The Reign of Jehoram of Judah

211 Then Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers and was buried with his fathers in the city of David , and Jehoram his son became king in his place . 2 He had brothers , the sons of Jehoshaphat : Azariah , Jehiel , Zechariah , Azaryahu , Michael and Shephatiah . All these were the sons of Jehoshaphat king of Israel . 3 Their father gave them many gifts of silver , gold and precious things , with fortified cities in Judah , but he gave the kingdom to Jehoram because he was the firstborn . 4 Now when Jehoram had taken over the kingdom of his father and made himself secure , he killed all his brothers with the sword , and some of the rulers of Israel also . 5 Jehoram was thirty-two e years old when he became king , and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem . 6 He walked in the way of the kings of Israel , just as the house of Ahab did ( for Ahab's daughter was his wife ), and he did evil in the sight of the Lord . 7 Yet the Lord was not willing to destroy the house of David because of the covenant which He had made with David , and since He had promised to give a lamp to him and his sons forever e . 8 In his days Edom revolted against e e the rule of Judah and set up a king over themselves. 9 Then Jehoram crossed over with his commanders and all his chariots with him. And he arose by night and struck down the Edomites who were surrounding him and the commanders of the chariots . 10 So Edom revolted against e e Judah to this day . Then Libnah revolted at the same time against e his rule , because he had forsaken the Lord God of his fathers . 11 Moreover , he made high places in the mountains of Judah , and caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to play the harlot and led Judah astray .

Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 21:1-11

Commentary on 2 Chronicles 21:1-11

(Read 2 Chronicles 21:1-11)

Jehoram hated his brethren, and slew them, for the same reason that Cain hated Abel, and slew him, because their piety condemned his impiety. In the mystery of Providence such men sometimes prosper for a time; but the Lord has righteous purposes in permitting such events, part of which may now be made out, and the rest will be seen hereafter.