So Jehoram crossed over to Zair with all his chariots. When the Edomites surrounded him and his chariot commanders, he rose up and attacked by night. His troops, however, fled to their homes. So JoramJoram, also known as Jehoram, was the king of Israel, the son of Ahab and Jezebel. His reign is marked by a continuation of the idolatrous practices of his parents, which led to spiritual and political turmoil. The name "Joram" in Hebrew means "Yahweh is exalted," which is ironic given his actions that often contradicted the exaltation of God. His leadership is a reminder of the importance of aligning one's actions with the divine calling and the consequences of failing to do so. crossed over to Zair
The act of crossing over signifies a deliberate decision to engage in battle. Zair is a location that is not well-documented, but it is believed to be in the region of Edom. This crossing over can symbolize a point of no return, a commitment to a course of action. In a spiritual sense, it reflects the choices we make to confront challenges, relying on our own strength or seeking divine guidance. with all his chariots
Chariots were a symbol of military strength and power in ancient times. Joram's decision to take all his chariots indicates the seriousness of the threat he perceived and his reliance on military might. Biblically, reliance on chariots often contrasts with reliance on God, as seen in Psalm 20:7, "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God." This phrase challenges us to consider where we place our trust in times of conflict. Then at night
The mention of night suggests a strategic move, as battles were typically fought during the day. Nighttime can symbolize uncertainty, fear, and the unknown. Spiritually, it can represent the dark times in our lives when we must rely on faith rather than sight. Joram's nighttime attack reflects the desperation and urgency of his situation. he set out to attack the Edomites
The Edomites were descendants of Esau and often in conflict with Israel. This attack is part of a larger narrative of ongoing strife between the two nations. Historically, Edom's rebellion against Judah's control during Joram's reign is significant, as it marks a shift in regional power dynamics. Spiritually, it reminds us of the internal and external battles we face and the importance of seeking God's wisdom in overcoming them. who had surrounded him
Being surrounded by the enemy is a powerful image of vulnerability and impending defeat. It highlights the dire circumstances Joram found himself in, both physically and spiritually. In our lives, feeling surrounded by challenges can lead us to despair, but it is also an opportunity to turn to God for deliverance and strength. and his chariot commanders
The mention of chariot commanders emphasizes the organized military effort and the reliance on human leadership. It serves as a reminder of the limitations of human power and the ultimate sovereignty of God over all earthly authorities. In spiritual battles, our reliance should be on God's leadership rather than solely on human strategies. but his troops fled in the night
The flight of Joram's troops signifies a breakdown in morale and trust. Despite the initial confidence in military strength, fear and confusion led to their retreat. This outcome underscores the futility of relying solely on human efforts without seeking God's guidance. It serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of pride and self-reliance, encouraging us to place our trust in God's unfailing support. Persons / Places / Events 1. Joram (Jehoram)King of Judah, son of Jehoshaphat. His reign is marked by idolatry and political instability. 2. ZairA location mentioned in the context of Joram's military campaign against Edom. Its exact location is uncertain, but it is significant as the site of the battle. 3. EdomitesDescendants of Esau, often in conflict with Israel and Judah. They had been subjugated by David but rebelled during Joram's reign. 4. Chariot CommandersMilitary leaders under Joram, involved in the battle against the Edomites. 5. The Army's FlightThe retreat of Joram's forces signifies a failed military campaign and highlights the instability of his reign. Teaching Points The Consequences of IdolatryJoram's failure is a direct result of his departure from God's ways. Idolatry leads to instability and defeat. The Importance of Godly LeadershipJoram's reign contrasts with his father Jehoshaphat's, showing the impact of leadership on a nation's spiritual and political health. Trust in God's SovereigntyDespite human efforts and strategies, ultimate victory comes from God. Believers should rely on Him rather than their own strength. The Legacy of SinThe conflict with Edom is a reminder of the long-lasting consequences of sin and disobedience, tracing back to Jacob and Esau. Repentance and RestorationThe account encourages believers to turn back to God, seeking His guidance and strength in times of trouble. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Joram's approach to leadership differ from that of his father, Jehoshaphat, and what can we learn from this contrast? 2. In what ways does the conflict with Edom reflect the broader theme of sin's consequences in the Bible? 3. How can we apply the lesson of trusting in God's sovereignty in our personal battles and challenges today? 4. What are some modern-day "idols" that might lead us away from God's path, and how can we guard against them? 5. How does the account of Joram and the Edomites encourage us to seek repentance and restoration in our own lives? Connections to Other Scriptures 2 Chronicles 21Provides a parallel account of Joram's reign, including his idolatry and the consequences of his actions, such as the rebellion of Edom. Genesis 27The origin of the conflict between Israel and Edom can be traced back to Jacob and Esau, whose descendants continued their rivalry. Psalm 60A psalm attributed to David, reflecting on God's help in battles against Edom, contrasting with Joram's failure. Obadiah 1A prophecy against Edom, highlighting the ongoing tension and eventual judgment against them. Proverbs 21:31Emphasizes that victory in battle is ultimately determined by the Lord, not by human strength or strategy. 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 Army, Attack, Broke, Captains, Chariot, Chariots, Commanders, Compassed, Crossed, Edom, Edomites, E'domites, Encompassed, Fled, Fleeth, Flight, Forces, Heads, Home, However, Joram, Passed, Passeth, Risen, Rose, Round, Smiteth, Smote, Struck, Surrounded, Tents, War-carriages, Zair, Za'irDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 8:21 5252 chariots 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 8:21 NIV2 Kings 8:21 NLT2 Kings 8:21 ESV2 Kings 8:21 NASB2 Kings 8:21 KJV
2 Kings 8:21 Commentaries
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