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 .
12 Then a letter came to him from Elijah the prophet saying , "Thus says the Lord God of your father David , 'Because e you have not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat your father and the ways of Asa king of Judah , 13 but have walked in the way of the kings of Israel , and have caused Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to play the harlot as the house of Ahab played the harlot , and you have also killed your brothers , your own family e , who were better than you, 14 behold , the Lord is going to strike your people , your sons , your wives and all your possessions with a great calamity ; 15 and you will suffer severe sickness , a disease of your bowels , until your bowels come out because of the sickness , day by day .' " 16 Then the Lord stirred up against Jehoram the spirit of the Philistines and the Arabs who bordered e the Ethiopians ; 17 and they came against Judah and invaded it, and carried away all the possessions found in the king's house together with his sons and his wives , so that no son was left to him except e Jehoahaz , the youngest of his sons .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 21:8-17
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.
Commentary on 2 Chronicles 21:12-20
(Read 2 Chronicles 21:12-20)
A warning from God was sent to Jehoram. The Spirit of prophecy might direct Elijah to prepare this writing in the foresight of Jehoram's crimes. He is plainly told that his sin should certainly ruin him. But no marvel that sinners are not frightened from sin, and to repentance, by the threatenings of misery in another world, when the certainty of misery in this world, the sinking of their estates, and the ruin of their health, will not restrain them from vicious courses. See Jehoram here stripped of all his comforts. Thus God plainly showed that the controversy was with him, and his house. He had slain all his brethren to strengthen himself; now, all his sons are slain but one. David's house must not be wholly destroyed, like those of Israel's kings, because a blessing was in it; that of the Messiah. Good men may be afflicted with diseases; but to them they are fatherly chastisements, and by the support of Divine consolations the soul may dwell at ease, even when the body lies in pain. To be sick and poor, sick and solitary, but especially to be sick and in sin, sick and under the curse of God, sick and without grace to bear it, is a most deplorable case. Wickedness and profaneness make men despicable, even in the eyes of those who have but little religion.