II Chronicles: Jehoram

Jehoram's father was Jehoshaphat, a king who sometimes failed but basically sought God and encouraged his people to follow God. Jehoram's grandfather was Asa, who fell later in life, but whom God identified as also following Him. Jehoram's great-grandfather was Abijah, a righteous king who placed his trust in God. By my evaluation, this is the longest streak of godly kings at any time in Judah's history. Jehoram's heritage gave him great potential for continuing to lead Judah in the ways of God.

Instead of following God, Jehoram did the exact opposite. He was easily the most ungodly king to this point. "He did evil in the sight of the LORD," following the ungodly example of Israel's wicked King Ahab, whose daughter Jehoram had married (II Chronicles 21:6). Jehoram's first significant act as king was to kill all of his brothers, along with other leaders (21:4). The sad thing is that his brothers "were better" than him (21:13); Jehoram became king only due to the technicality of being the oldest (21:3).

Jehoram's heart was evil, and he refused God's ways. Jehoram didn't merely discontinue the good things his fathers had done. He didn't merely turn a blind eye to evil the people wanted to do. Jehoram actually initiated the evil and led the people in it. He actively led the people into idolatry and actively led them away from God. "He made high places in the mountains of Judah, and caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to play the harlot [spiritual infidelity] and led Judah astray" (21:11).

The rebellious heart of Jehoram protested the good things his fathers had done, and he seemed determined to reverse as much of their influence as possible. It is no surprise that God brought judgment. Elijah the prophet sent a letter in which God specifically noted Jehoram's heritage and the judgment that resulted from ignoring that heritage: "Thus says the LORD God of your father David, 'Because you have not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat your father and the ways of Asa king of Judah, . . . behold, the LORD is going to strike . . . with a great calamity'" (21:12,14).

Even before the "great calamity" struck, Jehoram experienced the negative results of his abandonment of God. The previous godly rulers had strengthened their armies and defenses. Judah had remained primarily at peace and was victorious when battles did come. After those long years of blessing during which the country grew stronger, Jehoram's reign was a disaster. In his few years as king, the kingdom had continual struggles just to avoid losing territory. Jehoram faced simultaneous revolts by Edom and Libnah, revolts that happened "because he had forsaken the LORD God of his fathers" (21:10). Edom even set up its own king.

These losses and revolts were only the beginning, perhaps intended as warnings. When Jehoram persisted in causing Judah to walk away from God (21:13), God sent His message of impending calamity, and He quickly brought that calamity about. "The LORD stirred up against Jehoram" the Philistines and the Arabs (21:16). These armies came against Judah, invading the country. In Judah's humiliating defeat, the attackers reached the capital and even the palace itself. They "carried away all the possessions found in the king's house" (21:17). They also captured Jehoram's wives and sons and carried them away.

The national disaster was followed by a personal disaster. As predicted by God, Jehoram suffered a "severe sickness" (21:15). This illness was actually "incurable," (21:18), and after two years of suffering, Jehoram "died in great pain" (21:19). Even Jehoram's death was pitiful. He had led the people into wickedness, but they were not so blinded that they did not see the destruction that had fallen because of his evil reign. No one mourned Jehoram when he was gone (21:19). "He departed with no one's regret" and did not even merit being buried with the other kings (21:20).

As sad as Jehoram's story is, there is a positive element. The positive part of the story focuses on God Himself. God is faithful, even when wicked men like Jehoram "get in the way" of His plans. Jehoram's wickedness was so great that God would have cut off the kingly line - except for His promise. "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" (21:7). When God brought judgment on Jehoram and when his wives and sons were carried away, God prevented one son from being captured. God's faithfulness meant that David's line would continue as promised.

Even in judgment, God acted precisely. The nation did suffer as a result of Jehoram's wickedness, but in the battle with the Philistines and Arabs, the king himself was targeted. The king's house was looted; his wives and sons were carried away. The armies dealt with the king and then apparently left the rest of the country alone.

Jehoram certainly had opportunity, but he chose evil. He turned his back on the advantage he had been given. In his death he bore the disgrace of his godless reign. When he died at the early age of forty, his death was not only a protection for Judah by preventing further disgrace and disaster, but it was also a confirmation of God's determination to cut off those who would not follow Him. God remained faithful both to His character and to His promises.