How does Jehoram's burial compare to other kings in 2 Kings? Setting the Scene—2 Kings 8:24 • “Jehoram rested with his fathers and was buried with his fathers in the City of David, and his son Ahaziah reigned in his place.” • At first glance, the wording looks identical to many other royal obituaries in 2 Kings: the king “rests,” is “buried with his fathers,” and the next ruler ascends. • Yet the surrounding verses (2 Kings 8:18, 19) stress that Jehoram “walked in the way of the kings of Israel” and “did evil in the sight of the LORD,” setting up an expectation that something about his end may be different. Digging Deeper—Where Exactly Was He Laid? • 2 Chronicles 21:19-20 supplies the detail missing in 2 Kings: “they buried him in the City of David, but not in the tombs of the kings.” • Taken together, the two books show no contradiction—just two levels of description: – 2 Kings gives the broad location (City of David). – 2 Chronicles tells us he was denied the place of highest honor (the royal tombs). • His burial lacked the customary funeral fire accorded to godly kings (cf. 2 Chron 16:14; 21:19 notes “His people did not make a fire in his honor”). Typical Royal Burials in 2 Kings (Judah) Most Davidic kings before Jehoram receive full honors: • Rehoboam – 1 Kings 14:31 • Abijam – 1 Kings 15:8 • Asa – 1 Kings 15:24 • Jehoshaphat – 1 Kings 22:50 Characteristics: – “Slept with his fathers.” – “Buried with his fathers in the City of David.” – Chronicles often adds spices, funeral fires, and national mourning. Noticeable Deviations After Jehoram • Joash/Jehoash – 2 Kings 12:21: buried with fathers (Chronicles says not in royal tombs, 2 Chron 24:25). • Manasseh – 2 Kings 21:18: buried “in the garden of Uzza,” outside the royal necropolis. • Amon – 2 Kings 21:26: same garden of Uzza. • Josiah – 2 Kings 23:30: buried “in his own tomb,” not explicitly with the fathers. Jehoram’s dishonor therefore becomes the first recorded crack in Judah’s burial tradition, opening the door for later kings who also forfeited full honors. Comparing Jehoram to Kings of Israel Mentioned in 2 Kings • Israel’s kings fare worse: – Jehoram (Joram) of Israel – body thrown on Naboth’s field (2 Kings 9:25-26). – Jezebel – devoured by dogs, no burial (2 Kings 9:36-37). – Baasha’s line – “the dogs will eat,” “the birds will feed” (fulfillment of 1 Kings 16:4). • Against that backdrop, Jehoram of Judah still receives an ordinary burial within Jerusalem, yet Scripture makes sure we know it was stripped of royal honor. Why the Difference? A Spiritual Diagnosis • Covenant faithfulness determines funeral honor in the historical books. • Jehoram turned Judah toward Baal worship (2 Kings 8:18; 2 Chron 21:11): – Result: no royal tomb, no funeral fire, “no one’s regret” (2 Chron 21:19-20). • The pattern repeats: Joash, Manasseh, Amon—each turned from the LORD and each lost burial prestige. • Conversely, when a king walked in obedience (Hezekiah, 2 Kings 20:21; Josiah, 2 Kings 22-23), the nation honored him even if circumstances of death differed. Key Takeaways • 2 Kings phrases Jehoram’s burial like earlier kings, but Chronicles lifts the veil to show withheld honors. • His interment signals divine disapproval without the public humiliation given the most wicked rulers of Israel. • Burial records in Kings and Chronicles are theological commentaries: obedience leads to honor, rebellion to shame—even in death. |
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