2 Kings 8:24
And Jehoram rested with his fathers and was buried with them in the City of David. And his son Ahaziah reigned in his place.
And Joram rested
The phrase "rested" is often used in the Old Testament to denote death, particularly of the kings of Israel and Judah. The Hebrew word used here is "שָׁכַב" (shakab), which means to lie down or to rest. This euphemism for death suggests a peaceful transition, implying that Joram's life came to a natural end. In a broader theological context, it reflects the biblical view of death as a temporary state before the resurrection, a rest before the final awakening in God's presence.

with his fathers
This phrase indicates that Joram was buried in the family tomb, a common practice in ancient Israel. It signifies continuity and connection with one's ancestors, emphasizing the importance of family lineage and heritage in Hebrew culture. Theologically, it underscores the biblical theme of generational legacy and the covenantal promises passed down through the family line, reminding us of God's faithfulness to His people across generations.

and was buried with them
Burial practices in ancient Israel were significant, often involving family tombs or caves. The act of being "buried with them" highlights the honor and respect given to Joram, ensuring he was laid to rest among his forebears. This practice reflects the belief in the sanctity of the body and the hope of resurrection, as well as the cultural importance of maintaining familial bonds even in death.

in the City of David
The City of David refers to Jerusalem, specifically the oldest settled part of the city, which was captured by King David and established as the political and spiritual center of Israel. This location for Joram's burial signifies his royal status and connection to the Davidic dynasty. Historically, it underscores the centrality of Jerusalem in Israel's national identity and God's unfolding plan of salvation, which would ultimately culminate in the coming of Jesus Christ, the Son of David.

And his son Ahaziah reigned in his place
The succession of Ahaziah to the throne marks the continuation of the Davidic line, despite the moral and spiritual failings of many of its kings. The Hebrew name "Ahaziah" means "Yahweh has grasped," indicating divine sovereignty over the affairs of men. This transition of power serves as a reminder of God's providential control over history, ensuring the fulfillment of His promises despite human frailty. It also foreshadows the ultimate reign of Christ, the true and eternal King from the line of David.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Joram (Jehoram)
King of Judah, son of Jehoshaphat. His reign was marked by idolatry and alliances with the northern kingdom of Israel.

2. Ahaziah
Son of Joram, who succeeded him as king. His reign was short and also characterized by evil in the sight of the Lord.

3. City of David
The historical and spiritual center of Jerusalem, where the kings of Judah were traditionally buried.

4. Rested with his fathers
A common biblical expression indicating death and burial, often used to denote the continuation of a royal lineage.

5. Burial traditions
Reflects the importance of family lineage and the honoring of ancestors in ancient Israelite culture.
Teaching Points
The Consequences of Idolatry
Joram's reign serves as a warning against turning away from God. His alliances and idolatry led to spiritual and national decline.

The Importance of Godly Leadership
The transition from Joram to Ahaziah highlights the need for leaders who seek God's will. Believers should pray for and support leaders who uphold biblical values.

Legacy and Influence
Joram's actions affected his descendants and the nation. Our choices can have lasting impacts on our families and communities.

The Certainty of Death
The phrase "rested with his fathers" reminds us of the inevitability of death. Christians are called to live with an eternal perspective, focusing on God's kingdom.

Hope in God's Faithfulness
Despite the failures of individual kings, God's promise to David remained. This assures us of God's faithfulness even when human leaders fail.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Joram's reign illustrate the dangers of compromising with ungodly influences? Reflect on areas in your life where you might be tempted to compromise.

2. In what ways can we support and encourage godly leadership in our communities and churches today?

3. How does the concept of "resting with his fathers" challenge you to think about your own legacy and the impact of your life choices?

4. Considering the certainty of death, how can you live with an eternal perspective in your daily decisions and priorities?

5. How does God's faithfulness to the Davidic line encourage you in times when human leaders fail or disappoint?
Connections to Other Scriptures
2 Chronicles 21
Provides a parallel account of Joram's reign, offering additional details about his actions and the consequences of his idolatry.

1 Kings 2:10
Similar phrasing is used when David "rested with his fathers," highlighting the continuity of the Davidic line despite the moral failings of some kings.

Hebrews 9:27
Discusses the inevitability of death and judgment, reminding believers of the importance of living a life pleasing to God.
Two Kings of JudahJ. Orr 2 Kings 8:16-29
Baneful Influence of a Wicked WifeJ. Parker, D. D.2 Kings 8:17-24
Lessons from the Life of JehoramDavid Thomas, D. D.2 Kings 8:17-24
Lessons from the Life of JehoramD. Thomas 2 Kings 8:17-24
People
Ahab, Ahaziah, Aram, Athaliah, Ben, Benhadad, Ben-hadad, David, Edomites, Elisha, Gehazi, Hadad, Hazael, Israelites, Jehoram, Jehoshaphat, Jezreel, Joram, Omri, Syrians
Places
Damascus, Edom, Jerusalem, Jezreel, Libnah, Ramah, Ramoth-gilead, Samaria, Syria, Zair
Topics
Ahaziah, Ahazi'ah, Buried, David, Fathers, Joram, Lieth, Reign, Reigned, Rest, Rested, Slept, Stead, Succeeded, Town
Dictionary of Bible Themes
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 Scripture

Hazael
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

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