Now Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David. And Jehoram his son reigned in his stead. Ver. 1. _And Jehoram his son reigned._] Than whom a worse could hardly be found: but as the Constantinopolitans were told, that for their wickedness they were just... [ Continue Reading ]
And 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. Ver. 2. _King of Israel._] Of all Israel by right; but really, of a part of them only.... [ Continue Reading ]
And 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. Ver. 3. _With fenced cities._] Herein he dealt wisely; as it is said of Rehoboam for the like. 2Ch 11:2-3 But "the... [ Continue Reading ]
Now 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. Ver. 4. _He strengthened himself._] By gifts, likely, he gained to his party vain men, as Jeroboam also did, in those cities tha... [ Continue Reading ]
Jehoram [was] thirty and two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem. Ver. 5. _Jehoram was thirty and two._] See 2 Kings 8:17 .... [ Continue Reading ]
And 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. Ver. 6. _And he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel._] He was an idolater, and therefore so cruel and bloody m... [ Continue Reading ]
Howbeit 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. Ver. 7. _As he promised to give a light to him._] _Successionem stirpis regiae et splendidae._ Out of this "light," or lamp... [ Continue Reading ]
In his days the Edomites revolted from under the dominion of Judah, and made themselves a king. Ver. 8. _In his days the Edomites._] See on 2 Kings 8:20 .... [ Continue Reading ]
Then 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. Ver. 9. _And smote the Edomites._] But could not subdue them. They might be more troublesome, as Carthage was to Rome, w... [ Continue Reading ]
So 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. Ver. 10. _Did Libnah revolt._] See 2 Kings 8:22 .... [ Continue Reading ]
Moreover he made high places in the mountains of Judah, and caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to commit fornication, and compelled Judah [thereto]. Ver. 11. _Moreover he made high places._] _a_ He restored what his father and grandfather had destroyed, _Heroum filii noxae._ The reason whereof som... [ Continue Reading ]
_And 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,_ Ver. 12. _And there came a writing to him._] Out of paradise, say some, by the ha... [ Continue Reading ]
But 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: Ver. 13. _And hast also slain thy brethren._... [ Continue Reading ]
Behold, with a great plague will the LORD smite thy people, and thy children, and thy wives, and all thy goods: Ver. 14. _Smite thy people._] Because too flexible to thy will. _ And thy children_] For a just punishment of thy fratricide.... [ Continue Reading ]
And thou [shalt have] great sickness by disease of thy bowels, until thy bowels fall out by reason of the sickness day by day. Ver. 15. _And thou shalt have great sickness._] _Eris in morbis._ See this accomplished. 2Ch 21:19 _ Until thy bowels fall out._] Philip II of Spain, who set forth the gre... [ Continue Reading ]
Moreover the LORD stirred up against Jehoram the spirit of the Philistines, and of the Arabians, that [were] near the Ethiopians: Ver. 16. _Moreover the Lord stirred up._] And so fulfilled all that Elijah had foretold: why is he not then better believed? If some astrologer had once or twice prognos... [ Continue Reading ]
And 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. Ver. 17. _And carried away all the substance._] Plundered the chi... [ Continue Reading ]
And after all this the LORD smote him in his bowels with an incurable disease. Ver. 18. _And after all this._] Because he proved incorrigible. _Plectimur, nec tamen flectimur._ Smote him in his bowels.] So he did Arrius; John de Roma, that cruel persecutor; Alexander, the cruel keeper of Newgate;... [ Continue Reading ]
And 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. Ver. 19. _After the end of two years._] This was a long while to lie under s... [ Continue Reading ]
Thirty 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. Ver. 20. _Departed without being desired._] _Ingloria vita recessit._ As he live... [ Continue Reading ]