II Chronicles Chapter 21
Please read: II Chronicles 21 –
It is shocking the contrast between Jehoram and his father King Jehoshaphat. Jehoram was the oldest son and given the throne when his father died. This man was the complete opposite of his father. Many believe that part of the problem was who Jehoram married. He was married to the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, a marriage most likely arranged by his father.
The Bible says that Jehoram did not walk in the ways of his father Jehoshaphat nor his grandfather Asa. Which clearly means that he did not have a heart that seeks after God. He wasn’t a man just looking to gain power, he wanted it ALL, including the right to worship any god he pleased.
Even when Jehoram received a letter from the prophet Elijah, we do not read that he humbled himself nor did he confess his sins. He remained defiant to the one true God to the bitter end. And his ending was indeed bitter, horrific.
Let's Reflect
1. In verse 2, King Jehoshaphat is surprisingly called the king of which kingdom? This may have been because so many from the northern kingdom had migrated to the southern kingdom where God was honored.
2. Jehoshaphat had tried to be fair to all of his sons. He gave them large gifts, and he gave them each fortified cities. But it was his eldest who would assume the throne after him. What horrible thing did Jehoram do once he became king?
3. Verse 5 tells us that King Jehoram reigned for 8 years beginning at age 32. How did he spend the last 2 years of his short reign? See verses 18-19.
4. The chronicler tells us why the LORD didn’t just take this man’s life immediately after he committed such terrible murders. What was the reason?
5. According to verse 11, how did King Jehoram influence the people of Judah in their worship of God?
6. The Bible says that God stirred up wars against Jehoram. If Jehoram thought his kingdom was invincible because of the great military strength his father had instituted, God was about to prove him wrong. What happened in verse 17?
7. King Jehoram died a horribly painful death, but what is more interesting is the perception of the people regarding his death. What does the Bible say about the people’s feelings about his death?
