In the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat's reign over Judah, Jehoram son of Ahab became king of Israel, and he reigned in Samaria twelve years. In the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat’s reign over JudahJehoshaphat was a king of Judah known for his religious reforms and efforts to bring the people back to the worship of Yahweh. His reign is marked by a period of relative peace and prosperity, as well as alliances with the northern kingdom of Israel. The eighteenth year of his reign situates this event around 853 BC, providing a chronological anchor for the events described. Jehoshaphat's reign is detailed in 1 Kings 22 and 2 Chronicles 17-20, highlighting his commitment to God and his political maneuvers, including his alliance with Ahab, king of Israel. Jehoram son of Ahab became king of Israel
Jehoram, also known as Joram, was the son of Ahab and Jezebel, notorious rulers of Israel who led the nation into idolatry, particularly the worship of Baal. Jehoram's ascension to the throne marks a continuation of the Omride dynasty, which was characterized by political strength but spiritual decline. His reign is noted in 2 Kings 3-9, where he attempts to distance himself from some of his parents' practices, such as removing the sacred pillar of Baal, yet he does not fully turn to the worship of Yahweh. His rule is a period of political instability and conflict, particularly with Moab. and he reigned in Samaria twelve years
Samaria was the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel, established by Omri, Jehoram's grandfather. It served as a political and religious center, often associated with the worship of foreign gods due to the influence of Ahab and Jezebel. Jehoram's twelve-year reign is marked by military campaigns, including the notable conflict with Moab described in 2 Kings 3. This period is also significant for the prophetic ministry of Elisha, who performed many miracles and provided counsel to the kings of Israel, including Jehoram. The number twelve can symbolize governmental perfection or completeness, though in Jehoram's case, it reflects a time of incomplete reform and continued spiritual decline. Persons / Places / Events 1. JehoramThe son of Ahab, who became king over Israel. His reign is marked by a continuation of the idolatrous practices initiated by his parents, Ahab and Jezebel. 2. AhabThe former king of Israel and father of Jehoram, known for his wickedness and promotion of Baal worship, which led Israel into sin. 3. SamariaThe capital city of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, where Jehoram reigned. It was a center of political and religious activity. 4. JehoshaphatThe king of Judah during Jehoram's ascension to the throne. Known for his efforts to follow the ways of the Lord, contrasting with the kings of Israel. 5. Israel and JudahThe divided kingdoms of the Hebrew people. Israel, the northern kingdom, often strayed from God's commandments, while Judah, the southern kingdom, had periods of faithfulness under certain kings. Teaching Points The Influence of Family LegacyJehoram's reign was heavily influenced by the legacy of his father, Ahab. This serves as a reminder of the impact our family and upbringing can have on our spiritual journey. We must be vigilant to discern and break away from ungodly influences. The Importance of Godly LeadershipThe contrast between Jehoram and Jehoshaphat highlights the importance of godly leadership. Leaders who seek the Lord can guide their people toward righteousness, while those who turn away can lead them into sin. The Consequences of IdolatryJehoram's reign is a testament to the destructive power of idolatry. As believers, we must guard our hearts against modern-day idols that can draw us away from God. The Role of Divine ProvidenceDespite the wickedness of Israel's kings, God's providence and plan continue to unfold. This reassures us that God is sovereign and His purposes will prevail, even amidst human failure. Bible Study Questions 1. How did Jehoram's family background influence his reign as king of Israel, and what can we learn from this about the impact of our own family influences? 2. In what ways does the contrast between Jehoram and Jehoshaphat's leadership styles inform our understanding of godly leadership today? 3. What are some modern-day idols that can lead us away from God, and how can we guard against them in our personal lives? 4. How does the account of Jehoram illustrate the consequences of turning away from God, and what steps can we take to ensure we remain faithful? 5. Reflect on a time when you saw God's providence at work in a difficult situation. How does understanding God's sovereignty help you trust Him more fully? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Kings 16:30-33Provides background on Ahab's reign and his marriage to Jezebel, which led to the introduction of Baal worship in Israel. 2 Chronicles 18:1-3Describes the alliance between Jehoshaphat and Ahab, setting the stage for the political dynamics during Jehoram's reign. 2 Kings 9:22Later in the account, Jehoram's reign is characterized by the continuation of his parents' idolatry, which ultimately leads to his downfall. People Ahab, Aram, Elijah, Elisha, Israelites, Jehoram, Jehoshaphat, Jeroboam, Mesha, Moabites, Nebat, ShaphatPlaces Edom, Kir-hareseth, Moab, SamariaTopics Ahab, Eighteenth, Jehoram, Jeho'ram, Jehoshaphat, Jehosh'aphat, Judah, Reign, Reigned, Reigneth, Rule, Samaria, Sama'ria, TwelveDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 3:1-8:15 5366 king Library Sight and Blindness
'Then the king of Syria warred against Israel, and took counsel with his servants, saying, In such and such a place shall be my camp. 9. And the man of God sent unto the king of Israel, saying, Beware that them pass not such a place; for thither the Syrians are come down. 10. And the king of Israel sent to the place which the man of God told him and warned him of, and saved himself there, not once nor twice. 11. Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was sore troubled for this thing; and he called …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThe Minstrel
ELISHA needed that the Holy Spirit should come upon him to inspire him with prophetic utterances. "Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." We need that the hand of the Lord should be laid upon us, for we can never open our mouths in wisdom except we are under the divine touch. Now, the Spirit of God works according to his own will. "The wind bloweth where it listeth," and the Spirit of God operates as he chooseth. Elisha could not prophesy just when he liked; he must wait until …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 27: 1881 The Old Testament and Archeology
A century ago the student of the world's history found it exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, to paint for himself a clear picture of events antedating B.C. 400. Concerning earlier periods, he was, aside from the Old Testament, practically without records that could claim contemporaneousness with the events recorded. But, one hundred years ago, men had commenced to test every statement, be it historical, or scientific, or theological, by severe canons of criticism, and if it could not stand …
Frederick Carl Eiselen—The Christian View of the Old Testament Balak's Inquiries Relative to the Service of God, and Balaam's Answer, Briefly Considered.
"Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the high God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with, thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my first born for my transgression; the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?--He hath shewed thee, 0 man, what is good: And what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" As mankind are …
Andrew Lee et al—Sermons on Various Important Subjects The Prophet Amos.
GENERAL PRELIMINARY REMARKS. It will not be necessary to extend our preliminary remarks on the prophet Amos, since on the main point--viz., the circumstances under which he appeared as a prophet--the introduction to the prophecies of Hosea may be regarded as having been written for those of Amos also. For, according to the inscription, they belong to the same period at which Hosea's prophetic ministry began, viz., the latter part of the reign of Jeroboam II., and after Uzziah had ascended the …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament The Prophet Joel.
PRELIMINARY REMARKS. The position which has been assigned to Joel in the collection of the Minor Prophets, furnishes an external argument for the determination of the time at which Joel wrote. There cannot be any doubt that the Collectors were guided by a consideration of the chronology. The circumstance, that they placed the prophecies of Joel just between the two prophets who, according to the inscriptions and contents of their prophecies, belonged to the time of Jeroboam and Uzziah, is …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament The Secret of Its Greatness
[Illustration: (drop cap G) The Great Pyramid] God always chooses the right kind of people to do His work. Not only so, He always gives to those whom He chooses just the sort of life which will best prepare them for the work He will one day call them to do. That is why God put it into the heart of Pharaoh's daughter to bring up Moses as her own son in the Egyptian palace. The most important part of Moses' training was that his heart should be right with God, and therefore he was allowed to remain …
Mildred Duff—The Bible in its Making The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
Assur-nazir-pal (885-860) and Shalmaneser III. (860-825)--The kingdom of Urartu and its conquering princes: Menuas and Argistis. Assyria was the first to reappear on the scene of action. Less hampered by an ancient past than Egypt and Chaldaea, she was the sooner able to recover her strength after any disastrous crisis, and to assume again the offensive along the whole of her frontier line. Image Drawn by Faucher-Gudin, from a bas-relief at Koyunjik of the time of Sennacherib. The initial cut, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7 Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 2 Kings 3:1 NIV2 Kings 3:1 NLT2 Kings 3:1 ESV2 Kings 3:1 NASB2 Kings 3:1 KJV
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