_A.M. 3108. B.C. 896._ Jehoram succeeds, 2 Chronicles 21:1. His wickedness, 2 Chronicles 21:4. Edom and Libnah revolt, and Jehoram is still more wicked, 2 Chronicles 21:8. The prophecy of Elijah against him, 2 Chronicles 21:12. The success of his enemies, 2 Chronicles 21:16; 2 Chronicles 21:17. His... [ Continue Reading ]
_And Azariah_ Hebrew, עזריהו, _Azaria-hu_, distinguished by the last syllable, _hu_, from the Azariah mentioned in the former clause. _Of Jehoshaphat king of Israel_ So he is called, either, 1st, Because he was so by right: or, 2d, Because he was king not only of Judah and Benjamin, but of a great n... [ Continue Reading ]
_With fenced cities of Judah_ Over which he made them governors. This he seems to have done prudently; thus providing well for them, that they might not be tempted to envy their brother the kingdom, nor to quarrel among themselves: but “things excellently designed,” says Strigelius, from Cicero, “ha... [ Continue Reading ]
_He strengthened himself_ Hardened his heart, as the word חזק _, chazak_, often signifies; _and slew all his brethren with the sword_ Either by false accusation, under colour of law, or rather by assassination, pretending, it is likely, that he could not think himself safe in the government till the... [ Continue Reading ]
_Jehoram was_, &c. Of this and several of the following verses, see notes on 2 Kings 8:17, &c.... [ Continue Reading ]
_The same time did Libnah revolt_ Libnah seems to have set up for a free state. And the reason is here given, both why God permitted it, and why they did it, because Jehoram was become an idolater. While he adhered to God, they adhered to him; but when he cast God off, they cast him off. Whether thi... [ Continue Reading ]
_He made high places_ Not to the Lord, whose sworn enemy he was, but to _Baals_, or false gods. _Caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to commit fornication_ Spiritual whoredom, or idolatry, seducing them to eat things sacrificed to idols, (Revelation 2:20,) not only by his counsel and example, but, a... [ Continue Reading ]
_And there came a writing to him from Elijah_ It is certain, Elijah was taken up into heaven in the time of Jehoshaphat. Therefore Josephus and the LXX. imagine (as Grotius observes) that from thence he sent a letter. Dr. Lightfoot is of opinion, that it is not meant of that Elijah who was carried u... [ Continue Reading ]
_Which were better than thyself_ More innocent, righteous, and godly. This seems to intimate that they were pious persons, who abhorred idolatry. And, if so, his sin was the more heinous in cutting them off, as proceeding from enmity to God, as well as to them.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Behold, with a great plague_, &c. There was no calamity that could be thought of which did not befall this wicked prince: whose kingdom was destroyed and depopulated by the fiercest nations; his treasures ransacked; his wives carried into captivity; his children slain; and he himself laboured under... [ Continue Reading ]
_By reason of the sickness day by day_ That is, from day to day continually, Hebrew, _days upon days:_ or, (as days are often put for a year,) _year upon year:_ that is, one year after another for two years, as the event shows, 2 Chronicles 21:19.... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Lord stirred up against Jehoram the spirit of the Philistines _ A people who had been fully subdued and dispirited; but whose spirits and courage God now raised, that they might do his work. _And of the Arabians, that were near the Ethiopians_ Hebrew, _near the Cushites,_ that is, the Ethiopian... [ Continue Reading ]
_And his sons also, and his wives_ Whom they slew, all except Ahaziah and Athaliah, who possibly were hid in some secret place. _So that there was never a son left him, save Jehoahaz_ Who is also called Ahaziah, a name of the same signification with Jehoahaz, and, by a small alteration of the letter... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Lord smote him in his bowels with an incurable disease_ Dr. Mede observes, two impious kings are recorded to have had the same end that this Jehoram had: Antiochus Epiphanes and Agrippa, of whom it was said, εις τι σπλαγχνα τοις ου σπλαγχνιζομενοις, “Of what avail are bowels to those who have n... [ Continue Reading ]
_So he died of sore diseases_ These words seem to import that he was afflicted with a complication of diseases, together with his dysentery; all which were very grievous, and a suitable punishment of his horrid wickedness. _And his people made no burning for him_ Paid him no extraordinary funeral ho... [ Continue Reading ]
_And departed_ Hebrew, _went_, namely, _the way of all the earth_, as it is more fully expressed Joshua 23:14. Or, _to the land of darkness, Job 10:21_. Or, to his _long home, Ecclesiastes 12:5_. Or, _went away_, namely, out of this world, as the word הלךְ, _halack_, used here and Job 14:20; Ecclesi... [ Continue Reading ]