Topical Bible: Homicide: Felonious: Jehoram

◄ Homicide: Felonious: Jehoram ►

Topical Encyclopedia

Jehoram, also known as Joram, was a king of Judah who reigned in the 9th century BC. He was the son of Jehoshaphat and the husband of Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, which linked the royal house of Judah with the idolatrous practices of the northern kingdom of Israel. His reign is marked by a significant departure from the ways of his father, Jehoshaphat, who had been a righteous king.

Background and Reign

Jehoram's reign is recorded in 2 Kings 8:16-24 and 2 Chronicles 21. Upon ascending to the throne, Jehoram took drastic measures to secure his position. He murdered all his brothers and some of the princes of Israel, an act of felonious homicide that was both politically motivated and morally reprehensible. This act of fratricide was a direct violation of the commandments of God, which prohibit murder and emphasize the sanctity of life.

2 Chronicles 21:4 states, "When Jehoram had established himself over his father’s kingdom, he strengthened his position by putting to the sword all his brothers along with some of the princes of Israel." This verse highlights the brutal nature of Jehoram's actions and his willingness to shed innocent blood to eliminate any potential threats to his rule.

Religious and Moral Decline

Jehoram's marriage to Athaliah further entrenched the influence of Baal worship in Judah, as he followed the ways of the kings of Israel, particularly the house of Ahab. 2 Kings 8:18 notes, "And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, just as the house of Ahab had done, for he married a daughter of Ahab and did evil in the sight of the LORD."

Jehoram's reign was characterized by a departure from the worship of Yahweh, leading the nation into idolatry and moral decay. His actions brought about divine judgment, as prophesied by Elijah, who sent him a letter warning of severe consequences for his sins, including the murder of his brothers.

Divine Judgment and Consequences

The consequences of Jehoram's felonious acts were severe. The LORD stirred up the Philistines and the Arabs against him, and they invaded Judah, carrying away all his possessions, his sons, and his wives, leaving only his youngest son, Jehoahaz (also known as Ahaziah). Furthermore, Jehoram was struck with a painful and incurable disease of the bowels, which eventually led to his death in great agony.

2 Chronicles 21:18-19 describes his suffering: "After all this, the LORD afflicted Jehoram with an incurable disease of the bowels. In the course of time, after two years had passed, his intestines came out because of his disease, and he died in severe pain."

Jehoram's death was met with indifference by his people, and he was not honored with a burial in the tombs of the kings. His life and reign serve as a somber reminder of the consequences of turning away from God and committing acts of violence and murder.

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2 Chronicles 21:4
Now when Jehoram was risen up to the kingdom of his father, he strengthened himself, and slew all his brothers with the sword, and divers also of the princes of Israel.
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