Tyndale Open Study Notes2 Chronicles 21

Jehoram, whose wife was Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel (2 Chronicles 18:1; 21:6; 22:2), was the first king from David's line to receive a completely negative evaluation. His murders (2 Chronicles 21:4) seriously threatened the dynasty's survival, which was only preserved because of the Lord's loyal faithfulness to David (21:7). On three other occasions, violence against the royal family nearly ended the dynasty (see 2 Chronicles 21:17; 22:8–9, 10–11).

Jehoram ruled from 848 to 841 BC after sharing the throne with his father for three years.

• Jehoram's disobedience led to the loss of what Asa and Jehoshaphat had achieved.

• Edom has been in rebellion: During Solomon's reign, controlling Edom allowed Israel to access rich Arabian trade. The Edomites had also rebelled before Solomon's death (1 Kings 11:14–22) and were likely not under Rehoboam's control. They seemed to come under Judah's control again after Jehoshaphat defeated them (2 Chronicles 20:1–30; compare 1 Kings 22:47).

• The town of Libnah was at the western end of the Valley of Elah, on the border of Philistine territory.

Elijah the prophet wrote a letter to Jehoram, warning him of punishment for his disobedience.

Jehoram could not stop the first revolts of Edom and Libnah (2 Chronicles 21:8–10). This weakness led to more attacks on Judah by the Philistines and the Arabs. The royal family was almost wiped out again.

Jehoram died after suffering from a long and painful bowel disease. He did not receive an honorary funeral rite (see 2 Chronicles 16:14) and was buried in disgrace, away from the royal cemetery.