Topical Encyclopedia
Jehoram, also known as Joram, was the fifth king of the Kingdom of Judah, succeeding his father, Jehoshaphat. His reign is chronicled in the Old Testament, primarily in
2 Kings 8:16-24 and
2 Chronicles 21. Jehoram's rule is marked by significant religious and political changes, as well as a departure from the godly legacy of his father.
Family and Ascension to the ThroneJehoram was the son of Jehoshaphat, a king noted for his piety and efforts to bring the people of Judah back to the worship of Yahweh. Jehoram married Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, which forged a political alliance with the northern Kingdom of Israel. This marriage, however, introduced the idolatrous practices of Ahab's house into Judah.
Upon Jehoshaphat's death, Jehoram ascended to the throne. In a move to secure his position, he killed all his brothers and some of the princes of Israel, an act that was contrary to the ways of his father and displeasing to God. As recorded in
2 Chronicles 21:4 , "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."
Religious Apostasy and ConsequencesJehoram's reign was characterized by a significant departure from the worship of Yahweh. Influenced by his wife Athaliah, he promoted the worship of Baal and other foreign deities, leading Judah into idolatry. This apostasy provoked the anger of God, and the prophet Elijah sent Jehoram a letter warning him of divine judgment. The letter, as recorded in
2 Chronicles 21:12-15, foretold calamity upon his house and a severe illness that would afflict Jehoram himself.
The consequences of Jehoram's unfaithfulness were swift and severe. The Edomites and Libnah revolted against Judah's rule, and the Philistines and Arabians invaded, carrying off his possessions and family. Only his youngest son, Ahaziah, survived these attacks.
Illness and DeathJehoram's reign ended in tragedy as prophesied by Elijah. He was struck with a painful and incurable disease of the bowels. After two years of suffering, he died in great agony, as described in
2 Chronicles 21:18-19 : "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 was buried in the City of David, but not in the tombs of the kings, reflecting the people's disapproval of his reign. His death was met without the customary honors, and he was not mourned by his subjects, as noted in
2 Chronicles 21:20 : "He was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years. He passed away, to no one’s regret, and was buried in the City of David, but not in the tombs of the kings."
LegacyJehoram's reign is a cautionary tale of the dangers of idolatry and the abandonment of God's commandments. His alliance with the house of Ahab brought ruin to Judah, and his failure to follow in the righteous footsteps of his father, Jehoshaphat, led to his downfall. His account serves as a reminder of the importance of faithfulness to God and the consequences of turning away from His ways.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
2 Kings 8:16-24And in the fifth year of Joram the son of Ahab king of Israel, Jehoshaphat being then king of Judah, Jehoram the son of Je hoshaphat king of Judah began to reign.
Torrey's Topical Textbook2 Chronicles 21:1-20
Now Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David. And Jehoram his son reigned in his stead.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Library
The Antiquities of the Jews
... When He Had Taken Jezebel To Wife Became More Wicked Than All The Kings That Had ...
How Jotham, The Son Of Uzziah Reigned Over The Tribe Of Judah; And What ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/the antiquities of the jews/
The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
... [Illustration: 006.jpg TABLE OF KINGS]. ... Naboshumishkun probably reigned only one
or two years, from 900 ... or some coarse woollen material stretched over it, which ...
/.../chapter ithe assyrian revival and.htm
Resources
What does it mean that Jesus is King of kings and Lord of lords? | GotQuestions.orgWho were the kings of Israel and Judah? | GotQuestions.orgWho was King Joash in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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