Moreover the LORD stirred up against Jehoram the spirit of the Philistines, and of the Arabians, that were near the Ethiopians:
Read it in contextThe Reign and Judgment of King Jehoram
Start reading at 2 Chronicles 21:1 (2 Chronicles 21:1 to 2 Chronicles 21:20).
The entire chapter details the wicked reign of King Jehoram and the divine judgments that befell him.
21:1Now Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David. And Jehoram his son reigned in his stead.
21:2And he had brethren the sons of Jehoshaphat, Azariah, and Jehiel, and Zechariah, and Azariah, and Michael, and Shephatiah: all these were the sons of Jehoshaphat king of Israel.
21:3And their father gave them great gifts of silver, and of gold, and of precious things, with fenced cities in Judah: but the kingdom gave he to Jehoram; because he was the firstborn.
21:4Now when Jehoram was risen up to the kingdom of his father, he strengthened himself, and slew all his brethren with the sword, and divers also of the princes of Israel.
21:5Jehoram was thirty and two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem.
21:6And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, like as did the house of Ahab: for he had the daughter of Ahab to wife: and he wrought that which was evil in the eyes of the LORD.
21:7Howbeit the LORD would not destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that he had made with David, and as he promised to give a light to him and to his sons for ever.
21:8In his days the Edomites revolted from under the dominion of Judah, and made themselves a king.
21:9Then Jehoram went forth with his princes, and all his chariots with him: and he rose up by night, and smote the Edomites which compassed him in, and the captains of the chariots.
21:10So the Edomites revolted from under the hand of Judah unto this day. The same time also did Libnah revolt from under his hand; because he had forsaken the LORD God of his fathers.
21:11Moreover he made high places in the mountains of Judah, and caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to commit fornication, and compelled Judah thereto.
21:12And there came a writing to him from Elijah the prophet, saying, Thus saith the LORD God of David thy father, Because thou hast not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat thy father, nor in the ways of Asa king of Judah,
21:13But hast walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and hast made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to go a whoring, like to the whoredoms of the house of Ahab, and also hast slain thy brethren of thy father's house, which were better than thyself:
21:14Behold, with a great plague will the LORD smite thy people, and thy children, and thy wives, and all thy goods:
21:15And thou shalt have great sickness by disease of thy bowels, until thy bowels fall out by reason of the sickness day by day.
21:16Moreover the LORD stirred up against Jehoram the spirit of the Philistines, and of the Arabians, that were near the Ethiopians:
21:17And they came up into Judah, and brake into it, and carried away all the substance that was found in the king's house, and his sons also, and his wives; so that there was never a son left him, save Jehoahaz, the youngest of his sons.
21:18And after all this the LORD smote him in his bowels with an incurable disease.
21:19And it came to pass, that in process of time, after the end of two years, his bowels fell out by reason of his sickness: so he died of sore diseases. And his people made no burning for him, like the burning of his fathers.
21:20Thirty and two years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years, and departed without being desired. Howbeit they buried him in the city of David, but not in the sepulchres of the kings.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? Ezra is the traditional Jewish attribution, while the final compiler is not known with certainty. First and Second Chronicles are parts of the same historical work. Historical source: Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 14b–15a (record of Jewish attribution, not contemporary proof). traditionally held
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (2 Chronicles 21:1–23:21): Judah's royal households, Athaliah, Jehoshabeath, Jehoiada, the guards, and the covenant assembly are involved in the crises of succession and Joash's enthronement. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? The Jewish community after exile, especially those concerned with the temple, worship, the Davidic kings, and the call to return and rebuild. Biblical references: 2 Chronicles 36:20; 2 Chronicles 36:22; 2 Chronicles 36:23. book background
What
What is the main event or theme? The LORD stirred up the spirit of the Philistines and the Arabians, who were near the Ethiopians, against King Jehoram of Judah.
What is God revealing? God is revealing His sovereignty over nations and His judgment against King Jehoram for his wickedness, which included slaying his brothers and leading Judah into idolatry.
What is the literary style? The literary style is narrative history.
When
When was it written? The book of 2 Chronicles was written between approximately 450 and 425 B.C.
When does the event take place? This event took place during the reign of King Jehoram of Judah, around 887 B.C.
Where
Where did it happen? The event concerns the kingdom of Judah, with the Philistines and Arabians being stirred up against King Jehoram. The Arabians are noted as being near the Ethiopians.
Where was the author located? The author was located in Jerusalem.
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in The Reign and Judgment of King Jehoram (2 Chronicles 21:1 to 2 Chronicles 21:20).
Start reading at 2 Chronicles 21:1. The entire chapter details the wicked reign of King Jehoram and the divine judgments that befell him.
How
How does it fit the broader context? This verse describes the beginning of the fulfillment of the prophecy sent to Jehoram by Elijah, detailing the LORD's judgment upon him for his evil reign, which included forsaking the LORD, making high places, causing Judah to commit fornication, and slaying his brothers. stated in the text
How does it point to Christ? Despite Jehoram's profound wickedness, the LORD did not destroy the house of David, "because of the covenant that he had made with David, and as he promised to give a light to him and to his sons for ever" (2 Chronicles 21:7). This unwavering faithfulness to the Davidic covenant, even in the face of human failure, points to the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise in Christ, the eternal King and 'light' who would come from David's lineage. interpretation
How do I apply it today? This passage illustrates that God is sovereign over nations and holds leaders accountable for their actions. Forsaking the LORD and leading others into sin brings severe consequences, demonstrating that God judges wickedness and that actions have repercussions. interpretation
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of 2 Chronicles 21
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Second Chronicles follows Solomon and the kings of Judah, emphasizing the temple, worship, and responses to prophetic warning. The closing proclamation of Cyrus points beyond exile toward return. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The sequence of reigns repeatedly connects the kings' choices with the condition of the people and temple worship.
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The sequence of reigns repeatedly connects the kings' choices with the condition of the people and temple worship.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of 2 Chronicles
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Second Chronicles follows Solomon and the kings of Judah, emphasizing the temple, worship, and responses to prophetic warning. The closing proclamation of Cyrus points beyond exile toward return.
Connection to the wholeJerusalem's fall is explained in relation to rejected warnings, and Cyrus' proclamation opens the possibility of return and rebuilding.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.