Topical Encyclopedia Jehoram, the son of Jehoshaphat, was the king of Judah who reigned in Jerusalem for eight years. His reign is marked by significant departures from the ways of his father, Jehoshaphat, and his ancestor, King David. Jehoram's actions and the subsequent divine judgment upon him are recorded in 2 Chronicles 21.Upon ascending to the throne, Jehoram secured his position by killing all his brothers and some of the princes of Israel (2 Chronicles 21:4). This act of fratricide was a stark departure from the godly leadership exemplified by his father. Jehoram's marriage to Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, further influenced his reign, leading him to promote idolatry and the worship of Baal in Judah (2 Chronicles 21:6). Jehoram's apostasy provoked the wrath of the LORD. The prophet Elijah sent him a letter, a rare instance of Elijah's direct communication with a king of Judah. The letter condemned Jehoram for leading Judah into idolatry and for murdering his brothers, who were better than he (2 Chronicles 21:12-13). Elijah's letter pronounced divine judgment: "Behold, the LORD is going to strike your people, your sons, your wives, and all your possessions with a great calamity. And you yourself will suffer with a severe illness—a disease of your bowels—until your bowels come out day by day because of the disease" (2 Chronicles 21:14-15). True to the prophecy, the LORD stirred up the Philistines and the Arabs, who invaded Judah and carried away all of Jehoram's possessions, including his sons and wives, except for his youngest son, Jehoahaz (2 Chronicles 21:16-17). Following this calamity, Jehoram was struck with an incurable disease of the bowels. The affliction lasted for two years, during which Jehoram suffered greatly. The Berean Standard Bible describes the culmination of his illness: "In the course of time, after two years, his bowels came out because of his disease, and he died in severe pain" (2 Chronicles 21:19). Jehoram's death was ignominious. Unlike his predecessors, he was not honored with a burial in the tombs of the kings, and he departed without being mourned by his people (2 Chronicles 21:20). His reign is a somber reminder of the consequences of turning away from the LORD and leading others into sin. Jehoram's life and death serve as a cautionary tale of the severe repercussions of idolatry and unfaithfulness to God's covenant. Subtopics Jehoram: A Priest Commissioned to Go Through Israel and Instruct the People in the Law Jehoram: King of Judah: Ancestor of Jesus Jehoram: King of Judah: Death of Jehoram: King of Judah: Edom Revolts From Jehoram: King of Judah: Marries Athaliah, Whose Wicked Counsels Influence his Reign for Evil Jehoram: King of Judah: Murders his Brothers to Strengthen Himself in his Sovereignty Jehoram: King of Judah: Prophecy Concerning Jehoram: King of Judah: The Philistines and Arabians Invade his Territory Related Terms |