In the fifth year of the reign of Joram son of Ahab over Israel, Jehoram son of Jehoshaphat succeeded his father as king of Judah. In the fifth year of Joram son of Ahab king of IsraelThis phrase sets the historical context for the events described. Joram, also known as Jehoram, was the son of Ahab, a notoriously wicked king of Israel. The "fifth year" indicates a specific time frame, emphasizing the continuity and overlap of the reigns of the kings of Israel and Judah. This period was marked by political alliances and conflicts, as well as spiritual decline in Israel due to Ahab's idolatry. The mention of Joram highlights the ongoing influence of Ahab's lineage, which was characterized by a departure from the worship of Yahweh. Jehoshaphat was king of Judah
Jehoshaphat is noted for his efforts to follow the ways of the Lord, contrasting with the kings of Israel. His reign was generally marked by peace and prosperity, as well as religious reforms aimed at bringing the people back to the worship of Yahweh. The mention of Jehoshaphat here serves as a reminder of the divided kingdom, with Judah often being more faithful to God than Israel. Jehoshaphat's alliance with Ahab's family, however, through marriage, would have significant consequences for Judah. when Jehoram son of Jehoshaphat began his reign as king of Judah
Jehoram, also known as Joram, was the son of Jehoshaphat and began his reign during his father's lifetime, which was a common practice to ensure a smooth transition of power. Unfortunately, Jehoram did not follow in his father's righteous footsteps. Influenced by his marriage to Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, Jehoram introduced idolatry into Judah, leading the nation away from God. This phrase highlights the tragic shift from a godly king to one who embraced the sinful practices of Israel, illustrating the dangers of ungodly alliances and the impact of leadership on a nation's spiritual direction. Persons / Places / Events 1. Joram (Jehoram) son of AhabHe was the king of Israel, the northern kingdom. His reign is marked by idolatry and conflict with the prophets of God. 2. JehoshaphatThe king of Judah, the southern kingdom, known for his efforts to follow God and his alliance with Ahab through marriage, which had significant implications for Judah. 3. Jehoram son of JehoshaphatHe became king of Judah and is noted for his departure from his father's godly ways, influenced by his marriage to Ahab's daughter. 4. IsraelThe northern kingdom, often in conflict with Judah and characterized by a series of ungodly kings. 5. JudahThe southern kingdom, which had a mix of godly and ungodly kings, with Jehoshaphat being one of the more faithful ones. Teaching Points The Influence of AlliancesJehoshaphat's alliance with Ahab through marriage had long-lasting negative effects on Judah. Believers should be cautious about forming alliances that may compromise their faith. The Legacy of LeadershipJehoram's departure from his father's godly ways serves as a reminder of the importance of leaving a legacy of faithfulness for future generations. Consequences of IdolatryJehoram's reign illustrates the destructive consequences of turning away from God, emphasizing the need for steadfastness in faith. The Importance of Godly CounselJehoshaphat often sought God's guidance, contrasting with Jehoram's disregard for divine counsel. This highlights the importance of seeking and heeding godly advice. Bible Study Questions 1. How did Jehoshaphat's alliance with Ahab impact the spiritual direction of Judah during Jehoram's reign? 2. In what ways can we ensure that our alliances and relationships honor God and do not lead us away from Him? 3. What lessons can we learn from Jehoram's failure to follow his father's godly example, and how can we apply these lessons to our own lives? 4. How does the account of Jehoram's reign in 2 Chronicles 21 expand our understanding of the consequences of idolatry? 5. Reflect on a time when you sought or ignored godly counsel. What were the outcomes, and how can this inform your future decisions? Connections to Other Scriptures 2 Chronicles 21Provides a parallel account of Jehoram's reign in Judah, highlighting his evil practices and the consequences of his actions. 1 Kings 22Details the alliance between Jehoshaphat and Ahab, which set the stage for Jehoram's marriage to Ahab's daughter. Exodus 20:5Discusses the consequences of idolatry and how the sins of the fathers can affect subsequent generations, relevant to Jehoram's reign. People Ahab, Ahaziah, Aram, Athaliah, Ben, Benhadad, Ben-hadad, David, Edomites, Elisha, Gehazi, Hadad, Hazael, Israelites, Jehoram, Jehoshaphat, Jezreel, Joram, Omri, SyriansPlaces Damascus, Edom, Jerusalem, Jezreel, Libnah, Ramah, Ramoth-gilead, Samaria, Syria, ZairTopics Ahab, Fifth, Jehoram, Jeho'ram, Jehoshaphat, Jehosh'aphat, Joram, Judah, Reign, ReignedDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 8:16-17 7240 Jerusalem, history 2 Kings 8:16-18 8739 evil, examples of 2 Kings 8:16-22 7245 Judah, kingdom of 2 Kings 8:16-29 5366 king Library The Story of Hazael
'So Hazael went to meet him, and took a present with him, even of every good thing of Damascus, forty camels' burden, and came and stood before him, and said, Thy son Ben-hadad king of Syria hath sent me to thee, saying, Shall I recover of this disease? 10. And Elisha said unto him, Go, say unto him, Thou mayest certainly recover: howbeit the Lord hath shewed me that he shall surely die. 11. And he settled his countenance stedfastly, until he was ashamed: and the man of God wept. 12. And Hazael said, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureHazael
BY REV. J. G. GREENHOUGH, M.A. "But what, is thy servant a dog, that he should do this great thing?"--2 KINGS viii. 13. Hazael was the chief minister and prime favourite of Benhadad, the Syrian king. He had been raised from a humble lot and promoted to that high post by the partiality of his sovereign, who had doubtless discerned his exceptional abilities, and certainly placed implicit trust in him. Just now the king was dangerously ill, and Hazael had been sent to inquire of the prophet of Israel …
George Milligan—Men of the Bible; Some Lesser-Known 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 The Prophet Jonah.
It has been asserted without any sufficient reason, that Jonah is older than Hosea, Joel, Amos, and Obadiah,--that he is the oldest among the prophets whose written monuments have been preserved to us. The passage in 2 Kings xiv. 25, where it is said, that Jonah, the son of Amittai the prophet, prophesied to Jeroboam the happy success of his arms, and the restoration of the ancient boundaries of Israel, and that this prophecy was confirmed by the event, cannot decide in favour of this assertion, …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Redemption for Man Lost to be Sought in Christ.
1. The knowledge of God the Creator of no avail without faith in Christ the Redeemer. First reason. Second reason strengthened by the testimony of an Apostle. Conclusion. This doctrine entertained by the children of God in all ages from the beginning of the world. Error of throwing open heaven to the heathen, who know nothing of Christ. The pretexts for this refuted by passages of Scripture. 2. God never was propitious to the ancient Israelites without Christ the Mediator. First reason founded on …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion 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 Christ's Prophetic Office
'The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet,' &c. Deut 18:85. Having spoken of the person of Christ, we are next to speak of the offices of Christ. These are Prophetic, Priestly, and Regal. 'The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet.' Enunciatur hic locus de Christo. It is spoken of Christ.' There are several names given to Christ as a Prophet. He is called the Counsellor' in Isa 9:9. In uno Christo Angelus foederis completur [The Messenger of the Covenant appears in Christ alone]. …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity Tit. 2:06 Thoughts for Young Men
WHEN St. Paul wrote his Epistle to Titus about his duty as a minister, he mentioned young men as a class requiring peculiar attention. After speaking of aged men and aged women, and young women, he adds this pithy advice, "Young men likewise exhort to be sober-minded" (Tit. 2:6). I am going to follow the Apostle's advice. I propose to offer a few words of friendly exhortation to young men. I am growing old myself, but there are few things I remember so well as the days of my youth. I have a most …
John Charles Ryle—The Upper Room: Being a Few Truths for the Times Commerce
The remarkable change which we have noticed in the views of Jewish authorities, from contempt to almost affectation of manual labour, could certainly not have been arbitrary. But as we fail to discover here any religious motive, we can only account for it on the score of altered political and social circumstances. So long as the people were, at least nominally, independent, and in possession of their own land, constant engagement in a trade would probably mark an inferior social stage, and imply …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Original Sin
Q-16: DID ALL MANKIND FALL IN ADAM'S FIRST TRANSGRESSION? A: The covenant being made with Adam, not only for himself, but for his posterity, all mankind descending from him, by ordinary generation, sinned in him, and fell with him in his first transgression. 'By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin,' &c. Rom 5:12. Adam being a representative person, while he stood, we stood; when he fell, we fell, We sinned in Adam; so it is in the text, In whom all have sinned.' Adam was the head …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity 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 8:16 NIV2 Kings 8:16 NLT2 Kings 8:16 ESV2 Kings 8:16 NASB2 Kings 8:16 KJV
2 Kings 8:16 Commentaries
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