elisha seems already to have taken Elijah’s place). A prophecy of Elijah against Jehoram of Judah is an unlikely event, as perhaps the Chronicler himself felt. May it be that some adaptation of words of Elijah to suit Jehoram’s case was placarded by some unknown hand outside Jehoram’s palace?

the Lord God] R.V. the LORD, the God, lit. Jehovah the God.

13. like to the whoredoms of the house of Ahab] R.V. like as the house of Ahab did.

14. with a great plague will the Lord smite] R.V. the LORD will smite with a great plague (“stroke,” mg.). For “plague” cp. 2 Chronicles 6:28-29. Jehoram’s “plague” is described in 2 Chronicles 21:16-17.

thy goods] R.V. thy substance (Genesis 12:5); the Heb. word includes both “goods” and “chattels” (i.e. live stock).

15. day by day] R.V. mg., year after year; a prolonged sickness.

16, 17 (no parallel in Kings). The Invasion of the Philistines and Arabians

16. Moreover] R.V. And.

stirred up … the spirit] Cp. 2 Chronicles 36:22 and 1 Chronicles 5:26.

that were near the Ethiopians] Render, which are beside the Cushites; cp. R.V. and 2 Chronicles 14:9 (note).

17. and brake into it] The proper meaning of the Heb. verb is “to make a breach in a city-wall [and so take the city]”; cp. 2 Chronicles 32:1. The word is metaphorically applied (here and Isaiah 7:6) to a whole country.

in the king’s house] R.V. mg., belonging to the king’s house. The rendering of A.V. suggests that the allies entered Jerusalem, but this was almost certainly not the case.

Jehoahaz] In 2 Chronicles 22:1 he is called Ahaziah, which is only another form of the name, the prefix Jeho- of the one, and the ending -iah of the other being each the representative of the divine name Jehovah. The name in either form means “Jehovah hath taken” (or “chosen”). Two similar cases are Jehoshaphat and Shephatiah (2 Chronicles 21:1) and Jehonathan and Nethaniah in 2 Chronicles 17:8.

18–20 (cp. 2 Kings 8:24). Death and Burial of Jehoram

19. after the end] R.V. at the end.

by reason of his sickness] LXX. μετὰ τῆς νόσου, i.e. in the course of his sickness.

no burning] Cp. 2 Chronicles 16:14 (note).

20. and departed without being desired] Render, he lived so that none desired him (or “delighted in him”). Cp. LXX., ἐπορεύθη οὐκ ἐν ἐπαίνῳ, lit. “he walked without praise.”

Howbeit] R.V. and.

but not in the sepulchres of the kings] According to Kings he “was buried with his fathers.” Cp. 2 Chronicles 24:25.